All About Ayurvedic Bodywork

I love a good massage. Who doesn’t? A great massage allows for a chance to unwind, reset, and heal. As a practicing massage therapist for the past 14 years, I’ve been working to give my patients what their body and mind craves during each and every bodywork session. And I have to admit, it’s been hard work, both physically and emotionally.

So I was intrigued when one of my Ayurvedic teachers shared with me that, “Many massage practitioners tire themselves out instead of letting the oil do the work.” At first I was confused. Let the oil do the work? What does this mean? Aren’t I the one doing the work? How would the oil know what to do?

Well, my recent study of Ayurvedic bodywork has brought me some answers.

Ayurvedic bodywork is different from a “normal” massage. And a lot of that has to do with the oils being used.

Everybody has a constitution that is uniquely their own, along with constantly shifting daily patterns that sway from balanced to imbalanced. Taking this into account, at the beginning of every Ayurvedic bodywork session I choose an oil that is appropriate for you in this moment to bring about balance.

The chosen oils are heated to a comfortable temperature and applied to the body. The heat along with the help of specific massage techniques and marma/acupressure points facilitates the penetration of the oil through the skin, deep into your tissues, with the final destination being every individual cell in your body. So the focus of Ayurvedic bodywork, beyond relaxation and pain relief, is to touch the deepest aspects of ourselves and promote cellular renewal.

You know those people that glow with good health? In Ayurveda it’s said that glow comes from abundant ojas. Ojas has many functions in our body, one being longevity and deeply rooted health. And ojas is sustained, in large part, by using the proper balance of oils and healthy fats in our diet and on our skin.

Ojas is like a savings account; it’s best to replenish it whenever you make a withdrawal.

You lose ojas through:

• Stress

• Illness

• Sexual activity

• Lack of sleep

• Generally pushing your body beyond its limits

If you avoid using fats and oil in cooking or applying oil to your skin, your ojas savings account will drop to a negative balance. This may cause you to become brittle and dry in the body as well as experience anxiety, critical thoughts, or obsessive thinking. Using oil on your body for therapeutic purposes builds your vitality, calms your mind and helps you live a more balanced life.

Interested in trying some new therapies to increase your own ojas? I am now offering two different Ayurvedic bodywork treatments at Constellation Acupuncture and Healing Arts.

Each of these treatments works to:

• Build ojas

• Strengthen the immune system to prevent illness

• Nourish the cells, tissues and energetic channels

• Impart softness, strength and smoothness to the body

• Decrease the effects of aging

• Bestow good vision

• Increase longevity

• Benefit sleep patterns

• Make skin glow

• Strengthen the body’s tolerance to stress

• Stimulate the internal organs of the body, thereby increasing circulation

I hope this has piqued your interest in Ayurvedic bodywork and look forward to supporting you in your health goals at the clinic. You can learn more about each appointment and book an Ayurvedic bodywork appointment on our book-now page.

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Why we bleed patients on purpose

As Chinese medical practitioners we have a variety of modalities to choose from. Most, if not all, of our patients receive acupuncture and cupping, maybe some moxa now and then, or some tension relieving guasha. Digging deeper into the Chinese medical toolbox reveals treatment options that are less well known AND can be incredibly effective in the proper circumstances.

One of these lesser known treatments is micro-letting, AKA using a small lancet to prick an area of the body and draw a few drops of blood. Micro-letting is traditionally part of both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines, along with many other traditional medical systems. And if you’re thinking, “That sounds positively medieval,” you’re not alone. However, read on to discover the science behind this powerful treatment tool. It’s going to get a little technical, but I promise you it’s worth it.

Our veins are part of two distinct circulatory systems:

• the deep venous system 

• the superficial venous system

An example of the superficial system are those veins you can see in your arms and legs.  

The deep veins lie deeper in our muscle tissue, underneath our fascia (sheets of connective tissue that attach, stabilize, and separate muscles and other internal organs.) The depth of this system allows the deep veins to operate under higher pressure and handle higher volumes of blood.  

The two systems are connected by perforating veins, so-called because they perforate the fascia.

