Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC., 7821 Wakeley Plaza, Omaha, NE (2026)

Q: What is the website?

http://www.naturalpaintherapyllc.com/

03/01/2026

Our latest news

1. As always I would love your reviews on google. It only takes a second and really helps me out. Here is the link: g.page/r/CakUXCVCB-JxEAI/review

2. The March Fibromyalgia Resourse Group will be meeting at The Yoga Path March 14th @ 10:30am for a restorative yoga class. Space is limited so let Shanna know if you will be able to make it. slmathia@gmail.com
3. I have a new and improved website! You are still able to book directly on line. Thanks to C Marie Photography for the update. Carrie did an amazing job. Go check in out. naturalpaintherapyllc.com (http://www.naturalpaintherapyllc.com)
4. If you are wanting to get in and can't find a spot please get on my waitlist via the book now button on my website. When a spot opens up you are immediately sent a text via square. You can still ask me to let you know if something opens up, but square is more effective.
5. Contact Amy below for meditation/mindfulness training and Quatum Human Design™

March is National Nutrition Month
Since March is the National Nutrition Month I thought I would touch on nutrition as it relates to fascia. Nutrition as you all know is very important. Whatever we put in our bodies ends up in our tissues including our fascia.

Fascia is composed of collagen fibers(strength), elastin (elasticity), and gelatinous ground substance (lubricant). It surrounds muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. Fascia provides support, stability, and elasticity. To support each of these functions of fascia consider the following in your diet:

Collagen and Protein: Important for repair of fascia. Highly important for women in peri or menopause as collagen decreases at this time. Food that contains collagen: bone broth, chicken/fish skin, eggs, lean meats, and legumes. Supplements: You could also consider taking a collagen supplement (types I and III). Be sure it is hydrolyzed, grass fed or wild caught, and you take vitamin C as well in order to stabilize and synthesize collagen in the body.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Important to reduce inflammation in fascia. Some foods that contain Omega-3: salmon, mackerel, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts. Supplements: Omega-3 fish oil
Vitamin C & Antioxidants. Important for structure and protection. Foods that contain these: Berries (blueberries, raspberries), citrus fruits (lemons, oranges), leafy greens (Kale, spinach), bell peppers, and broccoli. Supplements: liposomal Vitamin C or buffered Vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) 500mg or more
Hydrating Foods. Important for flexibility. These foods include: cucumber, celery, watermelon, and herbal teas. Supplements: Hyaluronic acid
Mineral-Rich Foods. Important for Elasticity. Foods that contain minerals: pumpkin seeds, almonds, and dark chocolate. Supplements: Magnesium
Anti-Inflamatory Spices. Turmeric and ginger.
Vitamin D. Important for overall connective tissue health as it helps modulate inflammation and supports tissue remodeling. Foods that contain vitamin D: fatty fish (salmon, trout, sardines), fish liver oils, UV exposed mushrooms, egg yolks, milk, orange juice. Supplements: D3 in high doses for severe pain like plantar fasciitis
It is also important to avoid sugars and processed foods as they increase inflammation which in turn increases pain.

As always keep your fascia hydrated and mobile so the tissues can release toxins and get the nutrients they need by:
1. Drinking plenty of water. Half of your body weight in ounces/day
2. Myofascial Release. Use your yoga balls to release the tissues and/or come in for an MFR session.
3. Stretching. Stretch tight fascial areas for 3-5 minutes gently.
4. Relaxation. Find ways to relax your mind and body together. Meditations, walks, reading, exercise...
5. Heat. Heat the affected areas in order to increase blood flow for improved circulation of nutrients and toxin release.

Click here for an update from Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC!

02/01/2026

Our latest news

1. If you are wondering what to get your loved ones for valentines day this year why not get them the gift of pain relief ? I have a link to purchase gift cards below or you can get paper gift card from me at the office.

