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Introduction
Dear friends.
Over the span of thirty-two years that I worked in the massage-therapy
field, I’ve performed myself and have seen many of my colleges performing
many different types of massage with the wide range of results.
Interestingly, physiological effect of massage alone, couldn’t explain the
obtained results. There were always additional effects caused by none
other than what we would call now as “energy work”.
The effect of
“energy” on body became evident for me back in my postgraduate days, when
the group of my colleges and I conducted an energy related experiment.
Several people had the amount of arterial blood supply to the extremities
measured two times by the special ultra sound equipment. The first time
after standing still on one spot for ten minutes. The second time after
each of them performed extensive visualizing of vein blood drainage and
arterial blood supply process through their lower extremities.
Surprisingly, the second measurement recorded much higher blood supply for
all the testers despite the fact that none of them have moved.( as you
know when we staying steel blood supply to the extremity significant
decrease)
Effects of “energy work” are unavoidable in performing
massage, thus practitioners have to be prepared to channel it properly.
Without practical understanding of what’s involved in “energy work” many
practitioners might inadvertently hurt their patients and themselves.
Because “energy work” is so practically important I decided to
start my book The Simple approach to Sports and Medical Massage from the
chapter Science of Massage & Energy Work.
Mysteries and
metaphysics surrounds energy issue; different esoteric theories have been
built around this subject. My purpose here is not to create another theory
and or break down the dependency between “mind and matter” to the Quantum
Mechanics level. My purpose is to share my practical experience in “energy
work” and to give manual therapy practitioners a practical tool that will
help him/her to deal with “energy work” in their daily practice. This
method relies not on quantum mechanics, but on the knowledge of basic
anatomy, physiology and physics.
Below I will summarize these
necessary facts in the light of their connection to massage in order use
them as reference for further discussion of “energy work” process. This
time I will exclude classic academic approach of “gross anatomy and
physiology”. Because of practical need of today discussion I am offering
practical approach to the science. In other words exited to referring to
anatomical names of body parts I will offer you the structural anatomy and
practical physiology approach.
Anatomy and Physiology of
cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system consists
of heart, arteries, arterioles, capillary networks, venules, and veins.
Blood itself is also an anatomical part of the cardiovascular system. The
human heart is a very energetic-p fishotential muscle. The fact is that
for an average of about 80 years, without taking a break, the heart
performs a pumping action approximately 80 times per minute. Blood is
pumped out of the heart through the arterial blood vessels (those that
carry blood away from the heart), towards the periphery under pressure, so
even structures such as the brain, which are topographically located above
heart, will get blood supply. Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80.
The duty of blood supply is firstly to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and
hormones to all 55 trillions cells in the body, which compose our
different tissues.
Arterial Blood Flow
Arterial blood distribution first goes through arteries,
then arterioles, and then thru the huge network of capillaries - tiny
blood vessels, some so small that they will only allow the passage of one
red blood cell at a time. It is on this microscopic level of vessels where
the basic metabolism - the gas exchange, occurs. The surrounding cells
consume everything they need (oxygen, nutrients, etc.) from the capillary
blood supply. When this exchange of material happens, the arterial blood
is spent of its supplies and will be given up to the venous blood
circulation.
Venous Blood Flow
Venous
blood flows toward the heart slower than arterial blood flows, and is
under less pressure. As venous circulation works its way toward the heart,
it will be cleaned passing thru the liver and kidneys, allowing metabolic
waste products to be removed from the body. It will then flow thru the
lungs, satiate with oxygen, and will be ready to repeat the circulation
cycle again and again, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Venous blood
drainage is supported mechanically by muscular contraction, which occurs
whenever we move. All the way throughout the venous circulation there are
valves located on the interior of the vessels. Valves open only when blood
flows towards the heart. Rhythmic contraction of the muscles supports
venous blood drainage. During massage, we activate a similar mechanical
action by performing squeezing techniques only towards the heart, in the
direction of venous blood flow. Thus, we mechanically accelerate the flow
of venous blood drainage significantly and substantially increase local
arterial blood supply to the tissue. This movement goes against the flow
of arterial blood, but its influence can’t disrupt arterial blood flow as
it is under the superior pressure.
