DISCLAIMER~~This article is for informational purposes only.  If you feel that you have severe muscle cramps or some other disease, please contact your primary care physician immediately.

Without getting into a lot of technical mumbo jumbo, carpal tunnel syndrome is basically where a person experiences pain, numbness and tingling in their hands and fingers.  This could be something that a person deals with on a daily basis; it could also be something that a person experiences after doing a specific activity or repetitive motion; or it could happen only on an occasional basis.
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?
There are several nerves that run down the arm that then branch out into smaller nerves and go to different parts of your arm.  The major nerve is the brachial plexus, which then branches out to a nerve that runs all the way down your arm and into your hand.  This nerve is called the median nerve.  Carpal tunnel happens when this nerve (the median nerve) is pressed, squeezed or impinged.  When the muscles of your forearm become tight through a repetitve motion (like computer work, pulling weeds in  your yard, etc.) this nerve gets pinched and then causes numbness and/or tingling throughout your hand and fingers.
OTHER SYMPTOMS OF CARPAL TUNNEL
Numbness and tingling are the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel, however there are other symptoms also.
They are:
1.  loss of a sense of touch
2.  pain in your shoulder at night, pain in your elbow or possibly some swelling in your wrist
3.  pain in your wrist when you either flex or extend it (like putting your hands in prayer position).
4.  loss of the grip strength in your hand
5.  dropping things more often than usual
6.  burning sensation in your wrist or hand
7.  being unable to take a jar lid off or pain when putting it back on
OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN
A lot of people think that carpal tunnel is only located in the wrist area of your arm, however, we fail to recognized that the median nerve had to come from somewhere.  Working the forearm and wrist area is a fantastic idea, however, another major area that needs to be worked extensively is the neck and shoulder, specifically the muscles that attach underneath your clavicle (collar bone).  These muscles are often forgotten when dealing with carpal tunnel because the majority of people do not have pain in the area around their clavicle.  They are focused on the pain that is in their wrist.
HOW MASSAGE CAN HELP
Whether you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel or just feel some occasional numbness and tingling in your fingers or hand, there are several things that can be done during a massage session to help alleviate your symptoms.  The massage can focus either on your forearms, your arms or your neck and shoulder; however, I would recommend working at least all of them extensively in order to make sure that all the muscles that could be causing the problem are given a chance to relax.
There are also stretches that can help with carpal tunnel.  There are specific ones that work with the muscles that are causing the nerve impingement.  If you believe that you may have some carpal tunnel issues, please ask me and I can put together some stretching techniques that will help.
IN CONCLUSION
Another thing to consider when you are having tightness/soreness in any muscle–is that this tightness/soreness did not happen overnight.  In other words, in regards to carpal tunnel, you did not wake up one day and magically had carpal tunnel.  It happened over a period of time.  The same thing applies to massage.   All your symptoms and your tightness/soreness will not disappear after one massage session.  Yes, you will feel better and your muscles will be relaxed and feeling better than when you came in; however, it won’t be long before the muscles will tighten back up again.  The more that you can come in for a session, the better chance your muscles get used to the idea that relaxed is good and they will get used to being in that state more and more.  The guy that cuts my hair has a sign up on the wall saying “It’s a comb, honey, not a wand!”  The same thing applies to massage–as much as my hands can help you to feel better, they still aren’t magical and can’t make everything go away, right away.  Through consistent massage/bodywork and stretching, your numbness and tingling could be a thing of the past.

DISCLAIMER~THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN.  IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL, THEN PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.

I have noticed this past week that I have been really caught up in something that I will call my “supposed to look like” thinking.  Now I know you are wondering what I am talking about, so let me explain.

I first noticed it when I was attending my yoga class last week.  The instructor was ‘instructing’ us on this particular pose (to tell you the honest truth, I can’t even remember which one it was), and telling us that if we needed assistance in getting in to this pose or maintaining this pose, then it was alright to use something to help us–either the yoga blocks and/or the wall.  I then remember thinking that I didn’t really need assistance because I knew exactly what it was ’supposed to look like’.  What MY yoga pose was supposed to look like was, exactly what my instructor’s yoga pose looked like. (Now keep in mind, even though I have done yoga off and on for several years, I am still a beginner.  The instructor has been doing yoga for years and years.)

