In the summer months I shared I had some shoulder pain that started due to water aerobics. Well it went away, then returned with vengeance.  After boosting my workouts and taking on a couple new projects, my shoulder is now in pain! I have consulted and need my own therapy for shoulder impingement.

Anatomy: Your shoulder is made of three bones: your upper arm bone (humerous), your shoulder blade (scapula), and your clavicle (collarbone). Between your rotator cuff and the bone at the top of your shoulder (acromion), is a lubricating sac called a bursa. This bursa allows the rotator cuff tendons and muscles move freely when you move your arm.

This program is designed with you in mind for total connection to your inner needs and your desired results. This gentle internal and external cleanse and mental clearing is designed to give you more energy to make your dreams come true! You will gain emotional balance, detoxify from toxin build up, learn habit controlling behaviors, and have the will to accomplish your health and wellness desires this New Year.

Your Program: You will start with setting your intention will a full consultation and dream session with Rose Robertson, CHN, HHP will take you on a journey of self discovery and releasing any mental road blocks that keeps you fro reaching you heart’s desires. Then you will want to total body cleanse with Tiffany Rivera, NCBTMB, HHP to exfoliate and replenish your entire body and lymphatic system for cleansing and restoration. Over the next 21 days we will tandem your Hypnotherapy with massage treatments and your home care will set new heights for your New Year!

$435.00

4 Hypnotherapy Sessions:

1~ complete consultation and intention setting session

3~ 60minute Hypnotherapy sessions

4 Bodywork Treatments:

3~ 65 minute Massages

2.5 hour ~Total Vital Soma Cleanse:

Scrub

Body wrap

Far infrared sauna session

Homecare will include:

Scrubs for shower

Hydro soaks for relaxation

Journal entry for processing and milestones

To coordinate your 21 day rejuvenation:

Holistic Hands or Rose Robertson

619-325-8338    619-218-2239

Tiffanyr@holistichands.org    atouchofrose@gmail.com

One day at the center a new client came in to use the sauna for rehab of an injured knee. We hit it off right away and I liked her. I felt myself opening up to her right away and shared with her my dilemma of fatigue and muscle pain. (It goes against my ethics to engage like this with new clients- but this was different) She shared with me that she is a doctor of naturopathic medicine, and it sounded like I may have heavy metal toxicity. WHAT?!!! Heavy metals! She told me about hair analysis and the way hair holds history of the body and the cellular blue print of hormones, toxic elements, and nutritional levels. I was ready for any new answers!! So I eagerly agreed. It was an easy test of hair snipping (not too much), sending into the lab, and waiting for Dr. Cat to analyze and consult.

The results were alarming and are what started my process of healing and transformation that is still in progress today. My hair analysis came back that I had severe lead poisoning. I also had high levels of tin and aluminum. Ok- I admit, I freaked out! I mean really! Where and how in the world did it ingest lead. And the BABIES!! So the next step, hair analysis the whole family! My husband and oldest son did not have lead levels at all! No heavy metal traces what so ever. But sadly, the two babies did. And they were high. So that means I transferred during the pregnancies. And it had to be coming from the air or digestion. It all hit me so hard, to my core. But I had to find out where this is coming from. I tested the water at home and at the center and both came back fine, I talked about the candles with Dr. Cat, and they were fine, then it dawned on me that I eat enormous amounts of ice! I tested my ice and the levels are very high of lead and other metals! My favorite pastime while pregnant was eating and sucking on ice, then it turned into something I did all the time! It’s quite embarrassing actually, to be addicted to ice. But I was.

After much research and discussing with a guy who works in the air conditioning and cooling trade, that most ice is made from unfiltered city water, made in tin cargos, with aluminum trays, that crank out ice chips in unclean, calcified water pipes and trays. The FDA does not regulate the water source, and conditions of ice machines. I am referring to ice manufacturers.

What I learned from Dr. Cat is that lead binds with other metals like iron and zinc. Though I ingested the extra iron and supplements during the pregnancies, the lead would pull on the iron and my cells were not able to absorb the iron. So my body stored these important elements, but did not utilize them to help fuel me. The levels showed normal in the blood work though. I was actually anemic due to low iron and that compiled on to other deficiencies.

