Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

HAWAIIAN LOMI LOMI MASSAGE

Lomi lomi is a Polynesian form of massage therapy that originated in Hawaii, traditionally practiced by the islands’ Master Healers, or Kahunas. While there are differing styles of lomi lomi massage therapy and massage training offered through massage schools, more contemporary massage therapy styles of the past few decades are referred to as Hawaiian Temple Bodywork, Temple Style, or Traditional Style Lomi Lomi Massage. The varying massage therapy styles of lomi lomi massage practiced today make up the clinical massage therapy form of the Hawaiian islands.

Lomi lomi massage training, massage schools and massage techniques vary greatly across the major islands of Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. Kupuna and kumu, or elders and teachers, provide massage training in small massage therapy workshops, rather than in larger massage school programs. Massage therapy training classes include a background in traditional Hawaiian healing and the Polynesian approach to health care.

A whole-body massage therapy form, lomi lomi massage treatments and massage training reflect traditional Hawaiian spirituality. Lomi lomi massage therapy techniques include long fluid strokes of forearms and hands. Lomi lomi massage therapy practitioners may also utilize volcanic hot rocks and native plant leaves for body treatment. A massage therapy treatment practiced by priests as a sacred rite of passage for thousands of years, lomi lomi is a holistic massage therapy health system that includes the use of medicinal plants, massage, breath exercises, and meditation.

Lomi lomi massage therapy emphasizes an optimum health state and personal empowerment through the accumulation and increase of Mana, or life force energy. The lomi lomi massage therapy practitioner uses varying techniques including massage, prayer and chant to activate the flow of Mana in the recipient’s body. Lomi lomi massage therapy emphasizes a mind-body connection. Its massage treatments affect the recipient on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

The lomi lomi massage therapy practitioner’s mental focus is on manifesting the recipient’s desired state of physical health, which is discussed in consultation prior to massage therapy treatment. Prayer follows the massage session, and emphasizes the removal of all negative thought forms from the massage therapy recipient’s consciousness as negative mental energies are believed to effect physical health. Lomi lomi massage therapy aids in circulation, cleanses toxins, and produces a feeling of vitality.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE MAY IMPROVE ANGINA SYMPTOMS

Tongxinluo, an herbal medicine used to treat cardiovascular diseases in China may improve angina symptoms when integrated with conventional treatment, according to a new systematic review in the October 18 issue of The Cochrane Library. Tongxinluo, composed of eight herbs and insects in capsule form, was found in several of the review studies to reduce the frequency of unstable angina symptoms, such as irregular chest pain, and improve angina patients’ electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

The review authors analyzed data from 18 randomized controlled trials of 1,413 angina patients aged 25 to 88. Conducted in China, a majority of the trials examined the effect of tongxinluo when used in addition to traditional angina treatment in comparison to traditional treatment alone. In seven of the review studies, patients with unstable angina treated with tongxinluo and conventional treatment had improved ECG results compared to patients treated with conventional treatment alone. Findings from 10 of the studies indicated that the herbal medicine improved angina symptoms. In three of the studies, tongxinluo appeared as effective as conventional nitrate medication.

“Tongxinluo is one of the most successful traditional Chinese medicines on the market in China,” said lead author Wu Taixiang, an associate professor at Sichuan University, West China Hospital, in Chengdu, Sichuan. Taixiang and other co-authors said that they felt a “social responsibility” to investigate possible clinical benefits of tongxinluo, after seeing the popularity of this medicine among cardiovascular patients in Asia.

Prior to the current review, evidence on tongxinluo’s effect has not been thoroughly analyzed. The authors concluded that tongxinluo in combination with routine angina therapy appears to reduce the frequency of angina attacks and severity, improve symptoms and ECG results, but that further trials are necessary to determine recommendations for tongxinluo’s use for angina patients. Taixiang considered the review “an encouraging exploration” regarding tongxinluo’s beneficial effects for patients experiencing unstable angina.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

HOOKAH SMOKING TREND BECOMING HEALTH EPIDEMIC, SAYS RESEARCHER

The recent trend among college kids toward using waterpipes, or traditional Middle Eastern hookahs, for tobacco smoking may be just as harmful to them as smoking cigarettes. Several “hookah bars”, or shisha cafes as they are known in parts of the Middle East, have opened in New York, Los Angeles, and other areas throughout the United States, especially near college campuses.

Christopher Loffredo, Ph.D., Director of the Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology Program at Georgetown University Medical Center has published several studies on hookah use. His research group authored a recently released World Health Organization monograph, which includes findings on “this significant and spreading epidemic of waterpipe smoking”.

Hookah smokers expose themselves to higher levels of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide than cigarette smokers, because the smoking session is very long and is seen as a social activity, lasting up to three hours, said Loffredo. “People who use these devices don’t realize that they could be inhaling what is believed to be the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes in one typical 30-60 minute session with a water pipe, because such a large quantity of pure, shredded tobacco is used.” Anti-tobacco groups have yet to develop appropriate educational outreach programs to address the health risks associated with the new national trend.

Acupuncture can effectively treat tobacco addiction through a tailored smoking cessation program that calms the nervous system, strengthens will power and minimizes nicotine cravings. A twice weekly, five-week program can reduce the irritability and restlessness commonly associated with withdrawal. Treatment combines auricular acupuncture and selected body points to influence organs and energetic pathways associated with smoking.

Chinese herbal supplements can assist with controlling withdrawal symptoms. A Lung Yin Tonic such as Ophiopogonis Combination (Mai Men Dong Tang) can be used to prevent cravings. Bupleurum plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell (Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang) is a formula commonly prescribed to prevent relapses and reduce irritability. Lobelia Tea (Ban Bian Lian) or Green Tea can minimize nicotine cravings.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”