Healing With Hands: (massage therapy and therapeutic touch)
by A.L. Abu Hamin
Here's a riddle for you: what is the body's
largest organ? I'll give you a clue. It is also your oldest
organ, the very first one developed while you were growing
in your mother's womb. So what do you think? The heart? The
brain?
The answer may surprise you. It's your skin. Yes, our skin
is actually an organ, with a function much more vital to us
than being merely a wrapper to hold our body together. Our
skin receives and sends all the vital messages our body needs-
physical messages of heat and cold, of danger and safety,
of pain and pleasure, psychological messages of love and care.
And it's the palms of our hands and our fingertips that are
the most densely packed with these sensitive tactile receptors.
So that the act of touching, or being touched, signals more
acutely than any of our other senses, what the quality of
our environment is, the quality of our contact, even the quality
of our relationships. It not only provides protection against
the dangerous aspects of the world around us, but it also
provides us with the means of experiencing the wonders of
this world as we are literally in contact with it. And so
from the very beginning of our beginnings we have been wonderfully
and fearfully made to be sensitive, skin-sensitive to all
of God's creation. Is it any wonder then, that from the very
beginning of our very beginnings, the simple act of tender,
caring, human touch has carried with it the profound qualities
of love, of nurture, security, compassion, affirmation- and
healing?
 Just
in case you ever wondered, the entire Universe consists of
energy fields all interacting with one another. The stars
and nebulae at the far side of the Universe are like that,
and so are our bodies--energy cells interacting with one another.
The problem is, we humans have the ability to generate energy
in the shape of thoughts, and frequently, that energy is negative.
Hence, a lot of people suffer energy blocks which eventually
manifest themselves in all sorts of problems, sometimes catastrophic.
The Creator, Infinite Intelligence, the Source of Your Being,
allocated some pretty superior spiritual gifts when humans
were turned loose on the Earth Plane. One was the Gift of
Healing. Most people have the gift. Mom picks up the hurt
child, and there is a transfer of healing energy, and the
child relaxes and starts to feel better. If you twist a muscle,
what do you do? Instinctively, you place your hands on the
problem, and somehow, that reduces the pain. Believe it or
not, there are many people who have the healing gift and go
through their lives not realizing it.
The actual touch is important in healing. It helps to have
a few other of things: (1) Feel good about yourself; (2) Do
healing with enthusiasm or passion (passion is the energy
for getting things done); and (3) Believe that there is an
Infinite Intelligence that powers the Universe with life.
So we are talking about Hands-on Healing or Contact Healing.
Ebony magazine reported in 7/00 that “Massage is also
gaining credence in the medical world as an effective drugless
therapy.” There's more and more scientific research
that has come out to show the effectiveness of massage therapy,"
says masseur Greene. "As doctors become more familiar
with it and patients talk about it, it's becoming a requested
treatment."
Nearly 20 percent of Americans reported receiving massages
in the past five years, according to 1997 data from the American
Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The number continues to
grow as people learn the benefits of massage which include:
* Flushing toxins and waste from your body
* Creating healthier skin and better muscle tone
* Reducing stress
* Feeling refreshed and relaxed
* Improving blood circulation
* Aiding recovery from sprains and strains
Greene says common disorders such as headaches, insomnia,
constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome and minor aches and pains
may respond to massage therapy. The popularity of massage
is part of a larger wave of interest in holistic healing.
Rather than seek invasive remedies, people are searching for
natural pain-relievers such as massage, which has been around
for millenniums.
"For thousands of years and across the globe, most
cultures have realized the healing power of touch,"
says Dr. Elaine Ferguson, a Chicago physician.
"Fortunately, research now confirms massage, by inducing
deep relaxation, does improve the immune system, lower the
blood pressure and improve lung, cardiac and neurological
function."
Philomena Queen, a licensed massage therapist and instructor
at the Potomac Massage Training Institute (PMTI) in Washington,
D.C., says the number of African-Americans seeking training
in massage therapy continues to rise. In 1990, just 2 percent
of the school's students were Black, she says. Today, African-Americans
make up about a third of the school population.
