Category Archives: Chronic Pain

Thai Traditional Massage, Thai Yoga solutions for chronic pain.

The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Repetitive Stress, Part 2 of 2

Thai Yoga Mastery with Aachan, Dr. Anthony B. James

The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Repetitive Stress, Part 2 of 2

by Anthony B James DNM(C), ND, MD(AM), DOM(Acc.), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, RAAP, SMOKH

INNER: Any particular disorder or trauma whether acute or chronic like CTS will manifest differently in different persons. When looking for the INNER significance we first consider the balance and activity of the Chakras. We gain insight into the specific chakras involved by observing the physical correlations, i.e., corresponding body part, orifice, closest Sen, or line, and/or meridian.
 
The chakras most closely associated with the hands and wrist are fourth Chakra, ANAHATA , commonly called the Heart Chakra. The hands are the vehicle for expressing and communicating from and of the heart. We say that the skin of the hands and arms is the organ most closely associated with the heart.The bones and sinew of the hands are ruled or controlled by the first Chakra or root Chakra. The quality of the energy here is one of security and survival. That these two such disparate qualities of expression of energy should overlap here may explain many things. For example, the ability of the hands to express the most tender and compassionate intent are the very same hands that can create willful injury and harm.
 
The highest use of the hands is found in the expression of the positively aspected fourth Chakra. This is demonstrated in the quintessence of the loving touch where the hands are expressing the inner light and warmth of the heart according to its clear, compassionate and loving nature. When the hands are used purely as tools for procuring security and survival needs we run into difficulty. Because of their structural support in first Chakra, hands can be used in this fashion for short periods of time. However, long term use in this manner results in abuse from overuse.

Continue reading The SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-Repetitive Stress, Part 2 of 2

Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliative Care Part 3

Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliation

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, DOM, RAC, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

General Benefits of Integrative Indigenous and Traditional Therapies Treatment adjuncts:

(Clinically researched i.e. validated in clinical trials and traditional anecdotal and benefits)

Continue reading Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliative Care Part 3

Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliative Care Part 2

Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliation

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), DOM, RAAP, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

Traditional/ Classical Thai Yoga/ Thai Massage contains the following areas of emphasis and therapeutic modalities:

1) Sophisticated and refined Manual/ Physio/ Body-centric Hands-on interventions:

Thai Yoga Therapy incorporates elements of energetic (unseen energy: magnetic, electric, sonic etc.) and prana assessment, mindfulness, gentle rocking, asana (positional/ postural), structural release, deep stretching, focused deep breathing or prana yama, chakra balancing (Pyscho-emotional, Somatic and proprioceptive emphasis), Prana Nadi or Sen line balancing (Lines of stress, trans-subcutaneous muscle channels, fascia and connective tissue planes and or lymphatic pathways) and rhythmic compression with either broad, deep, non specific tools such as palm, foot, elbow and knee to emphasize with either specific point ( area of high neurologic potential) or broad trans- subcutaneous muscular or fascial plane to create a singular healing experience.

Continue reading Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliative Care Part 2

Thai Yoga Therapy for Cancer

Thai Yoga Therapy Role in Cancer Palliation

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, DOM, RAC, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

Title: Indigenous, Traditional Medicinal Therapies as Cancer Complication Remediation and Palliative Support for Cachexia.

What is Cachexia?

Cachexia; from Greek κακός kakos “bad” and ἕξις hexis “condition”)[1] or wasting syndrome is loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight. Cachexia is also known or seen in patients with cancer, AIDS,[2] chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis, familial amyloid polyneuropathy, malaria, mercury poisoning (acrodynia) and hormonal deficiency. It is a positive risk factor for death, meaning if the patient has cachexia, the chance of death from the underlying condition is increased dramatically. About 50% of all cancer patients suffer from cachexia.

Mechanism

The exact mechanism in which these diseases cause cachexia is poorly understood and may vary from one individual to another, but there is probably a role for inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (which is also nicknamed ‘cachexin’ or ‘cachectin’), interferon gamma and interleukin 6, as well as the tumor-secreted proteolysis-inducing factor. Side effects of chemotherapy drug regimen and or radiation therapy may be causes. Categories of physical/ biological adverse and or side effects of conventional Cancer therapies: include Edema, Inflammation, Neuropathies and Neuralgias, Immune suppression. Severe, possibly long term chronic malnutrition may be a factor.

Management:

1) Can Indigenous and traditional, native medicine practices and or evolving therapies derived from Indigenous culture traditions make a positive contribution towards Cancer complication remediation and palliative care?

