Are we being given drugs for conditions we don't have?

Good morning folks,

Can I ask a huge favour this Monday morning?  I've put myself up on Google maps as a means to generate more interest for my services.  It would help me greatly if you could just spend a few moments to write me a review when you have the time.  Go into Google Maps, search "Michael Bond Massage Therapist".  My home location will come up (of which Google photographed it when the bin men were in the vicinity so everywhere looks in disarray), click on leave a review, give me some stars and type your comments saying whether you visited me at Riverside or at home. Thank you in advance

You know we all hear on the news and in the media how the NHS is strapped for cash and is at breaking point?  The NHS could save millions, maybe billions by doing one simple thing;  stop giving the general public drugs they don't actually need.  I seriously feel that the population as a whole is being over diagnosed with the "condition du jour", being scared into thinking they need this or that drug because they apparently have a potential illness.  And who benefits from these diagnoses?  Not necessarily the patient but the multi national drug companies who pocket time and time again from scaremongering.  

Case in point;  My gp has been monitoring me since October for potentially harmful levels of cholesterol and saying that if this continues, I may be looking at having to take statins.  The terrible side effects of statins, for me, far out weigh the potential benefits they are supposed to bring and I've told them this.  Having done my own research, I have found that until a few years ago, my cholesterol levels were considered safe & healthy but the healthy level has since been reduced further dropping a larger number of NHS customers, because that is what we are, into the "harmful" category and these people now can be worried, made to feel scared that they are in harms way unless they start taking a load of drugs long term.  Yes, I'm sure for some people with genuine high levels of cholesterol, a course of statins to lower their levels to a safe one, is beneficial but once that level is achieved, why are we not taken off these drugs?  The cynic in me, and please send me your thoughts too on this, is that it is purely to make profits for drug companies.  

My other half has been on statins and lots of other drugs for years with the side effects really making themselves felt now.  Cholesterol levels are normal now but he is still told he needs to remain on them.  Some of the other drugs D is prescribed each month on a repeat prescription do not agree with him, his gp has been informed yet still each month they are included in the prescription bag. I have cupboards full to bursting with unwanted NHS drugs.  This is just one person.  Imagine how many other people are receiving drugs they no longer need or have ever needed and then think how much this is costing us.  With regard to my "high cholesterol" levels, the doctor was at a loss why, even though I was allegedly now at high risk, my chance of developing any form of heart disease was just 5%.  I'm not saying there aren't any genuine cases out there, because there are, but I think we must question, if we are in doubt, what medical professionals are telling us instead of just popping pills willy nilly to the potential detriment to our health but to the benefit of drug corporations.  Research on the internet, educate yourself with the facts etc

Apologies for the rant, it is a subject I feel very passionate about and I tend to go off on one 

Until next week, stay safe

MB

Can you have a massage? Part 2

Good morning folks,

Were you surprised by any of last weeks conditions that can stop you having a treatment? Or were you surprised the other way, at some of the things that you'd thought would prevent you, actually can be worked around?  Let me know your reactions to this weeks list.

Gout:  Officially, massage of a joint that is in the active/acute stage is a no-no due to it being too painful.  From my own experience, I've found that this varies from person to person, with clients wanting some firmer work as the benefits afterwards are worth it, others prefer gentle, drainig strokes whilst another may not wanting the area touching at all.  My advice?  Tell me if you have gout and well work out a plan.  I have researched a special oil blend for gout that counters inflammation of the joint, reduces redness and helps break down the crystals of uric acid.

Diabetes:  Not contraindicated but client's should bring any medication they are taking with them to their treatment in case of an episode, inform me of the time of their last injection and of the injection site so as not to affect the effectiveness of the medication.

HIV/AIDS;  No longer the danger it was once thought to be as long as normal hygiene protocols are followed and open wounds or weeping skin are avoided.  The benefits to the client choosing a massage  include relief of aches, pains, anxiety, depression, removal of toxins from any medication or on going treatment, improvements to sleep and boost to the immune system.

