 Injuries to the back occur more often in the muscles than in the skeleton or nerves, because the muscles are under the greatest amount of daily stress. Back muscles work constantly to provide support for your spine. If your muscles are weak and underdeveloped, almost any activity can result in a muscle strain or tear, and that carries with it the added risk of damage to a vertebra, nerve or disk.
Sometimes a muscle strain is just waiting to happen! For example I do a lot of massage which leaves me with some muscles built up and others weak in my back through the constant leaning forward motion. Some years ago I went for a bike ride on a bike which was a bit too big for me. I was leaning forward more than I was used to and my muscles were straining. I did have a bath that night to relax them, and in the morning they felt okay.... UNTIL I went make my bed! I stretched forward and suddenly the over strained muscles went "ping" and I had a muscle strain. Think of it like a rubber band - it gets tight with our posture and daily use of the muscle - we get used to this and don't notice the pain/tension. Then we do something different and it gets tighter still until one day we just stretch it too far and the rubber band/muscle gives out "ping". So one thing to be aware of with back injuries is that they can be an indication of something that has been developing for a very long time. For proper healing to take place we need to look at the whole body structure through:-
Elayne Lane is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist. Click here to get in touch.
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 Have you ever had muscular pain and been told "its all in your head"? How could someone say that, when you are in pain - its real, isn't it? I once had an experience that made me think again. Several years ago I was plagued with a sore neck and headaches. It was very stressful as I still had to work, and the headaches lasted for several days at a time. I tried everything I could do to stop it, and yet the painful headaches and tension in the neck prevailed. This all changed when I started to learn about the effects "anchors" have on us in hypnotherapy. An anchor is a strong emotional feeling connected with a part of the body which creates a response. Just like the smell of lavender reminds me of my Grandmother and triggers off happy memories. I noticed that when I woke in the morning I didn't have a headache or neck pain for about a minute. Then I would sit up and start moving my head around, lift my shoulders up to my ears and generally check to see how my neck and shoulders were (the body) - all the while I was anxiously thinking about whether I would have a headache that day (strong feeling). This pattern of behaviour activated the anchor. Within a short period of time I would feel my neck muscles tighten and then the headache would come on. I would then think more about the headache and have more strong feelings (and words too!), reinforcing the anchor. So this was a case of me activating an anchor (neck/head movement + strong emotional feeling) and boom, the mind says "I can give you that" and it automatically starts tightening up the muscles and bringing on a headache. "Okay", I thought, "how do I stop this?" And therein lies the answer - I had to stop triggering off the pattern. A clever plan was put in place: 1. When I woke up I would immediately get up. I had to do a different morning routine. 2. I was NOT allowed to check my neck, lift my shoulders, or roll my head around and look for tension. 3. I was NOT allowed to think about headaches, neck pain, or anything related to it - at all. 4. If I was to think about this, I was to sing the Beatles song "All you need is love" to get my mind off those habitual thoughts, and to distract myself as soon as possible by getting on with something else. Well much to my surprise, it worked!!! It took a few weeks to change some persistent habits, but it really worked. I celebrated when my head felt good and in the end, I completely forgot that I had had headaches at all. I found out that whilst the pain might have been real, it started in my head. Elayne Lane is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist. She specialises in relaxation massage and hypnotherapy. If you suspect your pain is related to an anchor - I can help you. Click here to get in touch. Photo by Toralf Thomassen on Unsplash  Beginner's Massage Course
My next Beginners Massage course will be held over the weekend 29/30th June. Click here for more information. Intermediate Massage Course If you have already attended my Beginner's Massage course and want to carry on with your training, then this course will take you up to the next level in massage skills and knowledge about the body. The course dates are 15/16th June. The cost for the weekend course is $350, and there is an EARLY BIRD price of $300 if it is paid 10 days in advance of the start day. You can also join us on the Chi Kung for Bodyworkers course held on the Friday night for FREE. If you want to attend this course, click here to enrol. Please note: I only run the Intermediate Massage course a couple of times a year. Chi Kung for Bodyworkers If you want to learn how to use energy when you are working with a client, I am running an evening class on Friday the 14th June 6.30 - 8.30 p.m. I will teach you the ancient chi kung technique of Bone Breathing (which cleans and boosts your energy) and Bone Packing (which is used when working with clients). This class costs $100 but is free for anyone attending the Intermediate Massage class. There is also an opportunity to practice from 9-9.45 am on the 15/16 June. You will also receive a Bone Breathing recording to use when you are at home. To book in, click here and complete the form on my website Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. If you know if anyone else wanting to attend a wonderful relaxing weekend, learning massage, please pass this email on. Elayne  Are you having a BAD HAIR day?
