Shiatsu-do and the Makka-hos by Meridee Pierson (2007) part 7

Tracy Footitt, Shiatsu

 Masunaga suggests from his work that when the Makko-Ho stretches are done regularly they stimulate all the meridians in the body thereby affecting the complete body reducing stagnation and free flow of Ki. He developed a whole range of additional Zen imagery exercises and it would be interesting to explore these further.  

CONCLUSION

Although the numbers involved in this dissertation was limited there appears to be an improvement in a variety of different symptoms. I think that the Makko-Hos can be used to improve health and wellbeing and will be recommending them in certain situations to my clients to improve their health.

It would be interesting to do further work with the Makko-Hos in a larger scale project over a longer period of time and to evaluate the benefit of doing assisted Makko-Hos, which I did with a number of my clients.

On a personal level I have been doing them regularly for the past six months and have noticed a significant difference in my flexibility and wellbeing.

I am grateful to all those clients and colleagues who have completed the Makko-Hos and helped me with this dissertation.

In the East the body is regarded as a microcosm of the universe and by being in tune with the cosmic flow of energy we can gain health, peace of mind and spiritual strength. Eastern traditions teach us that when our energy flow is strong and healthy we can realize our true potential.

The Makko-Hos work directly with the energy of the body on physical, emotional and mental aspects of our being often creating an improvement in several dimensions at a time.

Correctly chosen exercise benefits not only the physical body but also the mind and emotions. The bending and stretching of the body, neck, head, arms and legs in certain ways affects the energy flow along the meridians, releasing stagnation and improving the flow of Ki.  

Those who stretch regularly recognize its value in enhancing mood, clearing the mind and in promoting harmony, health and well-being. When stretching is added to the common sense approach to diet and sleep, the body is able to find its own natural balance and harmony – the key for radiant health and the foundation of preventive health care.

Meridee is a Shiatsu Practitioner based in East Leake, England. You can find her contact details on the Shiatsu Society website, alternatively I will happily pass details on to her from my own email address given on the ‘About’ page.

  You can see a Shiatsu Practitioner doing a Makka-ho stretch with one of her clients on Rias (Ria is based in London, UK) website:

http://www.motherhand-shiatsu.com/testimonials.htm  

Shiatsu-Do and the Makka-hos by Meridee Pierson (2007) Part 6

 The Governing Vessel

The Governing Vessel is another important meridian that runs down the centre of the spine. It exerts an influence on all the Yang channels and it can be used to strengthen the yang of the body as well as to strengthen the spine. This meridian and the spine strongly influence each other in strength and balance. Keeping the spine flexible and strong has a direct and positive effect on the Governing Vessel and keeping the flow of energy in this meridian has a beneficial effect on the spinal column and spinal cord. A problem in one can cause a problem in the other.

The spinal column holds a key position in the development of general health both on physical and energetic levels. Through its direct affect on the spine, stretching exercises not only maintain good physical health but reawaken a new awareness of life and vitality.

 By simply stretching our bodies once a day, gradually the spine begins to be more erect, the internal organs are strengthened, the meridians are stretched and the flow of Ki is improved.

Overall health is contingent upon the flexibility of the spine – the healthier the spine is, the healthier the person is. Stretching maintains a healthy flow of Ki in the meridians, improving flexibility, easing muscular tension and improving blood and lymphatic circulation.

In our efforts to keep flexible it is helpful to understand what happens on a physiological level when we stretch. 

 When we are affected by stress, shock, toxins or emotional problems the meridians can become blocked, creating imbalances and preventing a healthy flow of energy which in turn can cause disease. Stretching can help remove blockages and improve the flow of Ki in the meridians.

When stretching we should be able to experience the flow of energy along the meridian lines. It is helpful to visualize the meridian path along the body as well as to focus our attention on the various functions of the meridians we are trying to stretch.

 FINAL RELAXATION

It is important and essential to finish any stretching routine with 5-10 minutes of deep relaxation. Stretching exercises can be very powerful and deep relaxation is a complementary balance just as important as the exercises themselves.

Stretching exercises work directly on all twelve meridians to release tension and blockages. When we go into a deep relaxation after these blockages are released the body can completely let go and the Ki in the meridians can balance itself, flowing from areas where there is an excess of energy into areas where there is a deficiency.

The reason why relaxation is so important after stretching or after receiving a Shiatsu treatment is because we are encouraging the body’s homeostatic mechanism to balance and heal itself.

 RESEARCH

For this dissertation I  asked  twelve of my clients and fellow shiatsu students to do the Makko-Ho exercises for a period of two weeks or longer, with completing a questionnaire prior to and after doing the exercises.

