Meeting not curing
Personal Development, Shiatsu Practice
I have just come across my first frozen shoulder. This client is unable to abduct the arm above 40 degrees and cannot flex it above the horizontal. They cannot put their arm behind the back. Very painful and of course a real challenge for my young skill set.
I have given one treatment and must admit that I found it difficult to engage with the problem. I could not find a way to get into the shoulder. There was no conversation. But this in itself is interesting.
I can use my knowledge of anatomy to suspect a problem with the deltoid muscle. I can use my physical skills to palpate and move the limb and explore its range of movement. I can use my theories of TCM to understand a pattern. But what seems to be increasingly important to my shiatsu is how I use my own spirit to meet the energy and help it move.
There is a definite change to how I see the condition of my clients. A year ago it was very physical and I wanted to fix and cure. For me that seemed to be the point of studying shiatsu. If one cannot cure why bother?
Now my language has changed and I want to meet and engage with a problem. The cure is not coming from me it has to come from the client themselves. I can only help or guide them. So that is what was missing from this initial contact with the shoulder; an understanding of the mechanics but no great meeting of energies.
I did develop the idea of letting go and that was the message I was trying to send as I worked and there was a little improvement. What this client’s Ki really wanted may arise in the next treatment, I am learning that sometimes one has to be patient and allow the messages to make themselves known in their own time.
Tony Brown @ July 24, 2007
Sometimes what is needed is support rather than action. If you think of what it means to be “frozen,” it may be that this person is in a holding pattern due to fear — if that is the case, how would you approach someone or something (a small animal, for example) who is afraid?
Linda,
This animal example reminds me of an analogy for meeting ki in one of the shiatsu books in my collection. When I read it the first time it did not make any sense and I put it away. But you have started the light bulbs flashing in my head! I will dig this out and post about it here.
Tony
Yes, support rather than action initially…and holding. Hold and let the shoulder tell you what it needs.
Randall,
Thank you for the comment. I have enjoyed many of the articles you have written on LaughingHara so I am very happy that you have visited my little blog.