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Who Hasn't Suffered From Neck Pain?

Published: 26 April 2012
Written by Leah
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Categories: Blog

3 Things Not To Do When You Have Neck Pain

1. (Don’t) Stretch the back of your neck – Unless you are getting neck pain in the front of your neck (which is rarely the case), you shouldn’t be stretching the muscles in the back of your neck.. This stretch can feel good at first, but you are lengthening muscles and fascia that are already having a hard time holding your head from jutting forward even more.

In actuality, it’s usually the front of your neck that needs lengthening (like doing fish pose in yoga). It’s quite difficult to stretch the front of the neck, but manual myofascial techniques have proven to lengthen this area and provide long-term pain relief. This is where I come in.

Here’s a testimonial from a client who received myofascial techniques (along with trigger point therapy) for her neck pain:

Affecting the back of the neck while working the front

“I went to Leah with a tight back and shoulders and was getting a migraine. I am very picky about massage. I like a deep massage andno talking. Leah got all of my spots and my headache went away and I had more mobility in my neck. I was so relaxed I decided to go again and pretend I was on a vacation! Leah was amazing. She has a healing energy. I highly recommend her.” – Sharon, photographer, 2010

2. (Don’t) Take Advil, Ibuprofen, etc.. – Pain is your body’s indication that something is amiss. Taking anti-inflammatories can help with short term pain relief, but they turn off that brain signal that tells you to stop moving in a certain way that could hurt you. You might potentially injure yourself more (not to mention messing with your digestive system)- this creates a pain cycle. Instead, ask me about how to use a tennis ball to relieve pain instantly- this will not provide long-term relief because it doesn’t address the root issue, but it will help you move around better at that moment.

When neck pain is left untreated (and I’ve seen this numerous times), things like bulging discs, nerve pain, and worsening pain symptoms occur. Then it just takes more time on my table to get sustained pain relief.

My goal is always to get my client out of pain and into a regimen that they can do on their own (so they don’t have to return). If I find someone has to continually come back, and their symptoms are not improving, then I will refer them to a practitioner who I believe can progress the healing process.

3. (Don’t) Push Through The Pain – If it hurts (in a bad way, and you know what I mean) then don’t do that movement. Know that your shoulders are connected to your neck, and if you do something like heavy deadlifts or pullups, you could be exacerbated the issue.

That said, you don’t necessarily want to immobilize your neck either (unless a doctor recommends it or you’ve just suffered an acute injury). Easy, non-forceful movements that don’t cause pain or make your neck any more uncomfortable are good.

I’d be happy to talk more about your specific neck pain issue– if it’s happening currently, or if it is an on and off occurrence. I suffered from whiplash (from choreography no less) over 6 years ago, and I have learned through trial and error how to keep my neck happy and out of pain.

Grain Free Pancakes… What?!

Published: 24 April 2012
Written by Leah
No comments
Categories: Blog, Tasty, Healthy Recipes

 I love these banana, almond butter, egg pancakes. Tasty and healthy!

Serving Size: 1 hungry person

Ingredients
2 egg
1 overipe banana
1/2 cups almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
coconut oil (you could also use butter)
Optional ingredients:
1/2 cup shredded zucchini (can’t taste it!)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mash all ingredients (except coconut oil) or blend in a blender. Heat coconut oil (or grass fed butter) in the skillet on medium, and start pouring the batter…
Make your pancakes small (they more easily fall apart than regular pancakes).
Give it about 2 mins each side. Watch carefully to avoid burning!

The bananas make them so sweet, I usually don’t even use maple syrup. But feel free to top with whatever pleases your belly or your taste buds!

Enjoy!

(Photo by jrandallc)

Avoid Cat Allergies Without Avoiding Cats

Published: 11 April 2012
Written by Leah
No comments
Categories: Blog

2 Easy Steps

Beatrice "The Tiger" Nelson

Spoken by an expert allergy sufferer…

1. Feed Your Cat MEAT

Cats are carnivores, which means their diet should be almost all meat. Unfortunately, generic pet food (even many organic brands) stuff their products with grains, soy, and other fillers, and then claim it is high in protein. Well, cats do not have the digestive systems to absorb the nutrients and protein from those foods. Furthermore, most cat food is over processed, which again makes it harder for the cat to digest.

So cats release the toxins from undigested food into their saliva which gets deposited all over their body when they clean themselves. Then we get sniffly, sneezy, and itchy eyes from those toxins causing an allergic reaction.

I buy Stella & Chewy’s Chicken Dinner from The Dog’s Meow, but they have a host of other brands that carry healthy cat meals. They come in frozen meat patties, and all you have to do is defrost them and serve twice a day (morning and night). The Dog’s Meow people are super helpful, so if you have any questions you can call them too!

2. Clean up YOUR Food

The better you eat for yourself, the less inflammation you will have in your body, and the better your immune system will work (instead of overreacting and causing an allergic reaction). This also includes seasonal allergies. That means, find out what foods you are sensitive to and cut them down or out of your diet.

I used to be in love with cheese, but cow’s milk brings my body out of wellness, and after cutting cheese out for a few weeks, I no longer crave it– I crave avocado and other fats that are healthier for me. Don’t knock it until you try it!

I have suffered from allergies since I could remember– there are pictures of me, puffy-eyed and asleep at the dinner table at age 3 to prove it! Not only did I deal with cat allergies because I loved them so much, but spring was a blur of antihistamine-induced drowsiness or feeling wired from prescription medication.

In the past year, I’ve had only 1 cold (lasting a day)

Not until a year ago did I ever imagine that food could play a huge role in the health of my immune system. I didn’t realize that getting a cold or flu 3-6 times a year was not normal until I discovered my food sensitivities. I am not so strict in my diet that I don’t indulge the “bad” stuff every once in a while, but having cleaned up my digestive system, I allow myself guiltless cheat meals without the ramifications of dis-ease. The best part is, I feel better, more energetic, and healthier than I ever felt in my life.

And now, I have a healthy cat, Beatrice, and I can rustle my face in her fur!! Not that she likes that so much, but she allows me to indulge every so often.

So, if allergies spring up on you every year, or you are dying to get the cat love of your life, please contact me. I’d be happy to help you!

Free 20 minute Nutrition consultations…

For you, your family, and your friends. Please forward this on to people who want to take control of their health and are sick of taking drugs (advil, antihistamines, etc).
Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions 801-906-3222