April 2009

Metamorphic Massage Newletter

Herniated Disc - Massage in Mexico

Nikki Nichols LMP, RN,BSN

Join our mailing list

In This Issue

Baseball and
herniated discs

Massage in Mexico

Spring is here!!

The Seattle Marniers are in first place!

America's favorite sport is being played by people of all ages who play t-ball to little league to major leagues. You can hear the ball crack against the bat, smell the grass, feel the dirt fly into your face as you slide in to home plate, feel the sweat run down your face while running to catch the fly ball in left field. Hopefully as you twist to hit the ball, you don't hear popping in your back and feel pain, but there is a potential for that to occur.

All athletes have the potential of developing injuries while playing their sport.

In baseball the most common injuries are:

• Shoulder: Rotator cuff, Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
• Elbow: epicondylitis ( "Little league elbow")
• Wrist and Hand: sprains
• Knee: Ligament Injuries - Anterior cruciate ligament
  (To read more about the above injuries see http://www.metamorphicmassage.biz/news.html)
  
• Back - herniated disc.

What is a herniated disc?

It is a disc that has bulged or ruptured from its proper place between the vertebrae. Discs are round cushions that have tough, fibrous tissue on the outside and watery, gelatinous material inside. Their purpose is to cushion each vertebrae during movement. When they bulge they may press on nearby nerves and cause severe pain.

What causes a disc to rupture or herniate?

Some of the most common causes are:

• A sudden strain of the back from twisting or lifting
• Repeated straining of the back
  
• A fall or accident
• Degeneration of the disc from aging or genetic predisposition
• Spontaneous herniation can occur without any specific injury
  

Symptoms of a herniated disc:
may begin suddenly or gradually and may include:

• sudden aching or sharp shooting pain in the back or neck,
• being unable to straighten the back without extreme pain
• sharp shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs
• bladder problems
  

A doctor can often diagnose a herniated disc by a physical examination that tests sensation, muscle strength, and reflexes but to determine the degree of herniation high tech diagnostic tests are needed.

Treatment of a Herniated Disc

Conservative treatment may relieve most cases of herniated disc pain allowing the body to heal over time.Acute pain from a herniated disk should go away within a few weeks, but some pain may remain for a few months. Early treatment may include:

• Massage is beneficial for reducing muscle tension and compressive loads on the discs. It's important that the LMP be cautious to prevent aggravation of symptoms.
• Exercies including: Standing Hamstring stretch, Cat and Camel, Extension exercises, Quadriped arm/leg raises, Partial curl for developing and maintaining good core strength and strong flexible muscles.
• Rest - allowing the body to reabsorb the herniated part of the disk and heal spontaneously
• Hot or cold packs
• Traction or other physical therapy treatments
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections to control pain and inflammation.
• Surgery is sometimes required (fewer cases need it than previously thought necessary)

Prevention of herniated discs:

• Using good posture and proper lifting techniques
• Good biomechanics and ergonomics
• Avoid standing in one place for long periods of time
• Stretch often when sitting for long periods of time
• Use chairs with good back support
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Sleep on your side not your stomach
• Stop and rest often while on long road trips
• Avoid returning too quickly to activity or exercise to avoid the risk of aggravating your injury, which could lead to permanent damage.

(The above info is from : About.com: Sports Medicine --Herniated discs by Elizabeth Quinn)

Massage in Mexico

In March, I spent 2 weeks in Mexico-teaching, receiving and giving massage, along with some other activities.

1. In Cuernavaca, I taught massage to women who live in a poor barrio (neighborhood) for two afternoons. The women were delighted to learn some basic Swedish strokes and receive a copy of the book I wrote in Spanish, Manual of Basic Massage.
(If you know anyone who would like to buy a copy, or Spanish speakers who would like a basic massage class, or Spanish speakers who would like to get massages, please let me know.)
For details about the manual go to : http://www.metamorphicmassage.biz/massage_book.html
I also studied Spanish at Cemanahuac Educational Community, a great language school in Cuernavaca. If you are interested in studying there see http://www.cemanahuac.com.

2. In Yelapa, reachable only by boat from Puerto Vallarta, along with snorkeling, bird watching, paragliding, hiking, and compassionate listening, I gave and received massages.

Metamorphic Massage
"where injuries are transformed into wellness"
Specializing in athletes with injuries

Nikki LMP -- provider of massage at 3 Olympic Games
WA Sports Massage Team - active member for 12 years

Call or e mail to schedule a massage.
Nikki Nichols LMP, RN, BSN
Metamorphic Massage
206-499-4281
Nikki@metamorphicmassage.biz