Sunday, June 28, 2009
Massage
Whether your have an old or recent injury, stress, issues that effect your mobility or range of motion, you will have trigger points and fascial restrictions. These are caused by trauma, injury or stress to the muscles, from either repetitive movement, accidents, and sports to name just a few. By combining various massage techniques listed above and particularily Orthopedic, Structural Intregration and Trigger Point Therapy I can help to reduce and in many cases eliminate your pain by 'melting away' trigger points and fascial restrictions.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Why we love back rubs
Most of my blog articles are inspired by actual questions and conversations I have with my clients, Hopefully this allows me to focus on the real questions you have and I am always open to responding in these posts to your concerns and curiosities. With that in mind, I was asked the other day during a session “why does getting your back massaged feel so good?”
The answer to this has less to do with the number of nerve endings and more to do with the genetic, social conditioning we higher mammals enjoy. The same triggers we have that cause a baby and mother to bond with each other and why we care for each other. Obviously, we are relatively helpless in our early development and require a high amount of nuturing. Touch is a big factor in this. Babies will respond to being picked up and cue into our emotions. The more stressed we are the less likely the baby will be comforted, while the more peaceful and serene we are the more likely the baby will be soothed by our efforts.
Because we are unable to reach our on backs, like the baby we are dependant on the help and care of others. For most of us this becomes a social part of our well being. Thanks to the efforts of people like Jane Goodall we have been able to observe Chimps and Gorillas in their native habitat and we see that in those times that aren’t spent foraging, much time is spent grooming each other. It is a show of trust to be able to turn one’s back and have the other groom those areas that can’t be reached. Besides the health benefits of controlling parasites, much like our barbers and hair stylists it improves appearance to smooth the hair/fur. Another element is the endorphines and hormones that are released in response to touch. We are just now beginning to understand how important a role these “bio” chemicals play in our well being.
Look what the cat does when you go to pet it; the cat will arch it back to meet the stroke of your hand as a signal of its pleaseure and acceptance of the touch. Elephants and Bears have been known to stratch their backs by rubbing against the bark of trees and still other kinds of animal will roll around in the dirt. Horses will stand end to end to help keep flies off each other and we have all seen horses and Giraffes rub necks and nuzzle each other.
So my contention is that we are wired and programmed for touch paticularily in those hard to reach areas of backs and feet. I always notice those families in church who sit there throughout the service scratching or gently rubbing each others backs.
I feel sorry for those few who were less nutured and don’t feel comfortable with touch. Perhaps they associate touch in negative ways such as an invasion of space or privacy. Chances are they may have been social outcasts early in life or don’t come from families who were physically demonstrative. It makes me happy when I give someone their first massage because I know that deep down I am passing on a caring touch as well as a healing touch.
The answer to this has less to do with the number of nerve endings and more to do with the genetic, social conditioning we higher mammals enjoy. The same triggers we have that cause a baby and mother to bond with each other and why we care for each other. Obviously, we are relatively helpless in our early development and require a high amount of nuturing. Touch is a big factor in this. Babies will respond to being picked up and cue into our emotions. The more stressed we are the less likely the baby will be comforted, while the more peaceful and serene we are the more likely the baby will be soothed by our efforts.
Because we are unable to reach our on backs, like the baby we are dependant on the help and care of others. For most of us this becomes a social part of our well being. Thanks to the efforts of people like Jane Goodall we have been able to observe Chimps and Gorillas in their native habitat and we see that in those times that aren’t spent foraging, much time is spent grooming each other. It is a show of trust to be able to turn one’s back and have the other groom those areas that can’t be reached. Besides the health benefits of controlling parasites, much like our barbers and hair stylists it improves appearance to smooth the hair/fur. Another element is the endorphines and hormones that are released in response to touch. We are just now beginning to understand how important a role these “bio” chemicals play in our well being.
Look what the cat does when you go to pet it; the cat will arch it back to meet the stroke of your hand as a signal of its pleaseure and acceptance of the touch. Elephants and Bears have been known to stratch their backs by rubbing against the bark of trees and still other kinds of animal will roll around in the dirt. Horses will stand end to end to help keep flies off each other and we have all seen horses and Giraffes rub necks and nuzzle each other.
So my contention is that we are wired and programmed for touch paticularily in those hard to reach areas of backs and feet. I always notice those families in church who sit there throughout the service scratching or gently rubbing each others backs.
I feel sorry for those few who were less nutured and don’t feel comfortable with touch. Perhaps they associate touch in negative ways such as an invasion of space or privacy. Chances are they may have been social outcasts early in life or don’t come from families who were physically demonstrative. It makes me happy when I give someone their first massage because I know that deep down I am passing on a caring touch as well as a healing touch.
Monday, June 15, 2009
FOCUSED BREATHING EXERCISE
The Healing Place of Cottge Grove
www.thehealingplacecg.com
Make sure you are comfortable and have loosened any tight clothing.
Close your eyes or lower them to look at a point in the middle of the floor.
Now think about the sound of your breath as you breathe in and out.
Now focus on the movement of your breathing between breathing out and breathing in.
Now start to deepen the breath slowly and evenly.
