Amma Bodywork Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Amma, which is the oldest Chinese word to describe massage, is a form of massage therapy that uses the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine ("TCM") to assess imbalances in the body.  The foundation of TCM is the concept of qi, which is the circulating life force in the body, along with the forces of yin (fluids) and yang (fire) in the body.  When stagnation, blockage, deficiency or excess occurs, imbalance in the body can create disharmonies and disease.  Amma Bodywork Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine are an alternative approach to treat these disharmonies.  In addition, Amma Bodywork Therapy is excellent at maintaining health and vitality.  One does not necessarily need to have a "problem" to benefit from Amma.  The goal of maintaining health and energy is reason enough to see an Amma Bodywork Therapist.

Amma Bodywork Therapy is similar to acupuncture in that both modalities focus on the movement and balance of energy (qi) in the body.  However, rather than the needles used in acupuncture, Amma  Bodywork Therapy uses deep tissue manipulation of the energy channels  as well as manipulation of acupressure points to promote the balance of qi in the body.

An Amma Bodywork Therapy session is done fully draped, similar to a regular massage, and the client can dress down to their comfort level.  I use palpation, observation, pulse and tongue diagnosis as well as the evaluation of various signs and symptoms to address imbalances of organ systems in the body.  In addition to the use of liniments during an Amma Bodywork Therapy session, the treatment may also include techniques such as gua sha (friction applied to the skin to move obstruction and stagnation), moxabustion (application of the herb artemesis vulgaris provides warmth as well as movement of qi) and fire cupping (application of glass cups to the skin to move qi within the body).  Herbs, exercise, lifestyle and food recommendations may also be recommended during the course of a treatment.

Amma Bodywork Therapy can be excellent for maintaining health, as well as treating many issues, including digestive disorders, skin conditions, back and neck pain, depression, arthritis, headaches, stress, chronic pain, asthma, insomnia, infertility, PMS, and menstrual issues.

Stand alone assessment of one's diet and lifestyle is also available through food recommendations, recipes, shopping and kitchen consultations.