Raynaud's Disease:  From my experience, massage is of great benefit to sufferers, bringing warmth and increased blood flow to the area as well as calming the sympathetic nervous system, the mechanism that is the prime cause of this condition.

Fibrositis, fibromyositis, fibromyalgia: Each session will be tailored to how the client is feeling on that particular day but always gentle to avoid tiring an already fatigued body.  For this reason I'd suggest booking a session that is less than an hour.

Have a condition you're not sure would benefit from treatment?  Drop me a line and I'll get back to you.

Until next week, stay safe

When can/can't you have a massage?

Good morning folks,

Well, I was going to open this week by saying what glorious weather we've been having over the last week, but as i sit and type this, looking out onto a grey sky, hundreds of puddles and my washing hanging bedraggled on the line I think I'll move swiftly along!

I often get asked when I'm out about whether they can receive massage if they have a certain condition or illness and will it make it worse or better so, in an occasional feature, I'll address which conditions you can bring to the massage clinic and which you can't.

Coughs and colds;  yes you can come for a treatment but I'd rather you didn't.  I can't afford to take the risk of catching anything so if you are suffering, please please please call and rearrange a later date.
Til next week, stay safe 

Fractures;  Obviously I wont be able to treat the area that is broken, but so long as you are able to move about, get on or off a couch or any other impediment, massaging areas around the fracture that are compensating for the fracture can be beneficial.  Once the fracture has healed, massage of the area will have to be avoided fr some time and even then pressure will have to be light.  Seated massage can also be an option.

Sprains and strains;  The affected areas, like above, will be avoided but the rest of the body can be massaged as normal, providing the client has sufficient mobility.

Musculoskeletal Conditions;  These can include RSI, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Tendonitis.  When the conditions are active and there is inflammation, only gentle massage/mobilisation of the joint and adjacent tissues is advised.  When the inflammation has subsided, massage of the surrounding muscles will help to relieve pain, and massage of other parts of the body that may be over compensating is beneficial.  

Arthritis, Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis;  If the joints are inflammed then massage cannot take place, otherwise gentle, relaxing massage can be beneficial to ease pain and gently increase mobilisation providing care is taken.  Draining tissues around the joints can reduce stiffness, aid circulation and remove toxins.  As stress can be a factor in flare ups beginning, relaxing massage is ideal. 

Ringworm, Candida, Scabies, Lice & Fleas;  Obviously, massage is a total no no with these conditions.

Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis;  Providing the skin is not broken or weeping, massage can go ahead and may even be beneficial.  If clients would prefer the areas not be treated, then please advise me of this during the consultation.

Itching yet?  The things a therapist can come across can occasionally make you want to grab for the nearest pair of rubber gloves.  But to conclude this week...

Skin Cancer;  When I was initially training, any form of cancer meant that massage could not take place.  This was because it was believed massage could dislodge cancerous cells and send them to other parts of the body.  Now however this way of thinking no longer prevails in fact the opposite is true.  As a therapist, we are in a position to notice if there are any changes to a clients body, if moles have grown or changed shape drastically and advise them to go get them checked.  Massage can provide much needed relief from physical and emotional stress.  However, until the area of cancer has been treated, that particular area cannot be massaged but the rest of the body can.

Until next week, stay safe

Do you know your fascia?

Good morning folks,

Aches & pains, I'm sure we've all had them at some point but sometimes they seem to appear when, for the most point, we've really not done anything out of the ordinary or over taxing. So what's going on?  The problem could lie at the feet of a type of tissue called fascia.  Want to know more? (you'd better or its going to be a really short entry this week)

Fascia is a sheet of connective tissue, made of protein fibres, that runs throughout our bodies.  This is why muscle pain is sometimes not localised to one area but in several throughout the body as it is referred elsewhere.

Fascia could be responsible for any muscle soreness & stiffness you may be experiencing today, as it makes you feel achy and uncomfortable but you can make it better by having more supple fascia.  Stiff fascia results in nerve impulses not operating properly through your muscles, making you feel uncomfortable, and the brain can interpret this as pain.

