Low Back Pain Resolved - without working the low back

I worked with a client last week who came in complaining of low back pain. His low back hurt him while sitting, standing, laying down...there was no position that was comfortable for him. The pain was affecting his mood and attitude as well. Very understandable if you are in constant pain!

Before we started the session, I assessed his hips, his shoulders, and where his head, neck and shoulders were positioned vertically in relation to the rest of his body. We discussed a plan of action for the session. I was going to begin with releasing some restrictions in the bones in the cranium/skull (Craniosacral Therapy). Based on my assessment of how the client's body lined up, I was also going to work on his quads and a very deep muscle, the psoas, located in the lateral abdomen area. I explained that the bones in the head can restrict or govern the joints of the body (like the hip area). If the bones of the cranium are released first, the hip joint and the muscles around the hips would release better. Tight quadriceps muscles and psoas can cause pain in the low back because they pull the entire hip area too far forward.

We began the session doing about 30 minutes of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) on the skull to decompress the cranial bones. The client was laying on the treatment table face up. CST can feel like very minimal movement to the client...some people don't feel anything while this work is being done, while others can feel sensations and/or releases in their hips, shoulders or other areas of their body. It is very relaxing work and many clients fall into a very deep state of relaxation.

After this initial work, I asked the client to stand up, walk around and tell me how his low back felt. The pain had reduced from when he first came in, but he could still feel some discomfort. I spent a few more minutes working out some tender areas on the clients head/cranium. Once the tender areas in the skull were relieved, I did some rocking of the sacroiliac (SI) joint. This is the area just below the top of the back hip bone. Once things loosened up with rocking, I performed static work on the SI joint where I distracted or attempted to pull the ilium (upper hip bone) away from the sacrum. This helped create a bit more space and movement in the joint.

Next, it was time to move on to the quadriceps. There were trigger points in the quads that I released using Neuromuscular Therapy techniques. Trigger points are tight spots in the muscle that restrict both contraction and stretching ability of the muscle. After the quads released, I moved to the psoas muscle. Psoas work can be very sensitive on people with low back pain. When working on this muscle, the client may feel a referring sensation into the thigh or into the back. We spent a lot of time working in this area with good dialogue to gauge the level of any discomfort.

I again asked the client to stand, walk a bit and tell me how his back felt. He responded that his back was much better! Great results when I hadn't worked any muscles on his back to that point!

I finished up our session with some work on the low, mid and upper back. The muscles were pretty pliable, and there wasn't much additional work needed since the primary causes of low back pain had already been addressed. Several days after our session, the clients low back still felt fine. He was able to workout without low back pain and had a more positive outlook on everything.

If I had just worked the low back area, the muscles in the back would have relaxed temporarily, but the cause of the pain would not have been addressed. By identifying the cause of the low back pain, restrictions in the body were released for effective long term pain relief.

- Bonnie
Align Body - Relieve Pain - Improve Wellness - Enhance Performance

Settling In to MN

Well, it's only been a few months that I've been here in MN. This winter is proving to me that I do still have some Midwest blood in me. After surviving the snowiest Dec on record (without any driving issues!), I can say I am now surviving the bitter cold. With a temperature of -15, and wind chills hovering between -25 and -30 today, I'd say I'm handling this winter pretty well. Granted, I don't like it much, but the sun is making things a whole lot better!

Thanks to all who came out to experience the free introductory 30 minute sessions I offered for the first 3 weeks of January! It was great getting to meet so many of you this month, and even better to have received feedback that I provided relief to the aches and pains that you were looking for.

Be sure to check out my website special page in the upcoming days for additional Grand Opening Specials. Remember...Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away.

Incredible Last Minute Gift Ideas

With only a few shopping days left, Bodywork Ultra in St Louis Park is offering a few last minute specials that will not be seen after Xmas Eve! Part of this special is because I'm new to the Twin Cities, and also because I want to share the gift of massage!

