Heel or foot pain to the point of not being
able to put weight on the foot especially in the morning. Most cases of heel
pain are characterized by inflammation. First, the fascia begins to pull on
the bone and the tissues become irritated, then inflamed. Inflammation of the
fascia is called fasciitis. Pain sensitive tissues can be directly effected by
the inflammation of the fascia making it very difficult to walk. Tightness in
the calf is usually the source of the problem. I mainly work there with PNF to
help alleviate the condition. DON'T forget that it is most helpful to become
proactive and learn how to apply PNF one's self in between visits! Plantar
Fasciitis can be sudden onset or chronic ( long lasting or frequently
occurring). Ignoring the condition can lead to heel spurs from the pulling of
connective tissue at the heel causing the bone to over-grow.
This wonderful technique involves facilitating a
nerve-to-muscle response by working with stretch receptors. Muscles have these
receptors or "monitors" to relay to the nervous system their degree
of tension. Through isometric contraction, or stretch, hold and resist, we are
able to manipulate these receptors to gain muscle relaxation leading to better
flexibility and range of motion. For a more detailed description check the
links to
PNF
stretching.
There are many different causes for headaches as well
as many different types of headaches. An initial overall assessment of a
client and the head pain being experienced will lead to a decision of an
indication or contraindication, or whether or not the client in question may
benefit from my applications. In some cases, it may be necessary to err to the
side of caution and refer the client to another health care professional.
In most cases, I use methods to release specific muscles. Some very specific,
such as certain suboccipitals at the base of the cranium. It has been found
that these particular muscles are the culprits of a large percentage of
headaches. When these small muscles are in a state of hypertonicity, or tight,
they pull on the meninges, or protective covering of the brain. The nerves
involved with the meninges are perivascular, meaning they are around
blood vessels. This process causes headaches. Even some migraines. I use
a technique called cranial base release to relax those eight
muscles, four on each side, as well as other muscles of the neck and back,
especially the upper back. There are also cases in which I bring attention to
the feet to help relieve headaches. Something which has been done for
centuries in eastern traditions. However, I have found the aforementioned to
be MOST helpful in relieving head pain.
The
two I’s of massage are Induration and Inflammation.
Induration
is the hardened mass of metabolic wastes. Long term, tight, and felt as a dull
knot from a chronic older injury. Sometimes numb and deadened.
Inflammation
causes heat, redness, puffiness, tenderness, and is acute and recent. I drain
inflammation first before working on induration. Work larger muscles before
smaller ones.
The
physiological effects of PSM are:
1.
Lowers BP
2.
Decreases breathing rate
3.
Lymphatic flow improvement
4.
Increases overall circulation
5.
Increases peristolsis for digestion
6.
Increases salivation
7.
Brings alpha brain wave state inducing relaxation
8.
Lowers viscosity of tissues resulting in soft tissue gel state.
9.
Client feels cooler.
10.
Facilitates myofascial mobilization.
This is gentle stretching without tearing at the cellular level of
soft tissue. Great for those who do not tolerate deep work.
PSM
is a slower movement than Swedish. “Hook-up” is the connection of the
electro-magnetic biofields (every electrical system has an outer field and we
are all electromagnetic by our very chemistry) of therapist and client which is
established through entrainment, or natural physiological rhythms with this
method of bodywork. This type of work is light for those who do not tolerate
deep tissue applications such as those with fibromyalgia.
Entrainment:
The
word itself means to follow. Just think of how the train of a gown follows
or how train cars follow the pull of locomotion and you’ll get the idea.
The rhythms of the systems of the body can also become entrained. For
instance, there are receptors in the nasal passages that detect when air
is passing through, or when you are breathing. These receptors send a
message to the SA node of the heart synchronizing its action electrically.
In turn, the circulatory, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, lymphatic,
digestive and all of the other systems of the human organism are affected
or come into rhythm with each other in a kind of calibration. Slow
rhythmic breathing relaxes us. The aligned rhythm and fluidity in the
application of massage, which reflects the entrainment of the
therapist’s own state, is imparted to the client, especially in
parasympathetic massage. This is a factor that I never leave out in
teaching my students.
Tissue
Detoxification: Process of removing toxins and impurities from tissue fluid
through beneficial movement of muscle covering and
lymph drainage.
Lymph:
Interstitial fluid which moves through a series of vessels and ducts acting as a
cleanser for the blood. Recovers leaked plasma (immune surveillance for the body
with T-cells and macrophages). The lymphatic system moves fluid mostly by muscle
movement one way toward the heart with one way valves and rejoins the blood
stream.
PSM
is one of the first modalities I became acclimated to. VERY relaxing and
cleansing type of massage. Brain waves can be scientifically measured. It is
known that during the alert work-a-day world we are in the beta brain wave
state. When we put things aside, as when we are falling asleep, walking in
nature, or meditating, etc; our brain waves change frequency and resonate to the
alpha state. This is where relaxation or calmness is experienced. The delta
state is deeper and may come with deep sound sleep. PSM brings on the alpha
state when the client acknowledges the professionalism of the therapist and
becomes “entrained” or flows with the gentle rhythm of this type of massage.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the “fight or flight” aspect of your
NS. It’s homeostatic counterpart, or balancing mechanism, is the
parasympathetic NS. It’s what brings us back from “fight or flight”. Just
as insulin counters glucose, shivers counter the cold to warm the body, and
perspiration cools us from heat, our physiology also employs the NS
homeostatically to rebound us from uptightness. The relaxation response is what
is accessed and activated during PSM.
