Guide to Bodywork

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Misty L. Trepke

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A Guide to Bodywork

by Darlene E. Paris

 

There used to be a time when the term " body work " referred to a

major repair job needed on a car. Nowadays, practitioners in the

field of holistic health use the word bodywork when they talk about

the various therapies which involve hands-on healing, such as

massage therapy, shiatsu, and zero balancing.

 

When you visit your favorite massage spa or holistic health care

center, you'll find practitioners who practice several bodywork

therapies. These professionals are trained in techniques that will

not only help you relax, but will also ease debilitating physical

conditions. Some of them are also trained to teach you better ways

of holding and moving your body.

 

Whether you're looking for bodywork to alleviate your aches and

pains, or just in need of a little relaxation, bodyworkers are

trained to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you. But

wouldn't it be great if you, too, knew a little something about the

various types of bodywork services offered?

 

To assist us in compiling a helpful and up-to-date bodywork guide,

we talked with several owners of massage spas and holistic health

care centers to find out some of the most popular bodywork therapies

practiced in the Chicagoland area. We also consulted practitoners on

ways they would define the work they do in their practice.

 

This guide does not in any way convey all there is to know about a

particular therapy. We encourage you to check your library or

bookstore for books that further explore therapies that you find

especially appealing. What this guide will do is give you enough

general information about the more popular bodywork therapies so

that the next time your bodyworker explains a therapy to you, you

won't get the urge to mutter, " Huh? "

 

Acupressure A technique used in Oriental medicine wherein the

practitioner uses the tips of the fingers and thumbs on pressure

points along the body to stimulate the flow of ki, the Japanese word

for vital life energy. This therapy is sometimes integrated with

shiatsu, another kind of Oriental bodywork therapy.

 

Alexander Technique This technique was developed at the turn-of-the

century by Federick Matthias Alexander, an Australian actor, who

discovered a relationship between his poor body posture and

recurring bouts with laryngitis. The Alexander Tehnique is a re-

education process wherein practitioners, who are called teachers,

instruct clients, or students, on the appropriate use of self. This

treatment includes verbal instructions given to the student on

better ways of holding and moving the body resulting in improved

posture, balance, and coordination.

 

Craniosacral Therapy Popularized by Dr. John E. Upledger, D.O.,

O.M.M., in the 1970s, this treatment involves the gentle

manipulation of the craniosacral system which includes the brain,

spinal cord, bones of the skull, sacrum, and interconnected

membranes. The goal of this therapy is to balance the flow of

cerebral spinal fluid. Craniosacral therapy has been known to reduce

stress, relieve migraine headaches, and ease chronic back pain. It

has also been used to treat hyperactive children.

 

Deep Tissue Massage A type of massage in which the practitioner uses

a variety of strokes to manipulate the connective tissue and/or

muscles. This therapy is especially useful for releasing toxins and

lactic acid build-up. During a treatment session, the client may be

asked by the therapist to engage in certain breathing exercises

while the practitioner works on the body.

 

Feldenkrais Method Developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc., this is

another modality that reeducates individuals into better ways of

using their bodies. Practitioners employ movement training, gentle

touch, and verbal instruction to help the client create a freer,

more efficient way of moving the body. This treatment includes two

approaches: individual sessions wherein the practitioner's touch is

used to address the student's breathing and body alignment, and a

series of classes called Awareness Through Movement wherein the

client engages in a group session to learn slow, non-aerobic

exercises which focus on various parts of the body.

 

Hakomi Integrative Somatics A technique developed through the Hakomi

Institute, founded by Ron Kurtz in 1980, Hakomi is a form of

psychotherapy that integrates massage, energy work, movement

training, and body awareness to get to the root of emotional

problems. The word Hakomi is a Hopi word which means " How do you

stand in relation to these many realms. "

 

Hot Stone Massage A relatively new type of massage treatment wherein

the practitioner places warm basalt river stones along the client's

chakra system, excluding the throat area, to heal mind, body, and

spirit. (Misty- Hot stones don't have to be used with the

chakras... Instead, I place the stones over the muscles I have yet

to work- kinda like preparing the soil... Then I even have stones

that fit my hand perfectly and I massage with them, so you have the

deeper pressure and heat from the stone, as well as the human

touch... I LOVE doing stone work, it makes such a difference in the

massage!)

 

Lomi lomi A type of spiritual massage practiced by the Kahunas --

keepers of the secret -- in Hawaii. Currently, this form of bodywork

treatment is taught by Auntie Margaret Machado from the big island

of Hawaii. During a treatment session, the practitioner uses

rhythmic strokes and stretching to remove energy blocks and tension

from the body.

