Listen to Our Innate Wisdom

INNATE WISDOM or INNER DOCTOR: I have heard of these words many times by now, and it also relates to the introduction of “Ortho-Bionomy A Path to Self Care” by Luann Overmyer mentioned in the last post.  In the holistic approach, maintaining equilibrium within us is important for our well-being.  We do have an INNATE WISDOM or INNER DOCTOR in us to heal ourselves, self-regulate and balance itself.  Have you recently listened to your innate wisdom?

When it comes to our health care, we are used to being told what is wrong, and what to do by health care professionals.  And, medical professionals rarely ask us what we have to say about our pain or discomfort.  When one client tried to tell his doctor what he thought was wrong, he was silenced by “Are you a doctor?”  I would say, “yes, everybody has a doctor within!” 

Some people are aware of what their body needs, but most people don’t know how or never thought about it.  Next time you feel discomfort or pain, I encourage you to take a moment to tune into your body and ask yourself BEFORE thinking about inconveniences and worst scenarios.

What am I feeling?

What is my body telling me?  

What should I do now to make it feel better?

It is likely that taking a moment to pay attention to our body alone relieves some of the pain and discomfort.  Be curious and responsible for our own body.  It will help us assess and cope with pain or discomfort more calmly and wisely.   

 *Disclaimer: I am NOT suggesting you ignore diagnosis or advise from medical professionals.

FAQ: Does a massage therapist tell me what’s “wrong” with me, and “fix” my problem?

Massage therapists are NOT allowed to diagnose any conditions.  Although more and more massage therapists work in clinical settings, they can only assess the condition, apply “the manipulation of the soft tissues” appropriate for the condition, and possibly suggest self-care you can do at home (the scope of practice varies by state).  Massage therapists cannot say and shouldn’t imply that you have “carpal tunnel syndrome,” for example. 

Some comments from people and even other massage therapists have caught my attention.  It is getting obvious to me that we were taught somewhere that we are “bad” if we have pain, knots, stiffness, or any other soft tissue problems.  It seems to be treated as a disease.  We even label the shoulder or any part of the body which gives us troubles, as “the bad shoulder.”

I understand you can’t help asking this question: “Do I have a knot there?”  It is a natural desire to know the cause of the issue because it’s supposed to be “bad” and should be treated.  Some people take it almost personally, but get relieved to know that many other people have the same problem.  Others seem to give in to the fact as “I-have-lots-of-knots-in-the-shoulder-you-will-see” and are even apologetic as if they did something wrong.    

I started to wonder if massage therapists are the ones educating their clients that they have “bad” knots or “bad” shoulders, so the therapists have to “fix” them.  I was taken aback when one lady told me that her massage therapist vulgarly said her body was “messed up (not the exact word),” so she “had to fix her.”  I wonder if playing a doctor really makes anybody feel better and positive about their body and themselves. 

I believe any massage therapists intend to help their clients feel better.  It’s just that my approach is different (A Holistic Approach explains how my view changed).  First of all, I do not judge no matter how the condition is, by tightness, the numbers of knots and etc.  I accept as it is.  I only feel for them for their discomfort and frustration.  Secondly, I try to use only positive expressions, and avoid negative words, especially “bad.”  I want each of my session a positive experience.  Human body has the innate power to heal itself to maintain equilibrium called “homeostasis.”  As I always emphasize, the body and mind are strongly connected.  My goal is to offer them confidence that they are in charge of their body and can go through a positive change.  I am only here to help, not to “fix.”  

Contrast Bath – a Hot Tub and a Swimming Pool

This is a side story of the post “Exercise as Part of Your Travel Plans.” 

After the great run in Savannah, a bonus treat was a hot tub at the hotel (I love hot tubs!).  They also had a (cold) swimming pool next to it, so I dipped myself up to the waist cooling the legs and hips until they got slightly numb.  And then, I soaked into the hot tub and massaged the calves, thighs and feet.  I repeated 4 times.  Although my calf had already been sore for a few days, that was gone, and other areas of the legs didn’t get sore next day either.

This is a type of hydrotherapy called a Contrast Bath alternating between hot and cold.  It is more beneficial and powerful than a heat application only.  I already emphasized the benefits of heat in the post “Moist Heat Packs,” but the primary effects of cold are:

• Reduces inflammation by vasoconstriction
• Relieves pain (Analgesic/Anesthetic) 
• Relaxes contracted muscles by decreasing the nerve and muscle response
• As the secondary effect, reverses the initial responses to return to the body’s normal, uniform, internal stability (homeostasis)

With the alternate hot and cold application, cold constricts the blood vessels, and the blood draws away (vasoconstriction), while heat helps expand the blood vessels, and new, fresh blood draws in (vasodilation).  This repetitive motion acts as a pump to promote great increase in circulation and relieve congestion.  If you apply it to the whole body, it benefits respiration and metabolism as well as circulation.  Because of the benefit of the homeostatic response (warming up to the usual body temperature), it is best to finish with the cold application.    

I now mainly use this hot and cold therapy as preventative maintenance for my hands and forearms; putting my hands into ice water and warm water alternately.  For anybody who works with their hands and fingers, it is highly recommended to avoid injuries.

Cranial Unwinding - My First Observation of Craniosacral Therapy

I am a member of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association, and they offer Continuing Education classes every month for the members.  I like attending their classes because they invite massage therapists who specialize in different techniques and approaches, so it’s a perfect opportunity for me to be exposed and learn new things.

I was intrigued by Paul Pock’s Cranial Unwinding.  Although I had basic knowledge of Craniosacral Therapy (a brief description below), and heard practitioners talking about their experience, it was not on my list, to be honest.  I was not drawn to, so called, energy work.

私の目指すマッサージセラピー

私が目指すものは、単なるマッサージではなく「マッサージセラピー」です。マッサージはコリをほぐしたり、痛みを和らげたり、ストレス解消になり健康にいいことはご存知かと思います。「マッサージセラピー」はもちろんそれも含まれているのですが、それ以上を目指しています。心理療法が「話す」ことを媒介とした「心」のセラピーであるのとは異なり、マッサージセラピーは「触れる」ことを媒介とした「体と心 (body-mind)」のセラピーです。マッサージは、身体的な変化(血行が良くなるなど)を起こすだけではなく、身体への刺激がさらに精神的／心理的変化(リラックスするなど)を起こします。よく「心身ともに」とか「病は気から」と言いますが、体と心は強く結びついています。感情が顔の表情に出ます。心の痛みが体の痛みとなって表面化します。過去に怪我をしたり、辛い経験と関連のある体の部分に触れられると、その時の感情がよみがえることがよくあります。 そのため、マッサージセラピストは体に触れるだけではなく「心」にも触れる仕事だと言えます。そういう意味で、包括的 (holistic) なセラピーと言えます。