Traditional Bodywork (TCM)

Ancient Chinese healing techniques that work with your body's natural energy to ease tension and restore balance.

Traditional Bodywork rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers something different from a standard massage. Rather than working the muscles alone, this traditional Chinese medicine bodywork follows the body's energy pathways to release tension, calm the mind, and bring you back into balance. At Body Dealing, licensed massage therapist Ana Suriel practices Tui-na — also known as amma therapy — a time-honored form of traditional Chinese massage that uses acupressure along the body's meridians. In TCM, these meridians are understood to carry Qi, the body's vital energy, and when that flow becomes blocked, tension and imbalance can follow. Traditional bodywork is designed to gently unblock and restore that flow, leaving you feeling looser, calmer, and more at ease.

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What Your Traditional Bodywork (TCM) Session Includes

Every traditional Chinese bodywork session begins with a conversation. Ana takes time to understand where you're holding tension and how you've been feeling, then tailors her approach to your body and your goals. Her traditional bodywork centers on Tui-na and acupressure — hands-on techniques drawn directly from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A traditional bodywork session at Body Dealing typically involves:

  • Tui-na (amma) techniques, including rolling, kneading, and pressing along the body's energy pathways
  • Acupressure, applying focused pressure to specific points that sit alongside the meridians
  • Work aimed at unblocking Qi, to relieve tension and support a sense of natural flow
  • A calm, attentive approach shaped around how your body responds throughout the session

Sessions are available in 30-, 60-, and 90-minute lengths, so you can enjoy a focused reset or a longer, more complete experience.

Improve their well-being

The Principles Behind Traditional Chinese Medicine Bodywork

Traditional Chinese Medicine bodywork goes beyond simply kneading muscles. In the TCM tradition, the body is seen as a network of meridians — energy pathways that carry Qi throughout the body. When Qi flows freely, the body is understood to be in balance; when it becomes blocked or stagnant, tension, discomfort, and a sense of imbalance can arise. Tui-na, one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medical massage, uses rolling, kneading, and pressing along these pathways, together with acupressure, to help restore that flow.


The wider TCM tradition includes a family of related practices — techniques such as cupping and Gua Sha are also part of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a whole. At Body Dealing, Ana's traditional bodywork focuses specifically on Tui-na and acupressure, the hands-on, pressure-based approach she trained in. It's a holistic style of care, which is why so many people find it as calming for the mind as it is relieving for the body. As with any complementary therapy, traditional bodywork is meant to support your well-being rather than replace medical care.

What Traditional Bodywork Can Help With

Traditional Chinese bodywork is valued for the way it works on body and mind together. Many people turn to it to:

  • Relieve muscular tension and everyday tightness
  • Reduce stress and encourage a deep sense of calm
  • Support natural mobility and a feeling of free movement
  • Ease the physical effects of a busy, high-pressure lifestyle
  • Restore a sense of balance when the body feels "stuck" or run down

Because it addresses both physical tension and overall well-being, traditional bodywork can be a grounding, restorative addition to your self-care.

Who Traditional Bodywork Is Best For

Traditional Bodywork (TCM) is well suited to anyone drawn to a more holistic, whole-person approach to wellness. It's a wonderful choice for people carrying stress and tension that seem to affect both body and mind, and for those curious about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its time-tested techniques. Busy professionals, caretakers, and anyone feeling depleted by a demanding routine often find traditional Chinese bodywork helps them feel more grounded and restored. It's also a meaningful option for people who appreciate care that looks beyond individual muscles to the body as a connected whole. If you're seeking relief that feels as balancing as it is relaxing, this treatment is for you

Why Choose Body Dealing for Traditional Bodywork

What sets Body Dealing apart is the depth of training behind every session. Ana Suriel is a licensed massage therapist and the owner of Body Dealing, educated at the New York College of Health Professions in a curriculum grounded in both Eastern and Western medicine — with dedicated study in Tui-na and Traditional Chinese Medicine. That background gives her a recognized, authentic understanding of the principles behind traditional Chinese bodywork, not just its movements.


Just as important, Ana believes in educating her clients rather than simply treating them. She'll help you understand the ideas behind Tui-na and acupressure and why a particular approach suits your body, so your session feels both meaningful and personal. It's traditional care delivered with genuine knowledge and attention.

How the Benefits of Traditional Bodywork Last Beyond Your Session

The sense of balance that comes from traditional Chinese bodywork often lingers well after your visit. Many clients notice they feel calmer, looser, and more centered in the days that follow, with tension slower to return. Because Ana takes time to explain the principles behind her work, you also leave with a better understanding of how stress and tension show up in your body — awareness you can carry into your everyday life. Woven into a regular routine, traditional bodywork can help you maintain that grounded, balanced feeling over time.