 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Developed by Drs. Emil and Estrid Vodder

in the 1930s, this is a very gentle type of massage treatment often

undertaken by patients who have had a mastectomy. During a treatment

session, the practitioner uses slow and repetitive hand movements to

boost the circulation of the lymphatic system.

 

Myofascial Release A type of massage treatment usually associated

with the work of physical therapist John Barns, this is a treatment

wherein the practitioner uses his or her fingers, palms, forearms,

and elbows in long and slow gliding strokes on the client's body to

relieve constriction in the fascia. The fascia lies just underneath

the muscle and is what molds the inside of the body together. It is

often described as the body's inner lining.

 

Neuromuscular Therapy A variant of trigger point therapy, developed

by Paul St. John, in which the practitioner applies pressure to

congested areas in the muscle to help relieve chronic contractions.

 

Ohashiatsu Developed by Wataru Ohashi and introduced to the West in

1974, this is a form of shiatsu that incorporates psychological and

spiritual components. Rather than focus on specific points,

Ohashiatsu emphasizes working with the overall flow of energy

throughout the body.

 

On-Site Massage Also known as chair massage, this is a quick

bodywork treatment wherein the client, who is fully clothed, sits in

a portable chair which is designed so that the therapist can work

easily on the client's back, neck, and shoulders. Treatments usually

last from 15 to 30 minutes. On-site massages are available at

massage centers, holistic health care facilities, and some retail

outlets such as health food markets and malls. Some bodyworkers who

practice this kind of therapy also visit clients at the office or at

home.

 

Reflexology Sometimes referred to as Zone therapy, this technique is

based upon the belief that points on the feet and hand correspond to

tissues and organs throughout the body. During a treatment session,

the practitioner applies pressure to different areas on the feet, or

hands, with his or her fingers and thumbs to help relieve the body

of pain and tension.

 

Rolfing Developed in the 1930s by biochemist Ida Rolf, this

technique is based upon the philosophy that the well-functioning

body must be balanced in its relationship to gravity. Treatment

involves ten 60- to 90-minute sessions wherein the practitioner

manipulates the connective tissue or fascia. Rolfing can help

promote emotional release; relieve chronic back, neck, and shoulder

pain; and alleviate asthma and digestive problems.

 

Shiatsu developed over 1,000 years ago, this Japanese healing

modality is part of the Oriental System of Medicine. In this unique

form of bodywork, the client lies on a futon or mat which is

situated on the floor while the practitioner applies pressure to

specific points on the client's body called tsubo, or meridians. The

practitioner may use the palm, fingers, thumbs, elbows, and knees

during this treatment. They may also stretch the client's body. The

purpose of Shiatsu is to balance the flow of ki, a Japanese

word meaning vital life energy.

 

Sports Massage A type of massage treatment in which the practitioner

uses the palms of the hand to bear down upon contracted areas in the

muscle. The client, who may or may not be fully clothed, may also be

asked to engage in deep breathing exercises as the therapist

stretches the body. The goal of this therapy is to help relieve

muscle pain, or tightness, prevent sports injury, and improve

athletic performance.

 

Swedish Massage Introduced in the West by Per Heinrik Ling in the

early 1800s, this treatment is the most popular form of massage

therapy in this country. In Swedish massage, practitioners work with

the soft tissue of the body by using long, flowing strokes. They

also knead, roll, and wring the muscles. Swedish massage is often

combined with other therapies such as aromatherapy, energy-field

work, and reflexology. The benefits of this massage include

increased relaxation and improved circulation. It also aids in

digestion.

 

Thai Massage The traditional massage of Thailand, this treatment was

first developed in India some 25,000 years ago. It is similar to

shiatsu in that the client receives treatment while lying upon a mat

or futon while the practitioner applies pressure to the body using

his or her fingers and palms. The goal of this treatment is also

similar to Shiatsu -- to balance the flow of energy in the body. The

Thai philiosphy of energy flow is somewhat different, however, from

the Japanese philosophy.

 

Zero Balancing A body treatment which fuses Western manipulation

therapies with Eastern energy-field work, this modality if often

used for reducing stress. Developed by a medical doctor who has a

background in acupuncture, Fritz Smith, M.D., this treatment

aims to align body structure and body energy. As with acupressure,

the practitioner uses gentle touch to help the client overcome

imbalances in their body structure and energy field.

 

Darlene E. Paris is the author of the book Healthy and Natural

Living in Chicago: The Best Alternative Resources in the City and

Suburbs.