It is my wish that this column will be a forum for questions and answers to inquiries about massage, Chi Kung, Feng Shui and other related issues. If you have questions please feel free to contact me at massage@maryellenderwisbalaz.com and I will be happy to address it in the following issue. Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz.

A. Yes massage is for relaxation and that has therapeutic benefits in itself but lets discuss how it can help you in other ways. Our bodies function through different organ systems. Digestive, to regulate what we eat. Respiratory to regulate how we breathe. Circulatory, to regulate blood flow. Endocrine, to regulate hormones and how our glands function. And musculoskeletal to assist in movement. (Lets not forget the skin and nervous systems too). Massage affects them all. This is the beauty of being in a body.

When you get a massage the body is ‘listening" on many different levels. The nerves send messages to the brain and say ‘this feels good, or this hurts’ and when you tell your therapist she/he can adjust accordingly. The body adjusts accordingly too. Breath slows as your muscles relax. When muscles relax circulation increases. Glands function more effectively also and encourage digestion, elimination, etc. all to work better.

Massage therapy as it is traditionally understood is used to address injuries to muscles. And in case no one has ever told you, bones do not move on their own. Muscles do a lot of work for us. They allow us to grab stuff off a shelf. Walk across a room. Breathe, circulate fresh blood to every cell in our body and yes… p.. and p..p.

A massage gives your body the opportunity to yes, relax and perhaps reset its priorities. There are many types of massages available to you and I will attempt to explain the different types in future issues. Keep the questions coming. –M

A. Chi Kung is an eastern method of energy movement through the body to encourage good health. Feng Shui is Chi Kung in the environment you live in which Taoist believe will ultimately bring good health for you and your environment. And Chi Nei Tsang  go to is the abdominal massage discipline coupled with breath work that they believe affects every organ or meridian system in the body.

In future issues I will attempt to explain in more detail however, briefly: Chi Kung as I practice and teach is using meditation and visualization with proper breath to raise the Chi or energy in your body. This increases energy levels, boosts immunity and encourages the body to cleanse itself of toxins.

Feng Shui is a practice of Chi Kung that adjusts the energy flow of your environment to create a healthier place for you to live and work.

Chi Nei Tsang is the cooperative movement of Chi within your body with breath. Touch is a very powerful tool in the healing process and the marriage of touch and breath is just about unbeatable when it comes to making positive changes to your inner environment. This work has a powerful impact on the body mind spirit component of an individual. In a session you are able to relax and allow your body to breathe into areas that have caused pain or dysfunction and adjust itself as needed.

A. That is a very good question. Yes, there are many types of massage. Every culture has developed healing techniques that suit them and in this wonderful time we humans are exposed to them all. The trick is to find what is right for you.

First of all, the approach between eastern and western thought is inherently different. In western culture we are most familiar with massage that increases circulation and cleanses the body by working with the natural flow toward the heart. In eastern culture there is more awareness given to the meridian systems and perhaps more esoteric practice. That being said, in this day and age there is a lot of crossover. So now what do you do? Have fun. Explore different modalities. Try a Swedish massage and then next time a Lomi lomi. Many practitioners blend techniques from different types of massage disciplines which allow them to create a more personalized massage that addresses your needs.

One caution however, there are licensed massage therapists and then there are masseuses in the state of Ohio. If you are looking for therapy, look for a Board Licensed therapist (LMT). They have had a lot of specific training in anatomy and physiology and are more equipped to address physical problems your body may have. One added benefit, they also are equipped to relax your body. Why not treat yourself to the best of both worlds.

A. Swedish massage is the model for most western massage techniques, Deep tissue, Rolfing, Myofascial release, Craniosacral to name a few. If you read basic texts describing Swedish massage you will find roots there.

When you are watching television and you see someone getting a massage on a cruise you can bet it is Swedish massage. The muscles are kneaded and in that process toxins are removed leaving space for circulation to increase and your body to feel better. It affects all the organ systems of the body and that is one reason you feel refreshed and think more clearly after a session.

A. As I stated previously Chi Kung is an eastern method of energy movement. Feng Shui is energy movement in the environment. Eastern massage techniques are based on the Taoist philosophy of moving energy or Chi thru the five elements as represented in the meridian systems (Bladder/kidney, Heart/small intestine, Lung/large intestine, Stomach/spleen, Triple Heater and Liver/Gall Bladder to encourage good health. Feng Shui, eastern massage and Chi Nei Tsang all have roots in Chi Kung practice and are based on these five elements.

