I discovered some interesting similarities between chiropractic and massage.
• Modern massage and chiropractic care began in the late 1800s.

• Both have a basis in very ancient practices and principles.

• From a holistic perspective, the rehabilitative care from a chiropractor and a massage therapist is based on the natural, inherent, recuperative powers of the human body.

Part of the foundational principles of chiropractic care is that the nervous system is fundamental to one’s health. If the bones in the spine are out of alignment they can cause interference with the nervous system via pressure on nerves and the spinal column. Chiropractic adjustments are intended to re-align the spine to remove pressure from nerves. The goal of chiropractic care is to carefully determine the precise degree of spinal misalignment. Careful adjustments are given to move the vertebrae back into place and relieve pressure from the nervous system, relieving pain for the patient.

Massage therapy complements chiropractic care by keeping the muscles supple, flexible, and toned to provide support for the bone structure to stay in place.

An example from my own experience is when I sprained my knee during a motorcycle training course. I went to a doctor and was sent to physical therapy. It didn’t feel to me that my leg was working properly, it felt like the knee was out of place. It was hard for me to believe that exercising the knee, if it wasn’t in place, was going to allow it to heal properly. At the time, I had limited experience with chiropractic care and massage. I opted to quit the physical therapy because I didn’t feel I was making any progress.

I went to a chiropractor recommended by some friends. He took x-rays and confirmed that my knee was out of place and my leg out of alignment. He began making adjustments to move the knee in place. Since the muscles were sprained, they weren’t strong enough to hold the knee in place. The chiropractor recommended some massage treatments along with his adjustments. Additionally, he recommended that I begin working with a personal trainer to begin strengthening the sprained muscles along with regular visits with him to keep moving the knee back in place. Over the course of about three months, the sprained muscles healed and became strong enough to hold the knee in place. With the adjustments and strengthening, the knee healed properly.

For me this was a very positive experience that resulted in me having full use of my knee. I also had positive experience with physical therapy prior to this injury that was effective in helping to heal those injuries. I guess the message is to be aware of your body and the treatments you are receiving. If the treatments don’t seem to be making a difference take the time to investigate alternative approaches that will help your body heal.

For information about the services offered at Massage Heights Crossroads Plaza, please visit us at:http://www.massageheights.com/crossroadsplaza.

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Massage Heights Crossroads Plaza is pleased to announce four additional massage therapists have been added to our staff. Each massage therapist brings experience and professionalism to customize the needs of our clients.

When you visit a Massage Heights Retreat, we will ask you about your needs and personalize a massage therapy treatment just for you. This is done at every visit. We wil also recommend a treatment plan for you to improve your health and wellness. We may incorporate a number of massage modalities suited to your needs on that day. Some of the most popular types of massage are:

Swedish Massage is often referred to as the “relaxing massage.” Your Massage Heights Therapist will use light to firm pressure on a range of long, smooth strokes, with kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

Sports Massage can be characterized two ways: pre-activity and post-activity massage. Pre-activity uses dynamic stretching to allow the connective tissue to work through a full range of motion, thereby reducing possible injury. Post-activity massage focuses on recovering the muscle tissue that may have been impacted doing the particular sport. It involves long strokes to flush out toxins that cause soreness in the muscles and joints.

Deep Tissue Massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It can help reduce pain, increase range of motion, relieve muscle spasms and improve circulation. Sometimes trigger point therapy is incorporated to help loosen up those muscle knots.

Pregnancy Massage is a special type of a massage therapy tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. Many women find that pregnancy massage helps to minimize stress, promote relaxation and help with low back pain. At Massage Heights, prenatal massages are done by therapists who have received special training. Before receiving a massage, pregnant women are advised to speak with their doctors to learn if massage is recommended.

You may also have heard of massage therapies such as Trigger Point, also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy, which applies concentrated finger pressure to trigger points in the body. Reflexology is a type of massage that uses specific massage strokes on points of the feet and hands that correspond with internal organs. Cranial-Sacral Massage is a type of massage that uses gentle, non-invasive touch techniques targeting the bones of the skull, face, mouth and jaw.

Are you ready to schedule an appointment for your customized rejuvenating massage by one of our professional massage therapists? Click here for contact information.

