Pain at the End Range of Joints- While the Range Changes the Pain May Not

   In working with a client who is in pain in a particular movement, we must assess their range-of-motion and establish starting points for any change in order to be able to demonstrate improvement. Our client may not realize their improved movement has taken them to the point of pain.

   When we take our movements to the end range of the joint we can encounter pain, which is a feedback mechanism to protect our joints, muscle and tendons.
End range can be:
Structural:

• The limits of the bony surfaces, tendons or ligaments

Physiological:

• In response to overtraining, underuse, lack of stretching or trauma and injury
  

   When we are working with our clients it's important to explain the difference between the two and to emphasize that pain from either can be acute. Typically the client will demonstrate the restriction in movement marked by pain at the limited end range as the reason for the office visit, a sort of “test-to-pain”.


   It is vital at that point to measure or provide for the client a reproducible reminder of their end range. After we work on the area(s) there can be a significant increase in pain-free range-of-motion. This increase may not be noticed by the client as they are eager to “test to pain”. If they find the same pain at end range without being shown the difference in range they can assume there has been no improvement.


   Before the client begins their “test-to-pain” demonstrate the initial end range to give them a point of reference to assess the changes that have taken place. We may have restored 20%, 30%, 50%, even 80% of normal structural motion, but unless we help them to see their starting point, we will never convince them of the journey they have taken.


   We also will be challenged in getting them to continue on their healing journey without that proof. Asking the client to move slowly from the beginning of their range-of-motion can give them a clear idea of their enhanced status. Focusing on the new capacity and emphasizing that new movement habits are being built will serve to stabilize progress and prevent re-injury.


   These ideas are key to helping our client properly evaluate our value to them and maintain them on their healing path.

Cellular Response- What a surprise

   I am in a mild state of euphoria over my continuing work with a new(to me) technique called Cellular Response.It was developed by Dan Yamaguchi, a therapist on call with most of the NFL teams. It is a gentle energetic and structural therapeutic form that has produced some amazing results with my clients and in our practice workshops.Some of what I have witnessed with the technique

• Participated in straightening a clients moderate scoliosis in 20 minutes. 
• Reset a shoulder that has not only been separated and healed incorrectly but was affected by a stroke 20 years previously, restoring motion that hadn't been available in the 20 year period.
• Relieved thoracic outlet syndrome in a few sessions
• Restored postural alignment in less than a minute.
• Reset shoulder and rib imbalances in moments
• Relieved low back strain in a session.

  All of this was done with little effort and minimal or no discomfort to the client. I hope that more people can share this technique. It is available to anyone who is interested in learning it.
I can refer you to upcoming classes and practitioners in California if you are unable to see me.

Holiday Distress or Destress?

De-Stress Your Holidays-
Give Yourself and Those You Love the Gift of Health
   We are called by many outside voices to give, give, give … "Find the right present for my daughter, my wife, my grandmother, show everyone how good a giver I have to be." We are told to be generous to everyone ... except ourselves.


   The tensions of family get-togethers, end-of the year expenses, looking outside ourselves for satisfaction and validation for a job-well-done can take a heavy toll. We find the gift either wasn't appreciated or wanted. We may even find it sold-out before we try to buy it. We are looking for satisfaction and finding frustration. No wonder the holiday season can have the opposite effect we expect.



   We enter the "most wonderful time of the year" following riots in stores over $4 waffle irons, pepper-spraying those who would cut in a checkout line and walking over a dying man to get to a sale item. Perhaps the focus on material items has gotten out of hand? When we put ourselves and others at risk in order to buy a holiday present, it seems our priorities may be just a bit out-of-whack.



   We may feel sore and stressed-out, empty and dissatisfied. Is it the season or the idea of giving that is the problem? No, the problem seems to come when we look into the nature of the gift. Are we genuinely giving what mirrors our love and concern for the recipient? Or are we falling into the "thing trap"?
I'd like to believe that we want the best for our fellow man and woman as well as our family and friends and we are merely under too much pressure to consume, buy and spend by retailers. Push has definitely come to shove and we need to step back and reconsider.



   Finding some quiet time for ourselves to reflect on what is really important can be very helpful.



   What can we give that shows we care, that we want the best for the receiver? What can we enjoy giving, knowing that our gift will be well received? How about the gift of health, of comfort in the morning, easy breathing and movement during the day, pleasant sleep at night?



   How can we do that for those we care about? Promise to be an exercise or diet partner so they can develop a healthy regimen. Offer them an appointment or set of appointments with a health practitioner so they can bring back balance and comfort into their lives. Just as we can do for ourselves.
Taking care of ourselves and those we care about doesn't have to be so hard on us or on them, just give the gift of health.
© Kevin Minney 2011


Special Holidays Offers- 
Free De-stress Kit from Heartmath Institute- 
email me a request and I'll send you one right away



20% off on all sessions and gift certificates booked in December