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To have knowledge of a
system that can help prevent illness and maintain good health for
yourself and your family is a great thing. In
Switzerland
, one out of three families uses Touch For Health.
What is Touch For Health?
It is a system that uses muscles as a biofeedback mechanism called
muscle testing (monitoring) or Applied Kinesiology to derive specific
information spiritually, mentally, emotionally, nutritionally, and
structurally. It is a hands on method used to communicate with the
body. As with language, muscle testing is a powerful tool. Touch For
Health combines the theories of Chinese energy systems (meridians,
acupuncture/ acupressure) with Western physiological systems. The use
of muscle testing has existed for some time. As a diagnostic tool, it
was used to identify where neurological nerve pressure originated and
where it was damaged. In 1964, a chiropractor from
Detroit
,
Michigan
- Dr. George Goodheart, D.C. - came across a new use of muscle
testing. Through his research, he found that there were distinct
connections between muscles, organs and the Chinese meridians. He
called his body of work Applied Kinesiology.
As Goodhert's research
developed, one of his colleagues - Dr. John Thie, D.C. - noticed that
much of Goodheart's work could be learned and applied by anyone, not
just a chiropractor or doctor. Dr. Thie founded a system based
on these principles and began to teach it to lay people in the early
1970's, with the philosophy that if used regularly, one could increase
their feelings of health and well being, and avoid costly visits to
the doctor. He named this system Touch For Health. His book by the
same name has been translated in 22 languages, and has spawned a
revolution in the field of the healing arts.
In Touch For Health, each
muscle relates to specific Chinese meridian and body organ. Meridians
are channels of energy that flows within the body. These
flows each have specific points along their path that are the points
used in Chinese Acupuncture. There are 12 bilateral meridians on each
side of the body that are identical, plus 1 in front and 1 in back. In
Western culture, we refer to them by their organ names, such as Lung
Meridian. However these meridians are all connected, so it is really
one large, constant energy flow.
Now, each meridian has at
least one muscle associated with it, called the Indicator Muscle. Each
indicator muscle has its own specific position for testing, and by
placing the leg or arm in its correct testing position, and then
applying light pressure, you can determine if the response is strong
or weak. Weak muscles indicates some blockage or constriction in the
energy meridian flow, and if not corrected may effect the organ. By
using one of several strengthening techniques to balance that energy,
it can correct the problem. The concept is that, if the energy is
flowing freely throughout the meridian system, the body is able to
heal itself and have more energy in order to function.
Another approach that
utilizes muscle testing or monitoring to identify stress, is by using
a single muscle. This scenario is global (rather than just one
meridian as in the prior example). This single indicator muscle
responds to any number of challengers in order to communicate whether
that challenge is stressful or not. Whether spiritual, mental,
emotional, nutritional or structural.
Assessing energy imbalances
is only half the story though! Once identified, one must then find
what method will help to balance the energy, allowing for healing to
take place. When the body responds to a healing modality by reversing
the indicator muscle's stress response, this is the body saying,
"Yes! I like that!". Further application of that method will
then begin the balancing process. It is possible that more than one
modality may be necessary to bring about balance.
The overlying philosophy of
Touch For Health, as well as many complementary and alternative
healing art approaches, is that the body has an incredible ability to
heal itself well, the body has another amazing ability - to compensate
for problems in order to continue to function. While compensation is
necessary, and is going on all the time in some form, it takes a lot
of time and energy - time and energy that might otherwise go towards
healing!
If we take the time to keep
ourselves balanced and take care of our issues as they arise then the
body has the opportunity to heal itself in a manner in which it is
designed.
The underlying philosophy
of Touch For Health is self-responsibility. We believe it is important
to be involved in your own healing process. The combination of what
one may learn from a Touch For Health session, or taking a series of
classes can lead to an awareness and the ability to help yourself and
others. This approach will even help to prevent getting sick to begin
with!
See the calendar, page 29,
for information on classes offered.
Jacqueline Helvitz, has
completed her intensive training with Dr. John Thie, founder of the
Touch For Health Foundation in
Pasadena
,
CA
in 1979, and received her Instructors Certification. She is qualified
to teach all 4 levels of TFH and is a professional member of the Touch
for Health Kinesiology Assoc. of New Carlisle OH, and the
International
Kinesiology
College
in
Zurich
,
Switzerland
. She has taught both in California and Arizona, ten years at
Massasoit College in Brockton and Canton, MA, one year at Cape Cod
Community College (most recent), six years at the Wellness Center in
Hanover, MA and many other locations in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Within her practice she also brings knowledge of herbs, as a Certified
Herbalist since 1980. For more information, be it for a session or
class, please call 781 934.8118.
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