POSTURAL REEDUCATION AND SHIATSU THERAPY, POSSIBLE INTEGRATION T.d.R. Massimo Musco
Degree obtained at "La Sapienza University of Rome"
Specialized in Respiratory Rehabilitation, Postural Reeducation Gymnastics, Shiatsu Therapy, RM Mézières Method The reasons that led me to write this brief article on the possibility of integrating two methods that have characteristics suitable to form an effective alliance are mainly linked to the need, felt both by patients and therapists, to adopt personalized and effective treatments that do not neglect the somatic and psychic elements that merge in the unit "Man". Many authors have already dealt with the topic, but I still consider further reflections on the subject useful in order to make the therapeutic moment increasingly rich in content that satisfies the demand for "Care".
Those who, like me, have had a long experience (more than three decades) in rehabilitation applied in the orthopedic, neurological, cardiological and pneumological fields know that the technological supports available are many and very valid (such as the most recent and sophisticated forms of electrotherapy, soft lasers, isokinetic equipment, hyperthermia, etc.), yet the wealth of nuances, and therefore the ability to adapt to the needs of therapy, of which we can avail ourselves by acting directly with manual contact and with that intangible but equally essential belonging to the relational plane, is incomparably greater.
As therapists we know how important the effect of "therapeutic touch" (without wanting to usurp the "medical" one) on our patients is. It is our daily experience to notice the appreciation of those who entrust themselves to us for a relationship based on professionalism and technical ability, but also on the trust and sense of security that the therapist knows how to instill. Among the techniques, of proven validity, that privilege a relationship that takes these factors into account are Postural Therapy and Shiatsu Therapy.
It will be good, at this point, to briefly summarize for readers not experts in these specific fields the fundamentals of the two methods:
- Postural therapy
It is based on the principles elaborated, after fortunate insights, by therapist Francoise Mézières and refined over the years by other colleagues (among them the colleague and friend T.d.R. Mauro Lastrico, holder of the teaching of "RM Mézières Method" at A.I.Fi.M.M. of Genoa). It can be stated, in extreme synthesis, that this methodology aims to lead towards the "Ideal Form" (the so-called Reference Biotype) subjects who, assuming bodily postures that move away from it, suffer from predominantly orthopedic disorders. In relation to the finding that our somatic attitude (or posture) is maintained by the muscular system which is often the site of contractures and retractions consequent to pathologies, traumas, or psychic causes such as stress and anxiety, an intervention aimed at recovering muscle elasticity and therefore the ideal posture is decidedly desirable.
For this kind of disorder it is now well known that simple analgesic therapy (pharmacological or physiatric) is not sufficient to resolve the clinical picture, if only for short periods and often at the cost of significant side effects; therefore it is necessary to adopt a therapy that acts against the causes of the disorders even before against the symptoms. Postural reeducation meets these requirements excellently providing the patient both with an intervention aimed at resolving the dysmorphisms induced by an altered distribution of muscular forces and a better awareness of the "body self", the latter aspect as important as it is ignored in other types of care.
The R.M. mainly uses Isometric Exercise in Maximum Stretching of the retracted muscles and corrective positioning, all this after a very accurate objective examination of the patient's structure and bodily attitude and after collecting remote and pathological anamnesis.
It happens, however, that some patients are initially in a state of contracture (regional or generalized) that slows down the work of the first sessions. In these situations it is good to take symptoms into account and implement a therapy (free of side effects) able to relieve the patient, consequently shortening recovery times.
A form of care that seems to respond to holistic criteria, to which R.M. is inspired, is:
- Shiatsu Therapy
It can be very useful in subjects who have difficulty reaching the minimum degree of relaxation (muscular and psychic) that the execution of postural exercises requires. It is therefore possible to resort to Shiatsu to quickly induce a state of relaxation and well-being able to facilitate the active work that will be required.
Also in this case it is good to provide some hints about the bases on which this therapy is founded and the executive technique.
It should be said first of all that shiatsu is an integral part of Japanese Manual Medicine and that it has been appropriated over the centuries as a result of a, so to speak, cultural migration of Indian and Chinese therapeutic knowledge. It has many analogies with acupuncture (of which it uses 660 treatment points on the whole body), although being non-invasive and mainly based on digital pressures and other pressure or vibratory maneuvers, all however delicate, pleasant and very relaxing. The effects of pain reduction and muscle contracture reduction are related to the production of endorphins and positive effects on the microcirculation produced by manual maneuvers. There is also a reduction in emotional tensions (with particular regard to those due to stress) thanks to the aforementioned maneuvers and to the situation related to the therapeutic environment, which must be extremely welcoming and relaxing, as well as the fundamental feeling of trust that the patient must have in his therapist.
Millennia of use of this simple technique, but not easy to perform, have demonstrated its validity in the cases in which it finds indication.
Regarding indications, it will never be stressed enough that any diagnosis (medical or issued by the physiotherapist, when within his competence) must be followed by the examination of the treatments indicated in the specific case and that are more effective - for speed of achieving results
- for their duration over time
- for the reduced presence, better still the absence, of side effects.
Once sure of the diagnosis and the indications for these treatments, the therapist can apply the aforementioned techniques which, thanks to the synergistic effect that is expressed, can represent a valid cure for many patients.
*N.d.A. Think about the richness of the word "care" ( participation, interest in the problems of the patient, joint attention aimed at reducing suffering, finally) |
