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Community Corner

Massage: More Than Just Relaxation/Part 2

Part two of our series on the therapeutic effects of massage.

Last week we took a look at three types of therapeutic massage, all of which I consider far more effective than mere “Swedish.” Swedish massage (in my opinion) has minimal benefits and is merely an entry level, fundamental massage on top of which further training should be added. So if you are looking for a massage therapist, it would be of great benefit to find someone with additional credentials/techniques besides “Swedish” or “Deep Tissue”  (which is just Swedish, but harder).

True “deep tissue” massages have names. we examined the Neuromuscular Technique (NMT), Cranial Sacral Technique andMyofascial Release. These are all fantastic modes of massage and truly effective for more than just an energized nap. They engage deep biological systems entangled with the muscle structure for therapeutic results.Today, I’ll explain Thai Massage and the Bowen Technique. 

A practitioner of Thai Massage and an experienced sports massage therapist may look very similar, but in fact they are quite different. Both techniques engage a muscle in a stretch and then begin to massage it. 

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For example, if a therapist is working on a hamstring, then the client would be lying on his/her back. The therapist would bend the leg at the knee, push the knee towards the clients chest, and then with the free hand, begin massaging the back of the leg.

However, Thai Massage does not just work with muscle. Like acupuncture or acupressure, Thai medicine has a map of pathways in the body, similar to meridians, but called sen lines. The experienced practitioner is not only thinking about massage and pain relief, but restoring the 'flow' of the major sen lines within the body, so that the body can heal itself.  

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In Thailand it is part of the official medicinal system of the state. Properly trained practitioners can use the modality to both diagnose and treat a good number of ailments. Though many of  Thai massage practitioners worldwide use it simply as a deep tissue massage technique (and a quite effective one at that) there are some who have studied the full modality. Right here in Roxborough, we have an experienced Thai Massage therapist, Drew Kaiser.

The Bowen Technique is a modality to which I have only recently been introduced … and I love it. In some regards, it is completely opposite of what I usually prefer, yet it’s rather fabulous. It’s a little hard to explain, but basically the muscle is made up of long fibrous strands. The Bowen technique treats the muscle like a stringed instrument. If you pluck the string of a violin, it vibrates. If you don’t touch it again, it continues to vibrate. However, if you keep your hand on it – no vibration. 

Traditional massage modalities keep an almost constant "hands on" approach, but with Bowen, the practitioner uses a unique and special grip to stroke the muscle and evoke a vibration – similar to plucking the string of the violin. Then, the practitioner lets the muscles vibrate. She removes her hands, waits a few minutes, then does another few moves. 

I first experienced Bowen at a wellness event at the Lyceum Wellness Center. There were a dozen or so practitioners giving lectures and free demonstrations. When the Bowen therapist worked on a spot and then let go, it felt like my back was a pool of water, and someone had dropped a pebble on the spot she touched. But then, there was a ripple effect that traveled when she let go. 

Since then I’ve read about the technique, and am rather impressed. It is similar to a trigger point therapy in that a simple yet specific technique stimulates the brain to interact with the muscle in such a way that dramatic healing can occur. For people who have had chronic pain issues, this technique receives rave reviews. Yvonne Fisher, the practitioner who spoke at the Wellness Center, does not work out of Roxborough, but isnear by in Glenside.  

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