A. We now approach spring, which is the time of year when the Liver meridian is most active. It is a good time to start that cleanse you’ve been talking about all winter. Vegetables and fruits high in vitamin A such as carrots, broccoli, oranges, tomatoes and apricots support the liver in this time when it is so active so stock up and enjoy.

Chi Kung practices, such as movement and meditation specifically intended to support the Liver meridian will not only de-stress you but actively support brain function. I offer classes which walk you through the process 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights at Stoney Run Clubhouse in Broadview Heights. For more information please call me.

Feng Shui, which is the movement of chi or energy thru your external environment is a way to clear out your surroundings just as Chi Nei Tsang go to or meditation clears out you internal environment. So my suggestion is get into the nooks and crannies and clear out the stuff that piled up while you were in hibernation and call Goodwill. Spring is about clearing out the old and making room for the new.

Q. I read your interesting article in the Nordonia Hills Community Times and have always wondered if any of these methods of relaxing the body would help infertility, assuming all the obvious physical issues had been addressed.?  --P

A. Yes, as a matter of fact massage can help with fertility issues. Many times attempting to conceive causes stress as time goes on with no results. Tests to diagnose fertility issues are stressful. Even when the tests come back and say everything is working properly there is the added stress of ‘why isn’t this happening?’ Needless to say a series of massage sessions are in order for both partners.

As a Chi Kung practitioner I would recommend Chi Nei Tsang (Taoist abdominal massage with breath work) go to. Not only is it an extremely relaxing technique, but it has the added benefit of balancing the Chi (energy) flow of all the meridians. This affects all the organ systems which in turn strengthen the reproductive system.

The ‘old timers’ would say, "Just relax" and let nature take its course. I say " what better way to relax than getting some massages and Chi Nei Tsang sessions… and let nature take its course."

A. There as many types of deep tissue massages as there are therapists. That being said there are a few things to consider when looking for a massage therapist that does "deep tissue" work. Some practitioners follow the ‘no pain no gain’ method of deep tissue work and others are patient when affecting deep tissue release and there is very little or no pain associated with the work. Both methods are effective and have their place; the trick is to find the method that is right for you.

First of all, talk to your therapist; in fact call several until you find someone that can explain why his/her approach would be appropriate for your individual problems. Ultimately both approaches will work very effectively. It all comes down to how you wish to be treated. If you are a member of the ‘no pain no gain’ camp the answer is obvious. Call and make an appointment with someone who does deep trigger point work but keep in mind that if you have a session and come away with bruises the work is too deep even for you. Bruising occurs when there is damage to tissue however slight and should never be ignored. Now then, if you are a person who does not like such invasive techniques you would look for a therapist who is willing to wait for the release.

A. Lomi Lomi is a traditional healing art that comes from Hawaii. It has been practiced for generations and has been filtering into the continental U.S. in the last few years.

Each family practices Lomi differently as the tradition is handed down from teacher (or Kahuna) to student. Occasionally, as in my case a practitioner is invited to study with a native Hawaiian teacher and learns their family traditions. This is a long process and quite lovely. However, in our busy world that is not always possible. I moved to Oahu for three years. Not all therapists have that luxury. Other practitioners learn with teachers at workshops to learn techniques. This is why sometimes you will run into a practitioner that has a very different style than what you had experienced before.

There are some basic similarities. Lomi massage is a deep tissue massage, an energetic massage, an eastern massage, and a healing experience all rolled up into one.

The Hawaiians are a very spiritual people and there is a blessing given whether verbalized or not. The massage brings one’s person into balance. Basic movements resemble other massages you may have had except that your being will feel as thought you are floating on a wave through the session and after. Sounds different? It is. Try one!

A. When I speak of a cleanse I am referring to the Taoist practice of supporting the meridian system that is active in any given season by drinking lots of water, eating fresh fruits and vegetables abundant during the season and allowing your body to cleanse itself.

That being said we are now in the season of Fire which leads us into summer. The Fire meridians are Heart/small intestine, Triple Heater/ heart controller, and endocrine fire.

Fire is about the cardiovascular system. It is about your glands. It is about movement and action. It is about eating summer foods. Berries, tomatoes, beans, corn. Foods abundant in the summer months.