 Your
Healing Hands: Discover the Art of Energy Healing
Michael Stellitano
More than an enterprise to make big money,
Black massage therapists often see their work as a mission
of healing. The Body Workers of the African Diaspora, a group
of African-American massage therapy students from PMTI, give
seated massages at the Black Family Reunion on the Washington
Mall, work with at-risk teens at institutions and soothe battered
women at shelters. Queen says there are medical benefits to
massage, but some of the most important byproducts are spiritual.
Through touch, people reconnect with their being--body, mind
and soul. It's an experience shared by client and masseuse
alike. "I feel that our students are connecting to
their natural healing abilities that come from Africa,"
she says. "That natural instinct of massage and its
healing powers is resurfacing in us."
While some people are open to the power of massage, others
have reservations. Rashid says some clients worry about receiving
rough treatment and others shy from removing their clothes.
She says a good therapist should reassure the client and respect
whatever atmosphere will make the person comfortable. "I
don't cross barriers," she says. "If someone
feels uncomfortable taking off all of their garments, I respect
that. They should only remove what feels right. Once clients
develop a rapport with you, they will build trust."
What Is Massage Therapy?
 Massage
therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue and
joints of the body. The soft tissues include muscle, skin,
tendons and associated fascia, ligaments and joint capsules.
Massage has many diverse physiological effects,
which are primarily due to the therapist's hands moving over
the body. The different movements can physically stretch muscles,
ligaments, tendons and fascia, encourage the circulation through
the tissue, inhibit muscular spasms and be either sedating
or stimulating to the nervous system.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Many of today's health problems can benefit
from massage therapy because the manipulation of soft tissues
affects so many of our bodily systems.
The benefits of massage are extensive. Massage
therapy treatments will have a therapeutic affect and improve
health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory
and lymphatic (immune) systems.
Massage Therapy and Stress
Reduction
Prolonged periods of stress can subconsciously
affect many systems of the body.
Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even
cause, such problems as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders,
memory loss and decreased immune function.
Massage therapy is one of the best antidotes
for stress.
What Is Sensual Massage?
Massage therapy has evolved over the years, and today has
taken on a more medically oriented therapeutic approach.
Still, many people are unclear about the
huge difference between sensual massage and therapeutic massage.
For a massage therapy treatment, the therapist
is dressed very professionally,
and a health history form must be filled out on the first
visit. The general health questions are necessary since there
are some conditions massage is not suitable for.
All information is kept private and confidential.
Assessments and some testing are performed on the first visit.
This allows the therapist to understand the client's goals
and to set up the appropriate treatment plan that is beneficial
to the client and the condition.
Therapeutic and Healing
Touch
Therapeutic Touch is a non-oriental practice
of energetic healing. It was developed in the 1970 by Dr.
Dolores Krieger. In practicing therapeutic touch, the healer
moves their hands 2 to 4 inches above the patient's body in
an effort to sense the trouble spots, the blocked energy within
the patient's body. The healer's hands sweep over the patient's
body and act as a conduit for energies to be rebalanced to
come through the healer into the patient.
 Unlocking
the Healing Powers in Your Hands: The 18 Mudra System of Qigong
A. S. Umar Sharif
Healing Touch is often considered synonymous with therapeutic
touch.
Definitions of Healing Touch Practitioners are those who claim
to be:
1. Shifting biological energies manually (either between themselves
and healees or within healees), and/or
2. Influencing health through meditation/ intent/ prayer
The Nurse Healer Practitioner Associates has approx. 900 practicing
healer members. They provide no estimate of the numbers of
healees seen annually, noting that many practice in hospital
settings where they see people of all ages and all problems.
There are many tens of thousands of people in the US trained
in TT, with no national register of practitioners and no way
to assess how many of these provide healing on a regular basis.
"Distant healing" -- the use of prayer, spiritual
healing, or manipulating energy fields to promote healing
and wellness -- may actually be beneficial, according to a
closer look at this growing field of alternative medicine.
