All posts in category Neuro Massage

Rosi and Neuroplasticity

I grew up in a family of physicians, researchers and academics. My career took a detour in college when I had massive brain damage: amnesia, no memory of childhood, no math skills and meager language abilities. In 1971, people mostly died or didn’t recover from serious brain trauma. Mine was caused by exceptionally severe mercury poisoning from the most commonly prescribed treatment for psoriasis: ammoniated mercury, in conjunction with exceptionally permeable skin. Doctors declared I would be a vegetable the rest of my life.

I looked into alternatives for recovering memory, overcoming cognitive impairments, how to focus the mind with intention and love. How to heal myself. Prayer. Meditation. Nutrition. Louise Hay. NLP. Herbs. Healthy diet. Energy healing. Flower essences. Homeopathy. I worked to develop neuroplasticity while scientists still didn’t believe it was possible in the adult brain. I obtained a B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Physics in 1988. I worked for over 20 years with elderly and people with disabilities, cognitive challenges, dementia, Alzheimer’s and neurological conditions, full of compassion born of experience.

A brilliant teacher taught me the importance of integrating movement and posture awareness with emotional authenticity. I started teaching kinesthetic body awareness and movement re-education in 2005, and obtained my massage license in 2009.

I enrolled in Functional Neurology for Bodyworkers in 2012. It was a year-long, rigorous study of human neurology. I learned how bodywork and specially designed exercises could benefit a variety of conditions. I recognized that emotional intelligence–as well as an understanding of how the brain and mind work–are necessary for the neuroplasticity I spent my entire adult life developing, and for others who wish to heal from trauma and chronic pain.

Then the research bug bit me. I started doing informal case studies for people with Parkinson’s in 2012. I continue to observe how painstaking, carefully designed research contributes to innovative approaches to heal seemingly-intractable conditions.

I love the South African song that was born from the struggle against apartheid: Bambelela, Never Give Up.

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by Integration Massage on June 16, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Brain Injury, TBI, Massage research, Mindfulness, Neuro Massage, Pain relief, Posture
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Posted by Integration Massage on June 16, 2013

https://integrationmassage.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/about-rosi-and-neuroplasticity/

Neuroplasticity, Parkinson’s Disease, Massage

Many years ago, I watched my beloved uncle struggle to control his movements and still play piano while he battled Parkinson’s, PD. In January, 2012, I began a year-long course, Functional Neurology for Bodyworkers, FNB. In February, 2012 I met someone with PD who agreed to be part of a case study. I knew massage helps Parkinson’s symptoms with improved relaxation and sleep, reduced muscle stiffness and spasms, and increased joint range of motion. FNB is a relatively new field, with different approaches.

PD involves a deterioration of cells in the brain that produce dopamine, a necessary neurotransmitter for initiating and controlling movement, although nonmotor signs of PD may show up many years before a diagnosis. PD is usually treated with dopamine-related medications. The nonmotor symptoms often become more problematic as PD progresses.

Neuron theory holds that when properly stimulated or activated, within the metabolic rate of the neuron, nerve cells that aren’t functioning well can become healthier, or develop neuroplasticity. A lowered pulse is a parasympathetic response of the autonomic nervous system–“rest and digest” vs. the arousal/sympathetic response of “fight or flight”. A parasympathetic state paves the way for healing, as relaxation improves how nerves signal to neighboring nerves and fragile nerves can rebuild. Monitoring the pulse with a fingertip pulse oximeter thus provides a window to the nervous system’s response to treatment.

I modified the massage and bodywork techniques that were known to benefit Parkinson’s by the results of functional neurological assessments, using the pulse oximeter. By the end of the study, I noticed changes in functioning: improvements in sleep, digestion, coordination, balance, speech and sense of smell. These are mostly improvements in what are called the nonmotor symptoms of PD.

A small case study cannot yield scientifically meaningful results. I have been researching peer-reviewed literature for articles that indicate how to improve the impact that modified massage can make on motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s. A series of informal case research studies are currently underway to explore this further.  Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Rosi Goldsmith, LMT  OR Lic. #16585
2929 SW Multnomah Blvd., Suite 301
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 708-2911
www.integrationmassage.com

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by Integration Massage on September 11, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Contraindications, Healing, Massage research, Neuro Massage
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Posted by Integration Massage on September 11, 2012

https://integrationmassage.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/neuroplasticity-parkinsons-disease-massage/

Functional Neurology–Cutting Edge Massage Therapy

The brain and nervous system may reflect inefficient adaptations to trauma or stress, while assessments and interventions of Functional Neurology can help massage therapists stimulate neuroplasticity in clients. New neural pathways are developed by simple exercises and neuro-focussed massage. How does this work? If a nerve does not have adequate oxygen, nutrients, and stimulation, it will dump some of its functioning in order to conserve resources. Nerves that are weak or fragile may lead to symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, depression, gait disturbance, inflammation, autoimmune issues, hypersensitivity to pain, or difficulty controlling movements. Interventions based on neuro assessments can gently strengthen and retrain the body’s signals so the whole body and nervous system work better.

Functional Neurological Massage has only been recently available as an option for U.S. massage therapists. January 2012 saw the start of the first class offered in Portland, Oregon, although it had been taught for 5 years in Colorado.

