HEMME APPROACH

Developed by Dave Leflet, HEMME is a soft-tissue therapy designed for practitioners in a clinical setting. It relieves pain by restoring alignment and improving myofascial dysfunction.

The acronym HEMME stands for history, evaluation, modalities, manipulation, and exercise. It utilizes physical medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic work, and physical therapy - HEMME is a conglomeration of the most proven techniques found in these approaches and works successfully in treating chronic low back pain and soft tissue injury.

(See also: HEMME APPROACH, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY

This comprehensive program of soft-tissue manipulation balances the body’s central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain, the goal is to help relieve the pain and dysfunction by understanding and alleviating the underlying cause.

Neuromuscular therapy can help individuals who experience distortion and biomechanical dysfunction, which is often a symptom of a deeper problem. It is also used to locate and release spasms and hypercontraction in the tissue, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain, rebuild the strength of injured tissues, assist venous and lymphatic flow, and restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics, and flexibility to the tissues.

(See also: NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

REFLEXOLOGY

Based on an ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands, and ears that correspond to other parts of the body.

Sometimes referred to as zone therapy, this bodywork involves application of pressure to these reflex zones to stimulate body organs and relieve areas of congestion.

Similar to acupressure principles, reflexology works with the body’s energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain balance in physical function. Developed in the United States in the early 1900s, this technique is used today to reduce pain, increase relaxation, and stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related illness and emotional disorders.

Reflexology is also convenient in cases where an area of the body is traumatized or diseased to the extent that direct manipulation is not appropriate.

(See also: REFLEXOLOGY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

bodywork (Bodywork Therapy, bodywork therapies): A potpourri of methods typified by exercising, manipulating, and/or manually (especially digitally) touching the body. It overlaps with energy field work. The expression bodywork is generally interchangeable with hands-on healing and hands-on health.

The major categories of bodywork are:

(a)           massage therapy,

(b)          body-centered psychotherapy, and

(c)           touch therapy.

Its major foci are:

(a)           body structure (e.g., chiropractic),

(b)          body armor (e.g., Reichian Therapy),

(c)           chi or vital energy (e.g., acupressure massage, acupuncture, and jin shinn),

(d)           relaxation (e.g., lomi-lomi and Swedish massage), and

(e)           the subtle body (e.g., Reiki and Therapeutic Touch).

The word bodyworkers refers to practitioners of any form of bodywork that is not categorizable as acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, osteopathy, body-centered psychotherapy, touch therapy, or energy field work.

(See also: Bodywork, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

MUSCLE TESTING

Muscle testing involves finding a muscle that is unbalanced and then attempting to determine why that muscle is not functioning properly.

Treatments may involve specific joint manipulation or mobilization, various myofascial therapies, cranial techniques, meridian and acupuncture skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counselling skills, evaluating environmental irritants, and various reflex procedures.

The object is to test the function of a single muscle in the best possible manner. (Adapted from www.icak.com.)

(See also: MUSCLE TESTING, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE

This system of comprehensive medical care goes beyond conventional medical philosophy to include an emphasis on structural balance of the musculoskeletal system.

Osteopathic physicians use joint manipulation, postural re-education, and physical therapy to normalize the body’s structure and promote healing. Most medical conditions are amenable to osteopathic healing. In some cases, osteopathy has been show to resolve illnesses resistant to surgery and other medical approaches.

(See also: OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

COLORPUNCTURE

A system of holistic acu-light therapy developed by Peter Mandel, colorpuncture applies different frequencies of visible light onto the meridians where needles are typically placed during acupuncture.

By using differing colors, energy can be manipulated, either to stimulate or sedate. Gentle, relaxing, and non-invasive, colorpuncture is sometimes used as an alternative to acupuncture for children and adults uncomfortable with the use of needles.

