Muscles Dictionary

Massage therapy: General term for a range of manual approaches to enhance relaxation, elevate mood, reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and heighten immune responses. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person’s muscles and other soft or connective tissue.

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

Ichchha Sakti (Sanskrit). Will-power; force of desire; one of the occult Forces of nature. That power of the will which, exercised in occult practices, generates the nerve-currents necessary to set certain muscles in motion and to paralyze certain others.

(See also: Ichchha Sakti , Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary,)

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

Based on the work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf, structural integration is based on the idea the entire structural order of the body needs to be realigned and balanced with the gravitational forces around a “central vertical line” representing gravity’s influence.

Therapeutic intervention is directed toward the myofascial system - the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and surrounding connective tissues.

A practitioner of structural integration has a 10-session cycle of work - they use different angles and degrees of physical pressure to stretch and guide fascia to a place of easier movement. The process is not intended to “cure” symptoms; its goal is to create a more resilient, higher-energy system free of inhibitions due to past trauma.

See: Rolfing.

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

Osteokinetics: stimulation and palpation of bone by qi-gong (vital life force energy) while muscles are in traction. It treats somatizations of emotionality and psychology.

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

ASHIATSU ORIENTAL BAR THERAPY

Developed by Ruthie Hardee in 1995, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy combines elements of traditional Thai massage, Barefoot shiatsu and Keralite foot massage (Chavutti Thirummal).

Incorporating overhead wooden bar supports, the therapist uses body weight and gliding foot compression on strategic points along the muscles. When performed near the spine, this form of effleurage creates a “push, pull, pumping” effect on the intervertebral disc space and relieves irritations on the spinal nerve caused by inflammation and swelling.

Note: The application of this technique is not to be done on a floor mat or through clothing. This technique was designed for smaller, petite therapists who wish to specialize in deep work.

(See also: ASHIATSU ORIENTAL BAR THERAPY , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Trigger Point Therapy

(a.k.a. Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" - painful irritated areas in muscles- in order to break the cycle of spasm and pain. Used for specific treatment of pain.

(See also: Trigger Point Therapy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

ROLFING: Dr Ida Rolfe developed this treatment which considered that muscles had a ‘memory’ which could cause problems unless controlled by the patient. The Rolfer works on connective tissue of the myofascial system to break down tension and create a better balanced body. The system can be painful.

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

ACCUPUNCTURE:

·      The modern name is derived from the Latin words Acus (needle) and Punctura (penetration). It is, however, an ancient Chinese art of healing that sticks needles into a patient's skin or even muscles to correct imbalances in the `yin' & `yang' of the body.

·      Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, comprises a special section called `Magic Gate', which is devoted to this therapeutic style.

·      Although modern acupuncture charts more than 2000 points in the body - located along invisible energy called `meridians', 12 channels in each half of the body and 2 major channels (Ren & Du) along the middle line - traditionally there were only 365.

·      The western explanation for this is that a needle inserted at specific acupuncture points of the body releases certain chemical substances, that activate neuro-transmitters, which then pass on nerve impulses to the brain to obtain the desired effects. Must be performed by trained practitioners only.

The fundamental difference between these two systems being:

ACUPUNCTURE

·      A form of surgery where needles are penetrated into specific points of your body.

·      To cure chronic aches and pain.

ACUPRESSURE

·      A form of physiotherapy that indulges in massage and stimulation of precise points of the body.

• To ease all kinds of aches and pains and provide relief from tension, exhaustion and disease.

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

MASSAGE THERAPY: A general term for a range of therapeutic approaches with roots in both Eastern and Western cultures. It involves the practice of manipulating a person's muscles and other soft tissue with the intent in improving a person's well-being or health, and may include, but not be limited to, deep tissue, percussion, vibration, and joint movement.

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

Mars: Mars rules Aries. Mars is energy. It is the kind of energy that your body uses to contract muscles, to assimilate food, and to fire synapses in the brain. It is the kind of energy that makes gasoline burn, pushing pistons up and down, thereby moving your car. It is the dynamic energy of all action in the material world.

The god Mars was responsible for two distinctive kinds of energetic activity: He was the god of war, going around sowing terror and fear in the enemy and inspiring courage as well. On the other hand, he was a god of agriculture, encouraging the planting and tending of crops, and even encourage the crops themselves to grow.

The sign and house of Mars show where your personal energies tend to go when you are not guiding them. It also shows where you can concentrate your energy through decisive action for the strongest results. There is a certain reckless quality to Mars. This planet has to do with sharp instruments and vigorous force. We need to understand this planet in order to manage energy well, or it can become angry and destructive. Thus reading about Mars in your chart can provide answers to your questions about why some situations may have turned out badly, and how to use your physical and emotional energy more successfully in the future.

