Archive for July, 2011
Massage As An Alternative Therapy
26 July 2011I read this WebMD article, “Americans Are Flocking to Alternative Therapies” it compares the survey results for alternative therapies VS medications. More and more I hear clients come in and say they are ready to address the root of the problem and not cover it up with medications any longer. On the other hand, I talk to many people with chronic issues who would rather not waste their time on having yet another appointment and pay yet another co-pay, “I’ll just take the pill thanks.” Respecting ones wishes is fantastic, I treat people how I want to be treated, however I feel it is my duty to inform them first of the benefits of alternative care.
This article shows that many people had good results with Chiropractic care to relieve back pain and Massage, Yoga and Pilates about the same results as medications for their back pain relief. What the article doesn’t mention is the amount of pills taken verses the amount of massages given or classes taken. How many people had less intake of pills when turning to alternative care? How often did pain still occur when taking the medication, did they have to take more then is recommended?
How long do drugs stay in your body?
Youtube: are your prescription drugs water soluble?:
http://youtu.be/sNm7VfO39zk
http://answers.ask.com/Health/Other/how_long_do_prescription_drugs_stay_in_your_system
http://www.healthiertalk.com/prescription-drugs-more-likely-kill-you-recreational-drugs-0112
Does the quick fix out weigh the risk? How often do you hear about death by Yoga, Pilates or Massage?
Massage Gate Control Theory
12 July 2011The gate control theory of pain was initially developed by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall in 1965. Their idea was that physical pain was not a direct result of the pain activation receptor neurons in the Peripheral nervous system. Pain was activated by the interaction between the Peripheral nervous system that then directs the pain sensation to the Central nervous system. This Theory suggests that the Central nervous system has a “Gate” that opens or closes to control feeling or not feeling the pain message. The Gate has the ability to stop the message from ever reaching the brain.
In Massage it is taught that we as Therapist can “override” the pain receptors. The skin’s Merkel’s disk receptors are stimulated by pressure, this stimulation is a slow adaptation to the Central NS. The Pacinian corpuscle skin receptors are stimulated by vibration, this stimulation is a Rapid adaptation to the CNS. Also the Ruffini’s corpuscle skin receptors are stimulated by stretching, and is a slow adaptation. These Cutaneous receptors are found in the dermis and epidermis. Muscle spindles, one of the sensory receptors in the skeletal muscle tissue detect stretch, the Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical stress or strain and the Nociceptors respond to tissue damage leading to pain. It was explained that the pressure receptors are more rapid then the slow pain receptors, giving us the ability to increase relaxation and decrease pain.
Within this relaxed state, chronic pain conditions can rehabilitate and release pain pattern holding for a faster recovery time. Yes, Massage is Awesome and Yes it can help with Pain when used at the right time and the right technique.