Network Healing Centre
November 2008 Newsletter
(613) 725-0988
info@networkhealingcentre.com
Important Dates to Remember
Monday, December 1 – Network Spinal Analysis Workshop
Network Spinal Analysis Workshop
Dr. Michael Tucker DC invites you to a workshop about Network Spinal Analysis
on Monday, December 1 at 7:15 pm.
There will be a half hour discussion and explanation about Network Spinal Analysis
followed by a half hour demonstration of the work.
Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to attend.
If you’ve ever had difficulty explaining NSA care to your family and friends,
now is your chance to let them see for themselves.
Please call Mary or Lisa at (613) 725-0988 to ensure sufficient seating.
Massage and Lymphedema Therapy
We are pleased to welcome Krista Dicks, BA, RMT, CLT,
Who has joined Erin Whyte, RMT.
Krista is a Registered Massage Therapist, Lymphedema Therapist and
Certified Infant Massage Instructor.
Please call (613) 725-0988 to schedule an appointment.
Appointments are available Monday to Saturday.
Far-Infrared Sauna
Complimentary Introductory Special
If you have not yet tried our Sauna,
Your first session is FREE!
Package deals, or individual sessions, are available for subsequent visits
What IS a Trigger Point?
by Erin Whyte, R.M.T.
Many clients have heard me use the term trigger point when trying to explain why they feel a big “knot” in their muscle and also why they feel it in an area not completely related to where I am working. I would like to offer an explanation for those of you who are unfamiliar with this term.
I refer to trigger points as “glorified knots.” Why glorified? Most of you have rubbed or squeezed your shoulders and felt a nodule within the muscle, right? This nodule, or tender spot, is an area where the small contractile units of a muscle fibre have contracted and refuse to lengthen. This characteristic exists in trigger points, and they also possess other highlighted characteristics:
1. They have a recognizable referral pattern. When finger pressure is applied to a trigger point, it will cause a feeling of pain in another area. These areas have been well documented by Travell and Simons; anyone who would like to know what I’m talking about can ask to see their books. Pain will almost always refer (travel) to the same location. For example, a spot in the upper shoulders such as the trapezius muscle can elicit pain to the base of the neck, up over the ear and to the temple. Sound familiar? Could your headache be coming from a muscle? It definitely can. Knee pain can also be due to a point in the quadriceps and hip pain can be due to irritable nodules in the glute muscles (the buttocks).
2. Restricted range of motion. Because this irritable band of tissue is within the muscle fibre, it can reduce the lengthening of the entire muscle. The muscle may also spasm if taken beyond its ability to lengthen, causing more pain.
3. Local twitch response. You may or may not be aware of this response, but as a therapist, I definitely am. In fact, I usually see it. If I palpate over a muscle that has a trigger point, I will often see a transient contraction that may also be felt by you, the client. This helps me to zone in on problematic areas. (I can hear many of you saying… “so THAT’S how she always finds the good spots!”)
Other characteristics include, but are not limited to: muscle weakness, getting goosebumps, and sweating when pressure is applied to the area.
How does one develop trigger points, and more importantly, how does one get RID of them?
Here is a list of contributing factors to the development of a pressure point: acute strain, muscle overload, overwork fatigue, chilling of the muscle (cold draft at night), emotional stress, trauma (blow to the body), and leaving the muscle in a shortened position for a prolonged period of time (such as when you are sleeping).
Trigger points can be self-limiting (i.e. heal themselves) but only if it is a specific occurrence and any perpetuating factors are eliminated. Education on what some of these factors are is necessary to help reduce the likelihood of them becoming chronic. Specific massage techniques include muscle stripping, compression and stretching. Applying heat afterwards can help to flush the area of toxins that can irritate the area. My experience has shown that these are the most effective techniques. So before you sign off on thinking that you are in the early stages of osteoarthritis or that you will never NOT suffer from headaches, why not explore what massage therapy can do for you? Perhaps it’s an undiscovered trigger point just waiting to be found by expecting fingers…
The Lymphatic System
An introduction to Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) or Lymphatic Massage
by Krista Dicks, RMT, CLT
The lymphatic system has three interrelated functions:
1) It is responsible for the removal of interstitial fluid from tissues.
2) It absorbs and transports fatty acids and fats to the circulatory system.
3) It transports antigen presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells, to the lymph nodes where an immune response is stimulated.
The study of lymphatic drainage of various organs is important in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The lymphatic system, because of its physical proximity to many tissues of the body, is responsible for carrying cancerous cells between the various parts of the body in a process called metastasis. The intervening lymph nodes can trap the cancer cells. If they are not successful in destroying the cancer cells, the nodes may become sites of secondary tumors.
Lymph fluid is not pumped through the body like blood; it is moved mostly by the contractions of our skeletal muscles. An active body may ensure a healthy lymph system, as movement helps the lymph to re-circulate. Brisk walks, with pumping of the arms, and jumping on trampolines are guaranteed ways to boost your lymph flow. Receiving a Lymphatic Massage is also another guaranteed way to get the lymph flowing!
