In the last blog we talked about the different diaphragms of the human body and their importance in Fundamental Movement(SM). This week we will briefly discuss the Pelvic Floor, one of the main diaphragms of the body.

This picture depicts the complexity of the muscle structure. The muscles as you see them here helps in the dynamic movement of the bone.

When the Pelvis moves it has an upper and lower bowl. As the upper opens the lower closes, this allows for controlled positioning when performing many different movements throughout the day, including breathing. This structure acts as both a support structure and hanging structure, as the lower extremities emanate from here. One of the most notable movement's that takes place here is of course child birth; as the contractions begin the upper portion opens and as the baby moves through the birth canal, the upper portion will start to close and aide in the push for the baby's delivery. 

It is the contraction, both shortening and lengthening, of these muscles that also aide in the breathing process. As we inhale they will shorten and pull the lower bowl inward and open up the upper bowl. This will lift the pelvic floor contents and the movement process will in turn strengthen the Pelvic region. As we exhale, the upper bowl will start to close and will ensure a straight pull through the spine and aide in balancing the body.

For the therapist and movement specialist, lets look at the process that needs to be assessed and taken care of. As the Pelvic Floor begins its movement on inhalation the Ischial Tuberosities, or sit bones, draw towards one another as in pelvic abduction. The sacrum moves posterior and inferior which alerts the spine and generates movement in the Scapula region. This is when the balance of tension takes place. So as the four muscles of the pelvic floor shorten, the muscles that control Scapula movement need to elongate. The mid abdominal diaphragm shortens and this allows the muscles that control the breathing kinetics (inhalation: Anterior and Medial Scalenes, External Oblique, Psoas Minor, and Adductor Magnus (pubic attachment) to start their patterned movement. As the Scapulae protract, it turns on the hydraulic pump that moves the CSF and keeps the spine healthy. Conversely, on exhalation the pelvic floor muscles elongate and reverse the process. The muscles for the breathing kinetics on exhalation are the Posterior Scalene, Internal Oblique, Psoas Major, and Adductor Magnus, Ischial Tuberosity attachment. So it is imperative that a true evaluation of the pelvic floor movement is initiated to ensure proper breathing in the body.

The configuration of the ligaments continually adjust to support both movement and posture of not only the Pelvis but the entire structure. That is why in both therapy and Fundamental Movement Pilates(SM) the practitioner will insure that the individual is functional in this area. During movement of the two sides of the Pelvis, the Sacrum or what is commonly referred to as the tail bone, also needs to constantly be adjusted to allow the movement to take place. When we inhale the bottom portion tips inward and reverses that pattern when we exhale. Although there is no gross movement in this structure, there is enough to keep proper spacing and pressure off of the nerves that are in that region.

The home of the infamous Sciatic nerve is housed in the Sacrum or the large bony structure at the base of the spine. Anatomically these nerves form what is called the caudia equina or horse's tail because of its shape. The Sciatic nerve travels through the penetration openings in the Sacrum and the five branches form a large nerve that continues out toward the hip and down the back of the leg.

The ligaments that hold this part of the skeleton together are in a constant state of flux as it helps with breathing, support and posture. One of the major areas of posture is the actual hip joint. The hip joint is an elliptical or slightly oval shaped opening that houses a round ball. This ball needs to be positioned in the true center of the opening to work properly. When this support is compromised we have compression of the joint that causes pain and inflammation. A myriad of other chronic pain issues develop when this joint is in trouble.

The body develops a compensation format when the scenario in the last paragraph takes place, mainly to avoid putting unusual pressure on the Sciatic nerve. This will often present itself as symptoms of low back pain, ankle and/or foot pain, and is often the culprit behind the dreaded Plantar Fasciitis that is often over diagnosed.

When the chronic pain is there, therapy becomes necessary to alleviate the causes. One question often asked me of how to prevent this from happening, and my usual response is to make sure we are breathing fully through our pelvic floor. This will also help with the incontinence problem that is especially prevalent in the female population.

How do I know when I am breathing properly? One of the easiest ways is to notice your jaw joint, this should always stay in a relaxed state with your mouth slightly opened. So, if you notice your jaw tightening up, you are not using your pelvic floor to aide in breathing. This postural gesture seems easy, but throughout the day we clench our jaw continuously through many of our actions. Be aware of it and you will be amazed at the difference it makes.


If you have further questions and/or comments, please feel free to let us know.

and remember there is always A REASON TO HOPE!

