Come on over to Relaxation Works Massage’s facebook page and enter the Latte Challenge. It is very simple and easy to do. Every day until November 15th I will be posting a picture of latte art with instructions on what to do, such as this post below. (HINT: I usually post early in the morning between 5:30 and 7am). Just following the directions gets you entered into the challenge. The top two fans that follow the directions for every single picture will get picked for for a $20 gift card of your choice to either Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. I am giving away TWO coffee cards. So make sure you hooked up with Relaxation Works Massage fan page. This is one of those challenges that you want to share with your friends, so you both can get coffee together. This is such a fun challenge! Good luck and I can’t wait to see who wins!
Guest post: Acupuncture for back and neck pain
Acupuncture Therapy: An Effective Treatment Option for Low Back Pain and Whiplash Injuries
One of the most common conditions that patients seek acupuncture treatment for in my office is low back pain whether it stems from a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis or a muscle strain. There is a saying in Traditional Chinese medicine, “wherever there is pain, there is no free flow.” Acupuncture remedies both acute and chronic low back pain by freeing the flow of blood and energy that can get stuck in the body causing pain. In an acute condition needles may only need to be placed at distal positions on the hand, ankle and knee. With chronic conditions, needles may also be placed on the back at specific areas of pain to release muscle tension, reduce inflammation and improve energy flow and circulation. Acupuncture treatment for low back pain, or any pain condition, can be included as a complementary therapy alongside massage therapy, chiropractic care and physical therapy.
Acupuncture is also an effective treatment option for whiplash injuries. This therapy can not only help with the neck pain and stiffness of a whiplash injury, but it can also address its accompanying symptoms such as headache, shoulder pain and stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, depression and irritability. Soft tissue surrounding the cervical spine is traumatized as a result of a whiplash injury. An acupuncture treatment works to release muscle tension, reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the strained area to promote healing without having to resort to medication. Far-infrared heat lamps placed over the injured area can also improve micro circulation and diminish inflammation of the traumatized tissue.
In considering acupuncture treatment for their own physical or emotional condition, one of the most common questions patients frequently ask about acupuncture is whether or not it hurts. It is understandable that the use of needles can give people pause in seeking out treatment because when it comes to the use of needles in a medical setting, people often think of hypodermic needles that are used to give an inoculation or to draw blood. These needles can be quite painful as they are stiff, thick and hollow. Acupuncture needles however are quite different from these needles as they are very fine, thin and flexible, like a piece of hair, and they are only inserted a few millimeters into the skin. Patients are therefore surprised and happy to learn and experience acupuncture as a pain free and relaxing therapy.
If you have questions about acupuncture or whether it is a treatment option that is right for you, please contact me at 617-794-4835.
Yours in health,
Leslie Murphy, Lic.Ac.
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Leslie Murphy, Lic.Ac. is the owner of Balanced Health Acupuncture in Middleboro, MA. Leslie came to practice acupuncture after having suffered from a chronic pain condition which was alleviated by acupuncture, without the need for surgery. It is her passion for this therapy and her empathy towards others in pain and discomfort that drives her practice each and every day. To learn more about acupuncture or how it can help you, visit http://www.balancedhealthacu.com or call 617-794-4835.
I watched my favorite music videos today instead of blogging
I am in the last stretch here for the 31 in 31 blog challenge. Today I am offering you a feast of the BEST songs from my FAVORITE artist Sia. Enjoy and happy day to you!
and last but not least “Little Black Sandals“
More research that shows massage works
You know massage feels good and can be helpful to make your aches and pains feel better. You have experienced at some point in your life some sort of pain relief from a holistic approach i.e. chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy or physical therapy. For years these medical approaches have been less invasive than surgery and have fewer side effects than pain medication.
Below you will find an article that explains what actually goes on in your body when you receive a massage. At Relaxation Works I am always education myself and staying ahead of the curve to bring you exceptional information and therapies that will help you with your physical pain and stress. Pain relief is attainable with massage therapy and other holistic approaches. I’ve one client tell me that since seeing me for his low back pain he has stopped using his pain medication with his doctors approval. That is outstanding! Pain medication is not supposed to be used for long periods of time, it was intended to be used for a short period of time.
What massage won’t do
There is not a gold pot at the end of the rainbow or sparkly unicorn that is going to whisk you off to an island of happiness and joy after you receive a massage. But what massage can do is give you hope that your chronic pain issue will decrease and your range of motion and flexibility will increase all without side effects. All of these research case studies incorporated massage CONSISTENTLY and for weeks or months at a time. Massage CAN be a quick fix in certain circumstances. But for chronic pain sufferers, massage must be cumulative even if it is for 5-8 sessions. Webster dictionary states that the word chronic means “marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute; always present or encountered; constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling”.
This study found evidence at the cellular level that massage therapy may affect inflammation in a way similar to anti-inflammatory medications. YAY!
https://www.amtamassage.org/research/Massage-in-the-News.html
