Health Benefits of Chi Nei Tsang Massage

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Chi Nei Tsang Massage or Thai Abdominal Chi and Internal Organs Massage is a healing massage modality combining traditional Chinese, Thai Massage, and Taoist meditation techniques while focusing predominantly on the abdominal area.

The healing modality was created by Mantak Chia, the founder of the renowned Tao Garden in Chiang Mai, where “Chi” means energy and “Nei Tsang” means working on or transform the internal organs.

The phrase “Abdominal Massage” is in fact a bit limiting, because Chi Nei Tsang is surely not about the abdomen only, but about internal organs manipulation (including the genital organs), that is, acupressure and massage of organs, muscles and tissue in the abdominal and pelvic region and in the chest cavity (thoracic area).

This massage work is strongly based on the assumption that unresolved emotional issues are stored in the digestive system (mouth, jaws, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder) and that insufficient or poor “emotional digestion” is one of the main causes for a variety of illnesses. Hence, emotional and trauma release is an important focus of the work.

Chi Nei Tsang Aims and Benefits

Chi Nei Tsang treatments aim at clearing energy blockages in the abdominal, pelvic and thoracic area, and in the actual internal organs, thereby improving the free and unobstructed flow of blood supply and internal Life Energy, and the proper functioning of internal organs, vital functions, and emotional balance.

The treatment promotes better circulation of blood and other bodily fluids (important for internal distribution of oxygen, nutrition, hormones, and the like) and can solve excretory problems. Think about issues of numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, legs or feet, or gallstones, and urinary tract or prostate infections.

Other advantages may be the relief or elimination of digestive problems, such as so-called irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, and constipation. The treatment also eliminates toxins (detoxification) in the gastrointestinal tract and promotes overall lymphatic drainage, which in its turn can help boosting the immune system and better support the body to get rid of toxins.

On the pure physical awareness level, many pains, such as headaches, neck, back and muscle pains, and menstrual cramps can be alleviated or cured. Additionally, the treatment realigns the organs with a positive effect on overall posture and bodily performance.

On the emotional level, old traumas can be released. It’s believed that the cells of the body, especially those in the abdominal region, retain information (and reactions) to traumatic experiences. With work on those cells, that is — releasing tension, contractions, scar tissue, knots and tangles, old negative and stagnant energy can finally leave the body at the same time giving emotional release and relief to the person.

Note that Chi Nei Tsang is very much positioned as an Abdominal Internal Organs Massage, and we see that the individual organs are thought to be related or connected to certain emotions.

For instance, the liver is connected to anger, the kidneys to fear, the lungs to grief and sadness, and the stomach and spleen to worries. Manipulating these organs can transform these negative emotions into their opposites, respectively anger into gentleness, fear into courage, grief into acceptance, worries into trust, and so on.

Chi Nei Tsang Sessions

Chi Nei Tsang sessions are carried out with the receivers lying down (face up) on a massage table or on the floor on a massage mat. Receivers should wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes and can receive the treatment while being clothed or with direct touch of the abdominal area.

Sometimes herbal compresses are applied before a session to relax the receiver and the abdominal area, and sometimes also afterwards to soothe the region that was worked on. Often at the beginning of a treatment, oils are also applied to be able to “open up” the abdominal region using soft circular massage movements.

General contraindications for treatments are an active menstruation, recent surgery, a cardiac pace maker, pregnancy, alcohol intoxication, fever, or an active cancer. It’s also advised not to eat two to three hours before a Chi Nei Tsang session (drinking is no problem).

A treatment session usually takes between one and two hours and is rather deep (sometimes painful) work in the abdominal and pelvic area (although the practitioner will decide together with you how deep to go). Unpleasant memories and feelings may come up during the session. Note that in the days after the treatment, the abdominal area can feel somewhat tender and sore. Normally, one can take no more than one session per week max.

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