Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1481961
East Meets West: Paradigms of Healing in Bodywork First, let me explain how I came to this awareness. As a massage therapy student in 1984, I was excited to learn techniques that would support my desire to participate in the growing holistic health movement. I was enthusiastic about studying the techniques of Swedish and integrative massage and fascinated to learn about the anatomy and physiology of the body. Understanding the anatomy of muscles was key to using techniques that could help relax those muscles. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to attend a school that also included the study of shiatsu as part of the core curriculum. In the 1980s, the Boulder School of Massage Therapy was pioneering in its inclusion of barefoot shiatsu, a Japanese form of bodywork, and tui na, a form of traditional Chinese bodywork. There was a growing interest across the country in what we called "Eastern medicine." A different paradigm was inf luencing health practices as evidenced by the burgeoning interest in tai chi, yoga, and meditation. Little did I know at the time how important this introduction to Asian bodywork would be to my later development of Comfort Touch, the nurturing form of acupressure that is practiced internationally in medical settings and elder care. Barefoot shiatsu was developed in Japan in the early 20th century, having evolved from ancient Asian bodywork practices. This form of bodywork was based on a different conceptual framework—the understanding of meridians and the f low of chi, the subtle energy in the body. Because the techniques are primarily compression-based and do not rely on gliding or kneading strokes, no oil or lotion is used. Traditionally, it was practiced in the home with the recipient fully clothed and lying or sitting on a 1–2-inch- thick futon, which rested on the clean f loor. After completing massage school, I continued to practice Swedish/integrative massage, as well as barefoot shiatsu. To inform my practice of massage, I was keen to continue my study of anatomy and physiology (see "Exploring Inner Space" Massage & Bodywork, August/ September 2004, regarding my exploration of the human body via the study of cadavers). I also continued to study Asian bodywork, with its language of meridians, acupressure points, and chi. These approaches have different explanations for why and how they inf luence the health and well-being of the client. They seem to operate in different cultural 66 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k n ove m b e r/d e ce m b e r 2 0 2 2 1 The 14 meridians of traditional Asian bodywork. The tonic acupressure points are found along any one of these pathways of "chi" or energy in the body.