Quote for Today – Kindness

Guard well within yourself that treasure, Kindness

Know how to Give without Hesitation,

how to Lose without Regret,

how to Acquire without Meanness

 – – George Sand

 

Consideration of the Day – Gratitude

Gratitude can be an incredible healing process.  Shifting your perspective from negative self-talk and judgement to appreciation and gratitude can change your field of grace.  Here are some ways that I have found helpful in practicing gratitude:

• Keep a Gratitude Journal – make a contract with yourself to find three things you are grateful for every single day
• Look for beauty in the details – a blooming flower, the scent of lilacs on a spring day, a welcoming sunrise.
• Tell uplifting stories
• Practice random acts of kindness
• Tell those you love that you Love them
• If you catch yourself with feelings of frustration or anger, look for the blessing  (for example, someone is on their cell phone and runs a red light – bless and feel the gratitude that an accident was avoided . . .don’t give away your energy by feeding the anger)
• Start and end each day with a prayer of gratitude

What ways to you spread gratitude?  How has feeling gratitude impacted your life?

 Blessings and Grace to all,

*Angela

Cell Phones killing off the Bees?

Bee Colony Collapse Disorder is the name that has been given to a mysterious occurance of bees disappearing.  Why is this important?  Consider for a moment how many of our crops are pollinated by bees. . . . In fact Albert Einstein once speculated that if the bees disappeared then humans would be wiped out within 4 years.

Researchers are now questioning the possibility that cell phone radiation waves may be the cause.  Apparently the cell waves interfer with the Bees navigation system and the theory is that they can’t find their way back home.  This certainly explains why many hives are found with only the queen and a few young workers – all the others have left and then couldn’t get back.   A full report on this possibility can be found with the UK Independent http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife/article2449968.ece

We have to wonder if the cell waves are indeed responsible – what are they doing to other species – will bats be affected?  They contribute to our food cycle by keeping potentially damaging insects at bay.  And of course the question still remains the long term effect of the radiation waves on humans – speculation ranges, time will eventually tell.

Limbic System Part 3 – Thalamus

The responsibility of the Thalamus gland, which is located in the “C” groove of the lateral ventricles of the brain is conveying extensive sensory, motor, and autonomic information from the brain stem and spinal cord to the cortex.  The Thalamus nuclei are interconnected with cortex functions, such as sensory projection, somato-sensory stimuli, visual and auditory input.

We suspect that any dis-ease or imbalance within the Thalamus may not necessarily be noticable, in fact we suspect that typically the symptoms are very subtle and may just contribute to an overall feeling of ‘something off’ or ‘not quite feeling right’.   Balancing the Thalamus through advanced brainwork can be similar to experiencing a deep breath or ‘ahhh’.  Subtle, yet contributing to overall homeostasis.  

— Michael and Angela

Part 1 and Part 2 of the Limbic System Series are available here.

 

Quote of the Day – Forgiving

I can have peace of mind only when forgiving rather than judging

 – – Gerald Jampolski

Antioxidant Vitamins on the Pharmaceuticals hit list?

Unbelievable what makes news sometimes!   Last week the national news reported on an unusual article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).  What is so unusual about this article is that it is controversial and apparently not fair reporting or accurate science.  JAMA reported  “Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may increase mortality.” 

Many health experts and critics immediately called foul; pointing out the report from JAMA was not based upon specific research study – rather it is what is called a “Meta-study”.  A “Meta-study” means that they take the results of selected other studies and combine the information as they see fit – something like the old addage that the numbers can be made to say whatever you would like them to say.  In fact this particular report indicates that 68 studies were considered in the meta-study – this is 68 out of over an estimated 2000 studies on the results from vitamins and antioxidants.  Experts are questioning why studies that established that taking these same vitamins lowered the risk for disease and death were excluded.   The national News was fair and actually seemed to focus on the apparent ridiculousness of the JAMA article.  Physicians appeared on the news pointing out potential problems with the studies and recommended that if you have questions that you should talk with your own physician.

Author Dr. Jack Wheeler was so inflamed by this apparant ‘un-scientific’ report that he has accused the JAMA and Phamaceuticals of greed and exploitation.  Dr. Wheeler also explains some of the specific short comings of the studies that were chosen in this ‘meta-study’ in an article written last month and available here.

Bottom line it appears that our health care system is suffering from greed, dishonesty, and integrity.  If it is true that the pharmaceuticals bought a false study and the JAMA was willing to go along with this scam then who are we to trust with issues related to our health?  It is  becoming more critical to listen to your own body and make sure that you are getting the facts that are relevant to you.    

Scar Tissue and Cesarean Birth ( C-Section )

Over my years of private practice I have treated countless women who experience low back pain.  Their pain has all been similar by a description of pain in the buttocks, sacrum and along the crest of the hips in the back.  A good portion of these women have had children delivered via cesarean (c-section), with resulting prominent scar tissue just above the pubic bone.  Through palpation I have found their lower abdominal region armoured, with very little fascial and tissue glide. 

Through further assessment I found that by stretching or pulling the scar tissue it will typically refer pain into either one or both hip flexors.  The hip flexors or psoas musscles originate at the lumbar vertabrae T12-L5 (your lower back).  The insertion point (or other end) of this muscle is at the lessor trochanter of the femur or in your groin.  When one hip flexor is hypertonic it will typically cause the lower lumbar spine to laterally flex.   As a result pain is manifested, typically either sciatic pain or lower back pain. 

