ACTIVE BALANCE HEALING

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Active Balance Healing Blog

Does bad posture contribute to pain?

Did you know that incorrect posture and physical inactivity is the number 1 cause of myofascial adhesions? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body that is found in muscles, tendons, bones, skin and fascia. Collagen is what gives fascia it’s strong and durable property but is also known to be quite sticky. When an individual holds his/her body in positions that creates any strain and restricts healthy biomechanics it is referred to as ‘incorrect posture’. Myofascial adhesions may occur when the body is held in restrictive postures for prolonged periods of time which causes the fascia to shorten and then get stuck in that position thanks to build-up of collagen. Other factors such as trauma, surgery and stress play a role in forming myofascial adhesions in the body due to tissue damage and overproduction of collagen that sticks adjacent tissues together. Over time, fascia restrictions may result in reduced joint mobility, contorted muscles and painful knots in the muscles known as trigger points. What can you do to prevent myofascial adhesions?  Regular exercise, stretching and correct posture can all help prevent the formation of new myofascial adhesions.  What if you had surgery, trauma or already have adhesions that cause pain and affect your quality of life? A Manual Osteopath will work with your body, hands on, to release the knots and break apart the myofascial adhesions and fibrous tissue. Call Active Balance Healing to find out how we can help you start living a better, more pain free, life Today!

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November 15, 2024
Man holding his neck and lower back indicating pain points

Low back pain and fascia nociceptors

80% of our clients seek treatment due to low back pain. Without an identifiable reason to justify the debilitating pain and discomfort it is almost impossible for doctors to find a lasting solution to the problem because they do not know what the Source of the pain is. Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds all the organs, bones and other tissues within our body creating a continuous sheath of elastic and strong connective tissue. Scientists recently discovered that there are pain receptors (nociceptors) not only in muscles and skin but also within the fascia. The low back area (Thoracolumbar region) apparently has a high density of nociceptors which explains why having adhesions or restrictions in the fascia would cause pain in that area but would not be explainable or found on imaging of any kind. Only an experienced practitioner can navigate through the intricate fascia labyrinth and find the restrictions present in the tissue and assist the body in eliminating the adhesions/restrictions and restoring balance in the entire body; relieve the dysfunction that caused the pain, making it disappear. At Active Balance Healing, we specialize in determining the origin of your pain and successfully work to reduce and eradicate it altogether! Contact us for an initial consultation and treatment Today!

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November 15, 2024

THE HEALING TOUCH OF OSTEOPATHY – A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS

Osteopathy, a distinct form of medical practice, emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s systems and the importance of their harmonious functioning. It is grounded in the principle that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself, and osteopathic treatment aims to support and enhance this natural process. This blog post delves into the multifaceted benefits of osteopathy, highlighting why it is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking holistic health care. In conclusion, osteopathy offers a unique and comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Its emphasis on the body’s innate healing capabilities and its holistic view of health make it an invaluable option for those seeking a natural, effective path to physical and mental well-being.

