what can I do for you and your loved ones? This is the second in this week’s series. Watch for more each day.
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions in America, as well as one of the most painful. With symptoms that range from pain and swelling to reduced range of motion and stiffness, arthritis can seriously inhibit a person’s ability to maintain a normal or active lifestyle. Pain medications are often prescribed or purchased over-the-counter, but can have some side effects, like stomach upset, that can further impact daily living. New research, however, is showing that massage therapy may be the ideal nonpharmacological substitute.
The Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment conducted a systematic review of treatments for chronic pain, one of the key symptoms of arthritis. Their research indicates there is “strong scientific evidence” that massage reduces chronic pain by 20 to 30 percent more than treatment that does not involve physical movements.4
In 2018, a study by the Health Qualitative Research Center of Birjand University looked at the effects of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on osteoarthritis, one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. Results showed that after one week of treatment, the quality of daily life was increased significantly.5 Tatninov also sees success with aromatherapy, finding that for her clients with chronic pain conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, lavender and other oil blends can help with relaxation.
Additionally, numerous studies on osteoarthritis suggest that massage therapy can help with the pain involved in joint degeneration, as well as stiffness and function.6,7 One randomized controlled study found that participants who received an eight-week massage therapy intervention for symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee had significant improvement when compared to those who received usual care.8 A similar study of 125 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee showed that a one-hour course of massage given for eight weeks provided better pain relief than usual medical care.9 Even when compared to just exercise, researchers found that patients with knee arthritis pain who received massage therapy with exercise showed significant improvement on the pain scale, get-up-and-go test and the WOMAC index.10
Working with clients with chronic pain conditions, however, does require massage therapists to make some adjustments. According to Tatninov, some of her clients who have been receiving massage therapy for a time can handle and request deeper pressure, while others who are new to the practice may need a lighter touch. “I will check in more than I would with an average client to make sure the pressure I am using is comfortable,” she adds.
What can I do for you and your loved ones? The following article is just one. See my series this week for more.
Most commonly forming in adolescent years, scoliosis causes nagging back pain and fatigue. While these symptoms may sound minor, back pain and fatigue can mean that people are sometimes forced to miss opportunities for personal growth, like athletics or performing arts, as well as potentially having to give up some of their favorite hobbies. If not treated, scoliosis can persist for years, and in some cases, a lifetime.
In a study done by the Good Posture Association, the effect of consistent massage on Cobb angle, or the curve in the spine caused by idiopathic scoliosis, was analyzed. Thirtyminute treatment sessions, which involved soft tissue massage, were administered three times a week for eight weeks. “It was established that the Cobb angle was noticeably decreased after four weeks of the intervention,” researchers concluded.3
Cynthia Oberdier, a massage therapist from Columbus, Ohio, has significant experience treating clients with scoliosis. For Oberdier, focusing on the muscles around the spine is essential. “In my experience, massage for scoliosis is to encourage strengthening of the open side and lengthening of the shortened side,” explains Oberdier. “Massage strokes are then lengthwise to the short side with stretching to encourage opening of the curve. Myofascial release to the opposite side, encouraging myofascial unwinding and taking the tension off of the shortened side.”
Sonia D. Tatninov, a massage therapist from Tulena Wellness in Brooklyn, New York, says massage therapists working with clients with scoliosis should be prepared to do a lot of their work in side-lying position, and that many clients with scoliosis are going to need their neck worked. “I pay a lot of attention to the lamina groove,” she adds, “since I find that those with scoliosis tend to have a lot of holding at the attachments here.”
For clients with scoliosis, Tatninov also cautions massage therapists to talk with clients who have fusion and rods about how they affect their dayto- day life and range of motion. “These clients are often fine in supine positions, but I am always sure to have a sheet or towel handy to bolster their head,” she explains. “A client who has a rod may need to have their head bolstered to a very specific height.”
