As I dive deeper into learning the nuances of the human body and movement, I have been intrigued by certain patterns that emerge. I see similar symptoms when working with all kinds of athletes who range in body type, sport, and daily living. Although the choice of recreation and career varies, we all share a [...]
Lower-Crossed Syndrome is a muscle imbalance pattern I frequently see in clients on a regular basis. Similar to Upper-Crossed Syndrome, there is a relationship between muscle groups where some become overdominant (facilitated) and others become weakened (inhibited). With Lower-Crossed Syndrome, this relationship occurs at the pelvis and surrounding musculature. Overdominant muscles groups include the rectus [...]
Shin splints, technically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, describes pain upon the inside of the shin bone where the fascia pulls away from the bone during excessive exercise. Shin splints are common among athletes and soldiers, especially runners who are training for an event too quickly without adequate recovery. Shin splints are responsible for [...]
Achilles Tendinopathy describes an acute strain or rupture of the strongest and longest tendon in the human body, the Achilles Tendon. The Achilles tendon, also named the Calcaneal tendon, handles loads of up to 12.5 times bodyweight and is formed from the joining of two muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus. Both of these muscles act [...]
Upper Cross Syndrome is a pattern of myofascial tension related to poor posture, muscle imbalances, and behavioral holding patterns. UCS is also referred to as shoulder girdle crossed syndrome due to the specific postural changes including forward head posture, increased cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis, elevated and protracted shoulders, and rotation and abduction and winging of the scapulae (1). These postural [...]
You're going through a stressful time in your life. Whether it's work, relationships, finances, your health, traffic, there is always something that can trigger your stress response and send you down the road of holding that stress somewhere in your body. For most of us, it's the upper shoulders and neck. Others hold stress in [...]
Have you ever experienced achy muscles, tingling, or tight areas that don't respond to movement? The majority of us will answer, "Yes!", because these are common effects of living in the gravitational world. No matter how hard we try we are bound to acquire trigger points. "Posture, work conditions, sedentary habits, and injury can cause [...]
We have set-up shop in beautiful Bend, OR within Wellness Doctor Natural Healthcare and Chiropractic Sports Medicine. Renée and I will both be offering Fascial Stretch Therapy in addition to my massage therapy and bodywork. We are very excited for the new opportunity to function within a multidisciplinary environment with 2 Sports Chiropractic Physicians, 1 Acupuncturist, [...]
The topic of breathing has been coming up more lately in my day-to-day sessions with clients as well as my own reading and meditation practice. There are several methods on how to instruct breathing dating back to the practices of yoga up to the current methods in physical therapy. As a massage therapist and movement [...]
First, let's take a look at a brief background to lead up to Meridian massage. In Tuina, the ancient medical system of China, the theory of qi (chi) energy flow tells of how, where, and when this life force of chi circulates the body. There is a pattern, or biorhythm clock, where chi energy reaches [...]
