Nowadays, a plethora of information on any topic is available on the internet. So, there’s a tendency to occupy the driver seat concerning one’s health. This initiative is largely positive. However, there is a catch 22 . Inevitably, the downside is self – diagnoses of sorts.

Recently, a client came for therapy. They had pain and discomfort at their hands and forearm. Then, they query if Carpal Tunnel Syndrome might be the cause. That stirred me up with amusing thoughts. How wonderful, everybody is winning the “Walking Encyclopedias” award!

Nevertheless, ascertaining the cause is vital. Its paramount for treatment. Off my cuffs there are a number of orthopaedic tests and assessments which helps.

Testings and Assessments

  • Phalen Test
  • Compression Test
  • Tinsel’s Test
  • Finkelstein Test
  • Grip Test
  • Reviewing symptoms
  • Visual Assessment of the Thenar and hypothenar muscles
  • Nerve Compression Velocity Test

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

When the median nerve is compressed as it passes through a narrow tunnel at the wrist.

Symptoms

  • Altered Sensations in the hands and fingers
  • Stiffness at wrists and fingers in the morning
  • Pain in the hands travelling down to the wrist, forearm and shoulders
  • Prickly
  • Pins and Needles
  • Numbness
  • Burning
  • Weak grip and clumsiness with handling objects

Management

  • Conservative, with steroid injections
  • Medication for pain
  • Splintting
  • Avoid aggravating repetitive and heavy hand/wrist movements
  • Massaage therapy and Stretching helps in the early stages

The client tested negative to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in this case.

# Carpal Tunnel Syndrome # Massage Therapy and CTS

For further reading at your leisure:

https://www.southerncross.co.nz/group/medical-library/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-symptoms-causes-surgery

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Body Dynamic is a proud supporter

October is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A 10%, $528.00, was donated from all bookings for massages. I would like to thank all my lovely clients for their kind support. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you. We are all heroes, playing a part in supporting such a worthy cause.

Support the Breast Cancer Foundation, NZ.

Anyone can support the Breast Cancer Foundation, during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Regardless of how insignificant you may think you are. Truth is, yes, you can! We all have the power to make a positive impact. Body Dynamics is a proud and staunch supporter. I hope to see your bookings for next October already!

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On Friday, 30th October, I was at Mitre 10, Invercargill. I was with another volunteer at this collection center. Initially, I had some apprehension. Because firstly, men primarily gravitate to this hardware store and secondly, Breast Cancer is perceived to affect women only. For those reasons, I wasnt expecting our collection can to sound off its “Ca-Ching” like a cash register from bygone days.

Well, I could not be further off course as I witnessed just as many men as women came through the door. Being the start of the Spring season, I spied trolley loads of compost, plants and seedlings left the store in quick successions.

The People Of Southland

The women donated mainly coins. For the most part, dollar notes of different denominations made their way from wallets to our collection pool. Surprisely, men outnumbered women in donating. Pensioners were equally generous.

Although some people were busy, I am grateful they took the time to stop at our station to donate and exchanged pleasantries. In contrast, others in their unhurried pace donated, conversed, laughed and shared personal stories. However, we were hopeful for those in their fight against Breast Cancer.

This Street Appeal, for the Breast Cancer Foundation, left me with the impression how warm-spirited, down to earth, friendly and generous Southlanders are. Certainly, I am proud of our togetherness in support of a worthy cause. Without any doubts in my mind, we are all heroes for the day!

Allocation Of Collected Fund

72% is spent on research, education and raising awareness, supporting women, reserves to sustain long-term project. 14% for admin and another 14% for fundraising.

A Great Cause To Support

Suppose you have some spare time, would you considered volunteering for the Cancer Foundation Street Appeal next year? You would not regret the experience, I didn’t!

# The Breast Cancer Foundation # Street Appeal Volunteer Experience

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You may have noticed; some women present a relatively small upper body compared to a massive lower? In fact, 11% of all women are affected in New Zealand. Thus, they are not obese but suffer from Lipoedema. Have you heard of this condition? Or perhaps, manual lymphatic drainage therapy? Lipoedema is not the result of high caloric intake and low exercise output. Instead, its a genetic inheritance triggered by hormonal changes.

Aim for early treatment of Lipoedema with manual lymphatic drainage therapy for a better outcome.

