What IS CranioSacral Therapy?

There are many styles of “Body Work” and one of those is CranioSacral Therapy (CST).  CST is a very gentle type of massage. It decreases stress in the body and quiets the mind helping the body relax. With this therapy the therapist places her hands of various areas of the body to gauge the ebb and flow of the energy throughout the body. Light contact on the bones of the cranium and sacrum are often used to encourage release throughout the body. Often releases occur through muscle movement and breathing changes. Not only can a release be physical it can also be emotional; these releases can happen in the form of tears or memories.

CranioSacral Therapy can be good for people with headaches, TMJ, Fibromyalgia, or people who have been in motor vehicle accidents.

These are some holds that are often used during a CranioSacral massage session:

Call our office to schedule an appointment with Brittney for a relaxing CranioSacral massage.

503-659-5900

Some Thoughts About Massage

Many of the common conditions we treat here at Milwaukie Wellness Center involve problems in the soft tissues, ie. muscles, tendons and ligaments. Some of those conditions including trigger points, sprain/strain injuries, postural strains have been discussed in prior newsletters. A common theme all of these conditions have is that often massage can be extremely beneficial in the recovery and healing process.

Most of our massage clientele do not have any acute pain or problems but utilize massage to take a break in their busy lives and relieve their stress. Our experienced, professional massage therapists provide exceptional care and will design an effective massage program to address your individual needs.

All of our therapists have been through rigorous training and take ongoing continuing education to further there expertise. Some of the techniques they utilize include Swedish massage, deep tissue, trigger point therapy, Acupressure and sports massage. This not a complete list and each therapist is unique in his or her style. All of your therapists are licensed through the state of Oregon and take great pride in their professionalism and effectiveness.

When scheduling your next massage let us know whether you like a deep or lighter massage technique. Your continued health and wellness are our first and primary concerns.

Wellness Massage Plans are a wonderful way to enjoy the never ending therapeutic and stress relieving benefits of massage on an ongoing basis. For more details you can call us at 503/659-5900 or go to our website; www.milaukiewellness.com. Wellness Massage Plans are available on an annual or 3 month basis. Were happy to make massage as convenient and affordable as possible and maintain the quality work that you deserve.

FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

What is FMS?

Fibromyalgia means pain in the fibrous tissues of the body ie. muscles, ligaments and tendons. FMS is a chronic widespread pain throughout these tissues. FMS patients often describe their condition as if they’ve have a flu that isn’t going away. It is more common in women, though men can develop it as well.

What Causes FMS?

At this time there are no known causes of FMS. Many sources have been considered including viral,traumatic, hormonal and nutritional deficiencies. None of these have turned out to be the underlying cause of FMS, though they may be associated with it.

How Is FMS Diagnosed?

Because there is no laboratory test or any diagnostic imaging that will definitively reveal FMS, the diagnosis is made after a thorough history and physical examination. To meet the diagnostic criteria patients have: A) Widespread pain in both sides of the body and above and below the waist for a minimum of 3 months. B) Severe pain to light pressure on at least 11 of 18 specific tender points. C) Several of the many commonly associated symptoms with FMS including, fatigue, recurring diarrhea or constipation, sleep disorder, chronic headaches &/or jaw pain, memory impairment, menstrual cramping, numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes, morning stiffness, skin or chemical sensitivities, marked sensitivity in the fingers & toes to cold, dizziness or lightheadedness.

Treatments for FMS

1. Chiropractic Adjustments:, may be helpful in managing FMS by reducing tension in the joints of the spine and relieving postural strain.

2. Therapeutic Massage: also helps to relieve symptoms of FMS by decreasing muscle tension and helping to manage stress.

3. Light Exercise: has been shown to help manage FMS symptoms and prevent worsening. Restorative Yoga poses are a wonderful way to personalize an exercise program to help stretch and strengthen.

4. Improving the Quality of Sleep: Because poor quality of sleep may contribute to the disorder, improving it may reduce the symptoms. Traditional medical treatments and medications are intended to help with this. Other solutions include good sleeping postures, avoiding eating or drinking before bed.

5. Other alternative therapies: Acupuncture, biofeedback, acupressure have all been shown to also help manage FMS symptoms.