The efficiency of blood flow in the deep veins depends on venous pressure vs. tissue pressure:

• Venous pressure is the pressure pushing the blood through the veins back to the heart

• Tissue pressure is the pressure exerted against the deep veins by the tissue surrounding them

If you experience an injury or inflammation, swollen tissues press against the deep veins, impeding blood flow back to the heart.

Our friends the perforating veins offer an alternative route for blood flow back to the heart, so if blood is having trouble flowing through the deep veins in a particular region of the body, blood can travel through the perforating veins to the superficial veins and then back to the heart.

In other words, our venous system acts like an intricate highway structure where if one portion of the road is congested with lots of traffic, you are rerouted to another road that can get you to your destination quicker. Micro-letting is the tool we use to reroute blood flow when it’s congested and is having issues reaching its desired destination.

Take for example compartment syndrome. This is when tissue pressure in an area of the body is greater than venous pressure in that area.

This happens typically after an injury. The tissue swells and presses against the veins, impeding blood flow.  

A similar situation can occur with an inflamed organ, nerve or joint.  

While Western medicine describes a few cases of impaired blood flow in the deep veins such as deep vein thrombosis and compartment syndrome, Chinese medicine recognizes a multitude of different phenomena where increased tissue pressure in joints, muscles or organs can impede venous blood flow.  

By micro-letting blood at appropriate points, we are drawing congestion off the muscle, nerve, artery or organ through the perforating veins. This removal of congestion can relieve pain (sometimes instantaneously!) and dramatically hastens the healing process.  

What can bleeding treat?

Micro-letting is particularly effective for conditions which involve nerves: sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, optic neuritis, droopy eyelid, nerve pain following surgery, carpal tunnel, shingles pain, neuropathy, etc.  

But it treats much more!  A partial list includes:

• Acne

• Joint sprains

• Neck pain

• Back pain

• Facial pain

• Knee pain

• Foot pain

• Rashes and other dermatological conditions

• Anxiety

• Arthritis

• Bell’s Palsy

• Cardiac conditions

• Headaches/migraines

• Concussion

• Cramps

• Digestive complaints (Crohn's, IBS, IBD, reflux)

• Painful periods and other gynecological conditions

• Hemorrhoids

• High blood pressure

• Insomnia

• Liver conditions

• PTSD

• Sore throat

• Spider veins

Isn’t it nice when something so simple can be so effective?

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*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

How to make rice congee

Are you familiar with the delicious magic that is congee? It's a rice-based porridge commonly eaten in China for breakfast. The Chinese character is 粥, which is pronounced "zhou" in Mandarin and "jook" in Cantonese.

Starting the day with a steaming bowl congee is great for supporting the digestive system. From a Chinese medicine perspective, your Stomach and Spleen are at their energetic peak between 7-11 am. These are the organs that we believe are responsible for taking in the food you eat, and transforming it into the energy that powers every aspect of your being, also known as qi! In order support healthy digestion and energy production, we need to stoke the digestive fire through easy-to-digest, nourishing food first thing in the morning.

Digestion is the key to everything in Chinese medicine. Symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, irregular appetite, nausea, vomiting, and some types of abdominal pain can be explained by poor digestive function. Additionally, from a Chinese medicine perspective, weak digestion is linked to other symptoms like frequent colds and flus, allergies, fatigue, brain fog, mood irregularity, phlegm and mucus, body aches, breathing issues, irregular menstrual cycles, swelling and edema, skin problems, and more. By strengthening your digestion, Chinese medicine wisdom says you can support literally every aspect of your health and wellbeing.

Food is the most important medicine we have. Congee is warm, wet, and easy to digest, making it a perfect healing food. And since the rice is cooked in a large amount of water, it's also a sneaky way to rehydrate! We often suggest it to people who have weak or irregular digestion, poor appetite, struggle with dehydration, or are healing from acute or chronic illness. Eating congee can also help you "reset" after eating a few too many indulgent, heavy, or rich meals. And generally, we can think of congee as a protective, preventative food that builds health and supports wellbeing.

Congee can be made with a range of consistences from thick to thin. It’s best to use medium to long grain white rice, as short grain rice is too sticky and makes goopy porridge! Congee can be eaten plain, but more often includes a variety of savory add-ins. You can jazz it up in endless ways! Add things like ginger, mushrooms, animal proteins, or medicinal herbs in the cooking process, or garnish the cooked congee with a variety of tasty ingredients. The more stuff you add, the thinner you want your congee. If you’re working with an acupuncturist, talk to them about the types of add-ins that are most appropriate for your constitution and diagnosis!

