Tui Na, also known as traditional Chinese massage, boasts a time-honored history spanning thousands of years. Its origin and development are recorded chronologically as follows:
3000 BCE
Archaeological findings prove that Tui Na first emerged around 3000 years ago. Oracle bone inscriptions documented that ancient female shamans applied manual manipulation techniques to treat illnesses.
700 BCE – 481 BCE
In the late Zhou Dynasty, Tui Na was referred to as Anwu in ancient medical literature. The renowned physician Bian Que combined massage with acupuncture for disease treatment.
100 BCE – 100 CE
Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Classic), the fundamental classic of traditional Chinese medicine, was compiled. It recorded 12 types of massage manipulations and their respective clinical applications.
581 CE – 906 CE (Sui and Tang Dynasties)
Tui Na achieved tremendous progress during this period. A specialized massage department was established in the imperial medical system, driving rapid development in professional teaching and clinical practice. The great medical scholar Sun Simiao created 10 new massage techniques and systematically sorted out pediatric Tui Na therapies.
The Six Codes of the Tang Dynasty clearly listed a wide range of diseases treatable by massage. From then on, Tui Na was officially recognized as an independent branch of clinical medicine. Meanwhile, this therapy spread to Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Islamic regions and other overseas areas.
960 CE – 1368 CE (Song and Yuan Dynasties)
Researches on Tui Na became increasingly in-depth, and manipulation skills were further refined. In imperial medical institutions, massage became a core treatment for orthopedic and pediatric disorders.
1368 CE – 1644 CE (Ming Dynasty)
Tui Na entered another boom period. The formal term Tui Na was officially adopted. Numerous monographs on massage were published, and pediatric Tui Na flourished remarkably. Professional exchanges on massage diagnosis and treatment were regularly held among practitioners across the country.
1644 CE – 1912 CE (Qing Dynasty)
Tui Na developed vigorously both in royal courts and among the general public.
1912 CE – 1948 CE
In the early 20th century, the rise of Western medicine brought severe setbacks to traditional Chinese medicine, which was once on the verge of extinction. During the rule of the Kuomintang, some doctors who studied in Japan proposed to ban TCM practice.
Fortunately, the proposal was rejected at the National Medical Conference held in Shanghai on March 17, 1929. This date was later designated as Traditional Chinese Medicine Day.
1949
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, TCM embarked on a path of integrated development with Western medicine. Traditional Chinese medical institutions received strong government support.
1955
The China Welfare Association for the Blind launched the first professional massage training course in Beijing. Many senior experts of Beijing Massage Hospital were graduates of this program.
1958
Xicheng District Blind Massage Clinic, the predecessor of Beijing Massage Hospital, was founded. Afterwards, Tui Na departments were gradually set up in hospitals nationwide.
2000 and onwards
Entering the 21st century, natural therapies have gained global popularity. Tui Na and other TCM modalities continue to integrate with Western medicine, providing people with high-quality medical services featuring lower costs and fewer side effects.