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MANIPULATION
The use of manipulation has been aroundsince
ancient times, and has its origins in the art of bone setting.
Manipulative Therapists work with the bones, muscles and
connective tissue using their hands to diagnose and treat abnormalities of
structure and function.
The aims of Manipulative Therapy
are to relieve
pain.
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Though protective, we may well be able to
reduce or eliminate the pain that is interfering with your life.
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We will want to discover the cause of your
pain so will need to know about your general health and medical history.
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We will then examine you for mechanical
imbalances causing or interfering with your structure. Painful
conditions from:
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back pain,
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neck pain,
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joint pain,
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arthritic pain,
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sciatica and
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headaches
...are all commonly treated successfully with
Manipulative Therapy
to reduce muscle spasm and improve mobility.
None of us want to stiffen
up!
We strive to restore a healthy structure which is
essential to avoid chronic conditions developing and to keep in peak
condition.
If your structure is faulty
like the foundations of a house
it will affect everything.
This is why Manipulative Therapy is so good for so many conditions...
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to reduce inflammation and slow down degeneration.
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Treatment boosts
circulation that tends to slow down with time
to restore health.
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People suffering from conditions such as;
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asthma and
other respiratory problems,
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M.E. (Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome),
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irritable bowel
syndrome,
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abdominal pain,
and other problems have benefited from
Manipulative Therapy treatment.
We treat babies,
children of all ages,
mums and
mums-to-be, dads,
(many problems are related to work),
teenagers, school and college students, grandparents, athletes and sports
people to assist them with the health problems.
Manipulative Therapists understand about muscles - often the most
ignored part of the body and realize that mental, physical and emotional
stresses often contribute to injuries by affecting the muscles.
We use a variety of 'Manipulative Therapy' techniques some may cause
clicking sounds, others are more like stretching and specially applied
movements.
Conditions most often treated
and helped are:
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Back Pain.
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Frozen Shoulder.
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M.E. (Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome).
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Migraine.
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Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
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Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome.
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Muscle Strains.
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Tennis Elbow.
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Golfer’s Elbow.
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Tilted Pelvis.
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Sciatica.
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Arthritis.
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Asthma and other respiratory
disorders.
When the structure is out of balance, any system of the body
can be affected by the compromised blood supply, drainage and nerve
supply. Sciatica is very often due to a tilted pelvis and lots of
painful muscle spasm.
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SHIATSU
Definition
Shiatsu is a manipulative therapy developed in Japan and incorporating
techniques of anma (Japanese traditional massage), acupressure,
stretching, and Western massage.
Shiatsu involves applying pressure to special points or areas on the
body...
This therapy is considered holistic because
it attempts to treat the whole person instead of a specific medical
complaint. All types of acupressure generally focus on the same pressure
points and so-called energy pathways, but may differ in terms of massage
technique.
Shiatsu, which can be translated as finger
pressure, has been described as needle-free
acupuncture.
Origins
Shiatsu is an offshoot of anma that developed during the period after the
Meiji Restoration in 1868. Traditional massage (anma) used during the age
of shoguns was being criticized, and practitioners of koho anma (ancient
way) displeased with it introduced new practices and new names for their
therapies.
During the twentieth century, shiatsu distinguished itself from anma
through the merging of Western knowledge of anatomy, koho anma, ampuku
(abdominal massage), acupressure, Do-In (breathing practices), and
Buddhism.
Based on the work of Tamai Tempaku, shiatsu established itself
in Japan and worldwide.
The Shiatsu Therapists Association was founded in 1925 and clinics and
schools followed. Students of Tempaku began teaching their own brand of
shiatsu, creating branch disciplines.
By 1955, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare acknowledged shiatsu
as a beneficial treatment and licensing was established for practitioners.
Benefits
Shiatsu has a strong reputation for reducing stress and relieving nausea
and vomiting. Shiatsu is also believed to improve circulation and boost
the immune system. Some people use it to treat:
Shiatsu
can be used to relieve muscular pain or tension, especially neck and back
pain. It also appears to have sedative effects and may alleviate insomnia.
In a broader sense, shiatsu is believed to enhance physical vitality and
emotional well being.
Description
Shiatsu and other forms of Japanese acupressure are based on the concept
of ki, the Japanese term for the all-pervading energy that flows through
everything in the universe. (This notion is borrowed from the Chinese, who
refer to the omnipresent energy as qi or chi.)
Ki tends to flow through
the body along special energy pathways called meridians, each of which is
associated with a vital organ.
In
Asian systems of traditional medicine, diseases are often believed to
occur due to disruptions in the flow this energy through the body.