Stress is something I am very aware of that this time of year. It can build up to the point where we are constantly on high alert – ready to react to anything and everything. So what happens when we are stressed? A video I watched recently explains it perfectly (here is my synoposes). When we are stressed, we experience one of four things: Fright – we get jumpy, sensitive to loud sounds, or feel uncomfortable in new places Flight – we run Fight – we kick, yell, hit Freeze – withdraw or cannot move All this happens because our thinking brain gets turned off, and our reptilian brain goes into action (this is our place of instinct). We are having a healthy response to an unhealthy situation, and it happens on auto pilot. Adrenaline is quickly released from the adrenal glands – this gives us a boost of energy so we can act quickly in response to the situation. Cortisol is slowly released from the brain. It’s the cortisol that stays in the body a long time, which is why we can get re-triggered again very quickly if another “danger/stress” is perceived i.e. we are on “high alert”. The antidote to stress is oxytocin which is released into the body by the brain when we interact with people (and our pets) in a positive way through cuddles, hugs, smiles and, of course, massage! It is important to know that we have to actively engage with the interaction – to receive the hug, to allow yourself to feel good, to enjoy it – then the oxytocin is released. It’s a bit like walking through a park. If you stop to look at the flowers, enjoy the colours, admire the trees - just experience the beauty of it for a few minutes - you will feel uplifted and refreshed. However if you were to walk through the park thinking of your shopping list or work, there is no change. You know what I mean? Well it’s the same with human interaction. We have to experience it to receive the benefits of it. In an earlier blog of mine, I talk about another chemical the brain releases called DHEA which helps us when we are stressed. This is released in the body when we get into “appreciation/gratitude” mode AND go for a walk at the same time (which moves the DHEA around the body). There is always a point after an event where we can take a few slow deep breaths, and allow ourselves to calm down, a time where everything is okay again. You know what I mean? So remember to give each other hugs and smiles throughout this busy time. To receive each other. Take the time to be grateful and appreciate what you have and what is around you. Smell the roses and enjoy the beauty of our country. Stress will naturally melt away. Elayne Lane is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist. She specialises in relaxation massage and hypnotherapy for stress relief. Click here to get in touch.  0 Comments
Last night I read these words: "I touched my chapped and peeling lips carefully with my fingers and winced… “Your body is trying to tell you something,” Ani said as she held up the mirror to so I could see my face. I was shocked to notice that my lips were swollen bright red. They were even cracked and bleeding from when I had tried to widen them into a smile. “Oh, Ani, they are so sore.” “Why have you not tended to them?” Ani asked. “I was busy with other things, I guess.” I looked at her sheepishly. “When you refuse to learn a lesson in this life, because you’re too busy, or because you’re afraid, or because you don’t know how to stop doing a certain activity, the body takes over and begins to teach you.” “What does that have to do with chapped lips?” ”Chapped lips, colds, fevers, accidents – whatever you ask for, your body gives you"." Abridged except from Chapter 8, Windhorse Woman by Lynn V. Andrews I was touched by the wisdom of these words. How often have I refused to listen to my own inner knowing, or not tended to my own needs, let myself get too busy, and obstinately continue on with habits that were not good for me. It really is like going against my inner guidance and the natural flow of life. A question comes to mind: am I affirming life (my natural wisdom) and what I really want; or am I going against it? It’s an interesting thought, isn’t it? Let us say you wake up in the morning with 10 units of energy to spend through the day. You decide you want to use the energy to make up a website. Here’s how you spend your units:
Now here is a different scenario….