Another symptom I have seen with these clients who have had c-sections is that they may have issues with lower digestion such as irritable bowel syndrome or elimination difficulties.  Again, the tightening created by the scar tissue pulls within the abdominal cavity and thus affects the organs.

Bottom line, typically the scar tissue that formed after the c-section has tightened and pulled their bodies our of balance and the symptoms of pain in the back really originates  in the abdomen.  Fortunately there is a solution that works for most women.  Myofascial and craniosacral help unwind or release the pulling from the scar tissue in the pelvic floor.  The hip flexor(s) can then return to balance or homeostasis.  This relaxation of the tight lower abdominal tissue relieves pressure off of the low back, increases leg movement, and typically relieves pain. 

— Michael

 

Quote of the Day

A ritual allows us to participate in the enactment of a myth. 

One prepares internally to move with the image and the transcendent comes through.

 – – Joseph Campbell (Thou art That)

Limbic System Part 2 – Amygdala

The Amygdala is an almond shaped nuclei that is located int he medial temporal lobe of the brain, just in front of the hippocampus.  It is thought that the amygdala is responsible for linking feelings of fear and anxiety which has an intimate relationship with the bodies fight, flight or freeze response.  There are approximately 20 -30 receiving and processing centers in the amygdala and its reaction response can come directly from the thalamus gland.  Hypo or hyper activity in the amygdala can have an impact on understanding fear and anxiety, which may have an impact in processing the bodies fight or flight mechanism.  

Any imbalance or dis-ease within the amygdala has the potential to impact soft tissue integrity throughout the body.    For example a hyper active amygdala can contribute to remaining in fight or flight or freeze.  By remaining in fight or flight or freeze our entire body remains super vigilant, adreneline may be over created, heart rate may remain high etc.  Prolonged periods of this supervigilance can throw off the chemical balances within the body, including the soft tissue.  As a result the soft tissue can loose it’s elasticity and overall health – added to this is that the healing process of deep rest can be compromised during prolonged periods of fight or flight or freeze:  you end up with the potential of more damage and less healing within the soft tissue.   The body has an amazing capacity to heal itself – provided it has the opportunity to do so.

If you feel that you have experienced prolonged periods of fight or flight or stress you may find that your body could use a little assistance in healing.  Basic good health advice prevails – eat well, exercise, get plenty of rest, and reduce stress.  Bodywork can also help, and there are a number of modalities that may be beneficial – the key is to find the one(s) that resonate with you and your body.  We recommend that you trust your own inner guidance in finding the therapy that will work best for you.  

For specific work to facilitate balancing the amygdala we have found that advanced brain work is particularly effective.   We find that combining advanced brain work with other modalities can contribute to working with both potential cause and symptoms that an imbalance in the center for fight, flight or freeze may have led to.

Part 1 of the Limbic System series can be found here

–Michael and Angela

 

Carpal Tunnel and treatment with Craniosacral Therapy

Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests many symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and weakness of grip, loss of dexterity, stiffness, cramping, numbness, cold, and burning.  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)  may take years to develop and often progresses rapidly if ignored.  This syndrome is often brought on through repetitive use, improper ergonomics, and bad body mechanics.  If CTS goes untreated, loss of work and income often follow.  It has been estimated that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects approximately 1% of the U.S. population.  It is estimated that 1 million surgeries for carpal tunnel syndrome are performed each and every year.  Often overwhelming demands and stress at work contribute to the syndrome.   Reducing or managing stress, proper ergonomics, frequent stretching and positional changes can all help to reduce or prevent repetitive injuries. 

Carpal tunnel syndrome usually affects the median nerve between the carpal bones of the hand or hands.  Other factors that can cause or contributre to carpal tunnel syndrome are edema or water retention in the hands or wrist area, subluxsation or misalignment of the carpal bones in the hand, and Myofascial hyper tonicity (tightness in the fascia of the wrist and arm)

There are other injuries that can cause or mimic carpal tunnel pain. Other potential causes or contributors include neck injuries, such as a bulging or herniated discs, shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff problems, and arthritis and tendonitis.  Thoracic outlet syndrome, which is caused by nerve impingement or a lack of or blood supply due to tight muscles in the neck or chest region can also mimic or contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome.

The most common first aid treatment is drug therapy.  The use of anti-inflammatory and rest reduces swelling and pressure on the median nerve, resulting in the return of proper wrist function.  In very advanced cases surgery is an option. It does seem that with the dramatic increase in surgeries that the possibility exists that surgery options are promoted too often and too soon in the course of treatment. 

Even with the dramatic numbers of surgeries, there are many – both clients and physicians – who explore alternative health solutions prior to surgery.  Massage therapy is probably the most often recommended alternative therapy for many types of repetitive strain injuries, and can help in many cases with carpal tunnel syndrom.   Massage has the ability to reduce swelling, remove toxins from the injured site, stretch and release traumatized tissue.  All this is done safely and without drug or surgery side effects. 

Craniosacral and Myofascial Therapies are also indicated for carpal tunnel syndrome.  The therapeutic light pressure of these treatments allows the body to unwind congested fascia around the injured area.  Fascia wraps muscle unit and fiber, muscle fibril and fascicle, and each muscle cell.  This ensheathing layer also wraps the nerves that accompany muscle movement.  So it makes sense that safely unwinding this tissue thorough fascial therapy will result in decreased pain and improved range of motion.