R
 

  Massage Throughout History

Massage has been with us since the dawn of time. Whenever anything hurts, we instinctually rub or massage it. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian text, date massage to over 4000 years ago. Hippocrates wrote about the medical benefits of anointing and massage. In 400 B.C. Julius Ceaser was massaged every day to relieve headaches and neuralgia. Even our very own Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, founder of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, wrote and published many articles about the benefits of massage in Good Health magazine.

  CranioSacral Therapy

CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

  • Migraine Headaches
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Colic
  • Autism
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
  • Orthopedic Problems
  • Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Infantile Disorders
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  • Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction
  Reiki (Ray-KEY)

Reiki is an energy therapy technique that involves laying on of the hands. This energy can be used to aid in the healing process for various health issues. For centuries it has been known that illness is, in part, caused by blocks or obstructions in one's own natural energy field. Reiki can help remove these blocks, thus restore the body's own natural balance. Clients generally experience a sense of well being and peace. Sensations may also vary from hot to cold, tingling or at times too subtle to feel much at all.

 

About UsMassage & Bodywork  
  Benefits of Massage

Why Should You Get A Massage?

At this point you may be wondering, what are the benefits of Massage? Well, massage has many benefits, and here are just a few:

  • Massage helps reduce muscle tension and relieve pain.
  • Aids in the releasing and elimination of toxins and metabolic waste from the body.
  • Improves circulation, thus increasing nourishment to cells and skin.
  • Aids in venous and lymphatic flow.
  • Aids in the loosening and breaking up of subcutaneous scar tissue.
  • Reduces stress, helps lower blood pressure and aids in relaxation.
  • It Feels Great!!!
  • The #1 reason to get a massage, YOU DESERVE IT!!
  Bowenwork™

What is Bowenwork™?

Bowenwork™ is a subtle yet profound form of manual therapy that allows the body to get in touch with its own inner wisdom and heal its self. It is truly unlike anything else out there. The gentle rolling moves over specific spots in the muscles and tendons effects every body system, encouraging a whole body/ brain reaction.

Bowenwork™ does not force a correction with in the body, like chiropractic or massage, but rather resets the nervous system so the body can realign itself it the best way possible, its own way!

Every session is completely unique and guided by your body’s response to the work. It jump starts healing by deeply relaxing you so your body can move from a stress state to repair and restore mode, much like resetting your computer when it freezes.

Bowenwork™ addresses the body as a whole. It affects not only the musculoskeletal aspect, but also the fascia, nerves and internal organs. The body’s integrated response to Bowenwork™ improves circulation and lymphatic drainage: it also enhances the assimilation of nutrients and the elimination of toxins from the body.

It’s extremely gentle and is appropriate for everyone ranging from 0-100+ years old and all levels of activity. From colic to a sports injury to just plain stressed out, Bowenwork™ can help them all.

How does it work?

The practitioner places their thumbs or fingers on the skin over precise points on muscles, tendons or other soft structures. A gentle rolling pressure over these areas is applied to stimulate not only the muscle, but also the fascia, tendons and nerves. This causes the autonomic nervous system (which controls over 80% of bodily functions) to rebalance and healing on all levels can take place!

What to expect in a session

Wear or bring light- weight, loose-fitting clothing (like a cotton tank and shorts) that your practitioner can work through. Underwear is okay, just be mindful that you may have to be seated or stand for some of the procedures.

We will talk about what brings you for Bowenwork and create your own personal session.

The actual hands –on work may take very few of the 20 – 60 minutes of the entire session.

After each series of moves, your practitioner will make sure you are comfortable and will leave the room, allowing your body to respond in its own space.

What to expect afterward

Some changes may be noticeable right away:

  • Reduced Pain
  • Greater Range of Motion
  • A sense of relaxation and Well-being (my clients report being more relaxed than after a massage!)

You will most likely continue to notice changes for up to 7 days after a session, as your body continues to unwind its self. Sleeping better and having more energy are commonly reported.

Your practitioner may give you some “homework”, which may include gentle exercises and stretches, these are to be done daily starting the day after the session to enhance the work and improve the results!

Bowenwork™ sessions are initially scheduled one week apart. The first session is used to balance the body and prepare it for the deeper work of the second session, which takes place a week apart.

Trust the Process!

It is important to trust the work and give it some time to integrate with your body. It is because of this that we ask no other body work be done 4 days before your first Bowenwork treatment and no other work take place between the first and second Bowenwork™ session.

This is done so that the body keeps the clear message of relaxation and healing throughout the sessions to maximize healing and rebalancing. More is not better in the case of Bowenwork™. When more is introduced, the purity of the message is lost and can’t be as affective.

Clients often report major or total improvement in seemingly unrelated problems they had forgotten to mention to their practitioners!

How many sessions are needed?

We start with scheduling 2 sessions one week apart for initial evaluation, generally, 3-5 sessions one week apart are usually all that is needed for most sports injuries, work- related injuries, and problems brought about by long-term overuse.

Clients with more complex conditions usually improve with additional sessions.

Neurological and some other chronic conditions may require ongoing maintenance sessions as needed.

How Bowenwork™ Originated

Bowenwork™ was developed in the 1950’s by the late Thomas Bowen of Geelong, Australia. Bowen’s approach was to reset the tension in certain muscles and muscle groups by using a unique type of stretch-and-roll-through move and then pausing between sets of moves to give the body time to begin its response.

He achieved amazing results. According to a 1974 survey of alternative health practitioners performed by the Victorian Government, Bowen was found to be doing over 13,000 treatments per year. In over 85% of his cases, the problems for which his patients sought treatment were resolved completely.

In the last years of his life, Bowen allowed several practitioners to observe him. He recognized only six of them as understanding his work. One of these, Oswald Rentch, promised at Bowen’s deathbed to make his work know around the world. Ossie’s interpretation of Mr. Bowen’s work is now taught in over 23 countries under the auspices of the Bothe Therapy Academy of Australia (BTAA) and is known under the international trademarks Bwetech™” and “Bowenwork™”.

 

 
© Copyright 2005 Chez Clair
All Rights Reserved.
302 1/2 W. Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: 269.789.2501