My ’supposed to look like’ attitude was making it very difficult for me to listen to my body.  During this time, my body was screaming, “Excuse me, Kathy, but unfortunately I don’t move quite like that.  I mean, come on now, you have only been doing yoga for a short time and not only do you want me to bend this way, but then you want me to stay that way too?”  All the while, my mind is going “Alright, slacker, get with the program.  Of course, you can do this pose, and absolutely without any assistance.  We can’t let anybody see that you are horribly out of shape.  Don’t be a wimp!”  Don’t get me wrong, I am all for pushing yourself to a certain extent, but not to the point of no return. Needless to say, the whole situation wasn’t pretty and rather comical. 

So I had in my mind what my yoga practice is ’supposed to look like’, but my body has a different idea of what it really wants and needs.  Yes, it does need to be exercised and pushed a little bit, but not to the point of where I could potentially hurt myself.

As my week progressed, I continued seeing all sorts of places where my ’supposed to look like’ attitude reared its ugly head. Hmmm, let’s see my beginning tae kwon do practice is supposed to look just like the instructor’s practice; regardless of what my body wants. Maybe if I stay with it long enough, I might be able to do some of the things that the instructor can. My meditation practice is also supposed to be this grand experience where I quickly go to that quiet place and sit still for long periods of time and receive all sorts of insights to myself.  Well, the reality is that my mind doesn’t always quiet like I want it to and after sitting for a few minutes, my back starts to hurt unless I am sitting up against a wall.  Most of the time, I end up laying down for my meditation and also listening to a guided meditation, instead of what I think it is ’supposed to look like’.  My body wants me to listen to its wants and needs also, so I have been trying to do that.

I have been receiving massage/bodywork for many years now and I thought that at least when I was on the massage table, I honored my body’s wants and needs; however, I realized that there are a lot of times that I do not. For instance, this past week when I got on the massage table, I started face up.  As I was lying there, I realized that what my body really wanted was for me to lie on my side and curl up into the fetal position.  Now I have had the same person working on me for years, but all of a sudden I was worried about what she would think. (Please understand that I have started out in the fetal position many, many times before, so this was nothing new for me or for her).  I began to wonder why all of a sudden I was worried about what she would think.  That is when I realized I was in my ’supposed to look like’ attitude.  What is my massage supposed to look like?  Well, I am either supposed to be face up or face down and supposed to be comfortable.  I am supposed to relax, I am not supposed to tell her that “&^%$, that hurts”.  I am not supposed to tell her that I am cold; I am not supposed to move much, etc.  You get the picture.  Unfortunately, the majority of the time if I am getting a ’supposed to look like’ massage, I am not honoring my body and listening to its wants and needs.

So what does my massage look like when I am listening to my body’s wants and needs?  I move around a lot.  Sometimes I am face up, sometimes I am in a fetal position, sometimes face down, sometimes I am just laying on my side, sometimes I have my arms above my head, sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes I cry, sometimes I swear because it hurts.  My session could be all of these things, some of these things, a variety of different things or none of them at all.  In listening to my body’s wants and needs, there are NO rules for me on the table.  This week maybe I moved around a lot; next week, who knows, maybe I won’t need that.

What does my massage feel like if I am moving all over the place?  Well, if I am listening to my body then most likely my massage will feel more complete and more nurturing.  When it comes to listening to my body, there is no right way and there is no wrong way.   

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:  Pay attention to your thinking and if you are doing something a certain way because you think that is what it is ’supposed to look like’.  That also includes the next time you have a massage.  Pay attention to what you body needs and wants.  If you feel comfortable, give your body what it needs.  If you need to move around, please feel free to do so.  If you want to start in a different position, do that also.  If you get cold, please let me know.  You can’t relax if you are cold.  Remember, there is no right way or wrong way.

