Alternative Healthcare Resources

Welcome

Sandra — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:35:59 +0000

Welcome to the Alternative Healthcare Resources website.

REASSESS, ADDRESS AND RELAX

Alternative Healthcare Resources is located in the beautiful Napa Valley. Sandra has been a practicing Therapeutic Massage therapist full time in Napa since 1989, including:

Therapeutic massage
Deep tissue massage
Foot reflexology
Resonating field work
Neuromuscular reintegration

Please click here to learn more about these massage options, and an opportunity to schedule your next appointment.

Alternative Healthcare Resources
925 Golden Gate Drive
Napa, CA 94558
707-257-7842

Serving Napa County and the surrounding area including: American Canyon, Angwin, Calistoga, Deer Park, Lake Berryessa, Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, Sonoma, St. Helena, Vallejo, and Yountville

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Stage Manager 3

Sandra — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:17:51 +0000

Many of you have asked “Where have I been?”

I am going to start by telling you that I have completed

something that was a huge a very rewarding challenge for me.

Half of December through February 6th. I was the Stage

Manager, for our local theatre troupe. Google, Stage Manager.

Happily, the play was a huge success.

Then came the ‘after show challenge.’

During the project, my neck and shoulders became so tight, I had a

muscular induced headache, almost every day for about a month.

There were also allot of stairs up to the Green Room with allot

of ups and downs off the stage. So my knees have were a bit challenged

as well.

What I know about the musculoskeletal system is pretty extensive.

I know that if the neck is stiff chances are it is coming from the waist

and Trapezius areas. Google Trapezius (traps)

Latissimus Dors, are a pair of large roughly triangular muscles covering the lower part of the back,

After Googling Trapezius and Latissimus Dorsi. Notice that the Latissimus, interacts with the Trapezius muscle.

extending from the sacral, lumbar, or the upper ridge of the Pelvis.

They extend up the lower (back) thoracic vertebrae to the armpits.

So really we can’t move our arm, without moving our lower back.

Both of them attach to the facia along the spine.

So if you contract the shoulder up toward the skull, then slowly lower your shoulder. You are telling the tightness in your

neck to relax. Now rotate your shoulder back and around, these simple movements help (after a few days) to relax the neck and shoulders.

Disclaimer: I never recommend someone tip their head back and rotate. Please do not tip back and do that……

Standing or sitting, you can also very gently, arch and flatten your lower back. In doing both of these movements, gently, you

should achieve more freedom in your neck, back and shoulders.

I know, I did!!

Till next time, remember to do yourself a favor and schedule a massage.

Sleeping with the dog

Sandra — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:52:05 +0000

So, where did I leave off?

Lesson: Notice how you are sitting right now. Are you relaxed? Are your back, neck, shoulders and wrists relaxed?

Oh yes, Icy Conditions.

You can see that article, in the “Posts.”

For now, I want to tell you a story about sleep and postural distortion.

A client who’s name I will not mention here. Came in to see me on a regular basis for awhile.

She most often presented with stiff neck, back and hips. It became my goal to find out why!

So I started asking more pointed questions. How old is your mattress, what kind of pillow(s) do you use for sleeping reading etc.? Do you fall asleep on the sofa before going to bed? Are the ergonomics of your work station, chair, computer etc. positioned for long term comfort.

Let me also say here that every time she left my office. She felt great for a day or so then, the headaches and stiffness would return.

One afternoon, upon arriving for her session, she told me of an insight she had upon awakening that morning.

As it turns out, she has a very small doggie that sleeps with her at night. Not wanting to crush the tiny pup. In her sleep, she would inch herself away from the dog. By morning time, she had moved into a very precarious position on the mattress. Her tiny doggie meanwhile occupied the rest of the bed. At last she could be proactive and do something about her stiff neck’s, headaches and hip stiffness.

From a long-term perspective: Knowledge of herself, her environment and corrective Therapeutic Massage, ameliorated her acute and persistent muscle soreness.

I now see her once every other month, for maintenance.

Take Good Care and make and appointment with you Massage Therapist.

Or phone me when you are in Napa:

Alternative Healthcare Resources (707) 257-7842

Any questions? Let me know.

Sandra — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:33:46 +0000

I am drafting another post.
If you have question. Let me know what is on you mind. Take is Easy

Attention! Icy Holidays

Sandra — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:13:50 +0000

Happy Holidays and Peace on Earth, to all who read this.

Recently:

It was one of the first icy days of the winter, when my hiking buddy and I,

headed out into the hills for some exercise.

I had just reminded him of the best way to hold his pelvis on steep slopes,

when I heard the thud as he hit the ground.

Sure enough, he had slipped on some ice and jammed his shoulder up into his neck muscles. He was shaken and a little hurt.

Blessings to All

I could see that if we did not access those muscles

right away. It could turn into a trip to the Doc. for some muscle relaxors by Christmas.

So on stable footing at the bottom of the hill, I did some work with him.

Happily his recovery is complete. No ensuing headaches, and no referred muscle pain.

This is a reminder that you do not have to wait till the pain is overwhelming to get bodywork done.

Also that headaches, tingling/numbness in your fingers, soreness from skiing, and overall tightness can be addressed by a qualified Massage Therapist.

This is a good time of year to think of giving family, co-workers,kids home from school etc. a Gift Certificate for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Seasonal changes: A short story

Sandra — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 03:36:59 +0000

I hope it is as gorgeous this October where you are as it is here in the lovely Napa Valley. It is grape harvest here, so the air is ripe with the smell of new wine.

On another note: We have been painting the outside of our house, yeesh, what a big job! You might wonder how this pertains to Massage Therapy?

During this very strenuous project I have on occasion required neck, back and shoulder massage. Recently with the up and down climbing and moving of ladders my legs, hips and hip flexors might have become rather sore.

The good news is that with Neuro-Muscular movements I am feeling pretty strong.

Additionally,there is the chill then warming of seasonal changes. Please remember to have a sweater handy for those blustery times in order to prevent seasonal maladies. And phone Alternative Healthcare Resources for your next therapeutic massage.

Take Care and Keep in Touch

Sandra Lovelace, NCTMB
Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, since 1992
American Massage Therapy Association, since 1989
AMTA-CA Napa Valley
Practicing in Napa, since 1989
Minister, ULC

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Stress Happens

Sandra — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 04:10:59 +0000

In life, stress happens. If you find yourself in or near the Napa Valley. Please contact me, so that we can discuss your symptoms before coming in for a Corrective Therapeutic Session. Alternative Healthcare Resources is easy to locate and, we have convenient hours.

Our muscles work for us every day, as agonists and antagonists. When one or the other is in a state of contraction, you can be helped with Therapeutic Massage.

“Your hand opens and closes, and opens and closes. If it were always a fist or always stretched open, you would be paralyzed. your deepest presence is in every small contraction and expansion. The two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as bird wings.” -Rumi

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