A therapeutic touch practitioner and teacher in Pittsburgh,
admit that therapeutic touch is hard to describe and that
no one knows exactly how it works.
"We use our hands to scan the energy field or blueprint
that runs through the body and beyond it," she says.
"When we scan the energy field, we look for symmetry,
balance, rhythm, and flow. It should be the same on both sides
of the body, but sometimes it's not."
Practitioners may sense heat, cold, sickness, or heaviness
throughout the energy field, she says. Enter the healing power
of therapeutic touch. "We try to rebalance the energy
field and enable the patients to heal themselves,"
she says.
In the initial assessment, practitioners feel around the body
-- without actually touching it -- to search for discord or
imbalance in the energy field, but when treatment begins,
they put their hands on parts of the body, she says.
Laying on of Hands
 Closely
related to prayers for the sick, the laying on of hands involves
the act of touching the patient while prayers for healing
are offered to a higher power. The practice can be lead by
a cleric who acts as an intermediary between the higher power
and the patient. However, in certain groups, such as charismatic
Christians, the many people may lay their hands on the patient.
Other names for this practice are: absent healing and faith
healing.
 Your
Health in Your Hands: Palmistry for Health and Well Being
Lori Reid
Vital Information:
· Non-contact therapeutic touch involves
placing the hands over a patient, purportedly to manipulate
an energy field that surrounds the body.
· A review of research studies shows that non-contact
therapeutic touch can be beneficial for patients, even though
a previous study discounted the fundamental claim of the therapy
-- the ability to detect energy fields.
· Other types of "distant healing" that are
popular include the use of prayer and spiritual healing.
Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch are forms of therapy and
complementary health aid that involves adjusting a human energy
field in the patient to enhance relaxation, ease pain and
promote healing. The method is based on five principles. There
are arguments against the validity of these principles, as
well as success stories.
Principles
The five principles that are the basis of Therapeutic Touch
and Healing Touch are:
1. Human energy field
Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch are based on the belief
that that humans and animals possess an energy field that
permeates the body and extends beyond it. The energy fields
especially emanate from seven areas, called chakras, based
on ancient practices from India.
2. Effects of energy field
Disease, illness, injury or discomfort shows up as changes
or differences in the energy field. Eliminating these differences
can relieve discomfort and aid in the healing process.
3. Perception
People can be trained to perceive the energy field of others
and thus determine problem areas in the patient. The intention
of the practitioner is important in perception. Often the
motion of a pendulum over chakra areas is used to indicate
the state of the energy field.
4. Changing field
A trained practitioner can manipulate the energy field to
relieve discomfort and promote healing. The intention of the
practitioner is important in affecting the field.
5. Using hands
The practitioner's hands are used to perceive and change the
energy fields. A pendulum held in the hand is often used to
indicate the state of the energy field at the chakra areas.
 Ancestors:
Hidden Hands, Healing Spirits for Your Use and Empowerment
Ra Ifagbemi Babalawo
Typical Massage Rates
Massage Style Rates
The Power of Touch
Before your session begins, you and the practitioner
should discuss what kind of massage will be practiced and
which parts of the body will be touched. A typical full-body
session includes work on the back, arms, legs, feet, hands,
head, neck and shoulders.
Oil or lotion allows the muscles to be massaged manually without
causing too much friction on the skin. Most massage therapists
use light lubricants that hydrate the skin and are easily
absorbed. They are usually mildly and pleasantly scented to
enhance the overall experience.
Massage Techniques
Just like a mechanic has many different tools, there are dozens
of different types of massage therapy and complimentary therapies
that promote overall well-being.
Many varieties of massage have been around
for centuries and are rooted in traditional beliefs. Many
modern styles of massage use techniques aimed at addressing
very specific ailments or conditions.
The forms of massage are as various as the
reasons for their development. In other words, you need to
find the kind of massage that best suits your particular needs.
Are you trying to reduce stress? Do you want to focus on a
certain area of your body? Have you had recent physical trauma
or past emotional trauma? Think about all of these factors
to determine the type of massage that's exactly right for
you. General-purpose massage techniques include Swedish, deep
tissue, and Rolfing.
