Re: Tui na Massage

[Guest guest]

This is my first time responding to an email. Your article perked my

interest. I had a chinese doctor spend time with me doing accupressure

as you described. He did not speak any English, so I'm not sure if the

type is exactly the same, but it sure sounds like it. He spent 2 hours

a day on me for four days straight. He wanted me to see him for 15

days, but the treatments were incredibly painful. I laid on his mat,

crying and screaming while he insisted that I trust him. I'm not sure

why his treatments were so painful, the pushing, poking and massaging.

My nerves throughout my body cried from every type of touch he applied,

which were not gentle in the least. I have been to many massage

therapists and have enjoyed my experiences. This one was incredibly

awful that I could not fulfill the 15 day expectation. So, just from my

own experience, I wonder if CMT'ers are very sensitive to deep massage

(or torture). I would not recommend it.

Ann

[Guest guest]

I had it done to me and couldn't stand it!

Geri

[Guest guest]

I get deep massage (rolfing also called myofascial release) done on me.

It is indeed extremely painful for me. But I find it a vital part of my overall

approach to well being.

It is like my sports therapist sticks his fingers into my muscles and forces

them to relax. He works on my feet which is extremely painful, also both sides

of my calves. His theory is that CMT due to lower nerve transmission leads to

atrophy, which is a tightening of the muscle (more than a normal person) in the

foot / leg area, and that is what makes it so painful. As the muscular side of

mobility and any imbalances can translate up the body (hips, ultra tight

hamstrings, lower back, shoulders) if I don't go for a

while I feel horrible all the way up my legs and back.

Anyway, I do the torture also combined with Active Isolated Stretching (he is

trained in this as well) and it keeps me moving well. Our theory is that

anything that loosens up movement will make it easier for the muscles to work,

when they are told to work.

I was in great shape last year until August, and then in October had my elbow

surgery so have been out of the gym, but am just now getting back into the frame

of mind to go (and arm brace off now for 10 days so feeling strong enough too

again mentally / physically around my elbow).

Donna from London