Traditional Healing Glossary

Discussion in 'Health and Fitness' started by KickChick, Sep 10, 2004.

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  1. KickChick

    KickChick Valued Member

    Acupuncture
    An ancient Chinese technique based on the belief that life energy flows through channels in the body known as meridians. Thin, solid needles are inserted at “reflex points” along these meridians to stimulate, disperse, and/or regulate the flow of this “chi"/"ki". The goal is to restore a healthful energetic balance as well as to treat acute, chronic, and degenerative conditions.

    Acupressure
    An ancient Asian healing art that uses fingertips to stimulate key points along the meridians (energy pathways as designated in Chinese medicine) to activate a healing response. Acupressure and acupuncture use the same points, but acupressure does not use needles.

    Ayurvedic Medicine
    A part of the East Indian system of healing that includes yoga, Ayurvedic tradition treats illness as an imbalance among the body’s systems. This practice addresses an individual’s unique constitution using nutrition counseling, herbal therapies, rubbing oils, massage, meditation, yoga and lifestyle changes.

    Bowen Therapy
    A specific sequence of rolling moves done across superficial muscles, tendons and nerves. Thought to encourage the parasympathetic nervous system to self-correct tension and other physical ailments.

    Cranio-Sacral Therapy
    A very gentle hands-on therapy that focuses on the craniosacral system, which is the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. The treatment is geared toward moving the soft tissue around the cranium, spine and sacrum to correct cerebral and spinal imbalances and improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

    Cupping
    Cupping is a form of alternative Chinese pain therapy in which the practitioner creates suction in a cup. And then applies that cup to the body, which then draws the skin up around the cup, under the cup.
    Cupping brings fresh blood to the area improving circulation. It also helps open up the chest and benefit the lungs and can even benefit menstrual problems and digestive problems also. Most commonly, it’s used for aches and pains of various types as well as respiratory problems.


    Feldenkrais
    A system consisting of two branches. Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration. This form of bodywork attempts to offset the effects of gravity, making the participant more aware of their body and posture. It has a huge emotional component, attempting to return the participant to an early childhood state, undoing emotional/cultural programming.

    Integrated BodyWork
    A variety of massage therapies, bodywork techniques and energy therapies used to assist the healing process. Techniques include Swedish, Thai, deep tissue and lymphatic massage therapies; CranialSacral, breathwork and Feldenkrais, bodywork techniques; Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Jin Shin Jitsu energy therapies.

    Jin Shin Jitsu
    A system of energy work originating from Japan that can be administered to oneself or by a practitioner who places their fingertips along 26 “safe energy locks” similar to the meridian system followed in acupuncture and acupressure.

    Lomi-Lomi
    Originated in the Hawaiian Islands, Lomi-Lomi is a spirituality-centered form of massage done to ceremonial music in which the practitioner uses sweeping arm gestures and pressure applied with their elbows, forearms and fingertips.

    Meditation
    A range of practices that involve training one’s attention or awareness so that body and mind can be brought into greater harmony. The stilling of one’s thoughts in a variety of practices such as sitting or walking mindfully, which stimulates the “relaxation response” and supports healing. Goals range from reducing stress or lowering blood pressure to achieving a mystical sense of oneness with a higher power.

    Reflexology
    Massage of specific zones on the feet and hands thought to correlate with and increase energy flow to other parts of the body.

    Reiki
    Hands-on energy work that follows the Chakra system as laid out in Ayurvedic medicine.

    Rosen Method
    Uses gentle direct touch and verbal instruction about breathing to encourage the release of chronic muscle tension.

    Shiatsu
    Translates to “pressure with fingers” in Japanese. Massage along the various meridians as designated to Eastern medicine to free up the vital life energy referred to as “ki”

    Stone Therapy
    Massaage with heated or cooled smooth specially selected stones. Most common treatments entail using heated stones along acupressure points or corresponding to the Chakras. Used for deep relaxation, stress reduction and energetic balancing.

    Swedish Massage
    A collection of hands-on techniques used to increase circulation, relax muscles and promote calmness. The practitioner uses oils or creams to reduce friction.

    TCM – Traditional Chinese Medicine
    An ancient healing system that views the body as an integrated whole, so problems in one area are seen to affect other areas. It bases diagnosis on an individual’s pattern of symptoms and signs such as pulse, and skin and tongue condition. Therapies like acupuncture and herbal remedies are used to rebalance the forces within the body.

    Thai Massage
    Follows the 10 main “sen” or energy lines, using pressure on specific points along these lines, as well as compressions and stretches. Southern style is characterized by extensive pressure point work and fewr stretches.
    Northern style is gentler, comprised mostly of stretches. The client is fully dressed, and the massage is performed on the floor.

    Therapeutic Touch
    A laying-on-of-hands technique using a meditative process where the practitioner gently disperses blocked energy and channels healing energy to the client.

    Visceral Manipulation
    The practitioner uses gentle hand pressure techniques to work with the body’s visceral system (the interanl organs) to locate and alleviate points of tension throughout the body, addressing the relationship between organs and the rest of the physical structure.

    Watsu
    Shiatsu administered while the practitioner holds the client in a warm pool of water.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2004
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