Definition of the Week: Range of Motion (ROM)

Why do we require initial appointments to be booked longer than subsequent appointments?

For massage therapy, our office policy requires an initial treatment to be booked for 45 minutes.  The following must be done by your RMT in your initial assessment:

1. Obtain knowledge about your health history. 
2. Assess any health risks contraindications.
3. Assess and understand all of your past and current symptoms.
4. Assess your range of motion.
5. Your RMT will then decide if massage therapy is right for you.

What does it mean when your practitioner asks to check your range of motion (ROM)?

You therapists will assess the area associated with your symptoms.  Range of Motion will measure the flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation to compare to the average normal range.

For example, the most common complaint would be upper back, neck and shoulder pain.  The RMT will assess the degree of rotation (left and right lateral flexion) and extension, recording notes on the patient's file.  The ROM will be a degree achievable until restriction or pain occurs.  The human anatomy allows for the neck to reach a maximum degree without restriction and pain.  If the pain or restriction occurs before normal ROM, it would be noted and the therapist will treat the area to help increase and then maintain normal ROM.

The chiropractor would follow the same procedure, assessing even more in depth and the relation to the joints, bones and/or spine. A great example for chiropractic care would include a patient that is having trouble bending over.  The normal range of motion would allow for one to bend forward towards one's toes. However if there is a restriction because of tight muscles and a misaligned spine, this could be painful and outright impossible.  Using active release therapy and manual manipulation can greatly increase one's range of motion allowing a less painful bending ability in just one or two treatments!

What should you do if you are experiencing restricted or painful range of motion?

If the pain is excessive, please see your family doctor.  Find out if massage therapy, chiropractic care, or acupuncture could help you. Come in for an assessment and consultation.

Our chiropractor, Dr. Rav Nagra will provide a free consultation to discuss your symptoms and assess your ROM to determine if you need treatment.

What are the most important directions to follow when you experience decreased range of motion?

• Seek professional health care advice and, or therapy.
• Do your stretches!! We cannot stress this enough!
• Keep moving, stay active.
• Drink plenty of clear fluid. At least 64oz a day. (That means H20 my friends!)
• Yoga and Pilates are great exercises that increase flexibility and ROM 
• Stretch and strengthen. The stronger your muscles, the less "lazy" they will become.
• Steam rooms, sauna, or heat packs to relieve sore, tight muscles.
• Epsom salts baths can help too.

Another example:

See that the pink shaded area is the normal range of motion for both the foot and the knee

Helpful sites:
Kent Health Muscle Movement Chart & Useful information
Educational Neck Stretching Resource


Contact the clinic today if you have any other questions!

Keep active, drink water, and STRETCH. It feels good!
~Kerissa
Front Office Manager, Receptionist

Definition of the Week: Ergonomics

(Image from http://www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com/en-gb/ergonomics/background)

http://www.victoriamassagetherapy.ca/userfiles/image/Ergonomics.jpg

In simple words, Ergonomics is the philosophy and practice of proper posture, including the use of equipment.

Being a multidisciplinary wellness clinic, we treat numerous clients for back, neck and shoulder pain most commonly brought on by our jobs, including computer use and general tension from the use of work place equipment.  Awareness and correction are two main factors to regain a proper posture.  Having awareness about correct posture, and proper ergonomics is crucial to one's well being. If you are aware and remember to not slouch, your body can maintain pain free movement.  As one's body become lazy, the health effects can be quite detrimental.

If one sits at a computer desk for too long with ill posture, the anatomy is not able to work at it's optimal performance.  This will cause the body the compensate.  Muscle groups and tendons that are not normally used for this position will begin to strengthen.  Muscles that are normally used in a proper position will weaken, making it harder to regain a perfect posture. This cycle creates a sense of comfort in a poor position, rather than a strong proper posture.

That is why we encourage our patient's to strengthen core muscles and practice perfect posture. (Or as close to it as possible.) It is important for our bodies to function at an optimal level for efficient results.

