According to the report on medical expenditures prepared by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), in 2007 Americans spent 4.2 billion dollars on massage therapy, with Eastern therapies such as Anma, playing a prominent role.
Seeing the scores for health care in America pale next to those in the East, American health consumers have turned to complementary medicine to help their bodies heal. Visiting day spas and spa destination resorts, more and more individuals are striving to improve their health naturally. Rather than seeking a pharmaceutical compound intended to reduce symptoms, these individuals desire complete good health. Because Anma is one of the most popular complementary therapies in Japan, it is becoming increasingly popular in the United States.
Understanding Anma
Anma is the oldest form of Eastern massage. Reports suggest that Anma originated in India more than 10,000 years ago. When Anma was introduced to Japanese healers, they further refined this technique. In Japan, Anma developed into a unique therapy and it eventually influenced the development of Shiatsu, Tuina and Swedish massage.
Anma works by stimulating key points or Tsubo on the skin’s surface, restoring the optimal circulation of blood and energy and promoting self-healing. Anma also releases muscular tension, which, in turn, helps release toxins and improves sluggish lymphatic and digestive systems. In doing so, Anma encourages the body to adapt to environmental challenges while resisting illness. The true beauty of Anma is that once there is an understanding of this technique, individuals can perform variations of self-Anma massage.
Anma massage does not use oils and it primarily uses kneading and percussion movements not found in any other form of massage therapy. Depending on the individual’s needs, Anma incorporates light stroking, kneading, vibration, pressure and special percussion techniques along with movement therapy, rotation, and gripping and squeezing techniques. Anma massage also has a spiritual component that makes it a form of meditation originating in the teaching of Do-In-Ankyo developed by Chinese Taoist Mountain Ascetics known as Sennin or Jiyujin in Japan.
Illnesses That Benefit From Anma
According to Eastern medicine, most illnesses result from a build-up of lactic acid resulting from fatigue, trauma, chemical imbalances, nutrient deficiencies and stress. By releasing muscular tension, correcting imbalances and detoxifying the body, Anma restores the free flow of blood and energy. In doing so Anma reduces symptoms of headache, dizziness, pain, muscle stiffness and mental fog.
Anma therapy is used to promote healing in immune system disorders, anxiety, headache, colds, asthma, sports injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, numbness, high and low blood pressure, constipation, menstrual irregularities, sexual vitality and insomnia. Anma is also considered a form of Japanese restoration massage because of its ability to influence several parts of the body simultaneously. With its ability to realign the physical structure Anma is often incorporated into martial arts traditions.
Resources:
N. Donoyama, T. Munakata and M. Shibasaki. 2010. Effects of Anma therapy on body and mind. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy, Jan; 14(1): 55-64.
National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). 2008. The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States: Cost Data.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
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