I received my first acupressure treatment in 2000 from a civilian friend while serving in the Canadian military at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria B.C. I had been challenged by sports injuries that had not healed despite many surgeries and the myriad of medications that the military physicians had prescribed to me.
    I entered into the acupressure session highly skeptical that it would be effective. The idea that there were rivers of energy that coursed through my physical body, and that the residue of physical or emotional injuries can remain in the body, causing a restriction to the flow of this energy, often referred to as chi, seemed unlikely to me. The suggestion that holding pressure points along these energy channels or meridians, could provide significant or even total relief from the pain and physical limitations, was something my mind could not grasp, much less accept.
    After the treatment was completed, I felt amazing! I was relaxed and calm, and to my astonishment, much of the pain from an old football injury was gone. I was forced to accept that this was something that my logical brain could not understand or explain. I had gone from resolute doubter to unshakable believer. I began researching everything that I could regarding the conscious use of energy for the purpose of healing.
   I enrolled in weekend courses of many different disciplines, studying Qi energy massage and chi exercises from a Shaolin monk, as well as Reiki, Pranic healing, therapeutic touch, and many forms of massage from certified masters. I retired from the military shortly after, and enrolled in college to study Jin Shin Do® acupressure, (The Way of The Compassionate Spirit) as well as Shiatsu massage and counselling. Once the formal training was completed, I practiced and trained in the office of a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, learning what I could from him about Asian medicine. In addition, I continued learning as many forms of massage as I could. Over two decades have passed since I began practicing, with more than 8,000 hours of clinical time, not including many hours treating a variety of animals.
   During my studies with the Shaolin monk,  the students asked many questions regarding energy work using consciousness. Two questions in particular, and his reply to them, lead me to a great deal of contemplation and research to either refute or support what he stated. Question 1: Does energy work such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Pranic Healing, Qi Gong, etc. exist in any other cultures or countries? Question 2: Is it possible to send healing energy to someone that is not in the same location? The monk's reply was that every culture that he had information about had some form of conscious use of energy to help others. Some are religion based and others are not. The one thing that all of these practices shared was a genuine intention by one person or group working together to help another person to heal from injury, dis-ease or emotional turmoil. He claimed that a great deal of research had been done and that there was empirical data to support that it is very effective for both humans and animals. He added that research also supported the idea that the person offering the help did not have to be touching the subject, or even for that matter, be in the same location as them. He said  he was raised as a Christian and referenced a method known as the "laying on of hands" that was practiced. It involved a church member putting their hands over or on an ill member of the congregation. As well, a prayer group might assemble in an effort to heal an absent brother or sister that was sick or troubled. His story about the prayer meetings triggered long forgotten memories from my childhood. Similar gatherings were conducted at the homes of fellow parishioners from the church my family and I regularly attended. I recalled the feeling I went home with after those meetings as well as the warmth that my heart felt when news of the person's full or partial recovery was announced, or they would suddenly appear one Sunday morning for church. I had somehow forgotten the emotions I would have in response to such events. I remembered how I was overwhelmed by a swell of emotion that was beyond description. My entire body tingled and I wept tears that felt like sweet bliss. The monk's words brought back that long lost memory so quickly and completely that it was just as fresh and pure as the instant it had originally occurred.
On the drive home after class I experienced tears of the same soul-stirring quality. This was one of many incredible experiences with the monk. 
   A few days later while performing my military duties, which involved the task of loading a torpedo onto a Sea King helicopter as part of anti-submarine warfare operations for Pacific coastal defence readiness. I chuckled to myself softly as I watched the helo depart, and thought about the contrast between this, and what I had been doing only two evenings prior. Although I had enjoyed my service to this country, It was becoming very clear that my time in the military was drawing to an end. It was not long before I retired and sought to bathe once again in the feelings that had nourished me so deeply and completely as a young boy.
   My experiences with this form of treatment have kept me amazed and inspired. I have been privileged to receive referrals from and collaborate with nurses, clinical counselors, physical therapists doctors and veterinarians. It is a joy to share and a gift to receive. I still feel childlike anticipation before a session begins! My family and I share treatments frequently.
By treating clients in their homes, the effects of the treatment are not diminished or delayed by the drive home from the clinic. You can immerse yourself in the sacred sanctuary of your sovereign space. A client humorously observed that she could go from treatment to sleepment in just a few moments after a session in her home.
  Ascension Massage Services is happily serving Red Deer and Central Alberta.
 Call or message for an appointment or details regarding fees and treatment options.
Ph:403-588-0341
email:twelvestrands2012@gmail.com​