Some of our favorite add-ins for serving include:

• sliced fresh ginger

• green onion

• kimchi, sauerkraut, or pickled vegetables

• cooked mushrooms

• vegetables like cooked onion or squash, julienned radish or carrot, cooked corn, or sautéed bean sprouts

• seaweed

• poached, soft boiled, or fried egg

• peanuts, sesame seeds, or other roasted nuts or seeds

• Japanese furikake or Korean rice sprinkles

• animal proteins like chicken, pork, ham, scallop, shrimp, or sausage

• soy sauce, tamari, or soy-free options like coconut aminos

• toasted sesame oil

• miso paste

• fresh herbs, like cilantro or parsley

The options are endless! While congee is the perfect breakfast food, it also makes a delicious meal anytime of day.

In service of sharing our love of congee with you, here are two recipes, the first using an Instant Pot, and the second made on the stove top. Enjoy!

Amy's Instant Pot (Chicken) Congee Recipe

Want the health and taste benefits of congee, but don't have the time to let a pot simmer alway all day? Bring in the mighty Instant Pot and this recipe from Amy for a quick and easy option. An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. You could absolutely adjust this recipe for a stovetop pressure cooker or even electric slow cooker instead. As someone with a history of severe digestive disease, congee is Amy’s go-to morning meal to fortify her Spleen qi (digestive function in Chinese medicine). She makes a batch on Sunday evenings and then portions out her weekday breakfasts into mason jars. Here's the quick and simple recipe she always uses!

makes approximately 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white rice (jasmine or other long grain)

• 4 cups water, or chicken or veggie stock (use homemade bone broth extra flavor and healing gelatin)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled

• OPTIONAL: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)

• OPTIONAL: 1-2 tablespoons olive, coconut, or grapeseed oil

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients into the Instant Pot.

2. Close lid and set to SEALING.

3. Press "Porridge" (if including chicken, increase time to 30 min).

4. After cooking is complete, let sit for 10 minutes and then quick release.

5. Shred chicken and stir to combine, remove ginger before serving.

6. Garnish with tamari, sesame oil, scallions, freshly sliced ginger, a soft boiled egg, or any other add-ins you like, and enjoy!!

No Instant Pot? No problem. Here’s a more traditional method of making congee on the stovetop!

Stovetop Congee Recipe

Recipe adapted from ”Congee and the Importance of Wet, Cooked Breakfasts” by Andrew Sterman

makes approximately 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white rice (jasmine or other long grain)

• 8-10 cups of water, or chicken or veggie stock (use homemade bone broth extra flavor and healing gelatin)

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1-2 tablespoons olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Boil 8-12 cups water in a separate pot.

2. Put 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice in large, empty pot with salt. Add oil and gently sauté the grains over low heat.

3. Add just enough boiling water to float the grains, around 1 cup. Stir constantly as the grains absorb the water. When almost absorbed, add more boiling water, and keep stirring. After 3 or 4 more additions of water and constant stirring (about 10-15 minutes), the grains will have released starch into the water.

4. Then add a lot more water, reduce flame, and bring to a light simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Continue to add more hot water as needed to get the special congee consistency: milky water between discernible, very soft grains of rice.

5. When done, it’s time to serve!

Feel a cold coming on? Make congee!

If you’re at the start of a cold, garnish your congee with fresh thinly sliced ginger, fresh sliced green onion, a splash of tamari, soy sauce, or soy-free coconut aminos, and toasted sesame oil. This is energetically very similar to a classic herbal formula called Cong Chi Tang, used to treat early cold symptoms like chills, body aches, headaches, and fatigue! Make a batch to eat through the day, spending plenty of time resting under warm blankets and drinking warm tea.

Sources:

Erlewein R. Congee-Longevity Food for Life. The Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2010;(92):31.

Sterman A. Congee and the Importance of Wet, Cooked Breakfasts. Herbal Medicine Press, 2015. https://www.gfcherbs.com/Images/Congee%20and%20the%20Importance%20of%20Wet,%20Cooked%20Breakfasts.pdf.

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*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.