| Often, when you go to a doctor, you don't know what's wrong with you. Sometimes you do know. Each person is unique with unique problems, but here is a list of some conditions I see frequently and how treatment can help with them.
Arthritis — There are many types of arthritis.
Most types of arthritis respond beautifully to gentle movement and massage.
Appropriate exercise is also very helpful. Counseling, support, answers
to questions and work to increase the pain-free range of motion in the
joints affected can be extremely helpful in increasing the ability to
move and decreasing the pain.
TMJ syndrome — The jaw is the tensest voluntary
muscle in the body. It is important in balance, and of course in eating
and talking. Many things can cause a tight or imbalanced jaw. And a painful,
tight jaw can ruin not just your day but your joy of life. Mobilization,
realignment of the jaw, home exercise and specific muscle release techniques
can help resolve this painful syndrome.
Pelvic floor dysfunction — A lack of tone and
strength in the pelvic floor can affect genitourinary function, the ability
to support the upper body, and injury prevention. The pelvic floor is
a key factor in core strength of the lower back. It is possible to strengthen
the pelvic floor and to use the legs to increase pelvic stability. Releasing
tight muscles and joints in the legs, abdomen and pelvis can also strengthen
the pelvic floor.
Computer related injuries — From back to wrists
to neck, many places can start to hurt from habitual sitting and working
in front of a computer. Relief requires not just muscle and joint treatment
of the affected area, but developing awareness of one's body position,
correcting the position of one's chair, keyboard and monitor, and learning
counterstretches and exercises to perform during breaks or at the end
of the day.
Scoliosis — Scoliosis is a side to side or twisting
distortion of the normal shape of the spine. It can cause pain, leg problems
and poor balance. Learning the cause of the scoliosis and stretching the
short side of a scoliotic curve, as well as realignments and muscle treatments
to create movement in stuck areas of the spine, can help people with scoliosis
function and feel better.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Training to support the
carpal tunnel, realignment of the small bones of the wrist to open it
up, and education about wrist health and wrist movement (most wrist pain
originates from repetitive stress, not from the carpal tunnel) are very
useful and often prevent the need or desire for surgery.
Instability/Immobility — Are you so loose you
can't stand up straight? Or so tight you can hardly reach your shoes to
tie them? Movement analysis, easy stretches and strengtheners, and work
to help activate or release muscles and joints can be very helpful in
normalizing motion and getting you back in comfort and in action.
Posture retraining — Posture is habit, and habits
are hard to break without help. Coaching, stretching, realignment, imagery
and manual feedback can help you stand straighter, walk more efficiently,
and move in any sport or activity with more grace and agility.
Foot and arch problems — The feet are the foundation
of the body, and often, they can develop problems from callouses to bunions
to plantar fasciitis to flat feet. Simple exercises, foot massage and
realignment, and postural retraining can make your feet work better and
hurt less.
ADD/ADHD — Attention deficit disorder is epidemic
in our society and is an organic (physiological) as well as social phenomenon.
One useful modality for attention deficit is to get your awareness into
your body and your grounding. Exercise, meditation (especially with a
teacher or group to keep focus) and bodywork can be of tremendous help
in grounding and focusing. |