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The Bowen Technique
Zero Balancing
Kahuna
Chavutti Thirumal
Indian Head Massage
Shen Therapy
Eutony
Hakomi
THE BOWEN TECHNIQUE
This non-manipulative, hands-on technique was pioneered in Australia in the 1950s by a bodyworker, Tom Bowen. He taught his method to an Australian osteopath, Dr. Ossie Rentsch, who continued Bowen's work after is death in 1982, training practitioners in Australia, North America, and the UK. The Bowen technique is said to stimulate "energy flow", enabling the body's self-healing resources to restore harmony.
The therapy is carried out on a soft, low treatment table with the patient in loose clothing. The practitioner makes a series of light, rolling movements on the muscles and tendons with his fingers and thumbs. This is believed to encourage circulation, increase mobility, and promote lymphatic drainage of waste products. Often only 2 to 3 sessions are given, each of 30 to 40 minutes.
The technique claims to benefit any condition, especially back and joint pain, sports injuries, bronchitis, and menstrual problems. Most conventional health care providers who encounter it would probably find it slightly bemusing.
ZERO BALANCING
An American osteopath and acupuncturist, Fritz Smith, developed this touch technique combining aspects of Western and Eastern medicine in 1975. It has a following today mainly in the US.
Zero Balancers believe that the body has an unseen energy field, which is related to the musculoskeletal system. Treatment aims to promote a smooth flow of energy through the body, improving posture and inducing a sense of harmony, which boosts the body's self-healing ability. Attention is paid to "foundation" joints, for example in the foot, that act as shock absorbers for the weight-bearing skeleton, and to breathing patterns, eye movements, and stomach rumbles (said to indicate energy flow).
The practitioner applies gentle finger pressure to stretch and hold you, while you lie fully clothed on a treatment table. Three sessions of 20-40 minutes each may be recommended, with more as required. The therapy claims to heal past emotional or physical traumas, and while conventional practitioners are skeptical, they generally feel it is harmless.
KAHUNA
An ancient system of massage originally practiced by Hawaiian kahunas (healers), kahuna aims to help patients accept their body and love themselves. Greater self-love is believed to encourage recognition of the beauty of the surrounding world. The practitioner massages you with sweeping, rhythmic strokes as you lie naked on a treatment table. Treatment takes two hours, with sessions every 2 to 3 months of as long as desired. Treatment is said to speed up the "vibrational rate" of body cells, but most conventional practitioners dismiss this claim.
CHAVUTTI THIRUMAL
Part of the Ayurvedic system of medicine, this form of massage comes from southern India, reputedly developed to promote suppleness in Kathakali dancers and practitioners of kalaripayattu, a martial art. It is beginning to be practiced in the US and UK as a specialized form of massage to stimulate the circulation, lymphatic system, and digestion. You lie on the floor with body oiled, while the practitioner, hanging onto an overhead rope, uses his feet and toes to apply firm, continuous strokes, said to stimulate the body's nadi (energy lines). Sessions last 90 minutes, and are usually given every 2 to 3 months. Conventional medical practitioners generally consider it a curiosity.
INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE
This Ayurvedic head massage, traditionally used by Indian women to keep their hair lustrous and healthy, is said to relax the thin layer of muscle covering the head, improving blood flow, nourishing hair follicles, and alleviating anxiety and stress.
Practitioners massage the shoulders and head with alternate firm and gentle strokes, using warm oil (coconut, sesame, almond, or olive). Sessions last 20 to 30 minutes and are usually weekly. Most conventional medical practitioners consider this therapy to be harmless and relaxing.
Precautions: Avoid Indian Head Massage if you have a severe scalp condition.
SHEN THERAPY
This mind and body therapy was created in 1977 by an American bodyworker, Richard R. Pavek. He believed that painful emotions, if repressed, stay in the body, affecting behavior and health. Love, sadness, and grief are said to affect the heart and chest; fear, excitement, and anger the digestive tract; and shame, inadequacy, and confidence the genitals. As you lie on a special table, the practitioner places her hands on your clothed body to direct natural "energy" through your key emotion centers in patterns designed to release repressed feelings. Ten weekly treatments may be recommended, with sessions of 60 to 90 minutes. Used for PMS and psycho-emotional ailments like anorexia, SHEN is unknown to most conventional medical practitioners.
EUTONY
Eutony was developed in the 1930s by German-born Gerda Alexander, who observed through her involvement in dance that pupils tended to follow their teacher too closely. Better known in Canada and South America than in the US and UK, eutony is a form of movement therapy in which patients achieve self-knowledge by exploring their own movements, and is often practiced as part of psychotherapy. Sessions last 60 to 90 minutes, and length of treatment varies widely according to the individual. Eutony claims to treat musculoskeletal disorders and conditions linked to psychological problems, and seems to be well regarded by conventional practitioners who know of it.
HAKOMI
Developed by an American psychotherapist, Ron Kurtz, in the 1970s, hakomi treats the patient mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually to promote self-healing. Practitioners help patients enter a state of "mindfulness" (awareness of the moment) to explore self-limiting attitudes that may be reflected in physical traits, such as posture or facial expression. Hakomi is used for any physical condition caused by emotional problems. It may be continued for years with sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes.
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