May 15, 2008
Disorders Of The Neck And Face (Part 3)
This week in Anatomy we're studying the neck and face. So, I thought I would share some disorders that we talked about. One disorder we talked about was Bell's Palsy.
Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to one of the two facial nerves. When Bell's palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages the brain sends to the facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis.
Luckily Bell's palsy resolved itself on its own after about a month. However, never assume that if you have facial weakness, drooping or paralysis that Bell's Palsy is the cause, as there are many underlying causes for these symptoms. For example, my father exhibited symptoms such as these, along with an inability "to find the button to close his pants" one morning. We thought Bell's palsy at first, then possibly a mild stroke. Sadly, we later found out he had lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain. He underwent physical therapy to prevent shrinking and shortening of the involved muscles and showed improvement in his paralysis symptoms in just a few days.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 14, 2008
Disorders Of The Neck And Face (Part 2)
This week in Anatomy we're studying the neck and face. So, I thought I would share some disorders that we talked about. One disorder we talked about was Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a painful condition of the nerve responsible for most facial sensation. Usually, the problem is contact between a normal artery or vein and the trigeminal nerve, at the base of your brain. It could also be caused by some form of impingement such as a tumor, or degenerative changes that occur with aging that affect the protective myelin sheath around the nerve.
If you experience facial pain, particularly prolonged or recurring pain or pain unrelieved by over-the-counter pain relievers, see your doctor.
I had a client with trigeminal neuralgia. They came to see me because massage helped relieve the reflexive tensing that occurred as the result of their pain. Following a massage treatment, they reported temporary relief of their symptoms. Unfortunately, their condition progressed to the point where they needed surgical intervention called microvascular decompression (MVD). They got about three months of relief from having a teflon pad inserted between the offending artery and the nerve, but, sadly, their pain returned.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 13, 2008
Disorders Of The Neck And Face (Part 1)
This week in Anatomy we're studying the neck and face. So, I thought I would share some disorders that we talked about. One disorder we talked about was torticollis.
Torticollis is disorder where your neck tends to twist to one side. There can a be a family history of torticollis where the condition develops slowly (usually between the ages of 30 and 50 years), or onset can be acute or sudden. In children, the condition can be temporary or fixed. In fixed torticollis there may be problem with the muscle or bone structure.
In acute torticollis, the condition makes it very painful to move your head into proper position. It's important to seek medical advice for any of the following symptoms.
* Trouble breathing or swallowing
* Pins-and-needles feeling or numbness in your arms and legs
* Urinary hesitancy, urinary or fecal incontinence
* Weakness in your arms and legs
* Impaired speech
* Difficulty walking
Treatment can include medications, cessation of the drug that may have triggered the torticollis, or, in severe cases, surgery. Application of ice and massage may be good conservative interventions for torticollis.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 12, 2008
Comments Are Free (and Appreciated)
The comments on this blog have been down for the past eight days due to technical reasons, but are working again, much to my relief.
One of the reasons I started Fingertips was to interact with other massage therapists and health professionals. This is just as important now that I am preparing for a career in physical therapy. I have learned much from the comments that people have left in the past, and many positive interactions have been effected.
All previous comments will be merged into the new system in due time when my IT expert (aka my husband) finds the time to work his web magic.
So comment away, and always feel free to contact me via e-mail as well with any questions or comments about the blog, massage therapy, physical therapy, or anything health-related.
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May 10, 2008
This Week's Health-Related DVD Releases
This week's health DVD releases include the usual (and much appreciated) exercise videos, but two films this week especially caught my eye. The Business of Being Born is a documentary by Ricki Lake that follows several pregnant women as they sort through the options of how to deliver their child. Featuring interviews with obstretricians, the documentary examines the state of childbirth in the United States today, as well as the forces that created it. Visit the film's website to view the trailer.
The other interesting non-exercise film this week is How to Cook Your Life. Director Doris Dorrie profiles Edward Brown, a pastry chef and Zen priest, and along the way offers tips on how cooking our own food brings us closer to the world itself.