Imagine sitting at a computer desk with ill posture, for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.  The body begins to feel comfortable slouching.  As the head tilts forward, neck and upper back muscles will begin to strain to hold one's posture.  Shoulder muscles will begin to round forward, putting increased stress on the mid to low back.  As all of these muscles become 'comfortable' in the slouching position, it is more difficult to bring the muscles and joints back into a natural position.

Another great example would be an employee operating heavy duty machinery, a mechanic, a welder, or really any trade worker....will require one's body to be twisted or maneuvered in a way that is not natural.  It is important to remember to stretch, and be aware of these uncomfortable positions so that the anatomy can be brought back to a natural, posture for pain free movement.  If the worker is able to practice safe ergonomics, the body will be much less affected.

There are many symptoms created by poor posture. Range of motion is most affected by poor posture.  Common symptoms associated with poor ergonomics are headaches, numbness and tingling, fatigue, back neck and/or shoulder pain, restricted range of motion and other aches and pains. Once the body becomes comfortable in  lazy position, range of motion significantly decreases.  This makes it difficult to produce quality work, and requires more energy than one with pain free, full range of motion.

Consult your employer or healthcare practitioner now to determine if you are using correct posture at work, or if you need help correcting your posture.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our clinic to be assessed.  One of our qualified health care practitioners is waiting to help you practice safe ergonomics, and decrease the pain and other symptoms often associated with poor posture.

Safe practicing!

-Kerissa


Check out these images below to see the effects of poor posture over time:

Definition of the week : Fibromyalgia

1. fi·bro·my·al·gia  

   /ˌfībrōmīˈalj(ē)ə/
   

   Noun A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.

   
   
   
   
   Fibromyalgia is a neurosensory disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, joint stiffness, and fatigue. The condition is chronic (ongoing), but pain comes and goes and moves about the body. The disorder is often misdiagnosed or unrecognized and is and often complicated by mood and anxiety disorders.
2. 
   
3. 
   
   

   Diagnosis

   
   There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnosis fibromyalgia. Diagnosis is difficult and frequently missed because symptoms are vague and generalized. Tests will be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms before a diagnosis is made. Coexisting disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Lyme disease may further complicate the diagnostic process.
   In 1990, the America College of Rheumatology developed standards for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. According to these standards, a person can be diagnosed with fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 sites known as trigger points. Trigger point sites include the base of the neck, along the backbone, in front of the hip and elbow, and at the rear of the knee and shoulder. These standards have been criticized by some physicians as being too narrow for use in clinical practice. As of 2009, standards for diagnosis were under review.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   Alternative treatment

   
   Frustrated with the inability of conventional medicine to cure their pain, as many as 80% of individuals with fibromyalgia turn to alternative and complementary treatments to supplement conventional treatment. Common complementary therapies for fibromyalgia include:
   
   
   

   • acupuncture
   
   
   • biofeedback
   
   
   • chiropractic care
   
   
   • hypnosis
   
   
   • magnesium supplements
   
   
   • magnet therapy
   
   
   • massage therapy
   
   
   • s-adenosyl-L-methionine supplements

Definition of the week: Qi

qi   noun "

CHē" or "chee"

What is Qi?

QI is the energy whose properties are the basis and fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Qi flows through the body, it is all around us, and is believed to be two portions. Energy and changes in environment, and also physiological components of anatomy.

"Qi was initially termed as the best definition for the understanding of the natural phenomena." [1] Over 3,000 years ago, the alternative therapy described as acupuncture developed in China.  Acupuncture therapy is used to to stabilize and stimulate the body's Qi and immune systems to result in a permanent healing.  Qi is the vital energy or power that animated and supports the functions of the body. "In TCM, Qi has more meanings, Qi can move in the meridians, and can also combine with blood to support the energy to the internal organs." [2]

Ancient theory is that Qi flows through specific pathways, calls meridians, and provides nourishment for the entire body. The acupuncture meridian system is an interface of energetic exchange  between our physical body and the energy fields which surround us.