Mars is also the planet of desire. We all tend to use our energy to get what we want when we want it. Desire is a good thing, because it impels us forward to something new and better. It helps us to find partners and mates. It helps us to find satisfying food, clothing and shelter. On the mental level, desire helps us to choose an area of study, to select books or movies we want to experience. On a still higher level, Mars indicates the direction of our spiritual passion. It shows what religious or spiritual path will satisfy our desire to understand the universe and master our own actions.

The aspects of Mars in your chart indicate the directions in which you can most easily direct your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies. Understanding Mars helps you to direct your actions to gain the best results.

(See also: Mars , Magic, Shamanism, Paganism, Wicca)

ROLFING STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

A method to reorder the major body segments, Rolfing was founded by American biochemist Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1940s.

Rolfing utilizes physical manipulation and movement awareness to bring head, shoulders, thorax, pelvis, and legs into vertical alignment. It allows more efficient use of the muscles with less expended energy by lifting the head and chest and lengthening the body’s trunk.

A sense of lightness and greater mobility often result from Rolfing. Treatments are offered in a 10-session series, as well as advanced sessions. See structural integration.

(See also: ROLFING STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Swedish Massage: The best known form of massage in the United States uses five basic strokes, including soothing, tapping, rubbing, pummeling and kneading, to relieve sore muscles and joints.

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

Intestine: Also called bowels, the portion of the digestive tract between the stomach and anus.

In humans the intestine is divided into two major sections: the small intestine, which is about 6 m long, where the most extensive part of digestion occurs and where most food products are absorbed; and the large intestine, which has a larger diameter and is about 1.5 m long, where water is absorbed and from which solid waste material is excreted.

Food and waste material are moved along the length of the intestine by rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles; these contractions are called peristaltic movements.

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

ACU-YOGA

Acu-Yoga is a system of exercises integrating the knowledge of two holistic methods of health maintenance - acupressure and yoga. Both relax muscular tension and balance the vital life forces of the body.

Yoga does this through controlling the breath while holding the body in certain postures. Acupressure does this by directly manipulating body energy through a system of points and meridians.

Each Acu-Yoga posture naturally presses and stretches certain nerves, muscles, and acupressure points, awakening the meridians and releasing the tension in the points so that energy (chi) can circulate freely. This energy is the source of all life, and its flow is the key to radiant health. The process balances the body and stimulates it to heal itself.

(See also: ACU-YOGA , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE: Trauma, posture, or inflammation can create a binding down of fascia resulting in excessive pressure on nerves, muscles, blood vessels, osseous structures and/or organs.

This hands-on technique seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function and reducing pain.

Therapists apply mild, sustained hand-pressure in order to gently stretch and soften fascia. Treatment is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries, and scoliosis, and other conditions.

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

Bitter

Air & space being its elements, it mitigates pitta and kapha. Drying up moisture from fat, muscles, faeces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the perception of taste. It is said to cure anorexia, worms, bacteria, parasites, thirst, skin diseases, loss of consciousness, fever, nausea, burning sensation. But in excess, it increases vata, causing diseases of vata origin and depletion of tissues.

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

Light Ray rejuvenation system (Light Ray, Light Ray system): Form of facial that affects the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body. It involves application of an electric current to facial muscles, at the EARTH frequency. This is the frequency of psychics and healers.

(See also: Light Ray rejuvenation system , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Sunspots Astronomers describe the spots appearing upon the photosphere of the sun as irregularly ring-shaped penumbra enclosing a darker central umbra. Although the umbra looks black in comparison with the bright surrounding photosphere, it is actually quite brilliant. The spots have no permanence, either in time or shape: they often arise from combinations of contiguous smaller spots, or from no apparent cause on the sun's face, within a short period (often about a day). Bridges may form across a spot and thus give shape to two spots. All spots are carried across the sun's body by the sun's rotation, very few being found near the equator nor at 45 or more degrees from the equator.

In theosophy the spots are due to the diastolic and systolic movements of the sun -- which is the heart as well as the brain of the solar system -- in its rhythmic pulsations, by which the life forces of the system are circulated in a period roughly ranging from ten to twelve years, and usually given as being eleven years -- the sunspot cycle of astronomy. "Thus, there is a regular circulation of the vital fluid throughout our system, of which the Sun is the heart -- the same as the circulation of the blood in the human body -- during the manvantaric solar period, or life; the Sun contracting as rhythmically at every return of it, as the human heart does. Only, instead of performing the round in a second or so, it takes the solar blood ten of its years, and a whole year to pass through its auricles and ventricles before it washes the lungs and passes thence to the great veins and arteries of the system.