These
disruptions may stem from emotional factors, climate, or a host of other
causes including stress, the presence of impurities in the body, and
physical trauma.
The aim of shiatsu is to restore the proper flow of bodily energy by
massaging the surface of the skin along the meridian lines. Pressure may
also be applied to any of the 600 or so acupoints.
Acupoints, which are
supposedly located just under the skin along the meridians, are tiny
energy structures that affect the flow of ki through the body.
When ki
either stagnates and becomes deflected or accumulates in excess along one
of these channels, stimulation to the acupoints, which are sensitive to
pressure, can unblock and regulate the ki flow through toning or sedating
treatment.
Western medicine hasn't proven the existence of meridians and acupoints.
However, in one study, two French medical doctors conducted an experiment
at Necher Hospital in Paris to test validity of theory that energy is
being transported along acupuncture meridians.
They injected and traced isotpes with gamma-camera imaging.
The meridians may actually correspond to nerve transmission lines. In this
view, shiatsu and other forms of healing massage may trigger the emission
of naturally occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Release of these chemical messengers may be
responsible for some of the therapeutic effects associated with shiatsu,
such as pain relief.
Preparations
People usually receive shiatsu therapy while lying on a floor mat or
massage table or sitting up. The massage is performed through the
clothing--preferably a thin garment made from natural fibers--and
disrobing is not required.
Pressure is often applied using the thumbs, though various other parts of
the body may be employed, including fingertips, palms, knuckles, elbows,
and knees--some therapists even use their feet.
Shiatsu
typically consists of sustained pressure (lasting up to 10 seconds at a
time), squeezing, and stretching exercises.
It may also involve gentle
holding as well as rocking motions. A treatment session lasts anywhere
from 30 to 90 minutes.
Before shiatsu treatment begins, the practitioner will conduct a
diagnostic examination by palpating the abdomen or back for any energy
imbalances present in other parts of the body.
Precautions
While shiatsu is generally considered safe, there are a few precautions to
consider. Because it may increase blood flow, this type of therapy is not
recommended in people with bleeding problems, heart disease or cancer.
Massage therapy should always be used with caution in those with
osteoporosis, fresh wounds or scar tissue, bone fractures, or
inflammation.
Applying pressure to areas of the head is not recommended in people with
epilepsy or high blood pressure, according to some practitioners of
shiatsu.
Shiatsu should not be performed right after a meal.
Side Effects
When performed properly, shiatsu is not associated with any significant
side effects. Some people may experience mild discomfort, which usually
disappears during the course of the treatment session.
Research & General Acceptance
Like many forms of massage, shiatsu is widely believed to have a relaxing
effect on the body. There is also a significant amount of research
suggesting that acupressure techniques can relieve nausea and vomiting
associated with a variety of causes, including pregnancy and anesthetics
and other drugs.
In one
study, published in the Journal Of
Nurse-midwifery in 1989, acupressure was shown to "significantly reduce the effects of nausea
in 12 of 16 women suffering from morning sickness". Five days of
this therapy also appeared to reduce anxiety and improve mood.
Another
investigation, published in the British Journal
of Anaesthesia in 1999, studied the effects of acupressure on
nausea resulting from the use of anesthetics. "Pressure applied to an acupoint on the
inside of the wrist appeared to alleviate nausea in patients who received
anesthetics during the course of laparoscopic surgery".
Shiatsu may also produce sedative and analgesic effects. The sedative
powers of acupressure were investigated in a study published in the Journals of Gerontology in 1999, which
involved over 80 elderly people who suffered from sleeping difficulties.
Compared to the people in the control groups, "the 28 participants who received
acupressure were able to sleep better". They slept for longer
periods of time and were less likely to wake up during the night. The
researchers concluded that acupressure may improve the quality of sleep in
older adults.
The use
of acupressure in postoperative pain was investigated in a study published
in the Clinical Journal Of Pain in 1996.
In this study, which involved 40 knee surgery patients, one group received
acupressure (15 acupoints were stimulated) while the control group
received sham acupressure.
Within an hour of treatment, members of the
acupressure group reported "less pain than
those in the control group". The pain-relieving effects associated
with acupressure lasted for 24 hours.
Shiatsu may benefit stroke victims. The results of at least one study
(which did not include a control group) suggest that shiatsu may be useful
during stroke rehabilitation when combined with other treatments.
Training & Certification
A qualified shiatsu therapist must have completed courses in this form of
therapy and should be nationally certified or licensed. There are several
massage-related organizations that offer information on locating a
qualified therapist.
These include the National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the American Massage Therapy
Association, the International School of Shiatsu, and the American
Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association. |
