Pressure point therapy increases blood flow to specific accu-pressure points along the neck and back, helping to relax muscles, decrease pain and promote healing. Here at the Winchester Institute acupressure is a primary tool used in the manual therapy and chiropractic manipulation process with treating our patients. Pressure point therapy has been used by many cultures to treat poor health. Sometimes referred to as “trigger points”, these tender spots may occur in a muscle and produce additional soreness or refer pain to other muscles or areas in the body. Applying pressure point therapy to these areas can reduce pain and stiffness, restore function, increase range of motion and improve strength, posture and balance.

Biofreeze products can effectively help relieve pain from:

• Sore Muscles & Muscle Sprains
• Back, Shoulder, & Neck Pain
• Arthritis
• Painful Ankle, Knee, Hip & Elbow Joints
• Muscular Strains

Biofreeze products are a unique, effective pain reliever formulated to provide a variety of benefits for therapy, pain relief, exercise/training and general joint discomfort. Biofreeze products contain Ilex, an herbal extract from a South American holly shrub. Ilex is used around the world in various health & wellness formulations. Biofreeze is a topical pain relief analgesic that does not use waxes, oils, aloe or petroleum. The result is a fast-acting, penetrating, long lasting pain reliever. This product can be purchased through the Winchester Institute, we are the ONLY local retailer in Dublin, Ohio. Please feel free to stop by the clinic or give us a call with any questions regarding this amazing product. Biofreeze is now offered in a form of 4oz tube and 3oz roll on!

As a musculoskeletal expert, Dr. Dana Winchester knows the importance of keeping bones, muscles and nerves healthy.  Along with chiropractic adjustments and exercise, you can keep these areas in optimal condition by adopting good nutritional habits.

You know that getting sufficient calcium is vital for bone health.  But did you know about the importance of magnesium? Most of this vital mineral is found in your bones and tissues.  Not only does magnesium support the muscle and skeletal structure of your body, but it plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of other health conditions.

Who’s Most at Risk for Magnesium Deficiency?

Since drugs can deplete magnesium, seniors are often candidates for this mineral deficiency as they tend to use medications more than other age groups.

Type 2 diabetics may have lower magnesium levels because their kidneys can’t store magnesium when glucose levels increase.

A study found that patients with cardiac disease may have lower levels of magnesium due to diuretic medications. 

Magnesium for Bone Health and Beyond

Getting enough of this mineral can bring plenty of positive changes to your health.

Magnesium performs a significant role in bone mineral density, (BMD), which refers to how much calcium and other minerals are included in a specific area of bone.  The disease osteoporosis reduces bone mineral density. In a recent study on nutrition and BMD, researchers found that proper intake of magnesium was associated with greater bone mineral density in elderly men and women.

Research shows magnesium can also be useful in the treatment of:

Depression

Anxiety

Metabolic syndrome

Muscle spasms

Insomnia

Headaches

Hyperactivity

Seizures

PMS

How to Increase Your Magnesium Levels

Adjust your diet to include plenty of magnesium rich foods like halibut, almonds, spinach, soybeans, bananas, and brown rice (long grain).

In some situations, it may be necessary for you to supplement your dietary intake of magnesium.  Getting magnesium through your diet is safe.  But you need to be aware that magnesium supplements can negatively interact with some medications and can also pose a serious risk for people with certain medical conditions.  Get advice from your chiropractor before supplementing with any nutrient.

Most massage treatments will relax you, among other things. With a relaxation massage, relaxing you is the only aim. For this reason, it is one of the most complete and indulgent massages you can have.

 A relaxation massage is usually a full-body treatment involving soft music, soft lighting and aromatherapy oils. You will have a long, luxurious massage which will use all kinds of techniques including long strokes, gentle kneading and rolling of skin and muscle, and perhaps some rhythmic rocking from side to side.

 Relaxation massage is a passive treatment. You just lie there and take it. This is the massage to choose if you just want to chill out, and be pampered and spoiled.
What is relaxation massage good for?

The clue to relaxation massage is in the title. A good relaxation massage relieves stress and tension in your muscles and will leave you oozing with a sense of wellbeing.

 Relaxation massage achieves this because of the general benefits of massage: it improves your circulation, so your organs and skin get more oxygen; it moves fluid through your lymphatic system. A relaxation massage encourages your body to digest its food, and get rid of its toxins. It will help you to sleep better. A massage will also help un-knot any muscles, soothe aches and sprains and encourage the skin to heal minor abrasions.

Call the Winchester Institute of Chiropractic Health and Wellness to schedule YOUR relaxation massage!!!

Active Stretching

Active stretching is also referred to as static-active stretching. An active stretch is one where you assume a position and then hold it there with no assistance other than using the strength of your agonist muscles. For example, bringing your leg up high and then holding it there without anything (other than your leg muscles themselves) to keep the leg in that extended position. The tension of the agonists in an active stretch helps to relax the muscles being stretched (the antagonists) by reciprocal inhibition.

Active stretching increases active flexibility and strengthens the agonistic muscles. Active stretches are usually quite difficult to hold and maintain for more than 10 seconds and rarely need to be held any longer than 15 seconds.

Many of the movements (or stretches) found in various forms of yoga are active stretches.

Passive Stretching

Passive stretching is also referred to as relaxed stretching, and as static-passive stretching. A passive stretch is one where you assume a position and hold it with some other part of your body, or with the assistance of a partner or some other apparatus. For example, bringing your leg up high and then holding it there with your hand. The splits is an example of a passive stretch (in this case the floor is the “apparatus” that you use to maintain your extended position).

Slow, relaxed stretching is useful in relieving spasms in muscles that are healing after an injury. Obviously, you should check with your doctor first to see if it is okay to attempt to stretch the injured muscles.

Relaxed stretching is also very good for “cooling down” after a workout and helps reduce post-workout muscle fatigue, and soreness.

The Winchester Institute of Chiropractic Health and Wellness has eight licensed massage therapists on staff that can assist you in these stretching techniques.

What is a Swedish Massage?

“Swedish Massage” refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Purpose of Swedish Massage

The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

Benefits of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.

Call The Winchester Institute TODAY to schedule your Swedish Massage. Dr. Dana Winchester recommends this therapy to any person who is seeking an hour of relaxation.

614.760.5555

www.thewinchesterinstitute.com

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Sometimes massage and trigger point therapy are performed together at The Winchester Institute by one of our Licensed Massage Therapists.

What are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age.

Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots.

The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace.

What Causes Trigger Points?

Trigger points have several causes. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion.

What is the Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy?

The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

Schedule your appointment with The Winchester Institute TODAY by calling 614.760.5555.

Scheduled to open in early February 2010. Stay tuned for more info to come.