BACH FLOWER REMEDIES - Works on one's emotions. With the emotional aspect of illness in mind, Dr. Bach went on to develop 38 flower remedies plus the combination remedy known as Rescue Remedy. The flower remedies are diluted and combined with brandy.
BALINESE MASSAGE - Vigorous, deep massage with techniques similar to acupressure routines combined with the use of therapeutic oils to relieve all sorts of complaints. Special strumming and knuckle techniques are taught as well as skin rolling, wringing, and thumb crossing.
BARBARA BRENNAN HEALING SCIENCE - Barbara Brennan's Healing Science program focuses on clearing blocked energy and balancing the body's energy field through hands-on work and deep healing techniques. Emphasis is placed on enabling the therapist to discover their own healing process and thus personalize their healing approach. Channeling, use of spiritual guidance, healing with color and sound, and work with auras are among the techniques used. Through the unblocking and balancing of energy fields, the client has access to healing on all levels of functioning - emotional, physical, spiritual and mental.
BAREFOOT SHIATSU - Using hands, elbows, knees, and feet to massage.
BART (BONDING AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES) - Based on the parent education program of infant massage by Virnala McClure, BART is a program of stroking for individuals with, or at risk for, developmental delays. Designed to empower parents and instill parental confidence, as well as nourish the bond between parent and child, BART aids in relaxation, normalization of muscle tone, respiratory and
gastro-intestinal functioning, sensory integration and behavioral organization.
BELAVI' FACIAL MASSAGE - A series of massage techniques using acupressure points, lymphatic drainage strokes and facial massage strokes, Belavi' Facial Massage is designed to firm sagging skin, stimulate blood and oxygen, release toxins and soften lines. The treatment also consists of cleansing, exfoliating, hot towel wraps and a honeylift massage treatment.
BERRYWORK - The late Lauren Berry PT created this bodywork, it is a contemporary of Trager, Feldenkrais and Rolf who devised a system of "correctives" that involve stretches and that work the fascia, cartilage and joints. His work is passed on through the teaching of his advanced students.
BINDEGEWEBSMASSAGE (CONNECTIVE TISSUE MASSAGE) - Developed in Germany by Elisabeth Dicke in the 1930’s is massage or reflexive therapy of the connective tissue. The practitioner strokes the layers just below the skin to impact the fascia layer, which has many sensory nerve endings. This sets up a reflex from the skin to the organs -- not unlike acupuncture. No lotions are used, and the series of strokes are called hooking, smoothing, etc. The client may experience a scratching, or cutting, sensation as if sharp lines were etched on the skin, but pain is not experienced. Most treatments are given from a seated position that usually begins at the sacrum (triangular bone at bottom of spine) to induce relaxation by activating the parasympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system.
BINDI - This bodywork combines marine algae exfoliation, herbal treatment, and light massage.
BIOENERGETICS - Alexander Lowen, M.D., an outgrowth of his work created Bioenergetics with Wilhelm Reich, M.D. Bioenergetics is a way of understanding personality in terms of the body and its energetic processes. Bioenergetics therapy works with the mind and the body to release chronic stresses and chronic muscular tensions. Dr. Lowen has written 14 books. Bioenergetic therapists use this approach as a way of to understand the personality of the client in terms of the body and its energetic processes. Often they will discuss how tension in the body may directly relate to a person's emotional history and childhood relationships.
BIOENERGY - Developed and taught by Polish healer Mietek Wirkus, bioenergy is a form of energy healing. The therapist uses a combination of non-invasive, light physical touch with manipulation and repatterning of the higher energy bodies and chakras using only the hands. The objectives are release of physical symptoms associated with disease and stimulation of the relaxation response to relieve stress and tension.
BIOFEEDBACK - Biofeedback utilizes a system of sensitive instruments that relay information about the physical condition of the body. Used as a primary therapy, or in conjunction with other methods, biofeedback provides deep relaxation and stress management skills to prevent stress-related disorders and illness. These skills, including deep breathing and guided imagery, offer self-regulation and control over mental, emotional and physical processes. The principles of biofeedback can be traced back to the 18th century.
BIO-MAGNETIC TOUCH HEALING - Bio-magnetic touch healing is a light touch complementary healing method that employs the index and middle fingers of each hand to lightly touch specific points on the body. The combination of correct points, light and butterfly-like touch activates the body's own inherent healing ability and is subtly motivated.
BIOSYNC - Nerve impingement in cross-linked connective tissue is a major cause of chronic and sports-associated pain. Through trauma (injury), compression, tension, free-radical damage, pollution and more, cross-linking of connective tissue is formed. These threads of connective tissue adhere to adjacent strands, thereby decreasing range of motion, reducing joint space, impinging nerves and generally shortening the body. The BioSync method releases collagen cross-linking by unwinding these locked and hardened strands, thereby restoring the body's length, flexibility and function, and allowing regeneration and revitalization of the whole system. The BioSync method, developed by Mark Lamm, NMT, is a sophisticated system of neuromuscular rehabilitation and re-education, and has been successful with a wide range of muscular and trauma-related challenges. It is complementary with existing medical and rehabilitative procedures.
