Some New Offerings

Can’t find that right gift for that certain someone?  What better than a gift certificate for a massage.  My place of employment is offering gift certificates in any length of session.  30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes. 

We also just rolled out some packages.  Buy a set of 5 or 10 sessions and receive discounts PER session! 

Also, if you book within the month of October, you will receive a ONE hour massage for $50.00, a regular $65.00 value.

 Call Mountain View Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Parker, Colorado today for more information and booking availability!! 303-841-9565

Holidays are Coming!

ARE YOU FEELING LIKE THIS???

Hello readers.  I am so very sorry for not posting as much as I should be!  Things have been super crazy!

So, here I am taking the time to tell all of you, please DO NOT to neglect yourselves this holiday season.  I can’t even believe I am saying that already. HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!  We know it’s coming around the corner all too quickly.  The leaves are falling, weather is getting cooler, even the stores have holiday decorations up already!  The season for family, giving and….well…lets face it, EATING!!!  But with all these activities and things to do, we almost ALWAYS forget that we need to keep our bodies and minds in check!

Massage is a great and quick way to ensure that you are sound and ready to go on with the day.  Massage is a very versatile way to connect the mind to the body and perform at it’s best.  It sounds silly, but massage can improve the body’s function in just ONE session.  Increasing the circulation/blood supply to needed systems, relaxing tense muscles, reliving stress from the points where you store tension and it’s a great way to escape reality for an hour or so.  Even in that little time frame, your body will respond in a positive way.  Increasing energy and stamina to carry on with your remaining “to-do’s”.

So please, give yourself a break, a gift and RELAX!!!!! Go get a massage, facial, anything that will help you just relax for a period of time!  I promise, you will feel amazing afterwards!!

Kyphosis

Kyphosis, is also known as “hunchback”.  Generally this condition occurs with the increase of the person’s age.  It can also occur from poor posture or degeneration conditions such as osteoporosis.  Pathological Kyphosis that can cause clinical issues usually result from physical trauma, tumors, infections, tuberculosis, chronic postural problems, developmental problems, rheumatoid arthritis and many other systemic conditions.  There is hypertonicity, which means tightness, in the anterior (front) muscles of the chest that pulls the arms into medial (towards the middle) rotation and a corresponding scapular protraction (forward movement) happens.

 

Kyphosis may not cause pain or discomfort, but with the postural stress, it may cause other physical problems.

 

TREATMENT:

 

Kyphosis is generally treated using exercise and postural re-education.

 

The massage therapist will perform some if not all of these methods to help the shortened and tight affected muscles.

 

1.  Sweeping Cross Fiber to anterior chest muscles.  Which reduces the medial shoulder rotation by reducing the tension in the pectoralis muscles and the deltoid (shoulder) muscles.

 

2.  Static Compression to the anterior chest muscles.

 

3.  Deep Muscle Fiber Stripping to the pectoralis major and minor muscles, as well as the posterior (back) muscles.

 

4.  Effleurage and Sweeping Cross Fiber Stripping to the upper back muscles, which reduces the tension in the upper back

 

SOME THINGS TO BE CATIOUS OF:

 

In the case of osteoporosis, there will be fragile and sensitivity in the skeleton.  The methods that use harder force, be sure to use great care and ALWAYS communicate!!

Sacrum/Low Back Pain

If you are feeling any pain in the lower back region, pelvis or your thigh, then there is a chance that this could be the result of Sacroiliac joint dysfunction.  Some other primary problems that may occur in this region may include friction within the surfaces of the joint, ligament sprains and misalignment at the joint.

the purpose of the sacrum is to act as a wedge or a supporting angle between the two sections of the pelvis, which holds the weight of the upper body.  the sacrum is held within the joint by strong and tight webbing of ligaments.  Due to this stronghold to keep the joint in place, there is very little allowed movement within the joint.  Although, movement around 7-8 degrees, forwards and backwards occurs to aid in the essential movements, such as walking, bending and other related movements.  this degree of movement is controlled by local muscles, ligaments and fascia.  the movement on both sides of the joint must be equal for proper function without injury, when these become uneven, THAT is when problems may arise.

 

So what can be done?

