Definition of the week....

acu·pres·sure

noun \ˈa-kyə-ˌpre-shər, ˈa-kə-\

  Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. 

 When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force (sometimes known as qi pronounced chi) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle, but firm pressure of hands and feet. 

  Acupressure, continues to be the most effective method for treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand. Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches, constipation, and indigestion. 

  Acupressure can also be used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep. There are also great advantages to using acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. 

  By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. In acupressure, local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole. A tension headache, for instance, may be rooted in the shoulder and neck area. Thus, acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort, as well as responding to tension, before it develops into a disease—before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. 

  The origins of acupressure are as ancient as the instinctive impulse to hold your forehead or temples when you have a headache. Everyone at one time or another has used their hands spontaneously to hold tense or painful places on the body. More than five thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body relieved pain where it occurred and also benefited other parts of the body more remote from the pain and the pressure point. Gradually, they found other locations that not only alleviated pain, but also influenced the functioning of certain internal organs. (Definition, in part, from the book Acupressure’s Potent Points, by Michael Reed Gach, director of the Acupressure Institute, Bantam, 1990.) 

Definition credit - http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/

The Importance of water & our bodies:

An important question we often hear at our clinic is : "How much water should I drink after a massage?"

When you think about it.... WHY is it important to drink water after a massage? 

What roll does it play in how our bodies heal and recover? 

  New Leaf Massage Therapists recommend that you drink approximately 1-2 full glasses of water before and 1-2 full glasses after your massage. In general, the body benefits from proper hydration anyways, but after your massage it is very important to drink more water. Consuming water will help the kidneys and other organs process the various substances which move through our bodies on a regular basis. Drinking water before and after a massage is recommended, as it makes it easier for your Therapist to perform deep work, because the muscles are easier to manipulate (think about working with a dry sponge vs. a Wet sponge).

  During a massage, the muscles are stimulated, blood is circulated throughout the whole body, and water, salt and other minerals are released. Having a glass of water or decaffeinated tea, helps your body dispose of any accumulated materials in the muscles. By providing the body with plenty of water, you can help sweep away those unwanted waste materials.

Our Lymphatic System: The Sewer Pipes of the Body

  In the case of lymphatic massage, the stimulation of the lymphatic circulation system can generate a large release of wastes in the body. If one thinks of the lymph system as the sewer pipes of the body, (collecting unwanted waste material and carrying it away for disposal) lymphatic massage is like a drain cleaner. Water helps flush out your body of waste.

Wetter Is Better

  Most importantly, massage can be dehydrating. The manipulation of the muscles dehydrates them and moves around the fluid, in the interstitial spaces between the muscles. Just like when you exercise, you lose water and electrolytes. Your cells need rehydration. By drinking water, you can reduce the potential for pain and soreness in the days that follow a massage.

  After a massage, sometimes you can feel a bit spacey and disoriented; having a glass of water or caffeinated herbal tea can help bring the body and mind back to the present. Drinking a glass of water after a massage is not only refreshing, it is good for your body.

F.Y.I - What are trigger points?

What are Trigger points?

Trigger points are tiny knots that develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. Commonly a cause of most joint pain, they are known to cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Trigger Point Therapy can relieve muscular aches and pains in

association with these areas.

It can also assist with the redevelopment of muscles and/or restore motion to joints. Trigger points are described as hyper-irritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point researchers believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction.

If you have any questions regarding trigger points & trigger point therapy please ask one of our registered massage therapists!

Meet Dr. Nagra

Dr. Rav Nagra

Dr. Rav Nagra was born and raised in Abbotsford, attending W.J.Mouat high school and graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at UFV. He was inspired to pursue a career in chiropractic care after a significant knee injury hindered a collegiate football career. After receiving treatment for his knee, Dr. Nagra realized the significant benefits of chiropractic care in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions.

Dr. Nagra has returned to the Abbotsford area after attending the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon where he graduated with honors. He supports a patient-centered approach and has experience in the latest treatment methods including Graston Techniques and Active Release Technique. Dr. Nagra is dedicated to providing gentle, thorough, and effective chiropractic care for the whole family.

Dr. Nagra looks forward to helping you overcome your injuries or chronic ailments to achieve greater health and wellness. Contact Dr. Nagra at 604-850-2511 to schedule and appointment.

Some common problems treated by Dr. Nagra:

• postural alignment

• back pain & neck pain

• headaches/whiplash

• scoliosis

• plantar fasciitis

• rotator cuff (shoulder) problems

• sports injuries

• chronic pain conditions

• sciatica

• sports performance enhancement