Taking your medical history and exploring your reasons for coming
For your first session I will ask you about your medical history, and check if you have any present medical condition and are taking any medication. If you have a serious condition you might need a letter from your GP stating that it is safe for you to receive bodywork.
If necessary I may also ask you a series of questions based on Chinese Medicine, feel your pulse and have a look at your tongue to have an idea about your general constitution.
After having explored your reasons for seeking a treatment, you will be asked to remove your shoes and belt and to lie down on the massage table.
Energetic diagnosis
While you relax and enjoy gentle streches and massage techniques, I am checking various areas and points located on your belly and back that correspond to the 12 meridians. This helps me find out which meridian is lacking energy the most and which one is the fullest. "Diagnosis is treatment and treatment is diagnosis".
Finding the emptiest meridian ("kyo") will reflect which aspect of your life has been neglected or needs support. The fullest meridian ("jitsu") corresponds to where you are spending most of your energy and often coincides with areas of tension.
This is an interactive process that often requires feedback from the receiver. It is a fascinating exploration as it helps you find out which areas of your life are imbalanced and need attention.
For example, if the emptiest meridian is the "kidney" meridian, which corresponds to the batteries of the body and is weakened by fear, you probably need some rest or maybe you are suffering from anxiety. For full details about the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual implications of the meridians, see The 5 elements section (under construction).
The session
We generally carry on with slow, deep, nurturing pressure (using palms, thumbs, elbows, knees or feet) along the emptiest meridian line in order to attract energy to this area of your bodymind. This usually feels very nurturing and deeply relaxing.
The second part of the treatment is more dynamic and uplifting and consists of quicker pressures and stretches along the fullest meridian in order to liberate the trapped energy so that it can go and fill up the empty areas.
I will use acupuncture points located on those meridian lines and elsewhere that have special functions adapted to your situation. Other techniques such as limb rotations, rocking, or muscle release techniques may also be used.
During a session you may experience a deep sense of relaxation and often people feel that they are being touched "exactly at the right place in the right way". You might also become aware of certain tensions or needs and feel reactions in different parts of your body. Sometimes people experience a release of emotions or memories. This can be very liberating and lead to a better understanding of yourself.
After the session
At the end of the session you will have a few minutes to rest and experience the readjustments in your body. We shall then exchange some feedback and see what you could do in your life to support the effects of the treatment. We will then consider a treatment plan and work out how many sessions you may need to receive.
Sometimes people feel quite tired in the evening after the session, in which case it is best to have an early night. This momentary tiredness is often due to your body readjusting itself or the treatment may have "switched you off" and put you into resting mode. After a good night sleep you should feel much clearer and re-energised, and able to get on with your life in a much more centred and efficient way.
It is generally advised to have a quiet evening after the treatment, to drink water and avoid alcohol.
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