Acupuncture points have unique electrical characteristics which distinguish them from surrounding skin, and also mediated by a primary, subtle energetic system that influences the networks of physical nerves.  Stimulation of acupuncture points produce changes in the nervous system (ie. endorphin release and relieve pain) because the meridians indirectly influence nerve pathway in the body.  This treatment replaces pain and fatigue with revitalizing energy and relief of stress and tension.  As the Qi is 're-engerized' by the needles, the movement throughout the body is significant in the corresponding body systems (ie. liver, kidney, heart, lung. etc.) to produce outstanding results.

Because Qi is an energy, it may be affected by numerous factors.  Everything must be in balance for optimal performance and wellness.  Factors such as environmental, physiological and psychological can impede on one's energy and one's self balance.  When disease occurs, it is a signal that we are constricting the natural flow of life energy throughout our multidimensional bodies.  Once we have learned the real reasons for feeling ill, we must begin to make changes that will result in a healing on many simultaneous levels.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theories and treatments go far beyond treating symptoms and signs, treating the body as a whole and unique organism.  Acupuncture can greatly enhance our health and achieve better levels of wellness and integration and balance of the interlocking elements of the body, mind, and spirit.

References:

ACU HEALING [1]

YING YAN HOUSE [2]

Definition of the week: Fascia

fas·ci·a  noun  

ˈfaSH(ē)ə

Fascia is a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue that surrounds, separates, and/or binds together muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves and other soft structures of the body.  It is the soft tissue components of the connective tissue the provide support and protection.

You may here your therapists use the term myofascia work or myofacial release.  The therapist may be referring to a soft tissue manipulation, or trigger point therapy.  Approaches may range from passive or active release therapy (ART), Graston therapy, stripping, foam rolling, or other tools and techniques may be applied both directly and indirectly

Fasciitis is a term most commonly associated with fascia.  Fasciitis is the inflammation of the fascia, connective tissue. This inflammation can be very painful.  Many patients prefer to have deep tissue work to directly  release the tension in the fascia.  A therapist may use tools to help stretch the adhesive tissues to mobilize them.  Our therapists will use their hands, knuckles and elbows to stretch the inflamed tissues with a pressure that is comfortable for you.

An indirect approach will be used for patient's that cannot handle or do not like deep pressure.  This approach would include ART, and gentle stretching to help mobilize the fascia.  The release may affect the muscles surrounding it, causing a sense of relief for the patient, sometimes allowing a deeper massage for the latter treatment.

"Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fasciae are dense regular connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull. Fasciae are consequently flexible structures able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibers has been straightened out by the pulling force. These collagen fibers are produced by the fibroblasts located within the fascia.

Fasciae are similar to ligaments and tendons as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone and fasciae surround muscles or other structures."

-Wikipedia

FASCIAL MOBILIZATIONThe fascial system is one continuous, laminated, connective-tissue sheath that spreads without interruption throughout the entire body in a three-dimensional web. Fascial mobilization allows therapists to locate and address restrictions in the fascial system that are causing asymmetries, postural malalignment, abnormal tensions, and pressures that can lead to pain and dysfunction. The goal of fascial mobilization is to produce a well-balanced, symmetrical, and mobile body within the skeletal, soft-tissue, and craniosacral systems.


References:
http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/

Friendly Reminder--Office Policies

As we approach the summer season, we understand that life gets busy.  Please take us into consideration when planning your vacation and seasonal holidays.

If you have any appointments booked that you may need to cancel or reschedule, please give us ample notice.  24 hours noticed is required for all cancellations and rescheduled appointments.  Your appointment time has been reserved for you.  Any late cancellations or missed appointments will result in a fee.

