by urban-acupuncture | Nov 3, 2019 | Massage Therapy
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep-tissue massage is a specific type of massage therapy that concentrates on the deep layers of muscle and fascia in the body; and recommended by many doctors as a treatment option. By using deep finger pressure and slow, firm strokes, deep tissue massage is used to treat a variety of physical ailments.
Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
When the body is experiencing pain, it reacts with tension. During a deep tissue massage, discomfort is normal and will be felt if there are inconsistencies within the tissues. Discomfort is described as a “good hurt”, the kind that feels good at the same time. On the other hand, pain can be described as being uncomfortable and not tolerated well by the body.
Massage therapists should work within the client’s comfort level and pain tolerance at all times. If a person cannot handle a high amount of pressure, it may take several more treatments to achieve the same results as someone with a higher threshold for pain. Results will occur, but at a slower rate.
What does Deep Tissue Massage Treat?
Reduces Chronic Pain
Deep-tissue massage is more effective and affordable for relieving chronic pain than conventional medical remedies. Because deep-tissue massage increases the flow of blood through through the body, it helps reduce the inflammation that causes pain. Deep-tissue massage can also help alleviate muscle tension that is often a side effect of chronic pain by loosening the tight tissue clusters.
Improves Blood Pressure
Deep-tissue massage helps ease stress and tension, which can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure. People who had a deep-tissue massage saw their systolic pressure drop by an average of 10.4 mm Hg and their diastolic pressure drop an average 5.3 mm Hg, according to a study cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Deep-tissue massage can help increase the body’s production of serotonin, the hormone that promotes happiness and good feelings.
Breaks Up Scar Tissue
Over time, deep-tissue massage therapy can help break up and eventually erase scar tissue in the body. It does this by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility and range of motion in the affected area. Scar tissue is often associated with ongoing pain and stiffness, so deep-tissue massage can improve these symptoms. Massage therapy is often recommended for people who are recovering from surgery.
Rehabilitates Injured Muscles
Deep-tissue massage can be an effective treatment for injured muscles. Because it facilitates the movement of toxins from the muscles and helps stretch tight or twisted muscle mass, deep-tissue massage can help promote healing. Because massage also helps relax muscles, it can reduce the pain caused by injuries, too. Deep-tissue massage is frequently used to rehabilitate sports injuries.
Stress Relief
For those people who suffer from chronic stress, and all of its various, possible side-effects like tension headaches, rigid shoulders and tight muscles; deep tissue massage can be a relief. During a session you can let it all go and give in to the healing. Once renewed and revitalized you’ll be able to face your challenges more equitably.
How does it compare to Swedish massage?
Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage are two different types of massage therapy. Both use some of the same strokes, but they have different uses and vary greatly when it comes to the amount of pressure used.
Here are the key differences between deep tissue massage and Swedish massage:
Intended use: Deep tissue massage is primarily used to treat chronic pain and muscle and sports-related injuries. Swedish massage is mainly used to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension caused by everyday activities, such as sitting at a computer.
Pressure: Swedish massage is a gentler form of massage that uses far less tension than deep tissue massage. Both types involve use of the palms and fingers to knead and manipulate your tissues, but the elbows and forearms may also be used to apply increased pressure during a deep tissue massage.
Area of focus: Deep tissue massage targets the inner layers of your muscles. It’s used to treat muscle and tendon injuries, pain, and stiffness in your major muscle groups and joints. Swedish massage targets the superficial layers of muscle and focuses on the parts of your body that tend to hold the most tension, such as your neck, shoulders, and back.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Nov 1, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus
Acupuncture: Your Best Defense Against Colds and Flu!
As the days grow shorter, the leaves turn brilliant colors, and the air grows steadily colder, we know that winter…and cold and flu season…are right around the corner. Of course we all know now that being cold, leaving the house with wet hair, and other “old wives tales” don’t really make you sick. It is true, however, that cold- and flu-causing viruses thrive in the cold, dry winter air and that our exposure to those viruses increases as we spend more time inside. So, as cold and flu season approaches, it’s time to take some proactive steps—like regular acupuncture treatments—to help ensure that you stay healthy!