Dennis

As we finish the holiday season and start on those New Years resolutions and begin that exercise regimen there is a main component that we all need to remember, and that is to breathe. The weekly blog is going to be a combination of Fundamental Movement (SM) and how we as Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® practitioners look at the human body to assess pain related incidents. Our hope is that you find it informative and it helps guide you through your daily lifestyle.

Since this is being written for the general public as well as professionals there will be some over simplification and some complexity to the articles. Please feel comfortable to submit questions and comments for both clarification and answers to your specific issues.

When teaching Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® or Fundamental Movement Pilates (SM) the first item on the agenda is breathing. In therapy we look for any of the key components not functioning and in movement we emphasize the need to breathe properly. The body has a series of diaphragms or bellows that need to expand and draw in air and contract to expel air. In therapy it is important because without the proper breathing mechanisms working the tension on the skeleton will always be compromised. In movement it is important that anytime an individual exerts energy that they are in the process of exhaling. 

There are two items being served here, the first is we need to have oxygen in the blood for its nourishment as well as the tissue it services. Secondly, it sets all of the other components of movement in motion. The primary areas or diaphragms that the therapist should be assessing is the neck, mid-abdominal region and the pelvic floor. These are the three primary bellows that will draw in and expel air. An important note here is that not only do these diaphragms function in the breathing mode but on exertion will  protect the neck and low back as it helps to stabilize. 

For the therapist this would be the Scalene muscles (neck), mid abdominal diaphragm and oblique muscles (rib cage), the Psoas major and minor (hip flexor and back) and the Adductor Magnus (inner thigh) for proper movement of the Pelvis. 

The neck acts as a diaphragm as on inhalation we shorten the muscles and exhalation we elongate the muscles. How does exhaling protect the neck, its primary goal is to decompress the vertebrae and take pressure off of the disc material and nerves. 

The belly diaphragm (see picture above) allows the lungs to expand as it draws in air and contracts to expel air. Notice though how the abdomen (stomach) region compresses during the exhalation process, this is to protect and decompress the low back so that pressure is taken off of the discs.

The Pelvis diaphragm is the control center as it places the main support structure in the proper position to absorb the change in tension when we exert energy. 

When we inhale we should feel a normal tightness in both the neck and pelvic region and expansion of our belly. On the exhale, it will be just the opposite. These subtle movements set the base for all movement within the body. It is accomplished at a subconscious level and in times of mental or physical stress periods we often interrupt this natural pattern and hold our breath. It is at these times we need to consciously remember to breathe.

Whether we are walking, running, biking, weight training, Pilates, Yoga, or some other form of exercise we need to also consciously exercise our breathing patterns. The easiest way to do this is to keep the jaw relaxed and not tighten or compress it. What this accomplishes is forced breathing patterns and will keep us in a normal breathing rhythm. If we need to clench our jaw, then we are doing something that is compromising the structure itself. All this will do is force the brain to use a part of the body it shouldn't be.

The blog will continue to incorporate more on breathing during movement as we continue to explore other anatomy parts of the body. So until next time, practice your breathing, inhale pulling up through your feet all the way to your head and you will ensure that all the necessary parts will receive the oxygen it needs to function.

If you are looking for that quiet spot to practice your breathing, remember our new Spirit Space is open for you, call and reserve your time at 216-364-0152, there is no cost for using this room, it is Marge's desire that we all find peace and solitude in it.

So with every breath we take, remember there is always a REASON TO HOPE!



Dennis

Pictured here is the Archangel Raphael who is the Archangel for Healing. On January 13th CVWC will open its Spirit room where one will be able to come for prayer and mediation. This idea came to Marge during her recent incident and over the past few months she has gathered together the information to start this room of peaceful solitude. Please join her this coming Monday as we celebrate with her the miracle and dream she has experienced.

Healing is an internal process that takes place when the mind, body and spirit align themselves one with the other. Our true focus over the last 27 plus years has been ultimately on the mind and the body, and with Marge's help we are now adding the spirit. People often ask me where I received the vision to develop Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® and my response has always been that I was inspired many times over to truly understand the workings of the human body in movement. I have been blessed with this knowledge, although you won't find much of it in text books my 27 years of development and practice has shown that it has worked for many.

I have also been blessed with a handful of people who have learned and are now practicing the theory and application. We are presently finishing up a class for certification and are setting up continuing education webinars that will enhance their practice. Within the next few weeks we will have the Fall schedule for the next certification class. Because we have many from out of state that take the class there will be a restructuring of how we do it. The majority of weekends will be performed through online training with an intensive hands on weekend inserted periodically to practice and ensure proper understanding. Please call 216-364-0152 or email Kathy@chagrinvalleywellness.com for more information if you are interested.