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Traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Reduces Pain, Increases Walking Ability Better than Physical Therapy

Traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga  Reduces Pain, Increases Walking Ability Better than Physical Therapy

Traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Reduces Pain, Increases Walking Ability Better than Physical Therapy

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), DOM, RAC, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

From experience we Thai Yoga practitioners know that Thai Yoga reduces pain and that with reduced pain and corresponding inflammation many different improvements in function and structure become evident over time. It’s great to see validation of what both our traditions and our actual clinical experience show us every day.

Continue reading Traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga Reduces Pain, Increases Walking Ability Better than Physical Therapy

Thai Yoga Offers Relief for Headaches and Migraines

SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Offers Relief For Headaches and Migraines

Aachan, Prof. Dr. Anthony B. James

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), DOM, RAC, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

Lets address the features of Headaches including,  Chronic Tension Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Stress and Tension Headaches and headache type syndromes which may be mental, emotional and or energetic in origin and how Indigenous Traditional Therapeutic approaches. Specifically how SomaVeda® Thai Yoga Offers Relief for Headaches and Migraines.

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A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 930175.
Published online 2015 Sep 15. doi:  10.1155/2015/930175
PMCID: PMC4587431

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

1College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
2Research Center in Back, Neck, and Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
3Bamnet Narong Hospital, Amphur Bamnet Narong, Chaiyaphum Province 36160, Thailand
4College of Allied Health Science, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
*Naowarat Kanchanakhan: ht.ca.aluhc@k.tarawoan and
*Wichai Eungpinichpong: moc.oohay@nueciw
Academic Editor: Arroyo-Morales Manuel

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to treat patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with CTTH were equally divided into a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a 45-minute course of CTTM twice per week lasting 4 weeks while the control group was prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasting 4 weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated in week 2, week 4 and followed up in week 6 consisting of visual analog scale (VAS), tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in VAS pain intensity for the CTTM group at different assessment time points while a significant difference occurred in within-group and between-group comparison (P < 0.05) for each evaluated measure. Moreover, the tissue hardness of the CTTM group was significantly lower than the control group at week 4 (P < 0.05). The PPT and HRV of the CTTM group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). CTTM could be an alternative therapy for treatment of patients with CTTHs.

Continue reading A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Fibromyalgia and Thai Yoga

Fibromyalgia and Thai Yoga

Aachan, Prof. Dr. Anthony B. James

By Anthony B. James DNM(P), ND(T), MD(AM), DPHC(h.c.), DOM, RAC, SMOKH Academic Dean SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine and Thai Yoga Center (SCNM).

I want to say that there is much evidence to demonstrate that Fibromyalgia and Thai Yoga are made for each other. This is in two different context which I will elaborate more in the body of this article. First, if there is such a thing and Second even if there is no such thing as “Fibromyalgia” then Thai Yoga (Thai Traditional Massage) may be a perfect solution to the aggregate of symptoms which this shot gun term refers to. Thai Traditional Massage (Thai Yoga) offers solutions that emphasize the whole person, not just their physical pain. Continue reading Fibromyalgia and Thai Yoga

Thai Yoga offers better pain relief for Osteoarthritis than OTC Remedies

Thai Yoga offers better pain relief for Osteoarthritis than OTC Remedies

Aachan, Prof. Dr. Anthony B. James

Anthony B James DNM(C), ND(T), MD(AM), DOM(C), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, RAC, SMOKH

Thai Yoga (Traditional Thai Massage)(10) offers better pain relief and with less, little or no adverse side effects than Ibuprofen (2) and other NSAIDs(9). Additionally, pain relief from a short series of individual treatments has been shown to last as long as 15 weeks according to systematic review of Traditional Thai Massage. (5)

Thai Massage pain solution for Osteoarthritus pain
SomaVeda® Thai Yoga provides solution for Osteoarthritus pain.

The most common pain remedies prescribed for OA (Osteoarthritis) such as Ibuprofen (2) and other similar NSAID’s such as Advil, Motrin and the like, come with a hefty price tag in respect of unwanted effects and side effects. Generally prescribed for relief of pain, swelling and inflammation.

Continue reading Thai Yoga offers better pain relief for Osteoarthritis than OTC Remedies

Addressing Chronic Pain with Thai Yoga supported by Scientific Review

Addressing Chronic Pain with Thai Yoga supported by Scientific Review

Aachan, Prof. Dr. Anthony B. James

Anthony B James DNM(C), ND(T), MD(AM), DOM(C), DPHC(h.c.), PhD, RAC, SMOKH

You can treat chronic pain with Thai Yoga. Thai Traditional Medicine and it’s derivative practices such as Thai Traditional Massage. Specifically styles such as SomaVeda® Thai Yoga have long been held to be effective solutions and remedies for chronic pain. They often are noted to provide relief when literally all else (conventional western medicine) have failed and or not worked well. Continue reading Addressing Chronic Pain with Thai Yoga supported by Scientific Review