Are your first steps of the day painful?

Although it is not limited to this time of year, it is at this time when I see an influx of foot pain complaints.  Why? We have just finished our warm season when people were more apt to be barefoot or wear summer sandals without proper support. 

Each foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  The odds of one becoming irritated from a small shift in our arch support, weight, activities, gait, etc. is huge.    

One ligament in particular that can become weak, swollen, and inflamed is the plantar fascia.  It is the flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes and supports the arch of your foot.  When irritated, pain is usually felt on the heel and underside of your foot.  It is most intense with the first steps of the day.  This condition is referred to Plantar Fasciitis.

Massage can help reduce your pain significantly and with guidance on proper stretching and icing you can be on your way to a pain free day.

For more information on the benefits of massage and available services visit www.bodyinbalancetherapy.com

Are you, or do you know someone who is carrying around a little pumpkin?

 

A women's body goes through several physical adaptations not to mention their emotions.

A study at the University of Miami School of Medicine found that massage therapy during pregnancy has multiple positive effects including:

·         Lowered anxiety
·         Decreased back and leg pain
·         Improved sleep
·         Decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine

In another study of pregnancy massage in depressed women, researchers found:
·         Increased levels of the "feel-good" hormones serotonin and dopamine
·         Decreased levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress
·         An overall improvement in mood

A little PRE-Halloween tip for PRE-Natal women! 

Zucchini Burn Out

Each year it never fails that the first crop of zucchini comes out and everyone is making zucchini bread.  Next comes zucchini muffins, zucchini pancakes, zucchini casserole, zucchini chips, zucchini, zucchini, zucchini.......Heck, it is not uncommon to see baskets of them at the end of driveways with a "Free" sign only to find the basket still full on your way back through.

But you don't have to suffer from Zucchini Burn Out.  There is help!  Freeze it!

Zucchini is very easy to freeze and since it is so versatile, having a good crop in your freezer should not be a problem to unload throughout the winter months for soups and your favorite zucchini recipes.

Here's how to do it:

Prepare the zucchini as you would use it  - shredded, chopped, sliced, cubed, etc. 

Prepare a bowl of ice cold water and set to the side.

Bring a pot of water to a full boil.  Add your zucchini to the boiling water and time it for 3 minutes only.  (This process helps maintain vitamins and reduces the actions of enzymes. It will help them stay fresh longer in the freezer).

Remove the zucchini and immediately place in the ice cold water for at least 3 minutes.  This stops the zucchini from over cooking. 

Next, drain well. Pat dry or roll gently in a towel to dry. Salad spinner is a great option too.

Measure and place into freezer bags or containers. Make sure to get as much air out of the bags as possible.  If possible, place in the back of the freezer where the temperature is more consistent. 

That's it!  Now you can enjoy your own organic fresh produce in your favorite recipes year round.

Laughed Myself to Sleep

I slept straight through the night and slept an extra hour this morning. How?  I had an evening of belly laughing humor.  Laughter has many positive physical impacts on your body. 

When you laugh or even simpler, when you smile, it triggers your brain to release endorphins which act like morphine, reducing your perception of pain and aiding muscle relaxation.  You get a similar effect from exercise e.g. "the runner's high" Long term effects include improved immune system, pain relief, improved mood, and overall increase in personal satisfaction. 

Check out what's happening in your local area. Are there any comedy groups playing?  Invite friends over or have game night with your family and play simple silly games like Pictionary or Headbanz (my personal favorite).  When deciding what to watch for T.V. - choose a good comedy!

X Marks The Spot - Not Always!

Clients often come in for their massage therapy session and point right where they are feeling discomfort and say "right there, that's where I want you to dig in"  I in turn make an "X" on the "human figure" drawing that is in their chart indicating where on their body they are feeling discomfort.  After a few more intake questions or posture evaluations to try to get to root cause, I design their massage therapy session specific to their needs. 

One day as I began to work on a client's low back they quickly spoke up and said "No, my pain is not there, it is up on the right side of my neck" to which I replied "I understand however I would like to address the root cause of the problem first" (in this particular case).

You see, as I explain to my clients - the source of your discomfort is not always where you are feeling it.  Our body has an amazing pain referral pattern or trigger points that send pain signals to different parts of our bodies.  Furthermore, every muscle has an opposite opposing muscle to help maintain balance.  If one muscle is tight, the discomfort can be felt in the opposing muscle, or the muscles above, or the muscles below, or.....you get the point - it is not necessarily the tight muscle itself. 

So, when it comes to muscle pain or discomfort "X" does not always mark the spot!

Welcome

"Welcome to Body in Balance Therapy's new blog.  I am so happy you decided to check it out.  Check back often to see health tips,  yummy recipes, and the latest ideas kicking around to keep you healthy and balanced.  If you have any suggestions for topics you would like me to post about, please leave me a comment.  Body In Balance wants YOU to feel your best!"