Similar to dementia, some of the biggest benefits of massage therapy surround its being able to be customized to individual needs. Tatninov emphasizes that clear communication is vital to providing proper treatment. “Those with severe scoliosis are often acutely aware of what’s going on in their bodies,” she says. “They are more than happy to give you a rundown of everything new going on in their body since they last saw you and to tell you specifically what they want the focus of the session to be that day. The best thing I can do for them is to listen to them and then plan that day’s session in response to the information they’ve given me on that day.”
Who am I? What do I do? How can I help you? What is health to you? How do you visualize your health? How much would you like to reduce your pain and stress? Please share my new premiere video. Like it on my Facebook page. See it on Instagram and Linked-in. Watch for my blogs and Facebook posts throughout each week.
This is not your typical encouragement write-up on being the person you were meant to be. I will give you some food for thought that is not main stream, and is very out of the box, but should be the normal thinking.
We were created, man was created, out of the dust of the Earth and given life and breath from the very mouth of the Creator. It was good. Did you get that? When the tree of knowledge of good and evil entered the picture, so did the lies that we are no longer good. Fear entered first and foremost. Fear and shame are the foundation to all that is not good, all that is not of the creation in the beginning. We were given a choice. That is all. It was a choice. Man did not become evil. The flesh did not become evil. The mind did not become evil. The man allowed the fear and shame to take over his very own body, mind and soul. Yahweh constantly showed that there is a way to stay within what we are create to be. The stuff that was breathed into us at creation was not taken out of us when the other tree was eaten. This is a key point.
We are made in HIS very image. WE are sons and daughters of the Most High. We are good. Sin can take over but it is not who we are.
We are meant for so much more. We have been given the promise of Eternal Life. We must live that kingdom here on Earth. We have the breathe of the Father in us and through us. We can get the fear and shame out. All sin and all evil can be overcome. All of our impurities, all of our transgressions, all of our health issues, all of our Earth’s pollution, is from fear and shame. We are not evil first. Evil takes over us when we allow it in. Evil is the result of not being what we are meant to be.
Be what you are meant to be. Be who you are. Live the life you have been given to live in Messiah. Use the breath of the Almighty that was breathed into you and never taken out.
I could make this longer, but I want you to digest the truth you have just read. Let’s have a conversation.
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It is the first of the year, a new year on the calendar that the Creator crafted from the beginning. Man has destroyed the calendar and taken Yahweh/God out of it. Anyway, we are in the first month of the year, and it is time to cleanse. This time of year has cleansing rains, new beginnings, fresh starts in all aspects of creation. The Messiah purposely died at this time of year because we need cleansing, and this time of year is the best time of year to do so. Every edible plant (and most of them out there this time of year are edible) is a cleansing plant, and should be taken into our bodies. The energy of the Earth is even being renewed this time of year, and our bodies are directly connected and affected by it.
I want to bring out one thing about this time of year that is vital. I personally keep an entire week of Passover/Unleavened Bread. I do this because it is commanded, and because it is very refreshing to the mind, body, and soul. In this process, I clean out my house. I take out the leaven, clean every nook and cranny, and air out the place. Have you ever wondered where “spring cleaning” comes from? Despite what most historians and scholars want to say, it is built into us to do this, at this time of year, from the beginning of mankind, for cleansing purpose. It is what we are supposed to do. The thing I want to bring out is this: when you put out sugar, or throw out all of that junk food from your house, to cleanse your body, do you give it away to someone else, or do you actually throw it out? Ask yourself: does it make sense to throw something you know is bad for you onto someone else?
When I clean out, and throw out the leavened things during Passover week, I throw them out and burn them, or let the chickens eat them. The leaven represents my sin, or the things in my life I need to clean out, the “weeds” that have gotten out of hand. This cleansing also pictures getting your health back into shape, getting rid of the things that are negative, in mind, body, and spirit. It is all about acting on the solution and not looking back. I absolutely never give my “throw out” stuff to someone else to eat while I am not eating it, just as I would not give away the junk foods harming me if I were changing my health habits.
THE POINT: It is difficult to throw out, especially when you know your hard earned money bought it. It is difficult to go through the process of ridding the mind of negative fears and emotion. It is a process and nothing more. It is a practice, and we have to make it a “custom” for it to make an impact. I assure you, it is all worth it, and the things you THROW OUT will be replaced with twice the good. Throwing out (not giving away), is just the right thing to do.