Active Release Techniques (ART)
The ART provider uses their hands to evaluate the texture,
tightness, and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments,
and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely
directed tension with very specific patient movements.
Acupressure
A non-intrusive precursor of acupuncture, acupressure stimulates
the flow of vital energy - known as "chi" - that
circulates along the body's meridians and influences the functioning
of certain internal organs.
By applying thumb and fingertip pressure,
specific symptoms are relieved and balance is restored to
the entire body.
Alexander Technique
The practitioner's manual guidance stresses the adjustment
of the head, neck and torso relationship. The client learns
an understanding of balance and dynamic postural control.
Aquatic Massage Therapy
A therapy delivered in a warm pool combining Watsu, a technique
using Shiatsu stretches, and Jahara technique, a bio-mechanically
correct series of joint mobilizations.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves a massage treatment using oil that has
been blended with the essence of a plant. The different essential
oils' fragrance plays an important part in therapeutically
treating emotional disorders through the olfactory glands.
Aromatherapy is helpful in relieving stress, fluid retention,
sleeping disorders and anxiety, and helps enhance health and
appearance.
Bowen Technique
A light, cross-fibre manoeuvre of a muscle, tendon or ligament
are used, and the effect is usually very pleasant for the
recipient. The Bowen Technique empowers the body's own healing
resources, achieving balance and harmony, frequently resulting
in fast and lasting relief from pain and discomfort.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing
the functioning of a physiological body system called the
cranio-sacral system, comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal
fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than
5 grams - or about the weight of a nickel - practitioners
release restrictions in the cranio-sacral system to improve
the functioning of the central nervous system.
Deep Connective Tissue Massage
This deep form of bodywork helps to release myofascial restrictions
in the body. It relieves chronic tension, increases range
of motion, improves posture and enhances self-awareness.
Deep Muscle Therapy
This deep form of bodywork helps to release myofascial restrictions
in the body. It relieves chronic tension, increases range
of motion, improves posture and enhances self-awareness.
Esalen Tissue Work
This style of therapy combines classical Swedish massage,
with its precise manner of working with muscles and the circulatory
system, and the deeply personal sensing work brought from
Germany by Charlotte Selver.
Feldenkrais
Feldenkrais is an educational process involving awareness
through movement, a sensorimotor balancing technique and functional
integration, in which a teacher guides a patient through a
series of manipulative sequences consisting of information,
action and response to re-establish proper neuromotor patterning
and balance.
Integrative Manual Therapy
Its basic concept is that structure determines function where
no part functions independently. Manual therapy addresses
the entire body, locating the source of pain and disability,
not just the symptoms.
Joint Mobilization
Joint mobilization (basic, advanced, thrust, as well as traction
and gliding) is a passive movement technique that when applied
to joints increases mobility and may be localized or regional.
Kinesiology
A "muscle testing" form of chiropractic introduced
in 1964, practitioners also examine structural factors such
as posture and gait and make recommendations about lifestyle
changes.
Kinesiology is also a non-invasive therapy,
in which applied kinesiologists apply light finger-tip massage
to pressure points on the body or head in order to stimulate
or relax key muscles.
La Stone Therapy
Stones of all shapes and sizes and varying temperatures, ranging
from 0-140 degrees F, are used during La Stone massage therapy
to elicit physical healing, mental relaxation and a spiritual
connection to earth energy.
Warm stones encourage the exchange of blood
and lymph and provide soothing heat for deep-tissue work.
Cold stones aid with inflammation, moving blood out of the
area and balancing male/female energies.
Lomi Lomi
This Hawaiian system of massage utilizes very large, broad
movements. Two-handed forearm and elbow application of strokes,
which cover a broad area, is characteristic of Lomi Lomi.
Manual Lymph Drainage
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a very gentle therapy that
works to improve functioning of the lymphatic (immune) system
Muscle Energy Technique
A technique that when applied directly is based on the principle
of reciprocal inhibition and when applied indirectly is based
on post-contraction relaxation. The goal is to relax a muscle
spasm.
