Shiatsu Therapy Shiatsu is a Japanese finger-pressure and bodywork therapy. It uses natural pressure with thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows, knees and feet on the whole body, employing many different techniques. These techniques include pressure, holding pressure and supporting pressure. Shiatsu also employs the techniques of stretching, massage and Sotai, which is a therapy in which resistive exercises are employed to correct postural imbalances and joint pain. It lengthens muscles and improves the condition of the ligaments and tendons.

Shiatsu is excellent for treating:

• Back pain, neck and shoulder pain, stress, depression , anxiety, headaches, migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome,
• Menstrual problems, insomnia, sciatica, dizziness/vertigo, overw eight, digestive problems, constipation, fatigue, TMJ
  
• Nervous system illness (neuralgia, paralysis, spasms) from stroke, neurosis and insomnia
  
• Muscle and bone illnesses
  
• Respiratory illnesses
  
• Circulation illnesses
  
• Urinary and reproductive illnesses
  
• Fatigue recovery and recovery of body strength
  
• Sports injury, Physiotherapy and Palliative care
  

Shiatsu works on all body systems, but more specifically on the nervous and hormonal systems. It works directly to regulate these systems, which allows the body to fully relax and creates an ideal environment for body, mind and spiritual healing.

Shiatsu has been regulated in Japan since 1955. The Japanese Ministry of Health defines it as a form of therapy aimed at the treatment and prevention of disease by concentrating on specific points on the body surface. As a rule, it involves the application of gradually increasing and decreasing vertical pressure on one point using the hand. The direction in which the treatment is performed is distally, which is away form the heart. The therapy is designed to increase the natural healing power of the body, to remove its metabolic waste, and in general, to improve health.

The roots of this ancient practice stretch back over 5000 years to the Chinese arts of acupuncture and acupressure. The Japanese blended these Eastern sciences with Western osteopathic practices and created Shi (finger) Atsu (pressure). Shiatsu is often referred to as acupuncture without needles, because it uses the same Eastern Medical Theory and stationary pressure along meridian lines and acupuncture points to improve health.

Meridians are pathways of living magnetic energy that run the length of the human body and connect vital organs. This energy, or chi, powers our bodies, and its quality fluctuates with our physical and emotional state. Illness arises when the channels are impeded, or energy levels diminish. The Shiatsu therapist encourages the free flow of energy along the meridians to restore the body to a state of harmony.

From a Western perspective, Shiatsu treatments impact on the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system to activate the healing/conserving functions of the body, calm any over-active fight or flight stress responses and promote self recovery.

Unlike therapies that focus on a single area, Shiatsu is a holistic (whole body) treatment that is used to reduce pain and promote general health and well-being. It not only alleviates symptoms but also treats the source of the illness.


What To Expect In A Treatment

In order to focus on key imbalances and energy flow it is important for the practitioner to avoid over-stimulation of superficial epidermal nerves. This is accomplished by treating patients while they are fully clothed. Clients are therefore encouraged to wear loose comfortable garments when they have an appointment.

At the initial consultation, following acceptance of the standard consent to treatment agreement, an intake form is completed for each client to assess his/her current condition and determine the appropriate treatment. The root of a problem may differ from the manifestation point which is why Shiatsu involves the whole body, and treatment specifics are tailored to the needs of the individual.

Treatments are conducted on a padded surface and commence with passive assisted stretches and limb manipulation to relax muscles and align the body. In addition to applying finger pressure over wide as well as specific areas, practitioners employ their elbows, feet and knees to release tension/blockages in the body. Treatments begin and end with the abdomen and involve the head, neck, chest, stomach, back, arms, legs and feet.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a complete and co-ordinated approach to health care. It is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies and gentle techniques.

Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine are specialists in natural medicine and preventive health care, integrating scientific knowledge with traditional healing wisdom. They are health-care professionals who use safe, gentle, non-invasive therapies to assist the whole person in maximizing the body's inherent self-healing capacity.

Kinesiologist/Ergonomics

Kinesiology is the Science of Human Movement. A Kinesiologist can help to ensure that you, your clients, or your employees improve or maintain their overall health and physical functioning, which can also improve emotional and intellectual functioning. Kinesiologists help people to develop or maintain a higher level of physical activity. They also assess what needs to be done to improve physical performance, in order to return to work after an injury or illness, to improve job or work performance, or a person's abilities to perform their activities of daily living.

The Kinesiologist provides preventative healthcare through:

•  Exercise programming

•  Ergonomic interventions

•  Disability management/Early and Safe Return to Work coordination

•  Post rehab injury management

•  Work conditioning/hardening programs.

The Kinesiologist determines the necessary interventions by:

• Assessing physical functional abilities (Functional Abilities Evaluation)
• Physical work demands (Physical Demands Analysis, or Job Site Analysis)
• Ergonomic Evaluations of the Workstation(s) and Work processes

The Kinesiologist provides these services for clients who are self-referred, or referred by insurance companies, WSIB, employers, doctors, or lawyers.

