Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/149404
Autism, Body work, and Children Balance and Harmony The overall effect of an acupressure and massage treatment is balance and harmony, where the client can become centered and grounded in a holistic manner. The body-mind-spirit connection, integral to holistic medicine, should be reestablished and strengthened, so that the client can be present in the moment with all of his or her senses. Western research has established how complex autism is, with its involvement of many physiological systems. Working with the autistic client's gastrointestinal, immunological, and neurological systems is in keeping with traditional TCM philosophy, where balance and harmony are achieved by treating the client as a whole. Notes 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Facts About ASDs," accessed August 2013, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html. 2. Autism Research Institute, "Sensory Integration," accessed August 2013, http://legacy. autism.com/families/therapy/si.htm. 3. Karoly Horvath, "Autism and Gastrointestinal Symptoms," Current Gastrointestinal Reports 4 (2002): 251–58. 4. Shui Yin Lo, "Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Autism via Meridian Theory," American Journal of Chinese Medicine 40, no. 1 (2012): 39–56. Wolfgang Luckmann, AP, LMT, Dip. Hom., is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist based in Fernandina Beach, Florida. He is also a continuing education provider for massage and acupuncture and teaches more than a dozen courses across the country. For more information, visit www.wolfgangluckmann.com. [ Finally, on the head, acupressure should be applied to the Gallbladder meridian points from GB 1 in the outer canthus to GB 15 above the ear. Lymphatic massage strokes should be applied to the area of GB 22 under the armpit to relieve a burdened immune system. To enhance the immune system, return to St 36, the master point of the digestive system and Middle Burner. Treatment strategy is one of sedation— grounding first and then tonifying and fortifying the system. Again, if there is sensitivity, rotate with your thumb counterclockwise for sedation and grounding. Then, follow up with clockwise rotation of both points for strengthening. Resources Fu, W. Chinese TuiNa Therapy. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1994. Kaputchuk, T. The Web that Has No Weaver. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1994. Lee, M. Insights of a Senior Acupuncturist. Boulder, Colorado: Blue Poppy Press, 1992. Tan, R. Dr. Tan's Strategy of Twelve Magical Points. San Diego: Richard Tan, 2003. Xinnong, C. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2011. [ When a child is upset, qi energy builds up in the head. According to various studies, autistic patients often overreact emotionally to sensory stimuli, or become frustrated by not being able to communicate in an intelligible manner or at all. First, one should do a "Crown-Pull," which pulls all negative energy down, away from the head. With the client supine, place four fingers on the forehead and pull along the sides of the head toward the table. In doing so, qi energy is unblocked and drawn along the main channels. Then, focus on the Governor Vessel (GV), since it rules the yang qi in all yang meridians and organs in the body. It is closely linked to the brain, spinal cord, and kidneys. Since it communicates with the brain, it performs a similar function to the pituitary and adrenal axis link. Start acupressure from the hairline on top of the forehead and work backward, holding each point from GV 24 to GV 20 for about 15–20 seconds each. This should be repeated 10 times. Special attention should be given to GV 20, as this point is used for all kinds of pain and mental disorders, including anger alternating with joy, apoplexy, cerebrovascular disorders, chronic convulsions in children, mania, schizophrenia, seizures of all kinds, and shock. It is also used for headaches, as well as pain and inflammation in the head. Linger for about 30 seconds each time on this point, using a combination of static light pressure and counterclockwise rotation for grounding. Next, parallel to the Governor Vessel is the Urinary Bladder meridian (UB). Apply acupressure starting from UB 2 on the medial extremity of the eyebrow all the way back to UB 10 in the depression under the occiput and in the lateral aspect of the upper trapezius. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 91