THE PRACTITIONER

IEBWA

SPORTS MASSAGE

Holistic Approach

Massage

Why BodyWork?

Benefits

What to Expect

Aftercare

Contraindications

FAQ's

Comments

AROMATHERAPY

REIKI

MYOFASCIA RELEASE

ACUPRESSURE

PRODUCTS

LINKS

ACUPRESSURE

THE PRACTITIONER-EQUINE SPORTS MASSAGE - EQUINE AROMATHERAPY - REIKI -MYOFASCIA RELEASE - ACUPRESSURE - EQUINE PRODUCTS -LINKS

Acupressure naturally reduces pain by stimulating the release of endorphins (the body's own built-in pain relievers). Acupressure also increases the nutrient supply to muscles by promoting cellular exchange, while preventing the buildup of harmful fatigue products, metabolic wastes and lactic acid resulting from strenuous exercise. Further, Acupressure improves overall muscle tone and relieves painful muscle spasms again often associated with long and strenuous training workouts.

Shiatsu is useful in soft tissue injuries, including muscle strain, sprains, spasms and aches located in the back shoulders, neck and hind quarters. Using Shiatsu speeds up recovery after an injury by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, while lessening inflammation and swelling to the joints.

In addition to improving muscle tone, Shiatsu increases the range of motion and generally improves a horse's disposition as it relieves discomfort. We can learn a lot about our animals, just by touching them.

ARTICLE

WHAT IS ACUPRESSURE

Dr. Marvin Cain, Acc. Diagnosis and Treatment of the Equine, Cain, 1996

Article

Acupressure:
There is no space to adequately explain the entire philosophy behind acupressure. It is a centuries old form of healing based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and relates to energy flow throughout an organism. Western medicine has recently and reluctantly admitted that while it seems to work they don't quite understand the reason. Acupressure enables us to take action systemically on specific points that are measurable with instrumentation by demonstrating a change in electrical resistance. The intent is to ensure a continuous uninterrupted flow of energy through out the body. This energy flow, which the Orientals have called Chi, or life force, passes through the body in an electrical fashion, thereby providing and maintaining the energetic balance necessary for normal bodily function. (1) Traditional Chinese Medicine maintains that an interruption of Chi is the ultimate root of disease. Acupressure seeks to correct this imbalance before it manifests as any symptom but particularly in horses, as muscle or joint pain.

Acupressure is performed without needles. The body worker uses his or her thumbs, hands, elbows, even a knee where appropriate. He will work along a meridian (the energy pipe way) or on a combination of points from various meridians to achieve a specific goal. There are twelve traditional meridians throughout the body. Shiatsu is acupressure that is combined with stretching joints and other techniques.

EBW AND ACUPRESSURE

Equine Body Work is a unique bodywork therapy it works the whole body through soft tissue manipulation, stretches, gentle joint manipulation and pressure on acupressure points along lines of energy known as meridians. Acupressure works by keeping the body’s energy flow in balance

WHAT IS ENERGY

Chi energy life energy – Life-force

Imbalances in this energy can be indicated by

The changes in the hair or skin texture

When I touch the surface of the horse I share the horse’s energy the connection focuses the energy and information about the imbalances in the horse are told.

Hard or Mushy, Cold or Hot, Stagnant or Free,

My work follows the bladder meridian energy across the body. The points of tension targeted involve letting go.

An interesting way of considering these ideas is to look at your horse with regard to the oriental five element theory – the five elements being Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. Is your horse a...

Fire Horse  In balance this horse is friendly, willing and generous, intelligent and easy to train – an ideal show horse. Physically he tends to be vibrant and expressive in movement with natural grace and style. Problems he may encounter; spookiness, circulatory disorders and tongue lolling or lip flapping.

 Or

Earth Horse  In balance this horse is kind, loyal and patient, a novice ride. Physically he tends to be strong and sturdily built for comfort rather than speed. Problems he may encounter; tendency to put on weight due to greed, sensitivity to dampness resulting in rheumatism or arthritis.

 Or

Metal Horse  In balance this horse is a quick learner who works well in return for being treated fairly and is quite aloof in nature. Physically he tends to be angular, lean and strong. Problems he may encounter; allergies or irritations of the respiratory tract, eyes, skin and bowel, muscular aches.

 Or

Water Horse In balance this horse is very observant and self-reliant, typically timid until he trusts you when he will be a loyal friend. Physically he is strong and large-boned with a luxuriant, shiny mane and tail. Problems he may encounter; arthritis and other bony abnormalities, fear and anxiety, bladder problems.

 Or

Wood Horse In balance this horse is energetic and competitive, an ideal advanced rider’s mount. Physically he is athletic and free moving with strong hooves. Problems he may encounter; cracked hooves, muscle, tendon and ligament injuries, sensitivity to sound and light and aggressive behavior.

To read further on these elements I would recommend Wood becomes Water by Gail Reichstien and any writings by Diana Thompson.

 BEHAVIOR CONSIDERATIONS

When working with horses always consider the horse in its natural environment Always ask yourself how the horse himself left in his natural state would react & cope with the issue.

Lower stress levels and the issue becomes less.

Things to always consider are:

Flight, Fight, Freeze, Faint