Massage Types: Don’t Know What to Ask For?

Don’t know what massage type to ask for when booking your appointment?

Massage types that you will commonly see:

deep tissue
Swedish
neuromuscular therapy
structural integration
myofascial release
sports
integrative

Sports Massage

If you are an athlete, runner, or just like to participate in sports, you may want to consider a deep tissue or sports massage. Deep tissue works with specific muscle groups to release chronic tension and often pain. Sports massage is used to assess issues, aiding in rehabilitation and better performance. Sports therapy can include a variety of modalities that are valuable to the recovery, repair and healing processes.

Structural Integration

Are you having trouble moving with ease or feeling out of balance? Structural integration works with the fascia (connective tissue) that surrounds muscle, organs, and nerves. This connective tissue can become bound up and less elastic over time. As it becomes shorter and more dense, it can cause posture and movement issues. This can result in discomfort and fatigue. As you go through a series of structural integration sessions, you will notice feeling more in alignment with gravity and ease of movement.

Swedish

Are you struggling with tension and looking for some relaxation? Swedish is a combination of long and kneading strokes designed to relieve muscle tension and promote deep relaxation. It also increases circulation and may help after an injury.

Neuromuscular Therapy

Do you have a repetitive movement injury? Are you having issues with circulation, nerve compression, or posture? Neuromuscular therapy is used to treat chronic pain that involves both the muscular and nervous systems. Another name for this is trigger point therapy. This type of body work is often combined with other modalities to treat the underlying causes of pain.

Integrative Massage

This type of work involves the application of several specific techniques that target the specific needs of the client. The session is designed for the client and the best therapeutic results. Often the massage professional will use Swedish techniques to alleviate stress, deep tissue to address areas of tension, structural integration to create better alignment, and neuromuscular therapy to treat trigger points. If you want an appointment designed to meet a variety of needs, ask for integrative therapy.

These are some of the more frequently used techniques. There are also mind-body techniques that can help to ease pain and depression. These include Reiki, EFT, Healing Touch, meditation, and biofeedback… to name a few. When booking an appointment it’s always a good idea to call your massage therapist or local center to discuss therapy options.

January 15, 2016January 17, 2016

Colonoscopy… Alternative Screening Options

Avoiding a Colonoscopy?

How many of you would like to avoid having a colonoscopy? Colorectal cancer is the second leading form of cancer in the United States. It is diagnosed in 130,000 people each year in the United States alone. Current research links obesity with increased risk of colorectal cancer. These findings suggest that a high calorie diet turns of a key hormone that is secreted in the intestines, which deactivates tumor suppression. Lifestyle is extremely important in maintaining gut health! Doctors also recommend regular screening for colorectal cancer prevention.

Concerns about the procedure

Colonics are an effective procedure for helping to prepare for a colonoscopy and can be much more comfortable than the prescriptions used to evacuate the intestines. Many of our clients have expressed concern about the colonoscopy procedure. Did you know that:

Doctor’s often require a bowel preparation (as much as 3 days)
The procedure requires sedation
The risks from sedation and passage of the six foot long tube into your colon are considerable
The bowel is perforated in 1 out of every 1000 procedures
Unclean practices can result in the introduction of pathogens into your body
The procedure costs up to $3000 each

Alternatives to colonoscopy

Fortunately, there are some great alternatives for screening. First is the sigmoidoscopy. The scope is only two feet in length with two bends. The procedure takes only 10 minutes and costs only around $200.

A client informed me of another option, which is an easy to use stool DNA test that can be done at home! You simply collect a stool sample which is mailed to a lab for diagnosis. The lab looks for DNA markers that indicate the presence of collateral cancer. There is no special preparation, no diet changes, and no time off work or play! Cologuard is available by prescription only, so you will have to see your doctor in order to get the kit.

Colonoscopy - Digestive system image

January 8, 2016August 3, 2019

Lifestyle Changes: Top 5 to Create Health

5 Lifestyle Changes To Create Health

Eat more fresh or frozen vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices. Drink only water and teas.
Eliminate or reduce processed foods, refined sugars, fast foods, and sodas. This matches up with reducing high-glycemic index foods, high fructose corn syrup and trans fats.
Eliminate or reduce pasteurized dairy products.
Reduce or eliminate conventional meats, especially pork and red meat. Organic grass-fed meats and wild fish are good in moderation.
Eliminate or reduce highly genetically modified foods: wheat, soy, corn, and peanuts.

Making Changes That Last

Most of us allow food to take over out lives, and we end up “living to eat”. Probably the most difficult part of lifestyle changes is learning to “eat to live”. Once you are able to give up the processed and refined foods, dairy products, and sugar, you will be well on your way to a true lifestyle change. The first 3 weeks are often the most difficult. After this, the cravings will start to fall away.

The Living Foods Lifestyle

Living Foods are raw, vegan and in their original, uncooked state. This lifestyle promotes cleansing and overall wellness because it is easy to digest and nutrient dense. It was developed by Dr. Ann Wigmore to combat deficiency and toxic buildup in our bodies. The Ann Wigmore Institute in Aguada, Puerto Rico was my home and workplace for a year. Many of the people that came to learn the lifestyle were suffering from dis-ease and eating disorders. This lifestyle is powerful… it is miraculous what happens when the body is given the proper nutrition and allowed to eliminate toxic build up!

Sign up for our Living Foods Lifestyle classes and learn to grow young greens and sprouts, dehydrate and ferment foods, make “energy soup”, grow wheatgrass, and EAT TO LIVE!

Lifestyle Changes and Wellness — Eat Your Greens!

Month: January 2016