I used MYMOPS questionnaires which have been published in the BMJ 1996. 

The strengths of the MYMOP questionnaires are that they are patient or client centred.

• They are applicable to any problem.

• They are brief and have high response rates.

• They use the clients own words.

• They have been validated using orthodox and complimentary therapies.

• The questionnaires which have been used are an effective tool in quantifying symptoms.

Overall the results of these have been positive. The findings of the group of 12 people who completed the questionnaires demonstrated a decrease in troublesome symptoms and an increase in wellbeing. In the small group of people involved two common themes ran through the group. Namely, muscular-skeletal disorders and difficulties with sleep. 

Shiatsu-Do & the Makko-Hos by Meridee Pierson, 2007 (Part 1)

” When a man is born, he is soft and flexible;

When he dies he becomes hard and rigid.

So it is with all things under heaven.

Plants and animals are soft and pliant in life,

But brittle and dry in dealth.

Truly to be hard and flexible is the way of dealth:

To be soft and flexible is the way of life.”

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

 INTRODUCTION

In this dissertation I aim to explore the benefits of doing the Makko-Ho stretches regularly and to look at the meridians they stimulate.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

I plan to investigate and discuss the similarities and differences between western and eastern approaches to stretching.

I also wish to explore the changes The Makko-Ho stretches have made to a small group of my clients and colleagues who have done them over a period of time to see whether they affect the wellbeing of the individual. I will later compare these changes with the expectations that Masunaga suggested they would achieve.

WESTERN APPROACH

The importance of exercising for maintaining health is recognized all over the world – the body must be used in order to function properly. Nowadays people have become more sedentary and some people have practically stopped using their bodies. Modern conveniences create comforts which can result in an unhealthy under-use of the body, leading to problems such as physical weakness, accumulation of tension, fatigue, low resistance to disease, aches and pains, stiffness and poor postural habits.

Besides lack of exercise, stress is another factor so common in today’s modern lifestyle.The mind and muscles are kept tense all the time trying to keep up with the fast pace and complexity of modern life. The body and mind are denied the opportunity to recharge which leads to a variety of stress related symptoms.

Slow, gentle exercises (like stretching) help to loosen and relax the body, promoting a state of mental and physical well-being. Movement and exercise are key factors in life and the way we use our bodies has broad effects on our well-being.

In the west stretching is recommended prior to and after exercise to warm the body up as in keep fit. The aims of warm up exercises or stretches are;

• The preparation of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

• The mobilisation of joints and soft tissue extensibility to prevent injury.

• The stimulation of reflexes in perspective to help with balance and co-ordination skills.

• To increase the core temperature of the body and muscles by increasing blood flow.

• The psychological preparation of the body prior to competitive sport.

Following exercise cool down stretches are thought to be even more important than warm ups as they:

• Aid the removal waste products of CO2 and lactic acid from the body.

• To lengthen and relax tight tired muscles by stretching.

• To aid the gradual return of normal heart rate, body temperature and breathing.

 

The Stretch Reflex

Our muscles are protected by a mechanism called the “Stretch Reflex”. Any time we stretch the muscle fibres too far, either by bouncing or by over stretching, we are also stretching the muscle spindle. The muscle spindle is a proprioceptor that relays information about the musculoskeletal system to the central nervous system. It is found in the muscle fibres and it detects changes in the muscle length and in the rate of change.

When the muscle is stretched, the muscle spindle records the change in length, and the speed of the stretch, and sends signals to the spine which conveys this information. This triggers the Stretch Reflex which is the attempt to resist the change in muscle length by sending a signal to the muscle to contract. This basic function helps to protect the muscles from being injured. The more sudden the change in muscle length, the stronger the muscle contraction will be. Therefore, when we stretch too far or too fast we tighten the very same muscles we are trying to stretch.

Holding a stretch as far as we can go, or bouncing up and down, strains the muscles and activates the stretch reflex. This causes pain as well as physical damage due to the microscopic tearing of muscle fibres. This tearing leads to the formation of scar tissue, or fibrosis in the muscles with a gradual loss of elasticity and the muscles becoming tighter and sore.

When stretching, if we relax, it is best to only go to the point where we feel a mild tension and hold the stretch for a prolonged period of time. As we hold the muscle in a stretched position the muscle spindle becomes accustomed to the new length and as a result it reduces its signalling. Gradually we can train our stretch receptors to allow greater lengthening.

Stretching when done correctly is not painful. Pain is an indication that something is wrong. A stretch should never be forced and the amount of movement possible differs naturally with each individual. Gentle, slow, careful stretching is peaceful and relaxing and will produce substantial gains in flexibility.