LaSTONE THERAPY

Stones of all shapes and sizes and varying temperatures, ranging from zero to 140 degrees, are used during LaStone massage therapy to elicit physical healing, mental relaxation, and a spiritual connection to earth energy.

Warm stones encourage the exchange of blood and lymph and provide soothing heat for deep-tissue work. Cold stones aid with inflammation, moving blood out of the area, and balancing male/female energies.

Stones are placed in varying positions on the body for energy balancing or may be used by the therapist for specific trigger-point work. The alternating heat and cold of thermotherapy brings the entire body into the healing process, with a rapid exchange of blood and oxygen and alternating rise and fall of respiration rate as the body seeks homeostasis.

LaStone therapy requires less effort from the practitioner’s own body and delivers healing warmth to the hands, benefitting the therapist, as well as the client. Founder Mary Harrigan drew from the wisdom of ancient healers in using thermotherapy as the basis for her approach.

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

MOVEMENT THERAPY

A variety of techniques that utilize movement re-education and proper body mechanics in combination with massage or soft tissue manipulation.

After observing the client, the therapist will determine which corrective measures are necessary to accomplish specific goals. Active client participation is important while the practitioner uses verbal instruction, hypnosis and imagery, deep muscle and connective tissue manipulation, and mobilization in the movement re-education process.

Registered practitioners may include graduates of The Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, and other movement-based disciplines.

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

MAGNET THERAPY

The therapeutic use of magnets may be older than acupuncture, originally involving a material called magnetite applied in a poultice. Today’s magnet therapy is still applied to the skin, but employs steady or pulsed magnetic fields from either electromagnets or less powerful permanent magnets. Fixed magnets may also be taped to the body for a period of time.

Magnet therapy is used to relieve pain and discomfort and to aid in healing with a variety of physical and emotional disorders, such as arthritis and stress. Treatment may be administered by the therapist or, as in the case of taped magnets, by the client.

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

HAKOMI THERAPY

A body-centered psychotherapy, hakomi was started in the mid-1970s by American Ron Kurtz. Hakomi uses body tensions and sensations to access information about the limiting beliefs, patterns, and habits of the individual. Hakomi bodywork includes hands-on manipulation to access and change these beliefs. Treatments vary to meet individual needs.

(See also: HAKOMI THERAPY, 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)

POLARITY THERAPY

Polarity therapy is based on universal principles of energy - attraction, repulsion, and neutrality. The interrelation of these principles forms the basis for every aspect of life, including our experience of health, wellness, and disease. With this understanding, polarity therapy addresses the interdependence of body, mind, and spirit, the importance of relationships, and the value of creating a way of life in harmony with nature. Founded by Austrian-born naturopath Dr. Randolph Stone in the mid-1920s, polarity therapy is a clothes-on, noninvasive system complementing existing systems with an integrated, holistic model.

Polarity is based on the belief that positive and negative poles exist in every cell. The body is gently manipulated to balance the positive and negative energies. In addition to physical manipulation, blockages and toxins are eliminated through a cleansing diet and simple exercises. Treatments are suggested in a series of four. Training to become a practitioner is 430 hours.

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

INTEGRATIVE MANUAL THERAPY

This therapy recognizes that each person is more than the total components of anatomy, physics, and chemistry, and is instead affected by emotions, thoughts, social interactions, mind, spirit, consciousness, soul, and more.

Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) combines multiple therapies to locate and alleviate health challenges through individual body systems. Utilizing a combination of structural rehabilitation (a manual therapy process of normalization) and functional rehabilitation (a therapy to restore functional outcome according to the optimal potential of the client), Integrative Manual Therapy utilizes the expertise of professionals in many fields - physical therapy, osteopathic medicine, homeopathy, audiology, massage therapy, etc.

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

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, noninvasive method of evaluating and enhancing the function of a physiological body arrangement called the craniosacral system. Developed by John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., this manual therapy enhances the body’s natural healing processes and has proven effective in treating a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face, and mouth - which make up the cranium - down to the sacrum or tailbone. Since this system influences the development and function of the brain and spinal cord, any imbalance or dysfunction in the craniosacral system could cause sensory, motor, or neurological disabilities. These problems may include chronic pain, eye difficulties, scoliosis, motor-coordination impairments, learning disabilities, and other dysfunctions of the central nervous system.

Craniosacral therapy encourages the body’s natural healing mechanisms to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, dissipate the negative effects of stress, and enhance health and resistance to disease.