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What are some of the benefits of a pregnancy massage? Massage helps get fluids moving through the body and into the lymph system if they need flushing. If the expectant mother has swelling, the massage will help reduce swelling from fluid retention. Another benefit is to get the blood circulating which helps get more oxygen to all the parts of the body. Expecting mothers also need physical and emotional support as they go through their pregnancy. Massage can provide some of this support. It helps reduce stress on weight bearing joints and the mother receives the emotional support of a caring touch. We’ve had mothers come in who have not been able to sleep. Then they fall asleep on the table and we feel badly that we have to wake them up at the end of their session.

How is pregnancy massage performed? Most of the time, it is uncomfortable or impossible for the mother to lie on her stomach, so the mother is placed on her side and propped with pillows. This puts her in a comfortable position while the therapist works on her back, head, arms, legs and feet.

If you know of an expectant mother who is suffering from the summer heat and other stresses associated with her pregnancy, give her the gift of a relaxing, nurturing massage. Do you know of a pregnant mom who would really benefit from these services? Book them today. Please contact Massage Heights/Crossroads Plaza for more details.

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The preventative medical practice of detoxification can assist in ridding the body of excess toxic minerals and chemicals that may have accumulated. Everything we ingest has an effect on us, and often our digestive systems are not able to effectively handle highly processed and chemical-laden foods. The build-up of toxins in the body can lead to a variety of illnesses including headaches, chronic fatigue, acid-reflux, digestive disorders, arthritis, and even cancer and other degenerative diseases. Darlene Holloway at Alternative Health Center in Cary comments:

Colorectal cancers are the second largest cause of cancer deaths in this country, with the expectation this year of nearly 60,000 deaths out of about 150,000 reported cases. Further, the survival rate for people with colon cancers found early is better than 90 percent—so the great health challenge is to educate people about colon health and encourage appropriate screening.

Colon hydrotherapy is a very effective and therapeutic way to detoxify the body. Warm, purified water is introduced into the colon, where it gently dissolves and removes waste material, such as feces, gas, mucus, and toxic compounds. The result is a cleaner, healthier colon and improved overall health. Periodic cleansing of the colon prevents stagnation and minimizes the exposure of the colon wall to chemicals and other potential cancer-causing agents.

Another effective therapy is ion cleanse detoxification. This process removes excess acid and other toxic substances from the body and helps to neutralize the body’s pH balance. Typically, ion cleanse detoxification is done via a footbath, during which osmosis extracts toxic compounds from throughout the body. Using colon hydrotherapy or ion cleanse detoxification periodically will aid in the removal of excess chemicals and lead to better digestive function and overall health.

By becoming more aware of what we put into our mouths and avoiding processed foods, sugar, salt, and other chemicals, consumers may prevent many digestive and health-related illnesses. Diet is a critical issue. We’re not seeking one ‘right’ avenue of approach, but are concerned chiefly with the function of the body as a complete system.

With the abundance of natural and organic foods available at local farmer’s markets and natural health food stores, consumers have many choices for eating foods that benefit the body. In conjunction with using natural and organic foods, a licensed health practitioner can recommend other ways to detoxify the body. So, instead of waiting until you feel bad enough to visit your doctor, be proactive about your health, and learn how to detoxify with colon hydrotherapy, ion cleanse and other natural therapies.

Darlene Holloway, LMBT, CT, ST, is a nationally certified Colon Hydrotherapist. She can be reached at Alternative Health Center, 919 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. Phone 919-380-0023.

Article by Megan Cutter

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We love being parents, we love being pregnant, we love our children, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer because of it! We are entitled to live an active, healthy, ache free life in spite of carrying a baby or toddler constantly. To explain this in terms that are easy to associate with, imagine carrying around a bowling ball in your arms, then bounce it a little, all while adoringly staring down at it multiple times a day. Not to forget the activities of putting your adorable little bowling ball in and out of car seat, lifting and then lugging around said car seat. Now with that picture in mind, almost everyone can agree it seems like it might hurt or at least make you sore right? Well, that is exactly what happens when you hold a baby repeatedly and maneuver through the various necessary activities during an average day of a parent or caregiver.

Repeated head forward postures during activities that were just mentioned above, will create tension and repetitive lifting will pull on the positioning and musculature of the neck, shoulder and low back regions. Problems in these areas can be noticed as generalized tension and burning in the muscles, pains or numbness in the arms or hands and even headaches for many individuals. Even though the handling of a child could be considered “light” lifting by some, the repetitive nature of these challenges on the body can result in various difficulties and pains.

