My fascination lies in focusing on the resolution of the underlying causes of pain. Pain is usually the result of postural, muscle and/or joint imbalances. I had one patient who joked with her husband as she sent him out the door to see me. She yelled after him, “she’s not going to touch your neck, she’s probably going to rub your nose!!” She was right, at least, partially. I started looking in on his pelvic imbalances, hyper-toned legs and flat feet. I started out with his foundation. I always ask my clients, “if you were building a house and you had a bad foundation, what kind of crooked house are you planning to build?” Life is really about BALANCE, isn’t it? Pounding on muscles that are overworked and overstressed is as bad as punishing workers who are working overtime without overtime pay – its not really productive, although it may feel good at the time!
I focus on restoring the body to its optimal healthy functioning state. This means pain-free full range of motion; healthy circulation of blood in and around the tissues and nerves; and, balance and alignment of the body. I use a variety techniques that allow for the release of restricted tissues. Depending on the needs of each client, different techniques in different combinations provide relief to a wide range of orthopaedic, neurological and systemic conditions. Myofacial release, muscle energy techniques, joint mobilizations, passive and active muscle stretching, manual lymph drainage, craniosacral therapy, Ligamentous Articular Strain Techniques, trigger point therapy, and even some shiatsu pressure points are some of the techniques that I use. There may be some moments of intense pressure and/or pain; however, I do not go beyond what the patient and his or her body is ready for. People can feel the difference between a helpful therapeutic pain and a hurtful destructive pain. I let the patient’s own tissue guide me to the depth that is needed for healing. Although, I did have a patient joke that his session may have sounded a little like an old Bruce Lee movie soundtrack. He said that he was fine with the pain as long as I was able to put up with the noise. People make me laugh and it’s really nice when they laugh with me.
I also have a passion for education and improving my techniques, which enables me to achieve my goal of improving the quality of life for my patients. It puts a smile on my face when patients tell me that almost every treatment is different. My response to them is, “that’s because you’ve got different things going on today!” Everyday is a new day, and I treat it as such.
I have treated a wide range of pathologies, including: frozen shoulder; bursitis; fibromyalgia; sports injuries; strains; sprains; arthritis; migraines; headaches; disc herniations; post-surgery disc herniations; post-surgery shoulders and knees, whiplash; neck, shoulder and back pain; postural imbalances; Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction, Osteoporosis; and, nerve impingement syndromes such as: carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, and sciatic nerve compression. I have also treated all ages of patients ranging from two months to 86, including some of whom were using walkers, canes or wheelchairs.
At the end of the day, I usually have a recommendation for the patient such as changing a simple movement, using coordination or postural exercises to retrain their body to interrupt pain cycles. I find that patient education goes a long way in helping people to become interactive with their own healing process. It gives them prospective on why they have chronic pain issues including: reduced range of motion; tension headaches; and, neck, back and shoulder pain. I also educate clients in being aware of their mind to body connection to facilitate their own healing and rehabilitation process. For example, stressed people have a tendency to breathe rapidly from their upper chest. This type of breathing triggers their nervous system to come online for a red alert and the flight or fight program kicks in to show up physically as tightness in the neck, shoulders and chest. I remind my patients to breathe from the belly just as babies normally do. The result is a more relaxed nervous system. The deeper and more relaxed breathing signals to the brain that there is no immediate threat to the body. There are so many other connections. I invite you to come visit with me to find out more!
I look forward to working with you!
In service, Jannie
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