The massage is modified by what is learned from the assessments: where, when and how to apply it. There are new ways to think about how emotional, cognitive, and body symptoms interact, and new take home exercises for:

•    Head trauma
•    Brain fog, memory and concentration
•    Numbness and tingling
•    Chronic pain of unknown cause
•    Dizziness or gait imbalance

In the assessment, we will check such things as blood pressure and pulse on both sides. We compare left to right for differences in reflexes or muscle strength and sensation of light touch, pain, vibration. We may observe muscle tone, time to fatigue, or rapidity and smoothness of movements, how your eyes track, how you stand on one leg with eyes closed. We may see how you do with one-sided massage, as we monitor whether your nerves are developing more plasticity, using a pulse-oximeter as a window into the parasympathetic nervous system response.

Balance and eye movement exercises, or one-sided massage may supplement more traditional massage approaches. Brain and neuro plasticity requires repetition to strengthen new nerve pathways, so you may be given take-home exercises to practice between appointments–just like learning a new language!

Rosi Goldsmith, LMT

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by Integration Massage on September 6, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Brain Injury, TBI, Healing, Massage, Neuro Massage, Pain relief, Posture
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Posted by Integration Massage on September 6, 2012

https://integrationmassage.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/functional-neurology-massage-therapy/

Massage Therapy: Mild Frontal TBI

There has been some progress recently in strategies to aid recovery from mild Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI. Damage to the frontal cortex is one of the most challenging to overcome. In a frontal brain injury, it may be hard for the person to regulate their emotional states, make good decisions, notice details, or speak clearly. Challenges with memory, social skills, planning and reasoning deficits make it hard to act appropriately or accomplish goals. However, regulating emotional states has been identified as the single largest issue in quality of life with TBI focus groups.

Doctors used to believe that adults could not regenerate neurons or brain cells. Recent research has suggested that adult brains are capable of far greater adaptive capacity, or neuroplasticity, than once believed. Targeted body-based therapies, are an emerging element. How can I, as a massage therapist help? Massage and exercises that are designed to gently stimulate affected or related brain structures without fatiguing or overloading the nervous system, will help the person rewire their brain circuits, which then strengthens their ability to regulate emotions, improve memory and feel more balanced.

By accident, I found some techniques I had used in my own recovery from TBI were helpful with a client. I enrolled in a year-long course: Functional Neurology for Bodyworkers, taught by Dr. Paul Thomas, http://www.knowthebrain.com. He is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist and graduate of the Carrick Institute. I learned mini-neurological assessments and adapt the modalities I use with other clients: massage, Ortho-Bionomy®, Reiki, body-mind-emotional integration, and neuromuscular techniques. I monitor when a person’s nervous system is getting fatigued, using a pulse/oximeter, and modify techniques, pace, depth, or area of the body to achieve greater benefit.

There are now many resources for people struggling with adapting to a new life after TBI. I am grateful to  be among them. You may make an appointment with me online: http://www.integrationmassage.com/ I will refer you to others if what you need is beyond my scope of practice.

Thank you.

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by Integration Massage on August 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Brain Injury, TBI, Healing, Massage, Neuro Massage, Sensory Motor Amnesia, Uncategorized
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Posted by Integration Massage on August 15, 2012

https://integrationmassage.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/massage-therapy-for-mild-tbi/

Neuro massage (for your body, nervous system and brain)

Have you had a head, neck, back or foot injury that didn’t heal well, chronic pain, numbness, or a pins and needles sensation? How about emotional and physical problems after a trauma, or issues with concentration, memory, foggy brain? You may be a candidate for neurological massage.

Functional neurology requires the assessment of how you use your body, brain and nervous system, how it functions, rather than a diagnosis of pathology or disease. Movement therapies with functional neurological massage are designed to improve health, as they stimulate nerves to build plasticity, and fire into the brain so it can adapt.

There are many types of sensations your nervous system can register–not just sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, but also the vestibular sense–whether you are upright, how you are oriented in space, whether you are falling down, and the proprioceptive sense–awareness of movement in your muscles and joints. Your body has different sensory nerve signals for pain, vibration and light touch, as well as for deep, sustained pressure. A neurological massage therapist can determine the kinds of touch and movements that will stimulates the nerves that aren’t functioning so well, without overstimulating them, reduce pain signals, improve posture or make it easier to walk.

Sometimes, if you have had emotional trauma or an injury that didn’t heal, neighboring nerves are also affected, and imbalances in your brain become evident later. Neuro massage gently wakes up associated areas of the brain with simple movements and eye exercises. These may feed into other areas of your brain, such the emotional circuitry or areas associated with memory, cognitive functioning, speech or visual perceptions. Neuro massage stays conscious of which parts of your brain are stimulated and monitors whether you are making plastic changes that can be sustained to improve your life.

Rosi Goldsmith, LMT
www.integrationmassage.com
Portland, Oregon

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by Integration Massage on August 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Aging, Brain Injury, TBI, Healing, Massage, Neuro Massage, Pain relief, Posture, Sensory Motor Amnesia
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Posted by Integration Massage on August 12, 2012

https://integrationmassage.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/neuro-massage-for-your-nervous-system-and-brain/

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