Therapeutic Massage
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Deep-Tissue Massage

Deep-tissue massage utilizes slow strokes, direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles with the fingers, thumbs or elbows. Deep-tissue massage works deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains; its purpose is to reach the fascia beneath the surface muscles.
Practitioners must have a thorough understanding of the human body and have been trained to administer deep-tissue massage, as injury can occur if the technique is not performed properly. This technique is useful in treating chronic pain, inflammation and injury.

Sports massage

Sports massage therapies are both preventative and therapeutic, and used for athletes during warm ups, training and competition to treat and/or aid in the prevention of injuries; help improve flexibility, range of motion, and performance; and aid in mental clarity. Virtually every professional sports team employs professional sports massage therapists, and are often privately employed by professional athletes.
We quite often use spots massage for improving the patient’s ranges of motion of joints as well.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy similar to acupressure; in fact, the word shiatsu literally means "finger pressure." As with acupressure, the concepts of shiatsu hold that it can promote health and facilitate healing by correcting energy imbalances in the body. These imbalances are corrected by applying pressure to specific points along channels in the body known as meridians. While there is no exact date as to when shiatsu originated, the technique is believed to be hundreds, if not thousands, of years old.
Shiatsu is usually delivered with the thumbs. However, some practitioners will use their fingers, palms, elbows -- and even feet -- to achieve the desired effect. Typically, a shiatsu practitioner will apply pressure not just to a few points on the body. The goal here is twofold: to release energy in areas where it may be blocked or stagnating, and to bring energy back to areas that are depleted.
In addition to applying pressure, shiatsu practitioners may manipulate the soft tissue over and around meridians, and perform passive and active stretching exercises as part of treatment. Scientifically speaking, shiatsu is an excellent form of pain relief. Research has shown that applying extensive pressure initiates the release of endorphins, natural pain-killing substances produced by the body. Shiatsu may also lower the levels of adrenaline and other stress hormones, producing a relaxing effect.

Tuina

Tuina (pronounced "twee nah") is a form of Asian body work that has been used in China for centuries. A combination of massage, Acupressure and other forms of body manipulation, tuina works by applying pressure to acupoints, meridians and groups of muscles or nerves to remove blockages that prevent the free flow of Qi. Removing these blockages restores the balance of Qi in the body, leading to improved health and vitality.
Tuina is best suited for alleviating chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions and stress-related disorders that affect the digestive and/or respiratory systems. Among the ailments tuina treats best are neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, sciatica and tennis elbow. However, because tuina is designed to improve and restore the flow of qi, treatment often ends up causing improvements to the whole body, not just a specific area.
There is anecdotal evidence that headaches, constipation, premenstrual symptoms and some emotional problems may also be effectively treated through tuina. Because it tends to be more specific and intense than other types of bodywork, tuina may not necessarily be used to sedate or relax a patient. The type of massage delivered by a tuina practitioner can be quite vigorous; in fact, some people may feel sore after their first session. Some patients may also experience feelings of sleepiness or euphoria. As with all forms of care, there are certain instances in which tuina should not be performed. Patients with osteoporosis or conditions involving fractures, for instance, should not receive tuina. Neither should patients with infectious diseases, skin problems or open wounds.
*Information from www.massagetoday.com

Asian Body Work

What is Asian bodywork therapy? How is it related to traditional Chinese medicine?

“Asian bodywork therapy,” also called ABT, is a term used to describe a wide range of manual (and sometimes mechanical) treatments to the human body. As with most forms of Asian healing, Asian bodywork therapy treats not just the body, but a person’s mind and spirit, and helps one achieve optimal health on a variety of levels.
All forms of ABT involve touching to some degree. Some forms are more comprehensive than others. Some therapies involve only light touching on various pressure points or regions of the body; others may involve specific motions along specific parts of the body at specific times, and may include the use of herbs, applications of cold and heat, and stretching.
When performing Asian bodywork, a practitioner will first assess a patient’s condition before determining a proper form of care. Most assessments are based on traditional Chinese medicine principles. In addition to bodywork, many ABT practitioners may also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes, and specific exercises designed to promote health and enhance wellness.
Although Asian bodywork therapy has existed at least as long as – and perhaps longer than – acupuncture and herbal medicine, it has come to be a recognized form of traditional Chinese medicine only recently in Asian bodywork therapy, due in large response to members of the Oriental medicine profession.

What are the most popular forms of Asian bodywork therapy? Are they all alike?

