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Benefits of Shiatsu Massage

Benefits of Shiatsu Massage

One great massage to try out is a shiatsu massage. But, what is a shiatsu massage? What are the benefits of this type of massage? Check out this guide to discover everything you need to know about the benefits of shiatsu massages.

What is a Shiatsu Massage?

Shiatsu is actually a Japanese word that means “finger pressure”. During your massage, your therapist will use rhythmic, varied pressure on precise points of the body. To apply pressure, they’ll use their fingers, thumbs, and palms, and the exact pressure points will depend on the patient’s needs.

These points are known as acupressure points, and they’re known for playing an important role in the body’s vital energy, known as qi (pronounced: chi). Proponents of this type of massage say that the techniques used can help relieve blockage at acupressure points.

Shiatsu massage is actually a centuries-old practice. It’s said to have been brought to Japan in the 6th century by a Buddhist monk.

What Does a Shiatsu Massage Do?

While shiatsu massages originated in Japan, the techniques used during a massage are actually based on traditional Chinese medicine philosophies.

Chinese medicine philosophy views illness and health problems as an imbalance of the body’s qi life force energy. During a massage session, a therapist will place pressure on the body in order to restore balance. There are also different styles of shiatsu that your massage therapist may implement. These include:

Movement: This technique involves normal shiatsu interchanged with exercises and different movements to help with chronic conditions

Macrobiotic: This is a holistic approach to shiatsu that combines several different multidisciplinary elements

Zen: This is a form of bodywork that primarily focuses on restoring the body’s energies

Namikoshi: This is a traditional Japanese finger pressure massage

Hara: This technique primarily focuses on the abdomen, or center of a person

Healing: This technique focuses on rebalancing energy to achieve healing in the body

Your therapist may incorporate one or more of these techniques into your session.

What Are The benefits?

In addition to being deeply relaxing, shiatsu massage offers many different benefits. Some conditions that this type of massage can help treat include.

  • Sprains
  • Sciatica
  • Joint problems
  • Poor posture
  • Acute and chronic pain
  • Stress
  • Sinusitis
  • Blood pressure irregularities
  • Sleep issues
  • Arthritis
  • Bronchitis

This type of massage can also boost your immune system and improve your body’s ability to heal. It also stimulates your circulatory system, hormonal system, and lymphatic system. Many patients choose shiatsu massage because it’s a natural and holistic approach to dealing with health problems.

Our Clinic

While we do not offer massage therapy, our office specializes in chiropractic and decompression therapy. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment for these services, please click the link below. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness!

5 Unexpected Ways to Herniate a Disc

5 Unexpected Ways to Herniate a Disc

Did you know that per 1,000 adults in the United States, there are up to 20 cases of herniated discs every year? They are extremely common and can be quite painful.  But just because they’re common doesn’t mean they always have normal causes.  Read on to learn five unexpected ways that you could herniate a disc and end up with back pain.

1. Grocery Shopping

Everyone goes grocery shopping, and it’s a fairly safe errand. Still, you can herniate a disc while doing it. How?

Common causes are lifting heavy items the wrong way and deterioration from frequent lifting. 

When shopping, it’s not usual for people to try to lift heavy items, especially when you only want to make one trip out to the car when bringing your groceries in. You also do a lot of bending and lifting when picking up and setting down grocery bags and items.

2. Shaving Your Legs

If you shave your legs by bending down, it’s time to change that routine. Bending in half to shave your legs in the shower puts a lot of strain on the part of your back most susceptible for a herniation – your lumbar. 

Worse yet, showers are slippery. If you fall while shaving in that position, one of your resulting injuries will likely be your lumbar. 

3. Sneezing

As you probably know, sneezing causes an uncontrollable and forceful reaction. This reaction causes you to hunch over in a way that can actually herniate a disc. 

While this cause is rare, it’s a result of discs that are already degenerated and in poor condition due to other causes, including bad posture, being overweight, heavy lifting, and so on. 

Herniated disc symptoms also include back pain when you sneeze. If you experience this, you should see a doctor.

4. Office Work

Office workers and other individuals who work at a computer for long periods throughout the day without getting up or stretching are also at risk. 

Looking at a computer all day causes you to bend your neck in a way that can result in tech neck. Symptoms of tech neck include neck pain, bad posture, and herniated discs. 

You can also get tech neck from looking at your phone screen too often.

5. Exercising

Exercising is good for your health and can even help strengthen your back muscles to prevent injury.

At the same time, the wrong type of exercise can do more damage. This is because your discs absorb the shock your back experiences when exercising. Very intense workouts that put a lot of strain on your back can wear down your discs. 

To prevent this, avoid overly high-impact back exercises and those that put pressure on your lumbar in particular. 

Avoid These Herniated Disc Causes

Herniated disc causes aren’t always what you would expect. Your discs can wear down over time from everyday activities until one day you’re surprised by an injury. 