A headache can be described as an ache or pain that occurs in one or more areas of the head, face, mouth or neck.  A headache can be chronic, recurrent or occasional.  It can also be mild or it can be severe enough to disrupt your daily activities. 

Types of Headaches

There are many types of headaches, but the most common are:

Tension Headache—the most common type of headache.  As many as 90% of adults will have or have had a tension headache.  This kind of headache is caused by basic muscle tension.  A tension headache can vary in pain intensity and can produce a dull, constant pain on both sides of the head.  It is also commonly called a muscle contraction headache because it is the tightening of the muscles in the head, face, neck and shoulders that causes the pain, which very often feels like a ‘vice-like grip’ at the temples or as a tight band around the forehead or base of the skull.

Even though tension headaches are the most frequent types of headaches, there is little research to confirm the exact cause.  The most likely cause is from contraction of the muscles that cover the skull.  When these muscles are stressed, they can spasm and cause pain.  Tension headaches often occur because of the physical and/or emotional stress that is placed on the body. 

Migraine Headache—the second most common type of headache.  A migraine is described as ‘pounding’ or ‘throbbing’.  It is characterized by intense, one-sided pain, which may include pain in the face, jaw and neck.  Migraine headaches are also called vascular headaches and occur when the blood vessels that supply the brain and the muscles in the head swell and constrict.  A migraine can last from several hours to several days and could also involve nausea, dizziness, extreme fatigue and sensitivity to light or sound. 

Factors that can contribute to the onset of a migraine include stress, lack of sleep or too much sleep, hormones, food allergies, some medications, loud noises, bright lights, missing a meal, also a change in weather and/or temperature.

Other Types of Headaches

Cluster Headache—this type of headache gets its name because it tends to go in cycles.  You can have 1-8 headaches a day, which can go on for days or weeks and then just as sudden as they appeared, the headaches disappear for a while.  The cycle is different for everyone.

Rebound Headache—this type of headache is actually caused from frequent use of prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.

Headache Due to Neck Injury—this type of headache can be caused by a sudden trauma, such as whiplash, or a gradual onset from repetitive activities such as working at a computer all day long.

Post-Traumatic Headache—this is a result of a head injury and can occur shortly after the injury.

Others headache causes are:  sinusitis, allergies, TMJ, high blood pressure, tumors and strokes.

How Massage Can Help

A fantastic hidden benefit of massage is that headaches can be relieved while the side effects of pain medication or over-the-counter medications are avoided.  Massage to the head and neck can relieve headaches by releasing tight and shortened muscles, easing muscle spasms plus the important effect of the relaxation of the tension that is held in the muscles of the head, neck and shoulders.  When this muscle tension eases, there is less pressure on the nerves and blood vessels.  Massage will also have the effect of reducing the anxiety and mental stress that can cause or worsen headaches in the first place.  

As your body relaxes, so does your mind, which can reduce anxiety that may be part of your headache pattern.  Your nervous system calms, your breath slows and deepens and your feeling of well-being is restored. 

DISCLAIMER~This article is not meant to replace the advice of your physician.  It is important to receive medical attention immediately if you experience head pain unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

The reason I have been doing this is plain and simple:  I take my car for granted and I truly don’t want to be stuck without it.  I don’t want it to breakdown when I least expect it to and then have the repairs cost twice as much because I haven’t done the preventative maintenance and because one part wasn’t working properly then another part started to fail too.

Up to this point, I have pretty much been running under the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude.  I felt that as long as I put gas in the car, got the oil changed occasionally, got new tires when they were needed, etc., then all was well.  What I didn’t take into consideration is that just because everything seemed to be working, doesn’t necessarily mean that everything was working well.  My brakes were pretty worn and if I had waited too much longer to replace them, then I would have had to replace other parts that work in conjunction with the brakes.  Not to mention the the dangerous situation of not having the brakes work at all.  Scary!