Myofascial Release
This slow and subtle technique can be used to release fascia
and muscle throughout the body. The therapist uses light to
moderate traction and a twisting approach to achieve biomechanical
and reflex change through an appropriate tension on the soft
tissue.
Neuromuscular Therapy
This therapy is applied with a combination of effleurage or
gliding, petrissage
· or grasping, friction, muscle energy, and strain/counter-strain
techniques.
Neuromuscular Integration and Structural
Alignment (NISA)
A technique developed from SOMA bodywork, NISA is a soft version
of Rolfing.
NISA consists of 12 sessions and approaches
the body somewhat more gently to accomplish the same goal
of structural alignment. The NISA technique is designed to
affect the fascia by separating and stretching it.
On-site massage
When a massage therapist goes to the client, whether it is
in the client's home or at the workplace. Some employers hire
massage therapists to perform 10-15-minute massages at the
work place.
Offering massage at the office gives employees
easy access to this beneficial treatment of massage and shows
them that you care about their health and well-being.
Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage
Prenatally, specific techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts
and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being
of both mother and fetus. During labour, skilled, appropriate
touch facilitates and shortens the process while easing pain
and anxiety.
In the postpartum period, specialized techniques
rebalance structure, physiology and emotions of the new mother,
and may help her to bond with and care for her infant.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
(PNF)
Reflexology is an ancient healing art based on the principles
that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that correspond
to every part, organ and gland in the body. By using acupressure
and massage on the hands and feet, the client benefits from
improved circulation, detoxification, reduced tension and
the body's ability to heal itself.
Rolfing
Rolfing is a method to reorganize the whole body. This technique
utilizes physical manipulation and movement awareness to bring
head, shoulders, thorax, pelvis and legs into vertical alignment.
It allows more efficient use of the muscles with less expended
energy by lifting the head and chest and lengthening the body's
trunk.
Shiatsu
Developed in Japan, Shiatsu is a finger-pressure technique
utilizing the traditional acupuncture points of Oriental healing.
Similar to acupressure, shiatsu concentrates on unblocking
the flow of life energy and restoring balance in the meridians
and organs in order to promote self-healing.
With the client reclining, the practitioner
applies pressure with the finger, thumb, palm, elbow or knee
to specific zones on the skin located along the energy meridians.
The treatment brings about a sense of relaxation while stimulating
blood and lymphatic flow.
Sports Massage
Consists of specific components designed to reduce injuries,
such as alleviating inflammation and providing a warm-up for
amateur and professional athletes before, during, after, and
within their training regimens.
Strain/Counter Strain
This non-invasive treatment helps decrease protective muscle
spasms and alleviates somatic dysfunction in the musculoskeletal
system. By using palpation and passive positional procedures,
the therapist can help restore pain-free movement.
Swedish Massage
One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques,
Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed
to energize the body by stimulating circulation.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is based on the theory that the body is made
up of 72,000 sen, or energy lines, of which 10 hold top priority.
Tui Na Massage
Chinese massage that can be used alone or in combination with
other treatments to relieve pain and muscular tension. It
includes acupressure to stimulate specific points as well
as pushing or grasping strokes to the muscles with specific
attention paid to the meridians and the flow of "chi".
This treatment can relax the muscles and improve circulation.
Watsu
A word that means WATer shiatSU. Zen shiatsu incorporates
stretches which release blockages along the meridians, the
channels through which Chi, or life force, flows. The effects
of Zen shiatsu could be amplified and made more profound by
stretching someone while having them float in warm water.
Zero Balancing
Zero Balancing is a simple, yet powerful hands-on method of
aligning body energy with body structure. It integrates fundamental
principles of Western science with Eastern concepts of body,
mind and spirit.
Some Basic Massage Remedies
1 Pinching the thumbs, just behind the nail,
relieves: Hair loss
Answer explanation: Did you know that everyone loses 50 to
150 hairs each day, but for most of us, the hair grows back.
