For thousands of years people have used essential oils (concentrated oils taken from the roots, leaves and stems of plants) to receive the benefits of their unique active ingredients. As aromatic oils have gained greater acceptance-even among many doctors and scientists— more people are looking to essential oils to help improve their overall health naturally.

A popular way to enjoy these benefits is through aromatherapy, with or without massage. The AromaTouch® Technique, developed by Dr. David K. Hill, a highly regarded Chiropractic Physician, provides the clinical application of essential oils to help improve overall health. dōTERRA’s CPTG® oils, considered by many as the purest and best quality essential oils, are utilized. This treatment targets factors that interfere with health and wellbeing, including:

• Stress
• Immunity
• Inflammatory response, and
• Autonomic nervous system imbalance

During the session, eight specific oils are applied in a sequence to contact points on the back and feet using simple, massage-like techniques. The end-result is a powerful wellness experience. Although AromaTouch® is intended to be a clinical application, the essential oils and massage strokes make it feel like a spa treatment!
After seeing the positive effects of essential oils in my practice generally, I decided to obtain more formal training and certification in this technique. I believe that the AromaTouch® Technique has positive effects on the nervous system, and may help improve overall health for many as well. If you would like schedule an appointment, or learn more about essential oils, please contact me. For more information on the technique itself, you can visit the AromaTouch® website.

Here at Power of Touch Wellness we are always looking for ways to help people get out of pain faster. Our newest, state-of-the art healing tool – the Amethyst Biomat – will enhance our existing therapies and provide additional cost-effective options for our clients.

WHAT IT IS:

The Biomat is an FDA approved medical device that is designed to help the body heal itself naturally. It combines three components: Far Infrared Light, Negative Ions and Amethyst crystal, which together deliver a soothing and powerful healing heat deep into the body’s tissues.

WHAT IT DOES:

The Biomat helps regulate the body’s immune, endocrine, lymphatic and nervous systems, leading to a wealth of health benefits, including relief from muscle and joint pain, improved sleep, reduction of stress, increased energy, and improved cardiovascular health. Its Far Infrared Rays (FIR) deliver  heat 6-8 inches into the body, reaching soft tissue, nerves, blood vessels and even organs. As the body’s peripheral blood vessels dilate, circulation increases, carrying away cellular waste products and delivering oxygen and nutrients where they are most needed.

Far Infrared Heat therapy has been proven effective in the treatment of sprains, muscle spasms, arthritis, neuralgia, stiffness and other pain-producing musculoskeletal conditions. People suffering from Fibromyalgia and chronic pain have also reported improvement in their symptoms.

The benefits are not limited to pain relief. The gentle warmth of the Biomat’s rays, together with its negative ion technology, reduce stress and increase energy.

HOW WE WILL USE IT:

There are many ways to experience the benefits of the Biomat. It can be added to a regular therapy session to “supercharge” treatment. The effect it has on circulation alone, not to mention the effects on the nervous system, seems to cut treatment time dramatically, allowing more treatment in a normal 60 minute session. This may lead to faster pain relief in a shorter period of time for many people.

The Biomat may also be used as a stand-alone treatment. Simply resting on the Biomat can bring great health benefits. In addition, clients may perform many of their self-care movements on the mat for even greater results.

Our client Amy says,

“The Biomat was amazing. The heat calmed down my body from the stress of the day, so your trigger point could work more effectively. Great add on! Everyone should try it!”

Whether you are a new or existing client, the Biomat can benefit you tremendously! Plus, during the month of September, when you schedule a regular appointment, the Biomat is included in your session free of charge. This is a a savings of $25! Contact me today to schedule your appointment at either our Forest Hills or NEW Shadyside location, and experience the results for yourself!

Part I – Pain and the Brain

One of the main reasons clients come to see me is because they are suffering from some type of pain, and that pain has persisted beyond the threshold of “normal”. Many have been through a myriad of tests, procedures and examinations; both invasive and non-invasive. They have often been prescribed medications that have had minimal or no effect. They are told that there is no objective evidence for the cause of their pain, or that they will “just have to live with it”. Many are rubber stamped with a “Syndrome”, or even worse, made to feel like they should not be suffering any pain at all and are left with nowhere to turn or find support.

