Treatment Techniques
Amma Therapy
This segment is from www.thewellspring.org
A classical Asian bodywork style that predates acupuncture, “Amma” is the oldest Chinese word to describe massage. Amma is a specialized form of bodywork therapy that combines deep, therapeutic, circular digital pressure and acupressure point stimulation with Chinese medical principles for accessing and treating imbalances in the energy system. Amma Therapy, like acupuncture, focuses on the balance and movement of Qi (energy) within the body. Whereas the acupuncturist inserts needles into the energy pathways to stimulate and move the energy, the Amma practitioner relies primarily on the sensitivity and strength of the hands to aid the client in becoming more aware of how energy flows in their body.
Amma Therapy techniques include both deep-tissue manipulation that is used in other forms of therapeutic massage and the stimulation of Qi movement that is the basis of Chinese medicine.
Amma Therapy addresses problems from a multisystem, multidirectional point of view. A diagnosis is based on the assessment of every facet of the mind/body complex, including observation of the tongue, taking of various pulses, and evaluation of many signs and symptoms that reflect the state of internal organs.
Amma is a powerful therapy for patients of all ages for both prevention and treatment of disease.
It has been used to successfully treat and/or manage conditions including:
- sprains
- strains
- fractures
- arthritis
- hypertension
- diabetes
- gastrointestinal diseases
- circulatory problems
- anxiety
- depression
- gynecological problems
- premenstrual problems
- perimenopausal problems
- menopausal considerations
- autoimmune diseases
- neuromuscular diseases
Want to learn more? One of my Amma Therapy instructors, Rylen Lee-Feeney, studied Amma under the direct guidance of Tina Sohn who brought Amma to the U.S.A.
Cupping
Lets think about a clogged sink. The solution is often simple. By applying a plunger and creating a vacuum, the clog can be released and free flow in the pipe can be reestablished. Cupping on the body works pretty much the same way on the energy pathways. By placing special glass or plastic cups over specific areas in the body that tend to get clogged, we can release and move out stagnation in the energy pathways.
Conditions which can benefit from cupping include:
- headache
- back pain
- joint and muscular pain
- infertility
- rheumatic diseases
- hypertension
- common colds and flu
- insomnia
- fever
- constipation and diarrhea
- chest pain
- asthma
- blood disorders
Want to learn more? A great article
Gua Sha
Sometimes compared to what is referred to in Western medicine as the Graston Technique–this is a deep tissue, energy moving massage with tools to break up myo-fascial adhesion. I really like to use Gua Sha for people who sit at a computer desk all day.
I have found this technique especially helpful for:
- tension headache
- neck and shoulder pain
- tendonitis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- asthma
- colds and flus
Want to learn more? I have to say…Gua Sha Rocks 
Visceral Manipulation/Unwinding
Stress and tension not only effect the muscles of our head, neck and shoulders but also can also effect the internal organs like the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, intestines, uterus and ovaries. Visceral unwinding is a fabulous tool to help the ‘insides’ get the same great benefits of muscular massage. Visceral work is especially helpful in calming the ‘Fight or Flight’ sympathetic nervous system and nourishing the parasympathetic nervous system so you are able to ‘Rest and Digest’ with ease.
I have found visceral unwinding helpful for:
- irritable bowel syndrome
- menstrual cramps
- gas and bloating
- heartburn
- gall bladder pains
- constipation
Want to learn more? Visit Arnie Lade’s website. He is amazing! He taught me some tricks of the trade that I use almost daily in my practice! He also wrote a fabulous ‘acupuncture point location’ book that you can check out on my recommended reading section.