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December 21, 2023

RANGE OF MOTION AND FASCIA RESTRICTIONS

An interesting subject that I am asked about often is ‘how can fascia restrictions in one area of the body affect the range of motion of my joints’? To understand how fascia affects the range of motion of joints in the body, we first need to learn what fascia is. Fascia is connective tissue that runs in overlaying sheets whose function is to surround and support the entire body structure by enveloping organs, bones, blood vessels, joints and muscles. Healthy fascia is strong and elastic, allowing fluid movement during exercise, walking, breathing etc. Let’s look at the shirt example to better understand how fascia restrictions affect the body as a whole. You will need to be wearing a shirt that is not sleeveless for this experiment. Try to bring your straight right or left arm, away from your body in a half circle to rest near your ear (keep the arm straight); how does the shoulder joint feel as you move? Take note of it. Now, scrunch the opposite side of the bottom of the shirt (if you raised your right arm scrunch the left bottom of the shirt) and hold that ball of shirt tightly in your non moving hand. Try and raise the same hand as you did in the first part up. Do you feel the restrictive difference? It is hard if not impossible to go through the entire range of motion of the shoulder joint while having that restriction above the hip on the other side of the body holding it back? This analogy is helpful in understanding how an adhesion/restriction in one part of the fascia can create enough tension that will prevent or decrease range of motion of joints elsewhere in the body. It makes sense then that fascia adhesions/restrictions affect the range of motion of joints due to restrictive movement of the connective tissue. Adhesions in the connective tissue can be a source of pain, reduced range of motion of joints and reduce the ability of many individuals to be as active as they could be pain free. Pain is not something you need to just accept and live with; it is your body’s way of bringing your attention to a dysfunction or restriction that needs to be addressed. If you are ready to embrace change and become active, pain free and find your inner happiness then call Active Balance Healing now and book your initial consultation. We can help!

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April 27, 2021

STILL-POINT THERAPY FOR STRESS AND ANXIETY

The Center for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) released an article saying that 1 in 5 Canadians will personally experience mental illness symptoms (anxiety/stress/depression etc.) and addiction in any given year; the statistics did not include the recent stress inducing Covid-19 lockdowns, small businesses closing, and the lack of social interaction. What can you do to relieve your stress and anxiety and lift your mood while on a budget and without additional medications? The answer is you should try ‘still point therapy’ on yourself. Robert Harris is a renowned Craniosacral therapist, teacher and owner of The Cranial Therapy Centre in downtown Toronto. During his studies with Andrew Still, Robert encountered a pressure point (called ‘slackening spots’) at the back of the skull that when compressed, induces a person into a still-point. The body has an innate system called the Craniosacral rhythm (CSR) that communicates directly with the body’s nervous system. The CRS resembles a wave of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that flows from the cranium down the spine to the sacrum and back up again. When a still-point is activated by direct touch, whether by self manipulation or induced by a seasoned practitioner, a trancelike state of deep relaxation throughout the body, mind and soul is experienced. Not only is the nervous system fully relaxed but so are the tense and tight muscles throughout the entire body. You can use the pad of one or two fingers to locate two flattened circular spots at the back of your head and apply light pressure on them with the pads of your fingers. You can also clasp your hands on the back of your ear which applies the necessary compression to induce a still point. Have you noticed that when people get super frustrated or stressed out they clasp their hands behind their heads? It is the body’s instinctive way of relieving stress and providing an immediate release of tension. A still point is a state of calm and immense healing that is induced during a Craniosacral therapy session by an experienced practitioner. Craniosacral therapy sessions are one of the most relaxing and deeply calming modalities that cradle the nervous system and allow complete surrender and multidimensional healing! If you are interested in learning more about how we can help you relieve stress, calm anxiety without the use of medications and claim your power back, contact Active Balance Healing today!

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April 27, 2021

GUA SHA TREATMENT

Gua sha is an ancient healing practice that is used worldwide to relieve joint and muscle tension in many musculoskeletal disorders. The Gua Sha tools used at Active Balance Healing are made from natural stone and may be used as part of a treatment regimen with some clients. Gua Sha is used to break up fibrous tissue that accumulate from inactivity, trauma, surgeries, repetitive strain injuries and other health conditions. The tool is applied on superficial areas of the body with some pressure and glides back and forth. The persistent friction breaks down the fibrous tissue within the deep and superficial fascia while also disturbing the tiny capillaries just under the skin. This process facilitates tissue regeneration, increased blood flow, lymph drainage and provides immediate muscle tension relief. When used in combination with other hands-on healing modalities, patients experience faster pain relief and a shorter recovery time. Gua Sha treatment causes some local capillary damage which may leave bruising and can be somewhat uncomfortable. Nonetheless, patients often confirm that the immediate muscle and joint relief far outweigh this discomfort.

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February 22, 2021