Healing Continued...

Amma Therapy: In Chinese, amma means "push-pull." Amma therapy is concerned with removing blockages and balancing the body's flow of energy along its meridians with a combination of many therapeutic massage techniques including shiatsu, reflexology, deep fascial and connective tissue massage, Swedish massage, and skeletal manipulations. Originated in China, interest in Amma Therapy has been regenerated by Korean-born Tina Sohn.

Aston Patterning: Aston Patterning is a comprehensive integration of massage, deep tissue work, and movement education. It was developed in the mid-1970s by dancer Judith Aston, while searching for an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. She became a top trainee of Ida Rolf and designer of the original exercises for Rolf movement and later tailored a program to facilitate rehabilitation, improve performance, and prevent injury called Aston Patterning. It combines not only massage work but also a healing reeducation of the body through movement and awareness to maintain change.



Bioenergetics: Bioenergetics is a combination of physical and psychological techniques used to release constrictions in the energy flow of the body. Because psychological defenses are anchored in the body, special attention is given to the muscular patterns inhibiting self-expression. Developed from the work of Wilheim Reich and refined by his pupil Alexander Lowen, this healing technique uses physical exercises, deep breathing, and massage to permit the body to give up its need to armor itself.Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy: Developed by fitness expert Bonnie Prudden in 1976, this bodywork method is intended to relax muscle spasms, improve blood circulation and diminish pain. Using elbows, knuckles, or fingers, the practitioner applies pressure to highly irritable spots on muscle tissue that may send pain to other areas.

Bowen Technique: This massage technique is named after Australian Tom Bowen who, in the 1950's, introduced the concept of having rest periods between a series of massage movements within a treatment session to allow the body to absorb the healing process. The massage moves are a gentle but precise soft tissue manipulation made with the intention of creating harmony within the body so that the body makes its own adjustments and achieves its own cure.

Canadian Deep Muscle Massage: This technique addresses specific muscles and muscle groups. The practitioners are trained to fix specific problems. It is a fundamental healing technique that offers fast results for both pain and stress. This form of cross fiber massage was first written about in the late 1800's in New York City. A medical doctor performing autopsies noticed that diseased areas of the body were surrounded by muscle fibers that were dehydrated and stuck together. He surmised that if one would rub across these fibers, they would release and the healthy state of muscle would be restored. This technique begins gently and progresses deeply as the outer muscle fibers relax, allowing the second and third layer of muscle to be addressed.

Chair Massage: When a ten or twenty minute relaxation session is needed, this is the technique for you. You are massaged fully clothed in a special chair designed to relax you. Because the chair is completely portable, you may see chair massage at the airport or health club, or you may want a practitioner to come to your office or business to massage the staff or guests at a party.

Chi Nei Tsang: removes blockages in abdominal area. This is internal organ massage. It feels weird at first but is very healing for digestive ailments. Also good for improving the immune system.

Core Energetics: Started by Dr. John Pierralcos in 1971, core energetics adds a more spiritual aspect to bioenergetics. The core is the inner center or higher self. The vision of this psychotherapeutic work is to invite a deeper experience and identification with one's core energy and feelings, releasing the individual to create his or her life from this deep center. This is achieved gradually by bringing movement and consciousness to the body.

Craniosacral Therapy: Within the craniosacral system is the cerebrospinal fluid that moves in a slight but perceptible tide-like manner. Craniosacral therapists assist in facilitating change in areas of restriction where this tide-like motion is limited, confined, and immobilized. By using a gentle light touch, this fluid becomes more rhythmic and balanced, and the central nervous system is restored. Craniosacral therapy is helpful to those with nervous disorders, motor-coordination impairments, attention deficit disorders, insomnia, and other problems. Craniosacral therapy was originally developed in the early 1900's by an osteopath named William G. Sutherland and later refined and promoted by Dr. John Upledger.

Deep Tissue Massage: Deep Tissue Massage is designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibers. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to unstick the fibers of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.



Hellerwork: Hellerwork was developed by Joseph Heller, the first president of the Rolf Institute. Hellerwork follows up on the principles of Rolfing, with more emphasis on client/practitioner dialogue. He believed that in order to maintain alignment and mobility, clients need not only bodywork to release patterns of stress, but movement exercises designed to eliminate their bad habits and to learn how to stand, walk, sit and move with greater flexibility and ease. The goal is not only to produce physical results but also to empower clients to grow and experience more freedom and energy in their lives.

Hot Stone Massage: Developed in the mideast for use in health spas, this technique uses stones that have been heated. These stones are positioned on the body and some are gently moved about with light pressure being exerted on the warm stones.

Integrative Massage: Originally based on the work of Wilhelm Reich, this style of bodywork was developed at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy over 20 years ago. To assist in the release of emotional issues trapped in the body, long fluid strokes are used to move energy from the head down and out through the hands and feet. This is combined with the use of deep breathwork to aid the healing process.

Jin Shin Jyutsu: helps reduce tension, stress and other problems. It is fairly similar to acupressure.

Lomilomi: Hawaiian for "rub rub," Lomilomi is a massage technique that's been handed down from ancient Hawaiian healers. Spiritual in nature, the technique was formalized by Hawaiian-born nurse, Margaret Machado. The strokes used are similar to the shiatsu technique of Japan but are gentler and shorter. Pressure with the fingers at certain points is also part of the technique, but it is of shorter duration than most acupressure. Two identifying techniques of authentic Lomilomi are the emphasis on spirit/body connection and the use of forearm and elbow as a massage tool.