2. As I continue to be very busy please let me know at least 24hours in advance if you are unable to make an appointment so I can have time to fill the space with somone needing an appointment. Thanks in advance!
3. If you are wanting to get in, but are having trouble finding a spot you can join my waitlist on square or reach out to me so I can get you on my waitlist.
4. The monthly Fibromyalgia Resourse Group will be meeting February 11th at 6pm at the Natural Pain Therapy Clinic 7820 Wakeley Plaza. It has been a great success thus far with those attending getting very useful information. If you or someone you know would like to attend let the group leader Shanna Mathia know at slmathia@gmail.com or let me know if you plan to come.
5. Contact Amy for a session in meditation/ mindfulness training and/or Quantum Human Design™. Just click on the link below. It is very important to heal your mind along with your body!
6. As always I would love your reviews on google. It only takes a second and really helps me out. Here is the link g.page/r/CakUXCVCB-JxEAI/review

SELF-LOVE

Since February is the month of love I thought I would choose to highlight on self-love!
I truly believe that self-love comes first. Before you can love and care for anyone else you first have to love and care for yourself. When you don’t love yourself you don’t have anything to give and you look for someone else to fill you up.
I believe in our society today taking care of yourself is often seen as selfish. People think that if they are focusing on loved ones or even random strangers more than themselves they are being honorable. This is where we are lost today. We don’t spend enough time thinking about what we want and need ourselves and in the end that can lead us to be unhappy and resentful.
So I encourage you this month to figure out ways to love and care for yourself Because many of us don’t even know what we want/need here are some suggestions.
1. Start a regular exercise/stretching routine- make time for it!
2. Eat what makes you feel good/healthy
3. Schedule regular MFR treatments to keep your body in tune.
4. Find out what relaxes you and makes you happy. Do it regularly!!
5. Schedule a “me” day at least once a month or maybe once a week 😉where you take care of yourself own needs

When you take care of you, you will be a much happier/healthier person and everyone around you will benefit from it!!

MANIFESTO OF LOVE AND PEACE

I’ve noticed lately that nearly everyone I encounter seems stressed or anxious to some degree—including myself.

I truly believe much of this comes from the negative energy surrounding us today. Just turn on the news or glance at your phone and you’ll find countless reasons to feel fearful: war threats, mass shootings, rising gas prices, strikes, viruses, disease—the list goes on and on.

So how do we change that energy?
It has to start within.

That’s easier said than done. Each of us needs to honestly assess our thoughts and ask whether they are truly valid and relevant to our own lives. Too often, we get swept up in everyone else’s fears without stopping to consider whether those fears even apply to us. I believe more and more of us are stuck in fight or flight. Our sympathetic nervous systems have gone haywire, keeping us in a constant state of fear—often without justification.

An overactivated sympathetic nervous system leads to increased pain, muscle tightness, rapid heart rate, shallow breathing, and decreased digestion—all of which can cause disease and dysfunction if left unchecked. Are you stressed about being stressed now? 😉
These responses are useful when we’re running from a lion—but not when we’re reacting to perceived threats that don’t actually affect us. 🤦‍♀️

Self-worth has suffered as well. Social media has us constantly comparing ourselves to others—but what are we really comparing ourselves to? Is it even real? Most likely not. People post highlight reels, not real life. We end up measuring ourselves against an illusion—and often one we wouldn’t even want if we stopped to think about it.

Some of the unhappiest people I’ve met live in the biggest houses and drive the most expensive cars, while some of the happiest live in impoverished areas of Omaha, content and full of joy. Constantly chasing the next best thing isn’t living. Live in the moment. Be grateful for what you have right now. That doesn’t mean you stop working toward your dreams—it simply means you enjoy the ride along the way.

We need to believe that we are okay—or even great—and learn to love ourselves without needing approval from others. If each of us could genuinely love ourselves, that love would naturally spread throughout the world.

We also need to understand that others’ opinions of us truly don’t matter. What they see is filtered through their own perceptions and past experiences. They don’t really know you—honestly, not even your loved ones know your true thoughts and feelings. Only you do. When you discover what you love and live from that place, happiness follows. It has nothing to do with anyone else.

Your worth also has nothing to do with what you do for a living. From a young age, we ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” as if simply being isn’t enough. You are not your job. Your worth is not measured by how much you produce, heal, sell, or accomplish. You alone are worthy. As long as you believe in yourself, do your best, and love yourself and others—you are enough.

