What is Asian Bodywork Therapy?

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is the treatment of the human body/mind/spirit, including the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings that body to life, by using pressure and/or manipulation. Asian Bodywork is based upon Chinese Medical principles for assessing and evaluating the body's energetic system. It uses traditional Asian techniques and treatment strategies to primarily affect and balance the energetic system for the purpose of treating the human body, emotions, mind, energy field and spirit for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.

Forms of ABT include:-

Acupressure

Acupressure is a system of balancing the body's energy by applying pressure to specific acupoints to release tension and increase circulation. The many hands-on methods of stimulating the acupressure points can strengthen weaknesses, relieve common ailments, prevent health disorders and restore the body's vital life force.

Amma

Amma; Derived from "Anma" in China, classic Korean Asian bodywork is called Amma. The name "Am-ma" literally translates to "push-pull." Amma is a specialized form of skilled (somatic) touch therapy that combines deep tissue bodywork with the application of pressure, friction, and touch to specific acu-points, superficial primary and tendino-muscle energy channels, muscles, ligaments, and joints. It is rooted in the fundamental principles of Chinese Medicine, focusing on the balance and movement of Qi (energy) within the body. The techniques of Amma aim to remove blockages and free the flow of Qi in the body - restoring, promoting, and maintaining optimum health. Amma practitioners are also trained the principles of wholistic nutrition and eastern dietary principles.

AMMA Therapy®

AMMA Therapy® is a highly refined and complex system of bodywork therapy utilizing techniques and treatment strategies combining the use of Chinese Medicine principles for assessing and evaluating general imbalances in the energetic system and a Western approach to organ dysfunctions. AMMA Therapy® restores, promotes and maintains optimum health through the treatment of the physical body, the bio-energy, and the emotions, which reflect and are bound into the neuromuscular system. AMMA Therapy® has proven to be an effective healing modality used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. The treatment includes the use of dietary therapy, herbs, nutritional supplements, and the external application of herbal preparations. This method was created by Tina Sohn.

Chi Nei Tsang

Chi Nei Tsang is an entire system of Chinese deep healing that makes use of the energy flow of the five major systems in the body: vascular, lymphatic, nervous, tendon/muscle, and acupuncture meridians. With this practice one is able to increase the energy flow to specific organs through massaging a series of points in the navel area. Chi Nei Tsang frees the energy blockages in the navel and then guides the healing light energy into other parts of the body. Chi Nei Tsang was brought to America by Master Mantak Chia.

Five Element Shiatsu

Five Element Shiatsu; The primary emphasis of Five Element Shiatsu is to identify a pattern of disharmony through use of the four pillars of examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Hands-on techniques and preferences for assessment varies with the practitioner, depending on their individual background and training. The radial pulse usually provides the most critical and detailed information. Palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment. Considerations of the client's lifestyle, emotional, and psychological factors are all considered important. Although this approach uses the paradigm of the five elements to tonify, sedate, or control patterns of disharmony, practitioners of this style also consider hot or cold and internal or external symptoms and signs.

Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu

Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu; utilizes Japanese Shiatsu techniques, Chinese Medicine theory and Western methods of soft tissue manipulation. Dietary and herbal methods are also included to create a comprehensive integrated treatment method. It is .... (full text)

(My thanks to The American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia for this introduction (ed.))

Asian Bodywork Therapy is one of Natural Remedies from Shared Care's world therapies together with Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

For details about how we classify our natural remedies and the lists see the natural remedies home page