This week's interesting health-related DVDs:
10 Minute Solution: Pilates on the Ball
Bellydance With... Jillina: Shape Up n' Hip Out!
The Business of Being Born
Core Attack: The Resistance with Trish Muse
Dance Off the Inches: Fat Burning Belly Dance
Escape to Your Spa at Home: Geri Yoga
Escape to Your Spa at Home: Pilates/Yoga for Anybody
The FIRM: Cardio Overdrive
The FIRM: Hi-Def Sculpt
How to Cook Your Life
Lotte Berk Method for Beginners: Basic Essentials
Lotte Berk Method for Beginners: High Round Assets
Strength Attack with Trish Muse
Walk Slim: Fast and Firm 4 Really Big Miles
see also:
previous health-related DVD release lists
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health exercise list pilates exercise dvd yoga pilates
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May 9, 2008
Keeping Contact With The Client
In massage school, we were taught that during a massage we are not to break contact with the client. Whether you are putting more oil in your hand or walking around the table to access the other side of the body, you do not take your hands off of the client.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, during a relaxation massage, continuity of contact does not disrupt the relaxation process. Too much off again/on again body contact is disturbing to a person on the table who may be in an altered state. Second, as long as your hands are in contact with the client, they know where you are. This gets into the issue of trust, which, when your client knows where your hands are, facilitates relaxation.
This also brings up the issue of secondary contact. If you are working and area that is too tight to facilitate the use of both hands, or you are doing compression work with an elbow, where is the other hand? As far as your client is concerned, that second hand may be floating out in space, or worse, getting ready to land somewhere that it is not permitted! For that reason, I always place my free hand on the client, usually the shoulder, if possible. I've actually had feedback from two separate clients that firm but gentle secondary contact with the free hand was actually comforting to them.
We covered the issue of maintaining client contact in PT school as well. However, the reasoning was more crucial to safety than in massage therapy. Of course, maintaining client contact in order to engender trust is the same for PTs. However, the population of people that PTs work with is much more dependent in most regards than the typical massage client. Balance problems, injuries that limit lying positions, and potentially paralyzed clients make them much more at risk for falling off the treatment table. For that reason, it is important to keep contact with the client, especially when not administering treatment.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 8, 2008
This Week's Massage News
Throughout the week I am always coming across interesting articles about massage therapy. I plan to gather these links into a weekly post and share massage therapy news.
Here are this week's interesting links:
Osteopathy a Growing Trend in Treatment of Children
"Oestopathy is intended to work preventatively and early in life, making it especially suitable for children," said Prediger. It can be used to detect and treat something like a displaced vertebrae very early. Also among children who have conspicuous behavioural issues, Prediger has achieved noticeable success.
Students Benefit From Pre-Exam Massages
"Everyone has described it as a positive experience and I think innovation is vital. We believe in doing things in a different way and our results are improving year on year. The school spent £150 subsidising the first massages, but now the 10 pupils who regularly have appointments are paying £5 for the half-hour slots.
Staying Active Can Help Keep You Pain-Free
Most adults know being active is important to being healthy but many admit they don't do what they know they should. Those who suffer from [pain] are even less likely to be active. Medical experts confirm that one of the ways to avoid pain, or to manage it, is through regular exercise.
The best way to treat pain, says Dr. Jamie Henderson, a Fredericton rheumatologist, is holistically. "It's not just the physician. I rely heavily on physiotherapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists and psychologists.
Cure For Hot Spots
The solution of equal parts Listerine, baby oil and water for dogs' hot spots is the most fantastic remedy I've read about in a long time! The minute my dogs start "worrying" a spot, I get out my spray bottle, spray the area thoroughly, massage the solution into their skin, and the problem stops immediately. No more hot spots that involve trips to the vet.
The Demartini Method
“The Demartini Method is a logical, learnable process that leads one through a series of high quality questions that equilibrate the mind and open the heart,” she wrote to describe it. “The experience that follows radically shifts one’s world view, collapses useless baggage, alters physiology and transforms relationships. It is, in my opinion, the most powerful healing tool on the planet.”