The acceleration of venous
blood drainage described above belongs to one of the factors of the
physiological effect of massage: direct, local mechanical factor. The
second factor is an indirect effect, achieved through the nervous system
pathways, and is not limited to the local area being massaged.
Neuro-reflexive aspect is the main power of massage therapy.
Structural anatomy of the Central Nervous
System
The central nervous system is composed of the spinal cord and the
brain. Much processing of afferent perception information and efferent
responses happen in both upper and lower centers. The peripheral nervous
system originates from the spinal cord and provides innervation to inner
organs and systems, to the somatic parts, such as skin, connective tissue,
muscles, etc. At the very endings of the peripheral nervous system, there
are proprioreceptors located in skin, muscles, connective tissues, etc,
that respond to touch, pressure, temperature, vibration, pain, etc.
The moment you touch proprioreceptors, you cause generation of
action potentials (afferent impulses), which will stream and stimulate the
central nervous system including motor, vasomotor, and other centers. Due
to this stimulation, organs and systems of our body reflect by
vasodilation, increased blood supply, relaxation of muscles, etc. This is
what reflexive therapy is. Reflex is the body’s involuntary reaction to an
original stimulus.
In the case of reflexive therapy, this reaction
is expressed by the above-mentioned positive changes in functions of
organs and systems, which will include reduction of left atria work due to
vasodilation. Please keep in mind that stress causes vessels to constrict
(arteries carry enough smooth muscles and nerves to constrict).
Peripheral vascular constriction amplifies peripheral vascular
resistance. Peripheral vascular resistance is a main opposition to the
left atria work ( left part of the hard responsible for ejection of
arterial blood to the circulatory system). Increased peripheral vascular
resistance immediately responds by increasing left atria work in order to
overcome such resistance.
Significant increase of cardio work can
lead to stress-related heart attacks, and can accelerate the development
of arteriosclerosis. In order to achieve reflexive therapy results,
massage therapist must perform massage in the inhibitory regime.
Inhibitory Regime
Every nerve receptor
has its own level of adaptation - its ability to produce electrical
activities, also known as impulse or action potential. To work in the
inhibitory regime means to keep massage manipulation in a rhythm of 70-80
movements per minute while gradually increasing pressure and minimizing
disconnection. Consequently, receptors will not increasing production of
action potential, but the flow of afferent neural impulses from the
contact area of our hands will continue.
The motor and vasomotor
centers include pain-analyzing systems, responding to this kind of
stimulation by vasodilation, muscular relaxation and other positive
changes in functions of organs and systems do to re-polarization of the
neurons. This approach aims at reducing the sympathetic tone and restoring
balance in activities, between the sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions of the autonomic nervous system.
The status of these
systems functioning in balance is one of ultimate health. To bring about
this balance is the bottom line goal of stress management massage therapy.
The philosophy and ultimate goal of Chinese medicine treatments is
to balance the activities of yin and yang (active and passive energy).
Disorders are most often defined as stagnations, or blocks of chi flow. In
my opinion there is a direct correlation between the conventional
explanation of the mechanism of massage and the oriental medicine
explanation. The electrical stream that we create via massage, causing
flow- distribution of the chi- energy, what in turn leads to balance of
sympathetic and parasympathetic activities; balance of yin and yang.
Phenomenon of
Piezoelectricity
The
piezoelectric phenomenon is described as the ability of both inorganic and
organic substances to generate electrical potential in response to purely
mechanical deformation. During the performance of massage therapy, we are
deforming the tissues, cells, and molecules thereby generating/creating
piezoelectric charges. In massage, the main cause of piezoelectric
phenomenon is the deformation of collagen molecules (elastin and keratin
also carry piezoelectric properties). As we know, molecules are surrounded
by large amounts of extra-cellular fluid (at least 70-75% of our body is
water). By performing massage we not only generate electrical impulses
that travel thru peripheral nerves, which in term make their way to the
central nervous system, but also generate piezoelectric charges of
electricity. These piezoelectric streams move out in all directions, thru
extra-cellular fluid and other molecular structures, creating streaming
potentials that travel to the inner organs and there create massive
additional afferent impulses. These afferent impulses from inner organs in
turn further stimulate centers within the central nervous system and
increase the power of reflexive therapy (positive changes in function of
organs and system due to original stimulation by massage). This phenomenon
of piezoelectricity also explains much in the mechanisms of acupuncture
and acupressure. I have always believed that the oriental methods of the
treatments are bottom line, reflexive therapy. When performing massage
techniques, especially kneading/petrissage, try to imagine (to see with
your hands what eyes cannot see) the massive phenomenon of
piezoelectricity on top of the action potential formation from the
deformation of proprioreceptors. Whenever we touch the body, we are
causing the creation of these electrical charges. Please always imagine
these energetic streamings and you will heal your clients much more
effectively.
