Massage Therapy for Post Polio Sequelae

The following article was submitted to me by a client who is active in raising awareness of those in emotional and physical recovery of polio. The information is very much appreciated!

 August 15, 2007 by:

yodave

          Since the early 1990's a mystery disease has been affecting baby boomers. Once thought to be a variation of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome along with Fibromyalgia, Post Polio Sequelae or the

Post Polio Flu as it is most commonly termed, has been affecting the joints, muscles and tissues of Polio survivors.

My mother is a Polio survivor who missed the iron lung treatment. In the early 1990's she began to get very weak, to the point where being able to exercise or even walk a short distance was impossible. Doctor's diagnosed depression, citing midlife crisis, and when that didn't work tried diagnosing Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome along with Lupus and a whole host of other disorders. What we knew, was that she was genuinely ill.

It wasn't until the pain in her feet got so bad that she was given morphine shots that we began to get any assistance. Taking herself to physiotherapy as a last resort, the Physiotherapist gently tried to relieve leg muscles that were quickly atrophying from lack of use, this Physiotherapist believed we would be better using the services of a Massage therapist who could work the muscles and tissues and help the immune system recover.

Going to a massage therapist instead of a physiotherapist made all the difference. Massage, unlike physiotherapy concentrates on healing the whole body. When an area of the body is massaged or manipulated, the lymph nodes are better able to carry blood and oxygen to all the organs of the body. As oxygen is increased, the auto-immune system sends a message to the brain that the body is in fact recovering from a trauma, or in this case a real disease.

Post Polio Sequelae causes the muscles to seize up, and become useless. The body then goes into 'panic mode' which means that although pressure little blood and oxygen is getting to the affected muscles, now even less will get there as we begin to panic. As our breathing shallows, our stress levels go up and our muscles tighten even more.

After a detailed inventory, the massage therapist will typically seek to relax a patient by using standard Swedish therapy characterized by five deep hand strokes that fan out from the top of the rib cage down to the waist. Once this is done, blood flow throughout the central nervous system is restored and the patient is relaxed enough to have the more serious areas massaged.

Often it is the legs and feet that are most affected by Post Polio Sequelae. The feet often become curled, and it is difficult to walk on them. Here the feet are kneaded using a form of massage therapy called deep tissue massage. Often quite painful, this deep kneading, releases tension deep within the muscles and tissues, forcing them to relax, and blood to flow through. If a knot is encountered by the therapist, trigger point therapy is applied to help alleviate the knot and the pain. The process is then re-applied to the ankles, calves and thighs.

Often quite painful, using a combination of three different types of massage therapy can and does bring relief to those with Post Polio Sequelae. The massage allows the tissues to heal themselves, and promotes blood flow so they do not cramp up and become sore again.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/340706/massage_therapy_for_post_polio_sequelae.html?singlepage=true&cat=70

The Wellness Model

Wellness is a concept in which a person takes responsibility for his/her state of health. It's a preventative plan, where one makes an effort to recognize conditions, situations, and practices that may be threatening to his and her health and tries to change them in order to live a healthier life. Wellness involves adopting practices that enhance health such as a low-fat, high-fiber diet, exercise, a balance between work and play, and a positive mental and spiritual attitude. One should also try to reduce health risks and stress from their lifestyle. It's more than physical health. It's often represented on an equilateral triangle. It's a balance of mind, body, and spirit. A wellness oriented person strives to attain a healthy balance between these three.

Keeping your Back Healthy

Here are a few tips from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:

• stretch and warm tissue before exercise or other strenuous activities.
• practice good posture. Avoid slouching when sitting or standing.
• when standing, keep weight balanced on both feet.
• follow good ergonomics in the workplace. When sitting for long periods of time, rest feet on a foot support. Make sure your chair and work surfaces are at the proper height. Get up and move around in between long sitting stints.
• avoid high-heeled shoes.
• watch your weight. Excess weight especially around the waist, can put undue stress on the lower back muscles.
• take vitamins and minerals
• don't lift items that are heavier than you can handle. Remember to lift with your knees, not your back. Pull in stomach muscles, keep your head down and in line with your straight back, and do not twist when lifting.
• get massaged. Using therapeutic bodywork can melt pain-inducing stress away from your back and the rest of your body.

Medicupping

Summer is just beginning, come visit us at Hartwell Massage Clinic and let us help you get you ready for the beach with MediCupping.