All the self-help books, motivational speakers, and great coaches say the same thing: when you believe in yourself, love yourself, and cultivate positivity, it follows you. Positive attracts positive. That said, negative experiences, thoughts, and emotions will still arise. You must acknowledge them, accept them, and then let them go.

Abundance and happiness look different for everyone—and that’s perfectly okay. You must look within to discover what those mean to you and release the need for external validation.

This doesn’t mean fighting with those who disagree with you. It means not taking disagreement personally and learning to agree to disagree. There will be people who don’t share your views—and that’s okay. They come from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Just as you want to be understood, so do they. Most arguments have little to do with you and everything to do with an internal struggle the other person is facing. This realization has helped me immensely. Don’t take it personally.

When we stop judging ourselves and others, and recognize how deeply interconnected we all are, we can truly find peace. After all, we share the same heavenly creator—regardless of race, religion, s*xual preference, gender, or political affiliation. We are all brothers and sisters. If we lived by the golden rule—love thy neighbor as thyself (which requires loving yourself first)—we could heal the world.

So go after your dreams. Pursue what makes you happy—no matter your age. Nothing can stand in your way when you are internally content, whole, and at peace. You are already enough. ✨

Click here for an update from Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC!

01/01/2026

Our latest news

1. Happy New Year!! If you need to get in to see me but are having trouble finding a spot remember you can get on my waitlist through square booking and you will get an immediate alert when a spot opens up. You can also let met know and I can add you to my waitlist, but square will likely be faster.

2. The monthly Fibromyalgia Resourse Group will be meeting January 14th at 6pm at the Natural Pain Therapy Clinic 7820 Wakeley Plaza. It has been a great success thus far with those attending getting very useful information. If you or someone you know would like to attend let the group leader Shanna Mathia know at slmathia@gmail.com or let me know if you plan to come.
3. Amy with Believe, Breathe, Be continues to accept clients for meditation and mindfulness training as well as Quantum Human Design ™. To learn more and/or to schedule with her click on the link below. It is VERY important to heal your mind along with your body!
4. As always I would love your reviews on google. It only takes a second and would help me out a lot. Here is the link: share.google/10OeI1g2roeJO6O8X

How to Make A Habit Stick

Since January is the month of New Years Resolutions I thought it may be good to talk about habits! I know that most of us don’t even think about the impact that our daily habits have on our lives. Things that we do every day without even thinking about it help to keep us healthy and alive. From washing our bodies to brushing our teeth to eating our breakfast. We don’t even think about doing these things, often they just happen. That is because they are habits that we have formed that we complete every day about the same time each day and we are in a sense on auto pilot.
What is difficult though is breaking habits or starting new ones especially if you are older and are set in your ways. For instance adding in exercise and stretching to your daily habits may seem very difficult at least at first. According to BJ Fogg in his book Tiny Habits, the most important thing about making new habits or breaking old ones is looking at our motivation to complete them as well as our ability to achieve them.
Motivation Versus Ease of Task
If we make goals and habits too hard and we don’t have the motivation to complete them they most likely will not become habits. For example if you decide you are going to work out super hard every morning at 5:30, but you hate mornings and hate exercise you probably are not going to be motivated to get up and work your heart out 😉 So a better way would be to either do you exercise at a time when you are more motivated or do a smaller amount of exercise at least to begin with. Even starting with getting out of bed and doing 10 to 15 minutes of stretching is a good start. In this example you may not be motivated to get out of bed but the task that you have at hand is simple and easy to achieve So you are more likely to do it. As you get used to that routine of getting out of bed and doing 10 to 15 minutes of stretching you can gradually add 5-10 minutes to the time Until you reach your desired goal.
On the other hand if you want to break a bad habit like eating crappy food it is best to make it harder to get. So for example you are very motivated to eat all of the Oreo cookies in your cabinet when you get home from a stressful day of work. In order to stop this bad habit you need to make it harder to get those Oreo cookies. So don’t buy them or have them at home available for you to eat.
Something that I really liked about Fogg’s book was that he said you shouldn’t blame yourself. Instead of beating yourself up over messing up because you couldn’t do the crazy exercise in the morning or stop yourself from eating the Oreos you need to look at why it’s happening and the motivation and ease of the habit. The problem is the process and not you. You are just naturally doing what is the easiest for you.
Prompts
One other important key factor with forming habits is you need to have prompts. So if you want to start a new habit you should do it directly after or during a task that you are already doing daily. That task is a prompt for you to start the new habit. On the other hand if you want to stop a bad habit you need to take away the prompts. He gives the example of wanting to stop scrolling on your phone right when you get up in the morning. Instead of the alarm on your phone being the prompt to pick up the phone and start looking at Facebook, put your phone outside of the room. Get an old fashion alarm clock that does not have your phone attached to it :-) problem solved!