And for you moms reading this, let’s reflect on how the actual pregnancy affects posture. We all know the changes that must occur in daily routines to perform the most simple of activities while accommodating for your body with baby on board. Even simple activities such as getting dressed, getting in and out of chairs, and even reaching for an item off the cabinet shelf can become an exercise in patience and creativity.
But pregnant moms don’t need anyone to tell them their posture is changing, you feel it everyday! You just may not understand some of the mechanics involved or realize there are things you can do to help your body deal with those changes without aches and pains. As pregnancy advances and your uterus enlarges, you may likely feel some discomfort along the way. Back pain, round ligament pains and pubic symphysis pains are common complaints. But you don’t have to grin and bear it; there are many things you can do to stop the soreness from getting adjusted to changes in your body mechanics during daily activities. Changes in weight and center of gravity cause changes to your posture and therefore your joint and muscles must work differently. Also the hormonal changes, both during pregnancy and after delivery, cause the ligaments in your body to soften and therefore loosen or make the joints more pliant which leads to a greater potential for injury or aches.

Chiropractic care is a logical place to receive help for such strains and stresses on your posture during pregnancy and for both mom and dad after the baby is born. Some common complaints Chiropractors work to get relief from are neck and shoulder tension and burning, numbness into the arms or legs (sciatica), pubic symphysis pain and round ligament pain. Chiropractors work with your spinal alignment to decrease stress and strain placed on the musculoskeletal system through the everyday challenges of life. The techniques may vary with different chiropractors and whether or not you are pregnant during care. But the purpose and outcome is always improved function and spinal placement through the chiropractic adjustment. This may relate as pain relief and improved movement and energy for you. Chiropractic has long been studied as effective and safe for pain relief and is a wonderful option for many people to find help with their health concerns.
During pregnancy your chiropractor will make special accommodations for your baby belly through the use of an adaptable table or pregnancy pillows. These accommodations are very comfortable and gentle for you while being adjusted.

Pregnancy and Caring for a baby are very rewarding – and very hard work. Like other kinds of work that require lifting, bending, and repetitive motions; it can be harmful to your body. Try these simple tips to prevent problems before they begin and to help control the physical strain of being a parent:
• See a chiropractor! Check on ICPA4kids.org for a certified provider
• Break up times of increased sitting by getting up every 15 to 20 minutes and taking a few steps before repositioning in your chair; this activates the muscles and joints and creates conscience moments of posture awareness. Many people find it helpful to set a timer on their watch or computers to alert them when to take breaks.
• Sleeping on your sides or back is best (if pregnant, it is recommended you avoid sleeping on your back)
• Use a pillow between your legs and to support your “bump” (pregnancy tummy) when sleeping; body pillows are a great investment! If able to sleep on your back, use a pillow under your knees to decrease strain on the low back.
• Keep your legs and hips as parallel/symmetrical as possible when moving or turning in bed
• When standing, stand symmetrically, with your weight evenly distributed through both legs. Don’t lean to the side with all your weight balanced on one leg.
• Sit down to get dressed, especially when having to lift one leg such as when putting on underwear, pants or shoes.
• Avoid ’straddle’ type movements that place stress on the pelvis. This includes sitting “Indian style” for long periods.
• Keep work surfaces at a comfortable height. Put something under the legs of the changing table, for instance, to raise it if you’re tall.

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In the United States alone, it is estimated that approximately 27 million people play the game of golf. It is actually quite shocking to look at the number of injuries occurring in the pursuit of this activity. In the United States, there are 13.5 million golf-related injuries reported each year.

Patients who come to chiropractors seeking relief from bodily aches and pains will quite often be suffering from some variety of repetitive strain syndrome. These patients are out on the golf course taking swings at a ball in such a way as to put undo and often extreme strain on muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones. They swing repeatedly over the course of a round of golf that often involves playing 18 holes laid out over a 4 mile track that might involve 40, 50 or more severe rips at the ball.

There are several basic reasons a person causes injury to themselves, and patient education can go a long way toward preventing bodily damage from occurring. Very simply, the average patient does very little, if anything, to prepare or condition their body for the golf swing. Basically, they just play. This will often involve showing up at the course just minutes before their game is scheduled to begin. They walk out onto the first tee (location where the initial shot is struck on each hole) and “give it a go.” Generally, they embark upon this action with little or no stretching to get loose or get the body warmed up to play. Commencing to swing viciously at the ball is just as common for persons who visit the practice range to work on their game by bashing a hundred or more balls. No stretching, no warm-up, no preparation of the body or conditioning of the body for the rigors of the game.

