Treatment
How does Japanese Remedial Massage work?
Main Principles of Japanese Remedial Massage
Techniques we use in our treatment
"Myofascial Release"
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue(fascia) restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Fascia is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective tissue that wraps most structures(bones and muscles) within the human body.
"YU KI"
Practitioner first examines where Ki(vital energy) flow is blocked by palpating soft tissue and joints such as occiput, spine, scapula, rib cage, pelvis and abdomin. Then, practitioner enhances and adjusts Ki of recipients by placing a hand on those areas. This technique is the basic philosophy of Japanese Remedial Massage and called YU KI.
YU KI treats the whole person including physical body, emotions, and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation, deep breathes and feelings of peace by clearing blocks in the physical and energy fields, repairing and rebalancing the subtle energy system(meridians, chakura, nadis).
"SOTAI HO"
Sotai ho is a Japanese form of movement therapy that was discovered by Keizo Hashimoto, M.D. (1897-1993). Main point is the idea that structural balance could be restored by moving the body in the comfortable position. Therefore, moving the body in a way that causes one to feel good does in fact create the greatest benefit. The key is to quiet the mind and listen to the body carefully in order to experience freedom of movement.
Principles of Sotai ho treatment
The first thing to remember is that we are working at moving the body in the direction that feels GOOD. Here are some principles to follow as you practice Sotai ho:
1. Calm your mind and connect with your body while determining the direction of a movement that is most restrictive, you will then be moving in the direction away from this.
2. Slowly move in the direction of ease making sure that the movement feels satisfying as you are in it.
3. Complete the movement at the end of your exhale and subtly squeeze without force and then relax the entire body as you deeply inhale while being still.
4. After the inhalation checking in with your body will help determine if you need to repeat the movement or move on. One to three repetitions are sufficient.
Oftentimes the simplest concepts are the most challenging to master. Sotai Ho may appear unusually easy but they have a certain depth that keeps us connected body and soul.
Before and After the treatment
Case of the opened hip joints and the widened pelvis
Right hip joint has better range of motion.
Left hip joint was opened and left side of the pelvis was widened.
"Deep Breathing"
When we breathe fully and deeply, our lungs are able to expand more completely into the chest cavity and our abdomen dynamically inflates.
Continuous outward and inward movements of the ribcage contributes significantly to loosen up sternum, collor bone and thracic spine(T1 to T12) which all attaches to ribcage. Also, outward and inward movements of the belly contributes to loosen up lumber spine and pelvis.
The downward and upward movements of the diaphragm(attaches to ribcage and lumber spine) contribute significantly to massage and detoxify our inner organs, promote blood flow and peristalsis, and pump the lymph more efficiently through our lymphatic system.
What does Japanese Remedial Massage focus on?
"Abdomen" - In Japanese Remedial Massage, the abdomen is regarded as an important part. Any disorderof body and mental condition such as physical pain, problems of internal organs or stress invariably produces an effection on abdomen. By performing YU KI on those spot, enable to activate internal organs and relieve physical pain and restore energy flow.
Side abdomen 1,2 - Related to every lower back pain. On the side abdomen between ribs and the ilium, there is usually the space of 3 or 4 fingers. When acute lower back pain there is only the space of one or two fingers on the side because pelvis tilts backwards and ribs shift down, and one of the side abdomen becomes very tight.
Risho katten 3 - Located at the junction of the right rectus abdominis muscle and the lowest right rib. Stiffened by excessive energy and nutrient. For example, there is more energy to take in the body by a meal than energy used by daily routine and exercise. Also in the case of taking too much medicine.
Psychological stress 4 - Located at the junction of the left rectus abdominis muscle and the lowest left rib. Stiffened by mental stress.
Pit of the stomach 5 - Located at just below the sternum. Stiffened by nervousness and leads to shallow breathing.
Lower Tanden 6 - Lower Tanden located 3-finger widths above the pubic bone shows the condition of body and mind. When lower Tanden is firm and strong, vital energy is flowing nicely through the body. But when autonomic nervous system is distracted with stress, lower Tanden loses its strength.
"Spine" - Healthy body has a flexible spine naturally formed an elongated "s" shape and the pelvis shifts up and the lumber region arches inward. Various abnormalities appear in a body if some vertebrae lose flexibility, because of obstructing nerve transmission to the related organs. Practioner examines the condition of each vertebrae and then releases the specific vertebrae by performing YU KI on the points.
C1,2 - Blood circulation in the head
C3 - Nasal mucous membrane
C4 - Ears
C5,6 - Throat
C7 - Increase in vagus nerve tension
T1,2 - Blood circulation in the trachea mucous membrane
T2 - Stomach and liver
T3 - Lungs
T4 - Esophagus, liver, lungs and heart
T5 - Contraction of the cardia
T6 - Lesser visceral nerves, vascular movement of the stomach
T7 - Spleen, digestive organs
T8 - Pancreas, spleen and pleura
T9 - Liver, gall bladder, and expansion of the arota
T10 - Kidneys and eyesight
T8,9,10 - Bloating of the stomach
T11,12 - Small intestine, ovaries and testicles
L1 - Reproductive organs, mental percrption and head
L1,2 - Reproductive organs
L2 - Large intestine and appendix
L3 - Reproductive organs, blood circulation and kidneys
L4 - Ovaries and testicles
L5 - Bladder
"Pelvis" - The shifting of the pelvis downward causes the distortion of the body frame and the body starts to tense unnaturally in an effort to maintain balance. This is one of the reasons the body stiffens. Practioner examines the condition of pelvis and then releases the related joints and muscles to improve flexibility of pelvis by YU KI.
After the treatment
After the treatment, excretion through urine, feces or sweat is promoted, and often said that a body becomes warm and feel it lightly, and breathing become more comfortable.
In some case there is a reaction that the toxin which remained in the body for a long time is excreted by fever, a pain, diarrhea. It may last a few days, but afetr the excretion is completed, you will feel invigorated.
How often should you book for Japanese Remedial Massage?
A sudden pain or condition can often be resolved within a few sessions. However, chronic and long standing conditions, will normally require a number of weekly or fourtnightly sessions to lead the area to its normal condition and will gradually be spaced out to a regular monthly treatment.
Some exercise such as breathing exercise and pelvis exercise depending on your condition will be given to maintain yourself at home.