While you can’t stop exercising, shaving, working, sneezing, or grocery shopping, you can work to limit your disc deterioration and risk of unexpected ways to herniate a disc. 

If you’re interested in how to maintain a healthier spine, check out our services today. We offer chiropractic and decompression therapy, among other specialties.

Common Factors That Impact Injury Recovery Time

Common Factors That Impact Injury Recovery Time

Recovering from an injury can be a frustrating experience, especially if recovery is limiting your mobility. There are various factors that can impact how well or how fast you might recover from an injury and knowing what they are can increase your chance of feeling better faster. 

Common Factors That Impact Injury Recovery

  • Pushing yourself physically: Depending on the injury in question, you can slow your recovery if you are doing too much with the injured part of your body too quickly. For example, if you have sustained a leg injury, pushing yourself to walk on it before you are ready can compromise your recovery significantly. It is important to follow the instructions of your medical provider when it comes to how much you can do after an injury and when you can do it. You should also listen to your body and if you are in pain or feel too uncomfortable while engaging in physical activity, you might be doing too much too fast. This kind of overexertion can significantly set you back in the recovery process. 
  • Expending too much energy too soon: Expending too much energy too soon can also compromise your recovery. Rest is important during recovery even from the seemingly smallest of injuries. It is the way that your body heals. If you expend too much energy too soon, then your body cannot regenerate energy effectively to heal the injury in question. Therefore, energy conservation should be a priority as you recover from an injury of any kind.
  • Poor nutrition: Poor nutrition and lack of hydration can also compromise healing from an injury. This is similar to the body’s need for rest in that it operates more effectively when you are taking care of it. If you are not eating properly, then your body’s systems are not firing on all cylinders and you are likely to heal much more slowly than you otherwise might. 
  • Improper medication management: Improper medication management is also a common reason for healing slowly from an injury. Taking too little or too much of any medication provided for an injury can derail your healing. This is the reason it is imperative to take any medications prescribed for healing exactly as directed and check in with your healthcare provider often to determine how effective any medication might be as you recover.

Supplemental Assistance

While the speed of your recovery is important, so is the efficacy of it. The last thing you want is for an injury to heal improperly or cause issues elsewhere in the body. This is the reason that supplemental assistance during the healing process can make a huge difference in your physical outcome. 

Chiropractic care, physical therapy and other forms of supplemental assistance can help tremendously during the healing process to both help you recover faster and better. 

If you are frustrated with the speed of your recovery or just want to know how to make lifestyle changes that can help, reach out to Amazing Life Chiropractic to learn more. 

Different Imaging Technologies

Different Imaging Technologies

The imaging services sector is among the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. It was estimated at approximately 134 billion dollars in 2020. Ideally, most people prefer medical imaging since it remains a fast and safe way to obtain vital medical information. Whether you require interventional radiology or diagnostic radiology, radiologists will use different imaging technologies for accurate imaging results.

Different Types of Imaging Technologies

Medical imaging has revolutionized diagnostic and intervention treatment due to the presence of interfacial intelligence in radiology. Imaging technologies include imaging modalities such as MRI, X-ray, and CT scan that promote timely diagnosis for different health conditions. Here is a list of the top imaging technologies radiologists use to obtain accurate images:

X-rays Imaging Technology

This medical imaging technique utilizes electromagnetic waves to capture images of the hard tissues. This common form of radiology is useful in fracture diagnosis or bone tumors. When a person enters the X-ray machine, a radiologist exposes their body to high energy light radiation that remains invisible. As the light passes through the target region, hard tissues such as bones absorb most waves. The X-ray machine transfers images of the film for interpretation.

When do you Use X-ray Imaging Technology?

  • An x-ray scan helps orthodontists and dentists to inspect your teeth.
  • Radiologists recommend X-ray scans to diagnose bone tumors.
  • X-ray scans are common in guiding surgeons in detecting broken bones and guiding operations.

Computerized Tomography (CT)

Unlike an X-ray machine, the CT scanner uses additional software to create 3D images of internal structures. It picks subtle body parts that remain invisible in X-rays.

What Are Some Common Uses of CT Scans?

  • Radiologists use CT imaging technology to locate soft tissue tumors and estimate their size.
  • CT’s scans are also essential in monitoring progress on developing conditions such as tumors and cancers.
  • CT scans can be used in diagnosing broken bones from landscaping activities.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technology (MRI)

An MRI uses both radio frequency (RF) and magnetic waves to create images of the internal body structures. MRI imaging technology produces high-quality cross-sectional images for radiographers to differentiate various tissues. A patient lies in a long tube with magnetic fields. However, doctors also recommend open MRIs for claustrophobic patients.

What Are Some Common Uses of MRI Imaging Technology?

