Chronic and Acute Pain Relief

Chronic and Acute Pain Relief consists of utilizing the following modalities:

Luminous Bodywork

Luminous Bodywork's intention is to re-establish the cord midline -- that through Trauma, stress, and events that seem out of our control disrupt our core patterns from which our body is built from. This core is subtle -- but without its authentic integrity -- our body fails to reach its' full potential. This assessment and focus is primary - for without it -- all clinical treatment will fail. Although this work is subtle -- it is truly the most powerful work one can receive. It is not force -- it is the power of energy that can realign and in-power us in the 3D world.

Cranial - Structural and Somatic Integration

Determining how to most effectively address this issue depends on adequate evaluation of the body’s structure. This is why we first visually assess the structure by observing the client standing so their weight-bearing structure emerges. Almost every client I have seen reporting a painful condition presents an imbalance in the pelvis with one side rotating forward and one rotating backward.

Although massage has been around for hundreds of years we are still discovering the power the body and mind having in the healing process. I have seen and lived this process with many of my clients, that is why I feel very fortunate and excited to do what I love to do, help others that are suffering from herniated discs, bulging discs, Hiatal hernias, peripheral nerve damage, nerve entrapments, pinched sciatic nerve issues and many more symptoms that people think they either have to have surgery for or are told they just have to deal with the pain. We can help! Check back for Part II

We are happy to offer a combination of services designed to help people return to a pain-free and stress-free live including Luminous Bodywork, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Cranial- Structural Integration Bodywork, Facilitated Pathways and SET/SCI Bodywork that helps with Sports Rehabilitation Therapy, Prevention - SET bodywork is a combination of several techniques designed to release restrictions and rebalance the body to alleviate symptoms that cause acute and chronic pain by:

Integrating myofascial restructuring, emotional energy release, acupressure, kinesiology, muscle testing, postural analysis, scar tissue and adhesion release, deep tissue massage therapy and rehabilitative therapy. Helping provide sciatic pain relief, nerve entrapment, and many more treatments for pain. For further details please read: BEYOND THE BOX EVOLUTION OF SET & Deep Tissue Techniques Article
Incorporating Cranial/Structural Core Distortion Release techniques to initiate the unwinding of the core distortion pattern (a pattern in the body that causes pain) which facilitates soft tissue releases. See also: Cranial-Structural Release Article
Using a specific sequence of techniques applied to protocols that have been developed to release old structural patterns that cause specific painful conditions and dysfunction.
Addressing the primary area of discomfort using these protocols, and then releases any restrictions causing imbalances in the other areas of the body so the improved alignment is supported. When this is accomplished, the whole structure supports balance and function, and maximum rehabilitation is achieved.
Complimenting standard medical treatments and chiropractic, both as primary therapy and an adjunct therapy as with many forms of alternative medicines
Rehabbing many problems associated with the spine including scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, herniated cervical disc, herniated discs, nerve entrapment, peripheral nerve damage, stenosis, whiplash, hyperlordosis, hypolordosis, reverse curvature of the neck, arthritis, osteoporosis, surgical scar and adhesions, surgical complications and much more. Please check out our: full list of symptoms we treat

By combining deep tissue massages and cranial/structural techniques we are able to balance your structure releasing many of the issues that have caused your pain. We specialize in providing sciatic pain relief (also referred to as sciatic nerve pain relief), myofascial relief, and many other effective treatments. Whether you are in recent pain or have had a long term issue, we have been able to help many people live a pain-free life.

We have been helping people cure many conditions associated with whiplash flexion/extension injuries, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, degenerative disc disease, Hiatal hernias, herniated discs or bulging discs, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, sciatica (providing sciatic pain relief), low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or foot pain and tailbone pain – that is usually related to the musculoskeletal structure. By addressing and releasing the core distortion pattern through a combination of techniques including deep tissue massages and cranial release we are able to achieve pain relief, homeostasis, and return to normal function.

Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention

MAXIMIZE YOUR ATHLETIC POTENTIAL

The techniques used at Integrated Healing Arts will help you as a client achieve the following goals. These techniques are time tested and proven to be the ultimate rehabilitation techniques!

body skeletal

Maximize Your Athletic Potential

Gain an additional 50% muscle strength, coordination and balance
Prevent devastating injuries
Greatly increase stamina and endurance
Breakthrough limitations that have held you back
Achieve a structural balance that will lead to the maximum physical potential

Rehabilitating Your Injuries

Dramatically speed up the time necessary for rehabilitation
Gain strength and stability in joints that were weakened even before the injury
Release and normalize scar tissue and adhesions
Regain lost flexibility and maximum range of motion

Extending Your Athletic Careers

Experience fewer injuries
Reduce healing time after injuries
Achieve long-lasting endurance and stamina
Retain flexibility and maximum range of motion
Reduce the effect of previous injuries
Maintain structural balance which leads to maximum performance

At Integrative Healing Arts Bodywork, we have been helping people with many conditions including whiplash flexion/extension injuries, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, degenerative disc disease, Hiatal hernias, herniated discs or bulging discs, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, sciatica (providing sciatic pain relief), low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or foot pain and tailbone pain – that is usually related to the musculoskeletal structure. By addressing and releasing the core distortion pattern through a combination of techniques including deep tissue massages and cranial release we are able to achieve pain relief, homeostasis, and return to normal function.

For more information with case studies, please click on the following links to read articles related to this subject – Athletic Potential and the Core Distortion Pattern, Expanding Your View for Treating Athletes.

Auto Accident***(Please read below)

***NOTE --THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS PASSED A LAW EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2013 -- DIS- ALLOWING ANY SOFT TISSUE WORK, AND NON-REIMBURSEMENT OF MASSAGE FOR AUTO INJURY. THIS ISSUE IS IN THE COURTS AT THIS TIME --- FOR THIS LAW IS COMPLETELY AGAINST THE RIGHTS OF AUTO DRIVERS. AS A REHABILITATION PRACTITIONERS -- I HAVE HAD TO TURN AWAY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN AUTO ACCIDENTS, SINCE THEIR INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY FOR THEIR HELP, AND THEIR BUDGETS DID NOT ALLOW FOR TREATMENT.

Upper Body

Carpal tunnel- The carpal tunnel or carpal canal is the fibro-osseous passageway on the palmar side of the wrist that connects the distal forearm to the middle compartment of the deep plane of the palm. The canal is narrow and when any of the nine long flexor tendons passing through it swells or degenerates, the narrowing of the canal often results in the median nerve getting entrapped or compressed, a medical condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. The techniques used in SET/ SCI/FPI create cures for the carpal tunnel without surgery by going after the root of the problem, the muscle, and tendons that have tightened over time causing severe pain.

Neck pain- (or cervicalgia) is a common problem, with two-thirds of the population having neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain, although felt in the neck, can be caused by numerous other spinal problems. Neck pain may arise due to muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves emanating from the cervical vertebrae. Joint disruption in the neck creates pain, as does joint disruption in the upper back. The head is supported by the lower neck and upper back, and it is these areas that commonly cause neck pain. The top three joints in the neck allow for most movement of your neck and head. The lower joints in the neck and those of the upper back create a supportive structure for your head to sit on. If this support system is affected adversely, then the muscles in the area will tighten, leading to neck pain. Neck pain may also arise from many other physical and emotional health problems

Shoulder pain- are one of the more common reasons for physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms. The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. This instability increases the likelihood of joint injury, often leading to a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well. Shoulder pain may be localized or may be referred to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Disease within the body (such as gallbladder, liver, or heart disease, or disease of the cervical spine of the neck) also may generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder. Conversely, the pain felt in the region of the shoulder blade or scapula nearly always has its origin in the neck.

Tennis elbow- (also known as “shooter’s elbow” and “archer’s elbow”) is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racket sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody. Tennis elbow is an overuse injury occurring in the common extensor tendon that originates from the lateral epicondyle. While the common name tennis elbow suggests that people who play tennis may develop this condition, other activities of daily living may also cause it. The techniques used in SET/SCI/FPI break up the scar tissue around the elbow and release the muscles allowing full range of motion while creating an alternative cure for tennis elbow that doesn’t require surgery (a permanent but not always effective solutions).

Nerve entrapment- also known as entrapment neuropathy, is a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a single nerve. It is known colloquially as a trapped nerve, though this may also refer to nerve root compression (by a slipped disc, for example). Its symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. The symptoms affect just one particular part of the body, depending on which nerve is affected. By rebalancing the body's skeletal structure and releasing the muscles tighten around the area releasing the nerve entrapment relieving pain.