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 7, 2008
Five Easy Ways To Make Mother's Day Massage Day
Women are the greatest consumers of massage. And it only makes sense that beleaguered mothers, especially, deserve an escape from a job where you're never really off the clock.
Massage can be combined with many gift options to create something positively decadent or a special treat on a budget.
Suggestions:
1) If money is no object, go for a day of beauty, complete with massage, manicure, pedicure, hair care services (cut, style, color, etc.)
2) If money is a bit of an issue, you can just book a one hour massage, and while she's being pampered, detail her car. Oh, and don't forget to fill up before you return the car to her.
3) With really little ones, you may not want handle the crew on your own, and your budget may be stretched thin with all those diapers and formula. A half hour massage may be the way to go. It gives her time to relax on her way to the massage, and time to reorient to the real world while on her way home. That and you know there's a light at the end of the tunnel if Jr. becomes inconsolable.
4) If a family outing is more her style for Mother's Day, a walk in the mall with the family might lead you to a seated massage venue at a kiosk (plan ahead and make sure they're actually there). What a nice surprise! You can take the kids for dippin' dots while Mom gets 15 minutes of stress busting.
5) Dead broke? A home cooked meal and a do-it-yourself back rub can go a long way in making Mom feel special. Oh, and that back rub is not a precursor to anything but relaxing, unless she decides to show you her appreciation for your thoughtfulness.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 6, 2008
Stress Management
I've had quite a bit of stress surrounding finals week. The worrying actually distracted me from studying and so I may not have performed as well on a couple of my exams as a result.
Worry: 1 a: mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxiety b: an instance or occurrence of such distress or agitation
2: a cause of worry : trouble, difficulty
Physical effects of stress: a cascade of biological chemicals floods the body including adrenalin, norepinephrin and cortisal. The body reacts to these chemicals by increasing blood flow to large muscles and decreasing blood flow to skin. Pupils dilate, and blood sugar levels go up. At the same time, digestive and reproductive functions go down, growth hormones are switched off, and the immune system is inhibited. Prolonged exposure to stress increases your risk of everything from heart disease, obesity, and infection to anxiety, depression, and memory problems.
Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.
I've taken up running to deal with my stress, and while I'm becoming more healthy (at least that's one less worry) and have lost a bit of my middle-aged belly, it is not adequately addressing my mental stress. Some suggestions for dealing with internal stressors such as worrying follow:
1) imagine the worst case scenario--how bad would it really be if I fail?
2) change my internal talk--catch when I worry about inadequacy and change it to competence
3) make time for worrying--keep a journal and write down your worries with a mental note to worry later (which, interestingly, you don't have to do)
4) pray or meditate--observe the worrying thoughts as they move across your mind but don't dwell on them
5) use a little worry to motivate, prioritize and act--don't procrastinate
I didn't do so great on everything during my finals, but I passed everything well enough to stay in school--I'm not perfect, but I can dwell on the positives.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 5, 2008
Textbooks On The Cheap
Have you priced textbooks lately? It's been a while since I was in college, but it seems like the price of textbooks has gotten outrageous.
Before every semester, we are given a book list with campus bookstore prices. I generally compare prices among a variety of sites including eBay, Half.com, and various online textbook retailers, but usually find myself buying the books through Amazon.com. Amazon's low pricing combined with free shipping for any order over $25 makes the site hard to beat. Often the site lists third-party vendors whose pricing is even cheaper than its own, even when shipping is included.
When I was preparing to enter graduate school, I often picked up gently used (no highlighting and in almost new condition) textbooks. Now that I am in graduate school, I plan to keep my textbooks and have only been buying brand new books. The difference in price is astounding, especially when you consider I haven't added the sales tax (ours is over 9%) to the campus bookstore prices, or the time spent going to the bookstore.