Neuromuscular Technique
NMT offers a simple system of diagnosis and
treatment based on over 50 years of use and development. In skilled hands it can
remove pain, improve function, obviate chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation
or prepare for it, enhance the body's economy, relieve stress, induce relaxation
and well-being and greatly aid in the restoration of health without side
effects. NMT allows the full function of muscle and nerves to be re-established.
Other benefits are increased nerve circulation, increased blood circulation,
Improvement in the texture and flexibility of the muscle.
The objectives of NMT are postural
reintegration, release of tension, pain relief, improved joint mobility,
sedation.
Indications for NMT are:
Structural: Changes in muscle tone and texture that
modify or alter the framework of the body. Examples - Neuromuscular diseases
such as MS and chronic pain syndromes like Fibromyalgia, also some acute
episodes like whiplash that without care become chronic.
Occupational: Changes in muscle due to a general
tension of the muscle from a particular posture or a very specific localized
tension resulting from repetitive motion either in the workplace, sports or
other area. Examples - Carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow.
Emotional: All emotional changes are mirrored in the
body. Emotions such as anger, fear, excitement and depression all produce
muscular postures and patterns. Examples - tension headache, stiff neck and
general tension of the muscles.
Behavioral: All movement requires muscular activity.
Certain patterns of use establish themselves. If we develop poor postural
patterns we create muscle tension. Examples - slumped shoulders and walking
looking down.
Contraindications for
NMT are very few:
As with all
massage DO NOT work areas where there is fresh injury with redness and
inflammation present. NMT does not elevate blood pressure, so it may be used
safely on those with hypertension or heart disease. In such cases, DO check with
MD.
Sciatic
Nerve Pain
Sciatic nerve pain can
occur for many reasons. I generally look to the quadratus lumborum muscle
(QL), which is a pelvic stablizer, and assess that first and move
from there into other areas if necessary. I experience sciatic nerve pain
myself due to piriformis syndrome (tightness, swelling, of one of the the
deep, lateral rotators in the gluteals causing the nerve impingement)
and have no choice but to be proactive in my own well being. Simply
stated, I would be in trouble without self applications of PNF.
Deep
Tissue
This is an overall term for much of the
work I do. Following the initial warm-up of soft tissue I may proceed to use
greater pressure with hands, thumbs, and forearms. All of the
deep work is done while closely monitoring the client's pain threshold
through muscle tensility and keeping open communication. This work is
slow and gauged.
A simplified description of this cycle is easy
to understand. When muscles are in flexion they can eventually become
ischemic (lack of blood). Ischemic muscles cause pain. When there is
pain the muscle reacts by going into spasm thinking it is protecting
itself. This causes more ischemia, pain from the ischemia, and then more
spasm. In order to break this cycle the muscle needs to be released and
reset. NMT, PNF, and other reflexive treatments are facilitated and
the cycle can be broken. I use this on myself for piriformis syndrome
which irritates my sciatic nerve. Tight muscles are swollen and effect
surrounding soft tissue structures like nerves. I reset the muscle
spindles and elongate the piriformis and take it out of that awful cycle
and away from the underlying sciatic nerve. This can be done on any
accessible muscle stuck in hypertonicity or a state of tension promoting
the pain-spasm-pain cycle.
Swedish
This is the basic massage
that most people hear about or know. Mainstream type of bodywork with
gliding, lifting, spreading and percussion or tapping strokes. I use it to
prepare clients for deeper work if we so decide in the client/therapist
relationship.
Foot
Work
Generally, for those wanting foot care, I work
the entire foot in a broad type of reflexology. I don't always go to very
specific points of organ association. I use my thumbs, fingers, knuckles
and fists to break up connective tissue and disperse metabolic wastes and
deposits on the soles. I like to use various essential oils here such as
juniper. Think about what our feet do for us and we rarely think about
them until they hurt. Never the less, they respond with thankfulness for
just a little attention.
Plantar
fasciitis is the most serious
condition of the feet that I work on and most of that work is
actually done at the calves. See link for more information.
Upper
Back, Neck, and Shoulder Release
We tend to hold tension in these areas
for reasons all across the board. Emotional stress seems to be a
big one here. Don't feel bad, we all get it from time to time. It is hard
to know that there is so much that can be done to alleviate tension in
these areas and people so often don't realize it only to progress
into chronic states of dysfunction. Remember, bones follow muscles,
so when there are tight muscles we compensate in all sorts of ways and form
unhealthy patterns of movement. We do this to the point of muscles getting
confused messages from mechanoreceptors or "monitors"
of position. The only way to fully appreciate this particular application
is to experience it.
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