Resources

Try Myofascial Release......
Myofascial release is a hands-on form of therapy that releases restrictions in the body’s fascial system. Fascia comprises a system of connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and organ of the body-all the way down to the cellular level. Any kind of restriction on the fascial tissue-trauma, asymmetric posture or inflammation-can create a binding of the fascia, resulting in pressure on the nerves, muscles, bones or organs.

The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.

Myofascial release involves gentle, sustained pressure to the restricted connective tissue. Used to eliminate pain and restore mobility, myofascial therapy also includes education in proper body mechanics and movement and enhancement of posture, flexibility and strength. The focus of this therapy is on the cause of the injury or trauma, not the symptoms.

This is the reason that myofascial release works so  The myofascial sessions can help you to improve your body awareness and allow you to feel more into your body. The improved flexibility will allow you to perform at a new level.

You can experience Myofascial release for yourself at A Touch of Heaven, Massage Therapy and Pain Release Center of King of Prussia, PA. Natalie Innella is a  Myofascial release practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist for over 6 years. She has been.  Natalie is available 5 - 6  days a week for Myofascial release sessions. Please call the front desk for appointments or to book on line go to www.a-touchofheaven.com..... If this would be your first time to A Touch of Heaven, it is best that you call to schedule.  (610-937-3089)


Need more sleep?   Get a Massage

Therapeutic touch is an instinctive and eloquent form of communication that has been molded into a healing art. Larry Costa, author of Massage: Mind and Body, writes that massage has many "physical and mental benefits, including ... relieving muscle soreness, increasing flexibility, easing chronic pain, reducing tension headaches, boosting the immune system, promoting restful sleep, and improving concentration." Massage positively affects the body's circulatory, nervous, and immune systems. By encouraging blood flow through the veins, massage benefits the entire body. The calming effects of massage on the nervous system often produce a sense of serenity and well-being. Regular massage also stimulates the lymphatic system, which enhances the function of the immune system.

From easing arthritis and asthma to improving digestion, the benefits of massage therapy run the gamut. Massage helps relieve daily stressors and eases recovery from many serious illnesses. In The Complete Book of Relaxation Techniques, Jenny Sutcliffe points out that massage can relieve pain by stimulating the production of endorphins--the body's own painkillers--and, by increasing the sensory input to the brain, thereby blocking out the pain messages.

The positive physiological and psychological effects of massage were demonstrated in a recent study of patients undergoing care for cancer. When given massage, study participants at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston exhibited increased relaxation, better sleep, and improved immune function, along with relief from fatigue, pain, anxiety, and nausea.

In Ayurvedic Herbal Massage, author Gita Ramesh says regular massages can "relieve stress and help to promote a long and healthy life." In the Indian healing system of ayurveda, massage is considered a form of whole body exercise that increases stamina and energy, while simultaneously delivering an inexpressible quality of stillness and joy--a time to be present. Massage realigns the entire body, promotes deeper and more natural breathing patterns, and helps restore individual resources of vital energy. The moments spent in massage are an opportunity to experience oneself as completely accepted.

Regular massage is a gift to yourself. Through the power of structured, healing touch, massage helps the body run smoothly, like keeping a musical instrument in perfect tune. Massage rejuvenates the body from the outside in, with side benefits that include improved complexion, better posture, and a relaxed disposition on life









A good friend forwarded this to me today. Makes perfect sense to me, and made me think of all of you.

They Teach It at Stanford

I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress and disease. The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman, whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.

At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.

Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this "quality girlfriend time" helps us to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. They rarely sit down with a buddy and talk about how they feel about certain things or how their personal lives are going. Jobs? Yes. Sports? Yes. Cars? Yes. Fishing, hunting, golf? Yes. But their feelings? Rarely. 

Women do it all of the time. We share from our souls with our sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very good for our health. He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.

There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged - not true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!

So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky. Sooooo, let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health.

