Massage & Sciatica

By Michelle Liljeblad

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body,  it originates in the lower back and branches out through the hips, buttocks and down the legs.

People who suffer from sciatica commonly describes the pain as a sharp burning, tingling numbness and or weakness that starts  in the lower back and radiates down to one side of the leg or in rare cases both legs.

There are many different cases that can cause sciatica, but the most common cause of sciatic pain is a herniated disc. When the cartilage between a vertebrae is pushed out of place it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve causing the nerve pathway to be pinched which results in the tingling pain that is described. 

Common risks and factors that come into play for sciatica are profession, lifestyle, and age. Jobs that require heavy lifting can put strain on your lower back. People who are generally inactive are at a grater risk, and people who are in their 30's and 50's have a higher risk as well due to the deterioration of discs.  

There are many different options to alleviate sciatic pain. 

For acute sciatic pain relief most tend to take the rout of self home care. 

-Over the counter painkillers

-Hot/Cold compression packs

-Exercise/Stretching 

For chronic sciatic pain others look elsewhere for relief. 

-Physical therapy

-Prescription painkillers 

-Steroid injections 

-Surgery

For acute or chronic sciatica, painkillers and the others listed above unfortunately only provide temporary relief. Medication works for as long as you continue using them but loses their umph after time so people who take them need more to feel any relief. Surgery may give you hope that it will cure the pain but in truth there I no guarantee.

According to AAOC (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) approximately 80% to 90% of patients with sciatica get better over time without surgery, they state that the condition usually heals itself if given sufficient time and rest.

There are this you can do to help prevent or even aid you in the road to recovering from sciatic pain. Simple things such as maintaining proper posture when sitting, use good body mechanics when lifting heavy object, and regular exercise are all good thing to keep in mind. 

Benefits of Massage for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.  It is a progressive disease, meaning the disease gets worse overtime. 

Plagues and tangles, which are proteins that build up in cells and the spaces between nerve cells in the brain, have been found to develop in greater numbers in Alzheimer’s patients than normal aging humans.  These obstructions cause nerve cells to die resulting in the symptoms of the disease. 

The most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, confusion, disorientation, mood and behavior changes, and as the disease progresses speaking, walking, and swallowing are affected.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease and Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., and the numbers are estimated to jump to 13.8 million people by 2050. 

Alzheimer’s patients are usually treated with medications to help with the cognitive and behavioral symptoms so for massage purposes it is important to know how these drugs will affect the body when it is massaged. 

Because this disease is prevalent in older adults, it is important to remember the clients could have fragile bones, thin and/or dry skin, and possible hindrance in range of motion.  According to the American Massage Therapy Association, it is important to have communication with the client and to pay close attention to nonverbal cues for feedback and the client’s comfort level because sometimes they cannot express what they want to express. 

Touch is a necessity for life, young or old people cannot survive without it.  Gentle touch massage is wonderful for people suffering from Alzheimer’s. 

According to AMTA, simply resting your hands on the shoulders of a client or a hand massage is beneficial and can help reduce the feelings of confusion, agitation, anxiety, ease loneliness and isolation, and promote the feelings of worthiness and well-being.  Massage also helps with circulation. 

Some acupressure points that may be useful for brain issues relating to circulation include LI 17 and SI 16, and GV 20 is nice for motor control issues and low energy.  Traditional Chinese Medicine could look into blood stagnation, kidney deficiency, and issues with phlegm to address Alzheimer’s disease. 

Tai Chi and Qigong exercises have been proven to be beneficial to people with Alzheimer’s.

 

www.amtamassage.org

www.alz.org

www.yinyanghouse.com

Accupressure Massage for Digestion

By S. Phillips

As many of you already know Massage can help to get things moving. Sometimes, because of the diet we choose its appropriate to have some assistance in the 'moving' process. Irregularity can make you uncomfortable, and grumpy but chronic constipation can lead to painful hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and certain kinds of cancer.

Before you reach for a laxative you should know that they can be dangerous. Laxatives can make your muscles develop a memory and your body will start to depend on these in order for you to relieve your call of nature. Overuse can cause cramping, diarrhea, and dehydration; the magnesium in laxatives can cause even worse problems like difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat and even coma!
Now we are on the same page so lets get to the actual massage for clients with this problem.

