Managing Chronic Pain

Why should you get a lymphatic massage before surgery? If you are preparing for surgery, your doctor might suggest a lymphatic massage pre-surgery. A lymphatic massage is recommended prior to surgery as it helps prepare your body for the surgical procedure. The massage stimulates the lymph vessels of your lymphatic system to remove waste products, bacteria, viruses, excess proteins, excess fluid, and any other unwanted substances from your body. This optimizes the cellular environment in the area of the body being treated. Pre-surgery lymphatic massage can also help reduce the risk of post-surgical complications such as infection, excessive swelling, bruising, and scar tissue formation. Another plus point? After the massage, surgeons find it easier to make an incision through [...]

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY CAN HELP WITH TRAUMA Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on therapy that assists the body’s natural capacity for self-repair. ‘Cranio’ refers to the head or cranium and sacral to the sacrum, the big bone at the base of the spine. Maybe a better way to think of it is ‘top to bottom, as it’s a therapy that treats the whole body in each session. THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT REACTION The body is designed to protect itself from physical knocks or emotional stress by contracting. If the shock is particularly severe, prolonged, or accompanied by strong emotions, everything stays contracted, even after the moment that caused the shock is over. There’s a reason for this. You’ve probably all heard [...]

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 [...]

July 4, 2016 ‐ By Nicole Breeden Back pain is the worst pain, and I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. According to the American Chiropractic Association, as much as 80% of Americans suffer from lower back pain at any given point in their lives. Broken down even further; One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year and it is one of the most common reasons for missed work. Do you hear that corporate America? The back is a complicated composite of bones, ligaments, muscles and joints. Injuries or strains can stem from attempting the simplest task: bending over wrong, improper posture and bad exercise technique. If you’re anything like me, you continuously stress [...]

When your muscles ache, whether because it is the day after a tough workout or because you experience some chronic orthopedic pain, it can be difficult to accomplish your daily tasks. When all you can focus on is the desire for pain relief, finding a method for managing that pain that works for you is critical. While some muscle and joint ailments may eventually require the aid of an orthopedic surgeon, there are also some other methods you may wish to consider first. Depending on the type of pain you are experiencing, one of these approaches could work for you. 1) Heat therapy. According to Healthline, the use of heat is one of the most efficient ways to combat chronic [...]