So I challenge you to think about one habit that you want to start and one you want to stop. Now look at the motivation and ability behind each and tweak each to make it happen or stop it. I also suggest reading the book Tiny Habits. As a bonus he puts in simple habits for different areas of your life. Like motivating and uplifting yourself by giving a fist pump and saying “yes” to yourself. Makes me smile every time I think of it 😂 Good Luck!!

Self-Care is One Habit You Could Add 😉
As all of you should know it is VERY important that you do your “homework” in between sessions. The fascia will want to go back into the positions that it is used to so it is key that you do the stretches and exercises to keep the fascia loose which means maintaining /increasing circulation to the area. How do you do that?

1. Self MFR- placing yoga balls to tight/tender areas and holding for at least 2 minutes until you feel the ball sink in the tissue
2. Exercises- you will also need to strengthen areas that are weak. Depending on where those areas are, certain muscle groups will need to be targeted. I will help you determine where those areas are
3. Stretches- In addition to self MFR to tight areas, you will also need to complete stretches to loosen those areas. Remember stretches need to be held for at least 2 minutes. Never force a stretch. Go to resistance and lean in/hold. Follow the stretch as it releases
4. Heat- heat packs, hot tubs, saunas. Heat will increase the circulation to the area which is what we need to flush out the toxins. It also assists in relaxing the tissues. It may work well to heat up an area prior to self MFR and stretching.
5. Relaxation- meditation, exercises, breathing techniques. When we are tense from stress so are our tissues tense and tight. Find what relaxes you and do it regularly!

It is also very important that you try and find the causes of the tightness/imbalances and address them
Positions that you get into at work or rest may be a source of pain especially if you are in one position the majority of the time. Your body will build up tissues to support those positions causing tightness when switching from that position. You may need to rearrange your work station. It it is important to try and move throughout the day as much as you are able. When stretching think about moving into the opposite position you are in the majority of the time and stretching in that position.
Nutrition is Imoprtant (water or food). Make sure you are drinking plenty of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces) electrolytes if needed. Avoid inflammatory foods (sugar, processed foods, foods you are sensitive to) Consider a food sensitivity test.
Sleep habits- Get 7-8 hours of sleep at night. Make sure you are sleeping with spine in neutral position. Build your “nest” of pillows to support you in that position. Make sure your bed is supportive. If it is too soft/old it may be causing you pain
Exercise habits- make sure you are exercising ALL of your fascia. Don’t just do linear movements like treadmills or bikes. Switch it up frequently…cardio, Pilates, yoga, weights…using different muscle groups. Move all day if possible.

A fellow practitioner of mine here in omaha teaches Self myofasical release classes where you can learn how to effectively stretch all areas of your body. I highly recommend taking these classes especially if you are someone who has several tight/problem areas. Here is the link: mayerwellness.offeringtree.com/pages/schedule/workshops

Click here for an update from Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC!

11/29/2025

Our latest news

1. Happy Holidays to all of you! I want you to know how much I appreciate you. If you have an appointment scheduled for December you will be getting a small gift from me!

