Burrard Health Center

Benefits of Relaxation Massage

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:21:38 +0000

Yes, a Relaxation Massage is still therapeutic, and here’s why!

In our bodies we have 2 sets of nervous systems. The first one is called our “Sympathetic Nervous System” or SNS. This is our “fight or flight” system, and is responsible for keeping us moving throughout the day. The second one is called our “Parasympathetic Nervous System” or PNS. This is our “rest and digest” system, and is important for proper digestion and sleep.

Now more than ever, we are seeing an increase in what’s called “Sympathetic Overdrive”, where our bodies are, more or less, unable to relax, thus causing lowered immune function, poor digestion and sleep patterns, lack of concentration/focus, muscle fatigue, and tension related headaches; sound familiar?

We can not directly increase PNS firing, but by adding relaxation into your regular massage treatments, we can help decrease SNS firing, which in turn, allows your PNS to become more active. There are 4 things we look for when determining weather a massage has had an effect on our nervous systems, (1) stomach sounds, as if you are digesting or getting hungry, (2) a cooling down of the body, compared to when we started, (3) thirst, and (4) sleepiness. If you experience any of these symptoms during or after a massage, then we know we’ve achieved some sort of relaxation.

For more information on the benefits of massage, please see:

http://kneadrelief.com/benefits.html
http://msscentershop.info/content/28/3/153.full.pdf+html

Forwarded head posture

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:01:50 +0000

Forward head posture: this common postural defect increases the gravitational forces of the head and may leads to hyperextension of the head on the neck, flexion of the neck over the thorax, and posterior migration of the jaw. Myofascially, there is lengthening and weakening of the anterior cervical soft tissue and hyoid muscles and hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles, shortening of the muscles of up neck region (suboccipital muscles). This could also cause derangement of the cervical vertebrae beneath the cranium (C1-C0). There would be tightening of the myofascial of anterior chest wall as well. Head forward posture can effect the shoulder and rotator cuff muscles, that can also compromise range of motion in shoulder which can lead to shoulder injuries.

Massage therapy can help by muscular therapy to the neck muscles and myofascial to create a balance between front and back of the upper body portion. Therapist can also give exercises and postural education to improve the ones posture. See your RMT today!

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:09:38 +0000

Aging adults are the common victims who undergo the suffering shoulder impingement syndrome. The bones in the shoulder joint have a narrow space between them. Certain factors results in lack in this space and cause the tendons to become compressed and this gives rise to the condition of shoulder impingement syndrome ( repetitive movement which can cause tendonitis). If this rotator cuff near the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, then due to not having enough space, it may get squeezed and create what is known as the shoulder impingement syndrome. Factors such as acute trauma to the shoulders, repeated overhead work, repeated weightlifting or throwing, prolonged static arm positions and lying on the same arm, each night while sleeping. Following is about the different symptoms of this medical condition.

Massage therapy also helps to reduce tension in the effected rotator cuff due to guarding and lack of range of motion. By using techniques like friction, joint mobilization, active and passive range of motion, massage therapist can break down scar tissue and prevent musculotendon atrophy that can lead to reduced range of motion of the effected rotator cuff.

Massage therapist can also give you a correct home care and hydrotherapy and proper activities so it can help to speed up healing and getting a client back to their active life style.

Thigh Squat

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:19:08 +0000

Stretch your arm forward, then bend your knee sideways and pull your arms to your chest. You can either bend your knees forward or sideways for this squat and keep your spine straight. It works wonders to tone your back and strengthen your thighs.

Rounded Shoulders Posture

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:44:53 +0000

usually Tight pectoral muscles and muscle in front of the neck are the cause of rounded shoulder posture. primary pain area are Neck, shoulder, or back.

first:

Try a simple doorway stretch: Place your arm against a doorjamb in the high-five position (that is, forming an L), your elbow bent 90 degrees. Step through the doorway until you feel the stretch in your chest and the front of your shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds. That’s 1 set; do a total of 4 daily.

Second:

Weakness in the middle and lower parts of your trapezius and upper cervical muscles. Lying face down on the floor, place each arm at a 90-degree angle in the high-five position. Without changing your elbow angle, raise both arms by pulling your shoulders back and squeezing your shoulder blades together.

repeat by holding the pose for 5 second and 3 to 5 sets.

recommendation by doing the stretching first and strengthening next will create a muscle balance to your upper, shoulder and neck posture.

Forward Bend (Sitting)

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:20:29 +0000

Stretch your feet in front of you, bend forward and touch your toes, if possible hold position for a couple of minutes to stretch the bones, and muscles of your back,Hamstrings and calf while crunching your abs. Make sure you breath through the stretch and take your time, it may be hard for some to touch the toes on a first or second try. (hold the position for 30 seconds or longer).