Healing
Humanity
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Healing
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Asian Bodywork Without Borders—1200+ hours of training, 10 years and 124 countries of experience Jacob Thomas, BA, CMT, CAT, AOBTA CP Certified Acupressurist and Massage Therapist for Stress and Pain Management, Emotional Balancing, and Women’s Health 5600 Drexel Avenue Apartment #3, Chicago, IL, 60637 healinghumanity@yahoo.com |
Holistic
Acupressure Bodywork Therapies:
Yogic Acupressure, On-site Acupressure, Sports Acupressure, Energy Acupressure, Oil-Aroma Acupressure,
Psychic Acupressure
Integrating:
Acu-Oil, Zen Shiatsu, Table
Shiatsu, Barefoot Shiatsu, Tui Na, Thai Massage, Acu-Lomi, Jin Shin
Acupressure, On-site Chair
Massage, Reflexology, Trigger Point and
Myofascial Release, Touch For
Health
Holistic
Therapies:
Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, Chi Gung, Hypnosis Acupressure, Shamanic Journeying, Magnets
I. Why I Offer First Time and Regular Sessions For Less
II.
Availability
III. My
Healing Philosophy
IV. What Is
Acupressure?
V.
Holistic Acupressure Therapies
VI.
Acupressure Bodywork Descriptions
VII. Holistic
Therapies Descriptions
VIII. About the
Practitioner
I. Why I Offer First Time Sessions For Less
I offer sessions at income-sensitive sliding scale rates of $30-50/hour for first time sessions because I enjoy introducing people to acupressure and Asian bodywork, which I believe is qualitatively different than a typical massage. I also offer this discounted rate for those who pay for 4 hours in advance because I believe my therapy is more effective and beneficial if clients come see me regularly, so I like to encourage this. I also offer 25% discounts for students, the elderly and single mothers.
II. Availibility:
From now until December 15th I am regularly available Monday until 1pm, from 6pm, Tuesday all day, Wednesday before 1:30pm and after 3:30pm, Thursday all day, Friday before 3pm and after 5pm, Saturday all day, and Sunday all day. While I prefer to do in-calls in designated healing space in my apartment, I am willing to make out-calls if you have a mat or table for me to work with.
III. My Healing Philosophy:
Typically I practice a blend of Zen shiatsu, barefoot shiatsu and Thai massage that I call yogic acupressure because I find many clients find it the least invasive, comfortable and moderate style, and so I list this as my primary modality. However, I realize various clients respond better to different styles of work and for this reason I am willing to draw on a variety of bodywork modalities that I simplify into 5 other broad styles below. If a client prefers to have a unique combination of bodywork modalities and holistic therapies, I can give a session based upon these also. Rather than give a general massage, I prefer to individualize the session by assessing the client’s problem according the ancient Eight Principles and Five Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine methods which will help me prioritize the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues most in need of attention. I take the project of integrative/complementary medicine seriously, so please inform me of any past major medical problems, accidents, traumas, or surgeries you have experienced, and whether you are on any major medications, as I take into consideration all these factors in my work. Lastly, at the end of each session I provide clients with diagrams illustrating acupressure points they can hold and exercises to practice so they are able to integrate acupressure into their everyday life.
IV. What is Acupressure?
Acupressure Therapy is the basis of most Asian bodywork and is one of the five complementary branches of traditional Chinese medicine (the others being acupuncture, herbs, diet and exercise). Acupressure is the technique of using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's self-healing capabilities. Physiologically, pressure on these points releases muscular tension, promotes the circulation of blood, and encourages the flow of lymph. In the conceptual framework of Chinese medicine, this also facilitates the flow of energy through deep channels that connect these points and are each associated with a particular organ. Acupressure uses the same system of points as acupuncture, only with the application of fingers rather than needles, so many perceive it as a less invasive and more comfortable introduction to the benefits of Chinese medicine than acupuncture.
V. Holistic Acupressure Therapies
On-site Acupressure:
Yogic Acupressure combines acupressure,
stretches, and deep meditative breathing to increase circulation, flexibility,
vitality, relaxation, and body awareness. Received in loose clothes, the poses,
point pressure, and joint mobilization facilitate the healing of various common
complaints such as headaches, shoulder bursitis, rib syndrome, carpal tunnel,
tendonitis, sciatica, and more. Yogic Acupressure is an integration of Zen/Table
Shiatsu, Ashiatsu, and Thai Massage.
Energy Acupressure:
On-site Acupressure is a convenient and accessible for people in working and business settings and can be received fully clothed in a chair or at a desk in an office. By stimulating points, this approach can relieve common work complaints such as neck and shoulder tension and headaches, increase mental clarity, and increase productivity and efficiency in the workplace by reducing the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries and occupational pain. Office Acupressure is an integration of On-Site Chair Massage, optional hand and feet Reflexology and magnets for continuous stimulation of points.