There are more than a dozen recognized forms of Asian bodywork therapy currently practiced in the United States, the most popular of which is shiatsu. In fact, there are at least five recognized versions of shiatsu, and many practitioners may incorporate one or more versions while treating patients. The most popular forms of ABT include:

Acupressure: Acupressure attempts to balance the body’s energy levels by applying pressure to specific acupuncture points, thus releasing tension and promoting circulation of blood and Qi. (see below for more information)

Amma: Amma is a specialized form of Korean touch therapy that combines deep tissue manipulation with pressure, friction massage and touch to specific acupuncture points, along with various muscles, ligaments, joints and tendinomuscular junctions. Translated literally, amma means “push-pull.” As with acupuncture, the goals of amma are to remove blockages, ease stress and promote the circulation of qi, which helps restore and maintain health. Most amma practitioners also receive extensive training in nutrition and dietary advice.

AMMA: Not to be confused with amma, AMMA therapy is an extensive form of ABT that includes not only bodywork, but dietary therapy, supplement use, and applying herbal remedies to the skin. AMMA promotes health by treating the body, along with a person’s biological energy and emotions, which are believed to be intertwined with a person’s neuromuscular system.

Chi Nei Tsang: Chi nei tsang is a system of Chinese deep healing that uses the flow of energy created by the body’s five major systems – the vascular system, the lymphatic system, the nervous system, the musculotendinous system, and the meridian system. According to the principles of chi nei tsang, massaging a series of points in the area of a person’s navel breaks up energy blockages and increases the flow of energy to specific organs elsewhere in the body.

Five-Element Shiatsu: Five-element shiatsu’s objective is to identify patterns of disharmony in the body, using the traditional Chinese medical methods of examination (observation, listening, asking and touching). Once a pattern is identified, the five-element shiatsu practitioner then implements a treatment plan to bring the pattern back into balance. Five-element shiatsu practitioners may palpate the back and/or stomach, examine the pulse, and take into account lifestyle, emotional and psychological issues to arrive at the correct diagnosis. In addition to shiatsu, five-element practitioners may also use heat and cold therapies to help bring patterns of disharmony back into balance.
Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu: Integrative eclectic shiatsu is one of the most comprehensive forms of ABT practiced in the United States. In addition to Japanese shiatsu, practitioners may utilize traditional Chinese medical therapies, Western styles of soft-tissue manipulation, herbal remedies and dietary modifications to achieve the desired result.

Japanese Shiatsu: The oldest and most commonly practiced form of shiatsu, Japanese shiatsu consists primarily of pressure (usually delivered with the thumbs or elbows) along acupuncture meridians. Manipulation of soft tissues, and active and passive stretching and exercise routines may also be involved in a Japanese shiatsu session. Occasionally, practitioners may apply pressure to specific acupuncture points instead of entire meridians, although treatment of an entire meridian is usually employed.

Jin Shin Do: Jin shin do combines traditional Japanese acupuncture with classic Chinese acupuncture practices, Taoism and specialized breathing methods. Whereas shiatsu is usually applied with the thumbs, jin shin do emphasizes finger pressure on specific acupuncture points. Jin shin do also utilizes body-mind exercises and mental techniques designed to release physical and emotional tension.
Macrobiotic Shiatsu: Macrobiotic shiatsu puts an emphasis on living a natural lifestyle and heightening one’s instincts in order to achieve optimal health and well-being. Treatments consist of non-invasive touch and pressure using the hands and feet, along with stretching exercises to increase the flow of Qi and strengthen one’s body-mind connection. In addition to pressure and stretching, macrobiotic shiatsu also uses techniques and therapies such as dietary advice, functional foods, breathing exercises, postural control, qigong and self-performed shiatsu.

Nuad Bo Rarn: Nuad Bo Rarn is a form of traditional Thai manual medicine, which itself is based upon a combination of Indian Buddhist medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Nuad bo rarn emphasizes specific hand techniques, passive movement and stretching, which open up a patient’s venous system, thus allowing energy to pass through and releasing tension from the body. Some spiritual elements are also employed with nuad bo rarn. In addition, some scholars believe that nuad bo rarn derives more from ancient vedic and Buddhist practices, rather than Chinese medicine.

Zen Shiatsu: Zen shiatsu is based on an extended meridian system that expands the size and location of traditional meridians, with specific emphasis placed on the abdomen. Unlike some forms of shiatsu, zen shiatsu does not stick to an ordered sequence or set of methods to deliver care. In addition, zen shiatsu focuses on the use of entire acupuncture meridian lines, rather than Tuina: Tuina is a method of ABT that combines manipulation of soft tissues, applying pressure at acupuncture points and realigning the spine and other structures to treat musculoskeletal and specific acupoints.