(See also: COLORPUNCTURE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Sotai (Sotai Therapy): Natural system of bodywork developed by Keizo (Keiji) Hashimoto, M.D., in Japan, and endorsed by Kenzo Kase, D.C. It enables one to adapt to one's environment by harmonizing breathing, eating, thinking, and moving. Sotai uses a sensitive point on the liver meridian (an channel or pathway for vital energy). The word Sotai combines two Japanese characters: So, which means to manipulate, and Tai, which means body.

(See also: Sotai, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Ortho-Bionomy (OB): System of natural manipulative therapy and self-healing developed by British osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls, who introduced it in the United States in 1976. Pauls, who believes in a life force or life energy, has defined ortho-bionomy as the correct application of the laws of life. His system involves touching, dialogue, and instruction in common movements. Sessions may also include energy field work.

(See also: Ortho-Bionomy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Ortho-Bionomy (OB): System of natural manipulative therapy and self-healing developed by British osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls, who introduced it in the United States in 1976. Pauls, who reportedly believes in a life force or life energy, has defined ortho-bionomy as the correct application of the laws of life. His system involves touching, dialogue, and instruction in common movements. Sessions may also include energy field work.

(See also: Ortho-Bionomy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY: a diagnostic technique and therapy developed in the 1960s by a chiropractor (George Goodheart). Applied kinesiology posits that organ or gland dysfunctions show up as weaknesses in certain muscles.

Using gentle pressure, applied kinesiologists test muscle strength to identify health problems and nutritional deficiencies. After diagnosis, treatment may involve exercises to strengthen a muscle, hands-on manipulation of the muscles and bones, and vitamin or mineral supplements.

(See also: Applied kinesiology, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Definition and meaning of gene therapy:

gene therapy - an approach to preventing and/or treating disease by replacing, removing or introducing genes or otherwise manipulating genetic material. In some cases, the material can be injected with a genetic vaccination. In other cases the material is introduced through harmless bioengineered viruses that carry the therapeutic gene to the cell. Globules known as liposomes can also be used to carry therapeutic genes to specific cells

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

ORIENTAL BODYWORK

Monitoring the flow of the vital life energy (known as chi, ki, or prana) is at the heart of Oriental bodywork. Using physical pressure and manipulation, the healer evaluates and modulates this energy flow to attain a state of balance.

Popular modalities include shiatsu, based on Chinese medicine; amma, a combination of East and West healing traditions; Jin Shin Do, utilizing oriental acupuncture and acupressure along with Taoist principles; Thai massage, blending Hindu and Chinese energy systems theory with techniques similar to shiatsu; and tui na, based on Chinese medicine and the traditional Japanese massage of amma (as distinct from the more recently developed amma therapy).

(See also: ORIENTAL BODYWORK, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Kinesitherapy: Kinesitherapy is a therapy, which is governed by movement. There are two types of Kinesitherapies:

1. Active Kinesitherapy [such as therapeutic exercise, functional activity treatment, gate trainings, etc].
2. Passive Kinesitherapy [such as clinical rehabilitative massage, scapula manipulation, spinal mobilization (please do not confuse this with spinal adjustment), spinal tractions, post-isometric relaxation techniques, and passive exercise (mobilization) of different body regions].

The total techniques seek to facilitate the movements while utilizing muscular chains. Contrary to the analytical techniques, which consider only one muscle or an articulation, they relate to a whole muscular unit. Among these techniques, the most used are the method of Kabat and that of Bobath.

(See also: Kinesitherapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

APPLIED KINESIOLOGY

Applied Kinesiology is a healing system that evaluates and treats an individual’s structural, chemical, and mental aspects. It employs muscle testing and other standard methods of diagnosis.

Applied Kinesiology therapeutically utilizes nutrition, manipulation, diet, acupressure, exercise, and education to help restore balance and harmony in the body and maintain well-being throughout life. (From Alternative Healing, by Hugh Burroughs and Mark Kastner) Dr. George Goodheart, a chiropractor in Detroit, Mich., discovered the technique in 1964 during a patient treatment.

After applying a few seconds of deep pressure on the man’s severe muscular dysfunction, he found the problem was eliminated. His wide background in a variety of therapies assisted him in his development of the technique. Dr. John Thie developed a simplified version of Applied Kinesiology called Touch for Health in 1970.

