Holistic Therapies/continued
Watsu (water shiatsu)
Watsu is a relatively new modality, developed in 1980 by Harold Dull, an American bodywork practitioner who studied Zen Shiatsu in Japan. The stretches are performed by the practitioner in the medium of warm water (about 95 F) in a large pool or even a home spa. Like a moving massage, the treatment allows the body to be stretched, moved and gently manipulated in ways that are impossible to do on dry land. The client is supported by the practitioner throughout the session and generally floats with the body being moved below the water and the face remaining above the surface. However, the practitioner can submerge the head if the client is in agreement. The benefits of Watsu include complete relaxation and an emotional release as if returning to the womb, increase in flexibility and range of motion, pain relief, and decrease in muscle spasms. Watsu is being incorporated into aquatic therapy programs in hospitals and has become popular at resorts offering yoga and other healing modalities, such as in Costa Rica, Hawaii and mainland USA.
Reflexology
Reflexology has its origins in early Egypt but did not become popular in the western world until the 1930s when an American physiotherapist, Eugene Ingham researched and developed it. Similar to TCM in its principles that the feet, hands and ears relate to organs throughout the body, reflexology works on stimulating reflex zones to improve nerve and blood supply and release bodily tension and nervous stress. Firm pressure is applied to the area by the practitioner’s hands, although in Asia a special tool is sometimes also used on feet. Benefits of Reflexology include stress relief, reduction in pain, help with insomnia, headaches, digestive problems and hormonal imbalances.
Medical Intuitive
A Medical Intuitive is an alternative practitioner who uses his/her intuitive abilities to determine the cause of an emotional or physical illness through ‘reading’ the energy or aura of a patient. Typically a non medical diagnosis is given, such as a recommended change in life-style, nutrition and emotional counseling to free the spirit or soul. Some Medicial Intuitives work with doctors of conventional medicine while others recommend holistic therapy. The most famous Medical Intuitive was Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), and a well-known one today is Caroline Myss, the American author of the book Sacred Contracts.
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