April 29, 2011
Discover healing through CranioSacral Therapy
I finally tried CranioSacral Therapy the other day, and I was amazed by it. But first, let me share with you exactly what had happened to me prior to deciding to go for treatment.
Last Tuesday, I stretched my neck during a meeting and realized this immediate contraction or achy pain on the side of my neck; it stemmed from behind my ears (or at/around the mastoid process) all the way down to my shoulder (basically, my scalenes, upper traps, and levator all on my right side were affected). I touched the area to feel what was going on and it felt a bit too tender to touch. Ouch. What the heck is that?! But, I already knew what it was … where it came from or why so sudden? I have no idea, but I’m convinced it was because I haven’t been getting regular massages since I returned back to work. *sigh* Plus, the added stress from the workload, lack of sleep and exercise, and not eating properly probably affected it all. I iced my neck that same night.
The next day, it felt worse and needed a massage ASAP. I could feel the tension building in my neck …something stirring inside that restricted my range of motion, but I continued to ice it down, massage what I could, and stretched it until my massage on Saturday. That day couldn’t come any faster!
So my wonderful friend and colleague came to my rescue! Keep in mind that her and I have about the same pressure, and I could barely take it. =( It was awful! I was literally sweating on my table, concentrating on my breathing, but OMG, I was too sore. Haha. It was obvious that my body hasn’t had a massage in a long time and way overdue! I still need a few more sessions to get back to where I was. Later that day, my right shoulder (just above my collar bone) swelled up to a the size of half a golf ball! What the heck?! This has never happened to me. ICE. I iced it the whole weekend. Then decided I should see my chiropractor on Monday. Yikes! Even the pressure from the adjustment was a bit sore. ICE. It was bad.
What is my next plan of action to get this under control? Let’s see: 1) I was way too tender to get any type of neuromuscular work, and 2) I’m not sure if a relaxation massage would really cut it. But first, I wanted to get that swelling down! I asked my friend, who is also an LMT, if she thought CST would be the best thing for me. Her answer: YES! See her ASAP. Haha. And, so I did. Best decision ever.
I was able to get seen yesterday. Thank god. Because I honestly didn’t know how much more I can handle this annoyance. I came to her feeling like my neck wanted to lock. As if there was a tight band all the way around, but mostly on the back of my neck and base of my skull. I just knew that something needs to be released in there. (By this time, the swelling was gone.) I never had CST done before. I heard about it and knew a little bit about the modality. However, the therapist did a wonderful job presenting to me what it was especially with her cranial bones (I think that was my favorite part….perhaps, I should get some bones myself to better explain to my own clients about certain dysfunctions….but I might need a whole skeleton. 
). Anyway, what intrigued me was how can she feel fluid movements? I’ve never felt fluid movements because they’re so subtle. But I felt them for the first time yesterday. Pretty darn cool, if you ask me. Like a subtle wave. The therapist I saw coupled CST with a bit of energy work, I think, or maybe part of CST is energy as well. Who knows, but I felt it. She said some releases I would feel are like waves of cold across my feet, or legs down to my feet or even my arms. YES, all of the above. So I must’ve had a million releases. Little did I know just how dysfunctional I was. Haha. I was fully-clothed and laid face up on the massage table. It modality is very light with gentle techniques, and quite relaxing. I’m not even sure if I was actually falling asleep or what. However, the amazing part of it (besides feeling the movement) was learning that my first rib was out in the exact same location where the swelling/pain was. I didn’t even notice my first rib was out or felt it pop back into place. Interesting. Hence, the pain and probably the swelling. Anyway, all I know is that afterwards, I felt AWESOME! With the exception of the pressure in my head and “coming to” after receiving bodywork, but that’s normal. No more restriction around my neck, no more pressure, and my low back feels better too. I’m brand new again, hence the name of her business, NEOS Massage (NEOS means to renew or feel new again? Something like that). Now, I can probably go for a relaxation massage to flush it all out of my system … then back to my weekly massages, if I can only find therapists to trade with. =/
If you haven’t tried CranioSacral and interested in it, you can read more about it here. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and looking for a great therapist who specializes in CST, I recommend Molly at Neos Massage, and tell her I sent you. =)
December 27, 2010
Happy 2011!
As we move into the New Year, it’s time to think of those new year’s resolutions. I truly believe this year will be a new year for everyone including me. I started a fitness program I enjoy back in the summer, took a break during the holiday months, and going back coming January. On top of that, I’ll be back in the workforce as a student service advisor full-time, and working massage part-time. This will allow me to take massage workshops and get more skills/knowledge to be a better therapist. I’m excited because there were several classes I wanted to take including Erik Dalton’s myoskeletal seminars and John Barnes’ myofascial seminars, oh and a pregnancy certification, too! So a lot in the works! 
This year, we should start thinking about how we can better ourselves. Whether if it’s in our physical, nutritional, mental health, spiritual, or financial well-being. Our economy has put a lot of stress in our lives and doing what we can to survive it. As for me, what kept me above water was keeping a positive outlook, praying, and serving/helping others … oh and getting FREQUENT MASSAGES!! That definitely helped kept my stress levels down and my body moving forward (endurance/recovery-wise). I was able to continually work everyday as a massage therapist, and work out these hard boot camp-like fitness classes, as well as keeping my mental health in check. I don’t know how many times I’ve stressed the importance of massage whether if it’s stress reduction or to help with chronic pain, but I’m a true believer of it! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be a massage therapist. Now that I’ll be behind a desk most of the day, it’s even more reason to get massages frequently just as I did when I was a therapist full-time! Ha. Anyway, all I’m saying is that everyone can benefit from a good massage. There’s a lot more health benefits to massage than you think! So come get yours today!
