Acupuncture point Hegu (LI 4)
In a sense all therapeutic massage techniques promote good vibes, due to their relaxing and deeply quieting nature. While energy healing is often thought to influence mainly spiritual and mental aspects of oneself, significant physical benefits are also notable. Science verifies that the body is bio-energetic, and thus your body can benefit from creating a harmonious balance of its energies.
Energy healing can be conveyed via direct hands on techniques; by working with the energy field itself without direct contact; and indirectly, such as when we are exposed to certain outside stimuli. Nowadays, most of us are aware, and it is commonly accepted that various external forces have an immediate effect on our state of well-being: imagine the relaxing sound of soft rain, or the comforting smell of vanilla or cinnamon.
The practice of massage therapy, including many energy healing techniques, serves as a medium of sorts to transfer good vibes between the body and mind, leaving a sensation of ultimate relaxation. Direct energy-healing modalities take this concept even further by targeting principally the bio-electric energetic forces flowing through all of us more specifically than others do. At the same time, these techniques provide wholly physical benefits as well, making them a vital tool for heightened of mental and physical well-being.
Some such techniques include:
Shiatsu
Shiatsu, meaning “finger pressure”, utilizes pressure from the palms, fingers, elbows, knees, and even feet to stretch the muscles and stimulate the flow of qi (or in other words, “life energy”, good vibes, etc.) along channels connecting the body’s pressure points. Shiatsu is used to treat many ailments and issues including stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and nausea.
Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that it utilizes pressure on the same points used in the latter, but without needles. In doing so, it disperses or tonifies energy. Acupressure is said to balance yin, yang, and qi, as well as combat nausea and motion sickness.
Thai Massage
Influenced by traditional Chinese medicine, Thai massage is a combination of massage techniques and assisted stretching originating in Thailand that uses manual pressure to inspire the flow of energy and balance as well as mobilization of the body. Thai massage helps to increase flexibility and oxygenation of the blood, and can be mentally therapeutic.
Jin Shin Jyutsu
Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient oriental art that emphasizes gentle pressure on systems of pressure points to encourage the flow of life energy through the body. It is used to awaken self-awareness within the body and mind, and also helps to release the bindings of stress in order to obtain optimal health.
Many massage therapists incorporate energy healing in various forms into sessions. Feel free to ask more about the rich benefits of addressing the ever present energy aspects of yourself.
Photo Credit: By Mk2010 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
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