What is the Jing Method?

The Jing Method™ is an outcome based system of treatment which focuses on the individual and addresses long-term (chronic), or persistent, musculoskeletal pain. The approach recognises that chronic pain is complex and can be amplified by our body’s central nervous system.

So the Jing approach can be described as “holistic” – treating the person as a whole and not just targeting the soft tissue around the site of pain.

This method is sometimes referred to as biopsychosocial. It recognises that chronic pain exists, not just because of issues in the tissue (biological), but also persists due to other life factors, such as trauma, anxiety and stressful events (psychological and social).

A good example of this is frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Frozen shoulder is an extremely painful “locking” of the shoulder capsule. It is so locked, that neither the individual or therapist is able to create more than minimal movement.

It commonly lasts for 18 months to 2 years and is described as “idiopathic.” Whilst this means there is no known cause, what we do know is that it most often coincides with stressful life events.

With frozen shoulder, or other idiopathic musculoskeletal pain such as non-specific low back pain, the Jing therapist will therefore consider the whole person and not just the site of the physical pain.

Where did the Jing Method originate?

The Jing Method was conceived and developed by Rachel Fairweather and Meghan Mari, the founders and co-directors of Jing Advanced Massage Training.

The school is based in Brighton, UK and is the only UK school to offer a BTEC level 6 diploma (degree level) in advanced clinical and sports massage.

Is the Jing Method right for me?

The Jing method is ideally suited to persistent or long-term (chronic) musculoskeletal pain. Pain is described as chronic when it has persisted beyond the usual healing time.

The Jing Method can help to tackle pain problems such as low back pain, headaches, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ disorders, stress-related conditions and stubborn sporting injuries.

The Jing Method can also help with complex systemic pain conditions including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

So if you have been experiencing long-term persistent pain, the Jing Method may be a suitable treatment. Most Jing therapists will be happy to explore more over a telephone call, so it’s worth calling your closest Jing therapist, and explaining what you are experiencing.

Even if they feel the Jing approach is not suitable, they may be able to refer you to a more appropriate treatment.

If you do have a Jing treatment, the therapist will take a holistic approach, adopting a range of safe and effective soft tissue and advanced massage techniques.

What techniques are involved in the Jing Method?

You can expect a range of safe and effective manual therapies to be adopted within the Jing Method, including the following:

Application of Heat

Heating the soft tissue increases blood flow to the area of warmth, creating elasticity in the tissue. This not only helps the therapist work deeper, but also has a calming and therapeutic effect of easing the pain.

Myofascial Release

Myofascia is the connective tissue found around and through muscles. Healthy fascia is strong and elastic. Myofascial release is a technique used to stimulate elasticity in fascia which has become restricted.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy also works on the fascia. Specifically it targets irritable knots or adhesions known as trigger points. These painful spots ease when gentle pressure is applied to them.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a manual therapy which aims to stimulate specific points on the body to release a flow of energy. These points are commonly known as acupressure points.

Stretches

Stretches are a key component in the Jing Method. They work particularly well alongside myofascial release and trigger point therapy. It feels great and promotes greater flexibility.

Self-Care

Self-care exercises, such as stretches, between hands-on sessions helps to speed up recovery. The therapist and client agree a few simple exercises to be carried out at home.

What should I expect from a first Jing Method treatment?

With any treatment, the Jing therapist will start with a thorough consultation. This includes medical history, understanding any aggravating factors and an assessment to determine which muscles, joints and soft tissue may be involved.

The therapist will also take personal preferences into account, so they will likely ask about your experience of massage, preferred pressure and what other therapies you have explored previously. The therapist will then agree specific, measurable goals and recommend a treatment plan based on their assessment. Hands on treatment usually then commences during that session.

After each session, the therapist will likely test the joints again to measure any changes and ask for your feedback on the session and any changes you have observed.

How many Jing Method treatments will I need?

The number of treatments will depend on the issue being treated. Most chronic pain issues can be treated within 6 sessions. There are exceptions however.

Many shoulder issues can be resolved within 6 sessions, but true frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) which is actually quite rare, will take at least 12 sessions and potentially several months to resolve fully. Whilst this may sound frustrating, you should expect it to be a significant improvement on the usual prognosis of 18 months to 2 years.

For systemic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, the therapist will likely recommend a longer term treatment of periodic sessions and self-care to manage the pain.