Keep focused on your breathing, the sound and movement.
Now begin to think about any areas of your body which are particularly tense, identify two or three in your own mind by name.
Think about how the areas of tension feel.
Now focus on your breathing again, focus on an in-breath at the same time as you locate one of the ‘tense’ areas.
Imagine breathing into this area directing the breath towards the tension.
As you breathe out imagine the tension flowing out with the breath.
Do that again two or three times, breathing into the tension and breathing the tension out.
Now move onto one of the other areas you identified earlier and do the same exercise with that part.
Now focus back on your breathing, if it has changed in any way bring it back to normal.
Now slowly open your eyes and stay still for a few moments.
www.thehealingplacecg.com
Make sure you are comfortable and have loosened any tight clothing.
Close your eyes or lower them to look at a point in the middle of the floor.
Now think about the sound of your breath as you breathe in and out.
Now focus on the movement of your breathing between breathing out and breathing in.
Now start to deepen the breath slowly and evenly.
Keep focused on your breathing, the sound and movement.
Now begin to think about any areas of your body which are particularly tense, identify two or three in your own mind by name.
Think about how the areas of tension feel.
Now focus on your breathing again, focus on an in-breath at the same time as you locate one of the ‘tense’ areas.
Imagine breathing into this area directing the breath towards the tension.
As you breathe out imagine the tension flowing out with the breath.
Do that again two or three times, breathing into the tension and breathing the tension out.
Now move onto one of the other areas you identified earlier and do the same exercise with that part.
Now focus back on your breathing, if it has changed in any way bring it back to normal.
Now slowly open your eyes and stay still for a few moments.
Fathers Day June 21st
Give the gift of Massage! And who deserves that gift more than you?
$45 for 60 minute Massage
$45 for 60 minute Massage
Friday, June 5, 2009
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
The Healing Place of Cottage Grove
www.thehealingplacecg.com
Fascia is very densely woven connective tissue, covering and interpenetrating every structure of the body. Every part of the body is interconnected, including muscles, bones, nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and vital organs such as the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. An interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
The myofascial release approach consists of the slow and gentle application of sustained pressure and supportive movement into the fascial system. Through sensitive touch, the therapist is able to engage the subtle motion and expression of the fascial tissues to facilitate the body’s natural ability to self-correct. This is a dynamic and transformational process that will soothe your mind, eliminate your pain, and energize your body.
Myofascial release plays an integral role in the rehabilitation process due to automobile accidents, sporting injuries, pre- and post-surgical procedures, as well as emotional and mental stress.
Myofascial release is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restriction of motion, chronic pain, and headaches.
www.thehealingplacecg.com
Fascia is very densely woven connective tissue, covering and interpenetrating every structure of the body. Every part of the body is interconnected, including muscles, bones, nerves, blood and lymph vessels, and vital organs such as the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. An interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
The myofascial release approach consists of the slow and gentle application of sustained pressure and supportive movement into the fascial system. Through sensitive touch, the therapist is able to engage the subtle motion and expression of the fascial tissues to facilitate the body’s natural ability to self-correct. This is a dynamic and transformational process that will soothe your mind, eliminate your pain, and energize your body.
Myofascial release plays an integral role in the rehabilitation process due to automobile accidents, sporting injuries, pre- and post-surgical procedures, as well as emotional and mental stress.
Myofascial release is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restriction of motion, chronic pain, and headaches.
Friday, May 15, 2009
* There are over 640 muscles in the human body.
* There are 206 bones in an adult human body. There are about 300 at birth.
* Human jaw muscles can generate a force of 200 pounds on the molars.
* Toenails and fingernails are actually made from skin cells.
* How fast are nerve signals? Some, like the ones for muscle position ravel
on extra fast nerve fibers at speeds of up to 390 feet per second! Close your
eyes and wave your arms around: you can tell where they are at every moment
because the muscle-position nerves are very fast. But other messages, like
some kinds of pain signals, travel more slowly. If you stub your toe, you feel
the pressure right away because touch signals travel 250 feet per second.
But travel at only 2 feet per second.
* The average person can live without food for a few weeks, depending on their body type.
The average person can live without water for 3 or 4 days.
The average person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Did you know that we are made up of about 55% to 70% water? Babies are made up of about 78% water.
The human brain is about 80% water.
The heaviest human brain recorded weighed about 5 pounds.
It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
The Playtsma muscle is what helped to create the infamous ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ expression.
Skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects you from illnesses, helps control your body’s temperature, and helps you to feel everything from a hot kettle to a soft breeze.
It takes approximately 12 hours for food to digest entirely.
Most people don’t get enough sleep. Sleeping helps you to concentrate, keep a good attitude, deal with stresses, and handle daily activities like driving a car. So get some rest!
Bob Hope lived to be 100 years young, and is believed to have had therapeutic massage daily as part of his healthy regimen.
Go ahead and LAUGH! Laughing lowers blood pressure and lifts your spirits!
The human eye blinks an average of 4,200,000 times a year.
Go suck a lemon! Try adding lemon slices to your water. It provides you with good source of vitamin C, stimulates digestion, and helps to clean the liver. It also tastes delicious!
