Oh my aching back: Neck pain relief

Stress is the main cause of TMJ.  Let me give you a craniosacral technique that will help to relieve pain and tension at the base of the head, where the head and C1 meet.  It is called the
atlanto-occipital region.


There are many muscles and ligaments that attach to these bones.
TMJ/tension in muscles of chewing, sleeping with the wrong pillow, neck and shoulder tension can be relieved with this simple technique over time.

Let's begin.  Find the ridge on the back of your head just behind your ears.  Look around a bit, might be higher or lower.  You are looking for a ridge that runs  from right to left between the ears.

Next find the bumps/mastoid process, at the base of your head and just above your neck vertebrae.
Feel just behind your earlobe.

Roll a hand towel and place between these two boney landmarksor use your fingers.  I  spread out my fingers and place them from ear to ear just under the ridge.  Let the weight of your head rest on your fingertips.

Start our with a small diameter roll.
Let the weight of the head sink into the roll.
Wait for softening in this area to occur.
You are accessing the fascia inside and outside of the cranial base.  The fascia will unwind in the muscles and surrounding structures.
If you feel pain in your neck - support it with a towel or stop the procedure.  Find something to support your neck and continue.

Your towel roll could be to high, unroll it a bit until it is comfortable.
Work up to a higher roll as you gain flexibility in the neck and base of the head.
This is a very relaxing technique.  If you do not feel relaxed with this procedure, than it is not for you.

Consult your doctor, massage therapist or craniosacral therapist.

Enjoy the benefits and leave a comment or question, I would love to hear from you.

Exhale! Take a break

Hello There,
Quite a few of us experience anxiety, nerveousness and irritability.  How we handle our stress tells us how resourced our nerveous systems are.  Can they fluctuate between  good stress and bad stress.  Here is a quick tip that won't cost you a penny and with a little practice will help you to reduce your stress anywhere and everywhere!  Its best to practice when you are still, than incorporate after you have some practice in.

Sit comfortably and start breathing.  You are going to watch your breathing thats it!  WATCH IT.  Do not
try to change it. When the monkey mind doesn't settle or you find your self spacing out REMIND yourself
that you are supposed to be breathing.  The breath can change with thoughts, feelings or sensations just keep breathing.

At one point your body will start to relax and you will feel clarity, relaxation & rejuvenation!
Give it a try!  Enjoy, Relax & Hydrate
Annie  

Shoulder Tension

Energy flows through the body in specific pathways.  When these pathways
are blocked due to injury, stressful living, poor nutrition, or lack of movement.
We experience energy blocks as pain and discomfort.   Mental and emotional issues.

 Stand with feet shoulder width apart, or any comfortable pose.

Bend the torso back, looking upward, without excessive strain.

Reach the arms out fully to the front, the sides and behind the lower back. 

Breathe fully, exhaling with a deep sigh, sound.  Inhale and Roll the shoulders and arms forward crossing the arms. 

Exhale and repeat.  Let the sigh, sound come from within.  Repeat until you feel tension release.
 

Headaches/Part 2

Hello All, I would like to share my self care bible with you.  Acupressure is one of the easiest and most flexible treatments for common ailments.  You can stimulate points anywhere, driving in your car, sitting at your desk, talking on the phone,  working points on your lunch break, or  maybe when the kids are taking a nap.  The bottom line is acupressure can easily be  incorporated into our lives.

Pain is increased by fatigue, anxiety,  worry and life stress.

Practiced on a daily basis, acupressure can aid in building the immune system and increasing a sense of relaxation. Acupressure points aid in pain relief by releasing the neurochemical "endorphins".
Endorphins are the natural pain killers, produced by the body.   The only cost to you is stimulating the points. 
The nerveous system is retrainable, so when you take the time to use points on a daily basis, the brain will relearn that new pattern.  If repeated on a regular basis, the body will learn to relax in a shorter amount of time.
Using the points everyday will also affect the people around you.  Can you imagine the people around you happier, our lives rejuvenated instead of bogged down with pain,  healthy appetites, and lower stress levels?  I like smiling, having energy and feeling positive. How about you?
I can't think of an easier, cost effective way to reduce pain and lower our stress levels.  My favorite book for acupressure is Acupressures Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach.  Great beginner book for getting started.  It is now bound by duct tape and loose pages. 


We will address headache points today, but the points also address other ailments.

B2 - Drilling Bamboo, where the bridge of the nose meets the eyebrows.  Feel for indentations.

Also good for Relieves eye pain, hay fever, eye fatigue, and sinus pain.

St 3 - At the bottom of the cheekbone, below the pupil.
Relieves eye fatigue and pressure, nasal and head congestion, eyestrain and toothaches.




GB20 - Below the base of the skull, in the hollow between the two vertical neck muscles.

GB 21 & TW15 Relieve nerveous tension and relax the shoulders.





LI 4 in the web between the thumb and index finger, closest to the base of the thumb.

Relieves frontal headaches, toothache, shoulder pain, and labor pain.  DONOT USE ON PREGNANT WOMAN.  Can cause labor pain.

So there you have it.  A few points to help with headaches, migraines, shoulder tension and eye strain. 

Remember to Drink your water!  Hydrate.

Enjoy & Relax!