Science of Massage and Energy Work

Introduction

Over thirty-five years that I in the massage-therapy field, I have performed and have viewed a number of my colleagues performing different types of massage with a wide range of results. Interestingly, the physiological effect of massage alone, along with the variance in the body and mind conditions of each individual massage receiver, could not explain this phenomenon. There were always additional effects caused by what we would refer to now as “energy work.”

For me, the effect of “energy” on the human body became evident back in my postgraduate days, when a group of my colleagues and I conducted an energy related experiment.

It is a well known fact that a person who stands still is experiencing low arterial blood supply to the lower extremities and this supply decreases proportionally to the duration of standing still. Typically, the increase in blood supply would be stimulated either actively by movement or passively by massage, etc. The purpose of this experiment was to test whether the arterial blood supply to the lower extremities could be increased without any mechanical stimulus.

Our research group performed two successive measurements of the amount of arterial blood supply to the lower extremities in the experimental group. This group was composed of highly trained massage practitioners. Both measurements were taken by an ultra sound Doppler. The first test each member of the experimental group simply stood still on one spot for ten minutes. The second test each of them performed extensive visualization of arterial blood moving through their extremities for fifteen minutes. Surprisingly, the second measurement recorded much higher blood supply for all the participants despite the fact that none of them have moved for a total of twenty five minutes.

Effects of “energy work” are unavoidable in performing massage, thus practitioners have to be prepared to channel it properly. Without practical understanding of what’s involved in “energy work” many practitioners might inadvertently hurt their patients and themselves.

Mysteries and metaphysics for many years surround energy issues. Different esoteric theories have been built around this subject for my years.. My purpose is not to create another theory or break down the dependency between “mind and matter” to the Quantum Mechanics level. My purpose is to share my practical experience in “energy work” and to give massage therapist a mental tool that will help him/her to deal with “energy work” in their daily practice. This method relies on the knowledge of basic anatomy, physiology and physics. Below I will summarize these necessary disciplines in the light of their connection to massage in order to use them as reference for further discussion of “energy work” process.

Anatomy and Physiology of cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, arteries, arterioles, capillary networks, venules, and veins. Blood itself is also an anatomical part of the cardiovascular system. The human heart is a very energetic muscle. The fact is that for an average of about 80 years, without taking a break, the heart performs a pumping action approximately 80 times per minute. Blood is pumped out of the heart through the arterial blood vessels (those that carry blood away from the heart), towards the periphery of the human body under pressure. Even structures, which are topographically located above heart, will get an adequate blood supply. Normal blood pressure is considered 120/80. The duty of blood supply is first to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to all 55 trillion cells in the body, which compose our different tissues.

Arterial Blood Flow

Arterial blood distribution first goes through arteries, then arterioles, and then thru the huge network of capillaries – tiny blood vessels, some so small that they will only allow the passage of one red blood cell at a time. It is on this microscopic level of vessels where the basic metabolism – the gas exchange, occurs. The surrounding cells consume everything they need (oxygen, nutrients, etc.) from the capillary blood supply. When this exchange of material occurs, the arterial blood is depleted of its supplies and will be then given up to the venous blood circulation.

Venous Blood Flow

Venous blood flows toward the heart slower than arterial blood flowing outwards from the heart, and is under less pressure. As venous circulation works its way toward the heart, it will be cleansed passing thru the lymphatic system, liver and kidneys, allowing metabolic waste products to be removed. It will then flow thru the lungs, satiate with oxygen, and will be ready to repeat the circulation cycle again, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Venous blood drainage is supported mechanically by muscular contraction, which occurs whenever we move. Throughout venous circulation there are valves located on the interior of the vessels. Valves open only when blood flows towards the heart. Rhythmic contraction of the muscles supports venous blood drainage. During massage, we activate a similar mechanical action by performing squeezing techniques only towards the heart, in the direction of the venous blood flow. Thus, we mechanically accelerate the flow of venous blood drainage significantly and we substantially increase local arterial blood supply to the tissues. This movement goes against the flow of arterial blood, but its influence can’t disrupt its flow as it is under superior pressure.

The acceleration of venous blood drainage described above is one of the factors of the physiological effect of massage of direct and local mechanical factors. Another factor is an indirect effect, achieved through the nervous system pathways, and is not limited to the local area being massaged. The Neuro-reflexive aspect is the main power of massage therapy.

Structural anatomy of the Central Nervous System

The central nervous system is composed of the spinal cord and the brain. Much processing of afferent perception information and efferent responses happens in both upper and lower centers. The peripheral nervous system originates from the spinal cord and provides innervations to inner organs and systems, to the somatic parts, such as the skin, connective tissue, muscles, etc. At the very endings of the peripheral nervous system, there are proprioreceptors located in the skin, muscles, connective tissues, etc, that respond to touch, pressure, temperature, vibration, pain, etc.