Does Asian bodywork therapy hurt? Is it safe?

For the most part, ABT does not hurt. In the course of treatment, some Asian bodywork therapists may include therapies such as cupping and moxibustion, which may cause bruising and slight discomfort in especially sensitive individuals. For the most part, however, ABT does not hurt, and because it is an external application that does not involve puncturing the skin or any otherwise invasive procedure, it is considered extremely safe.

Foot Reflexology

Foot Reflexology is a term that refers to the stimulation of the feet in order to affect other parts of the body via specific points. Foot contains a representation or “map” of the entire body that can be stimulated to enhance the natural healing processes. Foot Reflexology treatments can help relieve stress and muscular tension, improve blood supply and circulation, encourage the unblocking of energy/nerve pathways, and stimulate the organs of the entire of the body. At the same time, foot shows conditions of internal organs. It is kind of image diagnosis tool.
The practice of reflexology is traceable to the sixth dynasty in Egypt, in a wall painting depicting hand and foot reflexology from the tomb of Ankhmahor at Saqqara. Modern reflexology grew out of a technique developed in the early 1900s by Dr. William H. Fitzgerald known as “zone therapy.” Dr. Fitzgerald believed that applying gentle pressure to specific areas on the hands and feet could trigger health benefits in the corresponding “zones” of the body. Eunice Ingham, a physical therapist, took the therapy further in the 1930s — one of her crucial contributions was detailed maps of the feet that show the relationship between areas of the feet and other body parts. Diagrams based on her work are still in use by reflexologists practicing today.
In a few countries, reflexology has been recognized by the national government and either has already been integrated into the national health care system, or is in the process of being integrated. These countries are China, Denmark and, most recently, the United Kingdom. As a consequence, reflexology is used in these countries alongside Allopathic Medicine, and in China it is used together with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient art of healing believed by some people to be even older than acupuncture. It involves the use of the fingers (and in some cases, the toes) to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. Pressing on these points relieves muscle tension, which promotes the circulation of blood and Qi to aid in the healing process.
What's the difference between acupressure and acupuncture?
Acupressure and acupuncture are actually quite alike. In fact, acupressure is sometimes referred to as "needleless acupuncture," because both forms of healing use the same points to achieve the desired results. The main difference between the professions is that an acupuncturist stimulates points by inserting needles, whereas an acupressurist stimulates the same points using finger pressure.

How does acupressure work?

Like acupuncture, acupressure involves the stimulation of certain points on the body. Stimulating these points can trigger the release of endorphins, chemicals produced by the body that relieve pain. When endorphins are released, the pain is blocked, and the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area is increased. This causes the muscles to relax and promotes healing.
In acupressure, as with most traditional Chinese medicine concepts, local symptoms are considered an expression of the whole body’s condition. A person with a tension headache, for instance, may actually be suffering from pain or stress in the shoulder and neck. An acupressurist would focus not only on relieving pain and discomfort, but removing the source of that pain and discomfort, before it develops into a more serious condition.
Besides relieving pain, acupressure can help rebalance the body by lowering stress and tension levels and strengthening the immune system. Certain acupressure points can also relieve tension in the chest, enabling people to breathe more deeply and sleep better, and there has been anecdotal evidence that acupressure can help pregnant women have a quicker, less painful delivery.

Advantages and Limits of Acupressure

Acupressure has several advantages over most other forms of healing:
It is extremely cost-effective. No special equipment is required; the only items a person needs to perform acupressure effectively are their own fingers and/or toes.
It can be performed anywhere, at any time. A person doesn't need to practice in a particular setting or a particular time of the day to experience its effects.
It can be performed alone. Self-acupressure has been performed in Asia for thousands of years. In the United States, many people can learn acupressure from an experienced practitioner or health care provider. In addition, there are a wide range of books and videotapes on the subject so that people can learn how to self-perform acupressure in the comfort of their own homes.
It is very safe, as long as a person follows the instructions provided by a licensed health care professional. No drugs are involved with acupressure; hence, there is no opportunity for drug-related side-effects to occur.
It offers a great deal of benefits to the patient. Correctly performed, acupressure increases circulation, reduces tension and enables the body to relax. Reducing tension, in turn, strengthens the immune system and promotes wellness.

*Information from www.acupuncture.com