Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Frozen Shoulder


As we've been looking at how the Backrub can help in the bodies natural healing process, today's post will concentrate on Adhesive Capsulitis or, more commonly known as, Frozen Shoulder. 

There are a few factors that may contribute to Frozen shoulder, including surgery, diabetes, cervical disk disease or a shoulder injury. It happens when the ligaments surrounding your shoulder joint become inflamed and stiffen. It causes pain and stiffness and a difficulty to rotate your shoulder. 


After getting advice from your doctor, if you are looking for natural ways to ease the strain in your shoulder, the tips below may lead you in the right direction.

Stretching -  Try watching this video for a guide on quick stretches you can try daily and learning your own limitations if you have frozen shoulder. There are also periodic classes at The Backrub on AIS (Active Isolated Stretching) for a more one-on-one experience. Have a look at our  blog post from a few months back for more information.

Essential Oils - we've talked a lot about the power of essential oils and Frozen Shoulder is not exempt. Have a look at this recipe from Natural Mom's Blog for a recipe for Frozen Shoulder. If you'd like a more personal recipe, try contacting our resident EO expert, Nikki Wells, here at the Backrub.

Applying Heat - many people swear by a heat pack as an effective quick relief. Try to take a hot bath; applying heat and then a cold pack also may work. The key is listening to what your body needs.

Massage - not only will a visit to The Backrub give prompt alleviation, it will promote oxygen flow in the blood and relax the muscles. Both shiatsu and massage therapy are offered here at The Backrub and both have benefits toward thawing frozen shoulder. Give us a call at 651-698-3338 to talk to a practitioner to find what would be right for you.

Diet - last but not least, checking your diet will have numerous perks to your whole body. While there is no dietary plan for frozen shoulder, you should be concentrating on anti-inflammatory foods (fruits, vegetables and nuts) and avoiding trans and saturated fats. 



The thing to stress most about Frozen Shoulder is that it will not be healed naturally in a day, or even a week. Frozen Shoulder takes time and dedication to healing, through stretches, body work and other remedies to discuss with your practitioner. We're here to help ease that process and by following a these few helpful tips, you could be on the way to a natural thaw.

Have questions or comments? Follow this link to contact us!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Sciatica : What You Should Know

Ever get a sharp pain in the back of the leg? A leg cramp that won't go away? You might have sciatica. 
There a lot of issues people come in to the Backrub to remedy. One of these such issues is sciatica- an ailment some people do not even realize that they have. So, what is it and how can you get rid of it?


Sciatica generally comes from pressure on the discs that cushion the bone- a "pinched nerve".  The nerve might be pinched inside or outside of the spinal canal as it passes into the leg. 
Aging wear and tear also can contribute, with sciatica effecting people aged 30 - 50.

Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot- A constant pain on one side of the rear
- A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
- Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
- Burning or tingling down the leg


The main goals you want to reach when you're looking to treat sciatica is to reduce the inflammation and muscle spasms. Luckily there are ways you can do this without heading to the doctor:

Icing and Heat: Ice your lower spine area and around your hips for about twenty minutes - this will lessen the inflammation. Follow by applying heat, either through a hot bath or heating pads - which will increase your circulation and quicken the healing process.  

Stretching and Core Muscle Strength: Although you may not want to, a few stretching moves will help release muscle spasms and help prevent sciatica pain in future. Try this short helpful video for a stretching guide.

Massage Therapy: If stretching is out of the question, a massage can get you immediate relief. The Backrub practitioners offer deep tissue massage - for sciatica that means calming the muscle spasms and restoring the "numb" feeling you may have in your legs and feet. Regular visits also contribute to restoring your balance and body structure, an important component to healing many body ailments including sciatica. 




Come into The Backrub today for a session to help restore you body's natural balance - we're open 7 days a week! Walk-ins or booking available - 651-698-4567

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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Winter Hibernation: What to Eat

The holidays are over for the most part and we've had some time to sit back. This is also the time of year when we feel the winter slump. We can't sleep well, yet the gloomy cold just makes us want to wrap up in our duvets and stay in bed all day. Our diets, which is one thing that we start focusing on after the holidays, can help us gain some energy as well as help us fall asleep faster. We've compiled a list of what to munch on during the day for a more restful sleep.

Nuts: Grab a handful of nuts during the day and not only will it give you a healthy boost of energy, some of them can also help aid sleep. Walnuts contain their own amount of melatonin, an important hormone that helps regulate sleep. Almonds help muscle relaxation through their source of magnesium, also present in Brazil nuts and sesame seeds.

Fruit: There are certain fruits with components that promote a healthier sleep- Bananas are packed with melatonin and potassium- a nutrient that is another natural muscle relaxer. A handful of dates are high in carbs and L-tryptophan- the amino acid that helps you crash after a big meal. Cherries also naturally boosts levels of melatonin in our bodies. 

Fish: Vitamin D is important to achieve optimum perkiness during the day. Salmontrout, anchovies and tuna are an excellent way to ward off daytime sleepiness and welcoming a better sleep come bedtime. Check out this link from Fitness Magazine for 34 delicious healthy and quick fish recipes. Avoid protein-rich foods too close to bedtime though - try having your last big meal 3 hours before you sleep.

Tea: Head to the grocery store and you'll find a few brands of tea that promote sleep. If you've tried and tested these and are looking for something a bit different, a few other types of teas can do the same job: Steep some Passionfruit tea for a more sound sleep, or Magnolia Bark tea to calm nerves and anxiety. Even the ritual of sipping some tea before bedtime can aid the relaxation process. 

Food is also known to effect our moods. While some foods, like the ones above, can promote relaxation and less anxiety, others can have the opposite effect.
 Have a look at this article for how some foods can make us touchy and even angry:
Food Swings- Can Food Make You Angry?


What rituals and snacks do you try before bedtime? Let us know in the comments below! Want to keep in touch? Like us on Facebook or pop into The Backrub - we're open 7 days a week!