Frozen shoulder-often referred to as frozen shoulder syndrome medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis, is a disorder in which the shoulder capsule, the connective tissue surrounding the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder, becomes inflamed and stiff, greatly restricting motion and causing chronic pain. Adhesive capsulitis is a painful and disabling condition that often causes great frustration for patients and caregivers due to slow recovery. The movement of the shoulder is severely restricted. Pain is usually constant, worse at night when the weather is colder, and along with the restricted movement can make even small tasks impossible. Certain movements or bumps can cause sudden onset of tremendous pain and cramping that can last several minutes. This condition, for which an exact cause is unknown, can last from five months to three years or more and is thought in some cases to be caused by injury or trauma to the area. It is believed that it may have an autoimmune component, with the body attacking healthy tissue in the capsule. There is also a lack of fluid in the joint, further restricting movement. In addition to difficulty with everyday tasks, people who suffer from adhesive capsulitis usually experience problems sleeping for extended periods due to pain that is worse at night and restricted movement/positions, . The condition also can lead to depression, pain, and problems in the neck and back. Risk factors for frozen shoulder include diabetes, stroke, accidents, lung disease, connective tissue disorders, and heart disease. The condition very rarely appears in people under 40. Treatment may be painful and taxing and consists of physical therapy, medication, massage therapy. The condition tends to be self-limiting resolving itself over time without surgery, sometimes taking up to two 2 years. Most people regain about 90% of shoulder motion over time. People who suffer from adhesive capsulitis may have extreme difficulty working and going about normal life activities for several months or longer. Our techniques have been proven to provide faster and more effective recovery.

Headaches- or cephalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the pain-sensitive structures around the brain. Several areas of the head and neck have these pain-sensitive structures, which are divided into two categories: within the cranium (blood vessels, meninges, and the cranial nerves) and outside the cranium (the periosteum of the skull, muscles, nerves, arteries and veins, subcutaneous tissues, eyes, ears, sinuses, and mucous membranes)

Trigger finger- trigger thumb, or trigger digit, is a common disorder of later adulthood characterized by catching, snapping or locking of the involved finger flexor tendon, associated with dysfunction and pain. A disparity in size between the flexor tendon and the surrounding retinacular pulley system, most commonly at the level of the first annular pulley, results in difficulty flexing or extending the finger and the “triggering” phenomenon. The label of trigger finger is used because when the finger unlocks, it pops back suddenly as if releasing a trigger on a gun

TMJ- The temporomandibular joint is the joint of the jaw and is frequently referred to as TMJ. There are two TMJs, one on either side, working in unison. The name is derived from the two bones which form the joint: the upper temporal bone which is part of the cranium (skull), and the lower jaw bone called the mandible. The unique feature of the TMJs is the articular disc. The disc is composed of fibrocartilagenous tissue (like the firm and flexible elastic cartilage of the ear) which is positioned between the two bones that form the joint. The TMJs are one of the only synovial joints in the human body with an articular disc, another being the sternoclavicular joint. The disc divides each joint into two. The lower joint compartment formed by the mandible and the articular disc is involved in the rotational movement — this is the initial movement of the jaw when the mouth opens. The upper joint compartment formed by the articular disk and the temporal bone is involved in the translational movement — this is the secondary gliding motion of the jaw as it is opened widely. The part of the mandible which mates to the under-surface of the disc is the condyle and the part of the temporal bone which mates to the upper surface of the disk is the glenoid (or mandibular) fossa. This term is used to refer to a group of problems involving the TMJs and the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other issues associated with them. Some practitioners might include the neck, the back and even the whole body in describing problems with the TMJs

Strains- an injury to a muscle in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching

Sprains- is an injury to ligaments that are caused by being stretched beyond their normal capacity and possibly torn. A muscular tear caused in the same manner is referred to as a strain. In cases where either ligament or muscle tissue is torn, immobilization and surgical repair may be necessary. Ligaments are tough, fibrous tissues that connect bone to bone across the joints. Sprains can occur in any joint but are most common in the ankle.

Sciatica- is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each nerve causing a pinched sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. This point is important because treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms. Our proven treatments consist of a body and structure rebalancing and a deep tissue massage that loosen the muscles throughout the body allowing the body to return to normal, relieving the pain.

Neuritis- is the term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness. Neuropathy types of issues may be associated with varying combinations of weakness, autonomic changes, and sensory changes. Loss of muscle bulk or fasciculations, a particular fine twitching of muscle, may be seen. Sensory symptoms encompass loss of sensation and “positive” phenomena including pain. Symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected (motor, sensory, or autonomic) and where the nerves are located in the body. One or more types of nerves may be affected. Common symptoms associated with damage to the motor nerve are muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms. Loss of balance and coordination may also occur. Damage to the sensory nerve can produce tingling, numbness, and pain. Pain associated with this nerve is described in various ways such as the following: the sensation of wearing an invisible “glove” or “sock”, burning, freezing, or electric-like, extreme sensitivity to touch. The autonomic nerve damage causes problems with involuntary functions leading to symptoms such as abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, reduced ability to perspire, constipation, bladder dysfunction (e.g., incontinence), and sexual dysfunction.