The craniosacral therapy practitioner uses a light touch to assist the natural movement of fluid within the craniosacral system. Therapists generally use only 5 grams of pressure, roughly the weight of a nickel, to test for restrictions in various parts of the craniosacral system. It’s often possible for the evaluation alone to remove the restriction and allow the system to correct itself.

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

ZEN BODY THERAPY

This technique integrates Zen training with Eastern teachings of the circulation of vital energy or essence of life.

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

KOREAN MARTIAL THERAPY

This is an effective deep-tissue modality that includes massage strokes, body movement, stretches, pressure point therapy, yum yang therapy, and Korean energy work. Gentle on the practitioner, Korean Martial Therapy (KMT) may be performed with the client on a table, the floor, or in a chair, and may or may not incorporate the use of oils.

Derived from Hapkido and Traditional Korean Medicine, Korean Martial Therapy began as self-therapy stretches that were found useful for keeping warriors in top condition and helping them recover quickly from injury.

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

SHEN THERAPY

SHEN is the acronym for Specific Human Energy Nexus and was developed by American scientist Richard Pavek. A scientifically researched form of energy healing, SHEN aims to release emotions trapped in the body, leading to freedom from pain and tension.

SHEN teaches that most emotions are held in the torso, at four main sites: the heart, the solar plexus, the kath (below the navel), and the root (the perineum). The practitioner places hands in paired positions on the fully-clothed client who’s lying on the table.

The practitioner ascertains the locations of somatically held emotions and determines an appropriate physio-emotional release plan. A naturally occurring energy flows from the practitioner’s hands through the emotional centers of the client’s body in a precise way to discharge debilitating emotions.

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

DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPIES

Dance/movement therapies focus on personal expression to enhance emotional and psychological healing. Using expressive movement as a tool, this modality lends itself to treatment of the physically disabled, as well as clients with histories of abuse and addiction.

(See also: DANCE THERAPY, MOVEMENT THERAPIES, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

LYMPH DRAINAGE THERAPY

Lymph Drainage Therapy is unique in that healthcare professionals learn how to palpate the lymphatic flow. As they develop their skills, they can then identify the rhythm, direction, and quality of the lymphatic flow.

Advanced practitioners will be able to precisely map the lymphatic flow to find alternate pathways for drainage. Developed by Bruno Chikly, M.D., Lymph Drainage Therapy evolved from years of training in traditional medicine, Oriental medicine practices, and manual therapies. (Definition provided by The Upledger Institute.)

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

TRAUMA TOUCH THERAPY

Trauma touch therapy was developed to address the needs of clients affected by trauma and abuse, including sexual and emotional abuse or battering and the trauma of war, surgery, or criminal violence.

Focused on empowering the client, this technique combines therapeutic movement and breathwork with psychotherapeutic elements to bring body and mind together in holistic healing. The pace of therapy is determined individually according to the client’s need. Relearning touch from a healthy perspective is a major focus of the therapy.

The trauma touch training program was developed in 1993 at the Colorado School of Healing Arts.

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

STRUCTURAL ENERGETIC THERAPY

Developed in 1983, Structural Energetic Therapy (SET) is a deep-tissue, body-restructuring therapy that addresses chronic and acute pain and dysfunction.

Structural Energetic Therapy integrates cranial/ structural techniques, myofascial unwinding, myofascial restructuring, emotional energy release, kinesiology, and postural analysis to address client symptoms and problems as they relate to body structure.

Structural Energetic Therapy is a client-centered therapy that treats the specific needs unique to each client by addressing their particular injuries and conditions as they relate to the structural distortions. The release of the core distortion pattern, both cranially and structurally, allows a balanced weight-bearing pelvis to support the entire spine, and facilitates the unwinding of all other structural distortions.

The goal of Structural Energetic therapy is to have clients return to life activities pain free.

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

QIGONG MERIDIAN THERAPY

Qigong Meridian Therapy (QMT) is a natural healing system. It is derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, which originated several thousand years ago.

Qigong Meridian Therapy is based on the concept of qi and its focus is qi. Qi is vital energy, the unseen life force that courses though the body, enabling it to perform its functions, and which permeates all of nature.

The purpose of Qigong Meridian Therapy is to release the innate healing ability of the person so their body can maintain health and resist disease. In Qigong Meridian Therapy treatments, specific hand techniques are used to guide healing energy which stimulates the meridians and certain points along or near the meridians.

The Qigong Meridian Therapy treatments serve to remove energy blockages, balance the overall qi of the person, and increase their energy.

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

MYOPATHIC MUSCULAR THERAPY

Myopathy is a system of muscular manipulation designed to accomplish relaxation in muscles in which there is progressive and residual tension from physical strain, nervous strain, sports injuries, accidents, infections, and/or years of declining health.