 

Muscles that have the main direct impact on the SI joint are the Gluteus Maximus, Biceps Femoris and the Latissimus Dorsi.  Generally the lumbar, gluteal and hamstring areas are all effected by this condition.  Main focus to the area will be to reduce hypertension (tightness).  The therapist may also perform some flexibility and strength training exercises once the tension and irritation is decreased.

 

The therapist will generally perform some, if not all, these techniques described below:

 

1.  Sweeping Cross Fiber along the superficial gluteal muscles and the lumbar muscles.  Firm sweeping motions will be performed with the hand or the thumb delivering broad motion to the muscles.  This is a great movement to reduce tension.

 

2.  Deep Fiber Stripping to the gluteus maximus, lumbar and hamstring muscles.  Deep and very firm pressure is applied with the thumbs along the direction of the muscle fibers.

 

3.  Static Compression can be applied to the gluteal muscles.  Firm pressure applied with a broad surface such as the fist, is then followed by smaller surface areas of compression.

 

4.  Friction will be applied to the Sacroiliac ligaments.  Short, back and forth friction with the thumbs generally with medium pressure and a medium speed will be applied.  However, this needs to be done within the patients comfort level.

 

Some things to keep cautionary when working with this injury:

- the patient may have troubles lying in certain positions, so always keep in mind of multiple ways to perform the needed work.

-  applying pressure to the joint area, may be extremely painful.  So be sure to keep an open line of communication with each other.

- be sure the patient gets up from the treatment table SLOWLY.  Being off the joint and not having it bare weight can cause their center of balance and perception to not function as quickly so soon.  Assist them if needed.

Cold and Flu Season

We can all take a peak outside in the early morning and sense fall is arriving.  Normally we think of the colors of the leaves, kiddos going back to school…..the HOLIDAYS and of course the very important thoughts on our New Year’s Resolutions.  Some of us also think of the Cold and Flu Season.  Over the past few years, the term “flu” has almost become a 3 letter bad word.  With the new strings that have over come the country it’s important that we know the basics of the differences between a cold and a flu.  I searched for a simple to understand description of both so we are fully prepared this season.  I found this article on the CDC website:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm

The article reads:

Cold Versus Flu

What is the difference between a cold and the flu?

The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?

In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

New Position, New Path!!

I’m in full swing on my new career path and couldn’t be more happy and excited to be working alongside some amazing people.  Today it was made official, I am the newest therapist at Mountain View Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Parker, Colorado.

I love the people I will be working with.  They are all like me, laid back, like to have fun and most importantly know the benefits of working WITH the body to promote full health.  Providing the highest level of treatments, bodywork and care to those that are in true need of healing, rehabilitation, etc.

…….I apologize for slacking on the posts, getting settled into a new career path is somewhat crazy.  But I’m back and ready to educate all me readers on fun and exiting news regarding your overall health and body!!

Neruomuscular Neck Pain

Don’t let the larger term “neuromuscular” scare you.  It’s basically a fancy term used to describe pain that relates to both the nerves as well as the muscles.  This type of neck pain can be either localized or over the entire neck region.  Either way, it’s a bother and can many times affect your day to day life and activities.  Luckily there is help!  Between stretching and body work, neck pain can usually be easily controlled.

As long as there is nothing majorly wrong with the neck, general protocol for treatment is rest from any strenuous types of activities.  Stretches, therapy, either manual or massage will also be a great benefit to assisting the healing process of the “pain in your neck” pain.

The techniques you can expect from a massage therapist or manual therapist are listed below.  In this post I will explain each technique a bit more than I will in the following posts, just so you can understand exactly what the technique means and what the purpose of it is.

Myofascial Release:

This is pretty much a special form of stretch that involves no lotions or oils to assist in the therapists movements.  This will generally be their first technique that the therapist will perform.  There are 2 ways to perform a myofascial stretch.  First being slow, long and fairly firm gliding motions along the muscle fibers of the affected area.  This stretch is a very effective way to gain pliability with the muscle (loosen it up).  The other form of stretching is a static and still stretch.  This is done by the therapist placing both hands apart from each other close to each of the ends of the muscle.  The therapist will then gently but firmly stretch and “spread” the muscle.  This may not feel like much at the time, but is a very important and highly effective way of getting the muscles better prepared for the work.  This technique is done wherever the stretching is needed. For this condition, the therapist will place their hands on the side of your neck, right below the ear and then on top of your shoulder, right near the joint and perform stretching.  For the gliding motions, the therapist will use the backside of their hand, more near their fingers and perform long, slow strokes down the side of your neck from the ear down to the top portion of your shoulder.

