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Manual Therapy

Manual Therapy encompasses the treatment of health ailments of various etiologies through ‘hands-on’, physical intervention.

Physical treatments includes Tui-na: soft tissue mobilization, various connective tissue techniques, myofascial release, mobilization of joints, joint manipulation, mobilization of neural tissue, visceral mobilization, and strain and counterstrain. Cupping , Craniosacral techniques.

Tui-na…Medical Bodywork…

Chinese Medicine has a long history (2,000+ years) of using manual therapy techniques (or bodywork) to aid in relieving pain, recovering from illnesses, restoring mobility, promoting relaxation, and enhancing immune system. This form of manual therapy is called Tui-na. “Tui” means pushing and “Na” means grasping. Tui-na incorporates various techniques — such as pressing, pulling, rolling, grasping, pushing, shaking, and etc. – in conjunction with breathing and movements if needed – along with the applications of meridians and the energetic (or acupuncture) points.

Combined with appropriate herbal applications, tui-na is very beneficial to treat many disorders or illnesses. For example: common cold, muscle pains/cramps, weakness of limbs, pain in any part of the body, digestive disorders, insomnia, accidental or sports injury, hypertension, arthritic pain, and hemiplegia after stroke are all appropriate for tui-na intervention.

In addition, tui-na is also very effective in preventive care. Reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and enhancing immune system are very suitable for therapeutic tui-na bodywork. Depending on the severity of the condition, tui-na can be applied along with acupuncture or other modalities to increase the effectiveness of a treatment outcome.

Q: What is the difference between Western adjustments, massage and the therapeutic tui-na bodywork?

Tui-na applies to a far wider range of disorders and illnesses than the Western adjustment and massage. For example, if neck/shoulder/back tightness or pain is due to an onset of an acute common cold, Western massage and adjustment can address the muscle and joints discomfort on those affected local areas. Tui-na can not only alleviate the muscular tightness of pain, but also treat the common cold and other associated signs and symptoms concurrently. The reason is that a tui-na practitioner often is a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) as well who is trained to diagnose and prescribe treatments based on the Chinese Medicine wholistic principle.

CranioSacral Therapy CranioSacral Meridian Therapy is a light touch manual technique along certain meridians and acupressure points designed to detect potential restrictions and imbalances in the cranial sacral system and, accordingly, relieve undue pressure and stress on the brain and spinal cord. The result is a central nervous system free of restrictions.

Craniosacral Meridian Therapy is beneficial for a range of illnesses, such as migraines, chronic neck/back pain, chronic fatigue, stress and tension-related problems, injury or trauma of brain/spinal cord, scoliosis, central nerves system disorders, emotional difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, motor-coordination impairments, and TMJ.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion, the burning of a dried herb called moxa (usually mugwort or Artemisia vulgaris) to treat disorders has been used along with acupuncture and herbs for a very long time.

Moxa provides a penetrating heat that can enter the channels to influence Qi and Blood flow.

Moxa may be administered several different ways. In one way, it may be burned in the form of a stick that is held about two centimeters above a specific point. The patient usually experiences a pleasant warming sensation. Another method for administering moxa is to burn it at the end of an acupuncture needle that is inserted in a specific point.

Moxibustion can be used to treat many ailments. Most recently it has received a lot of attention regarding its ability to help turn babies that are in breech position.

Cupping

Cupping place in the modern world of healing. Massage cupping is a modified version of the common practice of cupping therapy, used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the results that this simple treatment produces are impressive. Through suction and negative pressure, massage cupping releases rigid soft tissue; drain excess fluids and toxins; loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue; and bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles.

The therapeutic applications of cupping have been documented through several thousand years of clinical experience. Cupping is used extensively in TCM and has now been adapted for other health-care modalities, including massage therapy and chiropractic. Massage cupping intensifies the therapeutic aspect of traditional cupping and is an effective addition to any spa, healing facility or private practice. The cups are inexpensive, the therapy is fun and result-oriented, and the client response is remarkable.

A Cup of History

Cupping developed over time from the original use, by various indigenous peoples, of hollow animal horns to drain toxins out of snakebites and skin lesions. Horns evolved into bamboo cups, which were eventually replaced by glass. Therapeutic applications evolved with the refinement of the cup itself, and with the cultures that employed cupping as a health-care technique.

The Chinese expanded the use of this technique to surgery, to divert blood flow from the surgery site. Cupping eventually developed into a separate therapy under the TCM umbrella, with healers trained specifically in this technique. Other ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and early Greeks, embraced the therapeutic value of cupping. The technique eventually spread throughout Europe and later to the Americas.

Cupping was common in households of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Indeed, many people still remember Grandma cupping their back for congestion and colds. European and American doctors used cupping into the late 1800s, and cupping sets were still carried by medical-supply companies well into the 1940s. Breast cupping became common for inflamed breasts and lactation dysfunctions, and the familiar breast pump evolved from this practice.

With this rich history of medical application, how does cupping fit into current health practices? Massage cupping, or the use of glass cups, held by suction, to massage the body, can be added into almost any massage or bodywork session. The action on the nervous system is sedating, and clients will often experience a deep state of relaxation.

Cupping Stop Pain !

So what can you expect when you go for a cupping session? In this day and age, glass cups are used. Three thousand years ago, bamboo, animal horn or brass – if you could afford it – were the order of the day. In fact, the old Chinese name for cupping was ‘horning’.

Traditionally, the cups are heated with alcohol and flame on the inside to reduce the pressure, then placed over the skin. As the cup cools down, the skin is sucked up inside.

The newest innovation in cupping does away with the dangerous flame and uses a pump action instead. This is also a much more accurate way of gauging the degree of suction and, of course, eliminates the risk of burning.

Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine and practitioners of Japanese shiatsu therapy, place the cups at various positions along the meridian lines. These are the same lines used in acupuncture. There are five meridians on the back and these are usually targeted, particularly the bladder meridian.

It is possible to cup the hands, legs and ankles too. By cupping these meridian lines, specific organs in the body can be targeted.

Cupping is generally used by practitioners if there is cold energy in the patient’s meridians. The warm air from the cupping stimulates the skin, and the suction coaxes blood to the area which promotes localised healing. The chi is warmed and starts to flow freely down the meridians.

Many diseases and disorders can benefit from cupping. The earliest writings found on the therapy from ancient China recommend its use in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Today, cupping is still used for respiratory disease, as well as digestive and gynaecological disorders, headaches and dizziness, and lymphatic blockages. The common cold can be tackled with cupping, as can insomnia and, of course, soft tissue injuries.

The bruises resulting from cupping are not painful and only last a couple of days. If you are keen to experience this therapy for yourself, be sure to go to a trained practitioner; someone who can tell where you need a bit of extra energy and where you don’t.

Cupping is not only traditionally practised in China and Japan, it is also a traditional healing method in Arab cultures where it is called Al-hijamah.

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