Due to gravitational effects, you weigh slightly less when the moon is directly overhead.
It takes 70% less energy to produce a ton of paper from recycled paper than from trees.
In your lifetime, you’ll shed over 40 pounds of skin
Every minute, 30-40,000 dead skin cells fall from your body.
15 million blood cells are produced and destroyed in the human body every second.
There are more living organisms on the skin of a single human being then there are human beings on the surface of the earth.
The brain uses more than 25% of the oxygen used by the human body.
Muscles are made up of bundles from about 5 in the eyelid to about 200 in the buttock muscles.
Muscles in the human body (640 in total) make up about half of the body weight.
The human body has enough fat to produce 7 bars of soap.
Most people blink about 17,000 times a day.
70% of dust in your home consists of shed skin.
The average human produces a quart of saliva a day – about 10 thousand gallons in a lifetime.
Nearly a third of all bottled drinking water purchased in the US is contaminated with bacteria.
There are 60,000 miles in blood vessels in every human body.
* There are 206 bones in an adult human body. There are about 300 at birth.
* Human jaw muscles can generate a force of 200 pounds on the molars.
* Toenails and fingernails are actually made from skin cells.
* How fast are nerve signals? Some, like the ones for muscle position ravel
on extra fast nerve fibers at speeds of up to 390 feet per second! Close your
eyes and wave your arms around: you can tell where they are at every moment
because the muscle-position nerves are very fast. But other messages, like
some kinds of pain signals, travel more slowly. If you stub your toe, you feel
the pressure right away because touch signals travel 250 feet per second.
But travel at only 2 feet per second.
* The average person can live without food for a few weeks, depending on their body type.
The average person can live without water for 3 or 4 days.
The average person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Did you know that we are made up of about 55% to 70% water? Babies are made up of about 78% water.
The human brain is about 80% water.
The heaviest human brain recorded weighed about 5 pounds.
It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
The Playtsma muscle is what helped to create the infamous ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ expression.
Skin is the largest organ in the body. It protects you from illnesses, helps control your body’s temperature, and helps you to feel everything from a hot kettle to a soft breeze.
It takes approximately 12 hours for food to digest entirely.
Most people don’t get enough sleep. Sleeping helps you to concentrate, keep a good attitude, deal with stresses, and handle daily activities like driving a car. So get some rest!
Bob Hope lived to be 100 years young, and is believed to have had therapeutic massage daily as part of his healthy regimen.
Go ahead and LAUGH! Laughing lowers blood pressure and lifts your spirits!
The human eye blinks an average of 4,200,000 times a year.
Go suck a lemon! Try adding lemon slices to your water. It provides you with good source of vitamin C, stimulates digestion, and helps to clean the liver. It also tastes delicious!
Due to gravitational effects, you weigh slightly less when the moon is directly overhead.
It takes 70% less energy to produce a ton of paper from recycled paper than from trees.
In your lifetime, you’ll shed over 40 pounds of skin
Every minute, 30-40,000 dead skin cells fall from your body.
15 million blood cells are produced and destroyed in the human body every second.
There are more living organisms on the skin of a single human being then there are human beings on the surface of the earth.
The brain uses more than 25% of the oxygen used by the human body.
Muscles are made up of bundles from about 5 in the eyelid to about 200 in the buttock muscles.
Muscles in the human body (640 in total) make up about half of the body weight.
The human body has enough fat to produce 7 bars of soap.
Most people blink about 17,000 times a day.
70% of dust in your home consists of shed skin.
The average human produces a quart of saliva a day – about 10 thousand gallons in a lifetime.
Nearly a third of all bottled drinking water purchased in the US is contaminated with bacteria.
There are 60,000 miles in blood vessels in every human body.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The value of weekly massage
Mothers Day is this Sunday - Gift Cert. $45 for 60 mintue massage!!!!
I am on Facebook now under The Healing Place of Cottage Grove - become a fan today
When was your last massage? I recently just had a massage and I gotta say, everytime I do get a massage I remember how good they feel. AND how much better I feel afterwards.
Massage Therapy is truly an amazing thing. It's so easy to let stress and tension just sneak up on us. I didn't realize I was THAT stressed out. But it isn't until you get a massage that you realize that. At least for me anyway.
So my latest thing is to try to get a massage weekly, and at the very least monthly. You wouldn't think it would be that tough of a commitment, but like all of us, time and scheduling becomes a factor.
I guess it's all a matter of priorities. Feeling good vs. working all the time? Tough choice, right?
I am on Facebook now under The Healing Place of Cottage Grove - become a fan today
When was your last massage? I recently just had a massage and I gotta say, everytime I do get a massage I remember how good they feel. AND how much better I feel afterwards.
Massage Therapy is truly an amazing thing. It's so easy to let stress and tension just sneak up on us. I didn't realize I was THAT stressed out. But it isn't until you get a massage that you realize that. At least for me anyway.
So my latest thing is to try to get a massage weekly, and at the very least monthly. You wouldn't think it would be that tough of a commitment, but like all of us, time and scheduling becomes a factor.
I guess it's all a matter of priorities. Feeling good vs. working all the time? Tough choice, right?
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