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Getting Stoned: Hot Stone vs. Cold Stone Massage

By Bethany Wolcott • 26 Apr, 2024
When it comes to relaxation and rejuvenation, massage therapy is evergreen. Within the realm of massage techniques, hot stone and cold stone massages stand out as unique and effective methods for soothing both the body and mind. But how do you choose between the two? Let's delve into the nuances of each to help you make an informed decision. Hot Stone Massage: A Therapeutic Heat Experience Hot stone massage involves the placement of smooth, heated stones on specific points of the body. These stones are typically made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat exceptionally well. Our skilled LMTs use the stones as an extension of their hands to massage the body. One of the primary benefits of hot stone massage is its ability to promote deep relaxation. The heat from the stones helps to loosen muscles, allowing the therapist to work more effectively on areas of tension. This type of massage can also improve blood circulation and relieve chronic pain, making it an excellent choice for individuals dealing with muscle stiffness or soreness. During a hot stone massage, clients can expect to feel a comforting warmth spreading through their body. The sensation of the heated stones gliding over the skin induces a sense of relaxation and tranquility, melting away stress and tension. Cold Stone Massage: A Refreshing Chill In contrast, cold stone massage utilizes smooth, chilled stones to provide a refreshing and invigorating experience. These stones are often made of marble, which naturally stays cool. The therapist may use the stones to massage the body or place them on specific points to alleviate inflammation and reduce swelling. One of the key benefits of cold stone massage is its ability to decrease inflammation and soothe sore muscles. The cool temperature of the stones helps to constrict blood vessels, which can reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. This makes cold stone massage an excellent choice for individuals recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic pain conditions. During a cold stone massage, clients can expect to feel a cooling sensation spreading across their skin. This refreshing experience can help to awaken the senses and provide relief from heat or discomfort. Fire and Ice Massage Exactly as it sounds, fire and ice massage combines the benefits of both hot and cold stones. With the heat from the basalt stones loosening up muscles and the cold stones reducing inflammation, there is a balance within the body that leads to total relaxation and rejuvenation. The blend of Eastern and Western techniques creates an amazing therapeutic treatment that our LMTs are happy to offer. Choosing the Right Massage for You When deciding between hot stone and cold stone massage, consider your individual preferences and health needs. If you're seeking deep relaxation and relief from muscle tension, a hot stone massage may be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you're looking to reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles, a cold stone massage could be more beneficial. And don't forget—you can always combine the two with fire and ice! At our Buffalo chiropractic and massage office, we offer treatments, like hot stone and cold stone massages, that are tailored to meet your specific needs. Whichever you choose, you're sure to experience a blissful journey toward relaxation and wellness under the expert care of our skilled therapists. Bethany Wolcott D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26

Mitigating Migraines

By Bethany Wolcott • 12 Apr, 2024
Headaches come in various forms, each with its own distinct characteristics and triggers. Among the most common types are migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches. While they may share some similarities, understanding their differences is crucial for effective management and relief. Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound and they can last for several hours to days. They are believed to be caused by abnormal brain activity affecting nerves, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. Triggers can vary widely from person to person, including stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and environmental factors. Many people experience an “aura” beforehand which are sensory disturbances that can include a variety of symptoms. These can include a sensitivity to light, sound, smells, and even taste. Most commonly, people will get flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in their hands or face 5-60 minutes before the onset of pain. Relief from migraines is typically provided in one of two ways: medications and/or lifestyle changes. Many people are helped by over-the-counter medications but others may be better helped by prescription medications. Lifestyle changes include managing stress and avoiding known triggers. Cluster headaches are excruciatingly painful headaches that occur in cyclical patterns or clusters, often around the same time of day or year. They are thought to be related to abnormalities in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature, hormones, and sleep. With cluster headaches there is no aura and pain tends to be centered behind the temple and eye on one side; these headaches occur most often in males in their 40s and 50s. Triggers can include alcohol consumption, high altitudes, and certain foods. Cluster headaches are best relieved by oxygen therapy, though there are other options. Oxygen therapy is the inhalation of 100% oxygen over a 15-minute period, usually administered at a neurology office. Other methods include prescription medications, nerve blocks, and lifestyle changes. Tension headaches are characterized by a dull, aching pain and pressure around the forehead, temples, and back of the head—often referred to as the hat band distribution. Tension headaches tend to last 30 minutes to a few hours—very rarely will these last for days. They are usually caused by muscle tension in the neck and scalp, which can result from stress, poor posture, or anxiety. Relief from tension headaches is wide-ranging. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (ibuprofen) are among the most common solutions. Other effective methods include relaxation techniques, heat, and massage therapy. Prevention for all three kinds of headaches includes avoiding triggers such as limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption and smoking cessation. Additionally, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, staying hydrated, having good posture, and regular exercise can help you avoid these. And of course, seeking chiropractic care and massage therapy for tension relief and spinal alignment is a great way to prevent headaches.  Understanding the differences between migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches is essential for effective management and prevention. While each type may require specific treatment approaches, chiropractic care and massage therapy can play a valuable role in relieving tension, promoting relaxation, and enhancing overall well-being. By incorporating these holistic approaches into your headache management plan, you can work towards finding relief and enjoying a better quality of life. Come visit your local Buffalo chiropractors and massage therapists at Peak Performance and tell your providers if you suffer from headaches! Bethany Wolcott D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26
Soothe your sole