The moment you touch proprioreceptors, you cause the generation of action potentials (afferent impulses), which will stream and stimulate the central nervous system including motor, vasomotor, and other centers. Massage therapy techniques and special petrissage/kneading techniques create massive electrical activities (action potential.) Due to these electrical activities, organs and systems of our body respond by vasodilation, increased blood supply, relaxation of muscles, etc. This is what reflexive therapy is all about. Therapeutic reflex is the body’s involuntary reaction to an original stimulus that causes multiple positive changes in functions of organs and systems. Due to thes electrical activities, organs and systems of our body respond by vasodilation, increased blood supply, relaxation of muscles, etc. This is what reflexive therapy is all about. Therapeutic reflex is the body’s involuntary reaction to an original stimulus that causes multiple positive changes in functions of organs and systems.

With reflexive therapy, this reaction is expressed by positive changes in functions of organs and systems, which includes reduction of left atria work due to vasodilation. Please keep in mind that stress causes vessels to constrict (arteries carry enough smooth muscles and nerves to constrict).

Peripheral vascular constriction amplifies peripheral vascular resistance to blood flow towards the heart, to which the left atria immediately responds by increasing output, to overcome such resistance.

This condition can lead to stress-related heart attacks, and can accelerate the development of arteriosclerosis. In order to achieve reflexive therapy results, a massage therapist must perform the massage in the inhibitory regime.

Inhibitory Regime

Every time a therapist’s hand touches a patient’s body, the touch is detected by the proprioreceptors in the immediate contact area of the patient’s body. Proprioreceptors respond by sending afferent impulses or action potentials from the contact area to the central nervous system. The nature of this signal is electrical and is propagated via a chemical reaction through the peripheral to the central nervous system.

It is important to note that the ability of proprioreceptors to respond to touch is limited. After a certain amount of time and providing that the touch is not painful, proprioreceptors will almost totally stop to propagate sensory impulses – the patient barely will feel the pressure in the contact area even though the same level of pressure persists. The phenomenon of losing sensitivity, which means that proprioreceptor stop firing, is called proprioreceptors’ level of adaptation.

The level of adaptation is quite interesting and an important state of proprioreceptors with far reaching consequences. Specifically, within nervous system, a condition of re-polarization of neurons exists. The motor and vasomotor centers which include pain-analyzing systems, respond to this kind of stimulation by vasodilation, muscular relaxation and other positive changes in functions of organs and systems due to re-polarization of the neurons, following a reduction of pain sensation and more. In other words actions undertaken by a massage therapist during the course of performing the inhibitory regime awakens the aforementioned reflexes, which makes massage therapy leading methodology in reflexive therapy field.

A thorough explanation of this bio-chemical phenomenon is beyond the scope of this book and may be further studied in textbooks of cytology, physiology and bio-chemistry. However, I don’t believe that this type of extensive studies would be beneficial for obtaining rapid and sustained therapeutic results. What is important for a massage practitioner is to know is that “Inhibitory Regime ” is the manner of performing massage that takes advantage of the aforementioned phenomenon, and that’s what makes massage therapy so unique and powerful.

To work in the inhibitory regime means to keep massage manipulation in a rhythm of 70-80 movements per minute while gradually increasing pressure and minimizing disconnection. Consequently, receptors will eventually reach their adaptation level i.e. will stop firing.

This approach aims to restore balance in activities between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. Thus the goal of massage in inhibitory regime is to balance the activities of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems. The status of these subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system, functioning in balance, the result is one of ultimate health. To bring about this balance is the bottom line goal of massage therapy.

As a side note, the above narrative brought us to an interesting debate point allowing us to visualize where the Western and Oriental medicines merge. The philosophy and ultimate goal of Chinese medicine treatments is to balance the activities of yin and yang (active and passive energy). Disorders are most often defined as stagnations, or blocks of chi flow. In my opinion there is a direct correlation between the conventional explanation of the mechanism of massage and the oriental explanation. The electrical stream that we create via massage, causes flow-distribution of the chi-energy, and then leads to the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities. This is the balance of yin and yang.