What Is a Traditional Chinese Body Massage?

A traditional Chinese body massage is a form of bodywork rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that works with the body's energy, or Qi, rather than focusing on muscles alone. The most well-known form is Tui-na, one of the oldest styles of medical massage, which uses rolling, kneading, and pressing movements along the body's meridians — the energy pathways described in TCM. Alongside these techniques, acupressure applies focused pressure to specific points to help release blockages and encourage Qi to flow freely. In the TCM view, this restored flow supports balance and helps relieve tension, stress, and stiffness. Unlike a purely relaxation-focused massage, a traditional Chinese body massage takes a holistic approach, treating the body as a connected system and aiming to support overall well-being. At Body Dealing, Ana practices this tradition through Tui-na and acupressure, offering an authentic, hands-on experience of traditional Chinese bodywork. As with any complementary therapy, it's meant to support your health rather than replace guidance from your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long is a Traditional Bodywork (TCM) session?

    At Body Dealing, Traditional Bodywork (TCM) sessions are offered in 30-, 60-, and 90-minute lengths, giving you the flexibility to choose an experience that fits your schedule and your needs. A 30-minute session is a good option when you'd like to focus on a particular area of tension or enjoy a quick, grounding reset. A 60-minute session allows enough time for a more complete traditional Chinese bodywork experience, working along the body's energy pathways at an unhurried pace. If you want to fully relax and let the benefits settle in, a 90-minute session gives Ana the time to work thoroughly and mindfully. She's always happy to help you choose the right length based on how you're feeling and what you hope to gain.

  • What does Tui-na feel like compared to a regular massage?

    Tui-na can feel quite different from a standard relaxation massage. Rather than long, gliding strokes across the surface of the muscles, Tui-na uses rolling, kneading, and pressing movements combined with focused acupressure along the body's meridians. You may notice concentrated pressure at specific points, which many people describe as satisfying and releasing rather than simply soothing. The experience is both physical and calming, since traditional Chinese bodywork is designed to address tension and a sense of balance at the same time. Ana will always work within your comfort level and check in throughout the session, so the pressure feels effective without ever becoming too much.

  • Is traditional Chinese bodywork safe?

    Traditional Chinese bodywork such as Tui-na is gentle and well suited to most healthy adults, but as with any bodywork, there are situations where extra care is important. If you're pregnant, recovering from an injury or surgery, or managing a diagnosed medical condition, it's best to speak with your doctor beforehand and to let Ana know in advance. This allows her to adjust her approach or focus on appropriate areas so your session remains comfortable and safe. Traditional bodywork is a complementary therapy meant to support your overall well-being, and being open about your health history helps ensure it's tailored appropriately to you.

  • How is Traditional Bodywork (TCM) different from a Swedish or deep tissue massage?

    The key difference lies in the philosophy behind the work. Swedish massage focuses on relaxation through flowing strokes, and deep tissue massage targets deep muscular tension with firm pressure — both work primarily on the muscles themselves. Traditional Bodywork (TCM), by contrast, is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and works along the body's meridians using Tui-na and acupressure, with the aim of unblocking Qi and restoring balance to the whole body. It's a more holistic approach that considers physical tension and overall well-being together. At Body Dealing, Ana offers each of these styles, so she can help you choose the one that best matches what your body and mind are asking for.

  • How often should I get traditional bodywork?

    How often you enjoy traditional bodywork depends on your goals and lifestyle. Many people treat a monthly session as a consistent way to manage stress, ease tension, and maintain a grounded sense of balance. Those navigating especially demanding or stressful periods may prefer to come in more frequently, while others simply book whenever they feel the need to reset. Because Ana takes time to understand how you're feeling during each visit, she can offer thoughtful, personalized guidance on a rhythm that supports your well-being — never a rigid schedule, just a cadence that works for you and your body.

Book Your Traditional Bodywork Session Today

If you're looking for care that soothes both body and mind, traditional Chinese bodywork offers a grounding, time-honored path to balance. Ana Suriel is ready to welcome you with an authentic Tui-na and acupressure session tailored to you. Reach out to book your traditional bodywork appointment at Body Dealing.


Call or text: (347) 987-5326 Email: Anasuriellmt@gmail.com

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Client Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

I left my first session feeling lighter than I have in years. Ana took the time to understand exactly where I was holding tension and built the whole treatment around it. I've never had bodywork feel this personal or this restorative.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jane W.

Chronic shoulder pain had me tightening up for months, and nothing seemed to stick. After a few sessions of myofascial work, I finally have my range of motion back. Ana explains what she's doing and why — I actually understand my own body now.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Marcus R.

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