When the forces that are involved in creating a full, hard golf swing are looked at further, it is easy to see how injuries, especially those caused by repeated strain, can occur. The average golfer can actually achieve a swing speed of about 90 miles per hour with a golf club. Professionals are only a bit superior at 115, but the 90 mile per hour swing is enough to require a major effort. It is surprising just how much work is required to swing the club. “Amateur golfers achieve approximately 90 percent of their peak muscular activity when driving a golf ball. This is the same intensity as picking up a weight that can only be lifted 4 times before total fatigue.” This statistic comes from the book The Biomechanics of Golf by Paul Chek.

So, what can golfers learn to do before playing a round of golf to help in injury prevention? The basic recipe for success involves developing a simple set of exercises to warm up and stretch the body before play. It may also be important to do some additional stretching during the round as golf these days can involve long delays caused by slow play or looking for errant balls. Additionally, golfers would be wise to have their bodies checked by a chiropractor to help eliminate source points of injuries which could stem from pre-existing postural instability or poor flexibility.

The key to solving the problem of many of the 13.5 million injuries would at least three-fold.

• One, visit a chiropractor to make sure the body is in good postural condition for the rigors of the game.
• Next, exercise regularly with an emphasis on stretching and flexibility while off the course or between rounds.
• Finally, make sure the body is completely warmed up before play or practice. Don’t just “grip it and rip it.” Arrive early, warm up and only then go out on a beautiful golf course and enjoy a pleasant day that is free of injury.

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Over a six-month period, Eleanor lost 70 pounds and more than half of the hair on her head. And she had become allergic to almost everything. “Doctors were baffled—they simply couldn’t figure out what was going on,” she recalls. “I kept breaking out with terrible rashes, and finally I had to wear a mask outside of my home to help curb my sensitivities.”

In this weakened condition, she found her way to Darlene Holloway at the Alternative Health Center in Cary. “I knew almost instantly that I had come to the right person in the right place,” Eleanor says. “It is a healing environment, and she is a healing presence.”

Ms. Holloway, noted for her skill and experience with colonic irrigation and other detox modalities, was, like her professional colleagues, at a loss to quickly explain the physical, mental, and emotional issues presented by her new client. “But I felt certain that a gentle, thoughtful, balanced detoxification program offered the best chance for improving her condition.”

It was a slow journey to recovery, but detoxification—with colonic irrigation, ion cleanse, and manual lymphatic drainage massage— has, many months later, brought Eleanor to a place where she now feels “90 percent normal. After two years, I have my hair back. I’ve regained the lost weight. I care for my grandchildren almost every day. I long ago was able to set aside my facial mask; I can eat regular foods and a balanced diet, and can pretty much engage in whatever activities I like. In other words, thanks to this work and this woman, I have my life back.”

Chemical sensitivities offer a special challenge, notes Ms. Holloway. “If the causative agent is in the interstitial fluids of the body, the organs of the body, or in the colon, if it is not flushed out then healing cannot take place. It simply recalculates. If the colon is not eliminating on a regular, effective basis, the causing agent will simply recycle. And recycling the second time in the liver is more harmful than the first time.

“So even if bowels are moving on a daily basis, if a client has harmful chemicals or reactive medications or pesticides in their system, they need increased bowel movements to eliminate the source of the problem. Often, people take cleansing products, but that does not help flush out toxins from the other bodies and organ systems. Juicing is often helpful, but you cannot prescribe juicing over the phone. Each person is different, each health condition is different, and they each need to be evaluated and treated individually.

“This is, very often, a long-distance run and not a sprint. In my experience, it takes almost ten times as long to heal as it does to get sick. Understandably, everyone is looking for a quick fix, but quick fixes are not healings and we care about healing of mind, body, and spirit. We’re looking at the body as an inter related whole instead of treating a symptom. If we treat a symptom, we can get caught up in a vicious feedback loop: symptom, cause, effect. Our goal is not simply to relieve a symptom. Our goal is to promote true health and healing.”

For more information about colon hydrotherapy and other therapies offered at the center, contact:
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CENTER OF CARY
919 Kildaire Farm Road
Cary, NC 27511
Telephone: (919) 380-0023
Visit our web site: Alternative Health Center of Cary
Read our blog: Colon Cleanse NC

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One such case was recently documented in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. Here was a case where the child suffered from the condition known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which is a lung condition that can be quite serious and results in breathing problems for the premature baby.

