Anne the RMT - Blog

For every season...

9/16/2024

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV)

Ecclesiastes speaks to the cyclical nature of life, drawing parallels between the seasons of the earth and the seasons of human existence. It reminds us that just as the earth experiences different seasons, our lives also go through periods of growth, change, and renewal.

Be gentle with yourselves this season and embrace the changes and beauty in your surroundings.

warmly, Anne

Feeling like you're falling apart?

4/30/2024

There is nothing more relaxing than having a massage to work out the tension from overused and exhausted muscles. And regular massage therapy can be a great addition to your mental health wellness plan. But how you might ask…

Stress can be the source of muscle tension by causing blood vessels to constrict (get smaller), reducing circulation. This decreased circulation affects the brain and hinders the ability to focus, problem-solve and be productive. When muscles are tense, and circulation decreases, your mental health may be at risk.

Massage can increase circulation through a variety of techniques and massage styles. It stimulates nerve receptors causing the blood vessels to dilate (open up), it increases oxygen capacity, and relaxes muscles - triggering the body’s relaxation response. A relaxed and healthy body promotes a relaxed and healthy mind.

Know that massage may play an important wellness role by helping you relax and keep your body and mind balanced.

So book a massage with your favourite RMT, and enjoy some well deserved table time this week to honour your own wellness during Mental Health Awareness Week.

*****
Mental health Awareness is the ongoing effort to reduce the stigma around mental illness and mental health conditions and encourages people to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health.

About one in seven Canadians use health services for a mental illness annually, and in a given year, about one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness.

RMTs can collaborate with other health professionals such as psychologists and psychotherapists to ensure their shared patients receive the best possible care. [source: #rmtao]

My Stilettos are making me pee a little?

4/8/2024

Did you know those beautiful, pointy-toed, three-inch wonder-pumps you just bought could also contribute to pelvic floor imbalance, causing symptoms such as urinary incontinence? Yes, high heels can be gorgeous and show off those lovely gams - but they can also be a problem for your posture, the balance of your pelvis, your muscles (feet, legs, hips, back etc.), and your spine.

The problem is in the change to our posture and everything we have to do to compensate for it. High heels shorten our calves and put us in a constant state of falling forward. In order to accommodate for that, the normal, gentle “S” curve from the base of the skull down to the tailbone is exaggerated. You then need to stick out your chest, pull your shoulders back and keep your knees and hips slightly bent to achieve your normal straight up-and-down alignment.

In order to stop the body from actually falling-forward fully, the abdominal and gluteal muscles are tightened and held engaged in order to stabilize the forward-leaning posture. Maybe this is good for accentuating some lovely curves, but this full-body workout could be causing damage to your pelvic floor.

When the abdominal muscles are held too tightly for too long, they are actually overtraining the pelvic floor muscles. And that does not favour correct functioning or balance of the pelvis, which in turn could cause a myriad of issues including incontinence.

The key to regaining your normal posture is gentle stretching, achieving muscle and structural balance through manual therapies such as regular massage, having a better plan for wearing high heels if you chose to wear them, and getting quality footwear for your own individual foot type.

When is your next massage?

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #redshoes #footmassage #posture

It's Take-your-bra-off O'Clock!

4/1/2024

If they could bottle how good it feels to take off your bra, that would sell for more than any expensive wine!

There are many conflicting reports between science and myth about whether wearing a bra is good or bad for breasts and overall health.

MYTH #1: Going Braless - the breasts will sag without a bra for support. There is no evidence on this one, but genetics, weight, pregnancy, hormone cycles and the natural aging process are most likely what leads to sagging breasts.

MYTH #2 - Reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by going braless, and throwing away the underwire bra. Again, no science to back these allegations up.

This myth appears to be based on the idea that wearing a wire bra affects lymphatic drainage which in turn puts you at risk for cancer. The cancer connection is not verified, but it is safe to say that any garment that impedes regular lymphatic flow and circulation may cause your body imbalance, swelling (edema), pain and possibly even illness.

A poorly fitted bra can cause pain in the neck, back, ribs, and the chest muscles. Excessively tight shoulder straps may also affect the shoulders and neck. In those who wear a bra, the shoulder straps are one of the main supports for the breasts. Over several years, this tension may cause a permanent groove in the soft tissue of the shoulders. Wearing a correctly fitting bra may help improve posture and prevent back pain, particularly for people with larger breasts.

The TAKE-AWAY: Be sure that you are wearing properly fitted bras. Be mindful that nothing is impeding your circulation or cutting into your skin. If there are marks and grooves on your body at the end of the day, chances are that you aren’t wearing a properly sized bra.

See a professional bra fitter if you can – it will change your world. And of course, get regular massage to soothe the aches and pains in your hard-working muscles that support your breasts every day.

When is your next massage?

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #breasthealth #bra

oh my sacrotuberous.... wait, what?

3/25/2024

Most of us are familiar with the sacroiliac, the SI joint, and sciatica. But what about the all-important Sacrotuberous Ligament and Pudendal Nerve?

The pudendal nerve is a close neighbour to the sciatic nerve and is an important player in providing pelvic function and health. It is responsible for sensory and motor innervation to the sex organs as well as the urine, bladder, and anal sphincters. Impingement of this nerve can cause pelvic burning, tingling or numbing pain; pain with elimination or sexual functions; or pain in the lower back and outside thigh.

This nerve originates from S2-S4 spinal segments, then splits from the nerve just before it enters the sacral plexus. Here it exits the pelvis again right beside the sciatic nerve; and then almost immediately re-enters the pelvis, until it finally settles into the fascial ‘pudendal canal’ along the surface of the obturator internus muscle. Phew! With such weaving in and out of our pelvis, is it no wonder that this nerve can get compromised and cause some trouble?