Good circulation and healthy blood are essential to hair growth.
To alleviate hair loss, start by activating your thyroid reflexes,
which contribute to hair growth, by pinching your thumbs,
just behind the nail and/or massaging the balls of your feet.
2 Pressure on the edge of your right foot,
just below the ball of your pinkie toe, relieves: Acne
Answer explanation: Increasing the natural flow of your body's
energy can help remove the buildup of toxins that lead to
clogged pores, and eventually pimples. To alleviate acne,
start by stimulating your liver reflexes, by gently working
the outer edge of your right foot, just below the ball of
your pinkie toe.
3 Press the center of your palm below your
middle finger to ease: Anxiety
Answer explanation: Calming and balancing the nervous system
helps you let go of tension and soothes your mind. To alleviate
anxiety, firmly and methodically stimulate the soles of both
feet for 1/2 an hour. If you only have a few minutes, activate
your solar plexus reflexes by stimulating the center of your
palms (or feet) below the pad of your middle finger (or middle
toe).
4 Massaging the center of the soles of your
feet relieves: Dandruff
Answer explanation: Nothing treats dandruff like using an
anti-dandruff shampoo! But proper water elimination also helps
deter dandruff. To alleviate those annoying white flakes,
stimulate your kidney reflexes by massaging the center arches
of both feet, just above the heel.
5 Squeezing and massaging your big toes treats:
Jet lag
Answer explanation: Transitioning between time zones takes,
well, time! But to speed up your acclimation to a new time
zone, stimulate your brain reflex by squeezing and massaging
your big toes and the tops of your thumbs. (And next time
you're jetting to Paris -- bring us with you!)
6 Finger pressure on the outsides of your
feet, just below the anklebone, alleviates:
A nswer: Symptoms of menopause
Answer explanation: The female body's transition through menopause
can be fraught with varied symptoms and discomforts. To help
ease yourself through these life changes, stimulate your sex
organ reflexes (yep, sex organ reflexes!) -- specifically
the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes -- by massaging the
outside of your ankle, between the anklebone and Achilles
tendon. For additional relief, stimulate your solar plexus
(center of feet at the top of the arches), thyroid (balls
of the feet) and brain (big toes) reflexes, too.
7 Finger pressure on the insides of your
feet, just below the anklebone, alleviates:
Answer: Symptoms of PMS
Answer explanation: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is mild for
some women and extreme for others. To calm mood swings and
restore balance to your mind and body, stimulate those sex
organ reflexes again! (Specifically, the uterus, ovaries and
fallopian tubes.) Gently massage the insides, and outsides,
of your feet below the anklebone. For additional relief, stimulate
your brain (big toes), thyroid (balls of feet), stomach (highest
point of your instep) and solar plexus (center of feet at
the top of the arches) reflexes, too.
8 Massaging the center of your heels, below
your arches, treats:
A nswer: Psoriasis
Answer explanation: Itchy, flaky, dry, red or inflamed skin
can signal psoriasis. There's no cure for it, but it can be
treated. Eliminating toxins can relieve the discomfort of
psoriasis and help prevent future breakouts. To promote toxin
elimination, stimulate your small intestine reflex by massaging
the heels of both feet. For additional relief, massage your
thyroid (balls of feet) to promote chemical and adrenal balance,
and your solar plexus reflex (center of feet at the top of
the arches) to restore calm.
9 Pressure on the center of your feet, in
the center of your arches, strengthens your resistance to:
Warts
Answer explanation: Warts are caused by viruses. To strengthen
your autoimmune system, stimulate your thymus reflexes with
finger pressure on the center of your feet, in the center
of your arches. And to speed up the healing process for warts
and corns, stimulate your spleen reflexes, which are located
on the bottom of your feet, on the outer edge, halfway between
your heel and your pinkie toe.
10 Pressure on the balls of your feet regulates:
Weight gain and loss
Answer explanation: Most of us aren't trying to gain weight,
but reflexology can regulate your weight whether you want
to lose -- or gain.
