Finding Great Asian Bodywork Therapists
Dear
Karlo,
I’m curious about getting an Asian bodywork treatment, but there are so many
types it makes my head spin. Which one do you think is the best, and how can I
find a good practitioner?
Confused
Dear Confused,
You have every right to be. There are over 15 major varieties of Asian bodywork
practiced in America today, by my count. They all have great qualities—perhaps
it might help you if I outlined some of the more popular forms practiced in the
US today. Of these, I recommend you choose the one that you feel best suits your
current needs. As you will see, although they all work to restore the body’s
life energy (or chi), the way each form of Asian bodywork enables this to happen
is different and distinct. Like acupuncture and Chinese herbalism, most Asian
bodywork styles have their roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which dates
back over 2,000 years. Unlike a typical spa massage, most forms of Asian
bodywork do not involve the application of massage oils. Instead, clients are
asked to wear loose but comfortable clothing for treatments which run typically
from ½ to 1 hour in duration. Here are the most popular ones practiced in
America:
Tuina, or Tui Na, originated in ancient China and is the oldest known
system of massage. If you’re keen on experiencing a traditional therapeutic
massage "Chinatown-style," chances are you’ll be in the hands of a tuina
practitioner. Tuina consists of vigorous rubbing, stroking, and direct finger,
palm, and elbow pressure on traditional acupressure points to stimulate the flow
of chi through the body. And if an acupuncturist offers hands-on work as well as
needling, it is likely tuina that they have studied. As one tuina therapist I
know put it, “Don't expect a light, relaxing massage, this therapeutic method
goes directly after the problems, sometimes requiring significant pressure.” I
don’t doubt it—many tuina practitioners I know are pretty brawny, and as such I
think are drawn to its forceful style.
Shiatsu is the Japanese cousin of tuina and is perhaps the most widely
practiced form of Asian bodywork in America. (Full disclosure: I am trained as a
shiatsu therapist). Shiatsu is Japanese for “finger pressure,” and in fact the
bulk of a shiatsu session consists of finger or palm pressure on traditional
acupressure points and energy pathways known as meridians, to balance the flow
of chi. This work is often combined with stretches, breathing exercises, and
massaging. The pressure involved can range from light to intense, depending on
the wishes of the client. This lends shiatsu the flexibility to help both people
who want “deep” bodywork and those who are frail and require a very gentle,
nurturing touch. Most shiatsu therapists prefer to work in traditional
Japanese-style on a comfortable futon on the floor, although many also practice
on a massage table. (A therapeutic, pool-based variation of shiatsu is
appropriately named Watsu, to find a qualified practitioner near you,
visit the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association on the web at
www.waba.edu.)
Acupressure is so similar to shiatsu that the two are often considered to
be one in the same, although there is an important difference. While shiatsu
therapists have a more eclectic style and use a variety of manual techniques to
stimulate the chi, acupressurists concentrate more intently on the body’s many
pressure points. Think of acupressure as acupuncture without the needles. A
qualified acupressurist is probably your best resource for using these pressure
points to help with chronic pain, asthma, digestive problems, and stress—and can
show you how you can press on those points yourself at home to extend the
benefits of your session.
How do I find a qualified acupressurist (or tuina or shiatsu therapist) in your
area, you may ask? There’s no better resource than the AOBTA—the American
Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia, the national association for
Asian bodyworkers. AOBTA-certified practitioners have all had at least 500 hours
of training. You can find one near you by visiting the AOBTA’s website at
www.aobta.org.
Additionally, the National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) has recently offered a certification exam for
Asian bodywork. You can be sure that Asian bodywork therapists who have passed
the exam are well-versed in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. To
find a certified therapist near you, visit their website at
www.nccaom.org.
Traditional Thai Massage (also know as Thai Bodywork, Thai Yoga Massage
or Nuad Bo Rarn) is less commonly practiced in the Boston area than the forms of
Asian bodywork I’ve already described, but is worth seeking out, particularly if
you enjoy a good stretch. Based on both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian
ayurvedic medical principles, traditional Thai massage employs a complex
sequence of hand techniques, rocking and especially passive stretches to unblock
stuck energy in the body. Treatments are comprehensive and can run from 1 ½ to 2
hours. Lying on a futon, clients are expertly rocked, pulled and twisted in just
about every way imaginable. If you want to give your stiff joints a treat, let
them experience 2 hours of this.
Jin Shin Jyutsu® is a special form of acupressure that uses gentle finger
pressure to open twenty-six “safety energy locks” on the body to reharmonize
body, mind, and spirit. In a typical session, the client lies back while the
practitioner holds pairs of acupressure points on the body to open these locks.
Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners aren’t shy to admit that theirs is a simple and
straightforward healing approach—that, they say, is the beauty of it. I must
admit I was skeptical about Jin Shin Jyutsu until I tried a session. As those
energy locks started opening I found it powerfully charging. It is a remarkable
healing art, and I can understand why its practitioners are so deeply
enthusiastic about it.
Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure™ is similar to Jin Shin Jyutsu in that
it involves holding various pressure points, but different in that it is based
on both eastern healing principles and Reichian psychotherapy. Unlike most forms
of Asian bodywork, the client plays a more active role in the treatment through
a set of breathing, focusing and visualization exercises designed to release
mind-body tension patterns. As the treatment progresses, clients might
experience sensations, messages or images, which they are free to explore with
the Jin Shin Do practitioner if they choose. To find a qualified Jin Shin Do
practitioner near you, I recommend checking out the non-profit Jin Shin Do
Foundation, which maintains a directory of certified practitioners on their
website at
www.jinshindo.org.
Reiki (pronounced “ray-kee”) is not Asian bodywork in the sense that it
does not involve any manual pressure on the body, but I mention it nonetheless
since it is energetic and believed to have its roots in ancient Tibet. Reiki is
a form of spiritual healing, although it is not affiliated with any particular
religion or religious practice. In a reiki session, the reiki practitioner
channels universal healing energy to the client by placing their hands on
specific parts of the body. Reiki can be deeply relaxing, and can help the body
heal itself on all levels. Reiki falls in the scope of nursing practice in many
states, and a growing number of nurses are providing it on and off the job.
Since there is no state or national certifying body for reiki professionals, it
is difficult to determine who can offer the best reiki sessions. I recommend
receiving care from fully-trained Reiki Masters who either have had a long track
record of care and can provide references, or who have additional credentials in
massage, nursing, counseling, or other healthcare professions.
No matter which form of Asian Bodywork you choose, remember to wear comfortable
clothing, let the practitioner know if you are experiencing any discomfort, and
be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to flush out any toxins that may
have been released. Enjoy!
First published in Boston Natural Awakenings magazine's April 2005 "Ask Karlo"
column.
Whole Health Solutions can connect you to the most talented practitioners of shiatsu, thai massage, jin shin jyutsu, jin shin do, and other Asian bodywork therapies in your community. Click here for details.
2009 Karlo Berger. Some rights reserved. Website Design by Solid Uncoated.
Thanks to Hannah Burr, Kristin Granli, and Jim Kelly.