This massage focusses on toning up LI and Si as well as the ST- this is very quick and easy and can relieve gas and constipation!
We are going to focus on the Ileocecal valve which is located between parts of the intestine and is under stress often due to overstimulation from our diet. Its located BETWEEN TOP OF THE HIPBONE AND THE BELLY BUTTON. Put your hand on the top of the shoulder (by collarbone ) at the same time and press simultaneously. Use round circles with a good pressure this will make the pressure on the abdomen less intense and help relax the Ileocecal valve! :) This should relieve digestive distress! The above protocol is courtesy of Dr. Tumberelllo.

*if  you are stubborn and insist on a laxative try this natural one: a folk remedy calls for 3 tbs of raw honey into warm h2o and drink!!! (The folk remedy encyclopedia)

That is just a warm up for the acupressure we are preparing to do...

AcuPoints:
SP15
SP25
ST25
ST36
ST44

~Start with ST25 press 8x
(2 cun from navel... press both sides at the same time. This is good for IBS, constipation and diarrhea and all other bowel problems)
~SP15 press 8x ( 2 more cun from ST25 or 4 cun from navel. good for constipation.)
~ST36 (find the kneecrease go three cun down from tibia and beneath tibeal bone can feel the ridge just beneath it you can go one cun lateral. this increases vitality and rejuvenates.)
~ST44 between 2nd and 3rd toe/ helps downward movement of food helps digestion and eases constipation.

8x on all points! GO over three times!

acupressure protocol courtesy www.wingsofknowledge.com

Kinesiology Tape for Massage Therapists

By J. Wisroth

Self-cultivation for massage therapists makes up an essential part of our daily routines. When it comes to injuries -- which as we all know can happen despite our best efforts to avoid them -- kinesiology therapeutic tape provides a significant benefit for a faster, more stable recovery. This tape has specific qualities which sets it apart from other athletic tape, wraps, or braces. Not only can we use this tape to benefit ourselves as therapists, but combining the support and remarkable effect of the tape with bodywork presents an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of our treatments. To truly appreciate the power of kinesiology therapeutic tape, keep reading below to get an idea of what this tape does, use the provided links to do your own research and try it out to see the incredible results for yourself.

How does kinesiology tape work and what qualities set it apart from other tape? 
Basically, kinesiology tape stretches only one direction due to its unique framework and mimics the elasticity of the skin. The specific stretch of the tape for each application gives the underlying muscles structure while increasing fluid circulation for that area. While straightforward athletic tape to a certain extent shuts down the circulation in order to support the injury, kinesiology tape slightly lifts the skin with structure as well as flexibility. For a more complete yet concise explanation (including a video), see "What is KT Tape" on kttape.com.

Note: KT Tape is a brand name – other brands include Kinesio Tape and RockTape among others. 

How can massage therapists add kinesiology tape to their treatments?
Kinesiology tape may supplement bodywork in order to continue the effects of increased circulation begun with massage. Also, when applied after a massage, it may provide structure yet flexibility for unstable joints surrounded by muscles that formerly kept the joint secure which have now been released. Because most massage is contraindicated locally for inflamed injuries, kinesiology tape can be used days prior to bodywork in order to reduce inflammation. The tape can be beneficial for certain pathologies, for example lymphedema and ITB Syndrome. And of course, therapists can use the tape for their own injuries. Many taping protocols and applications can be found on the various websites previous mentioned with the brand names. For example, at KT Tape’s website, not only do they have general taping applications, but also a blog and an “ask the expert” section. Other tape, such as RockTape, offers a special certification course to become a practitioner.

What cautions or modifications should be considered when using kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology tape should not be used on those undergoing cancer treatments. Abdominal applications should not be used for women who are pregnant. Most brands of tape last for up to seven days, but a day or two of rest should be scheduled in between applications.

Image: application for wrist pain with multiple uses

Now you have all the resources that you need to try kinesiology tape for yourself or your clients. Locally in Anchorage, you can find KT Tape at Sports Authority or Play It Again Sports. Feel free to leave comments about your experience!

A Portrait of Hydration , Hydration as it Pertains to Massage

By Anna Johnston

Hydration is important to health on many levels, It contributes smoothness to our tissue, hydrates our mucosa in various places, our interstitial fluid is profoundly relevant for the proper functions of our internal organs, brain function and the way our plasma is distributed throughout the body.