2. If you are having trouble figuring out what to give your friends and family, consider giving them the gift of pain relief! I do have gift cards. Click on the e-gift card link below or I do have paper gift cards in the office.
3. As I continue to be very busy, I suggest getting on my waitlist on my booking site, Square. You can also shoot me a text or call, however, I may not be able to get to it right away and Square will automatically send you a message when a spot comes available.
4. As always I would love your reviews on google. It only takes a second and really helps me out. Here is the link: https://g.page/r/CakUXCVCB-JxEAE/review (https://share.google/ktVqIAnxt4S2JzTMp)
5. Amy continues to accept new clients for mindfulness and Quantum Human Design™ Click on Believe Breathe Be below for more information and to schedule. It is just as important to heal the mind as the body!
6. The second Fibromyalgia Resource Group, led by Shanna Mathia, will be December 10th at 6pm at the office 7820 Wakeley plaza. If you or someone you know has fibromyalgia this is a great opportunity to meet with others to get some great information to make life a bit easier. Sign up with Shanna @ slmathia@gmail.com or let me know if you plan to come.

Holiday Anxiety??

A great book to check out is Anxiety Rx written by Russell Kennedy, MD. He himself suffered from extreme anxiety throughout his life until finding the root cause stemmed from his childhood and growing up with a bipolar father who was very unpredictable. At the age of 12 he had to become too old too soon as his father was not reliable and his mom was too busy working and trying to hold the family together.
In his book Russell highlights that the main reasons for chronic anxiety are due to alarm felt in the body as a result of background alarm ( childhood traumas). Stacked on top of the foreground alarm(actual current events causing stress). When we are stressed our body’s react to protect us by activating the sympathetic nervous system. When this system is activated the following happens in our bodies. Heart rate increases, respiratory rate increases, muscles tense, and digestion slows. Basically all body functions are affected to prepare us to fight, flee, or freeze. In “normal” functioning the person only has foreground alarm and the body is able to quickly return to its prior state before the stressful event occurred, but when someone has background alarm they are constantly on alert. In these individuals they are constantly in fight or flight and these alarms/anxiety are stuck in the body. The mind tries to make sense of these feelings in the body by creating stories and worries to back the feelings which most of the time are not true. The alarm is fed and increased by these thoughts and a vicious cycle of chronic alarm/worry occurs.
Dr. Kennedy uses the acronym ALARMS to highlight the areas of childhood trauma that may be causing the background alarm.
A- Abuse- physical, emotional, s*xual
L- Loss- minor and major losses (losing a pet, favorite toy, death of a parent or sibling)
A- Abandonment- any sense of being abandoned or separated from our protectors
R-Rejection- rejected by peers or family, being bullied
M- Mature- forced to mature too early, need to “take care” of parents or siblings
S- Shame- anything a child perceives as shameful or embarrassing
Even if you never suffered from the extremes of these traumas you may suffer from background alarm especially if you are a more sensitive person.
So what is the key to stopping chronic anxiety/alarm?
Stopping chronic worry is not an easy task but it can be done. Worries our whole lives have been a source of protection that our egos have conjured up to alert us to the possibilities of what could happen. Over time these neural pathways have become ingrained in our brains and it will be difficult to change. You can stop it, but it will take time and effort to make new neural pathways.
Dr. Kennedy introduces the following guidelines.
Repeat your ABCs over and over again as often as you need to whenever worry pops up.
ABC’s of stopping Alarm
Awareness.- Learn to become aware of your fears and worries. Learn your triggers. Ask yourself "In this moment am I safe?" 99.9% of the time there is not a real threat to your survival. By realizing this in the moment you can begin to put your worries to rest. As soon as you start to worry move on to the B in the ABCs
