What
can I expect from a session?
My
clients come to me with complaints varying from stress, anxiety, muscle
tension, having a cloudy head to recovering from illnesses or injuries. They
know something is wrong inside and want to do something about it. I can't
guarantee anything besides helping them to relieve tension, whether physical
or mental. When the mind/body is relaxed, the body then works as it is meant
to, giving you optimal health. That may mean different things to different
people, depending on your age, habits and history. But when your body works
for you instead of against you, general health improves. You can go for a
massage to relax from the outside in, and that's a wonderful experience.
Imagine relaxing from the inside out, that's what acupressure can do for you.
Many
people ask me this question. I can tell you what I was taught and I can also
tell you what I've experienced over the past ten years. So I try to answer
this question in terms that make sense to the person asking based on their
background, beliefs and familiar terminology. While all the answers are true
for me because of what I've experienced, I can't tell you which is the
most correct and will make sense to you. Not one person I have ever worked on
has told me they got nothing out of it. Similar phrases are used when I ask
“how was it”, but everyone has their own individual experience. Getting
back to the original question “how does it work”, first answer this: how
do you describe yourself? You can read just what applies to you, or as many as
you wish:
"I'm
a new ager." According
to the ancient oriental art of acupressure, the human body has a network of
channels (meridians) through which our vital life force (chi) energy flows.
When this flow of energy is interrupted, an imbalance occurs and disease and
discomfort manifest in certain areas of the body. Through the application of
acupressure, these channels are reopened, allowing the life force (chi) energy
to flow, restoring balance and wellness to the body.
"I'm
devoutly religious." We
have been told we are made in God's image. Part of that image is an energetic
life force (soul). By focusing that life force in an intentional way (prayer)
we are urging God to heal us from within. Hands on healing is well known, but
it's not the person who is touching that heals; they are merely a conduit of a
much larger force being focused onto a specific person. There are two parts to
this type of healing: the person putting hands on must have faith and accept
that they are only a conduit, and the person receiving healing (grace) must
have faith that they are worthy of forgiveness and being healed. Healing can
occur without a cure.
"I
think in scientific terms, not spiritual." The
body functions are based on signals received from the brain. The signals are
electrical in nature and follow the nervous system pathways. When there is a
blockage of the nerves due to tension adhesions (knots) pressing on the
nerves, the body's functions are impaired. By following the pathways of the
body and holding areas that have tension, we are able to break up the
blockage. This allows the brain's instructions to be received and our body to
function better.
"I'm
a skeptic, what's the trick?" The
heart of our training is learning how to feel slight differences in the bodies
of our clients. Tension/tightness, temperature difference, spasms and
involuntary movements all tell a story of something that's not right. We don't
have to know the story, only feel the unique response of your body to touch.
When I hold an area that elicits a response until the response subsides, it's
the same as when we rub ourselves in an area that hurts and the pain
eventually minimizes. (Ever rub your forehead when you have a headache?) The
only difference is that what I feel may not rise to the level of pain we feel
when we have the urge to rub something. If I notice a response that doesn't
subside, it may be an indicator of a medical problem that might require a
doctor's attention. I don't diagnose what it could be, I'm not your doctor. I
only tell you what I feel and you are free to follow up with a physician or
ignore it.
How
did you get started with IGM?
In
October of 1999 I had a life changing event when I ruptured my Achilles
Tendon. During the long course of recovery after my operation, I had to
learn how to walk again. I underwent various forms of physical therapy. I
needed more than physical therapy offered and sought out ways of proactively
getting myself better. Thai yoga massage and Anusara yoga helped me walk
without a limp, but my first session of IGM in 2001 broke through the
barriers that enabled me to finally heal. I immediately felt drawn to learn
this technique so I could help others experience its effect. Four years
later I was certified with the highest level of training available. During
my training I worked on clients and found I too could be the conduit to
wellness.
How
do traditional doctors view IGM Acupressure?
In
October 2003, after a Grand Round Presentation to the staff of the National
Institute of Health in Bethesda Maryland, IGM Therapeutic Acupressure was
recognized as a specific type of acupressure.
In
2010, IGM became the only energy modality recognized by the United States
Military's Evolution Program. The Evolution program currently offers IGM
Therapeutic Acupressure on base in Germany for those suffering from Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). IGM studies offer continuing education units
through the New Jersey State Nursing Association. Nurses from around the
nation benefit from learning this holistic modality.
Home
studio or office location, what's the difference?
My
home studio in Clifton has a more relaxed atmosphere and I have an entire
room devoted to sessions. Besides my wife, I share my home with six rescued
dogs. You do not have to interact with or even see the dogs to enter or
leave my house, but if you are allergic or just don't feel comfortable with
dogs around you may wish to visit my office in Hawthorne. I am the
administrator at the Center for Special Surgery and have a table set up in
my private office where I work on staff and clients. It has a more clinical
atmosphere as a result, but the session will be the same; only the setting
is different.
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 IGM®
Acupressure
Sessions
About John
No Needles
Ailments
Not Just For People
Code Of Ethics
Metta
Prayer
Links
Two Convenient
Locations:
Center For Special Surgery
104 Lincoln Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ
Home Studio
14 Washington Avenue, Clifton, NJ
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