The most problematic parts of the pudendal canal are the sacrospinous and especially the sacrotuberous ligaments. Our most likely suspects to cause imbalance in these ligaments are our hard-working gluteal muscles and hamstrings! Be sure to keep these muscles and ligaments healthy and give them some table time during your massage treatments.

Who knew that those tight glutes and hamstrings could cause such issues “down there”?

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario
#glutes #hamstrings #pelvicfloorbalance #pelvicfloorhealth #pudendalneuralgia

Ants in your pants.... or on your leg?

3/18/2024

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), is known as a kind of neurological disease that is prevalent but easy to be ignored. Studies* have demonstrated that massage therapy can effectively reduce the symptoms of patients with RLS and improve their quality of life.

Traditional massage techniques including tui na, acupressure, and myofascial releases are used, and are beneficial to the well-being of patients both physically and mentally. On one hand, massage can alleviate the tension in the skin and muscles, promoting blood circulation and enhancing the immune system. On the other hand, massage can prompt the releases of dopamine inside the human body, making the patient feel pleased and relaxed. Although massage therapy does not treat RLS directly, plenty of research has demonstrated that massage is effective in reducing the symptoms associated with RLS.

When is your next massage?

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #selfcare #rls #restlesslegsyndrome #restlesslegs

*from research found on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

oh that PAIN IN THE NECK!

3/11/2024

Having pain around the back of the head and up into the scalp? It may not be a regular headache. It could be entrapment of one of the occipital nerves, most commonly the greater occipital nerve.

Soft-tissue work and release techniques around the entrapment site can free up the nerve nicely and alleviate symptoms and nagging pain.

This is just one of the great benefits from a detailed neck and scalp massage. Be sure to include neck work in your regular massage treatments or take a full hour with Anne’s HEAD, SCALP + FACE MASSAGE treatment.

Your muscles will thank you for the much-needed TLC!

When is your next massage?

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #neckpain #painintheneck #headaches #scalpmassage

PSA: Pelvic Floor Personal Trainer

3/8/2024

The term “use it or lose it” applies to all of the muscles of your body including your pelvic floor muscles. When it comes to our pelvic floor, we often think kegals, or sweat-bands, and work out regimes.

But did you know that going for a nice walk is actually one of the best ways to exercise your pelvic floor – and your entire body, mind and spirit!?

Of course, it is recommended that all women exercise their pelvic floor muscles every day to prevent weakness, improve strength and keep overall balance. But please understand that regular gentle exercise, such as walking, is one of the most natural ways to keep pelvic floor muscles happy … and the fresh air will do you a load of good!

So grab your beau, your friend, or your “personal trainer” and enjoy the great outdoors every chance you get!

When is your next massage?
I have space on my table. Let me know if you’d like to chat about treatments!

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #getoutside #getmoving #womenshealth

Insomnia... the struggle is real.

3/4/2024

Adequate sleep is necessary for healthy functioning, and quality sleep is vital to health and wellness. But so many of us experience poor sleep patterns, or can’t get enough sleep – which affects our health and our day-to-day activities. But how can you possibly get a better sleep?
The National Institute of Health has advised that massage therapy can reduce fatigue and improve sleep. Based on research gathered by the American Massage Therapy Association, massage has been shown to improve sleep in infants, children, adults, and the elderly alike, as well as individuals with psychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, cancer, heart disease, lower back pain, cerebral palsy, and breast disease.

Because melatonin influences the sleep stage of an individual’s circadian rhythm, massage is a natural way of boosting serotonin (a precursor to melatonin), making it a positive sleep-inducing option.

Getting regular massage treatment is a smart, healthy, and drug-free option that has helped many people overcome insomnia when included in an overall plan for better sleeping.

When is your next massage?
I have space on my table. Let me know if you’d like to chat about treatments!
#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #insomnia #sleep

Sing out loud - sing out strong!

3/1/2024

Singing is good for the soul, but did you know it is also good for your jaw and pelvic floor… and a whole bunch in between like the diaphragm?

What does the pelvic floor have to do with singing you might ask? The diaphragm, which is located at the base of your lungs and ribs, works ‘in concert’, or along with, the pelvic floor muscles. They have a pressure relationship. When the diaphragm descends, the pelvic floor descends. When the diaphragm is elevated, the pelvic floor is elevated.

When the pelvic floor is too tight or too weak, it is much harder for the diaphragm to move up and down and to control a steady airflow in and out. When this happens, the muscles of the upper chest, neck and jaw will tighten and take the load of pushing the air out to sing. Singers will be out of breath, may have a sore throat, and may not be able to hit the notes they need to.
How can singing help this situation? Well, when you are aware of your diaphragm, pelvic floor and jaw muscles, and you try to relax them when singing, you are actually helping to re-coordinate your postural muscles and you are exercising the hard-working group of breathing muscles.

Today’s Homework: go sing – sing in the shower, in the car, for your friends or on stage – just sing! It brings joy to the spirit, and it brings joy to many of your muscles that yearn to be balanced! The more you sing, the more you will be releasing the tightness in your jaw, mouth and your pelvic floor! Be sure to include a diaphragm release in your regular massage treatments as well. Your muscles will thank you for the much-needed TLC!

#wortleyvillagermt #wortleyvillage #oldsouthheart #healthylifelondonontario #sing #diaphragm #guthealth #breathwork #pelvicfloor