Lumbosacral- Referring to the lower part of the backbone or spine, problems in this area can be associated with leg, hip, and joint pain.

We have been helping people cure many conditions associated with whiplash flexion/extension injuries, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, degenerative disc disease, Hiatal hernias, herniated discs or bulging discs, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, sciatica (providing sciatic pain relief), low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or foot pain, tailbone pain and much more – that is usually related to the musculoskeletal structure. By addressing and releasing the core distortion pattern through a combination of techniques including deep tissue massages and cranial release we are able to achieve pain relief, homeostasis, and return to the normal function..

Lower Body

Back pain- (also known as dorsalgia) is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints, or other structures in the spine. The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling

Sciatic pain- is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body but in rare cases, some may have double sciatica. Our proven sciatic nerve treatments consist of a body and structure rebalancing and a deep tissue massage that loosen the muscles throughout the body allowing the body to return to normal, relieving the pain.

Tailbone Pain- or Coccydynia is a medical term meaning pain in the coccyx or tailbone area, usually brought on by sitting too abruptly. By rebalancing the body and manipulating the muscle that causes the imbalance we are able to relieve the pain.

Hip pain- can result from a number of factors. Abnormalities of the skin, nerves, bones, joints, blood vessels and soft tissues of the hip can all result in pain. Sometimes diseases that affect other joints in the body, such as arthritis, can be the cause of pain in the hip. Trauma, including bone fracture, is also a cause of hip pain. Pain in the hip area may also originate from painful infections or other conditions of the skin, such as shingles. Hip pain may also occur because of a problem with the back or spine.

Knee pain- There are several factors that can cause knee pain. Awareness and knowledge of knee pain causes lead to faster diagnosis and treatment. Knee pain can be related to the knee joint or around the knee

Foot pain- may be caused by many different conditions or injuries. Acute or repeated trauma, disease, or a combination are the most common causes of foot pain. Trauma is a result of forces outside of the body either directly impacting the body or forcing the body into a position where a single or combination of forces results in damage to the structures of the body. Poor biomechanical alignment may lead to foot pain. Wearing shoes that are too tight or high heels can cause pain around the balls of the feet and the bones in that area. Shoes that are tied too tightly may cause pain and bruise on the top of the foot.,

Plantar fasciitis- is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia. Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot towards the five toes. It has been reported that plantar fasciitis occurs in two million Americans a year and 10% of the population over a lifetime. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight-bearing. Among non-athletic populations, it is associated with a high body mass index. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Another symptom is that the sufferer has difficulty bending the foot so that the toes are brought toward the shin (decreased dorsiflexion of the ankle). A symptom commonly recognized among sufferers of plantar fasciitis is the increased probability of knee pains, especially among runners. Through our cranial/structural and deep tissue techniques we are able to provide effective plantar fasciitis treatments.

Heel spurs- when it is located on the inferior aspect of the calcaneus, is often associated with plantar fasciitis and ankylosing spondylitis. A posterior calcaneal spur may also develop on the back of the heel at the insertion of the Achilles tendon. An inferior calcaneal spur consists of a calcification of bone, which lies superior to the plantar fascia at the insertion of the plantar fascia . Posterior heel spurs are often large and palpable through the skin. Most heel spurs symptoms show much like Plantar fasciitis. Through our techniques, we are able to go in and break down the calcified area that is causing you pain.

Nerve entrapments- also known as entrapment neuropathy, is a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a single nerve. It is known colloquially as a trapped nerve, though this may also refer to nerve root compression (by a slipped disc, for example). Its symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. The symptoms affect just one particular part of the body, depending on which nerve is affected.

We have been helping people cure many conditions associated with whiplash flexion/extension injuries, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, degenerative disc disease, Hiatal hernias, herniated discs or bulging discs, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, sciatica (providing sciatic pain relief), low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or foot pain, tailbone pain and much more – that is usually related to the musculoskeletal structure. By addressing and releasing the core distortion pattern through a combination of techniques including deep tissue massages and cranial release we are able to achieve pain relief, homeostasis, and return to the normal function..

