All the Relief Without the Needles
In our last blog we briefly touched on the history and benefits of massage therapy, and for this week we’d like to take a look at some of the specific techniques of massage therapy. For example, we offer acupressure massage sessions at Inprana, but what exactly is that, and how can massage therapy help complete something like chiropractic work too? Let’s explore that now!
Registered Massage Therapists are trained in different skills, and techniques than other physical therapists or chiropractors, however, massage therapists often work closely, as we do at Inprana, with other practitioners. One application of an RMT’s skill set is in pre-chiro assessments and treatment. One way an RMT helps to do this is simply by helping the patient feel relaxed. As we discussed in our last entry, achieving that state of mental and muscle relaxation helps the body heal, and can help a chiropractor better perform their work without having to overcome the tension and stress that may be there otherwise.
Massage therapists may employ a wide range of techniques to achieve this, from muscle shaking, and full-body rocking, to “limb jostling” it helps to cause reflex muscle relaxation, decreased muscle tone and loosening of joints.
As we work on these areas it also helps to balance the meridians and create a positive flow of ki throughout the body. This effect the patient feels during massage is also due to the practical act of fluids between the blood and lymph vessels in the body within joints and around muscles, as the massage stimulates and releases these so they can function better too.
What about acupressure massage then? Where does it fit into this? If you’re thinking that it may be related to the practice of acupuncture you wouldn’t be wrong, except for acupressure does not use needles. The pressure points or areas of focus for the massage are the same however and the general goal is as well. If you’d like to learn more about acupuncture specifically we have an older blog on it here, as well are always happy to answer your questions on the topic!)
Working the meridians acupressure massage helps key points of your body do their best possible job of healing
Acupressure massage as well can be widely applied for specific treatments, but also just as a general treatment in your regular routine. Whereas much of what an RMT does for pre-chiro work will be directed by the needs and case of a chiropractor’s patient; acupressure is something everyone, at any stage of health, can benefit from receiving.
Working the meridians acupressure massage helps key points of your body do their best possible job of healing with the physical muscle and joint relaxation it brings, as well as the mental benefit with stress relief it provides.
So whether you’re complimenting your chiropractic treatment, or just looking for a good routine form of massage to help you relax and work your meridians, a Registered Massage Therapist may be exactly who you want to see today!
– Ming Fong (Joyce), your Registered massage therapist & Acupuncturist at Inprana.
*Disclaimer: Energy healing releases any energy blockages or improves pranic energy which allows regeneration of tissues at a cellular level and stimulates innate healing mechanisms of the body. It does not attempt to diagnose, treat, or cure illness.