June July Issue

Welcome to a very delayed issue....my sincere apologies as I realise so many of you were sitting by your Inbox wondering where your June Newsletter was...well my laptop decided to go on sick leave,
it all seems better now...so here is your Combined June and July Newsletter.
And we've had a few ailments at Balance over the last few weeks, but all therapists are now fighting fit.

So this just reminds me to remind you all that if you are feeling a little under the weather, like you're coming down with a cold...it is best to reschedule your massage. Within the first 3 days you are contagious and so not a good idea to be sharing, but most important you will probably feel worse before you feel better if you had a massage. Your body is already dealing with fighting the bugs so it doesn't need us stirring it up and giving you body more to deal with.

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In Touch
Keeping you in touch with what's happening at Balance.

New Therapist: Joanne Rome

We welcomed our newest massage therapist Joanne Rome who is working Saturdays from 8.30am to 4pm.

Joanne is orginally from Manchester, England and has a National Diploma in Health Science 2001 and a BSc (Hons) in Complementary Therapies 2005.

Joanne also taught massage at the Manchester School of Massage and then worked for the last three years on board the Silverseas Luxury Cruiseships which took her to some amazing places around the world including New Zealand where she decided she would settle.

Here are some of the comments from our clients about Joanne's massage:
"very knowledgable", "warm approach", "a really enjoyable massage, hit all the right spots with great tips for self maintenance", "enjoyed Joanne's manner, concise communication and techniques, and appropriate time spent on problem areas".

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New Look Logo For Balance

You may have noticed a new look infiltrating Balance Massage!! Yes we have a new logo and a new look website. It's been nearly seven years so we thought it was time for a freshening up...hope you like it! :)

Our logo was designed by Blerta Xharra at BDesign Studio, she did a great job and is currently working on new brochures and business cards for us too. We highly recommend her, so if you're in need of a fresh look for your business check her out on www.bdesignstudio.co.nz

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Run Auckalnd 2011

Another successful series is over, where thousands took to the streets of Auckland from March to July and Balance Massage was there to massage away their aches and pains!
From Remuera, TeAtatu Pensinsula, Musick Point, Onepoto Basin, Western Springs & Botany Junction what a great way to see parts of Auckalnd you've never been too!!
Go to www.runauckland.co.nz to find out 2012 race dates and get involved next year!!

Lisa McMillan battling the mud at Musick Point RunAuckland!

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Farewell to Miwa

Miwa will be leaving Balance to concentrate on her Craniosacral studies, we wish her all the best!!
Miwa's last day will be Friday 29th July.

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Client Antics!

Let us know what you've been up to so we can share your achievements!

June
Hannah Lawrence came 2nd at Challenge Cairns Half Ironman! Congratulations on your first International podium finish!!

Congratulations to Michelle Heron who's North Shore Squash Club Ladies team won the Mitchell Cup,
the National Squash Club Championship!! Glad that elbow held out Michelle, well done, great come back!!

What is Dry Needling?

I'm sure this is not a question many of you find yourselves pondering...but I'm going to inform you anyway as three of our therapists (Jane Land, Lisa Buchan and Sue Pannetier) have embarked on a three part course in which to learn and bring to you another tool in our belt to help combat stubborn muscloskeletal pain and discomfort.

As many of you know, acupuncture has been around for hundreds of years and it's effectiveness is far reaching, which is why it is no surprise that the Western world has taken notice and developed it's own version called Dry Needling. One of the first to comment on the positive effects of using needles to relieve musculoskeletal pain was Steinbroker in 1944. Since then the interest and research in trigger point needling has increased dramatically, culiminating in the creation of a new treatment called "Dry Needling".

Basically what happens is when the acupuncture needle penetrates the trigger point, it elicits a "local twitch response" and reduces the pain experienced by the trigger point. A local twitch response is an involuntary spinal cord reflex in which the muscle fibres in the taut band of the muscle contract.
This can feel like a strong ache, light tingling, a familiar sensation of radiating, so there may be a level of discomfort but it generally dissipates rapidly.

Dry Needling can help relieve the pain experienced by people with trigger points; however, it is not a stand alone treatment but rather, it is used instead as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Soft tissue techniques that we already apply such as massage, stretches, exercise prescription, postural training & strengthening need to be applied on the muscle to improve blood flow and therefore reduce the reoccurence of trigger points.
Dry Needling does not replace acupuncture because it is only utilising the trigger point & musculoskeletal pain management aspect of acupuncture; acupuncture uses needles to eliminate painful spots by stimulating energy flow to eliminate the blockage that causes that pain.

Response to the treatment can vary, just like in massage. You will feel relief from pain or aching, but the muscles may feel tired or heavy for a few hours. After a strong treatment there can be an aching in the muscles similar to aching the day after heavy exercise.
We recommend the application of heat on the area after a treatment, using a wheat bag is perfect.

So why would I want to have Dry Needling instead of Massage?

As we've said above we would recommend using needles along side our massage treatment, and the reason we may use needles within your treatment is because it can be an efficient use of time; we can put needles into a trigger point and then work on the related acupressure points along the meridian lines in the hands and feet or we can massage other areas too. Also, sometimes when trigger points are quite stubborn and not responding to massage, or you've plateaued in your treatment, it is great to have another tool to utilise that works on another level and can get results.

So if you would like to try Dry Needling talk to Jane, Lisa or Sue about how they can fit it in to your treatment.