By Sharon Hopkins
Deep Muscle Therapy defines itself as a means through which the therapist would stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems to promote cellular repair while wading off the hazardous toxins. The toxins that are accumulated and of no designated use in the body form the toxic fluids and they in turn harm the body with their potential toxins. Deep muscle therapy is a very successful form of remedial massage that, as the name suggests works into the deeper levels of muscles. It doesn’t just hit the surface for salvation, but moves deeper to the origin of the problem and with certain subtle maneuvers and manipulations by the practitioner afford effective relief.
The basic principle of a healthy body is to have healthy blood, which can only be achieved by good circulation. If each and every cell of the body is well nourished and healthy then so too will the whole body be healthy. But the cells get sick and so the body gets sick. Surrounding each cell is Lymphatic fluid; obviously the purity of the lymph depends on the quality of the blood and the vigor of the circulation. The cleansing action of the lymph, being as important as the nourishing action. To achieve hemostasis (perfectly balanced body chemistry), the blood and the lymph must flow freely. Rich in nutrients and oxygen and free from unwanted substances and toxins.
Deep Muscle Therapy cures by softening hardened muscle fibers and releasing muscles that have adhered; lymph flow between the muscles will be restored and an improved circulation into the muscles; will result. It is apparent that working down the muscles will not open the fibers as required and working across the muscles does help, although, it is not completely successful. By working at different angles the treatment becomes very successful and this technique will help in many different conditions. By softening hardened muscle fibers and releasing the muscles that have become adhered; the lymph flow between the muscles would be restored and improved circulation into the muscles; will result. Deep Muscle Therapy uncovers the pain that is already there. It depends on the condition of the muscles. The tighter the muscles; the more pain will be felt. This may be minimized by the use of a natural analgesic cream. The first treatment is always the most intense. As muscles become free – pain decreases. Deep Muscle Therapy is an essential ingredient to achieving optimum results by improving the circulation and therefore; maintaining good health.
About the Author: Sharon Hopkins authors topics on Massage Health Therapy and Aromatherapy regularly and provides alternative therapy solutions for good health.
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By Sharon Hopkins
Bowen technique is a remarkable holistic body therapy that balances and integrates all the physical and energetic systems releasing the blockages that separate us from our natural state of perfect health and absolute freedom. Bowen Therapy was developed in Australia by Tom Bowen. It is a system of subtle and precise mobilizations called “Bowen moves” over muscles, tendons, nerves and fascia.
A treatment consists of a series of specific sequences of moves called procedures, with frequent pauses to allow time for the body to respond. The Bowen Technique helps the body remember how to heal itself. Bowen procedures send neurological impulses to the brain resulting in immediate responses of muscle relaxation and pain reduction. The moves create energy surges. Electrical impulses sent to the nervous system remind the body to regain normal movement in joints, muscles and tendons. This helps relieve muscle spasms and increase blood and lymph flow. The Bowen Technique affects the body primarily through the nervous and the bioenergetics systems, to bring it into a state of balance.
It helps a wide range of conditions like the musculoskeletal pain such as back pain, frozen shoulders & necks, sporting injuries, arthritic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, respiratory problems including; asthma, bronchitis, hay fever and even digestive disorders; constipation, colic, Chrohn’s disease, indigestion gynecological conditions; infertility, mastitis, pre menstrual syndrome, breast lumps and the other conditions include, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, which could be simply put as ringing in the ears, bed wetting, prostatic problems, haemorrhoids, earache and ear infections.
A Bowen treatment lasts about 30-45 minutes. Most of the work can be done through light clothing. No oils are used. During a Bowen session, the practitioner uses thumbs and fingers to make rolling type moves on different muscles on the body. There are times when the therapist actually leaves the room. During the pauses, the body has time to make its own adjustments, which help relieve tension and reduce pain. Many people experience pain relief after just one session. Two or three treatments are usually enough to achieve long-lasting relief. Even long-term conditions may respond very quickly.
The ideal situation is to give the Bowen Technique a try for three sessions, once per week, without having any other kind of bodywork in between. This technique is so gentle it can be used on anyone from infants to elderly. It produces a relaxation and can release blocked emotional energy, which can accelerate the healing process.
About the Author: Sharon Hopkins, Webmaster contributes articles on Massage Health Therapy and Aromatherapy regularly and provides alternative therapy solutions for good health.
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By Sharon Hopkins
The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change habits or movements in everyday activities. F. Matthias Alexander was an Australian who is accredited with inventing this therapy. He originally developed the Alexander Technique as a method of vocal training for singers and actors in the 1890s.
It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving more energy for all activities. The Alexander Technique is a method, which helps a person to discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. Alexander Technique is the art and science of ‘using’ oneself better.
The Alexander Technique provides a concrete means for overcoming impeding habits, and for helping people learn better and do things more freely — from learning to play a musical instrument better to moving with more comfort and ease through daily life. From back pain to learning blocks, whether for a musician or an office worker, Alexander lessons remain fundamentally the same.
The Alexander Technique, however, is not a therapy that treats a passive patient. It is for the person interested in working towards his or her goals with increased awareness and practical intelligence. Although the Alexander Technique does not treat specific symptoms, you can encourage a marked improvement in overall health, alertness, and performance by consciously eliminating harmful habits that cause physical and emotional stress, and by becoming more aware of how you engage in activities.