Following is this semester's book list with the campus bookstore's price and the price I paid:
1) Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults And Children Fifth Edition by Kathryn L. McCance;
Amazon: $82.57
Campus bookseller: $93.00
2) Pharmacology in Rehabilitation (Contemporary Perspectives in Rehabilitation) by Charles D. Ciccone
Amazon: $51.88
Campus bookseller: $76.95
3) Muscle and Sensory Testing by Nancy Berryman Reese
Amazon: $66.95
Campus bookseller: $58.95
4) Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases by Hal Blumenfeld
Amazon: $64.80
Campus bookseller: $57.00
5) Neuroscience: Fundamentals for Rehabilitation by Laurie Lundy-Ekman
Amazon: $58.46
Campus bookseller: $64.95
6) Measurement of Joint Motion: A Guide to Goniometry 3rd Edition by Cynthia C. Norkin
Amazon: $32.64
Campus bookseller: $36.95
7) Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain (Kendall, Muscles) by Florence Peterson Kendall
Amazon: $49.99
Campus bookseller: $58.95
8) Wound Management: Principles and Practice by Betsy Myers
Amazon: $31.24
Campus bookseller: $51.33
9) Stedman's Medical Dictionary Package (Including Stedman's Medical Dictionary Hardcover and in CD for PDA)
Amazon: $26.19
Campus bookseller: $49.99
alt. 9) Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary, Ed. 30
Amazon: $46.50
Campus bookseller: $95.00
alt. 9) Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary Ed. 19
Amazon: $30.51
Campus bookseller: $31.90
Some of the books I got through Amazon.com were just a few dollars cheaper at the campus bookstore. However, when we factored in tax, our time, and the cost of gas to go get the books, we decided to get them all at once.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 2, 2008
Pain Scale
Yesterday, I talked about range of motion with regard to joint architecture and circumstances. One circumstance for conservative approaches to range of motion involves client pain. With any therapy that is being "done to" a client, it is always crucial to establish good communication. Part of that communication should help to develop rapport and trust. The other is to convey information and demonstrate good common sense when administering a modality.
With my clients, if I'm working with a condition that is painful, I like to establish what I call a pain scale. If I know therapy is uncomfortable, I warn them that it may not be pleasant. I also explain my rationale why we have to do the therapy and what it should accomplish. I explain the pain scale as follows: "Let me know if this hurts you. For example, on a scale from one to ten, one is no pain, ten is unbearable. I don't want your discomfort over a five, which is the therapeutic level."
We proceed with the modality, and sometimes, people say five right away out of fear of anticipating pain. It is imperative at this point to stop or back off and "check in" again to see if they are okay. This helps build trust. If your client is expecting therapy and not straight up relaxation, they should relax knowing that they truly are in control. Therapy should go a little easier after that. If the client cannot relax or continues to exhibit pain beyond what would be expected for a given condition, it would probably be a good idea to refer out to another professional. Better safe that sorry--better not to inflict undue pain--it could be something beyond your scope of practice.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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May 1, 2008
Range Of Motion
I remember in massage school where we were taught that our clients demonstrate their range of motion so that we could determine where we needed to work when they came in with a complaint. Each joint, because of its architecture, has it's own variety of ranges for motion. For example, the shoulder, a true hinge joint, allows for flexion and extension. If a client has limited range in that motion, we knew to work with the structures that would limit normal motion.
However, in PT school, we're learning that unassisted range of motion, as demonstrated in the above example, only represents a portion of possible range of motion options at a given joint. Depending upon a patient's status (post-op, paralysis, marathon training), range of motion can be passive, assisted, or unassisted, either by necessity or by a doctor's orders.
Especially in the case of passive range of motion, good communication is required so that the patient is not put into a range that creates pain. The same was true of any modality that we used with massage, because, frankly, most people are not coming to us to be put into pain. There is some expectation for discomfort in recovery therapy, however, but excess pain causes splinting. When splinting occurs, trust may have been broken, range of motion decreases (whether consciously or not) and little good is being done for the patient/client.
tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health
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