Tip to treating tennis injuries

As a massage therapist, I see a lot of sports injuries to the shoulder, lower back, knee, ankle and elbow. These are the joints that take the most jolts, hits, stresses, twists and impacts.  Mount Sinai Hospital put out an article that generally illustrates what some key tennis injuries look like in the body.  It also lists various medical treatments for these common injuries.

One of the treatments recommended in the article is soft tissue massage.  It is shown in countless published research that massage speeds recovery of soft tissue injuries, increases circulation, reduces pain, soothes the nervous system and increases the function of the immune system.

Even though the Mount Sinai Hospital article focuses on tennis injuries, these joint problems tend to occur in athletes of all sports. Massage can also benefit injuries from accidents, traumas, disabilities and general wear and tear on the body. Before visiting a massage therapist, check to make sure she or he is state licensed.

Trisha Schmalhofer, LMT and CranioSacral Therapist

How does autism develop? New research may have a clue.

Neural Synopsis

Autism seems to be a mystery. Where did it come from? Why does there seem to more and more people diagnosed with it? Is it the vaccinations like some theorize? Is it the GMO’s? The preservatives and food coloring in foods? New research that came out this week indicates that the answer lies in the neurons in the brain.

In an article by Michelle Diament on http://www.disiabilityscoop.com states that “children with autism retain extra brain connections that other children weed out during development. The connections, known as synopsis, allow neurons in the brain to communicate with each other. Typically, as children grow, they go through a pruning process to limit the number of synapsis “

In the study, scientists looked at brain tissue of 26 young people with autism ages 2 to 20, and 22 people without the developmental disorder (all died from other causes). The number of synapsis dropped by 50 percent in the samples of children without autism. The synapsis number only reduced by 16 percent in children with autism.

This new information could spark more research and help health care professionals assist the healing of our loved ones in new ways.

For the science types, click here for the published article on http://www.cell.com/neuron

Trisha Schmalhofer, LMT and CranioSacral Therapist

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

“Touch the surface, and you stir the depths.” — Deane Juhan

You may or may not have heard about CranioSacral Therapy or CST. Even though it was founded by Dr. John Upledger in the 1970’s, it has gained much exposure and popularity over time through personal accounts and research. This is a type of bodywork in which I believe, because I have seen miraculous changes in clients’ bodies.

My favorite definition of CranioSacral Therapy I have found is in the book “From My Hands and Heart“: “CST is a highly effective light-touch therapy that works with the source of pain and dysfunction and the whole body simultaneously. For the most part, our bodies do amazing jobs of finding ways to work around the stresses and strains caused by our life experiences, such as chronic stress, childhood falls, or illnesses. With CST we recognize that, given proper support, the body will move to heal itself, creating a custom solution to the problem that is causing that pain or discomfort.”-Kate Mackinnon, PT, CST-D

There’s also a more medical definition explained by the Upledger Institute: “CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.”-www.upledger.com

This therapy is so comprehensive and complimentary that it can stand alone or be a healing tool used in conjunction with other treatments. Since CranioSacral Therapy works the physical, mental and energenic body all at the same time, it is somewhat a challenge to explain.  It has been said to me many times by clients, “You really have to experience it to understand it”.

Trisha Schmalhofer, LMT and CranioSacral Therapist