Orthopedic   Massage

Monthly Update for December 2007

Seasons Greetings

My place in Portland provides me with summertime vegetables as well as a multitude of fruit.  Gardening doesn't begin with the first planting in the spring.  I remember my mother's Burpee Seed catalog arriving in the middle of winter when I was a boy.  I was mesmerized by the glossy picture on the cover - transported instantly into summer.  I still love getting my Johnny's Seed catalog each year.  This is the time to dream of what is to be.  What will I choose?  Is there a vegetable I haven't tried in a while that appeals to me?  What variety of tomato should I choose?  It continues to be a magical time, a time of dreaming, remembering and planning.

Sometime in the ‘60s, as a young father, I tried my hand at growing on our six-acre farm. My first introduction to organic gardening came from Rodale Press's Organic Gardening magazine.  My second came from Helen and Scott Nearing's The Maple Sugar Book and Living the Good Life.  A few years ago I re-read Living the Good Life and was amazed at how much of their philosophy influenced my life.  As I read I kept thinking, so that's where that belief came from.

Gardening is like life.  We never know it all; we just keep learning.  I have a ¼-acre city lot that includes an annual vegetable garden measuring 32 x 40 feet, with a spot outside the fenced area for two compost piles where all my grass clippings, leaves and kitchen waste are deposited.  Outside the fenced area, on a paper street right-of-way, are my raspberry, blackberry and black raspberry bushes.  I find that if I get out early in the morning I can get my share of the berries before the kids and other neighbors pick their share. Interestingly, the boys are sneaky about it, but the girls come to the door, every time, and ask if they can pick the berries and I say yes. It's not unusual for me to walk out my door and see a neighbor coming out of the garden with fresh produce in hand and a smile on their face.  But that's all right, because my garden is a neighborhood experience and I like sharing with them.

There is a joy in watching seeds germinate and grow into mature ready-to-eat foods. The process not only feeds the body, but the soul.  It brings me closer to what I believe is the process of living; its grounding.  My garden is not meticulously manicured. It is not a garden of particular beauty, although I have learned that hay and old horse manure work, when applied as mulch, as a deterrent to weeds. There is a commonness, a lived-in feel to my yard.  This is a functional and practical place.  I share it with the birds, squirrels and other creatures and insects.  Each of us shares with the other.  When we find the balance, it works fine.  When one takes more than their share, something has to be done to bring back the balance; it's a continuous learning experience. 

When I begin to believe I can control all things, I usually find myself in trouble. There are brush piles and bushes that make great landing places for the cardinals, sparrows, and other creatures that inhabit this land. Generations of these inhabitants have been living here far longer than I. Under the brush piles are the mice and moles, the slugs and beetles, all a part of this circle-of-life.  We live in concert with one another. 

Each spring the apple blossoms don't fill the air with the same fragrance as the orange blossoms of Florida, but the cherry blossoms certainly try to contribute. There is an air of expectancy each spring with no promise that this year will be better or worse than last year.  Each spring brings its own surprises.

What I've written of my garden might also be said of my life.  There is no promise only a new year that brings new hopes.  The fragrance of life lingers in the air.  I pray you find hope, love and peace and that the fragrance of life is sweet

 Yours in Wellness,

Allan Drew

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Monthly Update for November 2007

Scoliosis - A Challange to Research

This is scant knowledge to base a research study on but I believe there is validity to what I’m proposing based on several of my clients.  The cause of scoliosis in 80% of cases is unknown (idiopathic). There are two types of scoliosis, nonstructural and structural.  It develops mostly in teens and often runs in families. In my introduction I wrote of a 45-year-old woman who had structural scoliosis, which involves a curve in the spine with rotation and an unknown cause (idiopathic). A difference in leg length (perhaps hip alignment?) has been noticed. I have found lack of hip alignment to be connected to a tight psoas muscle(s). As in the case of the 45-year-old woman in the introduction when the psoas muscles were released the pain subsided. A tight psoas on only one side begins the rotation of the hips with the spine following in a rotational pattern.  Would checking and loosening the psoas muscles in teens that presented with the onset of scoliosis be a preventive measure?  I believe there is validity in this theory.  Is there anyone out there interested in carrying this idea into a study?   

