The Idea and Application of Tuina in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19

While traditional Chinese medicine has displayed a positive and effective role in saving lives of COVID-19 patients, Tuina, which is an important component in Chinese medicine, has also shown its merits in enhancing the immune function and relieving symptoms in COVID-19 patients. This article elaborates the long history of Tuina in treating and preventing epidemic diseases and its effect in improving the immune function. It also introduces some special Tuina methods, for instance, sputum drainage by the back-patting method to enable the discharge of sputum; slant-scrubbing method applied on the hypochondriac regions to bring the effect of soothing the liver to regulate qi, which may also relieve anxiety of patients with COVID-19; and spine-pinching method to enhance human resistance to diseases, which is more suitable for the elderly and for children with mild or common types of COVID-19 and can also be used for health care and disease prevention among the general population. Tuina methods for children using the common children’s specific Tuina points and manipulations to improve children’s body constitution are also mentioned in the article. Self-acupoint Tuina for health care, including acupoints for prevention purposes, acupoints for early clinical stage (mild stage) and recovery stage, as well as acupoints for children health care and specific operations, is also illustrated in the article. Moreover, basic exercises for health care, such as eight-section brocade, Shaolin internal exercises, six-character formula, and change of tendons, are also presented. In the final analysis, this article is aimed at some ideas and feasible applications of Tuina therapy in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, in the hope to provide some worthy experience and introduce methods in preventing and fighting against COVID-19 to people all over the world.