Massage and Fibromyalgia

Researchers are studying the effects of massage on Fibromyalgia patients.  A recent study (July 2011) confirms what we are already finding with some of our clients:

"A new study shows that a health care program that included massage therapy, ischemic pressure on the 18 tender points, aerobic exercise and thermal therapy resulted in "significant" improvement in overall health perception, social functioning, grip strength and a walking test among fibromyalgia patients."

Read the full article that discusses this study HERE.

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Going, going....

....and soon they'll be gone--fresh summer fruits and vegetables that is.

You know that feeling you get in the beginning of summer when you first notice that a quart of organic strawberries is suddenly $5 at Whole Foods?  How about the joy you feel when your neighbor brings over fresh from their garden cucumbers, zucchinis, tomatoes, jalapenos and/or herbs.  Oh how I adore fresh herbs.

To be honest, I really do enjoy autumn produce too...roasted root vegetables, pumpkin soup, orchard fresh apples...oh my...but I really am starting to panic about the summer vegetables going away.  My husband and I decided that next week we are going to eat all vegetarian in an effort to appreciate the last of the yummy, fresh summer flavors.

We had one of our favorite vegetarian dinners last night (which made me think to write this post) :

Creamy Avocado "Pasta"

 2 medium sized ripe avocado, flesh of
1 lemon, zested and juiced, divided
1/4 cup basil
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 shallot, chopped
 2 to 3 cloves garlic, to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
2 medium zucchini, peeled into thin "noodles"
1c cherry tomatoes
1c sliced white mushrooms
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Sauce: Place the avocado, lemon juice, basil, olive oil, shallot, garlic, and salt in a food processor; process until smooth and creamy.

2. Place zucchini "pasta", tomatoes and mushrooms into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss to thoroughly coat.

3. Garnish with lemon zest and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Source of recipe: This recipe is modified from this one:http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/31/15-minute-creamy-avocado-pasta/

Makes: 4 servings, Preparation time: 15 minutes

Consider this your reminder to get out there and enjoy those gorgeous summer veggies before they are gone!

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

iPhone/IPad Apps for Migraine Sufferers

We see many clients in our office that suffer from migraine headaches.  So many in fact, that we have started creating a migraine relief kit to sell in our office (still in the prototype phase...will explain in more detail when its closer to launch). 

One of the most frustrating things for clients is determining the triggers for their migraines.  I came across a news article today that referenced an app for the iPhone/iPad that helps users track information about their headaches and migraines.  I then started Googling these types of apps to find that there are actually many apps for migraine sufferers.  Check out this quick list of six. 

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Introducing the Skip Curtis Fund

Over the past several months Laura and I have been getting to know Meg Curtis and her son Rob.  They are the founders of the Skip Curtis Fund for Clinical Research in Alzheimer's Disease which honors and memorializes Meg's husband and Rob's father Skip.  Skip was only 59 years old when he received his diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's.  After 4 years he lost his battle with AD at the age of 64.  During the time between diagnosis and his death, Skip made it very clear that he wanted his family to continue to raise awareness and help to fund research about this devastating disease. 

We first learned of the Curtis family from a Facebook page I was following called Boston Outdoor.  One day Rob, who is the owner of Boston Outdoor, mentioned that his Mom was on TV talking about Alzheimer's awareness.  I had recently learned that a member of my family had been diagnosed with AD so on that day his post got my attention.  I headed over to the live stream of the TV program Meg was on and listened to her speak passionately about her dedication to Alzheimer's research and awareness. 

The next day in the office I told Laura about watching Meg and she shared with me her own story about how her grandmother died from Alzheimer's disease.  We got to talking and decided we wanted to do something to help Meg and the Skip Curtis Fund.  A couple weeks later we had Meg and Rob in our office and we all began brainstorming ways to raise money and awareness for their fund.  They are such a warm and loving family.  It really has been such a pleasure getting to know them.

Last night Laura and I met with Meg again to begin to put our plan in motion.  Over the next couple months we will be talking about an event we will be hosting the beginning of November--Alzheimer's Awareness Month. 

One thing we will be doing is an online silent auction to raise money for the Skip Curtis Fund.  We are currently looking for auction item donations so if you have any goods or services you could donate to our auction or know of someone else who may like to donate, please don't hesitate to contact Laura or I at 617-209-9355 or info@bewellwithin.com.

More to come soon!

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

Hours of entertainment...

...if you are an anatomy nerd like me. 

I think most bodyworkers LOVE anatomy and physiology...we love learning about all of the structures and systems, thinking about how everything pieces together and functions...fiber within fascicles inside muscles...each wrapped in their own fascia...like a perfect little Matryoshka.  Sometimes when I can't sleep I close my eyes and envision a skeleton standing in anatomical position before me and then I try to name as many bones as I can from the parietal bone all the way down to the phalanges.  Its strange, I know (but if you are also an MT I'll bet you are nodding your head in agreement).

Imagine my delight to learn about THIS.  Google's "Body Browser"--an application that lets you explore an interactive 3D model of the human anatomy--from the skin down to the nervous system--is highly addictive.  It is so fun to peel away layers of anatomy and then layer them back on piece by piece.  You can zoom in to see how things really piece together and then zoom back out and see the whole picture.  You can rotate and flip and get the exact angle you want to see. 

I am in love.

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

More on Massage and Back Pain

"Massage therapy holds promise as an alternative treatment for low back pain. In fact, a review in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2003 suggested that massage therapy was superior to both chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture in relieving pain for people with persistent nonspecific back pain (back pain that was not due to a disc rupture, spinal stenosis or similar cause). Massage therapy also was felt to reduce the overall cost of care. However, there are many forms of massage treatment, and it has not been clear which type is most beneficial for people with chronic low back pain. "

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/07/3817862/integrative-medicine-massage-offers.html#ixzz1UOUA0uLo

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!

The Understated Yet Mighty Psoas

"There's a good chance the pain you have in your lower back, hip and groin means there's something amiss with your psoas. It also could be responsible for a litany of other conditions, including poor circulation and digestive problems."

"In addition to its key role in keeping you upright, the psoas is also the first muscle to recognize your primal fear and stress instincts, says somatic expert Liz Koch.

That causes the psoas muscle to stay contracted much of the time, pulling on other muscles and creating tension in other places of your body."

Read the full article which also has 2 fantastic psoas stretches HERE.

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If you haven't yet experienced one of our award winning services (including massage, acupuncture and more), come on over to http://www.bewellwithin.com today and book your first appointment in our Newton, MA office online!