Tui Na Centre - Rozman Method

Massage treatments for children with Special Needs

Tui Na, sometimes called ‘Chinese massage’, is an oriental massage therapy that has been used since ancient times. It is a division of traditional Chinese medicine and considered to be of equal importance and effectiveness as that of acupuncture or herbal medicine. It has an extensive tradition as a holistic healing art, with no negative side effects.
Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of internal energy, called Qi, through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tui Na seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of energy, allowing the body to heal itself naturally. In Western medicine terms Chinese system of meridians tracks major arteries, nerves and lymphatic vessels, and many of the meridian massage points correspond to nerve bundles or muscle trigger points.
In addition to being used to address physical problems and chronic pain conditions and sports injuries - all conditions that in the West would be treated by osteopathy, chiropractice and physiotherapy – Tui Na is also used widely to address chronic problems such as headaches, migraines, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and sleep problems. It is thought to balance the autonomic nervous system by reducing anxiety, aggressiveness and irritability (‘fight or flight’ sympathetic responses) and increasing relaxation (‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic responses). Regular and targeted massage and touch-therapy in general has been shown to stimulate the senses (touch, hear, feel, smell and see) and blood flow; regulate sleep, digestion and mood; stimulate liver and kidney activity; stimulate production of serotonin and melatonin and lead to improved regulation of cortisol and stress levels.
Tui Na’s potential for treating symptoms of autism
Ti Na massage is not claimed to be a cure for autism! However, based on many parental reports, as well as many positive studies on related touch-therapies and massage therapies that are based on similar principles (see references below) Tui Na massage therapy has the potential to improve and reduce many of the disabling symptoms that are part of, or often accompany autism. Many of the parents who have attended the training and implemented regular daily massage at home have reported improvements in sleep, social skills, stress levels, outbursts, speech, repetitive behaviour, sensory and digestive problems. In addition, practising this massage daily can further strengthen the special bond that parents have with their child, and so reduce parental stress and improve their own well-being.
As Tui Na massage is holistic with no reported negative side effects it can be used effectively in combination with conventional autism support strategies and behavioural and other therapies.

Many studies have shown that children and adults with autism can react very well to touch, providing it is regular, structured and predictable unlike the random touch that occurs in social situations and is often very problematic for them.
Tui Na massage therapy for autism has been developed by Leonid Rozman, through his desire to support his own autistic son’s development and improve his quality of life. Prior to developing this autism-specific Tui Na therapy, Leonid had over 13 years of experience in Eastern philosophies and bodywork, with Tui Na massage in particular. He graduated from the Asante Academy of Chinese medicine, affiliated with Middlesex University, and went onto develop the therapy now taught at Tui Na Centre, which he founded in 2012 with his partner Sanja in order to bring this therapy to families by training parents to apply it at home with their children.
During the training workshops, which are held either at their North London centre or at participating charity and community centres, parents are introduced to the principles of this massage, the theory behind it and the benefits it can bring to their child. They then move on to the practical part of the course, demonstrated by Leonid, where parents practice massage on each other. The aim of the course it to teach parents as thoroughly as possible so on completion of the course they will have the confidence, basic background knowledge and skills to treat /massage their child and achieve the maximum benefits in reducing the disabling symptoms of autism.
During the course parents also discuss common difficulties they might encounter during the first days of treatment at home and receive advice on how to overcome those difficulties. During short individual discussions with workshop leaders parents are also advised and introduced to several more specific massage points, relative to their child’s specific problems and needs. Following the completion of the training all attendees receive a certificate, course book and a video with the complete treatment plan for future reference.

Tui Na Centre is actively looking for a ways to connect with community and they are able to deliver a short introductory presentation explaining further the therapy Tui Na offers and it’s benefits in reducing the symptoms of autism. These introductory presentations are free of charge but if parents are willing to learn further and are ready to commit to a daily massage treatment, that once learnt, normally take around 30min of their time, they then need to attend a full-day intensive training workshop.