General

What Is Cupping Therapy? Posted on February 19, 2019, by Henry Ford Health Staff Share Cupping has become a hot topic in recent years with news of models, movie stars, and Olympic athletes using cups to ease aches and pains and enhance health and well-being. But cupping isn’t just for celebrities. “It can be beneficial for almost anyone,” says Ruth Lehmann, an acupuncturist at Henry Ford Health. “Instead of using medication to achieve a certain outcome, we use cupping to help trigger the body’s own healing mechanisms.” FAQ: Cupping Cupping is a form of therapy that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. It has been used in the West for decades to encourage healing. We asked Lehmann [...]

What is Craniosacral Therapy (CST)? Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on treatment that may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck pain, and side effects of cancer treatment among many others. CST uses a light touch to relieve tension in the central nervous system promoting a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity. The focus of CST is a gentle placement of hands to assist the release of the body’s connective tissue, or “fascia.” Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain, and spinal cord. This covering forms a body-wide connective network. CST is based on the idea that [...]

Why Do I Need Lymphatic Drainage Massage? Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, relieves swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage massage involves gently manipulating specific areas of your body to help lymph move to an area with working lymph vessels. What is a lymphatic drainage massage used for? Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a gentle form of massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by lymphedema. Lymphedema often affects people recovering from breast cancer surgery. Lymphedema happens when your tissues retain fluid left behind after your cardiovascular system sends blood to your tissues and organs. The remaining fluid is called [...]

Massage therapists versed in lymph drainage massage are in a position to assist the growing population of women who have received breast cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be over 252,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2017, the most common type of cancer in the U.S., accounting for almost 155 of all new cancers. It’s the most prevalent type of cancer, and the risk of developing it increases with age. Incidence of Breast Cancer The National Cancer Institute statistics review states that fewer than five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. are younger than 40. Rates begin to increase after age 40 and are highest in women over age 70. Further, the median [...]

By GAIL ROSENBLUM , STAR TRIBUNE April 18, 2017 - 8:55 AM That’s really up to you, says our expert, Cari Pelava, who answered a few embarrassing questions we posed so you wouldn’t have to. Client time is healing time, and you’re paying for it. If the therapist asks questions such as “How does this feel?” or “Is this too much pressure?” that’s good. But chitchat outside of that is unnecessary. The client should never feel the need to entertain the therapist. If you want quiet time, say so. How do I tell my massage therapist to shut up? “I’d really like to relax and be quiet now.” If they don’t shut up, you can end the session and just [...]