While colds and flu are both caused by viruses and can be mistaken for each other, they are, in fact, two different illnesses. What we call a “cold” is an illness of the upper respiratory system that generally impacts the nose, sinuses, and larynx. Symptoms of a cold include nasal congestion (a runny nose), sneezing, coughing, sinus pressure and headaches, a sore, scratchy throat, and mild fatigue. Although uncomfortable, colds are usually mild and generally harmless. The flu, or influenza, is a much more serious viral infection that can be quite dangerous and may require medical intervention. While the symptoms of the flu may be similar to those of the common cold, they are usually more intense. Additional symptoms of the flu may include fever, body aches, weakness, and extreme exhaustion.
How Does Acupuncture Prevent Colds and Flu?
The human body has the amazing ability to protect and heal itself! It is constantly checking and re-checking our internal systems for signs of trouble; when a threat is detected, such as the presence of a foreign body like a virus, the immune system goes into overdrive to kick the invader out before it can cause any damage. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep yourself from getting sick is to ensure that your body’s natural immune system is strong, healthy, and well-balanced.
The goal of acupuncture is to do just that: restore and enhance your body’s natural self-healing mechanisms. When our internal systems are weak and/or out of balance, our ability to self-heal is reduced and we become vulnerable to the illness-causing effects of foreign invaders like viruses. Acupuncture strengthens and restores the body’s natural homeostasis, or balance, boosting its ability to fight off germs and other foreign invaders. In other words, acupuncture treatments before the onset of cold and flu symptoms ensure that your body’s natural defense systems are strong, balanced, and ready to help you stay healthy.
Benefits of Acupuncture During Cold and Flu Season
Regular acupuncture treatments throughout cold and flu season can help you stay healthy and if you begin to feel the onset of cold and flu symptoms, an immediate acupuncture treatment may help prevent the illness from getting worse. Acupuncture can:
- Boost the immune system for up to three days
- Stimulate hormonal homeostasis (balance) for maximum self-healing
- Relieve nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and sinus headaches
- Relieve discomfort caused by a “sore throat”
- Facilitate faster elimination of viruses and toxins
- Reduce fatigue and exhaustion
- Reduce body aches
It is important to note, however, that acupuncture is most effective before the onset of serious flu symptoms. If you have a fever or an active cough, acupuncture is not appropriate and we ask that you not come in for treatment. Lots of bed rest and fluids are important at this stage, and if symptoms persist or become serious, it is important to see a doctor right away.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Oct 28, 2019 | Art
Selected Art by Clinton Elementary & Dominion Middle School Students now on display at the UAC Indianola location
Students at Clinton Elementary School and Dominion Middle School explore a variety of methods, techniques, and mediums as they practice, hone, and refine their art skills. Basic concepts of style and design are taught along with information regarding historic, contemporary, and pop culture art, artists, and works. Elementary school students have opportunities to experience art education once a week throughout the year, while middle school students draw, paint, and sculpt daily during semester-long classes.
After students are introduced to a particular methodology or project, they are given the freedom to express themselves in their own unique ways. These artworks are a reflection of the individuality and diversity of the artists selected. Artists range in age from second to eighth grade. All artwork is available for purchase. Individual artists can be contacted via Urban Acupuncture Center for pricing.
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For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Oct 7, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus
About Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects about 75 million adults in the United States today: that’s 1 out of every 3! Sometimes called “the silent killer” by the medical community because of its lack of symptoms, high blood pressure can significantly increase your risk for heart disease and/or stroke. Yet many Americans don’t realize they have high blood pressure, and it’s estimated that only about half of people with high blood pressure have it under control.
Blood pressure is literally the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels as it pumps through the body. Blood pressure is not a static measurement; it increases and decreases as we go about our normal activities. When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood around the body. And when our blood pressure is too high for too long, causing the heart to work constantly in overdrive, the result may be serious health conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.
The good news is that high blood pressure can be treated before it leads to serious health concerns! Usually, the prescribed treatment involves (1) lifestyle changes and (2) medication. For some adults, lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking, choosing a low sodium diet, and increasing exercise may be sufficient to bring their blood pressure under control. For others, especially those whose blood pressure may be related to genetics and family history, physicians often turn to one or more of the hundreds of blood pressure medications currently available.
Studies Show Acupuncture May be an Effective Treatment Option for Hypertension
For years dismissed by the medical community, an increasing body of scientific literature is showing that acupuncture may present an effective third option for hypertension. For individuals with mild or moderate hypertension, regular acupuncture treatments in combination with important lifestyle changes may be sufficient to bring high blood back within normal limits; for other adults, especially those with severe high blood pressure, acupuncture may be effective in combination with lifestyle changes and prescription drugs.