The On-Site Kinesiologist at Goldsworthy Wellness Centre is able to provide all of the following services as listed above:

Exercise Programs and Injury Management

• Personalized exercise programs for people with injuries, or health disorders (ie. neck, back or other orthopedic, muscle, or chronic pain) to overcome and develop coping strategies to deal with physical pain or limitations.
• Exercises are prescribed that are appropriate for each individual's needs.
• Exercise programs for healthy people, for health improvement or management.
• Work conditioning/Hardening to increase an employee's physical tolerances so they can return to work after becoming de-conditioned following injury or illness

Ergonomics

• Review and assessment of worker's injuries or special needs.
• Assessment of workstation(s), work demands and work processes.
• Recommendations for changes to workstation(s), or work processes to ensure worker is able to complete job requirements in an appropriate manner to prevent injury, further aggravation to existing conditions, using appropriate accommodations.

Preventative Ergonomics

• Prevent possible repetitive strain injuries or other musculo-skeletal or mental health issues.
• Employers can refer for the Ergonomist to complete an assessment of specific jobs or workstations in the workplace, to determine appropriate recommendations for revisions to the workstation set up or the work process.
• Ergonomist works with the supervisors, employer and workers to determine the most cost-effective solutions to preventing injuries or illness in the workplace.

Physical Demands Analysis

• An assessment of the physical work demands of a specific job title.
• All the physical demands are measured objectively, and written in a standardized report.
• PDA's are required for Return to Work of injured workers, and are helpful for determining physical demands of jobs prior to hiring new workers, as well as for ensuring the physical demands of a job are reasonable for the average workers, and do not exceed ergonomic recommendations.

Work Site Analysis

• Similar to a PDA, but can also include and analysis of the cognitive demands, and other relative aspects of the job performed by a specific worker.

Disability Management, Early and Safe Return to Work Programs

• Early and safe return to work for employees with injuries, illness, or mental health issues, who have been off work, or require modified work in order to return to, or stay on the job.
• These services can save employers from the financial and organizational consequences of lost-time costs due to worker injury or illness.
• Kinesiologist can provide Functional Abilities Evaluations to determine employee's current physical abilities and limitations.
• Kinesiologist assesses the job demands of the pre-injury job, as well as other jobs which may be suitable within the same company.
• Recommendations are made for work accommodations, to keep the employee on the job, or to assist the employee to return to work in a safe and appropriate manner.
• A Return to Work plan is developed in cooperation with the employer, worker, health professionals, supervisors, and all stakeholders.
• Work conditioning/hardening programs can be provided on the job, or in the clinic, or a gym setting, to assist the worker to regain physical tolerances to return to work.
• Job coaching to assist the employee with developing safer work habits, proper work postures, etc.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses a sound head crystal, which produces sound waves that penetrate the tissue causing a vibration. It is used for the treatment of pain, muscle spasms, adhesions, tendonitis, bursitis, myositis and slight calcifications. Treatment usually last 3-5 minutes.

Ion Cleanse Detoxification

Ion Cleanse Detoxification is a procedure deisgned and developed to restore the body's energy and balance while facilitating the body's natural detoxification process. It uses state of the art research to provide a form of energy that the body can readily use, " Bioenergetics/Life Energy".

Ion Cleanse uses a direct current to create an ionic energy field in the foot baths, simular to the energy produced by the human body itself. Negative and positive ions generated by the Ion Cleanse travel through the body attaching themselves to a multitude of toxic substances which are extracted from the body through a process called osmosis.

Ion Cleanse has also shown in clinical trials to change and balance the body's PH. Balancing the body's PH is critical in assisting the body in every aspect, from it's ability to detox to it's ability to digest. Individuals can expect to feel lighter, more energy and experience a greater feeling of well-being. Some people with pain, edema, gout, headaches and swallen joints have reported immediate relief. Other people with arthritis, allergies, lymphedema, neuralgia and other symptoms have experienced relief and benefits with multiple treatments.

Treatment usually last approximately 30 minutes.

Health Care Facilitation

Cancer Care Information and Support Services:

This specialization is helping cancer patients navigate the health care system, while safely merging the fields of conventional medicine and natural health care.

I work closely with cancer and chronically-ill patients that seek a fully-informed, fearless, and integrated treatment approach at any stage of treatment, diagnosis, or prognosis.

•  Newly Diagnosed - I connect you with the missing information about your diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and the nutrition, lifestyle, environmental, and hormonal factors that influence cancer.  I will help you choose a step-by-step integrative medical-care experience or select from a range of natural-health-care options.
•  Patient Advocacy - I am able to accompany you to your cancer-care doctor appointments to help you ask important questions and get clear answers.
•  Surgery Support - Prepare in advance for improved recovery time and over-all treatment outcome.
•  Chemo Support - Gain the benefits of chemotherapy while reducing/eliminating common short-term and long-term side-effects.  Begin improving your health, even during this challenging phase of care.
•  Radiation Support - Understand which integrative therapies are safe and supportive during this form of treatment.
•  After Care - A maintenance-program and follow-up care designed specifically for cancer re-occurrence prevention.
•  Long Term Care - I visit chronically-ill individuals at their care-facility to keep your family be more fully-informed, and help you experience the best possible care.  I will help you with the decision-making throughout the entire care experience.
•  End-of-Life Care - I serve individuals and their families facing end-of-life care that want a transformative, loving and guided care experience.