Hands-On Therapies : Massage and Spinal Manipulation
Hands-on therapies work towards more efficient, relaxed movement and proper alignment of the body in order for your body to function properly. Rather than relying on the manipulation of energy, hands-on, or manual, therapies work by applying pysical forces to the body. Hands-on therapies include:
MASSAGE
Research has proven that massage is effective especially for chronic lower back and neck pain. It is defined as hands-on manipulation of soft tissues through touch, movement or pressure, massage therapy ranges from gentle stroking and kneading to deeper, manual techniques. Positive effects that have resulted from massage therapy include easing muscle tension, increasing range of motion, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, lessening depression and anxiety, enhancing sleep and, in some cases, lessening dependence on medication. Massage is often used for tension and anxiety, neuromuscular conditions such as neck or back pain, muscle soreness, fibromyalgia.
Sessions may vary depending on the massage technique used. A massage therapist begins by taking your medical history and discussing health concerns and any goals that you have. Therapy may be done partially or fully unclothed with a towel or sheet covering you. Often, oils or lotions are used to avoid uncomfortable friction on your skin.
Some complications like discomfort for a day or two especially with deep tissue massage. Massage therapy is generally not recommended on areas where you have had recent surgery or fractures or where you have received radiation therapy. Massage therapy is not recommended at an open wound or open skin infection or if you are having acute signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and cation is advised if you have osteoporosis.
SPINAL MANIPULATION
During spinal manipulation, the practitioner applies a controlled amount of force to a spinal joint, moving it outside of its usual range of motion. Alternatively, a rhythmic force is applied to improve joint motion in the neck, spine and pelvis. The practitioner may use a special table to better help perform adjustments. Evidences show that spinal manipulation can help to cure low back pain, tension headaches and neck pain.
Spinal manipulation is generally considered safe though it is not for everyone. Common side effects are discomfort in the treated area, headache and tiredness. Generally, though these problems clear up within one or two days. Spinal manipulation is most often used for lower back pain, other pain conditions, overall well-being.
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Categories: Anxiety, Body, Hands-on, Headaches, health, Healthy, Massage, Spinal manipulation Tags: Alignment, Anxiety, Backache, Body, Discomfort, Efficient, Energy, Force, Function, Hands-On, Headache, Headaches, Lower back, Massage, neck, pain, Physical, Spinal chord, Spinal Manipulation, Spine, stress, Symptoms, Tension, Therapies, Therapy, Treatment
Energy Based Therapies – Acupuncture, Qi gong (Chee-gung), Reiki
Energy based therapies influence and optimize the flow of energy that surrounds and permeates your body in order to maintain or restore health. Illness could result when the energy flow is blocked or insufficient. The goal of energy therapy is to correct this energy flow and restore health. Energy therapies include:
Acupuncture Therapy
- Acupuncture originated in China and other parts of Asia.
- Acupuncture seeks to influence pathways of energy, called qi(chee) that flow through he body and help maintain vitality and balance.
- Acupuncture aims to correct the flow, to restore balance and harmony in your body.
- Acupuncture affects regulation of the body’s nervous system, encouraging the release of chemicals that act as natural painkillers and adjusting immune cell function.
- Acupuncture may alter brain chemicals and hormones that control blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature regulation.
- Acupuncture replies on 2,000 acupuncture points on body that access the meridians of qi.
- The practitioner penetrates your skin at these points with thin, solid, metallic needles.
- The practitioner manipulates it with hands or stimulates them with electrical impulse.
- Generally, no pain or very minimal pain is felt.
- Once the needles are in place, you may rest for a while before the practitioner gently removes the needles.
- Acupuncture is most often used for post-surgical or chemotherapy related nausea, pain management, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, stroke rehabilitation, sports injuries, mood disorders, chronic fatigue, insomnia, stress management, migraines, tension headaches, anxiety, tinnitus, infertility and menstrual irregularities.
Qi gong Therapy
- This is an ancient Chinese practice.
- This therapy uses physical postures, breathing techniques and mental focus to maintain health, promote healing and increase vitality.
- Many forms of qi gong exist but all fall into three common categories – martial, medical and spiritual.
- These forms can range from internal and meditative to the more external and physical.
- Movements in qi gong are rhythmic and gentle, making them easily adaptable for all age groups, even if you are physically impaired.
- Qi gong takes a holistic approach, incorporating changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle.
- Qi gong is most often used for lowering blood pressure, stress relief, improving immune system function, pain relief and increasing flexibility, balance and strength.
Reiki
- It is derived from Japanese words for universal life energy.
- Reiki practitioners believe they can channel healing energy by placing their hands just above or lightly on you when you are receiving treatment.
- The goal is to access your healing energy and use it to facilitate your own healing.
- The practitioner uses a series of 12 to 15 different hand positions that are related to energy centers in your body.
- Each position is held for 2-5 minutes or until the practitioner senses the flow of energy slow or stop.
- The number of sessions depends on your health needs.
- Trained practitioners claim an ability to perform reiki from a distance if you are not in office or clinic.
- Reiki is often used for a state of relaxation, balance and well being, certain health conditions such as fibromyalgia, disease progression and nerve pain.