The scripture below can be a starting point to a great study on this subject, giving you motivation and confidence.
Strong’s LexiconGet rid of ἐκκαθάρατε (ekkatharate) Verb – Aorist Imperative Active – 2nd Person Plural Strong’s Greek 1571: To clean (cleanse) out, clean thoroughly. From ek and kathairo; to cleanse thoroughly.
the τὴν (tēn) Article – Accusative Feminine Singular Strong’s Greek 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
old παλαιὰν (palaian) Adjective – Accusative Feminine Singular Strong’s Greek 3820: Old, ancient, not new or recent. From palai; antique, i.e. Not recent, worn out.
yeast, ζύμην (zymēn) Noun – Accusative Feminine Singular Strong’s Greek 2219: Leaven, ferment, both lit. and met. Probably from zeo; ferment.
that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong’s Greek 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.
you may be ἦτε (ēte) Verb – Present Subjunctive Active – 2nd Person Plural Strong’s Greek 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
a new νέον (neon) Adjective – Nominative Neuter Singular Strong’s Greek 3501: (a) young, youthful, (b) new, fresh.
unleavened ἄζυμοι (azymoi) Adjective – Nominative Masculine Plural Strong’s Greek 106: (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the Passover week.
batch, φύραμα (phyrama) Noun – Nominative Neuter Singular Strong’s Greek 5445: A mass or lump, as of bread dough. From a prolonged form of phuro, mean to knead; a mass of dough.
as καθώς (kathōs) Adverb Strong’s Greek 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.
you really are. ἐστε (este) Verb – Present Indicative Active – 2nd Person Plural Strong’s Greek 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong’s Greek 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.
Christ, Χριστός (Christos) Noun – Nominative Masculine Singular Strong’s Greek 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Genitive 1st Person Plural Strong’s Greek 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.
Passover lamb, πάσχα (pascha) Noun – Nominative Neuter Singular Strong’s Greek 3957: The feast of Passover, the Passover lamb. Of Chaldee origin; the Passover.
has been sacrificed. ἐτύθη (etythē) Verb – Aorist Indicative Passive – 3rd Person Singular Strong’s Greek 2380: A primary verb; properly, to rush, i.e. to sacrifice; by extension to immolate.
…and who is “they” anyway. We are constantly making up a they, them, everyone, group in our heads, and making “them” as if “they” are “everyone”, when in fact they are just a few, sometimes even just one or two! Let’s stop that right now.
“They” do not know you are a no one (well known all over the world), and “they” are in the same category no matter who they are. By the way, you are a someone and a good one at that. What is your definition of a “someone”? We all have this message that we are a “no one” because we think we are just moving through life in a common way. But what is common anyway? Common to one person is different to another. Someone in a movie is just as common and can walk the streets without being noticed, or go into a store and buy shoes without even being recognized (yes, this has happened to most movie stars). Not everyone knows everyone, and everyone can be “no one” or someone; both are the same person! THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN. There is custom and tradition and other such things. In reality, everyone is common and uncommon at the same time, depending upon where “they” are and who they are hanging out with.
Do it anyway! That is in a popular country song, and in many poems, and in books and in sports ads, and so the list goes. It is something we all have to keep at the front of our minds at all times. It is biblical! Do it, whatever it is you are led to do (good, that is). Life is often about trying to, and wanting to, and dreaming of. Life is also about trying things and realizing what you do not want to do, or say, or be. Do it all anyway!
It is OK if you do not have it all together, all figured out. I have never had it figured out, and it has all worked out somehow. Yahweh our God has it all figured out. KEEP doing it all anyway.