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Monthly Update for April 2007

The necessity of balance...

            This is not an excerpt from my book, at least, not yet.  But there is a correlation between what we eat and our health - which includes possibly injuries.  Where our food comes from is as important as the food itself.  We know that organic food has more trace elements then food grown in soil depleted by the use of chemical fertilizers. The following is an excerpt of an article that I wrote for the August/September issue of a local - Portland, ME - bi-monthly holistic journal, Inner Tapestry.

There is a joy in watching seeds germinate and grow into mature ready-to-eat foods. The process not only feeds the body, but the soul.  It brings me closer to what I believe is the process of living.  Its grounding.  My garden is not meticulously manicured. It is not a garden of particular beauty, although I have learned that hay and old horse manure work, when applied as mulch, as a deterrent to weeds. There is commonness, a lived-in feel to my yard.  This is a functional and practical place.  I share it with the birds, squirrels and other creatures and insects.  Each of us shares with the other.  When we find the balance, it works fine.  When one takes more than their share, something has to be done to bring back the balance; it's a continuous learning experience. 

Organic gardening is about learning balance.  When I begin to believe I can control all things, I usually find myself in trouble. There are brush piles and bushes that make great landing places for the cardinals, sparrows, and other creatures that inhabit this land. Generations of these inhabitants have been living here far longer than I. Under the brush piles are the mice and moles, the slugs and beetles, all a part of this circle-of-life.  We live in concert with one another. 

            The longevity and wellness of certain people in remote places on this earth connects directly with the physical activity and food they consume.  We need to find ways to connect with the earth and all those around us if we wish to live long and healthy lives. 

Yours in Wellness,

Allan Drew

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Monthly Update for March 2007

Plantar Fasciatis is an injury I see quite often.

            Plantar Fasciatis is an injury I see quite often.  It presents itself as pain in the heal especially upon placing weight on them the first thing in the morning.  Plantar fascia is made of thick fibrous connective tissue (ligament) from the heel to the base of the toes on the bottom of your foot.  When it becomes too tight some of the fibers tear from the bone creating pain.  If untreated heel spurs can form.  Georgia (not her real name) is a 39 year-old woman with very painful plantar fasciatis.  Her passion is dancing and she could no longer dance.  Her calves were very tight.  After three sessions she was better but still discouraged.  She had a three day weekend dance program coming up and asked if she would be able to dance.  We were making progress but I wasn't sure.  After six mostly ½ hour sessions, she was feeling pretty good.  She had a session scheduled for the Tuesday after the dance weekend.  I don't know if I have ever seen a bigger smile on anyone's face.  She was ecstatic.  Not only had she danced the entire weekend but she had very little discomfort in the days afterward.

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Monthly Update for February 2007

Do you have runner's knee?

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) call this runner's knee (patellofemoral pain).  The symptoms are dull aching pain under or around the front of the kneecap where the kneecap (patella) connects with the lower end of the thighbone (femur).  It hurts to walk down stairs, kneel, squat or sit with your knee bent for a period of time.

If you're a runner, walker or hiker and have sore knees there may be a muscular reason for the discomfort.  If there is significant swelling of the knee seeing a doctor would be a smart thing to do, or if the injury was caused by a trauma, i.e. twisted while playing football.  Many clients with sore knees that I see have tight vastus lateralis muscles.  The area to look for is very specific. The vastus lateralis is the lateral (outside) part of the quadriceps muscles.  Five to seven inches above the knee you should find a knot or cord of tight and tender fibers.  Massage this area and the knee pain should improve.  Self-massage can be done using a pulling motion on the outside of the knee using a drum stick. (See fig. ?).  It will be necessary to stretch these fibers as well, with a specific quad stretch (see fig.?). Follow the directions on the stretch; position of the leg and knee is critical to loosen the fibers that are creating the problem.   With any stretch minor positioning changes of your body can affect the quality of your stretch.  You're the one that can feel what's happening as you stretch; work the stretch so you can feel the pull on the injured fibers.  Stretching should be gentle but firm.  It should not be painful but uncomfortable.   

