Cross-Cultural Study On Eastern VS Western Massage

Cross-Cultural Study of Massage Therapy

Eastern VS. Western Approaches

Abstract

This research explores the contrasting perspectives of holistic and analytical thinking regarding bodywork in Eastern and Western cultures. The concept of bodywork encompasses the multifaceted therapeutic practices aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being. Eastern cultures, such as those influenced by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine, tend to adopt a holistic approach to bodywork. Holistic approaches to medicine accompany the overall sound of a person’s well-being whereas Western medicine treats symptoms. Eastern therapies have been denied in Western Cultures limiting their accessibility and creating a social divide of inequality through insurance based treaments. Eastern Medicine can promote an unfortunate spread of misinformation due to the overgeneralization of illnesses while Western medicine can have a codependency on pharmacological solutions.

Cross-Cultural Study of Massage Therapy; Eastern VS Western Approaches

Eastern and Western medicine practices diverge in various ways when it comes to bodywork. Eastern medicine, ingrained in traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, adopts a holistic approach, considering the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected. It emphasizes restoring balance and harmony within the body through techniques like acupuncture, acupressure, and energy-based massage therapies. In contrast, Western medicine predominantly focuses on diagnosing and treating specific symptoms or diseases, relying on techniques such as manual massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic adjustments. While both approaches aim to promote wellness, the conceptual frameworks, philosophical perspectives, and treatment modalities employed in these practices differ significantly.

Eastern bodywork practices emphasize the importance of prevention and maintenance of health, rather than just treating illnesses or symptoms. They often incorporate lifestyle changes, dietary recommendations, and self-care practices to promote overall well-being. These teachings and practices have strong ancestral ties in regions such as China, India, and Japan (Gopalkrishnan, 2018).

Eastern Approach to Pain Management Using Massage

Ayurveda, meaning “The Science of Life,” originated in India more than 5,000 years ago (Tabish, 2008), and operates based on holistic concepts, viewing the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected. Natural medicinal methods such as yoga, herbal tinctures, homeopathy, meditation, and energetic massage have been believed to stimulate the body’s natural healing response to bring it back to homeostasis. Individuals prefer these treatments due to their non-invasive and preventative nature (Tabish, 2008). Ayurveda is not limited to only Indian heritage but rather extends to Chinese, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Tibetan history.

Shiatsu is a Japanese-derived massage modality that relies on the energetic balance between “mother hand, son hand” while incorporating principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The modality begins with diagnosing a lack of qi (life force energy) through communication between the practitioner’s two palms; feeling energy within them to guide their hands to various areas of the body. Through this, they will balance hollow areas with full areas using pressure points along the meridians, synergistically breathing with the client, and stretching them (VSOHA, 2021). This approach is useful for serious health concerns such as musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain, kidney and bladder infections, sleep disorders, digestive disorders, and over mental health well-being. A technique within Shiatsu called the “hara assessment,” has been used by health professionals in Japan as an organ function diagnostic tool, specifically in the abdominal region of the body. “It is important for the practitioner to get out of his or her head, away from the intellectualism so prevalent in the West, and bring the focus down instead to the energetic center of the Hara,” (Fehrs, 2012). This sensitive area is considered to be the center of a person's vitality and overall health. It is believed that imbalances or abnormalities in the hara can indicate underlying health issues or energetic blockages in the body. By assessing the hara, shiatsu practitioners aim to understand the root causes of a person's health concerns and develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.

Tui Na, Acupressure and Thai massage are a few of the most popular techniques used both in Eastern cultures and America as primary body-healing techniques that individuals claim relieve tension, and stress, promote better sleep, and give them more energy (Leclair, 2021). The concepts of Eastern cultural principles of bodywork rely on the connection to the practitioner’s body and intuition rather than using the analytical thinking process as Western cultures do with such sciences. While also relying on empirical evidence, the Eastern approach often incorporates traditional knowledge, anecdotal evidence, and individual experiences.