Effleurage and Sweeping Crosfiber:

Effleurage is basically the same thing as the myofascial technique, only this is performed with lotion or oil.  Slow gliding strokes in the same direction that the muscle runs.  Cross fiber technique is the same as effleurage, only you are performing the technique ACROSS the muscle fibers.  Generally in a diagonal direction.  These techniques are performed in the same region and location as the myofascial strokes.

Deep Longitudinal Stripping

These are slow gliding strokes, a little deeper pressure than the effleurage strokes.  Usually deep stripping is performed with the thumbs, knuckles, elbows and sometimes with a pressure tool.  These storkes are bit more complicated as you are performing them a bit deepers, you need to be careful of the arteries, veins and other sensitive structres in the cervical region.  These strokes will primarily be done on the erector spinae and extension muscles, which are more towards the back side of your neck.

Active Engagement Stretching

This is a little hard to explain in words.  Basically this is done when the therapist will actively move your head/neck and also perform a deep gliding stroke along the muscle fiber.  Adding movement with the strokes are a great way to get the knots, pain and tension out faster and more effectively.  The therapist will instruct you to place your head in their hand and relax completely.  They will then be moving your head/neck up and down (towards your chest and back to a flat position), as they are doing this they will perform the same style to strokes as they did in the deep longitudinal strokes.  Actively engaging the muscles in this technique will help reduce tension, and pain as you are getting “deeper” into the muscle fibers as the muscles contract and release.

Static Compression

This is pretty much self explanitory.  These techniques are just that, compression.  The therapist will use pressure to engage the muscle to relax and reduce tension.  It’s a very effective technique in both pain reduction as well as relaxation for the patient and the muscles.  This could also be call trigger point work.  There are many times where one spot hurts and no where else.  By placing pressure on that one spot, just enough to where its a bit tender, the muscle will essentially “back down” and the spot will diminish.

Hopefully this information will help not only other therapists with a look at a few styles of modalities to perform on neck pain, but also people suffering from such pains and know what they could expect from a therapist/practicioner.

Have a good day and BE HEALTHY!!!

Some Valuable Information

I have been studying this fantastic book over the past few months.  It explains and discusses pathology, treatment and an overview of the condition, injury, or syndrome.  I am wanting to share with you some of the information on a few of the more common injuries/conditions that the book discusses.  I will relay the information in my own words, that way if you are, like many, that do not understand the medical terms, I am wanting to explain in a simple, easy to understand manner.  I hope I am able to help someone!  And please, if you have an injury or chronic physical condition that you would like to know more about, please let me know and I’ll be sure to include a post with the information!!

My first post will be up hopefully in the next day or two.

Back Pain Anyone?

This article is interesting.  I agree with everything except the ending results, as stated that after a year the results were “questionable” and that more research was needed.  Which in all fainrness, is a good thing.  At least the industry is now being recognized for the benefits and natural, less invasive way to maintain a good over all health.  But, from experience and as many clients who have had massage for years can attest, massage was the greatest and most wonderful thing they have ever done for themselves.  Working with the body to help heal the body is the only sure way to gain true results.  I try to steer people away from chemically produced medicine and care as much as possible, but I do understand that there are just sometimes where you do need it.  So give massage a try for pain, you will be overly impressed with the results!

Hello Everyone!

Hi there! Thank you for stopping by! This is where I will keep people educated and updated with new health info, facts, studies, and even off the wall things that I think might be interesting.  I am a Registered Massage Therapist in the state of Colorado. I love what I do! I get to help people when they truly and really need it. I have a passion for rehabilitation. Going through some intensive physical rehabilitation myself, I
have found that there is such a need for bodily maintenance and care without the help of chemicals and scientific creations. I believe when you work with the body and ONLY the body, you will find that your physical state will react in a much more positive way. If we can rely on more natural ways to heal and
rehabilitate, I think as a whole you will find more benefit.

I really enjoy working with injury rehab, sport specific therapy, pre natal/post partum and many other medically related modalities of the massage therapy field. I am excited to share with you all the things I find interesting and in many ways helpful to not only our bodies, but also our lives in general on a daily basis. So stay tuned for much more info in the coming days!!

~ In Health, Jessica