The technique has many applications in the office. Some of these are simple and straightforward: how to sit at your desk for long periods without backache, how to use a computer without suffering from stiff shoulders or wrist pain, and of course general stress relief and improved self-confidence. Even simple advice on posture will help with some of these things.
Alexander Technique in its advanced stages has some interesting applications in areas like communication, negotiation and leadership. Even dancing provides many interesting opportunities for applying the Alexander Technique. Here, again, it has an important function in injury prevention, but there are also other benefits: in the more creative forms of dance it can prevent mannerisms and open the way out of habitual movement patterns and aid in the exploration of new ways of moving. In the dance forms where predetermined patterns are repeated the technique may help to enhance the quality of movement and coordination.
About the Author: Sharon Hopkins contributes content on Massage Health Therapy and Aromatherapy regularly to energize and heal your mind and body.
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By Sharon Hopkins
Acupressure is a type of bodywork that involves pressing specific points on the body with finger, knuckles and palms to relieve pain, reduce stress and to promote good health. It is a 5000 years old Chinese healing method used to cure many common problems. Traditional Chinese medicines view health as the constantly changing flow of vital energy throughout the body. If that flow is affected, it causes illness.
The goal of acupressure is to release the blocked energy and to maintain the proper flow by simulating specific points. These points are called acupoints. Flow of proper energy through the affected body part that is feeling discomfort, enables it to heal itself readily. Energy is not a stagnant thing, and if found stagnant it affects the whole balance, strength, and equilibrium of the body. This is understood in acupressure and therefore the therapy insists and works by finding the energy pockets that are stagnated and distributes it all over the body to give the body a new lease of life.
A treatment last from 15 minutes to an hour depending upon the conditions. Patient has to sit or lie on the massage table during this treatment. The therapist will then locate the acupoints related to the problem and work on that. For example pressing a point on top of the foot may cause the relief in migraine. Each acupoint is pressed for 3 to 10 seconds. The points are pressed and released repeatedly which removes the blockage in energy flow. After the treatment patient feels relaxed but he should not feel pain. Within three to eight hours he will come to know whether treatment is working or not.
There are different types of acupressure. Each practitioner can use different kind of technique like Japanese or Chinese. Patient should choose a therapist with whom he/she is comfortable as it includes massage. It’s better to have a phone conversation with that person before visiting. Once learned, it can be performed on oneself or friend. The acupressure therapy could be done by an individual but there are limitations and warning signs, mainly the points to be noted are, never press any open wound, swollen or inflamed skin, a bruise, surgery scar, or a broken bone and never ever use an area having tumor and for sure the pressure should not be applied directly over lymph nodes and finally, certain points should be avoided during pregnancy.
About the Author: Sharon Hopkins is webmaster of sites related to Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy, which provide invaluable information to rejuvenate the mind and body and eliminate stress scientifically.
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By Sharon Hopkins
What is Strain – Counter Strain
Strain – Counter Strain is a manual massage technique for relieving musculoskeletal spasms and pain. It is also known as Positional Release. This technique was developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones, an osteopathic doctor in 1981. It is a gentle and safe technique that relieves spinal or other joint pain by passively shortening the affected muscle areas.
How does Strain – Counter Strain work
Our bodies are not designed to function optimally in the concrete jungles that we live in these days. Years of living in these conditions puts a lot of strain on our body parts due to unnatural movements and incorrect postures. This strain on our joints leads to the development of painful tender spots. Strain / Counter Strain identifies these tender points and helps to alleviate the pain that they cause.
During a session of therapy, the practitioner uses palpation to identify the tender points on the patient’s body. Once the practitioner has identified these tender points he or she corrects the dysfunction by using the appropriate strain/counter strain technique. The practitioner achieves this by gently holding the affected muscle in a passively shortened position for about ninety seconds. When the muscle is held in this position, it is gradually returned to its original resting position and length. In this condition, the muscle is stronger and less tender. The proprioceptor nerves register this change in the position of the muscle and enable it to remain at this neutral position even when the force applied by the practitioner has been removed. This system of strain / counter strain is continued until the affected area is in harmony with the rest of the body and the pain associated with this imbalance is gone.
Benefits of Strain – Counter Strain
Strain / Counter Strain techniques help to alleviate pain and discomfort in muscles and joints and help to restore full range of movement to these affected areas. They have been effectively used to treat post-injury pain and speed up the recovery process for professional sportspersons. Strain / Counter strain is also very useful for treating people with whiplash injuries. Due to its gentle and safe nature strain / counter strain has also been used to treat children and the elderly. It has proved to be very successful when used in conjunction with more traditional forms of medicine to speed up the long-drawn process of post-physical trauma rehabilitation and recovery. It is also widely used to treat conditions such as chronic back pain, neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, and fibromyalgia.
About the Author: Sharon Hopkins, webmaster for Massage Health Therapy, your online massage guide to rejuvenate and revitalize your mind and body. She also writes for Aromatherapy, Yoga, Hair-n-Skin-Care and other health sites
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