Yogic Acupressure:
Energy Acupressure, received with clothes on,
is a gentle, relaxing and soothing approach of scanning the energy field, transmitting
and channeling energy by holding areas of the body, and lightly touching points
to harmonize the energy flow between them and different meridians. Requiring no massage, stretching,
or manipulation of msucles, this approach is excellent in reducing stress, restoring
energy flow, rebuilding energy, and opening energy blocks for those who are
elderly, ill, or unable to receive more rigorous bodywork. Energy Acupressure
is an integration of Jin Shin Acupressure, Medical Chi Gung, and Reiki.
Oil-Aroma Acupressure:
Oil-Aroma Acupressure, sensitizing the recipient to nurturing sensations, encourages the flow of blood, lymph, nutrients, and oxygen; loosens muscles; and stimulates the senses with a combinations of oils scents, and sounds. Received on the skin of a draped recipient, it is a mix of oil massage strokes, aromas, and sounds. Oil-Aroma Acupressure
is an integration of Acu-Oil, Acu-Lomi, and Aromatherapy therapy.
Sports Acupressure:
Sports Acupressure restores balance
by encouraging energy and blood flow in the muscles with refreshing and invigorating
Chinese tui na massage, releases tight muscles with deep trigger point pressure
and myofascial release, and utilizes acupressure to strengthen and energize
weak muscles. Received with clothes off only in those areas of tightness, it
can quickly loosen tight muscles, eliminate muscular dysfunction that ordinary
massage and medication often temporarily reduce or aggravates, and strengthen
those muscles that are weak. Sports Acupressure is an integration of Tui Na
Chinese Massage, Trigger Point and Myofascial Release, and Touch For Health muscle testing.
Psychic Acupressure focuses on alleviating and releasing deep and chronic tension, pain or trauma stored physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually in the body with acupressure and guided imagery. Often combining touch and verbal guidance through active visualizations, dreams, and memories, it can awaken parts of the body before shut down, work through subconscious blocks to further personal growth, assist in overcoming past trauma, abuse and addictions, and empower individuals spiritually through the discovery of inner wisdom. Psychic Acupressure is an integration of Craniosacral Therapy, Hypnosis Acupressure and Shamanic Journeying
V. Definitions of Specific Acupressure and Asian Bodywork:
Acupressure Oil Massage
Acupressure Oil Massage a relaxing combination of acupressure and the Swedish massage techniques of effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement. Received on a draped recipient with sesame, almond, or olive oil, lotion, or gel upon the skin, it increases the flow of blood, lymph, nutrients,and oxygen, relieves pain, and facilitates muscle activity.
Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu is a gentle, rhythmic, and meditative style of Japanese bodywork greatly enhanced with the application of acupressure. Received with clothes on, it reduces muscular tension and stress, brings energy flow back into balance in the body, and helps heal various ailments such as headaches, shoulder bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, stomachaches, and sciatica, among others.
Barefoot Shiatsu
More energetic,
deep, and rigorous than Zen Shiatsu, Barefoot Shiatsu achieves similar effects by using
the feet and instead of the hands. This is often more effective in stimulating
acupressure points and releasing muscular tension on larger and more muscular
recipients. This can include powerful techniques like standing on the back of thighs, walking on the back and lifting the client on to the back so informing the practitioner about past back injuries is particularly important.
Table Shiatsu
Table Shiatsu
is an innovative style of Zen Shiatsu and Ashiatsu received on a table. Offering
the same benefits as both but working from a more horizontal than vertical direction
and utilizing thumbs, knuckles, elbows,forearms, feet, and even knees, it is
an innovative shiatsu development for those who feel more comfortable on a table
than a mat.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is a form of bodywork that balances "Sen Lines," thousands of invisible energy pathways similar to meridians that run through the body, by placing the recipient in yoga-like postures on a mat and pressing rhythmically along the channels with hands, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet. It can result in increased energy flow, flexibility, vitality, body awareness, circulation, relaxation, and resistance to disease.
Tui Na
Tui Na ("brush grasp") is an energetic, invigorating, and refreshing 2000 year old Chinese bodywork style based upon the meditative practice of Tai Chi that can increase the flow of energy through the merdians of the body by massaging the muscles and tendons, applying acupressure to stimulate the flow of energy, and manipulation to realign the muscular and skeletal system. Received with the clothes on upon a table, it is particularly therapeutic for muscular and skeletal disorders and helping with organ imbalances that result from chronic stress.
Acu-Lomi
Acu-Lomi, a swaying, gentle, and profound combination of acupressure and sacred Lomi-Lomi Hawaiian Massage, involves deep kneading, joint mobilization techniques, oil surfing on the skin, and diving into acupressure points. It opens joints, loosens muscles,and stimulates the cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive,and
muskuloskeletal system to the soothing rhythm of the ocean.
On-Site Chair Massage
On-Site Chair
Massage is convenient for people in working and business settings, and accessible for those who are elderly, overweight, busy, or have no experience with acupressure.
While resting in a chair the recipient can have shoulder and neck tension released, chakras balanced, and breathing deepened.