I will admit that until a few years ago, I really had the same attitude about my body as I have had about my car.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”  Plus I really did take my body for granted.  I had run under the assumption that since nothing really hurt and I didn’t have any chest pain or anything like that (now chest pain would be the ultimate “Check Engine” light, wouldn’t it?), then all is well.  Again, what I hadn’t take into consideration is that just because my body is working, doesn’t mean it is working well.

Your body is a very miraculous thing.  It is constantly working and doing things that you don’t even have to think about.  Your heart beating, air going in and out of your lungs, your blood pumping, your stomach digesting–all of those things are automatic.  But what would happen if one of those systems wasn’t working quite like it was supposed to.  Then all the other parts or systems that worked in conjunction with it would have to work harder.

Your body is just like a car.  It requires regular maintenance and preventative maintenance in order for it to work like it needs to.  If you don’t pay attention to your dashboard, your gas tank and your ‘check engine’ light, things will get out of whack real fast.  Unlike a car, you can’t trade your body in after 100,000 miles.  You might be able to replace a few parts, tighten a few bolts, replace the upholstery, but that is about it.  Your body is, for the most part, irreplaceable and it is here for the long haul.

Since your body is here for the long haul, then the best thing you can do for it is to take care of it!  Take a few minutes now and check in with your body.  What part or parts are trying to get your attention?  Do your muscles ache, does your head ache?  Are you tired?  Do you feel stressed?  Do you feel pain anywhere?  Do you wonder when you will be able to take time for yourself?  These are all ‘warning’ lights from your dashboard telling you that things are not working as well as they should.  Time for some preventative maintenance.  Take some time to do some things that you enjoy.  For example:  go for a walk, get some exercise, spend time with friends, go to bed early, take a long, hot bath, take time for yourself, read a book just for fun, spend time in nature, go on that long overdue vacation, get away for the weekend, get a massage (you knew I was going to throw that in there, didn’t you?)

The bottom line is: Preventative maintenance will cost you either in time and/or money, however, if you take your body for granted and you wait until it is broken (think ‘check engine’ light), it will cost you a whole lot more than the preventative maintenance will.  Since this is the only body that you have, isn’t whatever you invest in it worth every penny?  For me, the answer is a resounding YES!  However, only you know the answer for yourself.  So my question to you is:  AREN’T YOU WORTH IT?

Visiting the mountains is always a very humbling experience for me for a couple of reasons.  First, is that I am always in awe of the raw majestic power that the mountains have.  The sheer beauty of the clear blue sky in contrast with the peaks and valleys of the mountains.  Absolutely beautiful!

The second reason visiting the mountains is a humbling experience for me is–I always ‘think’ I am in much better shape than I really, truly am.  I walk here in Indiana weekly on a fairly consistent basis, so why can’t I tackle any given trail in the mountains?  I mean how hard can hiking an eight mile trail be, right?  Four miles to the summit and four miles back down.  Piece of cake!!!  What I fail to take into consideration is the walking that I do here in Indiana is fairly level, paved and at about 700 ft. above sea level.  In the Smokeys, the trail is usually rugged, not paved and the beginning elevation is around 2,500 ft. above sea level and the trail gains anywhere from 1,000 ft. to 2,000 ft in elevation.  I ‘think’ I am prepared but I usually am not.

So, I am about two miles into this hike when I realize that it really is going to be more difficult than walking around my paved neighborhood.  (Ok, I said two miles because the first mile of the trail was actually paved.  I really am a wimp.)  At this point, I turn rather stubborn and tell myself that I AM going to hike to the &^%*&$#^ summit, no matter what.  So, yes, I push and push myself until I finally reach the summit!  Yippee, I made it to the top–WOW!  Unbelievable!  I did it!

But as I allowed myself to relax a little bit, I realized that because I was so focused on my destination (the summit) that I hadn’t even noticed nor taken the time to see all the beauty that was all around me on the way.  I had failed to notice anything along the way other than the trail.  I had forgotten the purpose of me being there, which was to enjoy nature in all of its beauty.  To hear the rustling of the wind in the trees, to watch for any animals, large or small, and to enjoy the sun peeking through the trees, just to name a few.  I had not taken one moment on the way up to the summit to truly enjoy the glorious mountains and all that they had to offer.  So needless to say, as I hiked back down the trail, I finally took notice and paid attention to all that was around me.  Of course, the hike back down was a far more pleasant experience for me.

