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healingways Healing Myofascial Injury With Therapy By Hima Dalal Have you ever been in a car accident and experienced whiplash? In the aftermath of such a tragic event, you may have experienced what is called myofascial pain syndrome. Simply described, myofascial pain syndrome is our body’s way of reacting when fascia is injured or traumatized. Myofascial injuries seem to occur more routinely than ever, which is why it is important to know how fascial injuries are caused and what to do in the event of a fascial injury. Fascia is very densely woven connective tissue wrapping and protecting muscle, bone, nerves, arteries and organs. Fascia is continuous: one structure that exists from the head to the toe without interruption. As with most connective tissue, injury, trauma, surgery and poor posture cause scarring in fascia very easily. Since there is little elasticity and pliability in connective tissue, scaring or cross links in fibers causes loss of flexibility, range of motion and tension in underlying muscles. According to myofascial expert and physical therapist John Barnes one square foot of facial tissue can exert 2,000 pounds of pressure against underlying tissue, illustrating just how powerful and important fascia is. Myofascial pain syndrome may involve either a single muscle or a muscle group and develops from an injury or strain to a particular muscle or muscle group, ligament or tendon. In some cases when a person experiences pain, the location of the pain may not be the location of the cause. Myofascial pain caused by injury can center around sensitive points in muscles called “trigger points” and is usually diagnosed by testing trigger points, postural observation and checking soft tissue pliability. It persists or worsens differently than normal muscle pain and can be linked to seemingly unrelated headache, jaw pain, pelvic pain, and arm and leg pain. Causes can include car accidents/whiplash, injury to the intervertebral column, repetitive motion, immobilization while hospitalized, strokes, fractures, strains, dental work issues, poor posture, flat feet, clenching of the teeth, Plantar Fasciitis and sudden weight gain or weight loss. Age, sex, stress and anxiety are factors that can affect the severity of myofascial pain. Symptoms may include deep aching pain in a muscle, pain that persists or worsens, muscle stiffness that increases after stretching, joint stiffness near the affected muscle, area 26 Columbia of tension in your muscle that may feel like a knot or tight spot and could be very sensitive to touch, and difficulty sleeping due to pain. Symptoms can include vague or general pain and may be difficult to specify. One of my patients related the following when referencing her myofascial pain syndrome: “I lived in constant pain. My neck stayed forward, shoulders were rounded, my back hurt constantly and pain increased so much in my trigger points that even the slightest breeze caused tremendous pain. I could not lift my arm up, turn my head to drive, transfer from sit to stand without excruciating pain and even breathing hurts. I was so depressed.” Test and Diagnosis If you feel the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, it is important to seek the advice of and possibly be examined by a therapist with myofascial therapeutic experience. During an examination, your therapist will ask you questions about your symptoms and test the areas where pain is felt by applying gentle finger pressure to the painful area(s), checking for your body’s response and sensitivity to the pressure. Your therapist will note where jolting or twitching occurs as trigger points are stimulated. These are important clues as to the nature and severity of myofascial pain syndrome you may be experiencing. Treatment The therapist will work with you to identify and correct your daily living factors that may be contributing to your pain. For instance, if poor posture is causing muscle stress in your low back, an occupational therapist may guide you through exercises to correct your posture. A therapist may also change your exercise routines and diet. Yoga, walking, swimming and bike riding are some of the better exercises to help you cope better with pain, especially when accompanied by a healthy diet and adequate restful sleep. The same patient noted previously states that her treatments, “including Myofascial Release Therapy, muscle energy work, and stretches using yoga posture, special stretches in sitting, standing and laying positions and stretching in the Hydroworx pool against jet pressure, really helped.” Her lifestyle adjustments were coordinated with her husband and children for support at home. She further states, “I have learned to keep myself pain free without much of the anxiety or depression with plenty of rest, stretching, regular exercise and relaxation.” Although this is just one success story, there are people all over who live with less myofascial pain because of personalized physical therapy treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from qualified professionals, because your body is worth it. Hima Dalal is the owner and head therapist of Vital Energy Wellness and Rehab Center in Lexington and is a board certified, licensed occupational therapist with 28 years of experience. Hima has written for national and international publications on subjects of health, fitness and healing, making media appearances and leading lectures on health. She is co-chair for the Wellness Special Interest Section of the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association (SCOTA). Vital Energy and Wellness Rehab Center is at 163 Charter Oak Rd. For more info, call (803) 359-1551 or visit VitalEnergyTherapy.com.
calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar listings must be received by Feb. 7 (for March issue) and adhere to our guidelines. Check for calendar guidelines, updates and cancellations online at HealthyLivingColumbia.com. Visit website to submit entries. JANUARY 31- FEBRUARY 1 Reiki, Level II Class w/Joy Connor–10am-3pm. Practitioner level (Reiki I is prerequisite). $250, preregister. Celebration Ctr, 3830 Rosewood Dr, Cola. Info: 782-5539. Private and small group Yoga, Pilates, Functional Fitness Training, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching (803) 788-8887 • NewWorldWellness.org Located on the Village Green at Lake Carolina MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Reiki Clinic w/Margaret Self–10:30am-Noon. Join us as we share Reiki treatments in a group. Open to all, no training necessary. A great intro to the experience of Reiki energy. $10 fee at door, but must preregister. Carolina Reiki Institute, 112 Wexwood Ct, Cola. Info: 551-1191 or CarolinaReikiInstitute.com. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Making Energy Work: Building a Sustainable Energy Economy. Major energy forum brings together 800+ participants to discuss the Southeast’s new energy economy & developing sustainable energy resources. Hosted by The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) & its sponsors/ partners. Will feature the latest info & predictions from the nation’s top energy & economic experts: DOE, EPA, Ctr for Am Progress, Am Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, The Inst for Adv Learning & Res, New Energy Finance, Green For All, Ntl Council for Adv Manufacturing, Luminant Energy, SF State Univ, Advantage West NC, UNC-Greensboro, SE Energy Efficiency Alliance, NAACP, & Natural Capital Investment Fund. At Raleigh Convention Ctr. Non-member: $150, NCSEA member: $120. Info: Paul Quinlan, (919) 832-7601x105, MakingEnergyWork.org. Reiki Clinic w/Margaret Self–10:30am-Noon. Join us as we share Reiki treatments in a group. Open to all, no training necessary. A great intro to the experience of Reiki energy. $10 fee at door, but must preregister. Carolina Reiki Institute, 112 Wexwood Ct, Cola. Info: 551-1191 or CarolinaReikiInstitute.com. Holistic Moms’ Network–6:30pm. Meet w/natural health moms & caregivers to network & share ideas. Earth Fare community area, 3312-B Devine Street, Cola. Info: Laura at hmnmidlands@gmail.com or HolisticMoms.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Reiki Clinic w/Margaret Self–10:30am-Noon. Join us as we share Reiki treatments in a group. Open to all, no training necessary. A great intro to the experience of Reiki energy. $10 fee at door, but must preregister. Carolina Reiki Institute, 112 Wexwood Ct, Cola. Info: 551-1191 or CarolinaReikiInstitute.com. A Course in Miracles w/Joy Connor–6:15-7:45pm. Enter the Experience of Miracles. Newcomers welcome. Offering accepted. Celebration Ctr, 3830 Rosewood Dr, Cola. Info: 782-5539, CelebrationCenterSC.com. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Living Light: Raw Vegan Cuisine w/Brenda Lattanzio–10am-2pm. Learn to prepare healthy vegan meals with natural enzymes unchanged by heat. $75 & everything is included. Celebration Ctr, 3830 Rosewood Dr, Cola. Info: 782- 5539, CelebrationCenterSC.com. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Healthy Carolina USC Farmers’ Market–10am-2pm. Market open to all, in front of the Russell Hse between the gates on Greene St. Co-sponsored by the SC Dept of Agriculture & USC Student Govt. Info: Holly Harring, 777-0597. FEBRUARY 10-11 Music & Spirit in Action w/Pat Kinnamon. Led by Well-Springs National Dir & w/therapist Pepper Sarnoff. Powerful music & the healing arts are pivotal in the healing of mind, body, emotions & spirit. Springbank Retreat for Eco- Spirituality & the Arts, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. $150 fee includes lodging & meals. (800) 671-0361 or SpringbankRetreat.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Demolish Worry & Anxiety with EFT w/Katz Delauney-Leija, MSW–6:30- 8pm. Clear your unwanted thoughts with Emotional Freedom Technique. Love offering. Celebration Ctr, 3830 Rosewood Dr, Cola. Info: 530-6199, PhoenixRising-llc.com. FEBRUARY 13-15 A Contemplative Retreat w/ Springbank staff. Participants retreat into the quiet of nature & their own souls while spending time in the 80 acres of the wooded trails & natural beauty of Springbank. Guided morning & evening meditation, spiritual direction & healing massage avail. Springbank Retreat for Eco-Spirituality & the Arts, 1345 Springbank Rd, Kingstree. $200 fee includes lodging & meals. (800) 671-0361 or SpringbankRetreat.org. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Local Farmers’ Market–8am-Noon. All-natural or organic produce, beef, February 2009 27
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