Conditions

Low back pain (LBP) can be caused by too much sitting, poor biomechanics, lack of movement, narrowing of the space through which spinal nerves pass, and more. Massage therapy and Acupuncture are natural remedies that can alleviate LBP by relaxing the muscles that ‘brace’ against the pain, lengthen muscles that are shortening and potentially cause further nerve impingement, as well as help re-align the body so the muscles don’t have to work so hard to support faulty posture. Both therapies go a long way in promoting a sense of wellbeing, and supporting the systems of your body to better heal itself.

Whenever you see “itis” at the end of the word, it is referring to inflammation: Tendonitis, arthritis, etc. Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes.

Plantar fasciitis is more common in runners, but often occurs if you spend a lot of time on your feet, especially if you are overweight, or wear shoes that don’t provide adequate support.

Pain is typically felt on the bottom of the heel and/or along the bottom of the inside part of the foot. Patients also note that pain is commonly worse with the first steps in the morning. This condition can be caused by poor function of the toes, feet, ankles, knees, or even hips. This dysfunction results in repetitive overloading of the fascia in the foot, which acts like a saran wrap around the muscles. This strain eventually leads to small tears which ultimately results in scar tissue formation, inflammation, and pain.

Tension headaches are caused by tight muscles in your head and neck. Myofascial trigger points refer pain  into your head, face, eyes, and even mimic toothaches and contribute to vertigo and nausea. They can be caused by stress, stress breathing (shallow, chest and shoulder breathing), and long hours at a computer or looking at your phone.  Massage and Acupuncture can help release tension and trigger points contributing to headaches and therapists can empower clients with education and homecare.  Somatic Therapy can help alleviate stored stresses and trauma in the body that can contribute to many stress induced conditions in the body.

Sinus headaches are caused by pressure in the face and neck. Many people suffer from sinus headaches during pollen season.  Acupuncture and massage therapy can be useful in helping alleviate some of the symptoms associated with sinus headaches.

Home remedy for sinus headaches

Apply a hot, damp towel on your face. Press on points just beside your nostrils, under the eyebrows and between the eyes. You may also want to apply some eucalyptus oil to your finger tips and inhale deeply through your nose.

Neck pain can be caused by poor posture, stress, and too much time at the computer, often with inadequate ergonomics,  or looking down at your phone is becoming more and more common. The muscles in your neck are sore because they are being over stretched, or working too hard and long holding your head up. If your shoulders round forward, your neck will drop forward, causing neck pain.  Massage and Acupuncture can help release tension contributing to neck pain and therapists can empower clients with education and homecare.  Somatic Therapy can help alleviate stored stresses and trauma in the body that can contribute to many stress induced conditions in the body.

Home remedy for neck pain

Minimize phone and computer time. Take a break every 45 minutes from your work station. Place both hands on the back of your hips, squeeze the shoulder blades together, and stretch your chin up. Hold this posture for 5 slow breaths.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the nerve running through the tunnel where your wrist meets your hand does not have enough space and is consequently compressed. There isn’t much space in this tunnel between the bones and the ligament band that holds the nerve, tendons and blood vessels in the space. Poor biomechanics and over use may cause the tendons to become inflamed. This results in the pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness experienced by patients in the palm, side of the thumb, and/or index finger. Many people also notice that these symptoms increase at night. However, these same symptoms can also be caused if the nerve is compromised higher in the arm such as in the forearm or even the elbow. Usually this is due to tight or scar filled muscle tissue compressing the nerve as it passes through the arm.  Massage and Acupuncture can help release tension and trigger points in the muscles and fascia of the forearms, arms, and rotator cuffs that can contribute to carpal tunnel.  Therapists can also empower clients with education and homecare. 

Home remedy for carpal tunnel syndrome

When inflamed, soak arms in an ice bath for 10 minutes or so. Try to sleep with your hands and wrist in an open position, rather than curled in. Stretching and strengthening the hand and wrists may also be beneficial.

It is considered chronic pain when the pain lasts for 12 or more weeks. Pain can persist long after the injury has healed. Your nervous system basically hijacks you. The brain receives neurological stimulus and interprets it as pain. Chronic pain can be debilitating, and may lead to depression, sleeplessness, and a cycle of continued pain.  Massage and Acupuncture can help release overall tension that can contribute to chronic pain, and herbal medicine and TCM methods can help holistically to rebalance the body.  Somatic Therapy can help alleviate stored stresses and trauma in the body that can contribute to many stress induced conditions in the body.

Home remedy for chronic pain

Nurturing relaxation massage, Acupuncture, and Somatic Therapy can do wonders for decreasing pain symptoms and increasing a sense of wellbeing. Developing a meditation practice is very helpful also. There are many apps you can download on your phone for free meditation aids. Here is a link for a list of some of the more popular meditation applications: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps#headspace

Anxiety and stress can lead to disrupted sleep. Stress also causes inflammation in the cells. Over the long haul, this can adversely affect health. Stress is the leading cause of disease, according to medical studies.  Massage can help release overall tension in the body and provide a calming effect, while Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM methods can help holistically to rebalance the body.  Somatic Therapy can help alleviate stored stresses and trauma in the body that can contribute to many stress induced conditions in the body.

Home remedy for anxiety and stress

We demand so much of ourselves. Create a discipline to make time to simply be. Take a walk in the forest. Even 20 minutes a day of you time can make a profound difference.

High blood pressure, or hypertension is measured by the amount of pressure exerted on blood vessel walls by blood. High blood pressure can cause heart problems and stroke.  Massage can help release overall tension in the body and help support health blood pressure, while Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and TCM methods can help holistically to rebalance the body and address some of the underlying causes of the condition.  Somatic Therapy can help alleviate stored stresses and trauma in the body that can contribute to many stress induced conditions in the body.

Massage therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help support expectant mothers through their journey and the hormonal changes that happen along the way. 

“Blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die”. (overview from Mayo Clinic Website).

Massage therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine can assist in the rehabilitation post stroke. Flaccid limbs can be stimulated, contracted areas require maintenance to restore range of motion. Through the guidance of your physiotherapist and physician, a movement therapy plan can be constructed to keep you as active as possible.

We like to play hard. Take care of your fatigued muscles by getting regular RMT massage and Acupuncture. Even during acute stages of injury, it is helpful to receive massage for the healthy parts of the body that are compensating.

Home remedy

As a general rule, if something is inflamed (swollen, hot, throbbing), apply ice. If you suspect something more than a strain, see your doctor. Although ice helps to reduce the sensation of pain, after a couple of days, heat may be more therapeutic as it promotes blood flow. A safe measure is to alternate hot and cold – a few minutes each, alternating between the two.

Any disruption of tissue through surgery creates scar tissue. Due to the breasts’ proximity to the shoulder, movement in the arms, shoulders and neck can be affected. Sensation changes may occur. If lymph nodes are removed, fluid retention can occur, pressing on surrounding nerves and blood vessels, causing pain.  Once the wound has healed, we can help you regain mobility and create movement between structures.

Sciatica refers to symptoms of pain, tingling, weak muscles or burning somewhere along the distribution of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the low back all the way down the back and side of the leg. Complaints include pain in the back, buttock, thigh, and/or leg as well as possible burning or tingling sensations into the foot. These symptoms can be caused by irritation of the nerve anywhere along its path.  Massage and Acupuncture can help release tension in specific muscles that can aggravate sciatic symptoms while also providing exercise and homecare to help clients deal with the condition.