As I reflected on this, I got to thinking about where in my life have I gotten so focused  on the destination or my goal (the summit), that I haven’t paid attention to my journey (beauty, nature).

As you may recall, back in January, 2008, in my newsletter, I talked about New Year’s Resolutions and used my wish to lose 25 lbs. as an example.  I have had a few people ask me how well I have done with that goal, so I will tell you.

I will admit that I did NOT lose those 25 lbs. and I could spend a lot of time focused on the fact that I didn’t accomplish my goal (the summit), but instead I am going to look around at everything (beauty, nature) that I may have missed if I wasn’t paying attention.

So here are some of the things I did accomplish–

• I did lose about 10 lbs.
• I am walking/exercising 3-4 times/week, 3-5 miles/each. (Note to self, need to do more uphill walking, etc., to have endurance for the mountains).
• I am doing yoga/stretching on a more regular basis.
• I am receiving massage/bodywork consistently.
• I no longer drink regular Dr. Pepper (if you know me well, then you will know just how hard this was for me to do).
• I am taking better care of my body–physically, emotionally and mentally.
• I am trying to be kinder to myself.

When I take my focus off the fact that I didn’t accomplish my goal, then I can allow myself to look at the things I DID do.  I didn’t lose the 25 lbs. but I did take quite a few steps towards my overall health.

My challenge to you:  Take some time right now and make a list of some of the things you did accomplish whether in 2008, last night or right now.  Don’t think about the things you didn’t get to or didn’t get done; focus on what you did, no matter how large or small.

Celebrate the small things that you have done.  They are just as important as the big things.

CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY!  I KNOW I AM!

What is a Repetitive Strain Injury?

There are many forms of repetitive strain injuries; most common are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger/thumb, rotator cuff strain, thoracic outlet syndrome, tendonitis and bursitis.

In the past, most RSIs were commonly attributed to people who were involved with sports–hence the names ‘tennis elbow’ or ‘golfer’s elbow’.  However, RSIs are becoming increasingly common among all walks of life.  From jackhammer operators to administrative assistants to computer techs to musicians to baseball players to mothers who frequently place their child on the same hip each time.  Each and every person is at risk of having a RSI at some time in their life.

Repetitive strain injuries can occur in different areas of the body.  They develop from frequently repeated actions and can be brought about by short and quick movements, or positions held constantly over time.  This includes gripping a computer mouse, bending your wrists when you type on the keyboard, twisting a screwdriver, hammering, or playing a musical instrument.  The repeated movements can cause microscopic tears to build up in the tissues causing inflammation, swelling and pain. 

What are the Symptoms of Repetitive Strain Injuries?

The first and most common symptom of a RSI is pain with a specific movement.  After that, the pain can occur during the specific movement and during other activities and could last hours after you stop doing the activity.  Other symptoms may include tingling and burning sensations, dull ache, limited range of motion, numb-like sensations, weakness, swelling, hypersensitivity and diminished coordination.  Also pain in one area may radiate to other connecting areas of the body.  For example, pain in the wrist could also refer pain into the elbow and/or shoulder.

Tips for Preventing RSIs

If you work in an office:

• Make sure your desk/workstation is set up to support you as you work.  Adjust your chair so that you can sit comfortably while typing.  Sit up straight.
• Set up your monitor so it is right in front of you, with the top of the screen at eye level.
• Keyboard and mouse should be low enough to  allow you to relax your shoulders.  When typing, make sure your wrists are straight and level with your elbows.
• Don’t bend your hands up at the wrists and never rest your wrists on the desk or armrests while typing or using the mouse.
• Stretch frequently while at the computer.
• Take frequent breaks.  A five-minute break every 20 to 30 minutes can help tremendously.  Get up from your desk, move around, stretch your arms, rotate your shoulders and move your neck around. 
• Ice, if needed.