Body and Breath- Find your alarm in the body. You need to become aware of this alarm in the body and focus on the feelings ( NOT the thoughts). The heart exerts an electrical field 5,000x stronger than the brain. To find your alarm, close your eyes and think about something especially fearful. Now focus on where you feel it in your body. Really think about it. Does it have a shape, a color, what does it feel like? Is it heavy or hollow? Now breathe into that pain, don't run from it or create stories around it. Put your hand on the area or on your chest, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths into the pain. Embrace the pain.
Compassionate Connection- Embrace your inner child. Imagine sitting in front of yourself as a child in a particular fearful situation you had as a child. What would you say to that child? Imagine embracing that child and telling them they are ok. They survived. They did the best they could and they are ok now. Place your hand over your chest or the area of alarm in your body. Think about something you like about yourself or something you are grateful for. You also need to love all parts of yourself. When you reject yourself because of your anxiety or say to yourself “I don’t like myself” or “I blame myself”. You are truly at war with yourself as you are both the attacker and the attacked. The ego doesn’t know how to handle that because we are creating a separation which puts fuel in the anxiety fire. But when you connect to yourself the alarm goes away because by acknowledging your fears and loving yourself you are attending to yourself which turns off the ego because you take away its job of protection.
Once we are able to accept ourselves and love ourselves for who we are and can release the alarm in our bodies we can then allow the "rest and digest system" of our bodies, the parasympathetic system, to function as it should. This system slows breathing, heart rate, induces digestion, relaxes the muscles. This system has two parts: the ventral vagus nerve and the dorsal vagus nerve. When we are in this relaxed state we can then truly live and love and interact with others. Kennedy speaks a lot about the SES or (social engagement system). This is the ventral branch of the parasympathetic nervous system that allows us to interact with others which we need to get out of our anxious state. It is very hard to activate this branch when our sympathetic nervous systems have control over us. When you are trying to “protect” your life the last thing on your mind is to start a deep conversation or physical interaction with a loved one.
Our egos will try and hijack our peace any way possible even though they are only trying to protect us. Some ways they will trick us are by turning us against ourselves. Kennedy uses the acronym JABS
Judgement- we judge ourselves by saying we are unworthy, not acceptable to others
Abandon-we abandon our own needs for others
Blame-blame ourselves for problems
Shame-berate ourselves for embarrassing situations from our past, being bullied.
We need to thank our egos for trying to protect us, but let them know we can take if from here and go to the ABCs listed above
Besides practicing your ABCs every time an alarm arises. Here are some other suggestions Dr. Kennedy has
1. Yin Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi- this combines breathing, body, and mind connection.
2. Singing, Chanting, laughing, crying. - All of these stimulate the vagus nerve and release oxytocin which assists in relaxation
3. Love and Compassion- giving to yourself, pets, and others also induces the release of oxytocin.
3. Rhythmic breathing- Check your breathing. If your breath is short and shallow you are more than likely in an alarm state. By slowing the breathing, breathing deeply, and breathing continuously you can also decrease alarm by stimulating the vagus nerve.
4. Create Rituals- when you have rituals throughout the day you decrease the chaos in your world which decreases the alarm in your body.
5. Avoid Social Media- It causes distraction from real life and we need real connections to activate the social engagement system of our parasympathetic system to learn how to monitor stress.
6. Kennedy did not mention myofascial release in his book, but it too is a way to connect the mind and body and the assist in releasing the buried emotions and stored alarm from childhood traumas
Always remember faith over fear. When we have faith in ourselves and believe that we are truly able to love ourselves and care for our own needs and the needs of our inner child we can turn off the worries and fear and alert our ego that they are not needed. “Worry and faith can not coexist” Ego-based fear protection is only a prediction of the future and faith comes from inside of you and can never be taken away. You have the control and the ability to heal yourself!!

