Try These 3 Techniques.
My family and I have certainly had our share of aches and pains, yet we lead very active and full lives! Over the years, we have found some great strategies, that we can do ourselves, to help us manage these discomforts and stay well. Our three favourite techniques, described below, are a great adjunct to any manual therapy, from physiotherapy and chiropractic treatments to massage, and even to practices like yoga and qigong. The great thing about them is that they are all portable!
MELT METHOD - Good for releasing tension and realigning the body.
MELT was introduced in 2004, stands for Myofascial Energetic Length Technique. It was created by Sue Hitzmann, a manual therapist, to improve the qualities of connective tissue known as fascia. This creates more balance and stability in muscles and joints. The techniques help restore fluid flow within your body’s fascial network. The Melt Method is a body technique that uses specific balls, rollers and movement techniques to relieve muscle tension and tissue dehydration. I was first introduced to MELT by my Pilates instructor. I was amazed and how effective the gentle techniques were for improving mobility and reducing tension. I loved it so much that I introduced it to my family. We use MELT regularly for improving performance during sports events and workouts, reducing injury, recovering from high impact activities and even treating aches form daily stress! We also always travel with our MELT balls, which help restore sore feet form miles of walking.
The best way to try MELT is to look for a class in your city. Classes are often offered through pilates or yoga studios by trained instructors allowing you to ask questions and see what techniques might suit you best.
To find out more about melt check out the MELT website here.
TAPPING - Portable tool using acupressure points for pain relief.
Tapping, also known as EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), is a technique that has been used effectively manage a range of issues, including anxiety and chronic pain. I discovered the method several years ago when a friend of mine mentioned it to me. Then it was discussed again while I was taking my MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) course in Toronto. Of course, I had to give it a try! I use Tapping for many things, but my favourite application of this technique is for pain management. Tapping can be a great adjunct to other modalities. The brilliant part about Tapping is that it's portable and you don't need any equipment, making it always available. The book, The Tapping Solution for Pain, by Nick Ortner, is a great place to start. It takes the technique even further to helped uncover the emotional aspects of pain as well as longstanding beliefs that can contribute to discomfort, resulting in a very comprehensive approach.
So how does Tapping work? Tapping is based on the use of acupressure points and some principles of psychology. You begin by tapping with the fingertips on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. This sends a calming signal to the brain's stress centre, the amygdala, and helps to calm the nervous system. Studies show that while Tapping, the brain actually changes its brain waves, similar to what is seen with meditation. Studies have also shown that Tapping improves immune markers and reduces cortisol levels, indicating stress reduction.
I often use tapping on its own when I experience a general headache or to reduce the soreness after a workout. It can take 5 to 10 minutes but sometimes 15 to 20 minutes and may require multiple sessions to see a significant benefit.
Try this tapping meditation from The Tapping Solution to get a taste of what Tapping is like!
FOUNDATION TRAINING - Improves posture and back pain
Foundation Training (FT), is new to our family’s toolbox, yet it has had a great impact. This is another technique that requires no equipment and can be done anywhere! Created by chiropractor Eric Goodman, who used the technique to that his severe back pain, it uses gravity and simple movement techniques to strengthen the muscles in your back-body, known to manual therapists as the posterior chain. This helps to undo the stress from our daily activities that mostly activate the front of our body, causing an imbalance and pain. Particularly useful if you have a sedentary lifestyle, this is a technique you can use throughout the workday to help you maintain better posture and feel better. The technique is particularly useful for back pain. We love to use the FT exercise throughout the day to decompress our bodies from all the sitting and to help activate the right muscles before a workout. FT is used by many athletes and even celebrities like Chris Hemsworth.😉 For more information go to Foundation Training
See Dr. Goodman’s TedX Talk here.
These modalities should not be considered a replacement for proper medical evaluation and it is always best to check with your healthcare practitioner to ensure it is safe for you to use these techniques
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Disclaimer: The content in this blog is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog or on this website.