To promote weight loss, regulate your metabolism
by stimulating your thyroid reflex (the balls of your feet)
suppress an overactive appetite by stimulating your pineal
gland reflex (the top of the inner edge of the big toes) regulate
fluid retention by stimulating your pituitary gland reflex
(the base of the inner edge of the big toes) and promote proper
waste and toxin elimination by stimulating your kidney (center
arches of both feet, just above the heel), liver (outer edge
of the right foot, below the ball of your pinkie toe), colon
and small intestine (center of the heels, below your arches)
reflexes, too.
If you're trying to gain weight, or keep
it on, encourage a healthy appetite and stimulate your brain
reflex by massaging your big toes.
History of Massage
The benefits of a soothing rubdown are priceless
-- and timeless -- so it's no wonder massage has been around
since ancient times. The Chinese are often credited with creating
the earliest form of massage around 3000 BC; India is also
known for its long use of massage. In the 6th century AD,
the Japanese further developed the art to manipulate energy
within the body.
Although rooted in Eastern tradition, massage eventually traveled
westward to the ancient Greeks and Romans. When the Roman
Empire fell, however, massage, like many medical and scientific
practices, became suspect. Eventually resurfacing in Europe
during the Renaissance, it continued to evolve as a form of
healing. But it wasn't until the 19th century that Swedish
massage -- the most popular technique in the United States
today -- was developed, combining modern principles of physiology
with ancient techniques.
Since World War II, massage has enjoyed ever-growing popularity.
Nowadays, thanks to strict industry standards and licensing
of practitioners, massage is a commonly accepted form of alternative
-- as well as traditional -- medicine. Many people rely on
massage to maintain good health and energy, to prevent and
cure illness, and for simple relief from stress and other
consequences of life in the 21st century.
Defining Massage
Massage is the manual manipulation of the
soft tissue of the body. When properly applied, it helps balance
the body, assist with posture, relieve aches and pains and
increase the flow of oxygen and other nutrients to the blood
and bones. Massage techniques range from a basic working of
tight muscles for relaxation and stress reduction to extensive
treatments (some that don't even involve physical touch) to
alter and affect the body's energy. There is a wide range
of massage techniques, so you'll need to decide which one
best addresses your needs. Whether you just need help with
a back spasm a couple of times a year or want to incorporate
the tenets of massage into your daily life, there's a technique
that's right for you.
Therapeutic
Touch: Practical Techniques for Healing Through the Vitl-Energy
Field by Dolores Krieger
·
Therapeutic Touch Inner Workbook: Ventures in Transpersonal
Healing by Delores Krieger, et al (Paperback)
· Therapeutic
Touch by Janet Macrae (Author) (Paperback)
· Healing
Touch: A Guide Book for Practitioners, 2nd edition by Dorothea
Hover-Kramer, et al (Paperback)
· Hands
of Light : A Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field
by Barbara Brennan (Author) (Paperback)
· Therapeutic
Touch As Transpersonal Healing by Dolores, Ph.D. Krieger
(Paperback)
· Holistic Energy Healing
Emotional Clearing for You Owning Your Space
www.thepathlighter.com
· Emotional Energy Healing
for Stress, Anxiety, Depression Intimacy problems, Insomnia
etc.
emotionalenergyhealing.com
· Self Healing
Healing Powers of Reiki Revealed Powerful Self Attunement
$37 affil
Spiritual-Health-Wealth-Self.com
Healing Starts with Breathing
Meditative Breathing
Close your eyes.
Place your hand over your heart chakra.
Breathe rapidly in and out of your nose for about 20-30 seconds.
Must be audible. This is called Bellows.
Breathe normally -- focus all your attention on your breath.
Repeat these steps two or three times.
Altered States of Consciousness
Envision the white light coming through the
top of your head, down the body and into your hands. This
will activate the palm and finger chakras. Through thought,
generate the flow of this energy and project it into either
yourself or the healee. After practicing these steps several
times, you will be able to go to your altered, energetic state
of consciousness without having to go through the entire process.
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