  • MRI scans provide a more detailed image of internal body parts such as blood vessels and the brain.
  • MRIs are essential in diagnosing or monitoring health conditions and preparing treatment plans by doctors or chiropractors.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Technology (Positron Emission Tomography)

Radiologists use radioactive tracers to detects irregular body tissues. A PET scan is often preferred because it creates a 3D image of the internal body organs. When focused on specific body parts and combined with MRI and CT scans, PET scans provide an accurate diagnosis.

Common Uses of PET

  • They are used to monitor the progression of health conditions such as cancer.
  • Radiologists use PET to diagnose dementia.
  • Doctors use PET to plan surgeries.

Ultrasound (Sonography)

Medical practitioners utilize high-frequency sound waves to create images of soft tissue, organs, and muscles.

Uses of ultrasound Scans

  • Doctors use an ultrasound scan to monitor the progress of unborn babies.
  • Medical practitioners use ultrasound scans to plans and guide surgeons during surgery.

Expert Imaging in Mill Creek, Washington

You can not proceed with your daily activities if you suffer from internal pain caused by medical conditions or injuries. Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness’s talented staff provide you with preventive care or a treatment plan.

 Schedule an appointment with us and learn more about different imaging technologies to help you detect health conditions early with accuracy. Also, call us at 1(425)-737-5343 for high-quality services.

 

Video: Seattle Y-Strap Chiropractic Adjustment

Video: Seattle Y-Strap Chiropractic Adjustment

Watch how the Y-Strap brings this gentleman the ultimate relief after months of pain and discomfort. The Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness is one of the handful of clinics in the greater Seattle area that treat patients with the Y-Strap.

0:00 Intro

0:25 Interview

1:40 Range of Motion Tests

3:10 Chiropractic Adjustment

6:10 Y-Strap!

7:30 Mobility Test

10:00 Outro

For more information or if you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us or visit our clinic at the Mill Creek location in Washington State.

Live without health problems – Because you’re worth it!

1(425)-737-5343

800 164th St SE Ste O Mill Creek, WA 98012

[email protected]

The Benefits of Chiropractic After Back Surgery

The Benefits of Chiropractic After Back Surgery

 

Did you recently have back surgery? If so, then you are in good company. It’s estimated that 500,000 Americans underwent surgery last year to treat back pain. Your doctor may have recommended going to the chiropractor to help you with your recovery. Learn more here on the benefits of chiropractic after back surgery. They might help speed up your recovery time and help you return to good health.

What Does “Chiropractic” Mean?

“Chiropractic” is short for chiropractic care. Chiropractic addresses disorders in the patient’s nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Some common conditions that chiropractic address include headaches, neck pain, and joint pains in the arms or legs. They’ll also treat back pain unless spinal surgery is warranted.

Chiropractors receive training in medical schools accredited through the US Department of Education. Chiropractors treat each patient with an approach that’s called holistic treatment.

A holistic treatment approach aligns treatment plans with the patient’s desires, needs and preferences. This approach also centers around the patient’s general sense of wellbeing. The chiropractor won’t only focus on fix the immediate problem that hurts the patient now.

Chiropractic For Post Back Surgery Treatment

Even though many patients see a reduction in pain when their surgery is over, some may still experience ongoing pain. When this happens, chiropractic can help relieve pain with effective chiropractic adjustments. These chiropractic adjustments include what’s called spinal manipulation.

What’s Spinal Manipulation?

When chiropractors apply direct pressure to different areas of their patient’s back, they’re using spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is a modality that pushes the spine back into the right position.

This kind of applied pressure is effective for post-surgical spinal treatment. It not only provides relief to back pain but also improves back posture and strength as well.

A chiropractic care session usually lasts between 10-30 minutes. When a chiropractic session starts, the patient can stop the treatment if they’re experiencing pain. Minor adjustments can usually solve these temporary flashes of pain.

Benefits of Chiropractic

You’ll find many noticeable benefits to undergoing post-back surgery chiropractic. These benefits include:

No Medications

Many post-surgery treatments need a patient to consume many medications to control lingering pain during recovery. Chiropractic involves manipulating your body’s natural anatomical alignment to fight off pain. You won’t have to depend on medication to remove the pain.

Quicker Results

Chiropractic sessions may result in an immediate release of pain and pressure to your post-surgical areas. Overall recovery time happens slowly over time but will increase when your spine and back are adjusted.

Safe

Chiropractic services have a low risk. Chiropractic services are not invasive procedures to a patient. These professionals know how to read the patient’s natural anatomy and tackle that pain in the recovering areas.

What’s Next For Your Recovery?

If you’re recovering from back surgery, talk to your doctor about a post-surgical treatment strategy. If you’re looking for a medication-free plan, chiropractic may be the best choice.

When you do meet with a chiropractor for the first time, share your current health needs and concerns. The chiropractor will need this information to develop a holistic treatment plan that works for you.

You can also learn more about different chiropractic modalities on our website. We can help you get back on the road to recovery in no time! Give us a call if you have questions.