General Conditions

Tendonitis- meaning inflammation of a tendon and is a type of tendinopathy often confused with the more common tendinosis, which has similar symptoms but requires different treatment. Generally, tendinitis is referred to by the body part involved, such as Achilles tendinitis (affecting the Achilles tendon), or patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee, affecting the patellar tendon). Symptoms can vary from aches or pains and local stiffness to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed tendon. Swelling may happen along with heat and redness, but not in all cases, there may be visible knots surrounding joint. With this condition, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day as muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon. Many patients report stressful situations in their life in correlation with the beginnings of pain which may contribute to the symptoms. If the symptoms of tendinitis last for several months or longer it is probably tendinosis. Our tendonitis treatments consist of full-body re-balancing and deep tissue therapy to help loosen the muscles, breaking up scar tissue that may be impeding, therefore reducing the pull and strain of the tendon relieving pain.

Surgical scars- are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin (or other tissue) after injury or disease. A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound (e.g. after accident, disease, or surgery) results in some degree of scarring. These scar tissue built up over time can impede normal body function, cause pain and tenderness, and reduce the range of motion in muscles around the scar tissue. The most common types being Hypertrophic, Atrophic, and stretch marks.

Adhesions- are fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs, often as a result of injury during surgery. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue.

Nerve entrapments- also known as entrapment neuropathy, is a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a single nerve. It is known colloquially as trapped nerve, though this may also refer to nerve root compression (by a slipped disc, for example). Its symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. The symptoms affect just one particular part of the body, depending on which nerve is affected. In some cases, surgery may help to relieve the pressure on the nerve, but this does not always relieve all the symptoms. The symptoms and signs depend on which nerve is affected, where along its length the nerve is affected, and how severely the nerve is affected. Positive sensory symptoms are usually the earliest to occur, particularly tingling and neuropathic pain, followed or accompanied by reduced sensation or complete numbness. Muscle weakness is usually noticed later and is often associated with muscle atrophy.

Nerve injury- as a mononeuropathy, may cause similar symptoms to compression neuropathy. This may occasionally cause diagnostic confusion, particularly if the patient does not remember the injury and there are no obvious physical signs to suggest it.

Arthritis- is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis(degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and related autoimmune diseases. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is joint pain. Pain is often constant and may be localized to the joint affected. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. Regardless of the type of arthritis, the common symptoms for all arthritis disorders include varied levels of pain, swelling, joint stiffness and sometimes a constant ache around the joint(s). Arthritic disorders like lupus and rheumatoid can also affect other organs in the body with a variety of symptoms: Inability to use the hand or walk, Malaise and a feeling of tiredness, Fever, Weight loss, Poor sleep, Muscle aches and pains, Tenderness, Difficulty moving the joint.

Joint inflexibility- Joints are the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support and are classified structurally and functionally. As the joints become more inflexible the muscles can tighten, causing pain or limited range of motion

Strains and Muscle Pulls- an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibers tear as a result of overstretching. Strains are also colloquially known as pulled muscles. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain.

Fibromyalgia- a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term fibromyalgia syndrome for the condition. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients may also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction. Fibromyalgia is frequently comorbid with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms. Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2–4% of the population, with a female to male incidence ratio of approximately 9:1.

Lupus- a chronic systemic autoimmune disease (or autoimmuneconnective tissue disease) that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. It is a Type III hypersensitivity reaction caused by antibody-immune complex formation. SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with remissions

Scoliosis- a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an x-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. It is typically classified as either congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (cause unknown, sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or an adult according to when onset occurred) or neuromuscular(having developed as a secondary symptom of another condition, such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy or physical trauma). This condition affects approximately 20 million people in the United States

Hiatal hernia – is the protrusion (or herniation) of the upper part of the stomach into the thorax through a tear or weakness in the diaphragm. Hiatal Hernia has often been called the “great mimic” because its symptoms can resemble many disorders. For example, a person with this problem can experience dull pains in his or her chest, shortness of breath (caused by the hernia’s effect on the diaphragm), and heart palpitations (due to irritation of the vagus nerve). In most cases, however, a hiatal hernia does not cause any symptoms. The pain and discomfort that a patient experiences is due to the reflux of gastric acid, air, or bile. While there are several causes of acid reflux, it does happen more frequently in the presence of hiatal hernia. Our hiatal hernia treatments consist of a body and structure rebalancing and a deep tissue massage that loosen the muscles throughout the body and around the protruding area allowing the body to return to normal, relieving the pain.

