12/29/2020

Internal Family Systems is rapidly becoming recognised as the most powerful and effective therapy of our time because it unfailingly delivers what clients are seeking: permanent changes in the personality system resulting in less extreme thoughts, feelings and behaviours and a greater sense of peace and contentment.
Gay men who train as mental health professionals usually do so in an environment dominated by heterosexuals that can at times feel unsafe, or less supportive than when we are with community.
This one-day introduction to the model is open to men who identify as gay and are therapists, counsellors, sacred intimates, coaches, psychologists, psychiatrists or other health professionals who work 1:1 with clients.

12/12/2020

12/20/2019

Carrie Jameson and Tom Goddard will co-lead the Shalom Retreat February 13-16, 2020 at Shalom Mountain.

12/06/2019

🔈 MUSCLE CRAMPS FACTS

1. A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax.
2. Muscle cramps can occur in any muscle; cramps of the leg muscles and feet are particularly common.
3. Almost everyone experiences a muscle cramp at some time in their life.
4. There are a variety of types and causes of muscle cramps.
5. Muscle cramps may occur during exercise, at rest, or at night, depending upon the exact cause.
6. Dehydration is a common cause of muscle cramps.
7. Numerous medicines can cause muscle cramps.
8. Most muscle cramps can be stopped if the muscle can be stretched.
9. Muscle cramps can often be prevented by measures such as adequate nutrition and hydration, attention to safety when exercising, and attention to ergonomic factors.

TREATMENTS AND METHODS OF PREVENTION FOR LEG CRAMPS IN PARTICULAR

a) A relaxing bath before going to bed will ease muscle tightness.
b) Put a heating pad on the affected area.
c) Try an acupuncture treatment to ease tight leg muscles.
d) Make sure that you have enough magnesium or potassium in your body.
e) Stretch your legs before you go to bed.
f) Avoid high-heeled shoes and wear ergonomic shoes
g) Rise slowly and walk around – you can improve your blood flow by shaking your legs.
h) Massage the area by making circular movements.

12/05/2019

🔈 HIP LIGAMENTS AND MUSCLE IMBALANCE

The hip joint is strengthen by three capsular ligaments: the iliofermoral ligament and the pubofemoral ligament are on the anterior aspect of the joint, while the ischiofemoral ligament is on the posterior aspect. As the hip is flexed, all three ligaments relax. However, in extension all three ligaments are tight, with the inferior band of the iliofemoral ligament being placed under greatest tension as it runs almost vertically. It is this ligamentous band which limits posterior tilt of the pelvis.

During adduction, it is the turn of the superior band of the iliofemoral ligament to become tighter while the pubofemoral ligament and ischiofemoral ligament relax. In abduction the opposite occurs. In lateral rotation both the iliofemoral ligament and pubofermoral ligament are taut, while medial in rotation the ischiofemoral ligament tightens.

SCREENING EXAMINATION

Hip conditions may refer pain anywhere within the L3 dermatome, over the front of the thigh and down to the knee. Initial observation includes resting position, muscle wasting, leg length and gait. Functional activities may also be revealing. Lying in bed with the affected side uppermost (hip adduction and medial rotation) places a stretch over the iliotibial band (ITB) and lengthens the posterior portion of the gluteus medius. This may be a consideration in ITB syndrome and for muscle imbalance over the hip.

MUSCLE IMBALANCE AROUND THE HIP

In the hip region, the Thomas test and the Ober manoeuvre are used to assess for muscle tightness of the hip flexors (re**us fermoris and iliopsoas) and hip abductors (TFL and ITB). Inner range holding ability of the gluteus medius is assessed with side-lying hip abduction, and of the gluteus maximus with the prone-lying hip extension movement.

11/22/2019

🔈 MYTH OR FACT?

There has be a debate as to whether weak abdominal muscles may lead to low back pain. Recently I've come across to contradictory opinions. I would like you to read them and express your point of view based on your experience.

🧐 OPINION 1

The muscles around your spine and in your abdomen contribute to lower back health. Loose or weak abdominal muscles can cause lower back pain by encouraging a forward-leaning posture. Abdominals work in conjunction with back muscles when bending, straightening or lifting. This is why weak, damaged or separate abdominal muscles can be associated with lower back pain.

But you can protect back muscles by strengthening your abdominals through exercise. The abdominals are relatively small, so there is less of a possibility of overtraining as with exercises that involve weights. Keep in mind, though, that you can strain abdominals by overdoing exercises.