Western Approach to Pain Management Using Massage

Western cultures in contrast to Eastern often adopt an analytical approach to bodywork, focusing on the scientific understanding of the body and its physiological processes. This perspective comes primarily from Greek and Roman descent, emphasizing evidence-based techniques, anatomical precision, and specialization in specific areas of the body (Florida Academy, 2019). Many Westerners will seek massage therapy following recovery from injuries or surgery, spinal cord injuries, inflammatory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, intellectual disabilities, and autoimmune disorders. Others will seek out massage therapies similar to what Eastern modalities provide, and that’s to balance out the harmony within the energetic body, except a Westerner may refer to this as “emotional release” or nervous system regulation.

Craniosacral Therapy is a massage modality that works with the bones of the body, it’s actually the only massage therapy that’s also osteotherapy (Park, 2021). It’s primarily used by naturopaths, osteopaths, chiropractors, and massage therapists working under a physician. Using gentle touch to find the Cerebral Spinal Fluid rhythm, which is the lubrication in the brain that nourishes the neurons that communicate with the rest of the body, the practitioner releases tension in the vertebrae and correlating structures to relieve pain. It’s common to have a Craniosacral recommended after a car crash, dental procedure, pregnancy, spinal surgery, and even mental disorder diagnoses.

Western massage therapy emphasizes the importance of myofacial release through trigger point therapy, deep tissue, sports massage, and structural integration. These modalities share the same goal of promoting flexibility, performance, postural corrections from poor ergonomic habits, rehabilitation, and inflammation (Park, 2021). Techniques used to achieve these outcomes include percussion, effluerage, skin-rolling, scraping tools, cross-fiber friction, stretching, and direct pressure. What a practitioner would look for to understand the therapy is beneficial for the client is direct feedback, relaxation, long breathing patterns, redness from increased blood circulation, twitching, softening of the tissue, and movement of fluids.

Boundaries For Massage; Eastern VS Western

It’s a corporation’s duty to inform their massage employees to respect the emotional boundaries of their clients by not initiating religious or spiritual conversations, connecting to spirits or deceased family members, influencing psychic awareness and even speaking at all. It is expected that the draping of massage clients always covers genitals and breasts, even if the client wants their breasts done, some corporations forbid it (Ord. 2020-0008 § 43, 2020). Western practices promote a zero tolerance towards intoxication whether it’s alcohol or plant medicine, It is not a publically accepted action going into a massage session, it can disqualify you from being seen that day.

Tui Na and Thai massage include full body stretches along with skin-to-skin direct pressure, which means that a client lying nude can receive deep tissue and then gradually move into a full cobra stretch that exposes the breast for several seconds. It’s not common practice to have the client take on and off their clothes to engage in more modest practices, the culture has normalized this practice and sees no sexual influence from the bodywork technique. Other Eastern spas, such as Korean-style spas, often utilize nudity where draping isn’t a concern at all. Typically all women and men are separated from one another, the women on one side of the building share the same spa room without privacy during their bodyscrubs and massage. Therapists in these spas get very personal into as many regions of the body as they can. This includes bathing the client and all of his/her private areas.

There are many Korean-style spas in the United States that practice their traditional ways of therapy legally, meaning culture spreads and maintains their heritage autonomy. Many Americans look forward to the liberation they experience at a Korean spa, saying the level of transparency gives them more self-compassion, a sense of maternal healing, and a lack of body-shaming in this environment (Personal Clients, 2017-2023). Massage and spa styles that have come from all over the world are providing individuals with a silver platter of customized experiences that cater to their personal preferences.

Cultural Assimilation and Global Mind on Massage

"Sickness" is what is happening to the patient. Listen to him. Disease is what is happening to science and to populations.” (Putsch, 1990). A journal published by Putsch and Joyce states that its expected to take into account the perceived sickness alongside what biology has stated. If the client feels that they are ill, medical professionals shouldn’t avoid their concerns because lab tests provide negatives. As diagnostic processes and therapies are evolving from ancient and borrowed traditions, each step of this problem-solving symptomatology is ethnocentric. Practicioners must bring in the cultural context an individual identifies with along with the expertise they come from, whether biomedical or spiritual (Putch, 1990).

Fibromyalgia as an example, is a widely misunderstood diagnosis, it fits in no category of illness due to a lack of empirical evidence. There are no laboratory tests to do to identify it, there are no specific treatments for it either. Fibromyalgia is accompanied by widespread musculoskeletal pain, neuropathy, lethargy, and mood swings. The only treatments Western societies provide for this condition are anti-depressants and physical therapy. While Western societies see the disorder as psychosomatic, Eastern societies believe the energy centers of the individual are out of balance and need assistance regaining qi. Eastern practices will prescribe herbal solutions, acupuncture, lifestyle, and dietary changes, along with massage therapy to manage symptoms (Boehm, 2018) .

Luckily in the United States, Naturopathic Doctors are becoming more accessible inviting a blend of both Eastern and Western modalities to curate individual treatment plans. For instance, Dr. Megan McBride in Encinitas, California will provide functional lab tests, Craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, along with pharmaceuticals to one client through their own expertise. This blended nature is the hope for the future of medicine.

Regulation, Integration, and Evidence

In a case investigation with Afgan refugees, seeking alternative care, they saw no difference between physical and mental health, meaning they’re combined within a holistic measure (Feldemen, 2007). Many doctors in the United States will approach health issues with the worst-case scenario first, to rule out detriments like organ failure. Panic attacks can be attributed to the heart or lungs, abdominal cramps can be attributed to a malignant cyst, and chronic headaches can be cerebral spinal fluid blockages; which are all life-or-death situations. Once that is ruled out, you are given pain relievers until the symptoms worsen. If a client comes in with a laundry list of random symptoms and no “one-size-fits-all all” symptomology, then nurses and doctors will likely focus on one, not all, and definitely not holistically.

A naturopathic doctor is unfortunately not a doctor you can have covered through insurance in the States. They will fortunately listen to the client, assess them both physically and emotionally, and then appropriately order specific tests associated with their complaints. Although expensive, results are shown and progress in the overall sense of well-being has been shown, in quicker timelines, without the suggestion of psychotherapeutics or surgery (Zamanzadeh, 2015).

Patient Practitioner Relationship

The patient-practitioner relationship can differ between Eastern and Western medicine. Eastern medicine often emphasizes a holistic and personalized approach, with the practitioner taking into account the individual's overall well-being and lifestyle. A typical consultation for

Thai massage takes upwards to fifteen minutes and then leads with anywhere from sixty to 120 minutes hands-on treatment. Western medicine often focuses on symptom management and may have shorter patient interactions. In contrast, a chiropractic adjustment including a consultation takes anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes, which is half the time down to a third of the time of an Eastern-style session with a client. These styles range with intention but can illuminate the essence of trust that’s developed within this professional relationship. It also highlights why a client might prefer one over the other depending on their lifestyle.

Conclusion

This cross-cultural study has highlighted the importance of considering diverse perspectives and approaches in the field of massage therapy. By recognizing and appreciating the global mind and interconnectedness, therapists can incorporate elements from both Western and Eastern practices to provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to healing and well-being.

References
Clay, R.A. (2017) Chinese medicine meets psychotherapy, Monitor on Psychology.

Feldmann CT, Bensing JM, Ruijte AD, Boeije HR. Afghan refugees and their general practitioners in The Netherlands: to trust or not to trust? Soc Health Illn. (2007)

Gopalkrishnan, N. (2018) Cultural diversity and mental health: Considerations for policy and practice, Frontiers in public health.

Park, Y., Kabariti, J., & Tafler, L. (2021, May 7). Craniosacral therapy use in normal pressure hydrocephalus. Cureus.

Putsch. R. (1990). Dealing with patients from other cultures. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Tabish, S.A. (2008) Complementary and alternative healthcare: Is it evidence-based?, International journal of health sciences.

Taza, P. (2021) What separates Eastern and Western modalities? A guide for those interested in a holistic massage career, Vancouver School of Healing Arts.

Zamanzadeh, V., Jasemi, M., Valizadeh, L., Keogh, B., & Taleghani, F. (2015). Effective factors in providing holistic care: A qualitative study. Indian journal of palliative care.

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