Manipulative and body-based practices consist in applying force to a joint, moving it beyond the normal range of motion in an effort to aid in restoring health. Manipulation is well known through the extended recourse to chiropractic and osteopathic medicine in Western Countries. In fact, in 1997, U.S. adults made an estimated 192 million visits to chiropractors and 114 million visits to massage therapists.
Ingres’ Odalisque: look at her back’s curvature, she is really in the need of chiropractic!
Massage and manipulation can alter the biochemical balance of the body. Chiropractic is based on the premise that a spinal joint dysfunction can interfere with the nervous system and result in many different conditions of diminished health (the famous concept of subluxation (a malposition of spinal bones, which protect the spinal cord and nerve roots, interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses). Clinical studies of selected physiological parameters suggest that massage therapy can alter various neurochemical, hormonal, and immune markers, such as substance P in patients who have chronic pain, serotonin levels in women who have breast cancer, cortisol levels in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, and natural killer (NK) cell numbers.
Some manipulation practices widely available in Asian wellness centers. The most popular is Tui Na (reflexology): a practice in which pressure is applied to points on the foot and sometimes the hand with the intent to promote relaxation or healing in other parts of the body. Other diffused techniques are the Bowen technique, Trager bodywork, Alexander technique and Feldenkrais method.
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