Early recognition and treatment may prevent the progression to stage 4. Generally, the condition usually worsens both at late-stage 3 and early-stage 4. Consequently, Lymphoedema is evident at the feet, and Kaposi-Stemmer sign is positive. For those in stage 4 afflicted with Lipo-Lymphoedema, it’s a debilitating condition associated with poor quality of life.

Signs of lipoedema

  • Pain on touch/pressure over fatty tissue areas
  • easy bruising over fatty areas without serious trauma/injuries
  • no resolution with exercise, diets, weight loss.
  • elevation of legs does not reduce swelling and pain
  • skin is cool on touch over fatty areas
  • symmetrical and bilateral fatty tissue deposits on calves, shins, legs, thighs, hips, buttocks waist and arms 30% of the time
  • in early stage, you can pinch the fold between your first and second toes (Kaposi-Stemmer sign is negative)

Have you seen a certified manual lymphatic massage therapist for the treatment of Lipoedema and education in self-care yet? If you haven’t had a massage before, I understand your apprehension. Perhaps, its the fear of the unknown? Please know, you are not only in good hands.

Additionally, let me assure you I’m not gifted with the gap in doing life, let alone for cross-sales! While, as your massage therapist/professional health practitioner, I would like to take your care onto the next level. From my experience, the subject of medical compression garments appears a prickly one for many. Generally, it evokes some doses of suspicions and reservations. Nevertheless, it is a part of managing Lipoedema.

Type 3 Lipoedema

Some common questions asked are the length and duration of wear, costs, comfort and aesthetic. Your massage therapist can explain and show you samples to meet your needs.

Moreover, by taking action while you’re at the early stage of lipoedema would certainly prevent unwanted health complexities in the late-stage. It would involve higher personal and financial costs. Below is a link for further reading at your leisure.

Lovely people, that’s a topic for you to sleep on. For me, the next topic would probably be explaining about the importance of medical compression garments better!

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10542/lipedema

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Do you keep an active lifestyle, exercise consistently and have a sensible relationship to food? For curiosity sake, are you targeting specific areas in vain?

Lipoedema

By and large, Lipoedema is a relatively unknown disease. This condition involves an abnormal amount of fat tissue (adipose) distributed under the skin, at the waists, hips, buttocks, thighs, calves and the arms as well. Unfortunately, lipoedema is resistant to exercise and changes in diet. For that reason, the medical profession and other health practitioners alike overlook it. For the most part, it remains undiagnosed. Consequently, the lower body is uniquely massive in the later stages, when compared to the upper.

Causes

Would you have guessed its hormones that trigger Lipoedema? It happens during puberty, pregnancy and peri-menopause. Similarly, being predisposed to your genetic composition is a part of the equation as well. Eventually, lipoedema not only worsens with time but also impacts on moving freely. Hence, apart from other reasons, lymphatic disturbances occur. Furthermore, lipo-lymphedema develops subsequently.

Characteristics

I noticed some of my clients afflicted with Lipoedema bruise easily. They complain about their knees and legs feel numb, heavy, on pins and needles, throbbing, tender and painful. The majority expressed tiredness at the end of their day. As their therapist, naturally, I empathise with their feelings of insecurity and emotional distress.

Often, they are unfairly perceived as obese by the general public and advised to lose weight by medical personnel. They present with “column-like” legs attached to ankle cuffs. The saddlebags and fat lobules at their thighs and knees affect their self – image and confidence. Besides, it limits their choice of apparel. Additionally, their skin changes in colour and texture, eventually it thickens and hardens.

Management

To date, there is no known cure for Lipoedema. Someone has to be the bearer of bad news, your therapist in this case! However, liposuction slows its progression. Other conservative measures are Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy and Compression Therapy. Intermittent Compression Pumps (ICP) may also be included in home-care and outpatient clinics. They provide sequential compression at different settings on limbs, from distal to proximal. Some contraindications for ICP worth noting is Congestive Heart failure, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) , Acute Infection ‘

As a certified Lipoedema and Lymphedema therapist, I encourage you to be pro-active in your self care. And I recommend a daily care plan that includes hygiene, skincare to protect and a low-carbohydrate diet (keto). Furthermore, regular exercise is important; it improves your mobility, lymph flow and to manage weight control.

Should you require information, education, support or just someone to talk to, please feel free to give me a call or sent me a message. I’m happy to help you and your Whanau.