 

 MediCupping bodywork is a pleasant and gentle, non-invasive technique that achieves powerful results in:

• Cellulite Reduction Releasing Tight, Contracted Muscle Tissue
• Pain Reduction Contouring the Face and Body
• Joint Mobility Assisting with Weight Loss Programs
• Lymph Drainage Atheletic Performance Enhancement
• Scar Reduction Detoxification- movement of stagnation
• Skin Toning and Firming
• Pre- and Post Operative Therapy to Shorten Recovery Time and Enhance Surgical Results

 

Conditions that respond to medicupping bodywork:

• Fibromyalgia Neuralgia
• Poor circulation Poorly nourished skin and muscle tissue  
• Sciatica Lung inflammation and Congestion
• Insomnia and Anxiety Migraines, tension headaches, Sinusitis
• Cellulite High/Low Blood Pressure
• Toxicity Sluggish colon/ IBS  
• Asthma and Pneumonia Stagnant lymph and edema
• TMJ dysfunction Pre- and Post- Operative conditions
• Diabetes Atheletic stress and injury  
• Parkinson's Disease Bursitis, Tendonitis, and Plantar Fasciitis  
• Chronic Pain Scars and Adhesions
• Menopause Spider veins and Varicosities
• Arthritis Muscular Aches

 

        By creating suction and negative pressure Massage Cupping therapy is used to soften tight muscles and tone attachments, loosen adhesions, and lift connective tissues and drain excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. Massage Cupping bodywork is versatile and can be easily modified to accomplish a range of techniques from lymphatic drainage to deep tissue release. It wakes the body up and makes it feel invigorated, at the same time producing profound levels of healing through nervous system sedation. It stimulates the skin by increasing circulation while seperating fused tissue layers and draining lymph to promote a smooth appearance and healthy glow. It works deeper by loosening adhesions and facilitating the muscles to operate more independently and stimulating healthy eliminatoins of accumulated debris in the tissues, organs, and systems.

 

 $35/30 min

 

$60/60 min

 

 

 

8 sessions are necessary to achieve maximum results. We will be offering a 20% discount throughout the month of July for those he prepay on their MediCupping plan.

 

Do My Hands Ever Get Tired?

OK, I get this question all the time! When I was in Massage School doing clinicals, I would only do two or three sessions a day. My hands usually did not get tired, but this did help to strengthen them. Of course, I did do hand exercises, too, as I still do when I'm being a good little massage therapist. After I got out of school, and into the real world of massage therapy, the people who scheduled the massages did not care how many sessions you had done that day. So, yes, If I did more than seven or eight massages in one day my hands would be tired and hurt. Luckily, I do my own scheduling these days, and I have learned it's foolish to book more appointments than my body can handle. Every now and then I'll over do it, go home, put BioFreeze on my hands and wrist, and complain to my husband.

Exercise for Healing Greif

1. Create some uninterrupted time for yourself. Sit comfortably or lie down.
2. Identify that you may be feeling a loss- sometimes the exact loss is unclear.
3. Ask yourself, and recognize, what am I feeling now?
4. Bring awareness to the center of your chest. Place your hand there and focus on your breathe. Notice the sensations, are they warm,cold, heavy, constricted, frozen? Is there a color? Does imagery arise?
5. If you start to be distracted by outside thoughts, return your awareness to the sensations under your hand on your chest.
6. Stay with the sensations long enough to notice that they are changing in motion. Your only task is to bring your full attention to these sensations.
7. Rest and integrate. Remind yourself that letting go is painful for everyone and the feelings will pass. Remember that greiving is a natural process.
8. Refocus. Bring your full attention back to your physical environment and continue your day with a sense of accomplishment.

Cars & Guitars Under the Stars

              On May 29, Hartwell Massage Clinic was proud to be a vendor at the local car show. The vendors were located in the MLK parking lot beside the post office. Among the other vendors were Zaxby's, O'Reily's auto parts, Pizza Hut and many more. The event was hosted by the Hart County Chamber of Commerce,and all those involved did a wonderful job! I was assisted by Michele Dipert. If you've ever been in the Chamber, you know how nice it is to be greeted by Michele's friendly smile and helpful attitude.

 The event was held to raise money for the pre 4th fireworks display, coming up next month. There was sooooooooo many really nice cars at the show. It was a variety of makes and models from Model T's to Corvettes.It was a sight to behold especially for automotive lovers like my husband.  Cody owns a 1977 El Camino. He named it Amber 2, and, he says, he doesn't know which Amber is more trouble. Hartwell Massage Clinic met lots of new people, gave away lots of coupons, sold lots of chair massages, and had a really great time.

 Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Around 3:00 pm it really started to pour, and we decided to call it a day. If you haven't before, I recommend you should check out the Cars & Guitars under the stars next Memorial Day weekend. Shake and Bake.