More than 300 practitioners of tuina, or therapeutic massage, in the pediatric field from across China gathered in Shanghai for the Eighth Shanghai Pediatric Tuina Forum held from Friday through Sunday.

Leading experts from institutions, including the Shanghai Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, delivered speeches at the event, highlighting the significant role of pediatric tuina in child healthcare as well as disease prevention and treatment. They also expressed hopes for continued innovations and international recognition of the Shanghai pediatric tuina.

Experts shared at the event the recent breakthroughs in specialized treatments, including the use of joint repair techniques for adolescent scoliosis, and tuina therapy for preventing and managing myopia in teenagers. Discussions also revolved around the application of tuina in addressing neuro-behavioral disorders.

Experts also shared their successful practices of integrating the Shanghai pediatric tuina with other medical technologies. Examples included combining exercise rehabilitation with traditional techniques to enhance treatment outcomes for conditions like torticollis and utilizing a blend of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating facial paralysis.

During the forum, a ceremony was held where 58 aspiring individuals were formally taken as apprentices of the current masters of the Shanghai pediatric tuina, injecting fresh energy into the tradition's inheritance and development.

The forum also featured the certificate awarding of the 2025 demonstration units of the Shanghai pediatric tuina heritage to 24 institutions from various parts of the country. These units will ultimately help bolster the capabilities of grassroots medical facilities in providing TCM care in the pediatric sector, safeguarding the well-being and healthy development of children.