Do you get bodywork?

I always recommend my clients to get some type of bodywork to improve their health. And, when I say bodywork that includes massage.

Many folks think getting a massage is a luxury.

But, I believe it’s vital to good health.

The fact that various types of massage have been used for thousands of years in ancient healing, validates our need to continue using it today.

Here are some examples:

• Ayurvedic (Indian) texts dating back to 3000 BCE mention using massage techniques for healing and wellness.
• Chinese medical texts from 2700 BCE describe massage as a treatment for various ailments.
• Hieroglyphics from Egypt 2500 BCE show massage being used for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.

When I first began my holistic health practice in 1999, I studied Shiatsu (Japanese bodywork) and learned about the energetic patterns within the body, where they get stuck, and how to physically move that energy to help resolve underlying conditions.

Part of learning this healing technique, was receiving bodywork from other practitioners that were in the same classes studying with me. During this time, it became very clear that some areas on my body were extremely sensitive to touch.

If a practitioner touched my spleen 6 point (SP6), I would practically jump off the floor (shiatsu is practiced on the floor).

It was so painful!

Interestingly, it was not uncommon for the SP6 point to be tender on almost ALL of the beginner practitioners.

What on earth was going on that we all had pain on the same point?

According to traditional Chinese Medicine (what Shiatsu is based on) the function of spleen is to transform our food and drink into Qi (energy) that is transported around the body through our blood. Qi is needed to feel alert and energized and for our body to function properly.

A common condition called spleen Qi deficiency, indicates the spleen (stomach and pancreas, too) are not breaking down and absorbing nutrients well, so we don’t extract enough energy to fuel our bodily functions.

When spleen is deficient, there can be fatigue, a heavy sensation in the body or limbs (especially the legs), weak muscles, bloating after eating, unusual bleeding or bruising, sweet cravings, excessive worry, overthinking, anxiety, and/or depression.

Even though I was eating great quality organic food at the time I was learning Shiatsu, I was not absorbing as well as I could be, and was craving sweets (maple syrup, honey, chocolate), which was making my condition worse.

Getting acupressure or Shiatsu nourishes the spleen to revive weakness of the organ and resolve the dampness that shows up as a heavy feeling and/or swelling in the legs, feet and hands (edema). It also regulates urination when there is difficulty urinating, retention of urine, night-time urination, and painful or cloudy urine.

SP6 is one of the primary points to improve digestive, gynecological, and urinary disorders, as well as emotional and sleep disorders. Supporting spleen invigorates circulation and calms the mind to resolve anxiety and insomnia.

As you can see, SP6 is a pretty important energy point in the body.

It’s located approximately 3 fingers above your inner ankle.

But, I wouldn’t just focus on that one point.

Do yourself a favor and get your whole body into the hands of a skilled practitioner that knows how to rebalance your system using ancient bodywork techniques.

And, if you can’t afford to hire someone to move your energy for you, incorporate “self-massage.”

It only takes 5 minutes to gently massage some vital points around your body when you get out of the shower, and the results can be quite noticeable.

For example, I showed the members inside my Health is Wealth Community a quick video on how to massage 3 vital points on their lower legs.

Massaging these 3 points simultaneously can improve digestion, move trapped or stagnant energy (dampness), resolve deficient Qi, help you sleep better, and calm anxiety.

I ran into one of my community members at my apartment complex. She stopped me and said, “Over the years, I have done so many different health-related things for my body. I started doing that massage you showed us, and it’s a game changer for me. It’s making a BIG difference in how I feel.”

As I said, I believe bodywork is vital to good health. And, you won’t know how good it is, until you try it yourself.

If you are doing everything health-related and still feeling out of balance, don’t waste any more time.

Life is too short to feel unwell.

Join my Health is Wealth Community and gain the insight and support you need to shift your health and feel your best.