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Articles
22 Years of Pathways (1986-2008) Happy New Year '08 After the holidays, we have new challenges. Possibly we need to confront what may be nudging us up front: our expanding belly, the result of one of our over productive stress relief activities—eating every thing we think we normally should not eat. It is certainly good to continue to do deep relaxation to deal with the anxiety about becoming fat, but other action may be required. Just as we were supposed to learn in physics class, every action generates the need for it’s opposite reaction— (or something like that), if we do deep relaxation exercises, we also need to do deep physical exercise. Exercise works in tandem with relaxation to help keep our stress level down . Physical activity also transfers nutritional energy into useful functions in our bodies. Purposeful walking, running ,biking, working out at the gym, or any activity that makes us breath hard for more that five minutes, is an essential spoke of the wheel that keeps us turning. Here in the foothills we are fortunate to live in the “Endurance Capital of the World”. We may be somewhat intimidated by the 100 mile runners or the hardy souls that take part in the Auburn Triathlon, but we would do well to incorporate some of their active spirit into our daily activity. There are no end to the health benefits derived from exercise. I am writing this to remind my self to stop using bad weather as an excuse not to get outside and move. I need to balance my “being still” with the challenge of becoming physically active every day. And, after a vigorous workout, there is nothing better, or healthier than a good massage, steam and sauna at Pathways. The Value of Massage Therapy with Steam and Dry Sauna Using a steam bath or a dry sauna before receiving a massage facilitates deep muscle relaxation. Therapists find that it takes less time to prepare their client’s muscles for firm or deep work if steam or dry sauna is used before the massage. Valuable time on the table is therefore saved for the important work of massage. There are other benefits of using massage and heat therapies together. We know that the action of massage: kneading, streaking, and pressing muscles and fascia helps the lymph system move through the body and remove toxins created by energy combustion in cells. But we also know that heat therapies also assist in this process. Dr Andrew Weil writes in his book Eight Weeks to Optimum Health: “sweating is one of our most important mechanisms of natural healing. It allows the body to rid its self of unwanted materials such as excess sodium, drugs and toxins, taking part of the workload off the liver and kidneys, which are chiefly responsible for detoxification and purification of the blood.” Therefore the combination of the physical manipulation of the muscles with the added benefits of heat therapy results in a much more complete therapeutic experience. At Pathways To Health the use of steam or dry sauna is complementary with any massage. Clients are encourage to come in fifteen to thirty minutes before their session begins to relax the one of the two private steam baths or the dry sauna. Showers are available in the steam rooms. For cooling and further relaxation, a patio with waterfall is provided. Benefits of Massage for Headache Pain Over the past fourteen years, experience with a broad range of clients suffering from various forms of headache pain has confirmed, for me, (and for many of Pathway's clients), the effectiveness of massage for this condition. I find that deep work in the shoulder, neck, jaw, and cranial area relieves pain in most suffers of headache pain. This observation has been confirmed by two controlled studies. A study in the Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 1-11, twenty-six adults with migraine headaches were randomly assigned to a massage therapy group, which received twice weekly 30-minute massage for five consecutive weeks. The control group received no massages. The massage group reported fewer distress symptoms, less pain, more headache free days, fewer sleep disturbances and taking fewer analgesics. They also showed increased serotonin levels, the chemical messengers in the brain that affects emotions, behavior, and thought. Another study was on the effects of massage therapy on chronic, non-migraine headache Reported in the American Journal of Public health, 92, 1657-1661. Four chronic tension headache sufferers (aged 18-55 yrs) received structured massage therapy directed toward the neck and shoulder muscles during a 4 week period. Massage therapy was effective in reducing the number of weekly headaches. Headache frequency was significantly reduced within the initial week of massage treatment, and continued for the remainder of the study. It is concluded that the muscle-specific massage therapy used in this study has the potential to be a functional drug free intervention for reducing the incidence of chronic tension headache. Of course we recommend that an MD be consulted for conditions that persists. For more information about research findings related to massage, check out this web site: Some of the Methods Used by Pathways Therapists Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain. Ashiatsu (Foot Massage for the Back)Ashiatsu (ashi=foot and atsu=pressure) is an Asian form of bodywork that has been adapted to include Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage techniques. The therapist is supported by bars suspended fro the ceiling, and applies different foot strokes in a deep compressive manner. Ashiatsu is a well-documented. Effective technique for treatment of chronic low back and neck pain. Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine from India, and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda comprises the words āyus, meaning 'life' and veda, meaning 'science'. Ayurvedic practitioners work with the 3 life force energies of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha for curing various ailments. Bowen Technique addresses key points to stimulate energy flow, and involves a gentle, rolling motion. The practitioner will stimulate sets of points, often with pauses between sets. The Bowen Technique is not a form of massage, though it does claim to release areas of built-up stress in the muscles, and clients usually experience profound relaxation after a session. Craniosacral therapy involves gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia. The restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of craniosacral flluid through the spinal cord can be optimized, and misaligned bones can be restored to their proper position. Craniosacral therapists use the therapy to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia Myofascial Release is a form of soft tissue therapy which includes structural assessments and manual massage techniques for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, muscles, and bones with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly through the use of trigger points and soft pressure, which allows the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion. Prenatal or Pregnancy Massage is the use of massage therapy to support the physiologic, structural, and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus. Various forms of massage therapy, including Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular, movement, and Oriental-based therapies, may be applied throughout pregnancy as well as during labor and the postpartum period. Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain by stimulating predefined pressure points on the feet and hands. This controlled pressure alleviates the source of the discomfort. In the absence of any particular malady or abnormality, reflexology may be as effective for promoting good health and for preventing illness as it may be for relieving symptoms of stress, injury, and illness. Shiatsu , translated as finger pressure, is a manipulative therapy developed in Japan and incorporating techniques of anma (Japanese traditional massage), acupressure, stretching, and Western massage. Shiatsu involves applying pressure to special points or areas on the body in order to maintain physical and mental well being, treat disease, or alleviate discomfort. . All types of acupressure generally focus on the same pressure points and so-called energy pathways, but may differ in terms of massage technique. Sports Massage: There are special stretches, release moves and muscle group techniques that our therapists use to address the specific activities of athletes in their respective sports. We work extensively with endurance athletes like runners, cyclists, triathletes. We also serve all manner of weekend warriors - tennis, basketball, baseball. Please inquire about which therapist(s) might serve you and your specific athletic needs. Check the Therapists Bios for details Swedish Massage & Deep Tissue Massage: Swedish massage is the most popular type of massage in the United States. It involves the use of hands, forearms or elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage include increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion. Deep Tissue massage uses basic Swedish with slower motion to effect muscles at a deeper level. There is no extra charge for deep tissue massage at Pathways. By Joel “Jody” Curry, MSW, CMT I’m feeling a little anxiety about the Holiday Season. What to give? How much to spend? Do I have to join the crowds and go shopping? My mind begins to ‘rattle’ with these questions about this time every year. This is the basis for the dreaded HOLIDAY STRESS that we hear so much about this time of year. For a time I can be carried away by this chatter and begin to feel my body begin to tighten in response. However, I can also choose to remember to BREATHE. Breathing is the one of the things I often forget that I’m doing. My body will keep me breathing no matter how forgetful I am, thankfully. But I find that remembering that I am breathing helps me in many ways. For one, just the act of taking my attention away from the chatter of holiday anxiety by “watching” my breathing, I gain a different perspective on what is going on in my head. That perspective allows me to see that my worries about the future are not so important in this moment, and there are alternatives to just becoming stressed. In the more relaxed state that this observation permits, I can see more clearly what I may need to deal with the realities that the holiday season imposes. I can become aware of both sides of the situation, the fun, good feeling part of holiday joy and thankfulness. I can plan to counter the stressful times by taking time for myself to do important things like receiving a massage at Pathways. I can remember to plan ahead a little because I know that Pathways can become pretty busy around holiday time. By separating from my chatter,, I find an objective observer inside of me that is able to more clearly direct my attention to productive activity, like planning to take time for myself, make massage appointments, do focused breathing every day, etc. At Pathways we are making every effort to make it possible for you to use massage as one of your de-stressing for the holidays. What ever you do, allow yourself to have a wonderful holiday season. Massage therapy can enhance the overall health of mother and baby during and after pregnancy. The nurturing touch of massage can provide ease and comfort during this transformative time in a woman’s life. By reducing stress hormones massage can reduce birth complications, ease labor and improve infant health. Additional benefits: reduce stress, anxiety and depression, enhance self-image, reduce insomnia, relieve fatigue, headaches, back, joint and nerve pain, help control blood pressure, strengthen immune system and improve circulatory system. See the following therapists for prenatal massage:
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