BODY ALIGNMENT - Developed by Jeff Levin, this technique is a means of accessing the body to identify where an imbalance or blockage exists, find its underlying cause and energetically release it. Energy blockages are released through balancing vibrational energy points associated with the organs, glands and systems of the body.
BODY LOGIC - Body Logic is a system of bodywork and body understanding developed by Yamuna Zake. It uses the principle of "space making" whereby space is created around joints and locked areas to allow the body to unfold and finds its own balance, enhancing
freedom of movement, posture, strength and energy.
BODY IMAGING ENHANCEMENT - Based on a balance between body, mind and feeling, body imaging enhancement proposes that anatomical structural relationships of the body need to be realigned and stabilized from a central line of the body. This line posturally positions the body relationally to the force of gravity. As a result of the correction, the client will experience energy release and perceptible changes in body shape, flexibility and movement. Working with the neuromuscular and myofascial systems, the therapist uses manual manipulations to stretch and release muscle tissue and fascia to create freedom and flexibility of movement. It was developed by Dr. Mark and Denise Hendler.
BODY ROLLING - Practiced on a 6-10 inch ball, and following specific routines that imitate the logic of the neuromuscular system, body rolling is a self-care practice that helps maintain the health of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems, as well as assists controlling and understanding the internal sensory experience.
BODY-MIND CENTERING - Body-mind centering is a movement re-education approach that explores how the body's systems contribute to movement and self-awareness. The approach also emphasizes movement patterns that develop during infancy and childhood. Body-mind centering incorporates guided movement, exercise, imagery and hands-on work. The approach can be used with infants, children and adults to resolve movement problems and facilitate the "body-mind dialogue."
BODY-ORIENTED PSYCHOTHERAPY - Body-oriented psychotherapy seeks to enhance the psychotherapeutic process by incorporating a
range of massage, bodywork and movement techniques. Acknowledging the mind-body link, practitioners may use light touch, soft- or deep-tissue manipulation, breathing techniques, movement, exercise or body-awareness techniques, to help address emotional issues. Proper training is critical in this work.
BODYTALK™ - Practitioners use a system of muscle testing to coordinate and balance the energetic communication of the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of the body. Based on the answers given by the body through the muscle testing, the practitioner can focus in on specific balances.
BOWEN TECHNIQUE - Thomas Bowen developed his technique in Australia. It combines energy work with gentle soft tissue manipulation.
1. Skin slack is drawn back with the fingers and thumbs to the edge of a muscle, tendon or ligament at a particular point on the body until the skin is taut “Eyeball pressure” 2. Then held at that still-point to draw the body's awareness and energy. 3. The fingers and thumbs are then moved back over the muscle, tendon or ligament, creating vibrations and a subtle energy release that ripples outwards to encompass the whole body. (The basic Bowen "move" is precise and light. The practitioner targets a specific spot, which may be a muscle, tendon, or nerve shaft. With the fingers or thumbs, the skin slack is gently pushed away. After a brief pause, the muscle is challenged and moved in the opposite direction.)
BRAIN GYM - Created by Paul and Gail Dennison, Brain Gym (or Educational Kinesiology and Edu-K) is a sensorimotor program based on research by educational therapists, developmental optometrists and other specialists in the fields of movement, education and child development. Brain Gym consists of 26 targeted activities similar to those performed naturally by young children as part of the process of brain development. Brain Gym prepares learners with the physical skills they need to read, write, concentrate, organize and otherwise function effectively in the classroom or the adult workplace.
BREAST MASSAGE - This technique entails specific kneading, rubbing and/or squeezing strokes applied to the soft tissue of the breast to increase lymph and blood flow. As poor circulation to this area can produce uncomfortable symptoms, and breast scarring caused by surgery and/or trauma can cause painful syndromes and obstruct blood and lymph flow, breast wellness becomes increasingly important. The practice of breast massage should be in conjunction with (and not a substitute for) regular self-breast exams. If a lump is found in the breast, the area should not be massaged until a physician is consulted.
BREATH THERAPY - The use of respiratory exercises to open lung passages, oxygenate the blood and cleanse the body by eliminating gaseous toxins. The client is encouraged to breathe deeply while the therapist works the appropriate muscles. Breath therapy can ease anxieties and reduce stress.
BREEMA - Breema takes its name from the Kurdish mountain village of Breemava where it originated and was passed down from generation to generation. It is a comprehensive system of bodywork, done on the floor, with a variety of techniques ranging from simple holding points on the body to techniques requiring flexibility and dexterity. There are nine Breema principles; Body Comfortable, Full Participation, No Extra, No Force, Non-Judgment, Mutual Support, Single Moment-Single Activity, Gentleness & Firmness, No Hurry-No Pause.
BUDZEK MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPY - Developed by Jeffrey Budzeky, RN, Budzek Medical Massage Therapy is designed to relieve acute and chronic pain resulting from muscle, nerve and joint disorders. This multi-modality therapy is based on the specific sequence of 12 different bodywork techniques and addresses eight different aspects which affect the body simultaneously.