Now on to my little rant, recently I have seen on Facebook many therapists complaining that Massage Envy does not pay their therapists' appropriately. I neither agree or disagree with this as I am not sure what they do and do not receive. I do know from talking to a few therapists that they feel it is unfair and my answer to them is they need to change their circumstances. One item that cannot be argued though is they are receiving the compensation that they agreed to. This brings me now to the rant, we have so many of you who use these discount advertisements such as Groupon, Amazon, etc. and they steeply discount their services. The sales pitch is that they will have all of these new clients that come in and be able to build a practice over night. What has happened in this is that daily you will see a new Massage offer and the customers have become shoppers of deals. They shop and buy these coupons for ridiculously low prices and use them when they see fit. The retention rate is terrible and in reality the practitioner is making less than if they were working at Massage Envy.

At CVWC we have a club that our clients are able to join that is comparable to Massage Envy. These are also clients that use our other services as well and as a courtesy to them we offer this form of General Massage for their convenience. The retention rate is much higher as the client is already familiar with our services. It has also introduced many others to our office and the services we do offer.

There are many offers of continuing education with either Laura Allen, Megan Holub and others that will be able to give you classes on practice building and I assure you, giving away your talent is not one of them.

Back to the new classes being offered, we will be presenting Anatomy of Movement courses where the practitioner will learn more of the functional movement components to the body. This takes away many of the mysteries of both chronic and acute pain symptoms and allows the practitioner a much more educated assessment avenue in their treatment protocol. We will also be offering two forms of Anatomy and Physiology classes, one for the lay person where general information about the components and how they work will be taught. The other class will be an advanced class for people that already have a background in A & P and want to learn more. We will also offer some online Pilates instruction so that our clients who go to distant places for the winter and/or summer can learn more and make sure that they are doing it correctly. Remember, we can watch you live! There will also be some free informational classes that I will do in conjunction with Josh Trentine, PT, the owner of Overload Fitness and developer of Renex equipment. Please watch for these announcements and look in your mailbox for the invitation.

Till next time, remember....there is always

a REASON to HOPE!

Dennis

On the second day of 2014 we are experiencing a winter storm named Hercules and I find it somewhat amusing that we are now naming our winter storms. 

This is also a great time to talk about some of the pitfalls of winter and its contribution to both acute and chronic pain syndromes. Whether it be a slip on the ice, shoveling snow or just the cold weather, winter has a definite adverse affect on the human body. 

A question I am often asked is why do I feel more aches and pains at this time of the year? What can I do to help prevent this? Although I am sure there is some form of research on this, I will give my take on it. 

Since I profess that movement, or the ability to do so, is what drives everything within the body I will take you down that path. The body is made up of four layers of tissue that works in unison to apply the proper amount of tension to generate movement in the skeletal system. The Fascia system which is a continuous fiber that starts in the skull and ends in the toes.It is primarily a non-vascular tissue, which means it has no blood flow directly associated with it. It is fed through the fluid that provides your cells with nourishment. This is thick, syrupy type of fluid that often on what I describe as Jello. The ligaments and tendons are direct extensions of the Fascia system so they are also limited to actual blood flow. Muscles make up the fourth level of tissue and are nourished directly by blood. 

What does all of this mean? As we move or lack thereof, the muscles contractions produce heat which keeps the fluid in a more liquefied state and allows for easier movement possibilities. When we are cold our movements are smaller and therefor do not produce the same amount of heat. Also, our body temperature is lowered by the cold temperatures which will contribute to the fluid thickening. So as you make jello the boiling water changes the powder to a liquid form and once placed in the refrigerator the liquid turns into a solid state. If you were to take that solid state and say place it in a microwave oven you could return it to a liquid state. 

The same hold true for the Fascia and its extension, the cellular fluid goes from a liquid form to a thicker and slow moving fluid. This restricts the tissue to extend and retract to accommodate movement. This restriction also tightened the tissue in and around the joints of the skeleton and now we have what is commonly referred to as arthritis. The restriction in movement, the tightness in the joints and the slowing down of circulation because of the cold all contributes to that lethargic feeling we experience. This is what contributes to that feeling of pain we experience. 

Whats a fella to do? Move as much as possible, move slower and smarter but move. The pain limits me and that makes everything worse, now what? This is a time when you should come in and have a nice, stimulating massage that will relax you and let you sleep better. What a massage will do is passively exercise your tissue enough to stimulate muscle contraction which will increase the amount of blood to that area. It is those contractions that will raise the temperature that will liquidize the cellular fluid in the Fascia and in turn will reduce the abnormal tension on the skeleton and its joints. Ask about the CVWC Club, the best value in town.

