Bodywork in Los Angeles: Tui Na, Gua Sha, and Trigger Point Therapy
Traditional Hands-On Healing for Lasting Relief
Written by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl. — Licensed California Acupuncturist and Founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture. Practicing since 2014.
Traditional Chinese bodywork offers powerful hands-on therapies that address musculoskeletal pain, fascial restrictions, and neuromuscular dysfunction. At Golden Mean Acupuncture, bodywork techniques including tui na (Chinese medical massage), gua sha (scraping therapy), and trigger point therapy provide targeted treatment that releases muscle tension, restores movement patterns, and accelerates healing.
What Can Bodywork Help With?
Bodywork can help relieve pain, improve mobility, release tension, and support recovery—especially when symptoms don't resolve with rest alone.
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Tui Na
Chinese Medical Massage
Clinical therapy (not relaxation massage). Treats specific conditions by working with soft tissues, joints, and acupuncture points.
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Gua Sha
Scraping Therapy
Ancient technique for stubborn tension and pain. Releases fascial restrictions and dramatically increases microcirculation.
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Trigger Point
Myofascial Release
Releases painful knots for lasting relief. Addresses referred pain patterns and the full kinetic chain.
Clinical therapy, not relaxation massage推 Tui Na: Chinese Medical Massage
Tui na is the therapeutic massage system of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike relaxation massage, tui na is clinical therapy used to treat specific conditions by manipulating soft tissues, joints, and acupuncture points. Research demonstrates that tui na reduces inflammation and promotes tissue repair (Kong et al., 2016).
Tui na treats chronic lower back and neck pain, shoulder restrictions, sports injuries, post-injury recovery, and muscle spasticity.
What Tui Na Treats
Chronic lower back and neck pain
Shoulder restrictions
Sports injuries
Post-injury recovery
Muscle spasticity
Ancient technique for stubborn tension and pain刮 Gua Sha: Scraping Therapy for Deep Tissue Release
Gua sha involves using a smooth-edged tool to stroke the skin with controlled pressure, creating temporary redness. This technique treats pain, releases fascial restrictions, and improves circulation.
Gua sha is particularly effective for breaking up fascial adhesions. When fascia becomes restricted due to injury, poor posture, or chronic inflammation, it limits mobility and creates pain. Gua sha mechanically separates adhered fascial layers, allowing tissues to glide freely again.
Gua sha treats chronic neck and upper back tension, shoulder and lower back pain, IT band syndrome, tension headaches, and persistent pain unresponsive to other treatments. The appearance of sha (temporary redness or purple marks) indicates therapeutic effect and fades within 2-7 days.
What Gua Sha Treats
Chronic neck and upper back tension
Shoulder and lower back pain
IT band syndrome
Tension headaches
Persistent pain unresponsive to other treatments
Releasing painful knots for lasting relief点 Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within muscle that refer pain to distant locations. These painful nodules play a critical role in chronic pain syndromes (Bron & Dommerholt, 2012). Treatment involves applying sustained pressure, typically holding for 30-90 seconds until release occurs. Research indicates manual trigger point therapy is effective and safe (Segura-Ortí & Prades-Vergara, 2023).
Trigger Point Treatment
Treatment involves applying sustained pressure, typically holding for 30-90 seconds until release occurs.
The Clinical Approach
Reading the BodyAt Golden Mean Acupuncture, bodywork assessment often reveals that the location of pain is not the source of the problem. By evaluating the full kinetic chain before treatment begins, sessions address root causes rather than chasing symptoms. Patients frequently report that identifying and releasing a trigger point they did not know existed resolves pain that other treatments missed.
Integration with Other Modalities
Bodywork techniques work synergistically with other therapies. Manual techniques combine well with acupuncture; needles can be inserted into trigger points while manual techniques address broader restriction patterns. Cupping provides decompression complementing compressive forces of manual therapy.
What to Expect During Treatment
Sessions begin with assessment through palpation, range of motion testing, and movement observation. Treatment may be performed through light clothing or on bare skin.
During trigger point release, patients may experience a "good hurt" sensation where pressure creates discomfort that gradually eases.
Following treatment, areas of deep work may feel tender for a day or two, with many patients experiencing immediate improvements in range of motion.
Location
Golden Mean Acupuncture is located near Dodger Stadium in Angelino Heights, serving Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and East Hollywood.
About Your Practitioner
Bodywork treatments are provided by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl., founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture.
Shaun has been a licensed California acupuncturist since 2014 and holds a Master's degree from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
Ready to Experience Bodywork?
For those interested in whether bodywork might help with chronic pain, restricted movement, or injury recovery, this can be discussed during any visit.
Bodywork is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bodywork should create therapeutic discomfort rather than sharp pain. Deep trigger point work can be intense but should stay within tolerable limits. The sensation is often described as a "good hurt" that brings relief as tissues release. Always communicate with your practitioner if pressure becomes too intense.
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Tui na is clinical medical therapy based on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory rather than relaxation massage. It uses specific techniques applied according to TCM diagnosis to treat conditions like neck pain, back pain, and joint dysfunction. While it may be relaxing, the primary goal is therapeutic correction and restoration of function.
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The red or purple marks from gua sha result from blood and cellular waste being drawn to the surface and typically fade within 2-7 days. These are not bruises and indicate therapeutic effect. The marks are not painful, though some mild muscle soreness may occur.
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Treatment frequency depends on your condition and duration. Acute injuries may respond quickly with 3-6 sessions, while chronic neck pain or back pain typically benefits from 8-12 sessions initially, followed by periodic maintenance. Your practitioner will recommend an appropriate schedule based on your response to treatment.
References
Bron, C., & Dommerholt, J. D. (2012). Etiology of myofascial trigger points. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 16(5), 439-444.
Cui, J., et al. (2023). Efficacy and safety of Tuina for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, 997116.
Kong, L. J., et al. (2016). Effectiveness of Chinese massage therapy on post-stroke spasticity. Clinical Rehabilitation, 30(10), 985-994.
Kong, L. J., et al. (2017). Clinical evidence of Chinese massage therapy for cervical radiculopathy: A systematic review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 9519285.
Segura-Ortí, E., & Prades-Vergara, S. (2023). Effectiveness of manual trigger point therapy: A systematic review. Life, 13(2), 336.
Travell, J. G., & Simons, D. G. (1983). Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Williams & Wilkins.
Zhai, T., et al. (2024). Advancing musculoskeletal diagnosis and therapy: A comprehensive review of trigger point theory. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, 1433070.
Page last updated: February 2026