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Monthly Update for January 2007

What is tendonitis?

            Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons.  In most of the cases I see, it is relieved by reducing the tightness of the muscle.  A number of years ago I was buying a pair of running shoes.  The young woman assisting me had a wrist brace on.  I'm always interested in other's injuries, and asked if it was CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome).  She said the doctor diagnosed it as tendonitis.  She took off the brace and I could see the swelling above the tendons where they intersect the wrist. (If you hold your hand palm up and flex the muscles of your hand the tendons pop up.)  It was the most dramatic case of tendonitis I had ever seen.  I explained that I was a massage therapist and asked if I could work the muscles in her forearm.  She said yes.  After a few minutes of working on loosening the muscles she said, "Oh my God!"   I thought,"Oh shit, what have I done."  She held out her hand, "The swelling is gone!"  It had diminished substantially.  She had to bend her wrist back in order to see any swelling at all.  That was the moment I realized how powerful massage could be in helping tendonitis. By relaxing the muscles, the tendons' swelling was reduced.

Yours in Wellness,

Allan Drew

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Monthly Update for December 2006

Seasons Greetings

      There's a piece of me that sometimes remembers to hold on to that little boy that I have inside.  But, there is, also, a part of me that forgets.  At this time of my life, my thoughts are of my own mortality.  Not morbidly so, just thoughts of what my life will look like in 10 years, 20 years or, perhaps, 40 years.  My life propels me into other projects, a book, maybe a blog with other seniors who are working to maintain their strength, those people who continue to compete in athletic competitions into their "old age."  My generation has the opportunity to change the way society perceives growing old.  Because we haven't the worries we had as young parents, we can enjoy our coming lives with less concern of the outcome.  But, we mustn't forget the lessons of Peter Pan.  With a little fairy dust we can fly - with a little faith we can do anything, including start a new life, job, or project.       

      My seatmate on a flight home this fall was a woman in her late 50s.  We talked about getting older.  I told her I do sprint triathlons as my motivation to stay in shape.  She said, "...when I turn 64, I'm going on a cake diet."  I asked what she meant by that and she replied, "I'm going to eat whatever I feel like because all my friends will be old or dead, so I'm going to enjoy what's left of my life."  I believe she was serious, and I thought, how sad to believe her life was over so young.  How sad to believe that her happiness was through her stomach. For me being 66-years-old is a rebirth, a chance to do things I only dreamed of doing.  And the realization that there are opportunities ahead of which I haven't dreamed.  Of one thing I am sure, there will be new projects in my mind as I depart this world. I pray I never, never lose the excitement I had as a child for what's around the corner or over the next hill.  Or, that I maintain the belief, as did Peter Pan, that I can fly.  I can do whatever I choose to do.

      Another piece of my life is my work.  What I'm doing is on the cutting edge.  This approach to healing muscular injuries will be standard in 25 years.  I believe it will take that long for this information to become Standard Operating Procedure. 

      I had a couple of young men rebuild my website this year.  I'm pleased with the result. On the site I have a monthly update that is an excerpt from my book, The Reason You're Hurting, and a weekly Question & Answer column.  It's enough to keep me pleasantly busy.

      I keep busy with my training for sprint triathlons.  I run and hike with my grandaughter's new dog, Kya, a 110-pound giant malamute, a beautiful and gentle soul.  I find gentleness all around me, with my family, clients, and friends.  I'm blessed and relatively content.  Yet, at times I feel a restlessness I can't explain.  Maybe it's this restlessness that drives me, propels me into new ventures and adventures. Most of the time I'm happy to have that restlessness sitting on my shoulder; it keeps life interesting.  I can't remember the last time I was bored. 

      At this time of year my freezer is full of the berries that grew in the soil surrounding me.  The carrots, beets, and parsnips are in the fridge. I still have some greens growing in the outdoor garden and more in the greenhouse.  What a pleasure to step into the greenhouse and harvest an evening meal when the snow is slowly covering the glass. How does one measure the contentment of living so close to the earth?  When I stop and think about it, it fills my soul.

      May your soul be as fulfilled as mine.  May you find peace, love, and contentment - or may it find you.