The main modalities I use include neuromuscular therapy, craniosacral therapy and sports massage with the short-term goal being pain relief. By relieving pain and restructuring the body to a balanced state, wellness improves and overall performance is enhanced.

Now through Xmas Eve, purchase a 1 hr massage for only $50, or 2 for $80, or 3 for $90!

Call today (404-403-6865) to order your gift certificates. With massage prices this low, you can afford to give these last minute specials to everyone on your list...your hairdresser, your neighbor, your in-laws, even yourself!

Relocation from Atlanta to the Twin Cities

Hello Twin Cities, MN!

2011 will be a transition year for Bodywork Ultra...new state, new city, new clients and a new climate! After 6 1/2 yrs and a really hot summer in Atlanta, the Twin Cities is testing my resolve! Originally from WI, I thought I knew what to expect moving back to the North. My husband, who had lived in the Twin Cities years ago, told me that the Twin Cities was a lot colder and snowier than Milwaukee/Madison, WI. Boy...he wasn't kidding! I'm learning just how adaptable the body can be! 3 major snowstorms (11", 6" and 17") and another on the way today...can't wait until Winter actually starts! I've been keeping the local outerwear stores busy with my down coat, long underwear, boots, hats and scarf purchases.

I've learned a lot in trying to set up my practice in the Twin Cities. The massage industry is not regulated by the state of MN like it is in GA (and most states). Because of that, each city adopts their own regulations. I would consider some of the city regulations prohibitive...$10,000 investment and $1500 background check for starters in one city. They are setting a clear message that they do not want massage therapists in their city. It's really too bad because people in those communities have to travel further for therapeutic massage.

After researching many locations in the Twin Cities, I have decided to open up Bodywork Ultra in St Louis Park, MN. The office will be in the Miracle Mile Mall at Hwy 100 and Excelsior Blvd. I'm really excited about this location and the people I'll be working with. The location is convenient for those in downtown, uptown and those who work/live in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. Surrounding highways (aside from Hwy 100) include 169 , 62 (Crosstown), I-35W, I-394 and 1-494 isn't too far away either. Bike trails link St. Louis Park to downtown Minneapolis, the Uptown area, Hopkins and Chaska.

I'm enjoying my time so far in the Twin Cities...really love biking and running on the many miles of paved paths the community has to offer. I haven't tried biking since the snow fell...but many still do that! It's so nice that they're plowed in the winter! I also got out for some cross country skiing this past weekend until I realized I was not wearing warm enough gloves. It might be time to get some warmer gloves!

I look forward to working with people in the Twin Cities to help relieve pain, restructure the body to a balanced state, improve wellness and enhance overall performance.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Is It Time to Relax?

Summer is coming to an end as the kids go back to school here in Atlanta. What is top on your list of things to do once you have some "me-time" again? When is the last time you actually relaxed? Let me guess...is it those 5 minutes you have just before you fall asleep each night?

A little stress in your life is good. But chronic stress can cause a host of problems including health problems. This article goes into detail on stress...
Understanding Stress: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects

Managing stress is a different recipe for each person. You have to find what works best for you. Many people find massage is a great way to relax and lower their stress levels. A massage can help even the most stressed out, frazzled person feel a little more like them self.

With a Craniosacral Therapeutic Massage, you can have your entire body "worked" by just having a scalp massage. Don't worry...the hair won't be messed up! Small, gentle movements are made on the bones of the head and face that help free up restrictions in the entire body! In addition to the somatic or body benefits, the relaxation of this type of work is just what the Doctor ordered. It is so relaxing, many of my clients fall asleep during this work. Here is an article with more info on Craniosacral Therapy.
http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/craniosacral-therapy

For the remainder of the month (August 2010), I am offering 3-90 minute Craniosacral Therapy sessions for only $70/session. That's less than $0.80/minute!! Call today to reserve your sessions and start relaxing!