Posts Tagged ‘Therapy’

Laughter Therapy – how is it useful and in what ways…

Humor is not the same as laughter. Humor is a technology for provoking laughter. Laughter is the physiological response to humor. One of the common misconception is that laughter is unique to human species. Actually, it is not the case. Virtually, all mammals laugh, in one form or another. Laughter did come to us from animals, as a matter of natural selection, indeed a survival tool.
- Laughter is inborn, in fact it is the first social vocalization emitted by infants. It seems that laughter has a biological basis, rooted in our genes, and although different cultures have their own norms concerning the types of situations in which laughter is considered appropriate, as the sounds of laughter are themselves indistinguishable from one culture to another.
- Laughter is not about jokes though the two may appear inseparable. Laughter is primarily a social lubricant, not a response to funny situations. The fact that laughter works as a glue, holding people together.
- Laughter is as contagious as a yawn. Our brains respond to emotive sounds, this response occurs in the area of the brain that is activated when we smile, as though preparing our facial muscles to laugh. Our laughter and the other person’s laughter tend to become intertwined and antiphonal.
- Laughter lowers the levels of stress hormones and thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks. Stress is associated with damage to the inner lining of blood vessels which encourages inflammation and plaque which with resulting arterial stiffening can lead to heart attack.
- Laughter is a coping mechanism in cancer.
- Laughter is an immune system booster. It rev up the body’s production of antibodies and enhance the activation of the body’s protective cells that destroy tumor cells and viruses.
- Laughter helps along weight loss as you burn more calories when you laugh. By reducing levels of stress hormone, laughter helps you grapple with that bogey.
- Laughter improves the appetite eve as it helps you burn calories. The appetite boosting seems to occur via the effect that laughter has on the levels of the appetite hormones.
- Laughter acts as a survival tool. If laughter underlies intimacy, it can also facilitate distance from emotional pain. To laugh in a painful or distressing situation is not to avoid emotional reckoning, but to gain perspective needed to make the experience productive.

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Hands-On Therapies : The Feldenkrais Method and The Alexander Technique

THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD
The chief goal of the hands-on therapy called feldenkrais method is to help you become more aware of your posture and movement patterns, explore how you limit yourself, and enhance learning of new patterns. This approach does not seek to treat specific medical conditions, but instead helps you to respond differently to them. It is based on the theory that people over a period of time develop patterns to compensate for pain or injury, but these patterns can become obstacles to healing and optimal functioning. Subtle changes to these habits can improve flexibility, balance, breathing and coordination, easing tension, pain and strain.
The program is offered in two ways:
- First, you are verbally guided through gentle movements, typically while lying on the floor or sitting in a chair.
- Second, it uses a hands-on contact to address individual needs. The practitioner may move your arms, legs, head or trunk in ways that enhance your awareness of movement patterns.
- With both forms, the practitioner may draw attention to elements such as your breathing or the differences between the two sides of your body.
Because the movements are gentle and involve no pain or strain, most people can participate and possibly benefit from this method. People who use this method often notice changes in thought patterns when they change their movement patterns. This method is most often used for increased flexibility, coordination and balance, neck, back and joint pain relief, headache, neuromuscular disorders and physical rehabilitation.

THE ALEXANDER METHOD
The hands-on Alexander technique focuses on unlearning detrimental patterns of movement. It is not a set of exercises, but a conscious change in mindset that supports better physical movement. Its basic principles emphasize balance, ease, lightness and flow to counteract rigidity, stress and tension. Other purpose of the Alexander method is to restore overall expansiveness to the body. Alexander method is most often used for improved coordination and balance, pain relief and improvement of conditions caused by chronic misalignment, such as muscle tension and pain in the lower back and neck.
During a typical session, the practitioner uses a hands-on approach to guide you. You may lie on the table while the practitioner gently guides your limbs. During your daily activities, the practitioner can give you verbal suggestions like “the back lengthens and widens” or “head forward and up” to help you shed harmful movement habits.

Hands-On Therapies : Massage and Spinal Manipulation

Hands-on therapies work towards more efficient, relaxed movement and proper alignment of the body in order for your body to function properly. Rather than relying on the manipulation of energy, hands-on, or manual, therapies work by applying pysical forces to the body. Hands-on therapies include:
MASSAGE
Research has proven that massage is effective especially for chronic lower back and neck pain. It is defined as hands-on manipulation of soft tissues through touch, movement or pressure, massage therapy ranges from gentle stroking and kneading to deeper, manual techniques. Positive effects that have resulted from massage therapy include easing muscle tension, increasing range of motion, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, lessening depression and anxiety, enhancing sleep and, in some cases, lessening dependence on medication. Massage is often used for tension and anxiety, neuromuscular conditions such as neck or back pain, muscle soreness, fibromyalgia.
Sessions may vary depending on the massage technique used. A massage therapist begins by taking your medical history and discussing health concerns and any goals that you have. Therapy may be done partially or fully unclothed with a towel or sheet covering you. Often, oils or lotions are used to avoid uncomfortable friction on your skin.
Some complications like discomfort for a day or two especially with deep tissue massage. Massage therapy is generally not recommended on areas where you have had recent surgery or fractures or where you have received radiation therapy. Massage therapy is not recommended at an open wound or open skin infection or if you are having acute signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and cation is advised if you have osteoporosis.

SPINAL MANIPULATION
During spinal manipulation, the practitioner applies a controlled amount of force to a spinal joint, moving it outside of its usual range of motion. Alternatively, a rhythmic force is applied to improve joint motion in the neck, spine and pelvis. The practitioner may use a special table to better help perform adjustments. Evidences show that spinal manipulation can help to cure low back pain, tension headaches and neck pain.
Spinal manipulation is generally considered safe though it is not for everyone. Common side effects are discomfort in the treated area, headache and tiredness. Generally, though these problems clear up within one or two days. Spinal manipulation is most often used for lower back pain, other pain conditions, overall well-being.