Read This if you Suffer from Neck, Back, or Shoulder Issues

Millions of people are at risk of chronic nerve damage to their back, necks and shoulders because of poor posture when using computers and laptops.
Back and neck pain is a natural result of prolonged sitting at work especially if you are using a computer. Bad posture can cause headaches, excessive tension inneck, chest, shoulder, arm, and forearm, back hip, thighs and legs. (This is true- So many issues because of incorrect posture). All of these cause increased fatigue to the muscles and ligaments supporting the lower back and can eventually lead to tissue injury and spinal joint dysfunction.

Preventing back and neck pain while sitting is not an exact science as there are many differing opinions. However, there are some common denominators on which most chiropractors and other medical professionals agree:

So with that being said.... lets talk about what to do and what not to do.

Posture When Using Computers – What Not to Do
Do not slouch in front of the computer or lie in bed and work on a laptop. (really now, it it that important to work on the computer while in bed?)
Do not work for hours in front of a computer without breaks.
Do not ignore back twinges and back pain, hoping that the problem will resolve itself.
Avoid taking pain medication or anti-inflammatories when in pain from using a computer. This will serve to mask the symptoms but can lead to serious injury or permanent nerve damage in the long term.
Do not sit on one leg or sit with legs crossed as this causes additional strain to the back.
Do not perch a laptop on the lap and stare down at the screen – this places extra strain on the neck, spine and arms.
Do not look up or down at the monitor. The top of the screen should be even with the user’s forehead and directly in front, at arms’ length.
Posture When Using Computers – What to Do
Buy a ergonomic office chair with lumbar support and no armrests. (This is SO important)-find someone who can measure you in your chair at your computer to be sure that everything is set just for you)
Adjust the height of the chair so the upper thighs are parallel to the floor. (also very important)
Adjust the back support so the back is firmly supported and angled slightly backward, while the feet are supported on the floor or footrest.
Buy an ergonomic keyboard and mouse and ensure that the height is adjusted to keep hands, wrists and board to the back.
Have a break every hour and do stretching exercises like neck rolls, chin tucks, cupping head in hands behind the head and extension exercises.(This only takes a few minutes and can solve a lot of problems in the long run)
Massage Therapy to Relieve Back and Neck Pain
If done correctly, massage therapy can help to relieve back pain and tension. It is best to find a therapist trained in techniques that address back pain issues and has a knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain, such as sports injuries. Massage therapy should never be considered a substitute for proper medical attention. (A Touch of Heaven is here to help you with your issues). It is important to educate the workforce about this issue and to let them know that massage is a health benefit. It can help by keeping those who work - working - it helps to reduce sick days and issues of carpal tunnel syndrome. Just think about it... Maybe have your office check out the website - www.a-touchofheaven.com and find out about how chair massage can help the work place). Many offices are now incorporating chair massage in their workplace - for reducing stress, sick days etc.)

Here are my resources for this writing:

'What Can Massage therapy Really do for your Back pain?' Steven Hefferon, Certified Massage Therapist, The Healthy Back Institute
'Common Computer Related Injuries' – Dr. Vic Weatherall
Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, Assendelft WJ et al. Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Continued Care by a General Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:713-722.


Understanding Reiki

Reiki ~ Many ancient cultures, including the Japanese, Chinese, Indians and the Egyptians,
embraced the belief that life energy flows through the body deeply, altering our bodies, minds and emotions.

Current research strongly suggests that energy does extend throughout and beyond the physical body and that disruptions and imbalances in it’s flow correlate to physical, mental, and emotional illnesses. The healing art of Reiki addresses these imbalances to support your good health and wellbeing.

What is Reiki
A brief overview Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other med- ical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

What is a Reiki Session Like?
Come to a Reiki Session in loose comfortable cloth- ing. You will normally lie on a table fully clothed, but the techniques is so adaptable that one can receive Reiki in just about any setting including a chair, through casts, and bandages and in any state of health.

The Practitioner will lightly lay their hands on or above your body. Typical positions of the Practitioner's hands are on your: head, shoulders, stomach, arms, legs, and feet (or you may prefer not to have touch). If you are not comfortable with touch, please notify the Practitioner to adjust the treatment. Your aura will also be treated with Reiki.