      Yours in Wellness,

      Allan Drew

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Monthly Update for November 2006

Muscle has memory

Muscle has memory, which means that if the fibers have been tight for a long period of time, even though the massage loosens the muscle, it's going to contract (tighten) soon after the massage, because that is its recent memory.  In support of this theory, I have found that clients with recent injuries heal quicker than those with older injuries (one month vs. one year).  There are two things you can do and must do if you wish to continue the healing process.  1.   Stretch, at least three times a day, and more if you can find the time and, 2.  Self-massage if possible.  Changing the muscle from tight to loose will take up to a month, with work.  Remember in most cases it's taken you years to get in the shape you're in, so it's going to take time to heal.  As I explained earlier, in most cases the tightening of our bodies occurs over a period of years and then one movement is enough to send us into pain.  Although it seems that the movement created the injury, more often than not it's the tightening of our muscles that precipitated the problem. 

Most of the cases of this type of injury I see in my office are men and women over 40.  Most clients say they have been doing what they do for years, and their question is why are they now injured? As we age, unless we spend more and more time stretching (yeah, sure) then we become tighter over the years until...?  It's not that we can no longer do what we've been doing, but we have to do it smarter. That's what this book is attempting to teach.  I am 65 and still doing sprint triathlons.  The reason I'm still able to do what I do is the information contained here.  I see no reason why we can't march into our senior years instead of limping.  Don't give up!

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Monthly Update for October 2006

In recent years it has become acceptable to acknowledge the unseen into our reality.

In recent years it has become acceptable to acknowledge the unseen into our reality. I'm a pragmatist; I believe what I can see; which is why I do what I do. The practical suits me well. If you have a sore knee I can see with my fingers the corded, knotted muscle fibers that are creating your pain. What I couldn't see came to me one day in the form of Judy, a woman in her fifties with a frozen shoulder. She had been in continues pain for some time. I was aware that at times emotional pain accompanied injuries of the shoulder. When I questioned her I asked if she was dealing with any difficult emotional problems. She answered, "Yes, I've only recently began dealing with issues I've had with my father."

We began working the muscles in a gentle way. Before long I heard her softly crying. I asked if the pressure was too much. She said, "No." Shortly the soft tears became racking sobs. I asked if the pain was physical or emotional. She replied, "I don't know I can't tell the difference." For me that was a powerful moment. Where does one start and the other end?

Any healing that is to take place has to be from a safe place. Both in the physical environment and the emotional environment, we can not have one without the other. What is the difference between, "I was touched by your story" and being touched by your massage therapist? How is one different from the other? We are both physical and emotional beings. If you wish to become well you can not ignore one for the other. Acknowledge both.

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Monthly Update for September 2006

If your hips are out of line, the remainder of your body can not function properly.

Once again, this book is not self-help, in the sense that you can use it to heal yourself. My intention is to give you information that will allow you to talk to your healthcare professionals and work with them to aid in your healing. It's important to get a diagnosis from a physician or specialist. If it's a soft tissue (muscle) problem, then these techniques may work for you. Keep in mind that not all doctors will agree with this approach. Choose a doctor who will work with you. You judge - you know your body better than anyone. It's you who will make the changes in your life, not your doctor.

I do an assessment when seeing a client for the first time. If the complaint is feet, legs, or upper body, I start by checking the hip structure. If the hips are out of line, the remainder of your body can not function properly. Often when you have been told you have one leg shorter than the other, it's the hips that are out of line. To determine if one leg is different from the other, you need to be measured. Your hips may be out because the large core muscles are tighter on one side than the other. To test if the hips are out, with the client standing, I place my forefinger on the hip bone (pelvis) on your side directly under your arm pit, with the client standing(iliac crest). (Fig. 1) If one side is higher (or lower) than the other, there is a problem. I'll check your hips again from a sitting position. If the hip is still higher, I know the muscles above the waist are responsible. If the hips are level, then the muscles below the waist are the culprits. Most often the KEY muscle is the psoas. But the other muscles should be checked, massaged, and stretched. Those muscles include: quadriceps (rectus femoris), hamstrings, gluteus, hip rotators, and sometimes the tensor fasciae latae (TFL).

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