Time to heal. The best way to rid lead is through the digestion system besides chelation. Dr. Cat went through the supplements with me, suggested I see Shannon for Colon Hydrotherapy, do the ionic foot soaks, and soak in my sauna. Masques and scrubs were also good for detox. The children were put on a high protein diet. Protein attracts lead and we pass proteins all the time through our digestion and skin. That is why forced sweating in the infrared sauna is so good for you. I do all of the above and when I am in the groove and following this, I feel amazing. I love my colonics with Shannon! It is so purging. I can feel it when I am off routine and that happens sometimes. I am much better than I was have released 26 pounds since I began this journey and still have a ways to go, We will all re-test soon and I am looking forward to seeing far we have come.

If you are interested in learning about your blue print to cellular health, please visit Dr. Cat’s website for more information. We offer the hair analysis testing and can send into the lab out of our center.

Why Infrared?

What is Infrared?

Infrared is the band of light we perceive as heat. We cannot see this band of light with the naked eye, but we can feel this type of light in the form of heat. Our sun produces most of its energy output in the infrared segment of the spectrum. Infrared rays heat your body without having to heat the air in-between, through a process called conversion.
The infrared is divided into 3 segments by wavelengths, measured in microns; 0.76~1.5 microns-near; 1.5~5.6 microns-middle; 5.6~1000 microns-far infrared. Among these segments, only far infrared penetrates organic substances such as the human body two to three inches so that the warming effect is very uniform.
Our unit we use, the Health Mate Sauna’s exclusive M-type far infrared heaters radiate this far infrared to safely and effectively warm your body.

Because infrared rays penetrate the body over 1-1/2 inches throughout conversion, there is a deep heating effect in the muscle tissues and internal organs without giving too much burden to our heart.

Our body reacts to the increased heating through the natural cooling process of perspiring. Through the perspiration process, acid and waste residue like toxins, sodium, alcohol, nicotine, cholesterol and the potentially carcinogenic heavy metals are removed from the cells (especially zinc, lead, nickel, cadmium, etc). As well as the pores of our skin opening and discharging waste products, the skin sheds any old skin cells, leaving it glowing and immaculately clean, with improved tone, elasticity, texture and colour.

Far infrared is like sun’s healing ray without harmful UV rays. Far infrared ray penetrates deep into the skin and heats your body from inside out.

How Safe Is It?

Because infrared is part of the sunlight, it’s completely safe to use. Health professionals have used red infrared heat lamps for decades to treat muscle and joint problems. In hospital baby care units, incubators are often equipped with infrared heating systems to keep newborn babies warm.

Your Session

Our clients have experienced amazing sessions in our Sauna. In a private setting with carafe of water and tea, you can listen to your favorite music brought in or our selection of CDs and read a magazine or book. You can also turn off the light, close your eyes and experience deep heat and relaxation. This is a very subtle relaxing and cleansing sauna. You’ll experience benefits on a physical and physiological level the very first try.

Benefits

Before a massage:
Will increase circulation and heat the muscles prior to your massage. Your body will be already warm and ready for deep or firm pressure in the beginning of your session.

With a body Wrap
The Herbal soak of the bodywrap is of detox ingredients and will increase the purging of the sweat glands and may increase of the amount of perspiration. This will further the calorie burn and cell shrinkage, fulfilling the intension of the session.

Other Benefits

o     Weight Loss & Control
o     Muscle & Joint Pain
o     Toxins & Mineral Waste
o     Stress & Fatigue
o     Blood Circulation & Cardiac Health

Piriformis syndrome is sometimes used as a catchall diagnosis for pain in the back of the hip or buttocks. Whether it truly is caused by the piriformis, or some other type of injury, this type of hip pain can be a huge problem with athletes, active people, and those who sit for long periods of time.

SYMPTOMS:

The most common symptom of this injury is pain the hips, buttocks, and radiating pain down the leg. Hip pain in the back may or may not be a piriformis problem. The symptoms that set this injury apart from other hip issues are those of numbness and tingling.

True piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve as it runs alongside the muscle. This nerve irritation causes numbness, tingling, and pain along the back of the thigh.

These neurological symptoms are what differentiate true piriformis problems and other types of hip problems.

CAUSES:

The most common cause of this injury is tightness of the piriformis muscle.

Because of the close proximity of the sciatic nerve, tightness of the muscle can cause irritation and increased compression of the nerve, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling.

These symptoms are increased with activities, especially those that involve contraction of the muscles.

They may also be increased by sitting for long periods of time.

Postural sitting that can irritate the piriformis muscle:

1. Sitting on a wallet or phone

2. Crossing one leg over the over knee for long periods of time

3. Sitting on the couch or chair with your legs straight out in from of you; you have one leg crossing over the over leg, crossing at the ankle.

4. Sitting in a chair with your legs spread at the knee and your ankles are crossed

TREATMENT:

Whether you are dealing with true piriformis syndrome that includes tingles and numbness, or other hip problems, stretching the piriformis muscle can help decrease the pain.

Piriformis stretching can relieve the muscle tension and reduce the irritation on the sciatic nerve.

Icing constricts the blood vessels that reduce swelling and spasms.  20 minute ice pack sessions are going to pain relieve and force you to relax that muscle, if only for 20minutes.

Deep Tissue Massage with a slow approach through the gluteus muscle will be most successful. Also myofascial trigger point and longitudinal muscle stripping of the piriformis would be my personal protocol.  Add some icing to relieve inflammation; then I would massage in our myosin muscle serum to sooth and relieve the entire low back, hips, and legs.

You should see your physician to make sure you know exactly what is causing your pain and that you are not overlooking another more serious injury. Especially if the symptoms last more than 10 days and you are stretching, icing and have tried massage.

Body Work and the Seasons

So how can massage and bodyworks best support us through out the changing seasons?  Whether literal or metaphorical, the seasons represent times of differing needs and preferences. We will explore how each season can relate to different style of bodywork.

Spring

Spring is a time of growth and change and naturally give rise to the urge to be more physically active. The growing daylight and warmer days are conductive to greater movement This is a season for sports massage, or techniques that address muscle soreness after exercise.  Deep tissue massage or orthopedic modalities can address specific muscle pain or tension.

Body Skin Care: this is a time ex-foliate and cleanse the skin. Scrubs, masques, and far infrared can force sweat the skin into purging and rejuvenating.

Summer

Summer is the season of abundance and warmth, and a time to relish in the nourishing gifts of the natural world. It is a time of social connection, travel and new experiences with self and others.  Massage and bodywork in this season can encourage you to feel a sense of wholeness and integration in your body. Techniques of integration can be a perfect modality to nurture you in the summer time. deep tissue and reflexology is an example of integration in bodywork.
Body Skin Care: Sun exposure can dry the skin and beach play can dry the skin and feet. Shea butters, nourishing clay masques, and hydro-soaks and wraps can really maintain the supply look to beautiful summer skin. Feet treatments will keep your feet healthy and free from dry cracking.

Autumn

As summer yields its last fruits and change the leaves colors, autumn is a time to look at our priorities, exude gratefulness for what we have and be willing to let go of whatever is no longer useful. The focus of massage and bodywork can include attention to deep breathing and slowing the body down. Attention to hands, arms, shoulders, and back can tension release as you breathe in new inspiration.

Body Skin Care: As we celebrate the autumn garden harvest, your body can reap the benefits with pumpkin and papaya masques, orherbal scrubs like rosemary and eucalyptus with sea salts. Your body will store the nutrients and boost the immune system.

Winter

With less hours of daylight, winter is a natural time of rest and stillness. Your mind wants to rest and reflect and your body can turn inward and heal. Bodywork and massage should be deep and relaxing to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing the body to engage its own healing. Lymph drainage is slow and restful or long Swedish strokes can put the body in a peace state for rest.

Body Skin Care: Body wraps and cocoons are great way to slow the body and allow key nutrients to be absorbed by the body. Warm hydrating sessions with paraffin is great for arthritis, lupus, or skin and bone sensitive issues.

