Category Archives: NEWS
New posts relevant to shiatsu and Qi Gong.
Qi Gong Massage Brings Touch to Autistic Children
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Qi Gong Massage Brings Touch to Autistic Children.
It looks more like a game, with its patting and jiggling movements, but the qigong massage treatment for children on the autism spectrum provides healing for a serious ailment.
Autism spectrum disorder is a leading cause of communication and behavior problems and the most prevalent childhood disorder in the U.S., afflicting an estimated one in every 100 children and one in 58 boys.
Based on a new application of ancient principles and techniques from traditional Chinese medicine, the qigong treatment program also offers relief for families struggling with the developmental delays and behavioral challenges faced by children on the autism spectrum.
The program was developed by Louisa Silva, M.D., M.P.H., and validated in randomized clinical trials at Western Oregon University’s Teaching Research Institute.
The documentary film, “Helping Families with Autism: Qigong Massage,” chronicles the progress of families who took part in the five-month research program.
“To me, this is the missing link,” said the mother of one child in the film. “It unlocks the kids and it is just an amazing thing to see.”
Click here to read full article.
Slow Movement with Awareness (like Qi Gong): Better than (Hard) Exercise? | Psychology Today
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Slow Movement with Awareness: Better than Hard Exercise? | Psychology Today.
Slow Movement with Awareness: Better than Exercise?
How you move is as important as how much you move
Published on July 6, 2010
Cardiovascular exercise is now known to be essential for health and well-being. If exercise is your only form of movement, however, it is not a very balanced diet. There is mounting evidence that slow movement, with body sense – awareness, has astounding health benefits by itself and in combination with regular exercise routines.
According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, there are a growing number of pain clinics and integrative medicine centers that offer slow movement, awareness-based therapies (like hatha yoga, tai chi and qi gong) for pain in a wide variety of conditions including “pain caused by cancer and cancer treatments, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and other diseases and conditions.”
Throw away the pills? Stop getting injections? Scrap the pain management therapy groups? Stop the sweaty workouts? Maybe not entirely, but regular slow movement classes are increasingly seen as having essential “nutrients” for the body.
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Qi Gong (pronounced Chee Gong), is a slow, gentle, moving meditation. The movements, which are easy to learn, encourage a climate of internal calm, opening up the energy pathways of the body and promoting the free flow of oxygen throughout the body. This has profound implications both in treatment of diseases of the body and mind, and in the creation of high-level wellness.
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Dragon and Tiger Medical QiGong
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An excellent book on QiGong as a way to all round improved health:
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Dragon and Tiger Medical QiGong
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5 Little Known Benefits of Shiatsu Massage
5 Little Known Benefits of Shiatsu Massage
by James Calvin
Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure, is a point-pressure massage using the fingers. It is designed to help regulate the flow of energy within the body. During a shiatsu massage, thumb, fingers, palms or feet to the body apply pressure. This type of massage helps produce deep relaxation increases energy levels and brings balance to the body.
The history of shiatsu massage lies with the ancient Chinese. They used the principles of shiatsu in both their medical philosophy and practice. It was developed around 530 B.C. Later, shiatsu massage was exported into Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea where it was widely practiced. In the 20th century, this therapy was used for treating simple muscular tension and providers were licensed. Shiatsu became popular in the United States, Europe and Australia in the 1970s.
Shiatsu massages last anywhere from forty minutes to one hour. It usually takes place on a padded mat on the floor. This type of massage begins with gentle stretching and manipulation of the skin to allow the stimulation of energy and relax the muscles. Depending on the need of the person receiving the massage, it can be very gentle and calming or used with high pressure, but should never hurt or feel painful. Acupressure massages are usually given using a rapid circular motion with medium pressure. The massages can last from five to fifteen minutes and include techniques such as rubbing, kneading, percussion, and vibration.
Today, shiatsu massages are performed not only for relaxation, but to aid a wide variety of ailments and symptoms. The following are five benefits of shiatsu massage.
Skin:
Shiatsu massages, or acupressure, help stimulate circulation in the capillaries of the skin’s soft tissues. The massage also serves to stimulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands and keeps skin moist and smooth. This helps give skin resilience and helps prevent wrinkling. A shiatsu massage will help improve the look and glow of the skin with improved blood circulation.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Muscle Pain:
Shiatsu and acupressure massages can help alleviate the symptoms caused by arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the body’s tissue and it attacks the linings of the joints. This disease affects one percent of the world’s population. Shiatsu applied to the hands and feet are most effective when suffering from arthritis. Pressure from the massage can also be applied directly to any area affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. Shiatsu can also be used to improve the overall health of muscles throughout the body. Shiatsu helps limber muscles and gives muscles nutrition by improved circulation. It also helps reduce muscular pain.
Migraine Headaches:
Migraines are usually caused by a rapid widening and narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain or head, causing irritation and pain. Common symptoms of migraine headaches include nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, weakness, numbness and vision problems. Migraines are thought to be cause by changes in weather, stress, hunger, foods containing nitrates and sometimes caffeine. Shiatsu massages helps aid migraines by relaxing the body and increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body.
Pregnancy:
Shiatsu massages have been used for thousands of years to aid women during monthly cycles to alleviate symptoms such as menstrual cramps and depression. This kind of massage has also been used for years for also for pregnancy as well. Shiatsu has been known to help women in labor and help babies turn in the womb. It can induce labor in women who are overdue and help ease morning sickness and swelling often caused by pregnancy.
Circulatory and Digestive System:
Shiatsu massages are also found to help aid the circulatory and digestive system. A gently massage helps improve circulation and cellular nutrition throughout the body. A massage also benefits the digestive system allowing food to digest more easily and aids in the elimination of waste products. A shiatsu massage also increases stamina by storing energy reserves and assists in fat metabolism and removal.
Learning basic shiatsu techniques at home is easy with a book or video. It can also reap huge benefits to practice basic techniques at home. When looking for a practitioner experienced with shiatsu, look for one that has at least three years worth of experience. Feeling comfortable with the provider is also important. A session of shiatsu massages generally last from thirty to ninety minutes and can cost anywhere from $30 to $80 for a more experienced practitioner.
Copyright James Calvin
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Shiatsu in Pregnancy Workshop
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I am attending this workshop and intend to share the benefits in my shiatsu therapy practice.