Touch For Health
Touch For Health, a system of applied kinesiology developed from nutrition studies, chiropractic
work and acupressure, uses muscle testing techniques to determine the need for
and effectiveness of treatment. By systemically testing for specific muscle
weaknesses and treating them, Touch For Health can holistically restore muscle
balance, improve flow through lymph vessels and energy meridians, and help with
common complaints.
Sports Bodywork (Trigger Point and Myofascial Release)
Sports bodywork eliminates myofascial pain and biomechanical dysfunction in muscles through myofascial release and pressure on trigger points that intersect with many acupressure points. Though medication often only reduces the pain in the muscles temporarily and may increases long term muscle pain and dysfunction, through trigger point pressure and myofascial release a client can eliminate both chronic muscle pain and dysfunction.
Jin Shin Acupressure
Jin Shin Acupressure (different from Jin Shin Jitsyu) is a very gentle, relaxing, and powerful techniques of healing by simply holding acupressure points on a clothed recipient resting upon a table. A pure Jin Shin Acupressure session involves no massage, stretching or manipulation of muscles, and is excellent in reducing stress, restoring energy flow,and healing for those unable to receive more rigorous bodywork.
Chi Gung Bodywork
Chi Gung Bodywork is the application of energy (chi or qi) work ordinarily practiced for the self to another person, scanning and transmitting energy and reducing energy imbalances within and around that clients body. Chi Gung Bodywork involves reading the energy field of a client and opening energy portals, then breaking up, loosening, cutting, pumping, and extracting stagnant chi, and lastly feeding, collecting and nourishing the body with fresh chi in a similar manner that chi gung practitioners do to their own body.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a method of using particular essential oil fragrances through inhalation and application to skin to restore physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional balance. An effective holistic compliment to oil bodywork, it can assist in dealing with not only many physical ailments but by bringing tranquility to the restless mind, reducing frustration, worry, and depression, and boosting confidence and enthusiasm for life.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a very focused, subtle, and intense reflection of the rhythm created by the flow of cerebreal spinal fluid within the dura mater between the cranium and sacrum. By mirroring this movement in the tissues, membranes, and cranial bones, craniosacral therapy can release tension from emotional injuries, chronic stress, and many physical problems in the head.
Reiki
Reiki, or Divine Energy in Japanese, is a simple healing technique of holding the hands to areas of the body the body and channeling energy into them. Often experienced as heat, vibration, or a tingling sensation, this energy flow is an excellent complementary holistic therapy that heals the body on the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical level.
Hypnosis Acupressure
Hypnosis, often misunderstood as a technique of hypnotizing a person to do things against their will, actually is only capable of augmenting an individual's wish to do something they already want to do consciously but are unable due to subconscious resistance. Combined with acupressure, body-mind hypnosis can assist the subconscious mind in deciding to do something which the conscious mind often soon follows, such as helping to reduce and eliminate a source of stress and pain, all illnesses which result in a lowered immune system response, and mental states such as worry, anxiety, chronic negative thinking, low self-esteem, and addictions.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapeutic method of working upon the whole body from foot and hand massage through the neurological pathways. Enhanced by stimulating of acupressure points and meridians, work upon specific areas on the hands and feet breaks up crystallized calcium and acid deposits that accumulate over the nerve endings corresponding to various parts of the body and brings the body back into balance.
Shamanic Journeying
Shamanic Journeying is a psychic practice of working with archetypes in the subconscious for spiritual deepening and transformation. Based upon the belief that physical reality is merely a reflection of non-physical reality, Shamanic Journeying transports the recipient into a safe place where they may become find guidance from and be empowered by animals, plants, crystals and other aspects of the natural world symbolizing qualities they have lost.
Magnets
Application of magnets can work as light and artificial pressure to acupressure points for a long period of time. If applies with correct polarity, this can be excellent for those who prefer continuous light pressure
n tender points.
Related Links
VIII. About the Practitioner
Jacob Thomas, after graduating with highest honors from interdisciplinary studies of globalization in the departments of cultural anthropology, economics, and political science at University of California at Berkeley, felt a calling to study Chinese medicine to see how it might help his mother when she became ill with cancer. As his mother had spent most of her life going in and out of hospitals, he developed a particular fascination in how eastern medicine may complement her western health care and found that she had several books with the massage branch of Chinese medicine. He studied and trained for 1200 hours at the Acupressure Institute to become certified to teach and practice acupressure therapy and Asian bodywork therapies, specializing in pain and stress management, emotional balancing and women’s health. When his mother passed away, he decided to commit his skills to provide acupressure to whoever he thought needed it while for 8 years traveling through 134 countries. Along the way he taught in over a dozen countries, and has given and introduced acupressure and Asian bodywork to hundreds of people throughout the world. Over the course of his journey, he has received an additional calling to understand immigration policies of different countries, and so has now settled down for one year to obtain a Masters in Social Science at the University of Chicago to prepare for a PhD program. He has recently become a certified practitioner member of the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA), and has opened up a part time practice at the Hyde Park neighborhood. While his academic program is demanding, he hopes to assist others in their efforts to maintain and improve the health of their lifestyle.
http://www.acupressure.com
http://www.recovery411.org
http://www.aobta.org 