If you do manual labor:

• Make sure the tools that you use absorb shock and are easy to grip.  Grip the tools as loosely as possible.
• If you work at a table, adjust the height, if at all possible.
• Take frequent breaks.  Again a five-minute break every 20 to 30 minutes will help a lot.  Get up and move around, swing your arms around, move your head.
• Ice, if needed.

In general:

• Try not to do the same movement over and over again.  If you carry a child typically on one hip, rotate hips each time. 
• Try not to carry your purse, briefcase, laptop bag, or diaper bag on the same shoulder.  Rotate shoulders each time.
• Sit at your desk with your spine as straight as possible.
• If you talk on the phone, get a headset so that you aren’t putting extra strain on your neck as you are talking and typing at the same time. 
• Stretch, stretch, stretch and then stretch again.
• Be aware of your body movements–if it feels uncomfortable to you, then change your position to something that is more comfortable.

How Massage Can Help

Massage can help decrease pain and enhance your healing in a variety of ways:

• Helps reduce painful swelling by improving blood and lymph circulation.  This aids in the elimination of accumulated toxins and speeds oxygen and healing nutrients to the tissues.
• Helps relax tight muscles and improve range of motion by lengthening muscles and stretching shortened tissues.
• Can also be used as a preventative measure, releasing tension and reducing inflammation before a repetitive strain injury even develops.

DISCLAIMER~THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN.  IF YOU HAVE SEVERE PAIN AND SWELLING IN A PARTICULAR AREA, PLEASE GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.

Because it seems that everyone is saying things are so bad, it is extremely hard to be able to remember what is good.  Even when we do look at the things we have, sometimes we focus on the negative aspects.  I have a roof over my head, but the carpet needs to be replaced, the sidewalk needs to be fixed, the stairs squeak..the list goes on and on.  I am no longer focusing on what I have to be grateful for, but I am focused on the imperfections.  Instead, I need to be focusing on  the fact that I DO have a roof over my head, in spite of all it’s imperfections.  It is a real house with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, shingles on the roof, a garage for my cars, a large back yard and a safe place, not only for my belongings, but for my family also.  Now I am focused on what I have to be thankful for.

You may be thinking that maybe your house or apartment isn’t as large as so and so’s, but you do have  a roof over your head.  I have lived in countries where a discarded refrigerator box is someone’s home.  It is a very humbling experience to see that.

I take a lot of things for granted.  For instance, I never realized that not everyone, everywhere had washers and dryers until I visited Bolivia where the majority of the people still wash their clothes by hand and hang them out to dry, regardless of the weather.  I didn’t know that not everyplace has running, hot water and/or a bathtub, until I lived in Brazil and had to bathe my kids in a large plastic tub.

The things that I take for granted and consider necessities are actually luxuries for a lot of other people, whether in our country or in other parts of the world.

So what is there to be thankful/grateful for?  Take a look around you and see what you do have.  Remember to focus on what you do have, in spite of all the imperfections.  A great way to help you remember the things that you are thankful for is to keep a gratitude journal.  This could be something as simple as a notebook or an appointment book with dates.  Take some time each night to list 5 things that you are thankful for.

Here is an example of what I could put on my list:

1. A bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup (small thing).
2. A roof over my head (large thing).
3. Time spent with friends and family (non-material).
4. Sunshine or rain (something that is truly out of my control).
5. My health (in spite of all the imperfections, I am fairly healthy).

Take time each evening and write down the things that you have to be grateful for.  Whether it is large or small, it truly doesn’t matter, but take the time to recognize and rejoice in the things that you DO have.  Focus on those things and feel gratitude in your heart for them.

You will be amazed at how different your day will be.  When you see things with gratitude in your heart, your mind will be sharper, your step will be lighter and your day will be filled with wonderful things.

We can reach out and touch someone; anyone actually, throughout the world via email, phone, chat rooms, instant messaging, MySpace, FaceBook, etc.  This list goes on and on.  We could live our lives through a virtual world and actually go days without seeing one single person in real life, if we wanted to!  We are connected through our ever expanding technology more and more.  Technology is great; however, it leaves out one very important aspect that is crucial to our survival–physical touch.