To address the issue of pain, and to learn more about it, we are embarking on this web-series. Throughout the next several months, we will explore the causes of pain, and how your brain plays a key role in what your body is feeling.

What is Pain?

Why is it that some people feel extreme pain in the absence of any “objective” evidence to explain it? Conversely, why do others feel no pain, despite serious injury or disease? If you have ever been asked by a medical professional to describe your pain, do you often feel at a loss? Although many theories about the origins of pain have been put forward through the years, many have been proven false, or incomplete. As we learn about the nervous system and the complex workings of the brain, our understanding will become more defined. However, I do feel that current theories do offer many answers.

“Pain is the brain’s way of helping us avoid serious injury”

Consider what happens when your hand barely touches a burner, or your toe dips into a very hot bath. Almost before you register the pain, your body reacts, and you quickly jerk away from the source. According to the “gate-control theory” of pain, specialized nerve cells in the spinal cord act as “gatekeepers” to filter pain messages on their way to your brain. When more pain receptors are stimulated than normal receptors, the gate opens so pain messages can get to your brain fast, prompting a response: “move away from the stove!”. On the other hand, if no input is received in the spinal cord, or if the balance does not tip in favor of the pain receptors, the gate remains closed and the message does not move on to the brain. This theory also seems to explain how pain is reduced through touch. We often rub an area that has recently suffered an acute injury, and experience a lessening of pain. This is effective because the action of rubbing actually stimulates more “normal” receptors, therefore inhibiting the pain receptors and closing the gateway. This is the same reason acupuncture could also prove effective in relieving pain; the sensory touch-points close the gate so pain sensations can’t get through.

Theory contends that your brain also works to de-code the pain, and determine if you are in danger, in part by accessing your past experiences. If the brain determines the danger is imminent, then pain will result. A lack of pain can indicate that your brain has concluded that danger is not present, or that a sensation of pain could cause a more serious threat.

To learn more about how Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy can manage and alleviate your pain, or to schedule an appointment, please contact me!

Sufferers of chronic pain may find it surprising when they realize that, although their muscles may lie at the root of their problem, there is no medical specialty that specifically addresses muscle health. Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy helps relieve pain, stiffness and restricted motion by releasing contraction knots, a/k/a “Trigger Points”, located in muscle tissue. These contraction knots develop as a result of accidents or injuries, muscle overload, disuse or misuse of muscles, as a side effect of other physical conditions or illnesses, and much more.

Oftentimes, pain is experienced in one location, yet the root of the pain lies in another. Headaches are a common example of this type of pain, known as “referred pain”. Contraction knots in the upper back and shoulders are frequently the cause of chronic headaches, and treatment of this area proves particularly effective in providing relief.

Though trigger points affect active and inactive people alike, athletes of any level may find the treatment particularly effective for enhancing performance while reducing overuse injuries. For example, avid runners often experience tightness in the hamstring, which can lead to a variety of problems left untreated. Hamstrings are easily and effectively treated through Myofasical Trigger Point Therapy. Here , I treat Amy for tightness in her hamstrings. At the end of this segment, a “before and after” slide shows the increase in range of motion resulting from the treatment.

During a typical session, a postural assessment will take place after a thorough history. You can view a video of me administering a postural assessment here. Range of motion testing will then follow on the targeted area, followed by treatment, and finally a post-treatment range of motion test to assess the effectiveness of the session. It is important to note that treatments are generally pain-free with most individuals reporting virtually no discomfort at all during their session.
Numerous benefits result from Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy, including:

• Pain relief
• Improved mobility and range of motion
• Relieved muscle stiffness
• Re-set neuromuscular connections
• Postural corrections
• Improved Circulation
• An overall calming of the nervous system

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact me today