Acupuncture involves stimulating different acupuncture points around the body with specially-designed needles; by providing a “counter-irritant” at those specific points, the treatment effectively helps restore the body’s natural balance and, literally, heal itself. For instance, several recent studies indicated that acupuncture points SP9, LV3, LI4—among others—are particularly effective at targeting high blood pressure. Electroacupuncture, in which a small current is used to increase stimulation at each acupuncture point, may be especially effective in combating high blood pressure; one study indicated that over 70% of participants receiving electroacupuncture showed a noticeable drop in their blood pressure!
Some adults, especially those who have faced daunting medical tests with large hypodermic needles, can find the idea of acupuncture unsettling. In fact, most patients who have had acupuncture find it extremely relaxing! The needles are extremely small, thin, and flexible and require no more than a gentle tap to penetrate the acupressure point. Each treatment is adjusted to the comfort of the patient, and we encourage each patient to communicate with their acupuncturist throughout the treatment.
High blood pressure is a chronic condition, and whether you make lifestyle changes, take a daily medication, turn to acupuncture, or some combination thereof, it’s important to remember that any treatment must be done regularly in order to build up a cumulative and sustained effect on the body. If you have high blood pressure and you feel that you might benefit from acupuncture, we encourage you to consult with one of our licensed acupuncturists to discuss a customized treatment plan designed to improve your health and your well-being.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
by urban-acupuncture | Oct 1, 2019 | Acupuncture Columbus
Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Side Effects of Cancer Treatment?
Thanks to amazing advances in medical science, doctors today are able to diagnose and treat many types of cancers more effectively than ever before in history. Yet despite those advances, cancer treatment continues to be difficult for most patients; indeed, some patients complain that the treatment is worse than the disease. Unfortunately, the powerful drugs—taken together as chemotherapy—and radiation therapy required to kill the cancer also wreak havoc on the body’s healthy cells, causing significant and even debilitating side effects during and after treatment.
Today, cancer patients and oncologists are increasingly turning to the ancient Chinese medical practice of acupuncture to help relieve some of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. While modern researchers continue to question exactly “why” and exactly “how” acupuncture works, a variety of scientific studies over the past decade clearly indicate that this ancient practice provides real and verifiable relief from nausea and vomiting, pain, and fatigue, for example, as well as a general improvement in depression, stress, and overall mood. For patients who have experienced the numerous benefits of this ancient practice, acupuncture has played a vital role in their fight against cancer.
Benefits of Acupuncture During Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
The goal of acupuncture is to help the body, through the gentle and careful stimulation of specific acupuncture points, restore a natural balance (homeostasis) that has been undermined by disease (such as cancer). In essence, acupuncture enhances the body’s natural ability to cope with the traumatic impact of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While this may sound somewhat unscientific to some people, in fact, the benefits of acupuncture are both concrete and measurable.
- Nausea and vomiting: One of the most common and most unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and frequent vomiting. Studies by the National Cancer Institute have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea. Generally speaking, receiving an acupuncture treatment the day before chemo is the most effective way to offset the nausea and vomiting associated with chemo.
- Pain management: Unfortunately, pain is another common and often debilitating aspect of cancer and its treatment; pain can stem from the cancer itself, from surgeries required to treat the disease, or from nerves damaged by chemotherapy and radiation (neuropathy). While acupuncture may not totally replace the need for pain medication, it may significantly reduce the amount of medications required. Moreover, by improving circulation, acupuncture may help regenerate damaged nerves and heal scar tissue.
- Fatigue: Several recent studies have shown that acupuncture can provide significant improvement for patients suffering from fatigue related to cancer and/or cancer treatment. Acupuncture has also been shown to improve quality of sleep generally, which can also contribute to combatting cancer-related fatigue.
- Depression, anxiety, and stress: In general, restoring the body’s natural balance through acupuncture can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and improve the ability to cope with stress. This is especially true for patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer: many patients who utilize acupuncture during treatment report feeling less worried and less anxious, and generally calmer and more emotionally stable.
Acupuncture cannot cure cancer. But it can help make the cancer journey more bearable by helping to relieve some of the worst side effects of cancer treatment. Our goal is to work in conjunction with your oncology team to determine the safest and most effective method of incorporating acupuncture into your cancer treatment.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