Of all of the senses, touch is the very first one to develop.  As babies, it was through touch that we made sense of the world.  Study after study has shown that touch is important to a baby’s development but it is also crucial to its survival.

Touch is not only a biological need but touch is also a communication tool at a very basic level.  Not only can touch communicate more love in 5 seconds than words can in 5 minutes, it can also communicate more hate and anger.  However, for the purpose of this newsletter, I want to focus on the incredible healing power of touch; on loving touch; on safe touch.

Infants deprived of touch, even when they are getting adequate nutrition, will fail to grow properly.  As children grow, their need for touch just doesn’t disappear; it remains constant and strong.  Touch deprivation in adolescence usually leads to early and inappropriate sexual activity.  Even senior citizens that have become isolated by a loss of their partner and/or friends become depressed not only because of their loss of social interaction, but because of the loss of loving touch from another.

Why do we as human beings crave the touch of another?  Whether in giving or receiving, touch is as essential to human survival as is food.  No other form of connection can be as powerful and universal as touch.  Dr. Tiffany Field, head of the Touch Research Institue, says with confidence, “Everybody needs a steady dose of touch, just as much as diet and exercise.”

Unfortunately, we live in a society that doesn’t encourage touch.  Touch has been degraded and labeled as ‘bad’ because, unfortunately, there are people in this world that will always try to take advantage of another.

As adults, the need for touch doesn’t magically disappear and appear again when we are senior citizens.  That need remains strong and it is usually misinterpreted.  Our need for touch is often passed over or we think that it is related to stress.

Safe, loving, nurturing, non-sexual touch is often in short supply, but high in demand (even though we may not know it).  The only appropriate situations for non-sexual touch is in greeting another person, sports, healthcare and professional touch (hairdressers, cosmeticians, estheticians and massage therapists).

What do we do when we need to be comforted or touched?  We often misinterpret this need as sexual desire, hunger and frustration.  We might seek out sexual situations only because sex requires touch.  We may also turn to food to help satisfy the need for touch.  If we can’t have someone soothe our outer body, then food will certainly soothe our inner body.

We try to satisfy our need for touch in all sorts of ways.  Some ways are more successful than others.  Because we operate on auto pilot, we don’t notice the times when we are being touched and getting our need for touch fulfilled.  We only know that it made us feel better. 

Ways to help with touch deprivation are:

• Ask your partner, or someone who you know and trust, for a hug; or if you are feeling particularly out of sorts, ask them to hold.  No strings attached.
• Get a haircut.  Feel the sensations as they wash your hair and massage your head.
• Get a manicure or a pedicure.  Again pay attention to the sensations as they massage your feet or hands.
• Get a massage.  This is my personal favorite.  Where else can you receive safe, healing, nurturing, non-sexual touch in an environment that is quiet and calming.  Pay attention to the sensations as all the tension and stress seems to melt away from you body.

Touching is an absolutely beautiful, heart-opening and connecting act.  The truth is–touch heals and touch is love.  Touch is the way that a parent can express their love to a child; touch can bring comfort to someone who is grieving.  Loving touch can soothe your soul.  Hugging someone who is having a bad day can have more impact than soothing words.

Touch can be soothing, caring, healing, comforting and reassuring.  So, go ahead–reach out and touch someone.  Give someone a hug, a pat on the back, hold a hand or caress their face.  In that moment when you are touching and giving to someone else, you will also feel touched and connected and you will feel just as good as they do.  However, if you are the one in need of touch, don’t be shy, ask someone you know and trust to give you a hug or hold your hand.  Or take the time out of your busy schedule and get a massage.

Without touch, a baby dies, the human heart aches and the soul withers.~~Phyllis K. Davis

Connective Tissue or Fascia–What is it?  In a healthy state, connective tissue is a fluid like substance that is in every aspect of your body–muscles, bones and cells.  Look at the picture of  ”Mr. Muscle Man” below:

Do you see the “white” areas?  These are large areas of connective tissue.  What the picture fails to show is that not only do you have large areas of connective tissue as seen above, but connective tissue is also in every muscle, every bone, every organ and every cell.  It helps separate your organs and keep them in place.  If you didn’t have this connective tissue or fascia, then when you stood up, all of your organs would fall into your legs.

