Ito-Thermy is a Japanese alternative medicine procedure and has its roots in Zen Buddhism. The massage technique involves compressing herbs, setting them on fire and smoldering them into metal tubes that are used to work on the patient’s body. The goal is to activate the immune system and self-healing powers.
What is ito-thermia?
Ito-Thermy is a Japanese massage technique of alternative medicine. In the massage technique, herbs are compressed, lit and smoldered into metal tubes that are used to work on the patient’s body. Massage techniques are considered therapies of choice for various ailments. In traditional medicine, they are used mainly in connection with painful muscle tension or tissue tightness. In addition, they are often combined with other therapeutic steps in order to increase the patient’s general well-being and thus improve his or her general condition and attitude to life. There are now a myriad of massage techniques from all over the world. One Japanese massage technique from the 20th century is Ito-Thermy. The Japanese Kin-itsu Ito developed the technique in 1929, drawing on centuries of experience in Buddhist Japanese healing teachings. Thus, especially in monasteries of this type, the leaves of the medlar tree were used for ages to treat patients. The leaves were heated together with other herbs and put into metal pods, which were used to treat the body. The sleeves were used to stroke the body, which was supposed to have a relaxing and healing effect on the patient. Especially the activation of the immune system and the stimulation of the organic reflex zones are associated with Ito-Thermy. Patients gain new strength and reduce their blockages. To date, there are no conclusive studies on the effectiveness of the alternative medical procedure.
Function, effect and goals
In Ito-Thermy, heat, touch and herbs come together. The proven stimulating power of heat is combined with the healing effects of herbs. Herbal sticks are designed to deliver a well-dosed and stimulating heat to the patient’s body and at the same time exude smoke, which after inhalation also acts on the patient from within. The so-called Rei-on-ki are hot-cold instruments that are passed over the patient’s body with gentle pressure within the therapeutic procedure to make him feel a deep and long-lasting sensation of warmth. The gentle powerful pressure of these massage sticks is combined with the heat and supplemented with the healing power of various herbs. The aim of Ito-Thermy is to stimulate organic reflex zones, activate the immune system and stimulate microcirculation. The procedure is supposed to have both relaxing and stimulating effects. In this way, the patient gains new strength and his blockages dissolve. The origins of thermie procedures go back to the traditional Zen temples, which used the healing leaves of medlar trees. Along with Zen Buddhism, knowledge of the healing properties of thermia plants reached Japanese latitudes. Ito-Thermie now uses herbal sticks containing loquat, cedar, pine, mugwort, and Chinese cinnamon. Ito-Thermie treatments are offered in Germany mainly by natural healing centers. Patients are covered with a cloth during the treatment. The treatments take place for better effectiveness as a series treatment and usually last between half an hour and hour. Meanwhile, Ito-Thermie has also found private users and is applied as a home remedy. The procedure is not a recognized method of alternative medicine in Germany, because so far there are too few data on the success of the treatments. For this reason, Ito-Thermie within German latitudes is rather counted among the wellness offers. The herbs are pressed into stick form, ignited and put into metal sleeves in smoldering form to travel along the patient’s body. In most cases, dietary changes are recommended in addition to the treatment to achieve a holistic effect. The accompanying dietary change is whole food based and includes elements of macrobiotics. The total package of Ito-Thermie is intended to strengthen the self-healing powers, activate the metabolism, promote digestion, relieve pain and strengthen the immune system.Apart from these effects, Ito-Thermy is said to have a promoting effect on blood circulation and self-discovery.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Ito-thermia does not carry risks, nor side effects. For this reason, the procedure can be used in the context of various diseases. Although the effectiveness of Ito-Thermia is scientifically controversial, as a form of relaxation, the procedure can at least improve the general condition of the patient. As with all other methods of alternative medicine, the exclusive use of Ito-Thermie is not recommended. In case of any complaints, conventional medical advice should always be sought as well. However, alternative medical procedures can be used as a supplement to conventional medical therapies in the context of all illnesses. The relaxing effect of heat is considered proven and can make Ito-Thermie for example with pain symptoms in the context of neurological muscle spasms or similar illnesses a meaningful addition. The well-being of the patient is often underestimated by conventional medicine. It has long been proven that a strengthened psyche certainly contributes its part to healing. A strengthening of the psyche can be brought about by procedures such as Ito-Thermie under certain circumstances. In the meantime courses are offered at different places, which teach participants in Ito-Thermie and make the procedure thereby also applicable for the home area. Self-application should not take place untrained. There is a risk of fire, albeit slight, when igniting the substances and filling them into rods. For this reason, the rods used must be heat resistant.