LooyenWork: LooyenWork was developed by Ted Looyen, a Dutch-born counselor and bodyworker from Australia now practicing in California. His system works with the core emotional issue of a client. Though the effect is deep, the massage is gentle in keeping with Looyen's belief that pain does not heal pain (What a concept huh?). This is one of many forms of bodywork that promotes emotional well-being through the physical release afforded by massage techniques.

Lymph Drainage: The lymphatic system is a vital part of the immune system in the body. Lymphatic drainage massage assists the operation of the lymphatic system. This healing system was devised in the 1930's by a Danish massage therapist, Dr. Emil Vodder, and is popular and well established as a health modality in Germany and Austria.

Myofascial Release: Myofascial release is a technique for working with the fascia as a means of achieveing pain relief, restoring function anf reducing stress.



Neuromuscular Therapy: a program of recovery from acute and chronic pain syndromes by utilizing specific massage therapy, including the pressure of trigger points, to eliminate the causes of pain patterns. This approach brings about balance between the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It enhances the function of joints, muscles, and movement, and it releases endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers.

Ohashiatsu: A system of exercise and meditation used to relieve tension and fatigue and induce a state of harmony and peace. The practitioner first assesses a person's state by feeling the "hara" , the area below one's navel. This is followed by the practitioner pressing and stretching the body's energy channels, working in unison with the person's breathing.

Ortho-Bionomy: Loosely translated from Greek as "correct application of the laws of life", this gentle massage technique is often called the most homeopathic of bodywork. Developed in the 1970's by Arthur Pauls, a British osteopath, ortho-bionomy uses movements and gentle manipulations to find the position of most comfort in response to a pain. The practitioner then works from there to release the core problem.

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy: One of the early forms of deep muscle massage, it was developed in the 1940s by Therese Pfrimmer who had studied at the Swedish Institute in New York. Her discovery, which led to the reversal of her own paralysis, uses strong strokes across the muscle fiber rather than along the length of the fibers. This technique frees adhesions, improves circulation, both lymphatic and vascular, and causes corrective changes in the muscle on a cellular level. Working to correct and prevent serious muscular conditions, it also alleviates sports injuries, trauma, tension, and stress.

Polarity Therapy: Developed by chiropractor and osteopath Randolph Stone, polarity therapy is a holistic method of treatment. He combined his knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, yoga, acupuncture and shiatsu techniques to outline his system. Stone saw the body as an electromagnetic energy system with each part of the body carrying electrical-like charges. By placing hands on various parts of the body, the practitioner connnects the positive and negative poles to improve the flow of energy through the body and assist healing and relaxation. To maintain well-being, diet, yoga, and self-awareness are encouraged.

Postural Integration: Dr. Jack Painter developed postural integration after studying various forms of bodywork. His ten-session system consists of deep tissue techniques, movement, and breathwork. Recognizing that the body traps negative emotions, Painter's technique pays special attention to the fascia and the release of emotional blocks in a psychotherapeutic manner with the aid of intentional deep breathing.

Pregnancy Massage: Pregnancy places strong demands on a woman's body and is a time for the body to be nurtured and pampered. This massage not only relieves the tensions and aches caused by the extra weight and shift in the center of gravity to the body, but it reduces swelling, soothes the nervous system, acts as a tonic, reduces fatigue, and enhances energy.

Reflexology: adjusts meridian energy. This is a very relaxing massage you can do on yourself. It helps remove blockages through the feet and often feels wonderful although it can initially be painful. It can be done on either the feet or hands.

Rolfing: Ida Rolf was the first to create, practice and teach a system of bodywork aimed toward working with the connective tissue of the body to achieve structural changes in the client.

Rosen Method: This therapy, using gentle touch, breathing, and verbal interaction was developed by Marion Rosen, a physiotherapist, who noticed that clients who verbalized their sensations and emotions during treatment sessions improved more quickly than those who did not. This healing method applies gentle touch using hands that "listen" rather than manipulate. As practitioners touch the body where tension is held in and thus where the breath cannot move freely, it reminds the muscle and the unconscious feelings, attitudes, and memories that they can freely release. Rosen Method is used for both physical ailments and personal growth.

Shiatsu: Japanese bodywork which uses pressure to points on acupuncture meridians. Practice of shiatsu is usually accompanied by study of Chinese five-element theory and meridians, and it involves a way of looking at the body that is completely different from the "muscles, bones and blood" view of Western science, focusing instead on energetic awareness.

Swedish massage: The most commonly practiced form of massage in Western countries, integrating ancient oriental techniques with modern principles of anatomy and physiology.

Thai Massage: an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along energy lines. This ancient form of massage dates back to the time of Buddha and looks like a cross between shiastu, acupressure, and yoga. Practitioners apply pressure along meridian lines with their thumbs, hands, and feet to stimulate the movement of energy in the body, and in addition, move and stretch their clients in Yoga-like poses to free muscular and joint tension. Designed to be both relaxing and stimulating, Thai massage improves flexibility, reduces tension, stimulates internal organs, and balances the body's energy system.

Trigger Point: Neuromuscular, Myotherapy: This refers to any of several systems of working with trigger points. Trigger points are tender congested spots of muscle tissue, which may radiate pain to other areas. Significant relief results when the trigger point is treated.