Hello Kingsmill readers!
Are you looking for a holistic and natural pathway to healing your condition or ailment? I know from experience that it can be daunting to know where to start. Our health focus for the next two months is to explore natural and osteopathic modalities and explain what might be best for you. To guide our journey, we will look at the body as systems. This month, we will explore the fluid and electrical systems of the body.
Our fluid systems are two-fold; (1) the cardiovascular system, which moves the blood, and (2) the lymphatic system, which moves fluid and waste. Our electrical system is known as the nervous system, which includes the brain and all the nerves that generate activity in the body. Holistic modalities often influence both these systems, in different ways.
Fluid System Methodologies
Manual lymphatic drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized massage technique that helps to stimulate the flow of lymph throughout the body. It is helpful in reducing swelling, especially in the legs and arms, and is the gold standard for those suffering from lymphedema. It can also be helpful for toxin removal and reducing stiffness associated with joint swelling.
A subset technique is Gua Sha, which uses a curved flat edge tool to provide deeper pressure to lymph nodes and achieve drainage.
Cupping
Cupping is an ancient therapy that utilizes glass, plastic, silicone or ceramic cups to create suction on the skin, which brings a large amount of blood flow to the surface, promoting muscle relaxation and pain relief. Cupping leaves large circular bruises in the treatment area. It is often used in sports medicine and athletic recovery/performance maximization.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas use light and infrared heat to directly heat the body at temperatures from 120-150 degrees. They provide a myriad of health benefits, including improved cardiovascular function by raising heart rate and increasing blood flow, lowering BP. Deep penetrating heat also helps relieve muscle aches, joint pain and stiffness, and induces a deep cleansing sweat that can help flush toxins.
Electrical System Modalities
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee)
Practitioners of Reiki act as conduits, channeling “life force energy” also known as qi (pronounced chee), into the recipient’s body, using light or no touch. The aim is to rectify blocked energy pathways that are causing illness and pain, and to balance the body’s energy centers, known as chakras, to release tension and improve overall well-being.
Acupuncture
Deriving from Chinese medicine principles, acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, solid metal needles into specific body points along lines called meridians, to balance qi, and treat conditions related to nervous system imbalance. It can boost the body’s natural pain killing chemicals and help with myriad issues including digestive problems, neuropathy, diffuse inflammatory pain, as well as anxiety and depression.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is an osteopathic practice that uses gentle touch on the skull and spine to promote pain relief by relieving tension along the spinal nerve pathways. A key concept is that the cranial bones are not fused. Instead, a wave-like pulse travels through the fluid and tissues in the craniosacral system, and manipulation corrects the flow of fluid. It is most used to treat headaches, including migraines, and vestibular issues.
Reflexology
Reflexologists believe the body is divided into 10 energy zones, with corresponding points on the feet, hands or ears that correspond to all the bodily organs and extremities. The application of pressure to these points is believed to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”) and may help with back pain, cancer related pain, and overall relaxation.
Red light therapy
Red light therapy uses low level, 600-850 NM wavelengths which penetrate deep into the skin stimulating the mitochondria, the body’s energy producing cells. Red light therapy can reduce global inflammation and speed up healing, thereby relieving pain. It can also be effective at improving wrinkles and skin’s appearance. Many red-light units are now available for in-home use.
Whichever modality you select, it is important to remember that every clinician will have a different level of experience and knowledge of these techniques. You may try multiple techniques before finding what works best for you and your body. When you find the right match, holistic therapies can be life changing. Next month, we will be looking at a vital system of the body that most of us know well…the structural system, including the bones and connective tissues, and exploring modalities that primarily target the musculoskeletal framework of the body.
Until next month, Kingsmill, stay well!
For more information, call 757-503-9665 or visit www.fascialtxctr.com.
