Everybody has fascia throughout the body; it is an elastic band that surrounds every muscle in the body making the muscles loose and flexible. When there is some form of fascia trauma, the muscles in the fascia becomes stiff, making the muscle sore and tender. The difference between typical stiff muscles and fascia pain will be found in trigger points; points that hurt in one spot instead of the entire muscle.
Additionally, fascia trauma or pain cannot be seen in any radiology tests such as X-rays or MRI's making it extremely difficult to diagnose. The good news is that fascia pain is easy to treat with a specialized form of massage therapy. The benefits of fascial release therapy consist of increased flexibility, decreased pain and better mobility and range of motion. Once you go through this therapy, you can enjoy your life just as you did before your trauma happened.
Many people live in chronic pain; pain that cannot be explained by any tests or radiology procedures. Due to the fact that the pain is simply unexplainable pain, it is very difficult to diagnose if you have had some form of trauma to your fascia, your doctor may try some other tests simply to rule out torn ligaments or tendons before putting you through the fascia release therapy. As you go through this therapy, you will find that the pain becomes reduced a bit after each session until the pain is gone completely, this is how the doctor determines for certain that you have had some form of fascial trauma.
What is Fascia Therapy?
Fascial release therapy is a type of massage therapy which can be performed by a wide range of physicians, massage therapists and chiropractors; as long as they have had the proper training and certifications. This therapy takes the soft tissue that surrounds and gently stretches the fascia that has been affected. This type of therapy is not designed to be a quick fix, in fact, it takes the same shape as you would find post-surgery.
You should expect to have an initial appointment that pinpoints the affected area that is where the therapist will focus their treatment. After that, you should see the therapist on a set schedule for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the extent of the pain as well as the rate of recovery. Each fascial release therapy session should take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what the therapist recommends, as well as what you can handle.
Cost Effectiveness
There are times when a physician is sure that there are torn ligaments cartilage but, like fascia trauma, does not always show up on radiology tests. This is when the doctor feels that they should just go in and operate to repair the problem.
This solution is a fine way to fix the problem so the pain stops and you can go back to living your normal life; however, it is not uncommon that when the doctor simply suggests the fascia therapy first instead of sending the patient straight into the operating room, the problem goes away. Simply put, this means that if your doctor has you go through a fascial release therapist before surgery, you could feel better and not need the surgery after all. Not only will this save you pain and time, but it also saves you and your insurance carrier thousands of dollars in expenses occurred in an unnecessary surgery.
Added Mobility
The majority of patients who go through the fascia release therapy program find that they are not only pain-free, but they have their mobility back as well. Since the elastic parts that hold the muscles in place are now back to being elastic as opposed to stiff, the muscles can now move about freely, giving you back the flexibility and mobility you once thought you lost.
Fascial release therapy is the best way to get your mobility back, lose your chronic pain and take your life back. Always ask your doctor about any new treatment program that you feel could help you become independent and pain-free.
Eugene Wood is a leading NYC and Long Island Massage Therapist and the Education Chair for the NY Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. Eugene has offices in Manhattan and Wantagh, Long Island. Learn more by visiting his website at: http://www.nyc-massage.com.
A shocking 64% of Americans say that they do not get a proper amount of sleep each night. While an occasional bout of insomnia from time to time is normal, getting less than seven hours of sleep each night is not. Lack of sleep can lead to mental issues, health issues and can take a toll on your personal appearance.
An average adult needs roughly six to eight hours of sleep each night. The amount can vary from person to person. Women generally need more sleep than men. Experts say that this amount needs to stay consistent daily, trying to catch up on sleep on weekends does not help.
So what happens when you don't get the proper amount of sleep each evening?
1. Your immune system becomes weak.
If you notice that you easily catch colds and flu, consider how much sleep you get on an average. You may need more. With lack of sleep, you may feel worn out or weary. Your immune system becomes suppressed and cannot work to its full capability. The result, your body will pick up illnesses quickly.
2. Your brain cannot work properly.
Studies have placed drunk drivers and sleep deprived drivers side-by-side. The result? Sleep deprived drivers performed worse than those who were inebriated. Lack of sleep over time will reduce hand and eye coordination. It can also reduce memory skills. This can also lead to emotional problems such as anger and depression.
3. Your heart works overtime.
Our bodies need a full night of sleep to repair and rejuvenate. With lack of sleep, our heart begins to work overtime. Inflammation can set in leading to strokes and heart attacks. For many who are lacking sleep, they reach for caffeine to get them through the day. Studies have shown that adults as young as 18 can damage their hearts by drinking too much caffeine.
4. You begin to pack on the pounds.
Scientists still do not know why, but they know it happens. Those who lack sleep, pack on the pounds quickly. Some scientists believe it has to do with hormones. Others believe it is because the body is never able to recover fully and works overtime. If you're trying to lose weight, the best thing you can do is get a full night of sleep.
You've cleared out your schedule and made time to get an adequate amount of sleep each evening. Yet you toss and turn, each night leads to no sleep. There are prescriptive medications to help you sleep each evening. However, these medications can be highly addictive and have steep side effects. The good news is that there are natural remedies for insomnia.
1. Ban electronics from your bedroom.
Turn over your cell phones and keep the television off. The light from the electronics can keep you up.
2. Create a consistent bedtime routine.
Try to go to bed and wake up the same time each day, even on the weekends.
3. Watch what you do before bedtime.
Eating big meals, drinking caffeine and exercising can keep you up. Drinking alcoholic beverages may make you fall asleep, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night.
4. Create a mood.
Lower the lights in your house a few hours before your bedtime. Take a warm bath or read a book an hour before bed. There are also many candles and room sprays that can create a sleep induced mood.
5. Reach for the Melatonin.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that is produced in our bodies and regulates sleep patterns. Sometimes our bodies do not produce enough, and it can lead to insomnia.
6. Try holistic healing.
Sometimes our bodies carry too much stress, and it becomes hard to unwind at night. If you have back pain, visit a chiropractor. If you have muscle pain, visit a massage therapist. If you feel stressed, try acupuncture.
Eugene Wood is a leading Massage Therapist on Long Island and New York City. He provides massage therapy treatments for a multitude of health conditions that relieve pain and improve overall health and well-being. Learn more by visiting his website at: http://www.nyc-massage.com.
