Consultation / Recreation

Advice for staying healthy and preventing disease

Throughout history, there have been different approaches to health. In ancient China and in the East in general, prevention was the main focus. The ancient Greeks held that the three requirements for health were: the temple, the theatre and the gym. The Roman Empire had the health of its citizens at heart, building aqueducts, baths and advanced housing. Early Christianity introduced a new concept: mercifulness. The worst afflicted became the centre of attention. In the monasteries priests and later doctors tended to the sick. It was a world focused on suffering and disease.

The next big change occurred in the 17th century, when natural sciences and their methods started spreading. Blood circulation was discovered, microscopes were used and medicine developed in leaps and bounds year by year. With the increasing knowledge of the human body, more and more light was shed on disease processes, including infections. The post WWII era saw non-infectious diseases come to the forefront, with more and more "healthy-sick" people. The main causes of death also shifted from infectious diseases to non-infectious conditions.

More then half a century ago, a new definition of health was introduced to the world, and in the wake of it came new preventive concepts. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in terms of physical, psychological and social well-being, not just the absence of disease. The WHO Ottawa charter for health promotion describes health as:

Anatomic integrity
Capacity for performance
Integrity of personal values, family, work and social interaction
Coping with physical, biological and social stress
Freedom from disease and other risks of premature death

The components of a healthy lifestyle:

Personal hygiene
Coping with/screening out stress
Avoiding smoking and other drug use
Lowering alcohol consumption
Balanced sexual activity
Regular check-ups and timely medical help
Accident prevention
Respect and care for one's environment
Accepting the ideas of disease prevention
More exercise

Recreational counselling is becoming more and more important in creating a healthier lifestyle to protect ourselves, our families, and our environment. Nowadays it is essential to have a conscious connection to our bodies, our souls and our mental capabilities in our everyday lives. Any recreational activity that creates a balanced active lifestyle can help this connection.

We trust that with time we can help all our members live a healthy, active lifestyle, eat a balanced diet and let go of any harmful habits they may have and embrace a view of optimism. "The secret to longevity is not to put obstacles in its way." - said Ferenc Móra, Hungarian writer. And the best way to get rid of those obstacles is to realize that health is a treasure worth guarding.

CMA Alternative Movement and Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is beneficial for healthy people as well, as it has a strong preventive quality. Problems with muscle structure and energy flow can cause disease in the long run. Disruptions and blockages in energy flow can be caused by conflicts, both inner and outer. If they are not resolved in time, they can start disrupting the body and manifest in disease. Clearing these blockages and balancing energy flow can return the body to harmony and let energy flow freely.

The different massage techniques, combined with the energy centred healing, consists of the stimulation of the acupuncture points along the body's meridians. The pulling and stretching techniques are beneficial for all joints and connected muscle groups, helping to get rid of blockages in the joints. The lateral massaging of the muscles also has stimulant effects on their biological processes.

The massage relaxes connective tissues and muscles, increases local blood and lymphatic circulation, fortifies the immune system and helps detoxification, the latter being supported by increased fluid intake. Contrary to common therapies, this focuses on the actual cause of the problems.

Beneficial to the autonomous nervous system, it is also able to reduce pain and help sleeping disorders. The treatment therefore results in the reduction of anxiety and stress.

For the younger generation

Helps correct posture, flat feet and most spinal disorders. The development of locomotor disorders is usually traceable to lack of healthy exercise. In order to avoid problems in later like, it is important to build strong, healthy skeletal muscles at a young age.

For athletes

Athletes expose their bodies to a lot of strain, especially the skeletal muscles system. Top athletes today are able to perform at levels that can seem superhuman for average people. This puts a lot of strain on bones, joints and muscles. The higher level of strain and performance also raises the risk of injury. Sprains and cartilage damage are almost an everyday occurrence.

The CMA method is suitable for the preparation of athletes for the continuous strain of sports seasons, as well as to help relieve tiredness and prevent injury. Regular massage and stretching can increase an athlete's performance by up to 30%, as muscles that have better access to oxygen and nutrients work better, faster, and longer. The Thai method is not typical sport massage, but rather a healing method to alleviate pain and help the quick regeneration of injury as well. Sport massage techniques typically focus on regenerating muscles, getting rid of cramps and the detoxification of muscles. The application of the more complex method can help muscles stay in the best possible shape and joints to remain flexible and strong.

Further alternative recreational therapies

Reflexology, herbal therapy, dietetics, homeopathy, Bach flower therapy, Schüssler salts, aromatherapy, colour therapy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, kinesiology, Hellinger therapy