To a prosperous and healthy New Year!
November 16, 2010
2010 Christmas Specials
Xmas Spa Package I – $160*
- 60 min Relaxation massage
- 60 min European facial
- Manicure & Pedicure combo
Xmas Spa Package II – $95*
- Manicure & Pedicure combo
- 30 min Relaxation Massage
*(Gratuity not included in price. Upgrades available; see below. Package may not be split.)
Massage Upgrades for Spa Package
- Hot stone – $20
- 30 min massage – $25
- Foot scrub – $30
- Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian style) – $35
60 min Relaxation or Therapeutic Massage – $50
(Gratuity not included in price.)
Massage Packages:
- 6 – 1 hr massage sessions for $275
- 10 – 1 hr massage sessions for $500
(Relaxation or Therapeutic/Deep Tissue massage only)
Gift Certificates Available.
† Massage packages and gift certificates are non-refundable and non-transferable. Gratuity not included in package pricing or specials.
Contact:
Melissa Bariring, LMT
(MA55012)
813.817.7842
Schedule online at: www.thehealing-sanctuary.com
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October 18, 2010
How Emotional Stress Affects Your Body
Did you know that stress can actually harm your body? I knew stress can be harmful to your body to a certain degree, but didn’t realize how damaging it can be if not controlled. Statistics show that Americans consume five billion tranquilizers, three billion amphetamines, and sixteen thousand tons of aspirin every year,¹ just to temporarily alleviate pain. The most damaging emotions, also known as toxic emotions are rage, unforgiveness, depression, anger, worry, frustration, fear, grief, and guilt. Toxic emotions can sap a person physically and psychologically, often leaving both mind and body depleted of energy and strength.
Stress is stress. The body cannot differentiate between physical and emotional stress; it just knows it’s experiencing stress. When the body experiences stress, it responds by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol. Sympathetic nerves are located throughout the body including our organs and tissues, so when they are stimulated by stress, our heart rate increases, we perspire and breathe heavier. Producing too much or too little of certain hormones can generate negative results. Adrenaline is a powerful hormone because it focuses on the brain, sharpens eyesight, and contracts muscles in preparation of fight or flight response. Depending on the type of stress or emotion we are in, our body’s natural response is to tighten our body – contract all of our muscles in preparation to flee or fight back. Then we wonder why our neck and shoulders are always so tight, or why we have constant headaches.
If your brain interprets physical perceptions as anger, fear, or depression, every immune cell of your body knows that interpretation very quickly. The brain and the cells of body communicate constantly, but the cells of the body also have a degree of memory. This is why I always say muscle has memory. When you’re stressed out about something, your body already recognizes this state and automatically triggers the stress response to contract certain muscles, and stores that stress or energy. The constant stress produces chronic ongoing constriction of blood vessels which prevents fresh blood and oxygen to travel to all the tissues in the body, thus, creating another negative consequence: an accumulation of metabolic waste in the muscles. Our circulatory system carries oxygen-rich blood (fresh blood) to the muscles (and other tissues), and picks up oxygen-poor blood (all the waste products) from our muscles and tissues to the excretory organs. When the blood vessels are constricted, waste products back up, filling muscle tissue with metabolic waste — giving you that nasty knot in your shoulders or that horrible headache! (This is your “ah-ha!” moment).
Massage can help trigger the relaxation response by providing a caring touch in a safe environment. It helps bring the heart and breathing rate down, decrease blood pressure, slows down the production of stress hormones, and eventually helps your muscles relax. During the relaxation response, the level of serotonin increases, a chemical in the body that positively affects emotions and thoughts. I like to call it the happy hormone. Massage therapy also increases blood and lymph flow, so improved circulation enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle cells. As cellular health improves, tissue function becomes more efficient and leads to removal of waste products. There are many benefits to massage, but some include stress reduction, lowers blood pressure, aids in anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and reduces muscle pain, spasms, and contractions. Regular massages helps keep your body in balance by triggering the relaxation response, and the more massages received, your muscles will remember to ease up and release that stored energy.
Stress is inevitable. We cannot escape it. But, we can learn how to adjust our reactions and recognize when we are under extreme stress. So what do you do? Learn how to or figure out what makes you relax. Take deep breaths. Get to the root of your stressors. Talk to someone. Take a walk or vacation. Exercise daily. Hydrate your body. Get a massage. Most importantly, take care of yourself. You are worth it.
October 24 – 30, 2010 is National Massage Therapy Awareness Week. In an effort to increase its awareness to the public, please forward this newsletter to your friends and family. In return, you and your friend can receive $10 off your next massage, any massage during that week. Schedule your appointment online at www.thehealing-sanctuary.com, and notate when booking that you received this newsletter.
References:
¹ D. Wayne, “Reactions to Stress,” found in Identifying Stress, a series offered by the Health-Net & Stress Management Web site, February 1998.
Colbert, Don. (2003). Deadly Emotions: Understand the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection That Can Heal or Destroy You. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