(See also: APPLIED KINESIOLOGY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Naturopathy:

Naturopathy is a system of healing, originating from Europe, that views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the processes by which the body naturally heals itself. It emphasizes health restoration as well as disease treatment.

The term “naturopathy” literally translates as “nature disease.” Today naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is practiced throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. There are six principles that form the basis of naturopathic practice in North America (not all are unique to naturopathy):

1. The healing power of nature

2. Identification and treatment of the cause of disease

3. The concept of “first do no harm”

4. The doctor as teacher

5. Treatment of the whole person

6. Prevention

The core modalities supporting these principles include diet modification and nutritional supplements, herbal medicine, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, massage and joint manipulation, and lifestyle counseling. Treatment protocols combine what the practitioner deems to be the most suitable therapies for the individual patient.

(See also: Naturopathy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

reflexology:

(a)           Variation of acupressure whose principle is that all bodily organs have corresponding external reflex points (on the scalp, ears, face, nose, tongue, neck, back, arms, wrists, hands, abdomen, legs, and feet), and that manipulating these points can enhance the flow of energy.

(b)           Foot Reflexology.

(c)            Zone therapy.

(d)           Macroreflexology and microreflexology.

(e)            A type of shiatsu that focuses on the hands and feet.

(See also: Reflexology, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE: The philosophy and practice of treating disease by following the principles and laws of nature, rather than utilizing chemicals, drugs, surgery, or other "artificial" or "intrusive" methods. Naturopaths endeavor to stimulate the innate healing resources of the body itself, through a variety of methods.

These include fasting to eliminate toxins, physical manipulative therapies like osteopathy and chiropractic, techniques like acupuncture and shiatsu which stimulate energy flow, and approaches like hypnosis and biofeedback which tap the "inner potential".

Herbal remedies, mineral and vitamin supplements, and homeopathic treatments are frequently employed, and some naturopaths also practice iridology, a technique of identifying disease symptoms through the different zones of the iris.

(See also: Naturopathic medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Enneagram system (Enneagram, Enneatype system): System of spiritual psychology based on an ancient Sufi typology of nine (ennea in Greek) personality types or primary roles:

(1)           the achiever (reformer) - orderly, rational, and self-righteous;

(2)           the helper - generous, manipulative, and possessive;

(3)           the succeeder (motivator, status-seeker) - ambitious, hostile, and pragmatic;

(4)           the individualist (artist) - intuitive, self-absorbed, and sensitive;

(5)           the observer (thinker) - analytic, original, and provocative;

(6)           the guardian (loyalist) - defensive, engaging, and responsible;

(7)           the dreamer (generalist) - accomplished and manic;

(8)           the confronter (leader) - combative, dominating, and self-confident; and

(9)           the preservationist (peacemaker) - easygoing and receptive.

Each type has a prime psychological addiction (fixation or blind spot), respectively: anger, pride, deceit, envy, greed, fear, gluttony, lust for life and power, and laziness. These addictions include Christianity's seven deadly sins.

(a)           Recognition of one's type is tantamount to spiritual awakening. in the process of neutralizing the prime addiction:

(b)          achievers become pathfinders,

(c)           helpers become partners, succeeders become motivators,

(d)           individualists become builders,

(e)           observers become explorers,

(f)             guardians become stabilizers,

(g)           dreamers become illuminators,

(h)           confronters become philanthropists, and

(i)             preservationists become universalists.

(See also: Enneagram system, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of vector:

vector - an organism which carries or transmits a pathogen; a vehicle that transfers genetic material into a host cell or organism. Typically, vectors are of two types: viral- or DNA-based. DNA vectors are automously replicating, circular macromolecules that can be easily manipulated to carry genetic information and are transferred into cells by standard laboratory techniques. These vectors include plasmids, cosmids, and yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs). Recombinant viruses that have been bioengineered to be harmless can also carry new genetic information for transfer into cells, or into an entire host organism (an example of gene therapy)

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Reiki:

Reiki is believed to have begun in Tibet several thousand years ago. Seers in the Orient studied energies and developed a system of sounds and symbols for universal healing energies. Various healing systems, which crossed many different cultures, emerged from this single root system. Unfortunately, the original source itself was forgotten.