Under a microscope, fascia resembles a spider web.  It is like the ultimate body suit covering you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, there is no beginning and there is no end.  The entire body is connected to every other part of the body.  It is interwoven like threads in fabric–a continuous weave of material.  Like a pull in a sweater, damage to one area of fascia can affect other distant areas in your body, even years later.

How does fascia affect you?  In a normal healthy state, your fascia is relaxed, soft and flexible.  It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction.  So as you move and stretch, so does your fascia.  However, over time your fascia becomes restricted.  How does this happen?  Well, there are many types of trauma that can happen to you.  There is physical trauma which could be a fall, surgery, car accident or abuse (any type of abuse–physical, mental, sexual or emotional).  Emotional trauma can be just as harrowing and painful as its physical counterpart which could be associated with abuse, changing jobs, divorce or a death in the family.  (Please note that these traumas, whether physical or emotional, are NOT all inclusive.)  Along with these traumas, there is also inflammation or even habitual poor posture that can have a cumulative effect over time.  Your fascia becomes tight, restricted, less flexible and less pliable and can become a source of tension throughout the rest of your body.

A good example for this would be a rubber band.  When the rubber band is new, it is flexible, pliable and can move any way that you want it to move.  Now take the same rubber band and put a couple of knots (trauma) in it.  It still has the ability to move, but the movement is far less flexible than it was previously.  As time goes on, then the rubber band gets even less flexible and pliable and actually can become brittle and weak, therefore, making any type of movement very restrictive.

So when you have these fascial restrictions, it places an exorbitant amount of pressure on everything in your body–muscles, joints, bones, etc.  This pressure can cause pain and restriction of normal motion.

How Massage and Bodywork Can Help–I attended a conference this past August on Myofascial Release which was put on by John F. Barnes, PT.  He is the founder of Myofascial Release (MFR).  MFR is a whole body approach and follows what the body is in need of.  MFR works with the connective tissue/fascia of the body.  MFR is different than a normal massage since it works with the fascia and not just the muscles.  MFR uses gentle, sustained pressure in the area of restriction and is held anywhere from 2-5 minutes.  By using this sustained pressure, it allows permanent elongation of the tissue.  As these layers are released, pain is decreased and you gain greater flexibility and ease of movement.  For more information regarding MFR, please visit www.myofascialrelease.com.

Since MFR is a very subtle technique, I combine it with massage.  I know you have heard me say that when you make changes to one part of your body, you are making changes to all of your body.  By incorporating MFR and massage, then I am helping your body relax and accept the changes that are being made.

What does MFR feel like?  As the restriction is released, it can feel like taffy lengthening or butter melting.  There could be a burning or ripping sensation (think ‘Indian burn’ from your childhood), a pulsing, tingling or release of heat.  You may feel these things right away or it may take longer.  You may also feel these sensations in other parts of your body besides where I am working–remember that fascia is everywhere in your body and connects one aspect of your body to every other aspect.

There may be times when I am doing MFR that you, the client, may feel emotions like crying, sadness, anger, etc.  This happens because memories (traumas) that are associated with the restriction are triggered.  If this should happen, please stay present with what you are feeling and breathe into the sensations and emotions.  Healing can occur more readily if you allow yourself to feel your emotions.  Remember that the massage room is a safe and sacred space.  I respect your privacy and confidentiality, and as such, anything and everything that happens within those walls remains confidential and private.

Is MFR right for you?  If you have been a regular client of mine, chances are that I have done some sort of MFR on you.  Again, it isn’t something that I would spend a whole session doing; it is incorporated with regular massage.  If you don’t remember me doing this particular technique and would like to try it, please let me know and we can incorporate it into your next regular massage.  I also have some books that could be helpful in answering any questions that you may have.