Late cancellations will be charged 50% of the appointment fee.  If notice is less than 1 hour before your scheduled appointment time, you will be charged the full rate.  All missed appointments will be charged the full appointment fee.

Unfortunately, due to increased missed appointments and last minute cancellations, our policy will be strictly enforced.  However, do not hesitate to speak with reception or your therapist if you have any concerns.

Our clinic is booking well in advance and if you cannot make it to your appointment, there are a large number or client's on our cancellation list that would love amply notice for booking.


We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.  Thank you for respecting our policy!

-New Leaf Wellness Staff

Chilled sea turtles recovering with help of acupuncture!

Photo credit : http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/after-days-on-pins-and-needles-chilled-mass-sea-turtles-recovering-with-help-of-acupuncture/2013/05/21/70726022-c1e0-11e2-9aa6-fc21ae807a8a_story.html

QUINCY, Mass. - Two endangered sea turtles that are shells of their former selves after getting stranded on Cape Cod during a cold spell are getting some help easing back into the wild — from an acupuncturist.

Dexter and Fletcher Moon, juvenile Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, remained calm as acupuncturist Claire McManus gently tapped more than a dozen needles into their greyish-green, leathery skin during a therapy session intended to decrease inflammation and swelling on their front flippers, restore a full range of motion on those limbs and help the animals regain their appetites.

"There aren't a lot of people doing sea turtle acupuncture," said McManus, who works alongside a vet to find parts of the marine mammals' bodies corresponding to locations where acupuncturists put needles to treat front limbs. "There is not a whole lot of literature out there on turtle acupuncture, so I'm basing it on how we treat other animals and humans."

The acupuncture is intended to reduce stress, increase blood flow and boost the immune system — just as in humans.

Dexter and Fletcher Moon have already had three acupuncture sessions, scheduled once a week, said Merigo, who broke into a broad smile as she described their improvements over the past three weeks.





To read more on this amazing story in the province news paper please visit the link below!

http://www.theprovince.com/health/After+days+pins+needles+chilled+turtles+recovering+with+help/8412464/story.html

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.

Miracle Maya Fundraiser

As you may have read our previous blog about Maya Ahuja, last night some our staff and friends attended a fundraiser for her.  We would like to share with you, our experience.

Friday night after work, we met at Zaika Tastes of India, to help support the Ahuja family.  We did not know what to expect.  It was beyond our expectations. The food was wonderful, the staff and family greeted us with smiles and laughter.  We felt more than welcome.  There was a silent auction, door prizes, toonie tosses, and cute little gifts that we could purchase to help raise money for the BC Children's Hospital.

Just before dinner was served, buffet style, Maya and her family arrived.  When Gary and Karm arrived with their children, the whole room lit up with life.  There was so much love and support!  Maya is a little ball of courage and energy.  She was lively, she smiled, played and was even dancing!  The best part was that she was surrounded by so many people that love her.   As the night wound down and she began to tire, she cuddled up in her parents arms for security.

To see the love that her family has for her is absolutely wonderful!  I would like to thank the Ahuja family for welcoming us to be a part of their lives and all the individuals that were able to attend and share their support. It is important that we stand together as friends, neighbors, colleagues, and as a community to help those around us.  I feel honored that I was able to help in any way that I could. (Even if it was just our presence and donations.) Every little bit counts, and the support is amazing!

At this time I would like to conclude that we had a wonderful evening and we strongly encourage you to help in any way possible.  Mark your calendars for May 26th at 5:00 pm-11:00 pm, a World of Smiles Telethon. Tune to watch the 15th anniversary telethon on Shaw's Multicultural Channel (cable 116), Shaw Direct (channel 299) and your local Shaw TV Channel.

Even if you can only afford to donate a dollar, it will go towards saving a child's life.

Share your stories and let us know if you donated!

-Kerissa


Visit the website to donate and learn more: http://www.bcchf.ca/events/events-calendar/a-world-of-smiles/