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Chinese Massage
in Highgate & Stoke Newington

  • New massage clients welcome
  • Fully trained & Insured

Pricing
£85 First session (90 mins)
£65 Follow up sessions (60 mins)

FREE Discovery Call
Tuina massage by Patrizia Gaio

How Chinese Massage Can Help

Chinese massage (also known as Tuina), works with the same Chinese medicine principles as acupuncture. It is important to understand that Chinese massage is a medical massage, and as such, it does much more than just release tensions and relax the mind.

The Chinese massage involves the regulation of bodily substances and organs’ functions; redistributes excesses and nourishment of deficiencies; promotes circulation of substances such as Qi, Blood and Body Fluids, dredges blockages and stagnation; warms and stretches the tissues.

As the strength applied during the massage is related to both the client’s physical characteristics and type of issue, to some it can feel very vigorous, and to others, barely perceived.

The general rebalancing action of Chinese massage positively impacts the whole body, which means it can help both soothe the mind and strengthen the immune system. Chinese can be used to treat many conditions, and can help:

  • musculoskeletal issues and misalignments
  • lubricate joints
  • align joints and tissues
  • break down scar tissues and adhesions
  • repair tissues
  • encourage ‘soft healing’ after trauma and fractures
  • sciatica and other contractions

Your Appointment

Welcome & consultation

At your fist appointment we extensively discuss your symptoms, medical background and life style. I inform you of how Chinese medicine interprets all these aspects and what I can do to make you feel better. I reply to any questions you might have and give you basic advice that you can apply at home to support your recovery.

 

Treatment
Based on your symptoms and the feedback of specific diagnostic tools such as pulse and tongue reading, observation and palpation of the relevant areas, I apply different massage routines on different parts of body. I will inform you of the dynamics of the session and take in account any feedback and/or concerns of yours to make you feel comfortable and safe.

After treatment
I feedback about the treatment just given and discuss with you the treatment plan that I suggest. Especially in chronic conditions, more sessions are usually required in order to affect the pattern of imbalance and start the recovering. This also depends on your personal circumstances, your response to the treatments and how far you can support your recovery from home with the diet, lifestyle and exercise advice that I provide. I am a good listener and I will try to customise our sessions to your needs and circumstances!

FREE Discovery Call

London Clinic Locations

Highgate

Archway Rd, London N6 5BS

Fridays
(by appointment only)

Stoke Newington

Chesholm Road, N16

Wednesday & Thursday mornings, plus Weekends
(by appointment only)

Meet Patrizia

I am fully qualified and insured to provide Acupuncture, Chinese massage (Tuina), Moxa, Cupping and Gua Sha. My practice is deeply rooted into Qigong and is fully delivered on the holistic principle that health is the result of synergic actions linked to many aspects of our lives. Consequently, I pay great attention to your diet and general lifestyle and provide significant advice in line with the clinic sessions. This will be a great tool to support your recovery as well as establishing healthier habits for future wellbeing.

(NB. I can display the logos of my schools and the association)

Frequently Asked Questions

Although they stand as therapies on their own, acupuncture and Chinese massage (Tuina) can support each other in many ways, it always depends on the issue to treat. At the musculoskeletal level, I needle specific points that have the effect of opening up the sinew channels that I then massage with Tuina. Likewise, I practice some local Tuina to relax the tissues and open up the body before inserting the needles. At a deeper level, I can use acupuncture to support the Blood and promote the healing at the sinew level that I am treating with Tuina. The balance of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids is crucial in healing any musculoskeletal issue and using both therapies is very effective.

Depending on the conditions presented, moxibustion and cupping have powerful effects. They can stand as therapies independently, but I generally use them in combination with acupuncture or Chinese massage.

Moxibustion (Moxa) is used to promote Yang qualities inside the body and is very useful to treat Cold conditions as it is based on the heat generated by burning leaves or smokeless sticks of Mugwort, the Artemisia Vulgaris herb. It is beneficial to address menstrual issues, Cold Uterus in particularly, not only for the heat but also because the Mugwort resonates quite well with female energetics.

Cupping helps release stagnation, move Qi, Blood and Body Fluids, reinvigorate the tissues and help the body to expel toxins. Such therapy is beneficial for phlegm congestion, and in some countries, it is quite popular as a home remedy as it is a straightforward technique.

The first session lasts up to 90 mins. It includes the enquiry process performed through questions and the pulse and tongue reading; the follow-ups sessions are 60 mins each. They always include an initial, quicker consultation before the actual treatment. Please see the page Approach to read in more detail what to expect from each session.

Depending on the therapy. With acupuncture, the area to be needled has to be exposed, whereas Chinese massage is performed through a cotton sheet laid upon the body. Patients are advised to wear loose cotton clothes to make the massage more comfortable and effective. Moxibustion and cupping work on bare skin.

Testimonials

Having been with another acupuncturist for a year I moved to Patrizia because her knowledge was considerably broader and extended beyond the westernised form of TCM that is prevalent today. I was not disappointed at all. Patrizia takes a holistic approach to health from a Chinese perspective, going beyond the usual diagnostic methods and treatment techniques.
Favio S, University Lecturer

Patrizia offers her unique knowledge, experience and wisdom of healing with compassion and curiosity. Her approach is non intrusive and sensitive. Patrizia uses both Chinese massage and Acupuncture helping me connect more deeply to my body.
Gareth P, Psychotherapist

Patrizia is hugely knowledgeable about Chinese Medicine and takes time to learn about everything from my diet and nutrition to sleep patterns and energy levels. She has used Acupuncture and Chinese massage to release tension in my back and neck. Every time I come out the aches have diminished and I feel so much lighter and calmer. The space she creates is relaxing, welcoming and nurturing, and treatments are carried out with great skill and kindness.
Katy ESB, Architect

I strongly recommend Patrizia, she really helped me with my upper back pain. After the Chinese massage I felt more relaxed and the pain disappeared.
Rosa A, Business System Analyst

I started to see Patrizia in August with symptoms of Chronic Spontaneous Idiopathic Urticaria that I had had for nearly 1 year. After having no success with primary care and Dermatology – I was completely miserable and at my wits end. I had read some clinical studies online to suggest that acupuncture can promote relief and recovery from these symptoms so I thought I would give it ago. I immediately warmed to Patrizia and felt comfortable with her due to her friendly and non-judgemental personality. I was very impressed by how knowledgeable she was about her practice and how the body works. I felt near immediate relief from my symptoms after just one session, and will continue to go. I never felt pressured to make purchases or book more sessions in. Patrizia also looks at your health holistically and makes suggestions for things you can try outside of sessions. I have recommended a Patrizia to a friend who was also extremely impressed by her. It seems she can help with a lot of different health conditions or issues. I look forward to my sessions with Patrizia and feel extremely calm and well looked after in her presence. Thank you so much!
Bryony G., NHS nurse

Get Started with a FREE Discovery Call

Book a discovery call with Patrizia to discuss if Acupuncture treatments could be right for you

Free 15-min Discovery Call

Want to know if Chinese Massage is right for you, or have some questions you want answered? Patrizia will talk though the massage treatments and how we tailor the treatment for you.
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