Bodywork in Los Angeles

Tui Na, Gua Sha, and Trigger Point Therapy for Pain Relief

Traditional Chinese bodywork offers powerful hands-on therapies that address musculoskeletal pain, fascial restrictions, and neuromuscular dysfunction. At Golden Mean Acupuncture in Los Angeles, bodywork treatments combine time-tested techniques with a modern understanding of biomechanics to relieve pain, restore mobility, and support long-term healing.

Our approach blends ancient wisdom with contemporary manual therapy principles to effectively treat neck pain, back pain, shoulder tension, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

What Bodywork Can Help With

Patients seek bodywork at Golden Mean Acupuncture for support with:

  • Neck, back, and shoulder pain

  • Muscle tension and restricted mobility

  • Sports injuries and repetitive strain

  • Postural imbalances

  • Chronic myofascial pain

  • Headaches related to muscle tension

Each session is tailored to your body, your movement patterns, and your specific pain presentation.

Bodywork Techniques We Use

Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage)

Tui na is a clinical form of Chinese medical massage focused on treating specific musculoskeletal conditions rather than relaxation. It uses targeted manual techniques to release muscle tension, mobilize joints, improve circulation, and restore healthy movement patterns.

Tui na is especially effective for chronic neck pain, lower back pain, shoulder restrictions, and joint dysfunction.

Gua Sha (Scraping Therapy)

Gua sha uses a smooth-edged tool to release deep fascial restrictions and improve circulation. It’s particularly helpful for stubborn areas of tension that don’t fully respond to massage alone.

This technique is commonly used for:

  • Chronic neck and upper back tension

  • Shoulder pain

  • Lower back pain

  • Sports-related muscle tightness

Temporary redness or markings may appear and typically fade within a few days.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are tight, painful knots within muscle tissue that often refer pain to other areas of the body. Manual trigger point therapy applies sustained pressure to these points to release tension, reduce pain, and restore proper muscle function.

This approach is especially effective for myofascial pain, headaches related to muscle tension, and chronic movement-related pain.

What to Expect During a Bodywork Session

Your session begins with a focused assessment of your symptoms, posture, and movement patterns. Treatment may include one or more bodywork techniques depending on your needs.

  • Sessions may be performed through clothing or on skin

  • Pressure ranges from gentle to deep, based on comfort and condition

  • Some techniques may feel intense but should remain tolerable

After treatment, mild soreness is possible, similar to post-exercise discomfort, and typically resolves within a day or two. Many patients notice immediate improvements in mobility and pain levels.

An Integrative Approach to Pain Relief

Bodywork at Golden Mean Acupuncture is often combined with acupuncture, cupping, or other therapies to address pain from multiple angles. This integrative approach supports both local tissue healing and systemic pain regulation.

Golden Mean Acupuncture serves Los Angeles neighborhoods including Angelino Heights, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and East Hollywood.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, muscle tension, or movement restrictions, bodywork may be an effective part of your care.

[Book a Bodywork Session]
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is bodywork painful?

Some techniques can feel intense, especially when releasing deep tension, but treatment should remain within a tolerable range. Communication during the session is always encouraged.

How is tui na different from regular massage?

Tui na is a clinical therapy focused on correcting dysfunction and relieving pain, rather than relaxation massage.

How many sessions will I need?

Acute issues may improve within a few sessions, while chronic conditions often benefit from a short series followed by maintenance care.