Soothe Your Sole: Exploring Reflexology

By Bethany Wolcott • 03 Apr, 2024
Reflexology isn’t just about foot massages—it’s a holistic healing approach that focuses on pressure points in the feet, hands, and ears that correspond to different organs and systems in the body. It’s like a map where every point leads to a specific destination in your body’s highway of health.  Originating from ancient China and Egypt, reflexology has stood the test of time for good reason. Imagine your feet as the control panel for your body; by applying targeted pressure and massage techniques to these points, our specialized licensed massage therapists aim to stimulate energy flow and promote balance throughout your entire system. There are a myriad of benefits to reflexology which include: Stress Relief: Life can be hectic, and our bodies often bear the brunt of our busy schedules. Reflexology helps to melt away stress and tension, leaving you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Improved Circulation: By stimulating blood flow, reflexology can enhance circulation, which in turn supports the body’s natural healing processes and promotes overall wellness. Pain Management: Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or discomfort from a specific condition, reflexology can offer relief by targeting the corresponding pressure points. Enhanced Sleep: Reflexology can help calm the mind and body, making it easier to drift off into a restful slumber and improve your sleep quality. Boosted Immunity: By promoting balance and harmony within the body, reflexology can strengthen the immune system, helping you ward off illnesses and stay healthy. At our chiropractic and massage office in Buffalo, NY, we’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Incorporating reflexology into your wellness routine can be a transformative experience, offering holistic benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Ready to experience the healing power of reflexology for yourself? Schedule a session with us today and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced life—your body will thank you. Bethany Wolcott D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26
Cupping

Cupping

By Bethany Wolcott • 19 Mar, 2024
If you’ve ever seen someone at your gym walking around with huge, perfectly round bruises on their back and wondered what happened to them, you should see the other guy—as in, you should see a licensed massage therapist!  LMT’s do a form of therapy called cupping. Cupping is a therapeutic technique that involves multiple cups that can be made of different materials such as glass, plastic, or silicone. The therapist uses the cups to create a vacuum that draws blood to that area of the skin. This leads to the circles of bruising that you may have seen around Buffalo. It’s believed that the force of the suction draws enough blood to the area that smaller capillaries expand and can burst beneath the surface of the skin. More blood will be sent to the area to repair and stimulate healing at a cellular level and also release toxins. This technique also loosens the muscle tissue in the area, increases lymph flow, and relaxes the nervous system. Cupping is a deep-tissue therapy that helps with scar tissue, knots, muscle tension, and swelling. Additional benefits of cupping include increased blood flow to the area, pain relief, increased inflammation and healing, and relaxation. Cupping can be a great recovery method for athletes as well as a relief for those with chronic pain. It can be done on the back, arms, legs, and other areas. Athletes with sore muscles need to promote tissue healing from the increased load and stress that has been placed on their bodies. Getting more blood flow to the area is a great way to do that and speed up the process. Likewise, cupping can ease the symptoms of chronic pain issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, and migraines. The powerful effect of increased blood flow and inflammation is one of the reasons that cupping has been practiced for hundreds of years. Recently, one of our own chiropractors Dr. Sarah Novotny began offering her cupping services for one to two areas of the body. This is a quicker appointment for focused areas versus massage therapy which is more of a whole-body experience in conjunction with massage and relaxation. Come see your local Buffalo massage therapists and chiropractors to give cupping a try and get those red circles on your back too! Bethany Wolcott D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26
Massaging

Trigger Points

By Bethany Wolcott • 19 Mar, 2024
If you’ve been a faithful patient in the chiropractic and massage world, you’ve likely heard ‘trigger points’ tossed around. This is usually followed by your provider finding the most sensitive spot possible in your muscle and you jumping off the table. So, what are trigger points, how do they occur, and how is your chiropractor and massage therapist actually helping you when they press into them (despite what you may think)?  According to the National Institute of Health, trigger points are “discrete, focal, hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle.” You can feel trigger points in your muscles—they feel like little knots deep under the skin. They can be caused by stress, injury to the muscle, overuse, poor posture, and even vitamin deficiencies. Depending on the severity of the trigger point, they can be fairly sensitive when pressed and there may be pain that radiates to other locations of the body. There are specific referral patterns that occur for each trigger point. Referral pain occurs because the nerves in our body are part of a large, connected network. You’ve probably heard that people having a heart attack feel pain in their left arm, that’s an example of referred pain. The most common places for trigger points are in the neck, shoulders, low back, and hips. Trigger points in the neck and upper shoulder muscles, especially the trapezius, can refer up and cause headaches. Other shoulder trigger points can refer down the arms while low back ones tend to inflict upon the gluteal region and the back of the thigh. Even ones that don’t refer can still be extremely sensitive to the touch which makes releasing them a necessary experience, though unpleasant experience. The best way to release trigger points is to massage the target with deep pressure. This breaks up adhesions in the muscle fibers restoring normal function and increasing the amount of oxygen to the area. When pressing the trigger points, you must apply firm pressure for 10-20 seconds which can be uncomfortable but well worth it in the long run. Other techniques that can relieve the pain of trigger points include icing the area, foam rolling, static stretching—especially after workouts, and using a tennis ball or lacrosse ball to massage the area. If these therapies don’t improve the condition of your trigger points, another method—trigger point injections—may be used. This involves a doctor injecting a very thin needle into the trigger point with a local anesthetic and it becomes inactivated. Typically, patients will experience relief using injections for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. To avoid trigger points and the many methods of releasing them, prevention is key. You can prevent trigger points by reducing mental and physical stressors in your life; the more stress, the more you may be clenching certain muscles for longer periods that can lead to trigger points. Try to stretch periodically throughout the day for just a few minutes to relax any tight muscles. Going to the sauna or taking warm showers/baths are another great way to get your muscles to relax and reduce the risk of trigger points. Lastly, regularly see your local Buffalo chiropractors and licensed massage therapists! Checking in with your body on a consistent basis is a great way to prevent trigger points and to get them released before they worsen. Our providers are always here to keep you feeling your best. Bethany Wolcott D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26
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