Spring into a Season of Gentle Healing

Warm weather invites activity and as a chiropractor, I see the effects of overexertion most acutely in the spring and summer months. A combined regimen of chiropractic treatment and massage can help you regain flexibility so you can resume healthy outdoor activities with a body that is in proper alignment.

After an injury or imbalance, it is important to remember to be gentle with yourself when resuming activities. Our culture promotes the notion that we are only good enough if we do more, have more, and show off more—this could not be farther from the truth. This type of thinking induces stress and leads to vulnerability and injury. When starting a new activity always do a little less than you think you can. Pace yourself so that you arrive at the goal in your own time.

Human beings will encounter physical and emotional problems on the life path. Some obstacles arise occasionally while others occur in sequence and can seem never-ending. When obstacles are pain related it can be hard to have faith that things will get better. Mental anguish caused by pain is no different than the physical pain itself; a fact that many know well, but have trouble remembering when they are suffering. This doubling of pain magnifies circumstances and distorts reality. Do not despair if you seem to be in a season of obstacles—it is only a sign that things are out of balance. A new season is around the corner.

When spring arrives new leaves and flowers awaken our senses. Inspired by nature we are filled with the desire to see our own potential bloom. Spring secures our sense of hope and this is a truth worth contemplating with regard to the health of body and mind. Don't let the obstacles of pain and improper alignment discourage you. Therapeutic massage and chiropractic can help you manage pain, so you can live in harmony with yourself and the beauty that surrounds us this time of year.

Consider the Seedling

In February, one begins to experience physical and mental changes that are the result of devotion to New Year’s resolutions for better health. Chiropractic and massage are catalysts in this process, supporting the healing of mind and body. As visual creatures living in a fast-paced world, it is important to remember that our willingness to change and our body’s timetable do not always coincide. The healing energy of the body, like the wisdom of nature, works in its own time. Exercising compassion for your progress, no matter how slow or fast, is just as important as exercising compassion for others. Not doing so is the equivalent of living with a divided heart.

Be gentle with yourself and give the body time to grow strong and heal. Also realize that the mind has just as much work to do as the body. In times of challenge, when you are not progressing in the manner that you desire, your inner “self talk” may be colored by fear or hopelessness. This is the perfect opportunity to exercise faith in your progress. Visualize it, think of the good you can do for yourself and others as you achieve your goals.

You may be tempted to measure your progress against others or another time in your life. This is completely normal for social beings, but it is not supportive of the healing path. Stay present and consider the seedling. At first, a spot on the ground seems to be nothing but a mound of dirt. Then, in due time, a bright green shoot emerges and the head of a sprout grows towards the light. In the midst of change you are that seedling. Know that by engaging in therapeutic massage and chiropractic, you are taking steps to move forward in your life. Close your eyes and feel your potential coming into light. You are that seedling.

Photograph of loofah seedling by Matthew Fang.

Therapeutic Touch and Chiropractic

Touch is the dominant sense in the human body which allows us to navigate the physical world while experiencing it emotionally. It is therefore not surprising to find that therapeutic touch releases feelings which get trapped inside the body and manifest as physical ailments. Tight shoulders, stiff necks and painful lower backs are clear indicators of blockages which keep us from living to our true potential.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Our lives have become more sedentary and healthy food choices have become quite challenging. Therapeutic massage and chiropractic align the body and release tensions, permitting healing to take place in the body.

Chiropractic and massage may be used together or separately to resolve pain and alignment issues. Regular visits not only aid in maintaining proper posture and emotional balance, they establish a routine in which you experience loving care for body and mind; a wonderful habit that people of all ages may benefit from.

What can you expect after your first few treatments? In the beginning, it is like the unraveling of a cocoon. Layers of tension melt away as you become more aware of the physical and emotional sources that are linked to your particular pain. The healing hands of the chiropractor read the body's unique skeletal and muscular structure and bring the body into balance. Each treatment serves as a catalyst for awareness and helps "the real you" rise above pain. You emerge with grace and a renewed sense of purpose, eager to take flight.

Each individual possesses special gifts they have been given at birth, gifts that make the world a better place. I look forward to helping you achieve your personal and professional goals by sharing my healing gifts of chiropractic and massage. May the New Year bring you peace and prosperity.