It is about walking and swimming and playing. The heart is the center of your being. Keep it healthy. Listen to music that inspires you. Sing a song.

A. There are many different ways to breathe. A singer concentrates his/her breath in the chest cavity so that they can have endurance while producing sounds that last for several measures as well as better control of their instrument, their voice.

A yoga practitioner generally concentrates breath in the head in order to relax and to draw them into deeper spiritual practice such as meditation.

A Taoist practitioner concentrates breathe into the whole body, enabling them to become more present which aids the body in the healing process. Chi Nei Tsang is the bodywork that teaches your body to reach this healing state.

A. Arthritis is and autoimmune disorder that causes swelling, heat and pain in your joints. The word literally means joint inflammation and can be quite painful.

Anti-inflammatory medications can bring the swelling and associated discomfort down for brief intervals and that is a good thing, however it does not relax tense muscles which oftentimes add to your discomfort.

The reason massage is such a wonderful treatment for arthritis is that it relaxes tension in your muscles. If your muscles are relaxed, there is less strain on the affected joints. Less stress on the joint equals less inflammation. Less inflammation equals less pain. Less pain equals a more relaxed body and gives one an opportunity to rest easier and perform minor tasks with less and sometimes virtually no associated pain.

Massage is not a cure all. But it is a treatment when received on a somewhat regular basis can reduce pain and inflammation and relax your whole being at the same time making day to day functioning much more pleasant.

A. It all depends what you consider a luxury. In New York City some people pay over $78.00 for a carton of cigarettes a week. I do not mean to compare the two but it all depends on your perspective. You can schedule a one hour massage for less and the benefits to your health and well being are priceless.

Why not try a half hour and see how your body feels. After that the decision is easy. Some therapists like myself are trained in many types of massage and specialize in massage tailored for the older body. As our bodies age our needs change the therapist you choose needs to understand how those changes affect your body. My youngest patient is 18 months and the oldest 105 years old!

Also why don’t you try and be a little creative. Most Massotherapists offer gift certificates go to. Find someone you really like and get a few brochures or cards. A massage is a great suggestion to a spouse or child who really has no idea what else to get you. A brochure discretely placed on the kitchen table can be a big help. Quite often I have two or three grandchildren pull their monies and come and purchase a certificate for Mother’s day, Christmas, etc.

One word of caution though about gift certificates, many salons have a 6 month expiration date. Ask. Don’t send your loved ones to one of those places. The establishment has been paid for the service and after such and such a time they no longer honor it. Nothing is more disappointing for someone who has spent their hard earned money than to find that the salon or spa will not honor it because they purchased it early, gave it to you later than they intended and you did not have time to use it before it expired. I have been known to get a certificate that had sat in a drawer for at least three years. "Before the family crisis." I have always honored them. Sometimes people simply do not find it in time. My experience has always been that the lost certificate always shows up at just the right time.

A. Yes you are right. That is a lot to remember. That is why I offer Chi Kung Classes go to every Wednesday evening 7:00 To 8:00 pm. at Stoney Run Condo Clubhouse in Broadview Heights. Taoist practice is an ancient way of managing ones health. It takes time and information. There are many books to read on the subject but my experience has been that if you jump in with both feet you will learn quickly.

At the classes we discuss things that have affected our health during the week and we do breath, exercise and meditation that support a healthy lifestyle. I invite you to come and join us. We are easy to find. For directions please feel free to call me.

A. Hypnosis  is a process by which a practitioner such as myself will take a client into an altered state of consciousness where that person can learn to set goals, relax, explore and become more aware of the functioning of the body among other things. I assist in your journey to wellness by teaching you how to relax and give you tools that you can use on your own to support changes in lifestyle that you have made.

The choices are all yours and that is why I use an extensive interview process. If you have further questions please feel free to call.

Mary Ellen has been a Massage Therapist for 16 years and has studied many different disciplines. She offers individual sessions in massage and chi kung as well as group classes in meditation and chi kung. To learn more about her visit her website at www.maryellenderwisbalaz.com.

To ask her questions contact her at massage@maryellenderwisbalaz.com or call her at 216.548.8980.

Mary Ellen Derwis-Balaz has sessions available in Massage therapy, Hypnosis and Chi Nei Tsang and is

conveniently located in Brecksville in the Gateway Building on Route 21 north of 82.

8748 Brecksville Road Suite 226

Brecksville, Ohio 44141

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