". . . It is similar to the regular and healthy pulsation of the heart, as the life fluid passes through its hollow muscles. Could the human heart be made luminous, and the living and throbbing organ be made visible, so as to have it reflected upon a screen, . . . then every one would see the Sun-spot phenomenon repeated every second -- due to its contraction and the rushing of the blood" (SD 1:541-2).

The sunspots serve not only as vents for egress and ingress of the steams of lives in constant circulation throughout this solar system, but such solar pulsations are cosmically rhythmic and the well-being of the entire solar system is controlled by the vital and intellectual energies constantly active in and through the sun, and whose functional operations are physically expressed by the appearance and disappearance of the sunspots.

(See also: Sunspots , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Rolfing: Rolfers believe that when the body is structurally aligned, patients enjoy greater overall health, reduced stress and better posture. The technique, which is also called Structural Integration, involves deep manipulation of the connective tissue that covers the body’s muscles. When this tissue is left alone it can restrict movement, however manipulation of the tissue promotes proper movement and mental clarity.

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

nonbrain alpha waves

Biofeedback readouts appearing to be alpha waves on the instrument but are caused by artifacts; movements of hair, muscles, twitches, breathing and perspiration in the area of the electrodes cause alpha wave patterns, that can be misleading

(See also: Nonbrain alpha waves , Body Mind and Soul)

NEURO-STRUCTURAL BODYWORK

Neuro-Structural Bodywork (NSB) is a somatic therapy which combines a variety of techniques, including fascial release, neuromuscular re-education, craniosacral adjustment, and breathwork in balancing the musculoskeletal, nervous, and chakra systems.

Neuro-Structural Bodywork techniques restore sensory perception and motor control, and allow for new neurological impulses that support postural balance and free range of motion, ultimately enhancing one’s poise, balance, and sense of well-being. NSB is effective in treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions including strained muscles, upper/lower back and disc problems, frozen shoulder, joint injuries, fibromyalgia, migraines, TMJ, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neuro-Structural Bodywork helps create a more receptive environment for a variety of other modalities (especially chiropractic and physical therapy), improving results from exercise, and supporting the body in sustaining skeletal adjustments. It also provides a possible alternative to more invasive treatments (including surgery) in cases where the underlying cause of the problem is fascial restriction and/or loss of sensory perception and motor control. Developed by Nancy DeLucrezia, Neuro-Structural Bodywork can also be used to stimulate and support emotional release and as an adjunct to psychological integration therapies.

(See also: NEURO-STRUCTURAL BODYWORK , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

TRAGER APPROACH

Trager is an approach to bodywork developed in the 1920s by American medical practitioner Dr. Milton Trager. It makes extensive use of touch-contact and encourages the client to experience the freeing-up of different parts of the body.

The approach consists of simple exercises called Mentastics and deep, nonintrusive hands-on work, including fluid, gentle, rocking movements. The idea is to use motion in the muscles and joints to produce positive sensory feelings that are then fed back into the central nervous system. The result is a feeling of lightness, freedom, and flexibility.

A Trager session takes from 1 to 11?2 hours. No oils or lotions are used. The client wears a swimsuit or underwear and lies on a well-padded table in a warm, comfortable environment. No long, broad strokes are used over the surface of the body and, unlike various techniques of deep tissue manipulation, it does not utilize extreme pressure or rapid thrusts to create structural change and does not produce pain as a necessary adjunct to its effectiveness.

During the session, the practitioner makes touch-contact with the client in such a gentle and rhythmic way that the person lying passively on the table actually experiences the possibility of being able to move each part of the body freely, effortlessly, and gracefully on their own.

The practitioner works in a relaxed, meditative state of consciousness. This allows the practitioner to connect deeply with the recipient in an unforced way, to remain continually aware of the slightest responses, and to work efficiently without fatigue. After getting up from the table, the client is given instruction in the use of Mentastics, a system of simple, effortless movement sequences to maintain and enhance the sense of lightness, freedom, and flexibility instilled by the table work.

Mentastics is Dr. Trager’s coinage for “mental gymnastics” - a mindfulness in motion - designed to help clients re-create for themselves the sensory feelings produced by the motion of their tissue in the practitioner’s hands. It is a powerful means of teaching the client to recall the pleasurable sensory state that produced positive tissue change. Because it is this feeling state that triggered positive tissue response in the first place, every time the feeling is clearly recalled the changes deepen, become more permanent, and are more receptive to further positive change.

Changes described have included the disappearance of specific symptoms, discomforts, or pains, heightened levels of energy and vitality, more effortless posture and carriage, greater joint mobility, deeper states of relaxation than were previously possible, and a new ease in daily activities.

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