Reiki practitioners channel energy in a particular pattern to heal and harmonize. Unlike other healing therapies based on the premise of a human energy field, reiki seeks to restore order to the body whose vital energy has become unbalanced.

Reiki energy has several basic effects: it brings about deep relaxation, destroys energy blockages, detoxifies the system, provides new vitality in the form of healing universal life energy, and increases the vibrational frequency of the body.

The laying of hands is used in Reiki therapy also as in spiritual healing. There is a difference though. In spiritual healing, a person with a strong energy field places his or her hands above a particular part of the recipient’s body in order to release energy into it. So, here the healer is the one who is sending out the energy. In Reiki, however, the healer places the hands above the recipient; however, it is the recipient that draws the energy as needed. Thus, in this case, the individual being healed takes an active part in the healing process as opposed to having a passive part in spiritual healing. The individual takes responsibility for his or her healing. The recipient identifies the needs and caters to them by drawing energy as needed.

Although there are a few positions in which the practitioner is in contact with the patient (such as cradling the head), most Reiki treatments do not involve actual touching. The practitioner holds his or her hands a few inches or farther away from the patient’s body and manipulates the energy field from there.

(See also: Reiki, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Massage and its remedial effects

Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. It also speeds up blood circulation.

The literal meaning of 'massage' is manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands. In naturopathy, massage occupies a very important place in the treatment of diseases of all kinds. For centuries, massage has been used as a remedy in India, Greece, Rome, China, Egypt and a host of other countries.

Procedure

According to the modern system of physiotherapy, the process begins with massaging upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) followed by the chest, abdomen, back and hips, and ending with the face and the head. As far as possible, massage with the hands to derive complete benefit.

According to modern therapy, the massage strokes are directed towards the heart. According to Ayurdeva, massage is known as snehan (oleation) and should be given to a patient before panchakarma treatment. Panchakarmas are the five basic principles to clean and detoxify or purify the body. They are:

·      Vamana (emesis)

·      Virechana (puragation)

·      Nruha (medicated anema)

·      Anuvasana (unctuous anema -

·      preparation with oil or other unctuous substance)

·      Nasya (inhalation therapy)

Massage should always be followed by svedana (fermentation). Snehana and svedana are the two purvakarmas that should be given before panchakarma treatment.

Benefits

1. Massage is used to improve blood circulation, to reduce oedema,

 adhesions in tissues after injury, reduce muscular spasm and improve

 muscle tone.

2. Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores

 of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat.

3. It also speeds up blood circulation, hence reducing swelling

 (oedema), relieving tension of the nerves and soothing them.

4. It stimulates the digestive system and activates the urinary system.

Rules on massage oil

1. For patients with pains, use Narayan Taila, or Mahanarayan Taila.

2. For weakness, use Narayan Taila, Chandan Bala Lakshdi Taila.

3. For patients with joint pains (rheumatism), use Saindhavadi Taila.

4. For patients with burning sensation problems and sleeplessness, use

 Bhringraj Taila and Brahmi Taila.

5. For patients with skin diseases, use Kushthararakshas Taila, Nimba

 Taila and Bakuchi Taila.

Massage produces heat. After half an hour of getting a massage done, a hot water bath or shower can be taken. The head should be bathed with lukewarm water.

Contraindications

1. Massage is not recommended in any type of fevers.

2.Massage is not recommended during pregnancy.

3.Abdominal massage should be avoided in case of diarrhoea, ulcers, appendicities and tumours in the abdomen.

Excessive oil after massage should be removed with gram flour (besan) and not with soap. Peeli mitti (Indian yellow clay) is also excellent for washing the body. It has a cooling effect on the skin and nerves.

(See also: Massage, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)