Pain in the neck ~ Part 2

I wrote Part 1 two months ago, click here to read about steps you can take to prevent headaches. Eventually if you are like so many of us, one creeps into your body. So you got a headache. What now? You grab the OTC med's and pop a few. But after awhile, you need more of those pills to ease the pain and after all the reports on the news about various side effects, who really wants to take that stuff?

One thing that has been suggested to me for headaches is magnesium. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking additional supplements though. Personally it has helped me in preventing headaches and I even take less then suggested. A herb called butterbur is known to help with migraine headaches. Always remember to do your research before taking herbs, especially long term. I am not an advocate on taking any single herb long term and rarely take any single herb to begin with. In Chinese Medicine, herbs are prescibed in formula's only.

Got it in the sinuses? Try a drop or two of ravensara essential oil on the sinus cavities and a cool cloth. Have a partner push gently on the following acupoints: Bladder 2, Stomach 3, and Large Intestine 20.

More to come in the next post. For ex. headaches that present in the front of the head, or the sides of the head..... this time I won't wait so long to write the next part. Promise.

Tui Na vs. Shiatsu

Tui Na defined by the AOBTA states the following:

"Tuina is a method of Chinese bodywork characterized by the smooth gliding or rolling movements of the hands and arms. Through Tui (push) and na (grasp), kneading, pressing, rolling, shaking, and stretching of the body, acupoints are opened and qi flow is realigned in the musculo-tendon meridians. Tuina techniques are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal organ disorders by opening stagnant meridian channels and encouraging the flow of qi into deficient areas. Tuina utilizes TCM theory in assessing energetic and functional disorders. In addition, the use of external herbal medicines and therapeutic exercise is also included."

Shiatsu defined by the AOBTA states:

"The primary emphasis of Five Element Shiatsu is to identify a pattern of disharmony through use of the four pillars of examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Hands-on techniques and preferences for assessment varies with the practitioner, depending on their individual background and training. The radial pulse usually provides the most critical and detailed information. Palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment. Considerations of the client's lifestyle, emotional, and psychological factors are all considered important. Although this approach uses the paradigm of the five elements to tonify, sedate, or control patterns of disharmony, practitioners of this style also consider hot or cold and internal or external symptoms and signs."

Actually the AOBTA defines a few styles of Shiatsu so I am sharing Five Element with you. My studies included Zen shiatsu, and theories of TCM and 5 Element. Combining all I was taught, I should just call it The Therapist Shiatsu. :)

In my Shiastu training, we did learn many of the same hand techniques that I have learnt in my future studies in Tui Na. So I am finding it hard to define my sessions with clients. Some Shiatsu clients have noticed a slight difference in my work and really enjoy it but all I have done is included some of the protocol I am learning in Tui Na class. They ask me, what are you doing, Shiastu or Tui Na? Well, definitely both. They ask, is one better then the other? Hell no, they are both excellent modalities.

Now I am left wondering what to say the session is and I think Asian Bodywork is ok but still very extensive in possibilities. It has become obvious that it is impossible for me to say..... This session is shiatsu or this session is tui na.

Herbal Aid Kit

I don't often recommend products to my readers but today I make an exception. I was browsing Kamwo Pharmacy's website and found they put together a kit of their most useful Chinese herbal remedies.

Click here to take a look.

The kit is made up of items for cuts, burns, bruising, the common cold, the flu, viral infections, stomach issues and even a remedy for bad breath. It covers most typical illnesses families get yearly.

I actually have a few of these items in my own little kit but plan to add more. Possibly I will just buy the kit so that I can have them all handy and to share. The price is right, at $24.95. There is nothing worse then getting sick and not having something to take when you need it. And if you are like me, you do not live close to a Chinese Pharmacy.

Take a look, read the information. See if its for you. If you are interested, don't wait till its to late. Buy them while healthy, especially if you are prone to that yearly cold or flu. Flu season will be here before we realize it.

Shiatsu..... dog or bodywork?

Shiatsu is becoming more and more common place in the United States but still when people hear it, I often get asked, “Isn’t that a dog?”

What is shiatsu then? Briefly put:

Shiatsu is based on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Similar to Acupressure and using the same theories, Shiatsu can bring balance to the flow of Qi or energy. Over the centuries, Chinese health practitioners developed a system based on the premise that good health is dependent on the balanced flow of vitality in the body and in particular on the energy that flows through a specific system of channels or meridians.

Shiatsu can be very helpful for postural and muscular-skeletal problems and stress related conditions. Recipients report Shiatsu has helped with headaches, PMS, chronic pain and injuries. It has also been shown to promote improved sleep, relief of anxiety, and reduced muscle tension.

So what exactly happens during a Shiatsu session? To start, the client arrives in the office dressed in comfortable, stretchy clothes. No undressing necessary for this bodywork. A health screen will be filled out and we will begin by asking some questions. The client may be confused as to the reasoning behind the questions but that all comes to light soon enough. The pulse will be assessed, the tongue will be analyzed. All this leads to setting up a session for each specific individual. The assessment process is similar to being treated by an acupuncturist, as the principles are the same. But in Shiatsu, no needles are used, only finger pressure.

The session starts with the client on a padded mat, lying on the floor. Stretching the limbs, doing acupressure, mobilizing the body and increasing range of motion. All these things are done to improve the flow of Qi in the meridans. The therapist will use finger pressure, elbows, arms and even feet to get the desired effect. The work is done in a rhythmic way to induce relaxation, the setting very calming.

Adjunct therapies in Asian Bodywork are often used during a session, such as cupping, gua sha and moxibustion. Dietary advice may be offered in help in the healing process. Qi gong exercises are also a vital part of Asian Bodywork.

My next article will explore the how’s and why’s concerning cupping, gua sha and moxibustion.