Many times neglected, one of the most basic needs of our bodies transport system, hydration takes place between the tiny capillaries embedded within our tissues and the cells of the tissue itself.
Blind end tubes begin in the interstitial compartment.  These one cell thick capillaries allow fluid from the interstitial space to move freely into them.  They branch off and flow through the tissue much like a tributary of a river, or the branches of a tree, finally flowing into precollectors and collectors.  They have one way valves at regular intervals that prevent back flow.

Large drainage areas are called lymphotomes.  They drain the regional areas into a local lymph node.  Fluid is screened at the nodes by lymphocytes and foreign substances are destroyed. These vessels drain into ducts, which eventually drain into major veins in our bodies.
The rhythmic pace of our lymph is about 5-8 contractions per minute, this can vary widely depending on whatever we happen to be doing at the moment. Obviously exercise and massage greatly increase the circulation, though some factors of lymph circulation we have no control over, such as hormonal changes or chemicals in our environment and swelling.
By volume we are composed of two thirds water.  The lack thereof can contribute to adhesion's in muscle tissue.  Adhesion's and  scar tissue can also impede the flow of interstitial fluid in our bodies.

Moving tissue through massage, warming up this extracellular matrix or fascia is paramount in effecting  positive changes.  Without this, no change or movement can take place.

Once warmed properly the collagen matrix resembles more of a gel, allowing for ease of movement.  Breaking up the collagen matrix gets the hydration to many a needy spaces within the body. Bringing homeostasis a little closer to our tissues through renewed blood and lymph flow.

Breaking up areas of stagnation, increasing circulation is all the more reason to continue on hydrating the body to flush out the toxins we've just released.  When you experience local swelling within your body, due to a cut or trauma, the swelling is your bodies way of trying to replace the pressure lost at the point of injury.  Our interstitial fluid maintains a consistent tension or pressure on the lymphatic vessels.  It's easy to overlook the importance of hydration, that is until your really dehydrated.

Resources:

SWELL Fascia as a Sponge By Thomas Myers  Massage Magazine 2012 November

Capillary Fluid Exchange: Regulation, Functions, Pathology.
Scallan J Huxley VH, Korthuis RJ. San Rafal, CA.
Morgan & Claypool life Sciences 2010.

Massage Therapy.Com By Kalyani Premkumar Dec/Jan 2005.     

An Eastern alternative in treating Parkinson's Disease

By Shoshana K.

Attending Alaska Institute of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy, I've learned much. One part I find particularly interesting in Chinese medicine is the relation of Qi moving and flowing within the body. When Qi becomes still and stagnant pain and tightness settles into the body. Which leads me to think about how could people affected with Parkinson's disease have a disharmony in their energy flow if their bodies are rarely stagnant.
 

Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder of the nervous system. Stricken with symptoms of tremor, muscular tension, and slow imprecise movement.  Associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia (linked with voluntary motor control) of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

As far as western medicine is aware the cause is unknown, and there is presently no cure. Western medicine has traditionally treated patients’ with medication and surgery to manage its symptoms.

Eastern medicine takes a different opinion on Parkinson's disease. It is defined in Oriental medicine as a symptom of spasms and tremors. These symptoms are found as common conditions that fall under the liver-wind pattern, with blood stagnation, kidney essence deficiency, liver wind, liver yang rising, liver yin deficiency. The main causes are overwork and excessive sexual activity, excessive consumption of greasy or sweet foods, and emotional stress. 

Needless say there is a large difference of beliefs between the two practices. Taking a deeper look into exactly what a Parkinson's disease patient could do with the knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, I have researched acupressure points that will specifically support the body returning to harmony with this condition.    

To aid in blood stagnation, calm wind and tonify Qi, rejuvenate joining channels the acupuncture points used are ST 36 and SP 6; CV 4 to nourish blood; and LV 8 to nourish the liver blood; GV-20 extinguishes liver wind and subdue liver yang; HT-3 is a good local point to move the Qi and blood assisting in reprieve of pain, numbness, tremors. Along with these acupressure point range of motion exercises are important to relax the muscles.

 

With that being said you can imagine how a person afflicted with Parkinson's disease would find hope in traditional Chinese medicine. Just knowing that there is something that can be done to work towards reducing symptoms can give the patient optimism.

 

 References:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com

www.yinyanghouse.com

http://www.yinyanghouse.com/research/parkinsons-disease