TRU Connections Archives - Page 8 of 9 - Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre

Breast Health – Post Mastectomy Myofascial Release

July 15, 2016 1 Comment

By Tara Hagan-Fields RMT, Women’s Health Specialist and Expert Myofascial Release Therapist.

Pain and tightness suffered post mastectomy/lumpectomy can limit one’s life drastically. Myofascial Release can help create vast changes by softening dense scars and fibrosed fascia that are unchanged with traditional therapy and stretching.

Traumatized tissue can have a cascading effect on the body. Locally, tightened and fibrous fascia can restrict blood flow and lymphatic flow, this can result in lymphedema. Auxiliary cording can occur, causing a significant loss of range of motion in the shoulder, resulting in a loss of function. Pain and weakness can occur in the shoulder, arm and chest wall. Burning, pins and needles, numbness or spasms can also occur in these areas.

Axillary cording is a web of thick, rope-like structures under the skin of your inner arm. These cords usually start near the site of your scarring in the underarm region and extend down the inner arm to the inside of the elbow (sometimes they can continue down to the palm of your hand, or in to the chest wall instead of, or in addition to, the inner arm.

Tightness, with time, can start to effect areas not associated with the scar. Areas far removed from the local site may be impacted. Symptoms not “normal” to mastectomy, lumpectomy, reconstruction or augmentation can start to occur. Headaches, jaw pain, low back pain, pelvic pain, digestive issues, postural changes, hormonal imbalances, etc., may become a “common” occurrence for you.

The inability to move, or the pain suffered with common range of motion and activity can become debilitating. This might happen immediately, or it might occur 6 years down the road. In real life it might look like, the inability to wash your hair in the shower, get dressed in the morning, pick your child up out of the crib, hug a loved one, carry your groceries, drive your car, work at your computer, reach up and grab the sugar out of the cupboard. No matter the role you have as a woman: mom, worker, grandma: your life is impacted.

Pain management and rehabilitation using Myofascial Release can help. Gentle and slow work done at the fascial barrier (on the scar and surrounding areas) can assist in restoring functional patterns by decreasing the restrictions.

Whether you had surgery, chemo or radiation last month, or 10 years ago, Myofascial Release should be added to your recovery process.

Tara Hagan-Fields is an RMT with Fascial Connections Myofascial Release & Wellness Centre. Tara is a Women’s Health Specialist and Expert Myofascial Release Therapist. She focuses on the body as a whole and teaches you to do the same. More about Tara here.

What’s Nu?

July 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

By Michelle Thibodeau, Natural Nutritional Practitioner & Certified Professional Cancer Coach.

Higher vitamin D levels linked with improved prostate cancer survival

On January 25, 2016 an article published online in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland documented an association between higher serum vitamin D levels and an increased chance of surviving prostate cancer. The study included 1000 participants from the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study who were diagnosed with prostate cancer following enrollment. Of this thousand participants 363 died of their disease over a 23 year follow-up from time of diagnosis. All participants completed questionnaires concerning diet and medical history and Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and other factors were measured upon enrollment.

Between men whose vitamin D levels were among the top 20% of subjects, there was a 28% lower average adjusted risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to those whose levels were in the lowest 20%. The effect was stronger for those who survived more than 3.3 years.

If you decide to supplement with vitamin D choose a good quality liquid/drop formula for best absorption and make sure you buy from a reputable health food store. Most people should supplement with at least 6000 IU daily. Be sure to have your levels tested from time to time; ask your doctor. In some areas you have to pay for this yourself at the lab (usually about $35) or you can order a home kit from the D Action Project.

Michelle Thibodeau Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health & Cancer Coach at Fascial Connections Myofascial Release and Wellness Centre. Learn more about Michelle. Call to book an appointment or go online to www.fascialconncections.ca

The Meaning of Health

July 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

By Michelle Thibodeau, Natural Nutritional Practitioner, Health & Cancer Coach.

What does “Health” Really Mean?

Although you may not be aware in April every year World Health Day is recognized and in Canada Health Day is acknowledged in May.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as:

a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

This definition has been used since 1948 and still holds true today. These two very special days are meant to highlight the importance of public health in the well-being of individuals.

Although our health should be paramount in our thoughts and daily lives all the time, these observed days should make us all take stock and ask ourselves what we consider health to be. Is health just about your regular visits to your doctor and eating healthy? That’s part of it but should start before we get sick as prevention.

Whether you’re suffering with an illness already or wishing to prevent disease such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and mental health problems there are a few guidelines that everyone can/should implement that will go a long way to preventing illness, managing disease and even alleviating certain symptoms.

Start by eliminating/reducing all forms of sugar
- This includes white & brown sugars, corn syrup, glucose and fructose also more importantly all artificial sweeteners such as Equal, Sugar Twin, Sweet and Low and Splenda. Fruit, especially tropical, should be eaten in moderation especially if you are dealing with illness such as cancer.
  - Not only does disease thrive in a high glycemic environment, causing internal inflammation, but it is actually the fuel source for cancer. Effects of consuming too much sugar: obesity, diabetes, heart disease and contribute to many health issues.
- Drink more PURE water – filtered with no chlorine, fluoride or other chemicals
  - Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces per day and more if you are active and sweating. Waiting until you’re thirsty means your body is already dehydrated.
    - Drinking more water daily helps keep your body hydrated, including your brain, and helps your kidneys and liver process, filter and get rid of toxins and waste in your body more efficiently. Here are 10 more reasons to drink more water.
    - As an example if you have less than one bowel movement per day drinking more water could help.

Eat more greens and other vegetables
- A great way to consume more fresh vegetables is by juicing or making smoothies. This allows you to incorporate several vegetables at a time (with a little fruit) in a much easier way to ingest. Almost everyone can purchase an inexpensive “Nutribullet” which, comes with all types of healthy recipes. Don’t be fooled by imitations or cheaper prices; this one is well worth the money and comes with a great warranty.
  - Eat a large salad at least once a day and try using a variety of greens and raw vegetables. Slow cook on lower heat all other vegetables so you don’t lose the nutritional value from the heating process and don’t overcook.

Avoid Simple Carbs and Processed Foods
- Anything made with white flour including breads and baked goods, sugars, packaged cereals, cookies, crackers, fruit juices from concentrate etc. Instead chose complex carbs in the form of vegetables, fruit, brown rice & whole grain breads.
  - Excess simple carbs will get stored as fat and cause insulin levels to rise. As well, these types of carbs convert to sugar in the body which fuels disease especially cancer.

Include some Super Foods in your daily diet
- Super foods are lower in empty calories and higher in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins and anti-oxidants, substances that protect our bodies from cell damage and help prevent disease.
  - Greens such as kale, spinach, watercress & broccoli along with sprouts, wheat or barley grass and seaweeds to name a few.
  - Include plenty of “Healthy Fats” into your daily nutrition too. These include foods such as avocados, wild salmon, coconut oil and butter. Dr. Axe has a nice article here “Five best Healthy Fats“. There are many others but this will get you started.