If you wake up feeling stiffened up or with cramp, release your fascia slowly by stretching out your arms and legs and rolling from side to side in bed before getting up.  Fascia can be confusing as it can hurt after being sedentary for some time but then can be just as painful after alot of exercise.  Injuries too create tension in the fascia tissues, causing discomfort.  With care and, as I stated the other week, avoiding directly rolling the IT Band, use a foam roller on your sore points to release tension in your fascia tissues.

Dynamic stretching can help release your fasciae.  Something as simple as swinging your arms and legs can improve your movement.  Always warm up sufficiently before any physical activity as this will prevent injury to fascia and muscle tissues.

While these methods can help ease any feelings of discomfort you may be experiencing from tightening fascia, there are times when the pain and tension requires professional intervention which is where I step in.  Regardless the type of massage you book, relaxation, deep tissue etc, in all cases I'll be working your fascia tissues, albeit to a varying degree of depth of pressure, in addition to your muscles.

So there you have it.  Next time you're in discomfort, do get in touch and we can get you sorted, pointless remaining in pain when, in most cases, it can be easily reversed with an hours treatment.  Regular treatments have the added benefit of maintaining the health and vitality and mobility of the tissues in your body.

Til next week, stay safe 

MB

Facial Exercises Pt 2

Good morning folks,

Have you been doing your facial exercises?  Are you seeing any improvements?  I have several more for you to try today so without further ado, let's crack on.


This is a forehead lift exercise to reduce frown lines, the lines between the brows and lift any hooding of the upper lids.  Either sitting or lying, place the index finger of each hand high on the forehead and pull down, fingers remaining parallel to your brows (of which I don't have). While pressing down concentrate on pushing the brows up.  Do this 10 times.  On the 10th, keep brows raised and do mini pulses of the brow until you feel the burn or a band of pressure around the brows.  Stay raised for a cunt of 20 and release.  Do twice a day.


This exercise works the apple of the cheek and the muscle around the mouth.  Either sitting or lying, place fingers on the apple of each cheek.  Open the mouth, forming a firm "O".Now smile with the corners of the mouth, repeat 35 times, each time visualizing the muscle of the cheek moving upwards and filling out. Perform twice a day.


This exercise will energise the face as well as counterbalancing the effects of gravity of the face which lengthens and flattens the face.  It is also a great exercise to release stress in the face and jaw.  Perform this exercise lying down.  (I'm doing it sitting for demo purposes)
With the mouth, form a firm "O".  Repeat the sequence for the previous exercise, fingers on apple of cheeks, smiling with corners of mouth.  On the 10th repetition, open mouth as wide as possible whilst retaining firmness. Hold for a count of 30. Slowly move the fingers away from the face, up towards the scalp.  With your arms raised above your head, imagine your cheeks lifting towards the tips of your fingers and hold for a count of 30.  Perform 2 x a day, more often if you are stressed.


Did you know that your nose continues to grow throughout your life as well as widens?  This exercise should help reduce this. Again, either sitting or lying, place a finger firmly onto the tip of your nose.  Flex your nose down by pulling upper lip over your teeth.  Repeat 35 times.  Remember to keep breathing.  This exercise stimulates oxygen and blood flow to the area.  A tingling feeling is not uncommon.  Had a nose job?  Doing this exercise actually lends the finished nose a more natural appearance.  Do this once a day.


Mouth corner lift exercise.  Sitting or lying, close your lips together, locking the corners tightly to your back teeth.(Don't clench your teeth and remember to breathe)  Place a finger gently onto the corners of your mouth.  With the corners still tucked in tightly, imagine the corners up, then down, imagine the movement occurring slowly.  It can be easier to do this with your eyes closed. As you do this, lift and lower in tiny pulse movements, the fingers to and from the corners of the mouth.  When you feel the burn, hold for a count of 30.  Perform 2x a day.

Ok, let me know how you get on cos next week the final batch are on the way.

Til next week, stay safe 

MB