Myofascial Massage

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on February 21, 2011

MollieShea took a continuing education class at the Healing Arts Center.  She wanted to share what she learned…

 “We tend to think of the body in compartments, everything is isolated, individual and separate.  In this way we lose sight of the fact that disease and dysfunction are part of the whole person; body, mind, spirit.  By acknowledging the connectedness of humans we can work with the nonlinear mind-body unity.  Myofascial massage has to do with wholeness.  Applying constant pressure in the fascia restriction deep in the body causes significant releases within the whole system, affecting the whole body.   

 Myofascial Massage is a whole body, hands-on approach for treating the human structure.  It focuses on the fascial system.   Fascia, pronounced fa-sha, is a tough connective tissue that spreads throughout the body in a web from head to foot without interruption.  I refer to it as a net sometimes, a densely woven covering, it’s the “glue” that holds the body together.  Fascia covers and binds together muscles and organs permitting the body to retain its normal shape and maintain correct positioning.  I like to compare it to an orange; you have the peel of the orange with the white pith holding the skin to the fruit.  Then each section of orange is surrounded by a thin casing and each piece of pulp, in each section, is encased in a membrane.  Fascia is similar in the body; it attaches our skin to the muscle under it and surrounds every muscle and each muscle fiber.  If you have prepared raw meat and you know what silver skin is, you have seen fascia.  There are different levels of fascia; superficial – lying directly below the skin, deep – surrounding and infused with muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels and organs, and deepest – the dura of the craniosacral system, encasing the central nervous system and the brain.

In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy.  It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction.  When we experience physical trauma the fascia loses its pliability.  Things like falling, scarring, surgery or just habitual poor posture and repetitive stress injuries have a cumulative affect.  The changes they cause influence comfort and functioning of our bodies, they affect our flexibility and stability. 

 With trauma, malfunction, scaring, inflammation and poor posture the fascia becomes more solid and shortened.  This restriction and tension affects the whole body.  Due to the continuity of fascia, these lines of tension can produce seemingly unrelated results in adjacent areas of the body.  Fascial strain can slowly tighten, causing the body to lose its adaptive capacity and over time the tightness spreads like a pull in a sweater.  Flexibility and spontaneity of movement are lost, setting the body up for more pain and limitation.  The powerful fascial restrictions pull the body out of alignment.  This is why myofascial massage goes so well with chiropractic care. 

 When Myofascial massage is performed, gentle traction forces are applied to the fascial restrictions which will elicit an increase in blood flow to the affected area, realign fascial planes and reset soft tissue motion.  The goal is to remove the restrictions and restore the body’s equilibrium.  When the location of the restriction is determined, gentle pressure is applied in its direction; this pulls the fibers straight.  The area is slowly stretched and sustained pressure is used to release the fascial restriction. 

 Some conditions which would be reason to avoid myofascial massage are malignant cancer, infections, acute circulatory condition, acute rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis or advanced degenerative changes, and advanced diabetes.”

 If you would like more information or would like to schedule a massage appointment with MollieShea please call (314) 439-5548. 

Thank You from Friends of Kids with Cancer

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on February 10, 2011

We got a letter from Friends of Kids with Cancer the other day and I wanted to share it with you all. 

On behalf of everyone at Friends of Kids with Cancer we want you to know that you hold a special place in the hearts of the families we serve.  Putting a smile on the face of a child battling cancer is the ultimate reward anyone could receive.  Your donation of toys helped to create those smiles for these suffering kids along with their siblings.  Thank you very much for being so generous and thoughtful to our cause. 

May you all enjoy a prospurous and happy 2011; as your continual support will help make 2011 happy for all the families we serve.

With appreciation and friendship,

Judy Ciapciak – Executive Director

To all of our patients who donated toys to the drive; Thank you.  We will be doing another Toy Drive this year and we hope you all will be able to participate.  Have a great day. 

Yours in Good Health,

Dr. Gina, Dr. Tushaus, MollieShea and Elvira. 

Valentine’s Month Sale

Posted in: Blog by chirocare on February 3, 2011

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Treat yourself or the one you love to a

MASSAGE

One-Hour for $50 (valued at $60)

Ninety-Minutes for $75 (valued at $85)

Make this year special with the gift of relaxation.

Purchase in February and use by the end of the year!

Call MollieShea to schedule (314) 439-5548

$10 OFF MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATES