What is Amma Therapy?
Amma Therapy is a Korean lineage healing art system of bodywork based in Chinese Medicine. It is a classical Asian bodywork style that predates acupuncture, “Amma” is the oldest Chinese word to describe massage. Amma is a specialized form of bodywork therapy that combines deep, therapeutic, circular pressure with acupressure point stimulation based in Chinese medical principles for accessing and treating imbalances in the energy system. Amma Therapy, like acupuncture, focuses on the balance and movement of Qi (energy) within the body. Where the acupuncturist inserts needles into the energy pathways to stimulate and move the energy, the Amma practitioner relies primarily on the sensitivity and strength of the hands to manipulate Qi in the client in both the points and in the channels.
Amma Therapy addresses problems from a multi-system, multidirectional point of view. A diagnosis is based on the assessment of every facet of the mind/body complex, including observation of the tongue, taking pulses, and evaluation of many signs and symptoms that reflect the state of the internal organs and the patient’s overall health.
Amma Therapy is a powerful treatment for patients of all ages for both prevention and treatment of disease. It has been used to successfully treat and/or manage conditions including traumas such as sprains, strains, and fractures; chronic disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, circulatory problems, anxiety, depression, gynecological problems, premenstrual and peri-menopausal problems, autoimmune diseases, and neuromuscular disease.
Amma Therapy Tools
- Deep tissue manipulation
- Acupoint manipulation
- Nutrition assessments and recommendations (both daily, as well as cleansing and detoxing protocols)
- Lifestyle recommendations (such as: neti pot, dry brushing, enemas, douching, etc)
- Breathing, movement, & posture recommendations
Complementary Techniques
- Cupping
- Moxibustion
- Gua Sha
- Ear Seeds
A key feature of being treated with Amma Therapy, is that the treatment and the subsequent recommendations are at the pace of the patient so you do not feel overwhelmed with too many changes at once.