Click here for an update from Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC!

11/01/2025

Our latest news

1. The first Fibromyalgia resource group will be this coming Wednesday November 5th at 6pm at the office 7820 Wakeley Plaza. If you have Fibromyalgia or know someone who does this will be a great way to get information on how to live your best life and also help others like you. Remeber to sign up with Shanna @ slmathia@gmail.com or let me know if you plan to come.

2. As always I would love your reviews on google. It only takes a second and really helps me out. Here is the link g.page/r/CakUXCVCB-JxEAI/review
3. Sign up with Amy for meditation and mindfulness training and Quantum Human Design™ Taking care of your mind along with your body is extremely important! Book on the link below at Believe, Breathe, Be.
4. As I continue to be very busy... if you want to get in and can't find a spot you can get on my waitlist on square booking or shoot me a text or call. The square booking is automated and will likely let you know of an opening sooner than I can.

What Happens to Fascia When Hormones Decrease?

It seems that recently I have had many clients in peri menopause or menopause who have been suffering from increased pain and wondering if it is hormone related.
Hormone changes both in menopause and around the menstrual cycle can definitely affect the fascia. Estrogen, relaxin, and cortisol all directly affect the fascia’s composition, elasticity, and pain signaling.
Estrogen- There are estrogen receptors in fibroblasts which affect the production of collagen. Increased levels of estrogen cause increased type III collagen and decreased levels of estrogen cause the production of type I collagen. Type III collagen is more elastic and extensible and type I is stiff and rigid almost like scar tissue. The decrease in estrogen that occurs with menopause leads to type I collagen which in turn causes increased pain and possible risk for injury in certain areas. Some conditions include frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, thumb pain, hip pain, and pelvic pain. Women who do still have a cycle or are pregnant will often have periods of increased estrogen which can increase injuries related to the laxity of the tissues like ligament tears and ACL injuries.
Relaxin- Helps to limit inflammation and fibrosis. Relaxin promotes extracellular matrix remodeling by decreasing collagen synthesis, breaking down certain collagen types and inhibiting inflammation. As this hormone decreases in menopause it adds to inflammation and increases collagen production which in turn leads to pain.
Cortisol- Along with dealing with body changes many middle aged women also have other stressors including dealing with children, aging, parents, work, and financial struggles all of which contribute to increased stress. Increased stress leads to more cortisol production. Not only do women have increased cortisol due to stress, cortisol also increases during menopause because when the estrogen and progesterone decline your body it is not able to regulate the cortisol. This is due in part to the fact that cortisol shares the same receptors. When progesterone decreases there are more receptors open for cortisol so it increases significantly. In addition estrogen keeps down production of cortisol which also adds to this increase. Cortisol increases inflammation in the fascia causing increased rigidity and pain. Increased cortisol can mean weight gain, poor sleep, brain fog, pain and fatigue.
Androgens- A decrease in testosterone also often occurs with menopause. This too can limit collagen as testosterone works to decrease the amount of collagen degradation. (This is why older men also have increased stiffness and pain)
So what can I do about it?
1.Consider hormone replacement therapy or take a DEHA supplement (s*x hormone precursor). It should be personalized and closely monitored by a medical professional.
2.Treat yourself regularly with self myofascial release, heat, stretching, and relaxation. All of these improve circulation and help to keep the tissues lubricated which will decrease pain as well as risk for injury.
3. Maintain a healthy diet. Especially decreasing sugar intake. The decrease in estrogen and increase in cortisol already increase inflammation and sugar just adds to that inflammation. Decreased estrogen and progesterone make the cells less sensitive to insulin. This makes it difficult for the body to regulate sugar intake.

Eat these 15 foods that assist in hormone production: Avocados, flaxseeds, chia seeds,leafy greens, broccoli, quina, berries, nuts, lentils, yogurt, salmon, eggs, seaweed, pomegranate, dark chocolate

4.Get regular MFR treatment. How Myofascial Release Helps!
Rehydration and Improved Glide: The sustained pressure and movement applied during MFR stimulate fasciacytes to produce more hyaluronan, which increases the fluid content and lubricates the fascial layers. This restores the smooth "gliding" motion essential for pain-free movement.
Collagen Remodeling: MFR stimulates fibroblasts to realign collagen fibers and can encourage a shift towards a more pliable tissue structure, helping to restore elasticity.
Breaking Adhesions: The shearing effect of MFR pressure helps to physically break apart adhesions or "knots" where the fascia has become bound down or thickened.
Enhanced Circulation: MFR improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the affected areas, which supports tissue healing and reduces inflammation.
Neuromuscular Regulation: The gentle pressure and stretching stimulate mechanoreceptors (sensory nerve endings) within the fascia, which can calm the nervous system (shifting from "fight-or-flight" to "rest-and-digest") and reduce muscle guarding and pain perception.
By addressing both the physical and neurological aspects of fascial stiffness, myofascial release helps the body adjust to hormonal changes, leading to improved mobility, reduced chronic pain, and greater comfort during menopause.

Click here for an update from Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC!

Natural Pain Therapy & Myofascial Release LLC.

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