Created by Dr. Claude Heckman, myopathy reduces inflammation and pain, restores circulation and motion, and aids in the restoration of normal body functions without the use of oil, cream, powder, or lotion.

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

CORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY

Originated by George P. Kousaleos, CORE is a myofascial, postural and structural somatic therapy combining massage techniques with client-assisted movement. Normally lasting 10 sessions, there are four phases of CORE body therapy organized according to the level or layer of fascia, muscle, and supporting soft tissues that are manipulated: Core massage, core extrinsic, core intrinsic, and core integration.

(See also: CORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

UNIFIED FIELD THERAPY

Unified field therapy (UFT) proposes that beyond the body, beyond energy, lies a matrix of consciousness that permeates every aspect of our world. This dynamic, ever expansive matrix forms a single field from which all conscious life flows. This field is called the Unified Field.

All physical, mental, emotional, and energetic patterns known to our world originate from this single source. Present in our every experience, these patterns form the very fabric of our reality. The most subtle shift or change in these patterns can yield immense expansion in our consciousness and bring enormous transformation to one’s life. Utilizing this knowledge, Unified field therapy directly accesses the Unified Field to initiate shifts within a conscious system.

Clients remain fully clothed and are asked to lie face up on a massage table in a comfortable position with eyes closed and attention focused internally. The therapist then begins to evaluate, palpate, and integrate fields of consciousness surrounding and permeating the client. This can be done in a hands-on or hands-off application. Sessions last approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Accordingly, clients must define for themselves how their consciousness integrates and changes as a result of this work. For this reason, therapists are trained not to define or project their perceptions or expectations onto a client’s experience.

Therapists often request that new clients follow up between 48 to 72 hours after the initial visit to discuss any additional “shifts” that may have occurred in the interim.

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

VORTEXHEALING ENERGETIC THERAPY

VortexHealing is an energetic healing art that works solely with divine light and consciousness. It derives its name from a particular energy-vortex that is the interface between our physical world and a divine healing realm that is accessed in this art.

This healing realm allows for the practitioner to channel not just a very powerful healing energy - the divine energy and light of the Vortex - but also the consciousness of this realm, which is composed of seven divine beings whose sole intention is to manifest healing. This enables VortexHealing to perform healings on the physical and emotional level as well as to release the deepest karmic issues we hold as human beings - they are transformed directly by divine consciousness.

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

FOOT ZONE THERAPY

Foot zone therapy is based on the premise that energy flows through the body in meridians from the brain to the feet. Every organ and cell has a representative point.

On the foot, and when pressure is applied, the brain sends a signal to the corresponding part of the body to facilitate healing and restore balance. Temporary pain, defined also as a blockage of energy flow, is felt on areas of the foot which correspond to the affected organ or body part. When the pain is relieved or reduced, the healing process has begun. Positive and apparent results are felt almost immediately.

Foot zone therapy dates back 5,000 years and was used in ancient China and India. Egyptian hieroglyphs and paintings also show the use of this method. But not until the 20th century, when Dr. Erdal of Norway used a form of this therapy to cure himself of paralysis, did foot zone therapy get rediscovered. After 23 years of intensive clinical research, Erdal has codified his findings into a medical science widely respected throughout Europe.

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

DYNAMIC SPINAL THERAPY

Dynamic spinal therapy was developed by Rolf Ott in Rapperswil, Switzerland, in the 1980s. The technique works with the body’s posture and energetic (acupuncture) system and consists of three parts: Ear reflexology test - This test comes from France and Germany and is part of the ear acupuncture. The ear is used to get information about the body’s energetic state. A therapy stylus is simply pressed along specific lines. Some areas are more sensitive than others and give the therapist information.

Acupuncture meridian harmonization balances the energetic system. The focus is on chi flow to stimulate the personal healing process. With the therapy stylus, certain meridians are traced on the skin surface. The Swiss therapeutic cushion - The pelvis is checked while being rotated and specific stretches are applied. Afterward, the client lies face down upon the Swiss therapeutic cushion like an unconscious person floating in water. This position offers complete relaxation. The body is gently rocked in several different ways. The gentle rhythmic motion causes relaxation to occur quickly and deeply and induces trust. The just-stretched muscles get reprogrammed and the rocking moves the joint helping to build them.

Application - Joint problems (hip, knee, shoulder, etc.), migraines, arthritis, foot conditions (halux valgus), lumbago, herniated disks, spinal nerve irritations (problems in inner organs), scoliosis, sciatica, psychological problems, stress, and many more. A treatment usually takes between 30 to 40 minutes.

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