If you would like more information how to care for your body’s skin during any season please contact us to receive a free consultation and skin type analysis.

References:

BodySense spring.summer 2009 www.massagetherapy,com

The skin is the largest, most absorbent, the only exposed, and quickest healing organ of our body.  Daily our skin sheds toxins and dry skin cells.
The Diagram to the left, shows an internal view of the skins layers.  The best way to release toxins is through forced sweating, water cleansing, and ex foliation. Our lymph vessel, oil glands, and sweat glands all have an access port to the epidermis layer. In return, the the epidermis continually transmits elements back into the same portals through the products and element we expose our skin to in the environment.

There are five basic skin care types: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much — or how little — oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

It is very important that we consider the products and environmental exposure our skin receives as it plays a vital role in the overall health of our bodies. This article part 1 of our 2 part series of skin purging, will teach you how to know your skin type and then ways to treat, and reach your goals of balanced skin care customized for your personal needs.

Step 1. Know Your Skin Type

Rona Berg, in her book, “Beauty the New Basics,” details the five different skin types. Here’s how to tell what skin type you have.

Berg suggests you take the “skin test.” Wash your face, pat it dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots and become translucent. If the paper doesn’t stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin.
Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics.

• Type 1: Oily Oily skin tends to be shiny with enlarged pores and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might experience some tightness.

• Type 2: Combination/normal This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone. |
• Type 3: Sensitive Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.
• Type 4: Dry Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.
• Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone — especially around the cheeks and jawline — with leathery texture and broken capillaries.

Once you know your skin type for the face you can assume that it will apply to the whole body. For example, your calves and feet can be really  dry and flaky, but you have a smooth and even textured back. That would be considered combination skin and there are ways to heal the dry feet and calves, while cleansing and nourishing the back all at the same time.  Our bodies have a wonderful way of absorbing and using what it needs and discarding the excess out.

A holistic approach to skin care will benefit you in many ways. Your skin is also an organ which happens to cover and protect your entire body. In order to have truly healthy skin you must care for the skin on your entire body.Caring for the skin on your entire body isn’t much different than caring for the skin on your face. Your skin, no matter which part of the body it happens to be connected to, requires the same basic care. If you want beautiful, healthy skin, you must cleanse it, exfoliate it, moisturize it, and protect it. These are the same principles you have probably already employed to care for your face. Though different skin types may require some variation in the frequency of certain steps or the type of products used to care for the skin, all skin types should perform all aspects of skin care

Step 2.  Basic Skin Care in 4-steps:

1. Cleanse- Cleansing daily your skin needs to be with the best suited cleanser for your skin type. A person with dry skin may do best with the moisturizing skin cleanser but a person with oily skin will clog pores and may create acne with moisturizing cream cleansers. Sensitive skin types are difficult to find a product that will not irritate the skin. Once you find a product that works stick with it for a season and notice the differences.

2. Moisturize- Moisturizing the skin on your entire body will keep your skin soft and smooth. Dry skin should be moisturized as often as possible. Choosing rich creamy products will be much more beneficial than lighter moisturizers. Apply the moisturizer immediately after bathing. It will penetrate and absorb better. Sensitive and oily skin should be moisturized, but with caution. Use natural products and avoid heavy creams. Only moisturize as needed. Avoid baby oil or petroleum oil as they can clog pores.

3. Exfoliate- (done once or more times per week per skin type) Exfoliating your skin is necessary for all skin types. The process removes dead skin cells and helps renew the skin. Your skin will appear more radiant and the tone will be more even. Use a gentle exfoliate so as not to damage the skin. Oily skin may require a scrub several times a week over the entire body.

4. Protect-  The most important step of all in any skin care regiment is protection. Your skin protects your body from all hazards. Isn’t it only fair to reciprocate by protecting your skin? The sun’s rays are skin kryptonite. The damaging rays wreak havoc on your skin and all of the functions this organ performs. Sun block should be applied religiously. Every morning, apply a product containing sun block to your face and body. Do this every single day of the year. You should also use a chapstick or lip balm which contains sun block to protect the thin and vulnerable skin on your lips from the sun.