- Ronald B. Tolchin
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

🧐 OPINION 2

The idea that lower back pain comes from weak abdominal or stomach muscles is probably one of the longest running and most widely held back pain myths among patients and many therapists, yet the basis for it remains unproven. The myth itself is illogical. It may have started from a notion that by increasing the strength of your stomach muscles, you can increase pressure in the abdomen and thereby increase support for the spine. Sorry, but you cannot. Your stomach muscles function to support the contents of your abdomen, not your back. The good news is that weak abdominal muscles have never had, and will never have, anything to do with lower back pain. Strong abs are no guarantee of a pain-free back, and weak abs are no predictor of a painful back.

- Gerald M. Silverman
Chiropractic Medicine

⏳ What's your view on that? Please leave a comment below ➡️

11/21/2019

🔈 TIGHT HIP FLEXORS CAN GIVE YOU A HEADACHE

ℹ️ Can tight hip flexor muscles cause a headache? Certainly, tight myofascial tissue in one region of the body can cause pain and/or dysfunction locally, but as most manual therapists know, it can also cause pain and dysfunction elsewhere in the body. There are many ways that a problem in one region of the body can affect another distant region of the body, including myofascial meridian lines of tension and myofascial trigger point referral. But another way is through mechanical kinematic chains of myofascial pulls that result in postural distortion compensation patterns. So, with this in mind, let’s examine the kinematic chain of elements that can lead from tight hip flexor musculature to headaches.

💡 A kinematic chain of elements simply refers to the links in a chain that are interconnected that involve movement. So, for example, the movement of the lower extremity involves the following kinematic “links”: foot, leg, thigh, and pelvis. Similarly, the movement links of the upper extremity are the: hand, forearm, arm, and shoulder girdle. And the kinematic links of the axial body are the: pelvis, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, cervical spine, and head. The concept is that motion and posture at one link of the chain affects motion and posture at the other links along the chain.

So, here is how it is happening:

➡️ Tight hip flexor musculature causes excessive anterior tilt of the pelvis,
➡️ which causes hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine,
➡️ which causes hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine,
➡️ which causes hypolordosis of the lower to middle cervical spine with hyperlordosis (hyperextension) of the head at the atlanto-occipital joint,
➡️ which causes forward head carriage,
➡️ which causes tight posterior neck muscles,
➡️ which causes a headache.

✔️ CONCLUSION

When working as a manual therapist, it is necessary not only have excellent hands-on skills, but also understand how the human body functions mechanically and learn to recognize patterns of mechanics and pathomechanics that travel through the body.

11/14/2019

🔊 WHAT IS GLUTEUS MINIMUS PAIN & HOW IS IT TREATED?

As a result of daily chores and work related activities, the hip joint may be subjected to undue pressure resulting in gluteus minimus pain. Of the 3 gluteus muscles; the gluteus minimus is the smallest. It is situated under the gluteus medius.

The gluteus minimus provides expansion to the capsule of the hip joint and has a stabilizing influence on the hip; as such it is a small yet important muscle that cannot be downplayed. This important muscle aids in mobility functions such as running, walking and jumping; a fact that leaves no doubt about its importance.

Gluteus minimus pain can be a disturbing condition and cause difficulty in performing several activities. We rely on gluteus minimus for all types of lower body mobility functions however gluteus minimus pain can cause distress and agony as well as place limitations of lower body mobility functions. Knowing about the causes of gluteus minimus pain, its symptoms and having information about the treatment and exercises for gluteus minimus pain helps.

The causes of gluteus minimus pain can be many, while there are several risk factors too. Some of the commonest causes of gluteus minimus pain include injury or damage to the gluteus minimus muscle, which results in discomfort. Some of the factors that are contributing factors for gluteus minimus injury, resulting in pain include the following.

➡️ Remaining seated for prolonged periods with legs crossed
➡️ Carrying heavy objects while walking from one place to another
➡️ Placing your weight on one side of the body whilst standing
➡️ Carrying heavy objects or kids on one side of the hip

Some of the commonest symptoms of gluteus minimus pain include:

➡️ Aches and pains in the hip area
➡️ Pain is elevated while walking
➡️ Pain radiates from the hip to the calf down to the ankle
➡️ Numbness may be felt in the hips, buttocks and thighs

💡 Exercises for Gluteus Minimus Pain

Exercises can help alleviate and manage any kind of muscular pain including gluteus minimus pain.

1. This stretch is done while standing. Using a wall for balance, cross the leg furthest from the wall in front of the other. Place one hand on the wall and the other on the hip. Then lean away from the wall, pushing your hip towards it. Hold for 10-15 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

2. Hip stretches or outer hip stretches are one of the most effective exercises for gluteus minimus pain. This workout is easy to perform at home; simply lay down straight on your back. Follow it up by positioning one leg straight out and the other bent at the knee. Next; place your foot of the bent leg under the right knee and move on to stretching your hip even as you get the insides of the bent leg to touch the surface below you. Pull your knee down and hold it in this position for 10 to 30 seconds; Repeat the same process with the other leg.