Chinese and Western Massage Techniques Equally Beneficial to Patients

Burnaby, BC (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 26, 2009 -- PCU College of Holistic Medicine offers comprehensive training programs that teach the benefits of both Western and Chinese techniques of massage. Meanwhile, Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) can expand their existing expertise by learning the fundamentals of Chinese Massage and Acupuncture on a course-by-course basis.

"The same thinking pattern applies to Chinese massage / Tuina and Western-style massage. Both are concerned with health and wellness, but the fundamental difference is that Tuina is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of vital energy or Qi," says Dr. John Yang, Dean of Faculty and Clinic Director at PCU College of Holistic Medicine.

Tuina focuses on acupoints along the meridian line, stimulating certain points along the body to increase and correct the flow of Qi (chee). Meanwhile, Western massage works with nerves and muscles to relieve pain.

While there are differences between the two styles, Dr. Yang continues, Tuina and other types of massage can work together and patients can benefit from both. As a compliment to Western medicine, Tuina restores the body's vital flow of energy, and can treat a broad range of conditions, ranging from common aches an pains to more underlying physical and emotional issues.

"The concepts are different, but the results are similar," he adds.

PCU students learn a combination of Western medical practices, TCM, Chinese Massage, and manual manipulation techniques.

"We introduce the fundamental concepts of Western Medicine to understand human health and conditions in order to communicate with their patients and Western medical professionals," says Dr. Yang.

PCU College offers the one-year Tuina / Anmo (beijing massage) program at its campus in Burnaby.

Candidates must have a minimum of two years of post-secondary education prior to enrollment. The college is currently accepting applications for all programs. More information is available at http://pcucollege.ca/Chinese-Tunia-Anmo.


Kathleen Turner thinks she is becoming the go-to actress for a certain type of woman.

“I suppose I have a bit of a reputation for doing outrageous characters in this age group,” Turner, 55, said in a recent telephone interview from New York. “In fact, I think I’m sort of cornering the market on crazy, middle-aged women.”

Turner joins the cast of “Californication,” which returns for a third season tonight at 10 on Showtime. She plays Sue Collini, whom Turner described as “a nymphomaniacal, sociopathic agent.”

“The producer said they just thought it was this ridiculous long shot (to get me for the part), but why not ask?” she said.

She appears in 10 of the season’s 12 episodes and enjoyed working with the cast, especially star David Duchovny.

“He’s very smart and, oh, it’s nice working with smart people, you know,” she said.

Despite her penchant for playing scandalous characters, the Golden Globe-winning actress was sometimes shocked by Sue’s behavior.

“It’s not something I think about while I’m doing the work,” she said. “I don’t think about the consequences or what someone else might think of it. I’m just having a ball. I’m just doing it. And then afterwards, I think, ‘Ohmigod, I can’t believe I did that.’ ”

The part plays on the reputation Turner earned as a “sexual prowler” in such films as “Body Heat.”

“I certainly seem to have that sort of legacy,” she said. “I can’t honestly say that I deserve it. I’m 55 now. Good lord, this is my 32nd year as a professional actor. You last that long means also you’re that good. Maybe I’m more willing to take risks than a lot of people. I’m reckless.”

In addition to desirable roles, cable TV also provides Turner with a schedule that allows her to pursue other projects. She directed the recent Broadway production of “Crimes of the Heart” and plans to direct another production in the spring. Why did she decide to work behind the scenes?

“I realized that truly most of the time a lot of us actors direct ourselves because a really good director who understands acting and what you are trying to do with it is few and far between,” she said. “And I’ve had some of the best. But even so, you realize I’m the only one who understands what I’m doing. It’s just sort of a natural transition from that.”

Turner is not sure if she’ll return in the fourth season of “Californication,” but she’s open to the idea.

“It’s the kind of thing where if I don’t go back next season, I could come back the following season,” she said. “It’s got a lot of freedom to it, and I really like that. I don’t like to play the same person year after year.”

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