This would also be a great time to come and do the Fundamental Movement Pilates that we offer at the Wellness Center. You don't need to sweat and burn to enjoy a good, full body exercise, this also gets the blood moving and energizes the muscle tissue. 

Cranio-Sacral Therapy, as passive as it may seem, truly works the Fascia system, moves the Cerebral Spinal Fluid and forces the tension in the body to neutralize itself, therefore creating an internal combustion that allows for freer movement. 

Acupuncture, get the chi energy moving and that will also create the balance in the tissue that allows for better movement patterns as it removes many of the restrictions. Reiki also has similar effects. You can feel relaxed but that is often because all of the tissues are more apt to want to move when we have good energy running throughout the body.

Structural Integration works directly to break up the adhesion in the connective tissue that limits functional movement.

Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® works directly with that tension on the skeleton and frees up the movement aspect that encourages a healthy and happy body.

Yes, these are the services we offer here at the Wellness Center and this is how they can help you get through these cold, long winter days and help you enjoy the winter instead of dreading it. When we reduce pain we also increase the feel good hormones and that change in spirit will keep us much more optimistic. My wife reminded me that in less than two months the Indians open up Spring Training.

On January 14, 2014 we will be having an open house where all of these great therapist will be present to explain to you how you will benefit from their services. Also, we will be offering 20 minute chair massages for $10.00. The one and only Pat Carroll, LMT will be here to provide his golden touch on the chair. For further information please call CVWC at 216-364-0152 or email appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com. I hope to see you all!

So if you do suffer from the winter blahs or other cold weather related aches and pains, please know there is always a REASON TO HOPE! 

Dennis

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone a very blessed, happy, and healthy 2014. May it be a year filled with hope and abundance for all.

This is probably more of a rant than a blog, but I feel it is important to explain the physiological effects on what really happens during a Massage. You will feel comfortable and relaxed, or your should if performed correctly, but the body does not truly relax by definition.

What do I mean by this? When an individual receives a massage there are a multitude of actions that are taking place all at the same time. Massage is actually passive exercise, and that is a primary reason you need someone that is truly educated on the workings of your anatomy. The body actually goes into a shut down mode because of fatigue, and therefore the person is tired from the activity and that is the sensation being experienced.

Lets walk through the process of this activity. After a brief interview, especially if you are a first  timer with that therapist, you will go over any issues you may have at that time. As you are laying there the therapist will start with a body part and perform what is called passive touch. This touch will activate the body's awareness system or propriocpetion. When this system is activated the body shifts into its fight or flight protection until it becomes aware and comfortable with what is taking place. This will cause an increase in heart rate and breathing and your nervous system becomes hyper-irritable. The therapist will engage the skin, connective tissue and eventually the muscle that lies underneath.   

What this means is that you are passively exercising by definition. To exercise is to move with a purpose and reason. During your massage session all internal systems of the body are working. So for approximately one hour all systems are go and by the end of the hour, if not sooner, your body is fatigued which gives the sensation of relaxation.

Why do I tell you all of this? Recently there have been many different people saying that they can perform "relaxation" massage. I am a member of the Massage Therapy Advisory Committee to the State of Ohio Medical Board who governs Massage Therapy in the State. In the last 15 years there has been great discussion as to what Relaxation Massage is and the need to define it. The major problem is the political agenda of many of the legislators. Now with the topic of human trafficking so prevalent and many of the under educated performing "Relaxation" Massage the subject has received more attention. Together with the Ohio Council of Massage Therapy Schools and the MTAC, the Medical Board is in the process of developing a true definition of what "Relaxation Massage" is. 

The medical board requires 750 hours of study prior to being licensed in the State, there are some who are performing massage with only 8 hours of education. I presented the above information to help many knowing the importance of understanding the internal workings of the human body and the many contraindications of receiving this approach to wellness. It is definitely not a luxury to be taken lightly. Deep pressure over varicose veins could be deadly, because it increases heart rate, someone with high blood pressure needs to be treated differently. What about someone with kidney problems or is pregnant? These are all topics that are covered in massage therapy school and the student is tested on this information.

So I ask you to be very careful of who you receive your "Relaxation" massage from and ask to see their education background and in the State of Ohio they should be licensed by the Medical Board. If you have questions or any concerns please feel free to contact myself or the other licensed therapists at our office; Jennifer, Krista and Leah. 

Always know there is - a Reason to HOPE!

Dennis