You may be interested in further reading:

Risks and contraindications of medical compression treatment – A critical reappraisal. An international consensus statement

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0268355520909066

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In a city of 50,328, there is no shortage of massage therapists in the metropolis of Invercargill. Health consumers here do not lack choice rather the challenging decision of selecting one.

Did you know anyone can call themselves a massage therapist? Legally, there is no minimum qualifications, health and disability code, police vetting or code of conduct requirements to start trading. Are you surprised the massage profession and industry as a whole is unregulated?

The Variables

By the way, how does one navigate through listed and unlisted, registered and unregistered massage therapists? Does one get more bang for their bucks with the highest qualification holders? Practices that are located on commercial premises, are they “more” professional in comparison to residential based clinics operating from a dedicated space? Some experienced professionals in the field may answer, not necessarily.

A Safe Bet

You may wonder what difference does it make whether a therapist is registered or otherwise. Registered massage therapists are members of their self – regulated professional body. That means they uphold high professional and ethical standards when dealing with their clients and the general public.

Furthermore, these therapists work within their scope of practice and make referrals to other allied health professionals as necessary. Assuredly, all members abide by Massage New Zealand (MNZ) Code of Ethics and the Health and Disability Commissioner’s Code of Rights.

The Client Wins

Firstly, some members enter this profession from other related health professions. They can transfer their skills-set. I took up a new career in healthcare and was a registered nurse previously.

Secondly, all MNZ members have undertaken and complete formal education at their chosen/appropriate levels. They have achieved industry-approved competence. Thus, the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) recognises their qualifications.

Thirdly, MNZ undoubtedly assesses all overseas qualifications via the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process.

And Wins again

Unquestionably, registered massage therapists incorporate “best practice” at their clinics (appropriate to the client’s condition and circumstances) and are committed to ongoing learning. Hence, members remain current in their knowledge, massage research, practice and industry developments. Besides, they are required to attend 20 hours of Professional Development annually at their own expense and resources.

Have you booked an appointment with a registered massage therapist yet? Here is where to look: www,massagenewzealand.org.nz

# Registered Massage Therapists # In Save Hands # Professional and Qualified # High Standards

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I can relate to my personal experience as a client for massage therapy. Apparently, many of us experienced the feeling of urgency and haste to get onto the massage table. However, as a professional massage therapist, I understand the reason and advantage of delayed gratification. Certainly, you may ask why is that?

Did you know the whole package and benefit of massage therapy does not rest on manual manipulations alone? Instead, it centres on keen observation and listening skills just as pivotal is robust assessments, reliable findings and clinical reasoning. Last but not least, data gathering and medical history. Those components determine the direction of treatment and their outcomes.

Behind the scene of a treatment session.

Let me shine a light on a previous case where a client complained of pain in the groin. They reported no pain with weight-bearing and standing on their feet. However, all movements which require lifting their leg provoked pain. As usual, this client belongs to the general pool of massage clients. One more word and breath stood too much in the way of getting onto the massage table!

I explained conducting testings and assessments would not take long. Besides, it brings us closer to the root of the problem and resolving the issue. Alternatively, we could proceed straight into massage without any guarantee of alleviating pain or tracing the cause. Which option would you have chosen if the shoe was on the other foot?

This client tested positive to a degenerative condition at the hip joint. That explains their perceived pain at the groin. Consequently, there are three critical points worth noting. (1) Location and origin of pain traced through testings and assessments (2) Massage treatments were not administered to the site of perceived pain (3) Pain sensations are not limited to muscles alone.

Working in with other health professionals.

I suspected a hip replacement was inevitable. Therefore, I advised consulting the GP for a diagnosis and treatment plans. Meanwhile, I administered massages to the surrounding tissues at the hip – joint as the client found them helpful in aiding movements. Correspondently, the results from their X-Ray confirmed my findings. So then the client elected for surgery. Furthermore, post-surgery massages and scar tissue release therapy assisted with their successful rehabilitation.

Embracing a new perspective in massage therapy.

Efficient massage therapists use testings and assessments tools to achieve strong outcomes. It is part and parcel of high-quality massage treatments. These therapists are in a disposition to initiate visual clinical assessments ahead of the initial handshake. Hence, there is no reason to short-change yourself of a massage therapist’s expertise (aligned with their scope of practice) when in treatment.

