Jeff Kuykendall prac
tices American style massage--a melting pot blend of European, Asian, American and Polynesian modalities, flowing together to meet each client's individual needs. He is experienced in shiastu, Thai, sports, pre and post natal, hot stone, myofascial release, Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, tui na, massage cupping, aromatherapy and lomi lomi. Jeff focuses on establishing clear somatic communication with each client to release restrictions, facilitate ease of movement, and increase the flow of fluids and energy throughout the body. Jeff is a graduate of the Thai Massage Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand , the PCI Massage Program in Lawrence, Kansas, and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. He is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Jeff is one of the few American practioneers of Tok Sen.
The practice of Tok Sen is very old and dates back to a time before the Thai, Sukothai and Lanna kingdoms and is at least 5 thousand years old. Tok Sen is still known and practiced in Northern Thailand and can be found in Burma and Laos as a healing method. Tok literally means to hammer. Sen are regarded as the pathways of the body, similar to meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine or the Nadis of Ayureveda.
By tapping the body using traditional Tok Sen tools—a wooden “hammer” and variety of “pestles”—vibrations are sent through the nerves, muscles, and fascia to treat muscle and tendon pain. A light “hammering” with varying degrees of contact is applied to the different regions of the body. Of course, the tools are never applied in a violent or rough manner. The vibrations created by the gentle hammering repair and rejuvenate the tendons and muscles, making them feel more alive.
TOK SEN ADVANTAGES
Just a few of the advantages of this ancient Thai treatment are increased circulation, relief from stiff and tight muscles, and improvement of nerve functions. In addition, many maladies that decrease the quality of life can be improved with Tok Sen.
The main function of this treatment relates to the tendons and specifically to the muscle-tendon meridians. The vibration of the tendons, when done correctly, loosens both the tendons and the muscles. This also improves the blood circulation.
Treatment of the entire body is one of the best forms of maintenance. This has been established through centuries of application. Indeed, maintenance with Tok Sen therapy has a positive influence on virtually every part and function of the body as listed below.
1. Increases blood circulation. Better circulation nourishes tendons and releases blocked energy more quickly.
2. Relaxes muscles. Tight muscles will squeeze capillaries, which decreases blood circulation to muscles and causes muscle soreness.
3. Stimulates peripheral nerves. These nerves run parallel with capillaries. Every time we hammer, the vibration will affect capillaries and peripheral nerves, which can stimulate muscles as well.
4. Releases pain from many causes:
- Headaches from nerve problems, migraines, brain degeneration, blurred vision, or hearing loss
- Shoulder pain, neck sprain, shoulder tendon tightness, immobile arm
- Tendon compression, back muscle tightness, scapular problems, and back pain
- Lower back pain, spinal cord inflammation, difficulty bending the trunk
- Lumbar pain and nerve compression
- Thigh pain, hamstring muscle tightness, and patella dislocation
- Calf pain, sole pain, and numbness
- Arm pain, elbow pain, arm numbness, and hand numbness
In addition to unblocking the chi meridians, Tok Sen treatment facilitates the release of tension by addressing armored tendons and muscles. Hammering on the meridians assists in relieving pain and discomfort. This is especially true if a person has stored a lot of stress and created a hard or armored shell on the tendons and muscles. Via palpation, the knowledgeable Tok Sen practitioner is able to sense energy blockages in any part of the body.
The healing sound vibrations created by the tapping of the Tok Sen tools work deeply into the fascia and muscles. Among the many advantages of Tok Sen treatment is the fact that some muscles are too big or too deep for the fingers to reach. Tok Sen can penetrate to those regions.