The administration of oxygen is the usual treatment for the newborn child. Treatment is delivered in the hospital’s intensive care unit and is administered continuously for the first 28 days. A 120 day hospital stay is most likely and administration of antibiotics and continued oxygen treatments are required when the child is finally discharged.
In the case under study, the child who was born 24 days prematurely followed this course of treatment after she was diagnosed with BPD. Oxygen was administered, antibiotics were included, and she was nourished with a feeding tube for 3 months. Finally, after 17 weeks she was discharged and oxygen treatments were continued at home.
The girl was brought to a chiropractor for examination some 3 months after her release from the hospital. A Chiropractic exam showed that she weighed in at just 12 pounds now some 7 months after her birth. Her condition was described as listless. She had pasty skin and sinus congestion; her breathing was short and rapid, and there was no eye contact reported. Plus, she was constipated and colicky.
After just one adjustment, the baby’s mother noticed immediate changes. The baby became livelier and was able to use her abdominal muscles to hold her legs up. The colic subsided and she easily passed gas for the first time. The second visit resolved congestion problems and her sinuses began to drain.
After her third adjustment, the baby made some loud noises and started to draw air in more easily. With such positive results, Chiropractic care continued for a period lasting several months. The changes to the child during this period of time were quite remarkable. Daily improvements were noted – such things as more head control, better facial color, regular bowel movements and a much improved breathing ability.
The end result was a healthy child who no longer needed any antibiotics. She never needed to be readmitted to the hospital during or following her Chiropractic treatment. By this time, she was able to roll over easily on her own and no symptoms of her BPD returned. Chalk up another victory for Chiropractic treatment with the result being a child who was well on her way to being able to live a happy and healthy life.
Source: Kid Chiropractic. “Chiropractor Helps Infant with Serious Lung Condition.” March 2008. http://www.kidchiropractic.com/

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http://chiropracticresearch.org/NEWS_cancer_patients.htm

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Naturally I was searching for some shops that sell essential oils. To my total frustration the only place where I’ve seen essential oils sold was at the opened market. Well… The sign proclaimed in German and English to sell 100% pure essential oils, but was a disappointment as all bottles had the same price and size and did not smell right.

Than, because of the German weather, I discovered something interesting. The weather was definitely against me spending a peaceful vacation. Well… I found the hard way that our mellow North Carolinian 40-60 Fahrenheit is definitely not the German or Austrian 40-60 Fahrenheit. It is bloody cold and feels more like -50F.

So after spending a couple of hours in the streets, unprotected from the icy gusts of wind (that locals claimed to smell of spring), my sinus gave up. When I finally managed to get to my supply of essential oils it was too late. The waterfall from my nose could have easily run a small turbine to power a decent size mall. The breathing was impossible.

I gave up and decided to submit myself to the wonders of western medicine. I do not like nasal prays – my nose hurts after just one application. But it was that or drowning. So I went to the pharmacy.

Pharmacies in Germany and Austria are very different from what we are used to in the USA. This is not a place to buy milk or totally poisonous snack bars. This is a place to buy meds. I was greeted by the pharmacist in white coat. She asked what bothers me and after I managed to explain my problem between a few gulps for fresh air, she immediately suggested a nasal spray by the German company.

I do not like nasal prays. But this one was different. After I was able to breathe again I looked at the label. Not sure what surprised me more, the absence of usual pain or the list of ingredients: in addition to medicine it included essential oils.

Being as curious as a cat I continued my short research finding to my total amazement that many medicines contain natural products. Like, for example, the diarrhea remedy that included healthy stomach flora. What a simple idea.

One thing is to read that European countries spend less on health care (which is free in the EU) because of integration with complimentary medicine. Another one is to experience it or walk the streets and read advertisements of doctors’ offices that offered among other things: chiropractic services, hypnotherapy, and homeopathy.

As to the natural question about how much free healthcare costs to consumer the answer might “shock”. The income tax rate in Germany is around 40%. It might seam a lot, but it includes: free health care, free school education, free collage education (you just pay 500 Euros a year), unemployment payments of 100% of your last salary for a year, pensions, care of historical sites (and it is a lot in Germany), excellent affordable public transportation and smooth roads (Germany is #3 country after the USA and China in roads length), and numerous social programs.

So how long we are in the USA plan to re-invent the wheel?

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