If you were to view a Reiki session, you might think that nothing is going on. If you experience Reiki, you know otherwise. While the effects vary from person to person, most individuals experience deep relaxation, Some clients feel warmth in specific areas or tingling and some clients may even lightly doze off. After your Reiki session, drink plenty of water to wash away the toxins released during the session. Let your body do whatever it needs - allow yourself quiet time or return to your life's activities with a sense of wellness.

Results are sometimes subtle. Some recipients say the feel little during the session, but afterwards enjoy a sense of calm and well being, and a deep restful sleep. It is possible that you will experience powerful sensations or emotions during and or after a session. Your practitioner will want to hear about all your responses to the degree you are comfortable sharing them.

Sessions are typically scheduled once a week or every 2 weeks. Each session is accumulative in maintaining the free flow of your energy centers and no two sessions are alike. A series of 4 sessions is recommended for new clients. Upon review, additional sessions or a maintenance plan will be assessed with the client.

Reiki in healthcare
Used by a rapidly growing number of hospitals all over the world. Reiki complements medical treatment, natural therapies, and massage therapy. Reiki increases a caregivers ability to provide patient support and is easily practiced in all hospital environments form out patient clinics to intensive care.

Reiki is being successfully integrated into numerous clinical settings to compliment medical care and psychological counseling. It is gentle enough to offer support and reduce the discomforts of preg- nant women and can help ease the pain of child- birth. Hospitals such as the Tuscan Medical Center, St. Lukes Hospital in San Francisco, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa and Lankanau Hospital in PA, all have teams of Reiki Practitioners available to a range of patients, including these with cancer or recovering from surgery. Reiki is especially appreciated in hospice care where it’s ability to alleviate pain and anxiety for both patient and family members is also greatly needed.
Recent Research

Medical research has focused upon verifying Reiki’s effects rather than explaining how it works. The results are impressive. One study showed a highly significant reduction in pain following reiki treatment. Another study cited improvement in immune and nervous system functioning and increased mobility in patients with conditions such as multiple sclero- sis, lupis, and fibromyaglia. At Columbia/ HCA Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, surgical patient’s decreased their use of pain medications, stayed for shorter periods and reported increased satisfaction with pre and post surgical Reiki sessions..

To Schedule Your Reiki Appointment Call 610-937-3089 or Send Us An E-mail Stating Your Request - Natalie@a-touchofheaven.com

Senior/Geriatric Massage

 The body is a remarkable instrument and is built to repair itself naturally. However, as we become older and the body succumbs to the wear and tear of daily life, it takes longer for it to heal itself. Massage not only increases mobility in arthritic or aching limbs, but increases circulation and muscle tone. A woman who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis began receiving a two hour massage once a week. Before massage therapy, she had been told that she would never work again and would be confined to a wheel chair. Today she is still able to do volunteer work at a hospital, wheelchair free. 

 Eighty to ninety percent of all disease is stress related. Many stress related illnesses, including lymphedema, high blood pressure, and heart disease can improve from adding massage therapy to a health regime. John Lambert of Euless began receiving massage therapy after being diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. “Following chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and major surgery of fourth stage throat and neck cancer, I began receiving therapeutic massage twice a week,” Lambert recalled. “This therapy was directly responsible for raising my energy level, keeping my lymphatic system functioning and providing me with a continued range of motion in my head and neck that has amazed by doctors.” 

 Many mature adults respond to geriatric massage in such a manner that medication can be dramatically reduced or alleviated entirely. Massage therapy has been proven to increase vitality, improve bodily functions, help sleep disorders, lessen or stop depression, and stimulate memory. 

  Massage therapy can be more cost efficient than conventional medical procedures. Many insurance companies are finally covering massage therapy for older adults.  Check with your insurance company for details.  (A Touch of Heaven does not accept insurance at this time - however - we will be more than happy to give you an invoice for you to turn into your insurance company.)  Call 610-937-3089 to discuss this type of massage and to schedule.