June 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 4]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your
family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter
to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone
else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy
by going to:
https://www.toyourhealth.com/newsletter/TYH_MAS/subscribe.php
In this issue of To Your Health:
What Is Thai Massage?
Thai massage is a particular type of massage purported to have been developed
by Buddhist monks centuries ago, drawing on the ancient healing traditions
of India and China. Thai massage therapists 
utilize
a combination of gentle rocking, range of motion, acupressure, reflexology,
energy work and stretching techniques to loosen joints and stretch the
muscles, while providing a deep sense of relaxation and peace. One of
the major differences between Thai massage and traditional massage is
that the former is performed on a mat on the floor, while the latter is
performed on a raised table.
A fundamental premise of Thai massage is that healing is based on a system of energy lines known as Sen. Approximately 72,000 sen cover the entire body, although about 10 are used in actual practice. These energy lines correspond to energy as it flows through the body, and the Thai massage practitioner attempts to maximize the energy flow through the client's body to maximize energy, harmony, vitality and flexibility.
In a certain sense, Thai massage appears as a form of passive yoga. The Thai practitioner works from four basic positions on the client: from the front, with the client lying flat on the back; from the side, with the client alternately lying on either side; from the back with the client lying face-down; and in a sitting position. The practitioner applies pressure along the sen using the palms of the hands, thumbs, elbows and feet to free tension in the body. The client's body is positioned in various yoga-like positions and the therapist gently rocks and stretches the body to release tension and improve energy flow.
To learn more about the fundamentals of massage therapy, go to https://www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.
The Power of the Healing Touch
An essential component of the massage therapy experience is the interaction between the therapist and the patient, specifically in the manner that the therapist uses his or her hands to ease pain and promote relaxation through various massage techniques.
A particular type of massage therapy has been called "healing touch," in which the practitioner uses the hands to apply a gentle but firm touch to the patient's feet, ankles, knees, abdomen, head, etc. The effectiveness of touch is often gauged by the practitioner's sensation of energy flow from the hands. In this sense, it is said that the massage practitioner is merely facilitating the patient's own healing process; healing occurs because of the interaction between therapist and patient and because of the positive energy flow between the two.
A recent study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that healing touch produced clinically significant improvements in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The study included 22 patients divided into three treatment groups (healing touch, healing touch plus music and guided imagery, or no treatment). Patients were treated by one of nine practitioners. Results of the study showed that patients receiving healing touch reported "important" or "very important" differences in health following a single treatment. These improvements were assessed by asking patients, "Do you feel that healing touch enhances your health?"
Ask your local massage therapist about the power of healing touch and about the many techniques he or she can utilize to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and aid in healing your body and mind. For the location of a massage therapist near you, go to https://www.massagetoday.com/locator. For more information on massage or massage techniques, visit https://www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.
Reference: Wilkinson DS, Knox PL, Chatman JE, et al. The clinical effectiveness of healing touch. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2002: Vol. 8, Number 1, pp33-47.
This Month's Massage Q & A
Question: I've been diagnosed with hand tendonitis by my doctor, who thinks it's because of my job (I spend most of the time in front of a computer, using a mouse). How could massage help treat this problem?
Answer: First, I would examine all the soft tissues of the hand and forearm for tender points and trigger points, then work all those muscles - particularly the ones that seem to be causing the problem, but also those around them that may be contributing indirectly. Then I would work with you on improving ergonomic use of your hand and whole body when doing your work, so as to prevent the problem in the future. It's important to remember that tendinitis doesn't just appear out of nowhere - it is the result of overloading or improperly using a muscle. The long-term solution is always to be found in releasing the muscle and preventing misuse.
Question: I have excessive scar tissue on my right knee, and flexibility is extremely limited. Would massage help break this scar tissue down? Is there a technique I should look for when choosing a therapist?
Answer: I suspect that clinical massage therapy could help your flexibility, and it can sometimes break down scar tissue, depending on where the affected tissue is. If the scar tissue is too deep to be accessed manually, massage therapy won't affect it directly. The only way to find out is to give it a try. The usual technique for breaking down scar tissue is persistent cross-fiber friction, so find a therapist who uses that technique and has some experience working with scar tissue.
Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from comments posted on the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, located at https://www.massagetoday.com/ask/
This edition of To Your Health is co-sponsored by:
Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at https://www.toyourhealth.com/newsletter/TYH_MAS/unsubscribe.php.
If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at https://www.massagetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.
This newsletter conforms to the requirements set by Bill S 1618 Title III, passed by the 105th U.S. Congress.