MLD was invented by Emil Vodder, Ph. D, M.T. in 1932 in Cannes, France. As a massage therapist, he dared to manipulate directly over lymph nodes, which during times of illness were formerly thought to be high-risk areas. Since his clients generally sought therapy to sooth the aches and pains of chronic colds, Vodder noticed that direct, intuitive and gentle manipulation on the swollen lymph nodes caused rapid improvement. These findings inspired him to study ancient drawings of lymphatic anatomy towards developing sensible sequences of therapy on all body areas.
Even a healthy person can benefit from Manual Lymphatic Drainage or Lymphatic Massage. It helps the body flush out toxins and stored fats to promote healthy lymph flow. It improves the immune system, and it may play a part in the prevention of Cancer.
These are other conditions MLD can benefit:
•Frequent colds • Sluggish immune system
• Fibromyalgia • Detoxification (fasting, nicotine, etc.)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome • Constipation • Scars • Burns
• Wounds • Allergies • Sinusitis • Diabetes
• Pregnancy related swelling • Nausea • Arthritis
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle and rhythmic technique. It is often the only technique a palliative patient can tolerate as it is also very analgesic. Most people experience lymphatic massage as deeply relaxing and even rejuvenating. Despite the light massage technique it is very effective in its intentions to awaken the lymphatic system and create pathways for the lymph fluid to flow and be removed from the body naturally.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage is covered under the Scope of Practice for Registered Massage Therapists and an Insurance Receipt can be issued if Massage Therapy coverage is available. I encourage you to ask questions about Lymphatic Massage! Please feel free to contact me at any time.
Compassion
By Dr. Michael Tucker, DC
I seek to have more compassion in my life – both for myself and for others. I feel compassion is an important part of healing. Words like compassion, trust, being present, friendliness and love seem to come up for people who are healing.
I sense compassion is the bravery to be open to the fears of others, even when they resonate with our deepest fears. I feel compassion is unconditional friendliness with our emotions, even when they are intolerable. Compassion is an expansion into the openness of another’s values while also gently holding our own cherished values.
When we are connected to another’s pain or heartbreaking sadness, we could get lost in pity. We then feel we need to help or fix the other. A kind of aloofness can develop from pity and it often feels terrible to be on the receiving end of pity. When we have self-pity, we feel we deserve more; we need to be fixed, we need help. We feel that we are powerless and cannot take action to help ourselves. This is not the case.
We can become overwhelmed by compassion. Sometimes we find ourselves overwhelmed by our experience because it is too painful and resonates with our old wounds. In this case we bury our pain. If we amplify the hurt, we worry, or we get stressed or anxious. If we are overwhelmed with the pain of others, particularly our loved ones, we can take it as our own. Their pain becomes part of our story and we bury it in that “overwhelmed” place.
Compassion for others would be an ability to sit in another’s pain and not be in pity, but also not be overwhelmed. We could look at them and not see something as wrong that needs to be fixed. We have the boundaries to separate what is ours and what is the other person’s. We would simply be able to experience the emotion (joy, sadness, etc), to let it ebb and flow naturally. Compassion allows our emotions to flow. Compassion lets us know the reality of how safe and secure our bodies are at any given moment. It is healthy to be able to self-observe. Compassion expands us enough to enable us to observe our own story.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY AND CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROMES
By Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT
This is a reprint of an earlier article which I feel is worthwhile re-reading. --Rosemary
CST is well known for its positive results as both a primary and adjunctive treatment modality for a wide variety of conditions. Research conducted at Michigan State University in the mid 1970’s proved the existence of the CranioSacral system and its effect on health and disease. The following partial list of chronic pain syndromes have shown observable positive results to CST.
Arthritis – CST releases muscle tension and enhances range of motion which contribute to joint rejuvenation.
Headache Syndromes – CST addresses underlying causes of migraine, tension, fluid congestion and hormonally related headaches. Immobility of the cranial bones along the sutural lines can be a contributing factor to migraines. Autonomic and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions may be contributing causes which can be effectively treated with CST
Pain Syndromes – Myofascial, neuromusculoskeletal, and nerve pain syndromes show positive results to CST. Due to its positive effects on the autonomic nervous system, fluid exchange, and desensitizing facilitated spinal segments, CST contributes to reducing pain levels found in chronic neck and back pain.
Spinal Dysfunctions – Scoliosis, disc compression, low-back pain, post-op complications have shown positive outcomes with CST. CST is effective in addressing underlying biomechanical, neurogenic and facilitated segment causes to pain.
Temperomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) – This discoordination of the lower jaw (mandible) may originate from restrictions of the temporal bones on each side of the head which is part of the craniosacral system. Other causes such as tension headaches, jaw clenching, whiplash, or misalignment of the teeth. CST is known to be highly effective at identifying and alleviating the cause of TMJ.
A hands-on CST evaluation is required to determine if CST is an appropriate treatment approach and to make a treatment plan recommendation. The number of sessions to achieve results depends on the complexity of the problem and the health condition of the individual.