Theresa Franklin, NCTMB, LMT, RYT, CMT

Olivia Kelly, NCTMB, LMT

 

Feature Article

Ally studied a variety of massage techniques while earning her degree from Sanford-Brown. She graduated in 2010 and after working in Fairview Heights for about 10 months, she returned to work in Alton, her hometown.

 

Ally uses a variety of massage techniques but her favorite is trigger point release. She said she likes working out the knots that her clients get from stress and tension.  

 

Regardless of which technique she uses, Ally takes her cue from her clients, collaborating with them to provide them with the relief they seek.  

 

Call 462-3900 to schedule a massage with Ally.

 

 

In 2010, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a preliminary study investigating the use of a 20-minute Reiki treatment given to individuals within three days of their suffering a heart attack. Although more research is needed, the study found that patients' moods and heart rate variability significantly improved with the use of a Reiki treatment.

 

There is a relationship between stress and our body's resilience. When someone has a heart attack, they are more likely to have another heart attack. Helping the body recover its resilience is a primary goal in cardiac care and beta blockers are key to a heart attack patients' recovery. Beta blockers are drugs that help the body recover its resilience but these work slowly. In addition, it's documented that emotional stress negatively affects autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, and therefore heart disease (ANS controls heart rate).

 

Researchers at Yale wondered if a non-pharmacologic intervention might be just as effective, work faster, be safe for all patients and even help patients feel better.

 

A randomized, controlled study looked at non-invasive, nondrug interventions to help patients recover faster from a heart attack. The study had three groups of subjects:

 

• Group 1 (12 patients) - the control group - rested quietly without interruption.
• Group 2 (13 patients) listened to slow tempo, meditative, classical music.
• Group 3 (12 patients) received a 20-minute Reiki treatment from Reiki-trained staff nurses.

Patients were measured initially for baseline, and again after the intervention, and the two sets of measurements were compared. The measurements from all groups were then compared to the others.

 

The interventions were measured in two ways - as an emotional state and as heart rate variability. Patients rated themselves on positive and negative emotional states (happy, stressed, angry anxious, etc.). In addition, a physiologic measure indicating if the patient's body was recovering from the stress of the heart attack was recorded.

 

The study's result showed that Reiki treatment improved all positive states and reduced all negative states. In addition, the Reiki group had the most positive changes in emotional state and the control group had the least. Reiki treatment also improved HRV. The benefit shown was comparable to that seen in a study of beta blockers.

 

 

Effects of Reiki on Autonomic Activity Early After Acute Coronary Syndrome

Rachel S.C. Friedman, Matthew M. Burg, Pamela Miles, Forrester Lee, and Rachel Lampert Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2010;56;995-996.

 

   

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 Experience healing for your emotional issues and physical ailments with Reiki practitioner Chasity Faul. Chasity is now available by appointment only on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. The introductory price is $40.00 and each session lasts one hour.     

 

Here are just some of the many benefits of Reiki:

• relieves pain
• reduces stress and provides deep relaxation
• boosts and improves the immune system
• speeds up recovery from surgery or long-term illness    
• aids in better sleep   

Call 462-3900 to make an appointment with Chasity. 

 

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If you have oily skin, you're no stranger to

 excess oil and more  frequent. If you have dry

skin, you know that cells can build up quickly, creating congestion. You can help either conditio n by removing dead, dulling debris to aid hydration and prevent  congestion by gently exfoliating daily. Perform this step in the morning prior to applying moisturizer, sunscreen and make up. Exfoliation, by the way, will help makeup last longer!

 

Also, remember to exfoliate your body and follow with a body cream to cap in moisture. Exfoliation has another great benefit - it helps remove possible precancerous cells before they become dangerous. But keep in mind that an exfoliated skin must be protected with sunscreen, as it is more vulnerable to assault!

  

Dermalogica's number one exfoliant is a gentle, rice-based exfoliating powder. It activates upon contact with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors.

 

 

 

 

Skin Therapy On The Go! 

 

 It's skin health for the entire body: to go! If you're a first-time Dermalogica user, then prepare yourself for great skin! If you're already hooked, then you'll love this convenient kit that contains travel-friendly sizes of your Dermalogica favorites, including Conditioning Body Wash, Body Hydrating Cream, Exfoliating Body Scrub and Climate Control Lip Treatment.

 

     

 

 

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Asana Zone

The blueprint   

The practitioner stands on one leg with the opposite leg elevated. One hand is touching the floor, the other is raised toward the sky.

 

 

How to do it

1. Perform Extended Triangle Pose to your right side and finish by gazing up at your left hand.
2. Bring your left hand to rest on your left hip and turn your head to look at the floor. Bend your right knee and step your left foot 6 inches or so closer to your right foot. Place the fingertips of your right hand on the floor (or use a block) in front of your right foot.
3. Press firmly into your right hand and foot. Straighten your right leg while lifting your left leg at the same time. Aim toward bringing your left leg parallel to the floor or even higher than your hips.
4. Reach actively through your left heel. Keep your right foot's toes and kneecap facing in the direction of your head.
5. Stack your top hip directly over your bottom hip, and open your torso to the left. Then extend your left arm and point your fingertips directly upward.
6. If you can balance comfortably there, turn your head and gaze at your left thumb. If not, continue to hold your gaze forward. Hold for one minute. Breathe!
7. To release, lower your left leg as you exhale. Return to Extended Triangle Pose. Repeat on the other side and hold for the same amount of time.

 

 Do:

• draw your shoulder blades firmly into your back
• lengthen your tailbone toward your left heel
• activate the muscles of both thighs. Work toward maintaining an equal balance of energy and effort in both legs

 

Don't:   

• allow your torso to drop forward in the pose. Use a block under your fingertips.
• lock or hyperextend your standing leg's knee; keep it soft

 

Benefits

• Strengthens the abdomen, ankles, thighs, buttocks, and spine
• Stretches the groins, hamstrings and calves, shoulders, chest, and spine
• Improves coordination and sense of balance
• Helps relieve stress
• Improves digestion

 

Contraindications   

• Headache or migraine
• Low blood pressure
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia

 

Beginners tips and modifications

 

If you have trouble reaching the floor, use a block. You can start out with the block at its highest height, then reduce the height as you get better at the pose. But don't lean on the block. Press into it with the palm of your hand so you create opposing energies as you extend the upper arm toward the ceiling.  

 

You can also do the pose near a wall. The wall will give you stability and also help you find proper alignment without worrying about balance. You can have the foot of the lifted leg pressing strongly into the wall.

 

Check your alignment:

• With your back to a wall, stand one leg length away from the wall, keeping your back to the wall.
• Lower your torso into a forward bend with your fingertips on the floor in front of you. Then raise your left leg parallel to the floor.
• Press the sole of your left foot against the wall with your toes pointing down.
• Gradually rotate your torso and left leg to the left, coming into Half Moon with your left foot supported against the wall.

 

Advanced practitioners

 

To increase the challenge of this pose, raise the lower hand away from the floor and rest it on the standing thigh. Balance solely on the standing leg for 15 to 30 seconds.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

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 Teacher Training 

 

Dr. Jaime Sanchez of East-West Natural Healing School of Yoga will be offering Yoga Alliance approved teacher training in February 2013 at Be Well Now. Watch for details to follow.