Life has comforts and discomforts, times of certainty and uncertainty. In the uncomfortable, uncertain times, tackle it like you are wearing a hero suit; turn it upside down and inside out. The work will pay off, and surprise you at times, better than you could ever have planned it to be. Just do it anyway. On the note of tackling, Quit procrastinating! Pursue with every minute you have the whatever it is you are continually researching about and painting a picture of. Procrastination is a big thing, especially nowadays with all our technology and social media. I am going to post an article of great resources I found at the bottom of this blog post. There will be some repeats of information, but that is just because one person does not have all the answers and there are many who have figured this out and want to help others do the same.
Now put that phone or computer down (unless it is doing what you NEED to do, to pursue what you NEED to, to get where you NEED to be).
AFTER you watch the five-minute video, begin to read the healing scriptures. There are a lot of them! If you find more, please share them with me, so that I may add them to the list 🙂
I love teaching. Teaching runs in my blood. I love to empower people. I love teaching most because I learn.
Would you like to make sense of the food allergies and sensitivities, and find holistic options within your budget? Food allergies rock your world! They rocked mine. In this class I will help you take an active and empowering role in your daily struggle with this “sensitive” topic (pun intended).
Would you like to turn around a picky eater, know where to save money for healthy snacks, how to minimize junk and create whole food eaters, be prepared on the go without stress, learn how to travel with food, and create habits to last? This is not just for the now, but for the future. ALL HEALTH now will reap good or disaster in the future. I have a class for that! Learn why making even simple menu adjustments can lead to kids who feel calmer, sleep better, wake up easier, weigh less, have tantrums less, and study more.
Do you have a love/hate relationship with cooking and finding creative ways to make a meal? Do you want to have meals ready for on the go? Do you want to learn how to pack and cook on a trip? The crock pot can become your best pal in the kitchen. I will also show some things for travel with a crock or an insta-pot or aroma steamer (the fast crock pot) —traveling with these is the best thing I have done for saving time and money on a trip and eating healthier.
Do you want to learn about desserts without sugar, honey, molasses, or artificial sweeteners…YES! they can still be sweet and delicious. (Tasting some goodies will be part of the class) Cure your sugar craving and need. Create new habits. Learn the empowerment you have inside you.
Would you like to learn massage techniques for calming, healing, bonding, making stronger and smarter babies. Gather some friends and set a plan to take a 4 week course.
DO YOU ALL GET THE IDEA? I have a class for many things. These are just a few of what I can do. If you have an idea for a class you would like me to put together, please contact me to ask. I CAN BRING THESE classes to your group, in your location (in my local area). I can do many of these classes, even the baby massage classes, online for those long distance.
Jeana Anderson, C.N.H.P., C.H.N.P., LMT, CEIM, CBS
I have been seeing and feeling some great things this week, in all the mess. Yes, you can feel good things in the mess of life if you are looking.
I began my prayer journal again, and I began praying promises when I wake, through the day and before I go to sleep. I have exercised again every day, sometimes more than once a day. I am, because of the season, in the garden much now and outside a whole lot. I have had better sleep. I have had libido issues and other hormonal issues disappear. I have noticed my speech be better, my mind be clearer, and my energy be enhanced.
I had a saliva test recently for hormones and cortisol and other things. I was near bottomed out in cortisol when it should be up and low overall. Hormones were not all in balance but not too bad. I decided to give it all to the one who knows me and what my body is going through at this time (age 46, and I like to call it level 46). I am amazed. Below are the scriptures of two of my promise prayers. You take the scriptures, with the promises, and figure out what they are saying, then put them into your own situation or moment, and then read them back to God with it all together. It is powerful. I also add “tapping” and mental exercise to the sequence and it becomes even more powerful. (look those things up for yourself to find out more about getting to the core of your body and soul/spirit).
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear (and this means do not let fear consume, fear is real and needs to be acknowledged as such), For I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous Hand! Personal note: there is so much here in this; I would consume myself in front of the mirror looking at bumps or other flaws and letting fear consume me…no more! I would consume myself when I was outside looking for ticks….NO MORE! This is how this scripture works. No more junk anxiety. I am fine. Enjoy what is around you and consume in that. If something changes, I will know and God will take care of me to have what I need to take care of it, but NOT until then will I be anxious of that around me or on me or in me.
III John 2 I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
