Manipulative and body-based methods in CAM are based on manipulation and/or movement of one or more parts of the body. As with anything not proven parents are advised to exercise caution and keep their medical doctor informed as to what they are doing

These therapies involve the movement or realignment of parts of the body fall into three general catagories they are: Bodywork; Chiropractic treatment; and finally Massage therapy

Bodywork and manual therapy are general terms that refer to body manipulation therapies used for relaxation and pain relief.

Massage and chiropractic are well-known forms of bodywork.

BodyWord

The idea behind bodywork is that people learn-or are forced by injury or stress into-unnatural ways of moving or holding their bodies. This unnatural movement or posture changes the natural alignment of bones, which in turn causes discomfort and may contribute to health problems.

The aim of bodywork is to realign and reposition the body to allow natural, graceful movement. Bodywork, along with identifying possible contributing causes of unnatural movement and posture, is thought to reduce stress and ease pain.

Some of the most common forms of bodywork are:

• The Alexander technique, which focuses on proper alignment of the head, neck, and trunk. It emphasizes improving health by increasing awareness of proper posture.
• The Feldenkrais method, a gentle form of bodywork that increases flexibility and coordination. Feldenkrais exercises are intended to help increase a person's awareness of body movement and develop new patterns of movement.
• The Trager approach, which people use to help relearn natural movements and exercises so their bodies can function better. Practitioners teach gentle, rhythmic motions to improve flexibility and promote relaxation (called psychophysical integration) and dancelike exercises to increase awareness of body movement (called Mentastics).
• Deep tissue massage, which attempts to treat chronic tension in deep muscles of the body. Deep tissue massage is thought to relieve pain and increase flexibility.
• Rolfing, a form of deep tissue massage that practitioners use to realign the tissues that cover and connect all muscles and body organs (fascia). Bringing the body back into proper alignment is thought to reduce pain, improve flexibility and energy, and reduce muscle tension.

What is bodywork used for?

People may use bodywork to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and reduce pain associated with certain disorders of the muscles and joints, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Is bodywork safe?

Bodywork can be a safe form of therapy when a qualified and experienced practitioner performs it. Its effectiveness is not scientifically proven. Talk with your doctor before you start any bodywork program so you can choose the most appropriate form of bodywork for your specific condition.

Many states license practitioners who provide bodywork therapies. Your doctor or local hospital may be able to help you find a qualified bodywork practitioner.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

Chiropractic treatment manipulates the bones and muscles of the body, usually by hand. This applies more to the spinal column or the backbone, which is adjusted to rehabilitate the normal functioning of the nervous system.

As an art, chiropractic treatment is very old. Ancient Greeks manoeuvred legs for relief of low back problems. Many tribes in North America like the Sioux and Creek and the Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecs of Central America used manipulative practices. However, in the context as it is understood today, chiropractic treatment was formulated by Daniel David Palmer in 1895. He established the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, USA, in 1903.

Chiropractic treatment works by manipulating partially misaligned and dysfunctional vertebrae and other joints off-centre that may be impinging upon normal neurological functioning. Through chiropractic treatment, these maladjustment are removed so that the flow of neuro-hormonal secretions is restored and the body recovers from pain and the diseases causing that pain. Pain is the body's signal of distress or dysfunction. Caught early enough, chiropractic treatment can adjust this, helping to put the body's own healing mechanisms back on track.

Chiropractic treatment lays stress on the concept of an individual's predisposition to disease. Chiropractors look for muscular and skeletal trauma from falls and accidents, strains and sprains. They note postural and occupational distortion that may induce abnormal joint function or partial contraction of muscles.

Massage Therapy is simply the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons and ligaments. A massage therapist's hands are his most important tool through which he not only treats the patient but also detects physical and emotional problems. The massage therapist palpates the patient's body to determine the condition of the tissues and the likely source of any pain, and thus the correct form of remedial treatment.

Massage works through the various body systems in one of two ways, a mechanical action and a reflex action. A mechanical action is created by moving the muscles and soft tissues of the body using pressure and stretching movement, thereby cleansing them of acids and deposits. This mechanical action breaks up fibrous tissue and loosens stiff joints.

A reflex is created when treatment of one part of the body affects another part of the body, much like pressing a light switch on a wall to turn on a light in the centre of the room. Just like this electric connection, so too are different parts of the body connected to eachother not just by flesh and bone but by nerve pathways, or flows of energy known as 'meridians'. So, by using reflex action, some therapists will treat a patient's stomach complaint by massaging the arms, and will alleviate pain in the legs by massaging the lower back.

The American Cancer Society recommends massage therapy to bring comfort and to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, although not to specifically treat cancer.

In the recent past, cancer was viewed as a contraindication for massage. This incorrect perception prevented people living with cancer from receiving treatments. The prevailing thought was that massage therapy increased the circulation of blood and lymph. Since most malignancies spread via these routes, it must increase the chance of spreading the cancer throughout the client's body. No medical evidence supports this claim.

Currently, new and accurate information is available for massage therapists who want to work with cancer patients. Since cancer and cancer treatments affect the entire body, leaving the person in a fragile condition, it is vital for the massage therapist to be informed.

Edited by: Kevin Hart MA

 

back to top

NOTE: This web site is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice. The information provided through this site should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider