Alternate Movement and Massage Therapy (AMMT)
AMMT – What Is It?
AMMT (Alternate Movement and Massage Therapy) is a complex system integrating various massage therapies and movement systems. Its primary aim is to alleviate pain and suffering and promote recovery. By combining Eastern and Western traditions, it applies a handful of principles well-known from various manual therapies (like osteopathy, chiropractic, etc.).
- The Body is a Unit: Manual therapy views the patient as a dynamic, connected whole, where mind, body, and spirit are interrelated, and every part affects every other part.
- Structure and Function are Interrelated: The structure of the body (bones, muscles, tissues) governs its function, and vice versa. If a structure is impaired, its function will also be disrupted.
- The Body’s Self-Healing Ability: The body is equipped with mechanisms to defend, repair, and maintain health. Manual therapy treatment aims to support and stimulate these natural processes.
- Rational Treatment: Treatment is based on understanding the relationship between structure and function, focusing on the body’s ability to maintain health rather than only focusing on symptoms.
- The Rule of the Artery is Supreme: A key concept emphasizing that proper blood flow (and fluid flow, like lymph) is essential for maintaining health and enabling healing.
- The Body is its Own “Medicine Chest”: An emphasis on removing physical barriers to allow the body to heal itself.
- Holistic Approach: Manual therapists treat the “whole person” rather than just the disease or symptom.
- Musculoskeletal Focus: Utilizing palpation and manual techniques to diagnose and treat dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system to affect overall health.
Manual, Massage & Movement Therapies Used
These manual, massage and movement therapies may be used separately or in combination within a treatment:
- AMMT – Recovery exercises
- AMMT – Stretching and Strengthening Exercise Routines
- Do-In
- Qigong – 8 Brocades
- Shiatsu massage
- Tai Chi – Small Circle Frame
- Thai massage
- Waitankung
- Yoga – Hatha and Yantra
- Yumeiho massage
