How Much Does Your Head Really Weigh?

“For every inch of Forward Head Posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” -Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol. 3

This means that holding your head only one inch forward of where it should be, adds ten pounds to the weight of your head. Think about the strain your arms, or legs feel after holding only a few pounds for any extended period of time. The muscles of our neck and upper body must compensate for this extra weight. They compensate by tightening, and eventually hardening. After enough time has passed with your tissue in the wrong position, the proprioceptive cells in your muscles, (the cells that allow us to feel where we are in space), begin to perceive these incorrect positions as the new normal. After this has occurred, it can take several sessions, and considerable work by the client, to correct.

This may not sound like a big deal, everyone has some tight muscles, right? You may be surprised by what the experts have to say about the problems this postural abnormality can cause.

"Forward head posture (FHP) may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT

"The entire gastrointestinal system (particularly the large intestine) may become agitated from FHP resulting in sluggish bowel peristaltic function and evacuation." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT

"Proprioceptive signals from the first 4 cervical vertebrae are a major source of stimuli for regulating the body's pain-controlling chemicals (endorphins). FHP dramatically reduces endorphin production by limiting the cervical spine's range of motion. Inadequate endorphin production up-regulates the central nervous system causing non painful sensations to be experienced as pain." -Erik Dalton Ph.D., LMT

The following are some of the common effects of FHP (Forward Head Posture):

• Suboccipital pain syndromes
• Mouth breathing (sleep apnea)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Teeth clenching
• Face & neck pain
• Migraine headaches
• Uncoordinated gait and loss of body balance

"The body follows the head. Therefore, the entire body is best aligned by first restoring proper functional alignment to the head". -Rene Cailliet M.D.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, take a look at your posture, go see a Licensed Massage Therapist, and try to make a change for the better.

Artificial Sweeteners - Read Me!

We've probably all heard about aspartame at one time or another, but some of us choose to ignore the facts, despite the warnings. The bottom line is that it is an artificial substance, unnatural, and unsafe to ingest.

Aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances ever added to food. Not only has aspartame been proven to make you fatter, it's been proven to cause some pretty serious diseases, not the least of which are cancer and neurological diseases.

-Dr. William Campbell Douglass

Aspartame has brought more complaints to the FDA than any other additive-ever. It's responsible for a full 75 percent of the complaints the agency gets. From 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms, including death.

-Dr. William Campbell Douglass

A few of the 92 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain. According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

* Aspartame breaks down into methanol (wood alcohol).

* Methanol quickly converts to formaldehyde in the body.

* Formaldehyde causes gradual and eventually severe damage to the neurological system, immune system and causes permanent genetic damage at extremely low doses.

* Methanol from alcoholic beverages and from fruit and juices does not convert to formaldehyde and cause damage because there are protective chemicals in these traditionally ingested beverages.

* The most recent independent research in Europe demonstrates that ingestion of small amounts of aspartame leads to the accumulation of significant levels of formaldehyde (bound to protein) in organs (liver, kidneys, brain) and tissues.

* Excitotoxic amino acids such as the one which is immediately released from aspartame likely increases the damage caused by the formaldehyde.

Diet soda is not a diet product, but a chemically altered, multiple sodium (salt) and Aspartame-containing product that actually makes you crave for carbohydrates and gain weight. These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs; no wonder the American population is turning obese and/or suffering from cancers and diabetes.

-NaturalNews.com

Many low calorie and sugar free foods contain aspartame as an alternative sweetener. So if you are watching your weight, or just trying to be healthier, by eating sugar free, diet, or low calorie foods, you may be fooling yourself. Not only can it cause you to gain weight, but more importantly, it is extremely unhealthy. Check the labels of the food and drinks in your home, and start being proactive about your health.

Back Pain

The National Institutes of Health estimates that almost 80 percent of the population suffers from back pain. Next to the common cold, it’s the leading cause of missed work days. Recently, new studies have been done to more conclusively show the benefits of massage for back pain.

New, high quality trials show that massage gives some relief from back pain that has continued for many weeks or months—and the benefit may continue at least a year after the source of massage is over.

Many hospitals and chronic pain clinics consider massage therapy an integral tool for back pain relief.

Research documented in a 2001 study led by Maria Hernandez-Reif, MD, and Tiffany Field, PhD, cited benefits that included decreased chronic low back pain, reduced depression and anxiety, increased range of motion and improved sleep. And in a 2001 study led by Daniel Cherkin, PhD, and David Eisenberg, MD, results showed therapeutic massage to be effective for persistent low back pain. The study also showed that the group of research subjects who received massage, as compared to traditional Chinese medical acupuncture and self-care education, used the least medication and had the lowest costs of subsequent care.

If you are suffering from back pain, and you haven't tried massage yet, what are you waiting for? Talk to your doctor, do your own research, and feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Weight Loss and Bodywork

Massage has several benefits that can help you achieve your weight loss goals. You can increase flexibility and range of motion, decreasing your chances of injury. Circulation is increased, moving blood containing vital oxygen and nutrients to the muscles that need it the most. This movement of blood allows the tissue to recover more quickly from your work out. Chemicals like Lactic Acid are removed from the muscles, decreasing soreness and allowing for quicker healing. Massage is a great way to increase physical as well as emotional health. Massage increases your sense of self worth, so you are more likely to maintain your exercise and massage routine. When you take care of your body with regular exercise and massage, you're more likely to make good decisions when it comes to things like sleep habits, and diet, both very important factors in maintaining a healthy life style.

"Massage to weight loss is like the padding on a steering wheel - you can do without it, but it makes it a lot easier and more comfortable to hang on to." -Jeff Mann, Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer

Chair Massage

I'm now providing chair massage at my studio. Chair massage is great way to try massage if you never have before. You sit in a funny looking, but very comfortable chair, fully clothed, and lotion is not required.
Sessions can range from five to thirty minutes, and at only $1 a minute, they can be a quick, affordable pickup during a lunch break, or anytime you just need a little attention. Chair massages are best for neck, shoulder, and back work, but most other areas are accessible for massage as well.
Chair massage has been shown to increase energy, productivity at work, and encourage self-care. Along with the many other benefits of massage including, relaxation, stress relief, and increased circulation.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call me at 801.368.9021.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage can be used as a very broad term. Some people say they want a deep massage, but then find they can only handle light to medium pressure. Some people think the deeper the better, they'll just "tough it out" to get the most benefits. In reality, a deep massage is relative to the person, and the therapist. Deep is deep for you, it's what you are comfortable with. The most amount of pressure you can handle while remaining relaxed and breathing comfortably. Communication is very important during a deep tissue massage. Over time, therapists usually learn to read their client's body language, and watch their breathing to determine if their pressure is too much. Occasionally though, this can be difficult, so if you are feeling too much pain and your therapist isn't lightening up, it's important to speak up. Contracting your muscles during a massage is counterproductive. Please feel free to do your own research, the following link is very informative, and as always, please call or email me with any questions you may have. Deep Tissue Massage.