Within my orthopedic manual therapy practice, I have found that when we become aware of and take responsibility for how we carry our bodies, we begin to heal naturally and our pain melts away. The teachings of Paul Kelly resonate with me because of his focus on postural awareness and the brain-body connection. My […]
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Tag: pittsburgh massage
Stepping out of my comfort zone
It’s official! I have my own place! When I began my massage therapy career in 2009, I never would have imagined that I would some day be in business for myself. I had recently left a 12 year accounting career, not knowing if I would have to return to the corporate lifestyle. Looking back […]
Graded Exposure
To help change the brain’s mind about pain through touch, we progressively introduce movements into the painful barrier in a way that makes them less painful. HOW DOES IT WORK? 📍 Contract-relax techniques can make the nervous system less threatened by the movement … even if muscles aren’t permanently lengthening, trigger points aren’t […]
Have you got a pain in your butt?
If that pain in your butt is your kids or your spouse, I can’t help. Perhaps the pain is coming from your hamstrings, in which case, I’m up for the challenge! A recent client came to me with bilateral hip pain. It was becoming so intense that she felt weak walking down a […]
Chest Pain
Recently a client came to me who was experiencing chest pain. She’s quite in tune with her body, and she was able to safely rule out heart attack, so we proceeded with the session. She shared stories with me of a weekend trip to the lake with her young family … she on a […]
Pain in the Neck
As you can see from this picture, the occipital muscles run in multiple directions allowing the head to have that bobble-head movement. Symptoms caused by neck dysfunction can express themselves as a combination of headaches, dizziness, pain, or limited range of motion. Several recent clients expressed similar symptoms, each one slightly different from […]
Rotator Cuff Injuries
When clients tell me they have a torn Rotator Cuff, I ask them which one, and they give me a puzzled look. Did you know … the ROTATOR CUFF is made up of 4 muscles that not only stabilize the shoulder but also allow the shoulder to move in multiple directions. ✅ Supraspinatus […]
Golfer’s Elbow
You love the sport, but why does your elbow hurt so badly after a round of golf? Generally the pain is felt in the Medial Epicondyle of the elbow where many of the flexor muscles of the wrist and hand attach. These flexor muscles are overworked, exhausted, and most likely pulling away from […]
Open the Front Line
Feeling tension in your neck and upper shoulders? Then give this a try … to open the front line and to strengthen the mid back … which ultimately improves posture. Begin lying on your stomach with your arms comfortably at your sides. While keeping your arms straight, lift your shoulders and arms up […]
Lateral Hip Pain
Many female clients come to me who experience Lateral Hip Pain. I take note to see that they tend to stand and sit with their legs glued together (sitting “like a lady” as we were all taught) in a reverse triangle position. I also note their tendency toward wider hips which are essential in […]