Digestive Massage

Digestive Massage Treatment

What happens when you combine Massage Therapy and Oriental medicine? Awesomeness!

Meet one of our new Dream Team members, Starla Brewer, LMT.  Our Dream Team therapists are some of our best alumni who are mentoring directly under our instructors to learn and practice combination Massage Therapy and Oriental medicine non-needle techniques for specific symptoms.

This month Starla is offering our special Digestive Massage Treatment, 45-minutes, only $65.  Here’s what she has to say about it:

“I was drawn to this treatment due to 1^st hand experience I’ve had with digestive issues.  I didn’t realize what a difference it would make until going to massage school here and doing the treatment in class. Until my digestion started to actually feel good, I didn’t even know how not-good it had been.

I really like doing this treatment because people have so many digestive issues.  Many people get surgery for them.  This treatment is a really nice way to help. It also reminds people that self-care is important.

People usually feel good immediately after the treatment, but it’s especially noticeable over the next few days when you eat and have a different experience – noticeably better.  This is some of the feedback I’ve gotten from people:

·        * Feel so good I don’t have the desire to eat foods that normally bother me.

·        * Less bloating.

·        * Tightness and heaviness is gone, don’t feel weighed down.

·        * Can feel things loosening up and moving instead of just sitting in my intestines.

·        * Feel overall better, more energy.

·        * Happy! It’s a happiness you get when your body is doing something it’s supposed to.

Also, several people have reported that it relieved their low back pain.  It seems that if there’s constipation or slow digestion, that build up puts pressure on the low back from the inside.

Here’s what I do in the treatment:

·        - Back massage first, Tui Na Acupressure style, to open one of the main meridians in the body to get the energy flowing, and it also prepares the body for the treatment.
        
 - After turning face up, I do some gentle rubbing/warming through the sheet.
        
 - Your abdomen is very modestly exposed.

        
 - First there is an abdominal massage with oil.  Sometimes I use essential oils on a case-by-case basis, or if you request them.  I tend to not use essential oils if someone’s digestion and constitution is very delicate, or if someone is to the point of considering surgery.  In those cases you have to be really careful.
        
  - Next I do some Cupping – either gliding cup, or static cups if you have chronic constipation or need something more intense.  This really gets things moving nicely!
        
 - Then I like to end with gentle abdominal massage again.

Most people report they get noticeable results over the next 2-3 days.  If someone really wants to improve problem digestion, I recommend they get this done at least 3-6 weeks in a row, or until you can maintain good digestion on your own.  The idea is to get your digestion moving efficiently on its own so you only need this as a general health maintenance tune-up once each season.“

Benefits of Massage using Acupressure Points on Yourself

By Suzanne G.

What is acupressure? Acupressure has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. It is a really cool form of healing developed to relieve pain, improve circulation, and in general, balance the body's energy flow.  The body is composed of 12 major channels, each corresponding with internal organs and externally with limbs and joints. Most massage therapists learn the various principles of acupressure techniques and incorporate it into their practice.

There are many simple, effective techniques you can do on your own to stimulate, harmonize, and revitalize your body's energy. For example Stomach 36 is a major point that has multiple functions such as constipation, knee pain, and even fatigue as story has it.

"Specifically, a site on the pelvic limb called “Zusanli” (also known as Stomach 36, or ST-36) is one of the most frequently used of all acupuncture points. The Chinese name Zusanli means “Leg Three Miles”. Oral tradition has it that in ancient times, most individuals traveled on foot, and stimulation of Zusanli would relieve fatigue dramatically enough that the effects would allow one to travel another three miles. It was indeed common for people who were about to embark on a long journey to needle or moxa this point (which involves warming the area with a medicinal herb such as mugwort), in order to build the necessary
strength and endurance for the trip." 

Robinson, Narda. "The “Leg-Three-Miles” Acupuncture Point for Internal Medicine Problems." 2007. Web. 31 May 2013.

So next time you feel a little constipated, are tired, or have achy knees try stimulating this point. You can locate this point by taking 3 body inches below the knee on the lateral edge of the shin point and one finger width lateral to the edge of the tibia. Sometimes it can be a little tricky to find, but play around with it.

This link below gives a good thorough explanation and guide on how to gauge the right amount of pressure for yourself.

http://www.acupressure.com/articles/Applying_pressure_to_acupressure_points.htm