Reducing Headache tension with the use of Massage Therapy

Have you ever placed your hands on your tummy and rub your belly to ease the pain as a child? or even perhaps during times of a headache we organically place our fingertips and apply pressure to our temples and start rubbing in a circular movement or just simply applied pressure and held the area to promote healing and release. Naturally these are ways we know in our DNA to express feelings of how to overcome pain naturally through our touch.

                With seasons changing and allergies on the rise and possibly stress or fatigue and dehydration, we are at risk of headache and massage therapy can help. I suffer from pollen and my immune system is working very hard in the peaks of spring when everything is in bloom, and with that may bring on a headache, so I make an effort to book in for self care and get massage therapy and tell the RMT about my history with seasonal allergies and with congestion when my immune system is at work.

                What relieves it? some essential oils and manipulation of the muscles and fascia that need some relief when so tight. So what I do? I go in and allow the therapist to work away on some of the pressure points of the neck muscles and occipital points and the sinus region with the relief of pressure points in the temples and along the nose and eyebrows. These little points of release feel amazing and relaxing and you get an instant release of pressure or a chance to breathe better expecially if you have been laying in prone position for a few min in the treatment. A nice way to finish the treatment for an overal time of 20 min of getting the neck muscles loosened up along with the scalp and face brings a tremendous relief of pressure and sense of peace of letting go of any unwanted tension in the body. If there is time, sometimes I would ask to have him or her to work on my feet  to finish the treatment to relieve any other congestion in the body along with sinus relief and headach relief, also known as reflexology. When the treatment is over I make sure to hydrate and stay hydrated through the day. Hydration is key when you know you are on the go!

Amelia Seaton-Segura, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Trampolines are not recommended for your child

Now that spring and summer time has arrived parents want their children to get outside into the fresh air and get exercise. Now, I am not a fan of trampolines and if you are planning on purchasing one I suggest not to and look at other options for exercise for your child.

Many heath professionals will deter parents from purchasing a trampoline. This is a quote from the Canadian Paediatric society. “Health care professionals, including family physicians and paediatricians, should warn parents of the dangers of trampolines as a recreational toy at routine health care visits. Parents should be advised to avoid the purchase of trampolines for the home because enclosures and adequate supervision are no guarantee against injury. “

https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/trampoline-home-use

Recommendations are also made to not allow a child under 6 to use a trampoline.

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2012/09/19/peds.2012-2082.full.pdf

Children are growing and developing and their bones and muscular system are immature and weak and cannot handle the impact and repetitive injury. The bones are soft and can bend and flex causing a higher rate of fractures and ‘bending’ of the bones requiring casting and possibly surgery. The children can also obtain sprain strains and soft tissue injuries in their spine and extremities.

Multiple authors and organizations, including the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) and Safe Kids Canada, have called for the elimination of trampolines in the home environment as recreational play equipment or for an outright ban on trampolines under any circumstances for the paediatric age group. There were 4,247 reported cases of trampoline injuries treated in emergency rooms across 15 hospitals between 2005-2006 and 2009-2010.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-33-no-3-2013/injuries-related-consumer-products-canada-systematic-literature-review.html

Over my 20 years in practice I have seen many trampoline related injuries such as spinal trauma, sprain/strains, neck injuries, low back and mid back injuries and fractures requiring casting and surgery.

Dr. Joelle Johnson BSc, DC practices in Red Deer at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142 Erickson Drive 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca

Why have CranioSacral Therapy?

1. Some people come because they feel as though they aren’t coping and that life is very difficult. CranioSacral Therapy can often be a last resort after many years of struggle.
2. Some people come because they have long standing health issues which make it very difficult to cope. CranioSacral Therapy can help relieve the emotional and physical side-effects of living with long term illness or pain and can support the body in its natural movement towards health.

3. Some people come because they have experienced traumatic events that they cannot move past. CranioSacral Therapy is a very safe, gentle and effective way of treating trauma and post-traumatic states.
4. Some people come because they are incredibly stressed and anxious and can’t seem to find any relief from a very busy mind. CranioSacral Therapy is especially good at encouraging a very deep sense of stillness allowing the mind slow down and rest. Many people say they sleep very well after a craniosacral treatment.
5. Some people come because they just need to be held and listened to. The most important thing a CranioSacral Therapist does is to simply be present for the client and hold the therapeutic space allowing the client’s process to unfold naturally.

Jeannette Raskin, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer, Alberta.  403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.