Matri Metho : Mergin Eas & Wes By Camila “Mila” Ruiz Matriz Institute & Therapeutics
Western and Eastern medicines offer fundamentally unique perspectives to contemporary public health & wellness. Western approaches target the physical body, while Eastern massage summons one more holistic entirely. Although certain specialists orient their practice with one extremity or another, an integrative approach, informed with cultural contextualization, is an exceptional avenue to reaching the diverse bodies and souls you will touch and work with in the United States and beyond. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Western medicine is defined as: “A system in which medical doctors and other health care professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery.” Western medicine, like the Eastern, stretches back to ancient times. Western medicine can perhaps trace its origins back to early Greek civilization with their observation of human biology, descriptions of disease and illness, and prescriptions of treatments. Both conventional medicine and allopathic medicine developed from the beginnings set at that time. Hence, the heart and focus of Western medicine is to diagnose and provide [solutions] to the
conditions the patient is experiencing, in the name of recovery. Eastern medicine, under which Traditional Chinese Medicine lies, is one of the eldest, codified medicine systems in the history of the living world. Under the umbrella of Eastern medicine, lies a plethora of healing practices and arts, emanating from different geographies within the continent of Asia. The 5 major branches include: acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition and dietary therapy, bodywork, and tai-chi/qi-going [mind-body-spirit exercise practices]. What separates and elevates Eastern medicine from so many of its counterparts is that every part of its working body is informed with and is rooted in Asian philosophy. That philosophy believes that to truly treat any isolated factor you must treat the whole person–supporting the body’s natural ability to diminish illness and heal itself. Diagnosis within Eastern medicinal practices are considered holistically. This way any imbalances–physical, energetic, emotional, mental, soulful–can be thoroughly assessed and Qi can be rebalanced. Further, Eastern medicine treatment has a high reference to nature in contrast to Western
medicine’s pharmaceuticals, surgery or psychological counseling service. Individually, we might naturally gravitate towards one direction or another for socio-cultural or emotional reasons, it is important to recognize that different healing arts and orientations have niches in the collective health landscape. By merging both East & West, the Matriz trained practitioner is able to reach more people and create a super specific approach that is all their own. Assisted stretch therapy is a muscular-based healing system that holds the opportunity to address
symptoms directly in order to relieve muscle tightness and pain, thus Western in part. The Asian philosophy recognizes that when you treat any isolated part of the body, the whole body receives an elevated benefit. Further, using meridian-mapping theory and treating more superficial layers of the physical body, the internal organs and physiological systems can be reached and accessed. Using trigger point therapy, energetic flows become unblocked and true healing can be facilitated.