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Thai Tradition of Pulse Massage

The knowledge of pulses came from China about a thousand years ago and developed in the temples and palaces into the Thai art of “Chepajorn” pulse massage, which is practiced widely by the people of Thailand.


Working on the pulse concerns mainly the fourth Sen line, Kanlataree, which follows the main arteries of the front and back. The major points on this line are called chepajorn, which means “life-flow” or “pulse.” Chepajorn pulse massage uses specific hand techniques to adjust the flow of blood in the circulatory system.


Pulse massage is used widely in traditional Thai medicine, for conditions including numbness, dizziness from low pressure, coldness, asthma and migraines, as well as sprains, bruises, and anxiety. It is considered to offer relief from physical and emotional tension, ameliorate sleep, improve flexibility, and bring about a greater awareness of body and mind. It releases blocked energy, tiredness, and digestive problems; supports circulation and elimination; and helps during pregnancy. It is also used to treat inflammation and pain.

Chepajorn Techniques

The primary technique for working with the pulse is compression followed by release. Compressing a pulse is known as pid ped patoo lom: opening and closing the wind gates (pidped =open/close, patoo =gate, lom= wind). Pressing a pulse point is like closing a major valve. The blood stops flowing but the heart keeps pumping. Pressure is increased, so that when you release, the major valve opens, freeing more blood and energy to further penetrate the tissues, bringing more nourishment and healing into the deeper layers.


Balancing the pulses and clearing abdominal blockages after releasing knots and tangles in the abdominal area has a general effect on the body, affecting many systems and organs either directly or indirectly.


Directing blood into specific parts of the body such as the pelvic and sacral areas will increase the blood and chi flow. This will enable you to “flush out” toxins and blockages, open restricted blood vessels, and increase blood and chi flow through the entire vascular system and organs.

The Pulse Points

Life Pulse Massage clears, activates, and balances over fifty pulse sites in the body to improve and harmonize blood flow. These pulse points are found on both arteries and veins on the front and back of the body.


The Techniques

Life Pulse Massage uses a number of hand techniques to relax the body and regulate the pulses.


The Vibrational Techniques

Many of the vibrational techniques are the same as the hand techniques of basic Chi Nei Tsang practice.

Rocking: Rocking and vibrating to relax general tension.
Spiraling: Circular motion with palms or fingers to loosen the fascia around tense areas.
Pressure Points: Pressing the fascia and tendons in specific areas to release tension.
Pulsing: Holding and shaking the extremities to send a wave of energy through the vessels.
Mobilizing: Rotating articulations to release compression in the joints and improve blood flow.

Applied Kinesiology

Techniques used widely in applied kinesiology evaluation and treatment are adjustment of the spinal column and manipulation of extraspinal articulations, nerve receptor treatment, balancing of the meridians and the cranial-sacral primary respiratory system.


The major contribution applied kinesiology makes to standard diagnostic procedures is functional evaluation. Most standard diagnosis, excluding applied kinesiology, is directed toward discovering and evaluating pathology. Many individuals clearly pass a physical examination directed toward that end, but they may still complain of headaches, fatigue, and other general health problems. Applied kinesiology helps discover the reason for

functional disturbances, and suggests a direction for corrective therapy.


Treatment Protocols: The 10 trigger point therapy protocols effectively address a wide variety of myofascial pain disorders, including:

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  • Tension headaches
  • Migraine headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness and Torticollis
  • Pain between the shoulder blades
  • TMJ disorders and toothaches
  • Dizziness and Vertigo
  • Shoulder pain and dysfunction​
  • Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
  • Rotator Cuff Issues
  • Bicepital Tendonitis
  • Radiating arm pain and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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  • Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis
  • Golfer’s Elbow or Medial Epicondylitis
  • Wrist pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Hand pain
  • Chest pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal bloating, heartburn, gastrointestinal disorders
  • Pelvic pain, PMS cramping, dysmenorrhea symptoms
  • Hip pain and dysfunction
  • I.T. Band complaints

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  • Groin pain
  • Low Back Pain
  • Sciatica and Side-sciatica symptoms
  • Gluteal pain
  • Hamstring pain and cramping
  • Knee pain, stuck patella, and buckling knee disorders
  • Shin splints
  • Calf pain and cramping
  • Ankle pain and weakness
  • Achilles Tendonitis & Heel Pain
  • Foot pain & Plantar Fasciitis

Autogenics

"Autogenic Training (AT) is a relaxation technique, a psycho-physiologically-based form of autonomic self-regulation, and a self-help resource for health. It is a method of inducing the relaxation response which is opposite to the stress response, bringing about a healthy balance between the sympathetic (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (rest renewal and repair) activities of the body's autonomic nervous system.


It is particularly applicable as a non-drug approach to conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia where the root cause is most often chronic over-arousal due to excessive sympathetic activity. AT can also be of great benefit to many other organic and psychosomatic illnesses where stress and tension play a big part.


In AT (Autogenic meaning self-generated) the patient learns a set of structured mental formulae. Whilst practising, external distractions are removed and an attitude of "allowing to happen that which needs to happen" free of striving for results is established. This allows for autonomic homeostasis where changes such as slower pulse rate, lowered BP, slower regular breathing, improved digestion and release of muscle tension occurs. Excessive arousal is expected to return to lower functional levels.


The techniques developed and used in AT have been designed to support and facilitate the natural self-healing mechanisms that already exist.


The emphasis is not on trying to control these systems but in helping them to function more effectively".


By Dr A. Bowden. M.B., Ch.B, D.C.H, MFHom.

Lead Clinician Autogenic Training


University College London Hospitals

NHS Trust

The Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital

AUTOGENIC TRAINING

A non-drug approach to anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia

A report on the introduction of Autogenic Training into a Primary Care

Group

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