What is Oriental Body Balance (OBB)?

OBB utilises a scientifically proven multidisciplinary approach as an alternative to singular therapeutic disciplines, excelling in prevention and the treatment of chronic disease.  Oriental Body Balance fuses both Eastern and Western Medicine thus enabling the practitioner to offer the very best advice and treatment to everyone on an individual basis.

Oriental Body Balance has a unique diagnostic system that views the body from many different angles to find the root cause of each condition.  As the body is a holistic system, the practitioner assesses the muscles, bone structure, internal organs, food intolerance, lymphatic system, blood and psychology.  It is essential that the condition is not masked but removed by finding the cause and applying the appropriate treatment from the “tool kit”.

Each new client receives a full consultation on their particular problem and then the practitioner will recommend a specific treatment or a range of treatments to suit the individual.  The tool kit comprises of the seven treatments protocols, and the practitioner may introduce other treatments based on their own experience and training.

Oriental Body Balance comprises of the following integrated multidisciplinary systems:

Applied Kinesiology (A.K) is a system using muscle testing as a functional neurological evaluation.  The methodology is concerned primarily with neuromuscular function as it relates to structural, chemical and mental physiological regulatory mechanisms.

Acupressure is based on the principles of acupuncture.  This ancient Chinese technique involves the use of finger pressure (rather than needles) at specific points along the body to treat ailments such as arthritis, tension and stress, aches and pains, and menstrual cramps.

Chinese Bodywork Therapy (called Tuina). This form of massage has been used in China for over 2,000 years.  Tui Na uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its basic therapeutic orientation.  It is used to reduce stress, improve blood circulation, enhance immune function, and treat a variety of health conditions.

Myofascial Release Therapy is a hands-on technique that seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function / balance and reducing pain.  Using hands, therapists apply mild, sustained pressure to gently stretch and soften the fascia.  Myofascial release is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries, scoliosis, and many other conditions.

Cranio-Sacral Balancing (CSB). First pioneered by the Japanese (Kenkujutsu) and further developed by osteopathic physicians.  CSB is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the Cranio-Sacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.  Using soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the Cranio-Sacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.  By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CSB is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to dis-ease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

Neuromuscular Therapy emphasises the role of the brain, spine and nerves in muscular pain.  The goal is to relieve tender, congested spots in muscle tissue and compressed nerves that may radiate pain to other areas of the body.

Qi Gung healing is one of the most potent healing systems in the world, utilising the body’s natural healing energy, combining the universal energies to help increase the power of the therapy creating dramatic recovery from many chronic conditions.

So, how does this help you?  Let’s look at a case history;

A gentleman in his early 30’s came to me for acute back pain and pain radiating down his left leg. He had to be driven to the appointment as he now couldn’t drive and he hobbled into the room.  He had seen the doctor, and was recommended to use painkillers and bed rest, but this had not really helped.

After taking a full history, I assessed his pain as level 8 and I used muscle tests to find out where the body was weakest, pin pointing a sacro-iliac strain within minutes. The client stated that it had taken his doctor 20 minutes to find the pain point, but that I had been able to do in seconds!  As the client was in a lot of discomfort and unable to turn on to his back, I used cranial sacral balancing and Qi Gung on the neck and occipital area.

At the second treatment, the pain was still present but had eased to pain level 5. I again used muscle tests to see where the body was weak and used acupressure on pain points, eased tight muscles with some gentle Tuina, used Qi Gung on the sacrum and balanced the cranium. 

By the third treatment, the client was able to drive himself to the appointment and walked in with a normal gait.  His pain was now assessed as level 2. I muscle tested once again, then used Myofascial release, lymphatic neurological points to release the lymph from the pain area and used cranial-sacral work to ease both areas.  The client reported that he felt really relaxed and unwound.

What makes Oriental Body Balance so successful?

*    The ability to diagnose the body and mind on many different levels to get to the root cause of somebody’s condition using Eastern and Western techniques.

*     Understanding the true holistic nature of the body and how the systems interact to cause pain.  Bowel conditions causing back injuries and pain.  Back problems causing neck, knee or shoulder pain.

*    Oriental Body Balance utilises muscle testing to prove neurological change.  By testing a client before and after treatment the practitioner can prove the therapeutic intervention has worked, enhancing the client’s confidence and understanding.

Now for the first time, two OBB practitioners are in the South of England.

Sally Tyler is qualified in Oriental Body Balance, Bowen Technique (Bowtech), and Aromatherapy.  She has been in the complementary field for over 10 years.  She became interested in therapies while working as a staff nurse and saw first hand the effects of therapies on improving health.  Sally teaches part-time privately and within adult education, teaching a variety of courses to qualified and non-qualified people.

Sally Tyler can be reached on 07882679022 or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website www.care4urskin.com

Leah Thomas Dip OBB ITEC mass. Leah qualified in massage over 4 years ago and is qualified in sports massage as well as beauty therapies.  She teaches part-time in adult education and will be branching out into the private sector soon.

Leah Thomas can be reached on 07845982132 or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website www.bodymatters.org.uk

©  Sally Tyler 2008