In Tibetan Medicine, there are four main therapeutical approaches: behaviour, diet, medicines and external therapies. Massage is considered to be one of the most important external therapies. There are 5 external therapies in Tibetan Medicine and Kunye is one of these. KUNYE is a very ancient therapy and it is indigenous to Tibetan Medicine. It is also mentioned in the Bum Shi, a Tibetan medical text dating back to approximately 4.000 years ago. Kunye is also mentioned in later medicine texts and it is comprised of two main phases: KU, or the application of oil, movement of the joints, and application of heat to the body and NYE, or kneading, rubbing, tapping of the body, which works on the muscles, skin, tendons and points. There is also another part called "chi", that we use to remove the oil from the body. "Ku" and "nye" are both important for the general well-being of patients and are ideal to balance energies and remove tension, fatigue and nervousness, so it is a very useful therapy in modern society. There are approximately 250 different points on the body which can be treat- ed to cure different disorders. In the case of specific problems, the therapist will work on particular designated points and meridians. The points can be pressed, rotated, tapped with fingers or with various types of stones and sticks. Kunye is used for both healthy and sick people and it is with this approach that we should study it. In the video Doctor Nida Chenagtsang, in collaboration with the Department of Medicine of the Shang Shung Institute, explains and demonstrates these techniques. The video is particularly aimed at instructing the students of Ku Nye and Tibetan medicine, but it can also be viewed as an introduction to this ancient traditional healing art.