Elayne is a massage therapist and hypnotherapist. Why not book a session with her and get a charge up in the session?  Take time out Connect Nurture yourself Relax Rejuvenate..... The one day workshop on Saturday the 20th October focuses on transforming stress and negative energy, into positive energy and vitality. The workshop covers: * The gentle stretches to release physical tension * The Inner Smile Meditation * The Microcosmic Orbit * The 6 Healing Sounds * Restorative Chi kung. Date: Saturday the 20th October 2018 9 am - 5 pm Cost $100 Venue: Nelson (address to be advised) Bring: Comfortable clothes and food for shared meals Bookings essential - just click on the book now button below and send me an email with your details.  Take time out for yourself
Connect Relax Rejuvenate..... This one day workshop on Saturday the 20th October focuses on pampering you! The workshop covers: * The gentle stretches to release physical tension * The Inner Smile Meditation * The Microcosmic Orbit * The 6 Healing Sounds * Restorative Chi kung. There may be some women who cannot do a long day due to family commitments, so there are two options for the course:- a) 9 am - 5 p.m. with a shared lunch $100 (you won't get to do the Restorative Chi Kung/Six Healing Sounds in the evening) b) 9 am - 9 pm with shared lunch and dinner $150 which includes the Restorative Chi Kung and Six Healing Sounds. If you book 1 week in advance you can take $25 off the price and if you bring an extra full paying person you can take a further $25 off the price. Date: Saturday the 20th October 2018 Venue: Nelson (address to be advised) Bring: Comfortable clothes and food for shared meals BOOK NOW  Stress appears in all shapes and forms in our lives. But do you know what causes stress? It’s the meaning we give to our situation. "Really" you say, well just stay with me for a minute and I'll explain.... If your car breaks down you could choose to judge the situation as “bad” and choose to feel angry and frustrated. Your agitation puts your adrenal glands in ‘fight or flight’ mode, it pumps out cortisol, your digestive system shuts down, you pace the pavement, and you are hyped up. Alternatively, you could choose to withhold judgement, and choose to stay calm, call the breakdown service and meditate while you wait. Things happen in our lives, sometimes as a response to our own actions, or the actions of others, or things happen just because they do! We cannot control what happens, but we can choose how to respond to it. And how we respond affects the outcome. Here is a simple technique which will help you to reframe stress: Take 5 deep slow breaths, filling up your lungs and your belly like a balloon. This calms the autonomic nervous system.
If you feel stressed and anxious and want to feel better, book a relaxation massage or hypnotherapy session with Elayne. The article above was inspired by this video. Beginner's Massage Classes - Option 1: 1/2 September Option 2: 6/7 October Intermediate Massage Classes - 18/19 August Crystal Healing one day workshop - one day workshop 15/9/18 Restorative Chi Kung Classes for Women - 4 weekly classes starting 4/9/18 6.30 - 8 pm Massage special offer until end of August - $60 for a one hour massage (usually $70). Pick one of these: Back, neck and shoulder massage Aromatherapy relaxation massage Pregnancy massage Gift Vouchers Available Book Now Take a look at my courses coming up over the next few months....
 Do you feel like your batteries are running low? Would you like to have more energy?
We think we get our energy from just our food. However have you noticed how much more energised you feel when you have been walking in nature? It feels good, doesn't it? The Chinese say that we receive our energy through the following routes:
Lets look at each one of these for a few minutes.... When I talk about enjoying nature, I mean really enjoying it. It is no good walking through a park and thinking about your grocery list - you are not really there. It works when you really participate with and enjoy the nature around you, like a good walk on the beach with a sea breeze and waves crashing on the shore. Did you know that you can increase your energy levels by eating your food slowly? Paul McKenna says in his book "I Can Make you Thin" place the food in your mouth, put your knife and fork down, taste the food, chew it 20 times, swallow and then take the next piece of food. You will find that a) you eat less food and b) you will have more energy. Try it and find out for yourself. Breathing... stop a moment and notice how you are breathing. Are you breathing in your upper chest, or do you breathe deep breaths right down to your belly? Oxygen gives us energy. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and notice the difference in your energy levels - you will feel more relaxed too. Opening your energy system through chi kung. Wikepedia gives this definition of chi kung: "Qigong, qi gong, chi kung, or chi gung is a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used in the belief that it promotes health, spirituality, and martial arts training". Tai chi is a form of chi kung and so are the martial arts - you remember the Karate Kid movie? There are many forms and schools of chi kung, so you can choose from something very easy, to a full on exercise programme (although its much more than that!). If you are a woman, would you like to experience Restorative Chi Kung with me on Tuesday nights starting the 12th June? I am running some beginners classes in my home for four weeks. You can recharge your batteries without a hard workout and learn about your unique energy system. Click here for more information. Elayne |
AuthorElayne Lane is an instructor of the Universal Healing Tao. She has been teaching and doing bodywork in excess of 14 years. Make an appointment Subscribe to our Healing NewsletterCategories
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Elayne Lane is a qualified Aromatherapist, bodyworker, healer, reiki practitioner and trained teacher. She is training as a hypnotherapist.
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Elayne Lane
17 Fifeshire Crescent Stepneyville Nelson New Zealand Cellphone: 0212211949 Sign up for Elayne's Healing Newsletter or contact Elayne. |