Degenerative disc disease- a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one’s life. While disc degeneration is a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant chronic pain. With symptomatic degenerative disc disease, chronic low back pain sometimes radiates to the hips, or there is a pain in the buttocks or thighs while walking; sporadic tingling or weakness through the knees may also be evident. Similar pain may be felt or may increase while sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. Chronic neck pain can also be caused in the upper spine, with pain radiating to the shoulders, arms, and hands

Bulging discs- a medical condition affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc(discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out. Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature owing to the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators which may directly cause severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression. This is the rationale for the use of anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear. It is normally a further development of a previously existing disc protrusion, a condition in which the outermost layers of the annulus fibrosus are still intact, but can bulge when the disc is under pressure. Our bulging disc treatments consist of a body and structure rebalancing and a deep tissue massage that loosen the muscles throughout the body elevating the pressure on the disc allowing the body to return to normal, relieving the pain.

Herniated discs- a medical condition affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc(discus intervertebral) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out. Tears are almost always postero-lateral in nature owing to the presence of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. By loosening up the muscles around the spine and re-balancing the body our herniated disk treatment allows the disc room to readjust relieving the pain.

Stenosis- an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure. It is also sometimes called a stricture (as in urethral stricture). The term coarctation is synonymous but is commonly used only in the context of aortic coarctation.

Whiplash- a mythical range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck associated with the extension. Whiplash is commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, usually when the vehicle has been hit in the rear; however, the injury can be sustained in many other ways, including falls from stools, bicycles or horses. It stands out as one of the main injuries covered by the car insurers. Symptoms reported by sufferers include pain and aching to the neck and back, referred pain to the shoulders, sensory disturbance (such as pins and needles) to the arms & legs, and headaches. Symptoms can appear directly after the injury but often are not felt until days afterward. Whiplash is usually confined to the spinal cord, and the most common areas of the spinal cord affected by whiplash are the neck, and the mid-back (middle of the spine).

Hyperlordosis- a condition that occurs in dancers when the lumbar region (lower back) experiences stress or extra weight and is arched to point of muscle pain or spasms. Lumbar lordosis is a common postural position where the natural curve of the lumbar region of the back is slightly accentuated. Commonly known as swayback it is common in dancers. Individuals with lumbar lordosis that are active dancers are more apt to have an onset of lumbar hyperlordosis because of various reasons.

Reverse curvature of the neck- is the loss of a normal spinal curve. The condition may occur after a rear-end auto impact.

Osteoporosis- a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. The bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone are altered. Osteoporosis itself has no specific symptoms; its main consequence is the increased risk of bone fractures. Osteoporotic fractures are those that occur in situations where healthy people would not normally break a bone; they are therefore regarded as fragility fractures. Typical fragility fractures occur in the vertebral column, rib, hip and wrist, surgical complications and many more issues that can cause pain

Chronic Fatigue- Fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses, but chronic fatigue is a multi-systemic disease and is relatively rare by comparison. Symptoms include post-exertional malaise; unrefreshing sleep; widespread muscle and joint pain; cognitive difficulties; chronic, often severe, mental and physical exhaustion; and other characteristic symptoms in a previously healthy and active person. Chronic fatigue patients may report additional symptoms including muscle weakness, hypersensitivity, orthostatic intolerance, digestive disturbances, depression, poor immune response, and cardiac and respiratory problems.

Pregnancy Back Pain-is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling. About 50% of women experience low back pain during pregnancy. Back pain in pregnancy may be severe enough to cause significant pain and disability and pre-dispose patients to back pain in the following pregnancy. No significant increased risk of back pain with pregnancy has been found with respect to maternal weight gain, exercise, work satisfaction, or pregnancy outcome factors such as birth weight, birth length, and Apgar scores. Treatment: By readjusting the body and balancing the spine, while working on the muscle that is causing the misalignment we can alleviate the pain and discomfort.

We have been helping people cure many conditions associated with whiplash flexion/extension injuries, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, degenerative disc disease, Hiatal hernias, herniated discs or bulging discs, carpal tunnel, nerve entrapment, sciatica (providing sciatic pain relief), low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or foot pain, tailbone pain and much more – that is usually related to the musculoskeletal structure. By addressing and releasing the core distortion pattern through a combination of techniques including deep tissue massages and cranial release we are able to achieve pain relief, homeostasis, and return to normal function.

Contact: Patricia Ann. Star, LMT, SET, RA
Integrated Healing Arts, LLC
1718 Main St. #310.
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-356-7768
patricia@essentialstarr.com
MA # 28053
MM #28601

Modalities for Pain Relief