Pain - More Pressure Than You Think

The body is an absolute marvel of engineering. This article will discuss perspectives for pain management that also contribute to improved posture, physical movement, and general wellness.

Acupuncture is well known for treating pain. This approach is different from traditional western medicine as it embraces working with the body’s subtle-energetic patterns (‘chi’ flow). This art considers factors from areas at a distance from the pain and takes into account each individual’s unique blueprint when mapping their plan of care.

Meridian pathways move ‘chi’ throughout the body and follow the network of fascia. Modalities that focus on releasing fascial tension are also popular for reducing pain. However, when users of such systems focus just around the area of pain, relief is usually short-lived. 

‘Chi’ energy flows along microscopic channels throughout the body. This has been scientifically proven with radioactive studies. Each channel passes along a predictable route with collaterals that distribute energy to its associated organ or glandular system before connecting to the next channel and so on until the flow returns to the starting point and operates beautifully when there are no blockages within those channels. Think of how a lot of debris across a stream reduces the flow of water downstream so those areas aren’t receiving their share of water while upstream it can cause a pond to develop. This metaphor describes how ‘pressure’ of blocked energy flow in the body contributes to pain, lack of vitality and if the debris turns into a dam, eventually illness can result.

Thankfully, there are easily applied and consistently effective methods for removing these blockages. Even beginners are successful working with ‘chi’ without using acupuncture needles.

Did you know that muscles are associated to meridian circuits? Muscles on a shared circuit are connected somewhat like lightbulbs on strings of holiday lights. When any one of them goes offline the other muscles on that circuit may reflect that state too. Conversely, they respond favorably when a troubled muscle on their circuit is taken care of. Harnessing this knowledge makes providing wellness services efficient.

How is it possible that humans can move so well when all their weight is on just two feet? Why doesn’t their weight crush bones in their feet? How do they maintain equilibrium and strength when they lift something away from their core? How is it they don’t fall flat on their faces when they walk forward? It’s because bodies are an absolute marvel of engineering. 

‘Tensegrity’ is a term coined by architect Buckminster Fuller in 1955. It’s relevant to architecture because it describes how structures efficiently distribute stress by balancing compression and tensional forces between components that do not touch. Fuller also coined the term Synergetics for the study of systems and how they function in relation to the action of isolated components.

Dr. Stephen Levin coined the term ‘Biotensegrity’ when applying Tensegrity principles to biological structures. He studied strength and flexbiility between tensioned and compressed body components such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and bones.

Meridian theory and Biotensegrity are just a few of the organizing forces that are critical for bodies to function effortlessly.

“It is tremendously satisfying to find and clear issues distant from the pain for magical results!” - Denise Cambiotti

The Nervous system is another force to harness. Muscles function because of action potentials measured in millivolts that cross membranes and cause neuronal impulses to travel to neuromuscular receptors. These impulses cause them to either tighten or relax. Neuronal signals should remain within specific millivolt ranges otherwise muscles become tight and spastic (over-facilitated) or loose and flaccid (under-facilitated).

Proper facilitation moves the body because signals are sent to opposing muscles to work collaboratively. A limb moves because of muscles in contraction. For that pulling action to be fluid, opposing muscles must relax in ratio to the force of pull. Improper facilitation causes a lack of coordination which may be observed as jerky or mistimed movements and/or pain. Facilitation MUST be addressed to solve chronic discomfort. 

Applied Kinesiology (AK) researchers in the 1960’s discovered how to work with the nervous system in combination with the acupuncture system via an evaluation method called ‘muscle testing’ which was originally developed by physiotherapists. Reasonable pressure is exerted upon a limb positioned in a specific way to contract and isolate a single muscle. Observation while pushing through the range of motion would reveal whether this muscle would lock (appear strong) or unlock (appear weak). The AK doctors created a huge body of empirical knowledge matching areas of dysfunction and reflexes to improve the condition.

Many professionals and laypersons worldwide utilize some form of muscle testing ranging from heavy pressure as per the Oxford Scale to ‘energetic’ approaches which utilize light pressure. The lighter approach reveals issues with neuromuscular integration rather than actual strength of muscles.

For chronic pain it’s worthwhile to consider that:

• the area of pain is probably not where the problem originates
• muscle testing indicates relevant areas
• blocked ‘chi’ contributes to pain
• increasing ‘chi’ flow enhances muscle function
• improved muscle function supports good ‘chi’ flow and great health

With one foot solidly in science and the other in energy healing, I developed and teach a system called Muscle Tuning™ that integrates concepts mentioned above. My mission is to help wellness professionals easily learn and apply a new tool so that clients experience less discomfort and greater physical function as rapidly as possible. This approach addresses conditions that often go unrecognized and therefore unresolved. Muscle Tuning is a customized service which provides durable results and can be offered in any setting from the clinic to the side of a sports venue.

If you have any questions for me, reach out: [email protected] 

© 2022 Denise Cambiotti – Muscle Tuners International Inc.