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Hello Everyone! We are now into the fourth week of lockdown. Our PM will be making an announcement later today at 4 pm. In the event of a downgrade to level three, I am afraid my practice is likely to remain close for a further two to four months. My work is my passion and I do miss attending to all my clients!

Nevertheless, I would like to share with you a common question that is frequently asked by many of my clients. It arises whenever I recommend medical compression stockings for the management of their conditions.

They have a pair of white coloured stockings (T.E.D) at home in the drawers from when they last had a surgical procedure. Can they use those instead? Yes, some of my clients are already laughing in the background! Under normal circumstances, the answer is no. Although both are compression stockings, let me explain the differences and purposes for their usage.

T.E.D stands for Thrombo – Embolic Deterrent. That means preventing blood clots from occurring. People who have had surgical procedures are on bed-rest because they are unable to walk. Consequently, blood pools at their legs and they are at risk for blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and embolism which is dangerous. T.E.D stockings are worn for those reasons. The compression grade is mild for T.E.D measuring at 8 mmHg – 18 mmHg. It is fit for purpose for three weeks and needs to be replaced for a new pair after that period.

Medical Compression Stockings, on the other hand, have a pressure gradient and enhances blood/fluid circulation. It is the highest distally at the ankles and the lowest proximally, further up the limb.

Mild compression measures at 8 mmHg – 18 mmHg. It helps with energising tired aching legs with spider veins and minimal swelling. Moderate compression measures at 15 mmHg – 20 mmHg. They are used during pregnancy, travels/flights, mild swelling/varicose vein and for people who sit or stand at their feet for long hours.

Firm compression measures at 20 mmHg – 30 mmHg. They suit people who can walk with pain. Their legs are moderately swollen with a moderate amount of varicose veins, Chronic Vein Insufficiency (CVI)) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Blood and fluid pools at their ankles. Extra-firm compression measures at 30 mmHg – 40 mmHg. They are best suited for severe swelling, oedema, post sclerotherapy, a venous ulcer, Lymphedema and Lipedema,

Now that you have a better understanding of uniform/pressure gradient compression and their functions, next question?

You may be interested in further reading:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/boosting-circulation-with-compression-stockings

#pressure gradient #compression stockings #TED #circulation #chronic venous insufficiency

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Amid the Corona Virus Pandemic, (Covid – 19) we all need to take care of ourselves and others within our community. Body Dynamics is open for business with a cautious stance of keeping all of our clients safe.

We need to be proactive in curbing the spread of this virus as it could lead to serious illness among our elderly, those with a compromised immune system and in poor health.

Please refrain from massage therapy if you are feeling unwell with coughs, shortness of breath and exhibiting signs and symptoms of tiredness, body aches, chills and fever. Please contact your General Practitioner (GP) by phone AHEAD of your visit or phone the Healthline dedicated to Covid – 19 at 0800 358 5453

As your massage therapist, I shall be maintaining meticulous handwashing procedure and wiping down all surfaces and used apparatus with 70% alcohol akin to my nursing days in the hospital. We will get through by staying calm, rational, not touching our eyes and nose, coughing and sneezing into our elbows, washing our hands with soap and placing ourselves in isolation in accordance with the guidelines at health.govt.nz

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Goals and objectives are related. Research indicates a well-formulated objective is more effective in achieving results as it states how goals are reached. Objectives with action-orientated verbs aim to deliver intentions of pursuing a goal. George T Doran first wrote about SMART, Management’s Goals and Objectives, in 1981. This concept is still relevant to this day. Hence, adaptations were made and applied to other sectors. The Health and Personal Development sectors have adopted this model.

Be SMART in setting your goal(s)

For instance, you aim to lose weight. The simple plan with a likely chance of success is to start with the minimal. However, when you incorporate the specifics of SMART (acronym) to your goal, your objectives become clear and well defined. Here is how you can check your objectives with SMART criteria.

The characteristics of SMART

Specific (Sensible and Clear Action) – You set your target weight

Measurable (Motivating factors) – You walk 3x weekly for 30mins. You then increase the distance and time in stages to optimise outcomes.

Achievable (Attainable to you) – You lose a minimal of 400gms weekly.

Relevant (Realistic about the resources available to you) – You achieve your goal.

Time (Time-bound within a given frame) – You lose X kgs by X time.

SMART equips you with a simple and efficient means of organising your goals and putting a clear plan into action. Your progress can be measured, and your success tracked. Go ahead, make your goals your reality!

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