Phenomenon of Piezoelectricity

The piezoelectric phenomenon is described as an ability of both inorganic and organic substances to generate electrical potential in response to mechanical deformation. During the performance of massage therapy, we are deforming the tissues, cells, and molecules thereby generating piezoelectric charges. In massage, the main cause of piezoelectric phenomenon is the deformation of collagen molecules (elastin and keratin also carry piezoelectric properties). Molecules in the tissues are surrounded by extra-cellular fluid (at least 70-75% of our body is water). By performing massage we not only generate electrical impulses that travel thru peripheral nerves, which in turn make their way to the central nervous system, but we also generate piezoelectric charges of electricity. These piezoelectric streams move out in all directions, through extra-cellular fluid and other molecular structures, creating streaming potentials that travel to the inner organs and then create massive additional afferent impulses. These afferent impulses from the inner organs further stimulate centers within the central nervous system and increase the power of reflexive therapy (positive changes in function of organs and system due to original stimulation by massage). This phenomenon of piezoelectricity also explains much in the mechanisms of acupuncture and acupressure. I have always believed that the oriental methods are actually reflexive therapy. When performing massage techniques, especially kneading/petrissage, try to imagine (to see with your hands what your eyes cannot see) the massive phenomenon of piezoelectricity on top of the action potential formation from the deformation of proprioreceptors. Whenever we touch the body, we are causing the creation of these electrical charges. Always imagine these energetic streamings and you will heal your clients much more effectively.

This phenomenon are extensively explained in books of Dr. Ross Turchaninov.

A therapist while doing massage cannot observe the aforementioned facts about anatomy, physiology and the factors of reflexive therapy. Therefore a massage therapist has to be able to maintain a mental picture of anatomical and physiological processes based on his preexisting knowledge. This mental picture helps a massage therapist to be in control of what his hands are doing and why are they doing it. It assists practitioners in developing their sense of touch.

Sense of touch is ability to sense with our hands what our eyes cannot see. For instance, when we look at our client, we cannot see what an anatomical chart of the cardiovascular system would show us, but we have the ability to imagine the physiology of the cardiovascular system under our hands. We can develop our sense of touch to the degree that will allow us to perform energy work.

Using Sense of Touch for Energy Work

Thought is energy. Thinking, envisioning, imagining, and projecting, are all electrical activities in our brain. These impulses create energy fields (electromagnetic fields) around us. These electromagnetic fields can protect your personal state of energy from disturbances and will increase the power of all activities caused by your hands-on massage. Energy work positively influences our hands-on therapy efforts and allows us to manipulate the energy of our client(s). By focusing and projecting our understanding of anatomical and physiological processes transpiring in our patient while we’re giving a massage, allows us to increase our powers of healing to the maximum extent.

Again, when performing massage techniques, especially kneading/petrissage, it is important to try to imagine to see with your hands what eyes cannot see. There is the massive phenomenon of electrical impulses/action potential formation resulting from the deformation of proprioreceptors as well piezoelectric streaming potentials. Whenever we touch the body, we are causing the creation of these electrical charges. Please always imagine these energetic streamings and you will heal your clients much more effectively.

Pathology and Energy Work

Our skeleton consists of approximately 206 bones. Everywhere location where two bones meet they create a joint, held together by ligaments. Ligaments are very strong, elastic, belt-like, soft connective tissue. Ligaments hold two bones in place, surrounding and stabilizing the joint. Surfaces of each two bones that compose a joint are covered by soft tissue called cartilage. Cartilage provides a smooth, frictionless apparatus to allow the surfaces to slide against one another.

If cartilage becomes inflamed, deformed, or develops fissuring, and/or erosion, this pathology is called arthritis. The inflammation in the joint is called a suffix named “itis”. Here it stands for inflammation). If a joint region is sprained (pulled), or strained (overloaded), very possible that tendons, ligaments, bursa, muscles, etc. can develop inflammation. In the case of sport-related injury in the knee region for example, there may be physical effect such as contusion, twist, and sprain/strain, which can cause a person to develop arthritis, periarthritis and more.

For massage therapists it is extremely important to understand that in any situation with inflammation, whether it is arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis, the expression of these pathologies will be swelling of the tissues, excessive volume of extracellular fluid accumulation, and stasis of venous blood, which disallows arterial blood supply (oxygen and anti-inflammatory hormones like hydrocortisone). In the inflamed areas the demand of blood supply is much higher than the actual blood supply during the time of inflammation. Pain is a signal/message about the swelling of the tissue, stagnation of venous blood, which decreases arterial blood supply (oxygen supply), and accumulation of excessive amount of extracellular fluid. The result is a raised muscle resting tone.

Every joint in the body has the same structural components, and though the sizes and forms of these components vary, the development of pathologies and their expression is similar throughout.

Bear in mind that all these processes of pathology cannot be seen from the outside if there is no inflammation of the capsula.

It is extremely important for the massage therapist to understand pathology to the degree that he can begin to heal by simply placing hands on the region and imagining all the expressions of pathology. There is no doubt, that if, in addition to the energy work I described before, when we perform techniques for the acceleration of venous blood drainage, edema reduction, trigger point therapy, etc., then rapid and sustained results can be expected.

To make all of the things mentioned above a little more organized, I propose the following structure to massage therapy approach:

Knowledge – this is your memorization of the facts, i.e., structural anatomy and physiology, as well as pathological developments in cases of disorders as described above.