Sense of Touch
A therapist
while doing massage cannot observe the aforementioned facts about anatomy,
physiology and the factors of reflexive therapy. Therefore a massage
therapist has to be able to maintain a mental picture of anatomical and
physiological processes based on his/her preexisting knowledge. This
mental picture helps a massage therapist to be in control of what his/her
hands are doing and why are they doing it. It assists practitioners in
developing their sense of touch.
Sense of touch is ability to
sense with our hands what our eyes cannot see. For instance, when we look
at our client, we cannot see what an anatomical chart of the
cardiovascular system would show us, but we have the ability to imagine
the physiology of the cardiovascular system under our hands. We can
develop our sense of touch to the degree that will allow us to perform
energy work.
Using Sense of Touch for Energy Work
Thought
is energy. Thinking, envisioning, imagining, projecting, are all
electrical activities in our brain, and these impulses create energy
fields (electromagnetic fields) around us. These electromagnetic fields
can protect your personal state of energy from disturbances and will
increase the power of all activities caused by your hands-on massage.
Energy work positively influences our hands-on therapy efforts and allows
us to manipulate the energy of our client(s). By focusing and projecting
our understanding of anatomy and physiological processes transpired in our
patient while we’re doing massage, allows us to increase our powers of
healing to the maximum extent.
Pathology & Energy
Work
Our skeleton consists of about 206 bones. Everywhere
where two bones meet they create a joint, held together by ligaments -
very strong, elastic, belt-like, soft connective tissue - which hold the
two bones in place, surrounding and stabilizing the joint. Cartilage
covering the surface areas of the ends of bones where they come together
creating joint-arthra. Cartilage, providing a smooth, frictionless
apparatus to allow the surfaces to articulate against one another. If this
cartilage becomes inflamed, deformed, or develops fissuring, and/or
erosion, this kind of pathology is called arthritis; inflammation in the
joint (-its meaning inflammation). If a joint region is sprained (pulled),
or strained (overloaded), very possible that tendons - extensions of
muscles attaching them to the bones - can develop inflammation, as well as
ligaments, bursa, muscles, etc. In the case of sport-related injury in the
knee region for example, there may be physical effect such as contusion,
twist, and sprain, strain, which can cause a person to develop arthritis,
periarthritis and more.
For a therapist it is extremely important
to understand that in any case of inflammation, whether it be arthritis,
tendonitis, or bursitis, the _expression of these pathologies will be
swelling of the tissues, excessive volume of extracellular fluid
accumulation, and stasis of venous blood, which disallows arterial blood
supply (oxygen and anti-inflammatory hormones like hydrocortisone). In the
inflamed areas the demand of blood supply, will be increased much more
than the regular blood supply can deliver. Pain is a signal/message about
swelling of the tissue, stasis of venous blood, which decreases arterial
blood supply (oxygen supply), accumulation of excessive amount of
extracellular fluid, and constriction of muscles.
Bear in mind
that all these processes and physical _expression of pathology in most
cases, cannot be seen from the outside.
It is extremely important for
the massage therapist to understand the pathology to the degree that
he/she can begin to heal by simply placing the hands on the region and
imagining all the above-mentioned expressions of pathology. There is no
doubt, that if, additional to energy work that I described before, we will
perform techniques for acceleration of venous blood drainage, edema
reduction, trigger point therapy, etc. then rapid and sustained results
can be expected.
To make all of the things mentioned above a
little more organized, I Kahan proposes the following structure in massage
therapy approach:
A. Knowledge - this is your memory of the facts,
i.e., structural anatomy and physiology, as well as pathological
developments in cases of disorders.
