his Practical Medical Dictionary.
In recent years, Brian Watt,
Body Work in
owner of Nirvana Bodyworks in
Tempe, has noticed more clients
suffering from a sedentary workplace
Times of Change
and issues resulting from repetitive
movements due to sitting at a com-
by d.J. cross
puter throughout the day. “My clients
frequently suffer from headaches,
neck, shoulder and upper back pain
from keyboard and mouse use as well
B
ody work is vital in
times of change and
instability. Insecurities
as low back, hip and leg pain from
and fear of change can cause
sitting for hours at a time,” he says.
tension and tightness in the
He adds, “I see massage therapy
physical body in attempts to
starting to become a viable option
cope.
for people searching for an alternate
Professional body workers
way to deal with pain. The medi-
use their skilled touch, inten-
cal community appears to be un-
tion and caring to release the
derstanding that myofacial pain is
tightness that can cause pain
prevalent in our society and can be
and dysfunction. This special
treated through manual palpation.
touch allows the body to relax
Brooke Ryan is owner of Aman-
and let go, creating a sense of
dara Therapeutic Massage and a
ease and safety. Changing the body can effect change in behavior and in life
certified infant massage teacher. “I
situations.
see parents and caregivers becoming
Every trained body worker with his or her varied skills facilitates letting
increasingly more aware of how they
go of physical tensions, anxious thoughts, and worries. Body and mind are
can use simple tools such as a loving
definitely one. The recipient can uncover a peaceful and more lifted sense of
and educated touch to help their
self as fears and reactive modes dissolve. A sense of balance between inner
children in all facets of life. Parents
and outer world returns. The external world then becomes less intimidating.
want to learn how massage and
The magic factor in all body work is the relationship between client and
therapeutic touch can benefit their
practitioner. There is an inherent feeling of “human intimacy” that nourishes
families,” she remarks.
and uplifts both client and practitioner.
While more research is needed
The practitioner brings a distinct, focused touch along with intention,
to support specific health benefits
connection and specific skills to the client. This process creates openness,
of massage, the National Center for
grounding and a sense of well being for client and practitioner. The winds of
Complementary and Alternative Medi-
change cannot blow them off balance. Receiving and giving becomes a mu-
cine (NCCAM) continues to sponsor
tual and inherent flow. From this open place, each person can better relate
studies. The effort is to determine if
to himself or herself, and to the world at large.
and how the changes that occur in the
In the context of distinct roles, client and practitioner allow a sense of
body during massage influence health,
caring and acceptance to emerge. This mutual experience can transform
and to identify the conditions for
into a sense of peace and inspiration that carries into their personal lives.
which massage may be most helpful.
This may sound lofty and unreal, but this simple connection between people
Unwilling to wait for such statis-
uncovers the true nature of human beings when feeling relaxed, present
tical evidence, ever-growing numbers
and safe. This touching experience is one way to open the door to inner
of American adults—18 million per a
peace, balance and confidence that is vital in times of personal and worldly
2007 NCCAM study—have chosen to
change.
make use of massage. Their testimo-
Going for body work is a great experience any time. Before you make
nials regularly attest to its therapeu-
an appointment, it is important to get acquainted with the different modali-
tic benefits and recognize its worth
ties and practitioners. This assures that you create the best experience for
as an aid to general wellness—a
yourself. You can trust your gut instincts.
positive sign that the current positive
trend will continue.
For more information, contact D.J. Cross, Certified Advanced
Rolfer®, at 602-284-5796 or djcross-s@hotmail.com. Her of-
Find A List of Local Massage
fice is located at 7526 E. 2 St., Scottsdale. HealthInFocusAz.
Therapists and Rolfing
com. Rolf.org. See ad on page 38.
Professionals in the
Community Resource Guide.
March 2010 29
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