06. Rubbing Sensory Input
Rubbing the body has the potential to be facilitatory or inhibitory.
- Facilitatory meaning it awakes, engages or brings the area to life.
- Inhibitory meaning it calms, relaxes or brings the area to rest.
Think of rubbing your tummy if it is hurting or rubbing your elbow after hitting your funny bone. The sensory input of rubbing is powerful and may be a key input you need right now to support your body with what it needs.
When to use Rubbing:
For muscle facilitation
- Briskly rubbing a muscle up and down helps engage and activate the muscle and improves circulation.
- It will help stimulate the muscle fibers so you are able to contract the muscle with more force and control.
- Jiggle the muscle from end to end as best you can to get it stimulated.
- Stretch and shorten the muscle by placing 2 hands on the muscle at different ends, moving your hands in and out stretching and relaxing the muscle.
- A rubbing stick is a great tool to warm up muscles before exercise and to massage different muscles.
For relaxation and calming
- Gentle rubbing with slow consistent movements up and down is relaxing. It helps calm down the body and supports nervous system regulation. It can even be cathartic.
- Light to moderate pressure in one direction or both directions to the entire length of the muscle or body part.
To combat pain
- Rubbing helps reduce pain by giving a different sensation to your body which competes with the pain sensation in your brain processing centers. Depending on which type of sensation is processed in your brain is the sensation you perceive or feel.
- Rubbing sometimes with moderate pressure can override the pain sensation and calm the area that is hurting.
- Alternating between short and quick rubbing and then firm and longer strokes may help reduce discomfort as well.
To open up a tight area
- Rub with short back and forward motions over the tight body part, ~ 20-30 repetitions, in all directions.
- Alternate from lighter to moderate or deep pressure. Use what feels most comfortable.
For lymphatic support
Light rubbing and tapping support your lymphatic vessels to ultimately move fluid and support your drainage and immune system.
Major lymphatic points to rub or tap:
- Above and below the clavicle
- Along the jaw line
- Around the ears
- Chest
- Armpits
- Groin
- Behind the knees
- Inside and back of the ankle.
Experience some form of rubbing sensory input for ~1-7 minutes, 1-3x/week or more as desired. *Unless otherwise directed.
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- Optionally, use your testing technique to determine your optimal frequency and duration to perform.
- Use your testing technique to determine if you need any of the following:
Additional testing technique guidance:
- Determine where you most need rubbing at this time.“Is it in my greatest good to have this sensory input on..” Continue to ask until you get a yes.
- A specific Meridian
- Head/Face
- Arms/Hands
- Chest/Torso/Ribs
- Abdomen/
- Upper/Middle/Lower Back/Buttock
- Legs/Feet
- Once you have a yes for a general area, continue to ask until you have determined the exact location(s) you need the sensory input.
- Determine the front, back, and/or side to focus on
- How long at a time is it best to receive the input?
- Length of time in seconds or minutes.
- How often is it best for this input to be received?
- Every day, every 3rd day, etc.
- Is it best for this input to be done simultaneously with something else?
- “Is it in my greatest good to link this sensory input with another master guide item?” If yes, use the master guide to determine the item you need to link with this sensory input.
- Commonly linked with posture, breathing, foundational movements and exercises, as well as during meditations.
Enjoy these other related Master Guide items to resonate health:
Disclaimer and Copyright
This content is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. This content has the potential to produce healing and detox responses. Please consult your medical doctor or professional if you have medical concerns. If you experience any discomfort or adverse effects discontinue.
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