B. Understanding of Knowledge
- this means more than just memorizing the dry facts about the structure
and function of the region, or the symptoms and signs of a disorder. It
refers to your capability to picture these components living and
functioning in the normal situation and to picture what is occurring in
the pathology situation.
C. Knowledge and Visualization. When
knowledge and understanding are combined inside of you (this place could
be in your heart, or your soul, somewhere inside where your sense of touch
lives) it is transported to your hands, with which you perform soft-tissue
mobilization as well as energy work.
A person may have knowledge
about _expression of pathologies such as bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis,
etc, but if he/she applies excessive pressure on the region, we can all
agree, his/her understanding of this knowledge is apparently very limited.
By placing our hands on a sick/injured area and imagining what is going on
under our hands, we are creating active thoughts (energy matter) that, in
addition to all positive physiological effects of massage therapy, allow
us to manipulate chi in such a way that the healing process will be
amplified to the greatest extent possible.
Placebo and
Energy Work
Human body has a boundless potential to heal
itself. In any double-blind study, approximately 20-28% of study subjects
respond with a great deal of improvement to the placebo. Mind is ready to
accept either the real medication or other therapy. For example, there are
many documented cases where patients cure themselves of cancer by eating,
or drinking, or doing what they believe the cure is. This means that the
placebo can help a person to activate some mechanism, (yet undefined by
medicine), that has a possibly unlimited power to heal the body. There
might be many other, similar to placebo, built in mechanisms that can
activate the natural power of a human body to heal itself.
I
surmise that this healing power can be activated through our manipulation
of chi, and I also believe that it is some dominantly psychological
aspect, which would allow us to do this. Somehow, at the time of energy
work, our patients own ultimate self-healing powers are activated, by
passing psychological- placebo starter. The very important for us to
understand, that therapist heal the client, by stimulating the clients
power to heal their own self.
Hippocrates said that the nature of
the human body is to heal illness, and the doctor (or anyone involved in
health care) should be a servant to this capability.
Dear fellow
therapists. Please view the material I presented in this article as a
puzzle that you have to piece together. Electrical activities occur in our
body 24/7. All organs and systems communicate with the central nervous
system as well as with each other through electrical impulses and
biochemical reactions. Constant movement of electrical charges in our body
induces electromagnetic fields around us. The task of a massage therapist
is to adjust and channel this energy toward self-healing/stimulation, as
well as toward increasing the power of a massage therapy session.
Why and what precisely is the mechanism of “energy work?” How
exactly it happens that directed flow of our thoughts penetrates the
barrier between the body of the therapist and the patient and affects
positively the electro-magnetic field in the patient body?
The
answer to this question is similar to the answer of why moving magnetic
field indices electrical current – that’s how our Universe is constructed.
We all agree that massage therapy is about results. As a massage therapist
just like an electrical engineer we can use these phenomena to obtain
stable and consistent results, with or without complete understanding of
its microcosmic nature.
I would highly recommend that you start
from practicing self chi manipulation. Therefore please pull out an
anatomical chart and while you re-read the article try to imagine
structural anatomy and physiology. Focus on stomach area and imagine the
clockwise peristaltic action of the digestive system for a few minutes. In
doing this, you already start manipulation/distribution of your own
energy. As you read the material on physiological effect of massage,
imagine the acceleration of venous blood drainage, arterial blood supply
process, and electric streams. All proposed techniques for self chi
manipulation will help you to stay healthier and will create your
protective electro-magnetic field. At the time of a hands-on massage
imagine all the processes that you stimulate in your clients body. During
your hands-on performance, combine the imagination of the processes
(energy work). Your electro magnetic fields will not only protect you from
energetic influence of your clients, but will also increase your healer
power.
In summary:
Please remember that:
what sets therapists apart is the level of sense of touch. A more
developed sense of touch will allow a therapist to achieve better and
faster results do to energy work.
Dear practitioners.
It is no
secret that sometimes clients complain that after receiving a treatment
they feel more pain and stiffness than they felt before the treatment.
Many massage therapists ask themselves why this happened, what was done
differently this time compared to previous treatments, etc.
In next
newsletter I will share with you my thought in the article
“ reaction
vs. aggravation”
We are welcome your questions, comments, requests,
commentary and more.
e-mail to us www.medicalmassage-edu.com
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