In  Part 2 of Skin Purge the Whole Body I will discuss:

- Seasonal self care

- Body wraps for total body hydration

References:

1. http://www.ronaberg.com/books/beauty.php

2. Williams, Ann, BFA Spa Bodywork: A guide for massage therapists/Anne Williams

CAUSES of NECK STRAIN:

There are many triggers that can cause neck pain due to a neck strain including:

• Sleeping on a pillow that is too high or too firm
• Carrying too heavy a suitcase or object on one side of the body
• Too much time in an awkward position such as hunched over a steering wheel while driving, cradling a phone from ear to shoulder, or hunched forward while looking up at a computer screen
• Any form of trauma such as whiplash in a car accident or from a fall in which one falls or object lands on the head

NECK MUSCLE STRAIN REMEDIES:

Most minor strains of ligaments, muscles, and tendons can heal on their own in a relatively short amount of time (one to two days). There are some good self-care remedies that can alleviate the pain and stiffness, such as:

• Ice or Cold Packs. Especially within the first 24 hours, icing can reduce inflammation and reduce pain. Ice pack should always be wrapped in a towel and applied in twenty-minute intervals
•  Applying Heat.  Best after 48 hours, The heat helps bring nutrient-rich blood flow to the area to stimulate a healing response. Some prefer moist heat, such as from a hot bath or shower, or hot wet towels. Others find more relief from applying continuous low level heat from a herbal heat wrap or electrical pad.
• Over the counter remedies. There are many natural alternatives to pain relief such as Arnica oil, muscle ointments such as tiger balm or aromatherapy oils like rosemary and lavender are wonderful anti-inflammatory remedies that in turn relieves pain.
• Massage.  A gentle massage can increase blood flow to the area that helps to heal the strain.

For most neck strain episodes, self-care, and avoiding activities that continue to strain should alleviate within a couple of days. You should see a doctor or Chiropractor if the pain is present for more than 2 days, you feel numbness or sharp pains down the arms (especially left arm), and self care is not helping. A good check-up would be in order.

References:

Massage and bodywork magazine

www.spine-health.com

During our intake, I described my shoulder issue on the left side and was hoping for a bit of abdominal work as well.  Other than that, just some peace and quiet.  Great, great.  I settled myself face down on the table and Inga lathered up, and away we went.  When she got to my left shoulder she asked if I remember when the pain began or what action I was doing. I told her about my water aerobics class and maybe I strained it in this new technique I learned. Then the memories started to come to me. I first hurt it in the pool but thought is went away, then when Daddy Joe was in the hospital I held the Bible in my left forearm, palm side up, and held my dad’s hand with my right hand. It did this for hours at a time. The combination had created a muscle holding pattern, causing pain.

The memories came up as Inga was massaging the muscles of the left shoulder and arm.  Tears came to me and I began to cry. They just flowed out of me and I could feel my body releasing and relaxing slowly. I was having an emotional release through bodywork.

Emotional Release and Body Work

With an understanding of how the body physically holds emotions, we can understand why bodywork will help to release them.

Muscle tension is of the most frequent ways we hold emotions.  Most of our clients in the center seek massage to relieve tension and stress. Most sessions are geared for the shoulders, neck, upper back and hips.  Massage and therapeutic techniques relax the muscles, release tension, and frees the pattern where the unconscious feeling is being held.  Once there is a release of tension, the unconscious mind will release the grasp on the emotion and the emotion can emerge.

Counseling and Bodywork 

Professional Counselors are trained to work with clients in the psychological realm. They also understand how the body can hold emotions. They can explore psychological concerns on a deeper level and offer advice on personal concerns. Because bodywork can emerge emotional release and unconscious thought patterns, counselors and massage therapists and bodyworkers come together to holistically assist the personal growth of the client. I have referred to a great psychologist and somatics therapist and it’s a pleasure to watch my clients learn different ways to express their emotions and thus have less tension and stress.

Most of the emotional releases that I have experienced with clients have come by surprise for us both. But if you can go with your emotions and trust your surroundings of support, the experience can be life changing and so rewarding.