Understanding of Knowledge – When knowledge and understanding are combined inside of you (this place could be in your heart, or your soul, somewhere inside where your sense of touch/feelings lives) it is transported to your hands, in order to perform soft-tissue mobilization as well as energy work.

Knowledge and Visualization – When knowledge and understanding are combined inside of you (this place could be in your heart, or your soul, somewhere inside where your sense of touch/feelings lives) it is transported to your hands, with which you perform soft-tissue mobilization as well as energy work.

A person may have knowledge about the expression of pathologies such as bursitis, tendonitis, arthritis, etc, but if he applies excessive pressure on the region, we can all agree, his understanding of this knowledge is very limited. By placing our hands on an injured area and imagining what is going on under our hands, we are creating active thoughts (energy matter) that, in addition to all positive physiological effects of massage therapy, allow us to manipulate chi in such a way that the healing process will be amplified to the greatest extent possible.

Placebo and Energy Work

The human body has boundless potential to heal itself. In any double-blind study, approximately 20-28% of study subjects respond with a great deal of improvement to the placebo. The Mind is ready to accept either the real medication or the placebo therapy. For example, there are many documented cases where patients cure themselves of cancer by eating, or drinking, or doing whatever they believe the cure is for them. This means that the placebo can help a person to activate some mechanism, (as yet undefined by medicine), that has a possibly unlimited power to heal the body. There might be many other mechanisms similar to placebo, built in mechanisms that can activate the natural power of a human body to heal.

I surmise that this healing power can be activated through our manipulation of chi, and I also believe that it is a predominantly psychological aspect, that allows us to do this. Somehow, at the time of energy work, our patients own ultimate self-healing powers are activated. What is very important for us to understand is that the therapist heals the client, by stimulating the client’s power to heal their own self.

Hippocrates said that the nature of the human body is to heal illness, and the doctor (or anyone involved in health care) should be a servant to this capability.

It’s important to view the material I present in this book as a puzzle you have to piece together. Electrical activities occur in our body 24/7. All organs and systems communicate with the central nervous system as well as with each other through electrical impulses and biochemical reactions. Constant movement of electrical charges in our body induces electromagnetic fields around us. The task of a massage therapist is to adjust and channel this energy towards self-healing/stimulation and towards increasing the power of a massage therapy session.

I surmise that this healing power can be activated through our manipulation of chi, and I also believe that it is a predominantly psychological aspect, that allows us to do this. Somehow, at the time of energy work, our patients own ultimate self-healing powers are activated. What is very important for us to understand is that the therapist heals the client, by stimulating the client’s power to heal their own self.

Electrical activities occur in our body 24/7. All organs and systems communicate with the central nervous system as well as with each other through electrical impulses and biochemical reactions. Constant movement of electrical charges in our body induces electromagnetic fields around us. The task of a massage therapist is to adjust and channel this energy toward self-healing/stimulation, as well as toward increasing the power of a massage therapy session. Why and what precisely is the mechanism of “energy work?” How exactly it happens that directed flow of our thoughts penetrates the barrier between the body of the therapist and the patient and affects positively the electro-magnetic field in the patient body?

It’s important to view the material I present in this book as a puzzle you have to piece together. Electrical activities occur in our body 24/7. All organs and systems communicate with the central nervous system as well as with each other through electrical impulses and biochemical reactions. Constant movement of electrical charges in our body induces electromagnetic fields around us. The task of a massage therapist is to adjust and channel this energy towards self-healing/stimulation and towards increasing the power of a massage therapy session.

Why and what precisely is the mechanism of “energy work?” How is it that the directed flow of our thoughts penetrates the barrier between the body of the therapist and the patient and affects positively the electro-magnetic field in the patient’s body?

The answer to this question is similar to the answer of why moving magnetic field induces electrical current. That is how our Universe is constructed. We all agree that massage therapy is about results. Just like an electrical engineer, a massage therapist we can use these phenomena to obtain stable and consistent results, with or without complete understanding of its microcosmic nature.

I would highly recommend that you start by practicing self chi manipulation. Pull out an anatomical chart and while you re-read this chapter try to imagine your structural anatomy and physiology. Focus on your stomach area and imagine the clockwise peristaltic action of the digestive system for a few minutes. In doing this, you already have started the manipulation and distribution of your own energy. As you read the material on the physiological effects of massage, imagine the acceleration of venous blood drainage, the arterial blood supply process, and electric streams. All proposed techniques for self chi manipulation will help you to stay healthier and will create your protective electro-magnetic field. At the time of a hands-on massage imagine all the processes that you stimulate in your client’s body. During your hands-on work, combine the imagination of the processes (energy work). Your electromagnetic fields will not only protect you from energetic influence of your clients, but will also increase your healing power.

In Summary

Please remember that the reason why one therapist is superior to another is the level of sense of touch. A more developed sense of touch will allow a therapist to achieve better and faster results.