There has been much press about the long term impact of concussions on professional athletes. It is just as much a concern in minor sport, if not more. In minor sport, we are dealing with our young ones and a concussion is an injury that can have a long term impact on the brain. We usually think of a concussion as involving a loss of consciousness, “being knocked out” for a while. It is possible, however, to have some of the effects of a concussion without losing consciousness at all, such as a whiplash injury or a bad fall or bump on the head. A concussion is simply an injury caused by the brain impacting the inside of the skull, usually at a fairly high speed or force. The effect of repeated impact does accumulate: each time you have a concussion; it is easier to get another. The recovery time is also longer after subsequent concussions. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may include: • Headache or a feeling of "pressure" in the head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Sensitivity to light or noise • Feeling sluggish, groggy or dazed • Difficulty paying attention • Memory problems • Confusion If you think you or your child has sustained a concussion, seek medical help immediately, even if there was no loss of consciousness. Your doctor will determine how serious the concussion is and when it's safe for to return to sports or other activities. It is especially important when playing a sport, to not to go back in the game until the doctor gives permission. This will to prevent any further injury, which can be quite serious. Rest is usually the first course of treatment for concussion. This “rest” can include both physical and mental rest. It can also range from bed-rest to non-contact practice, in sport, depending on the severity of the injury and the stage of recovery. We are learning more about the long term effects of concussions: Post-Concussion Syndrome. It is a complex disorder with a combination of symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, fatigue or personality changes. It can appear within a week or two after the injury, but the symptoms may persist for months to years. Post-concussion syndrome is believed to have both physical and psychological effects. Cranio-sacral treatment provided by a trained therapist can help reduce the strain on the membranes around the brain and correct the problems in alignment caused by the impact. This treatment will help reduce the fatigue and headaches. Psychological treatment is also recommended to help deal with depression-like symptoms that accompany this condition. Just learning and understanding about post-concussion syndrome gives peace of mind and can help one experiencing these problems feel less anxious.

Chronic pelvic pain can be debilitating and difficult to handle on a daily basis. Millions of people, both men and women, experience chronic pelvic pain, which can affect every aspect of their lives from physical discomfort to their emotional health. Pelvic pain refers to any pain in your pelvic region - the area below your bellybutton and between your hips. If you were asked to locate the pain, you'd be more likely to sweep your hand over that entire area rather than point to one spot. Typically pelvic pain can occur within the structures surrounding the reproductive organs such as the urinary bladder, bowel, musculature, ligaments and bones. Also, pain could be coming from the reproductive organs themselves. Chronic pelvic pain can be a symptom of another disease, or it can be designated as a condition in its own right. Determining what's causing your discomfort may be one of medicine's more puzzling and frustrating endeavours. Indeed, no physical cause may ever be discovered. Many people who experience chronic pelvic pain never receive a more specific diagnosis. If your doctor can determine the source of the pelvic pain, then treatment can focus on eliminating the cause. If no cause can be found, then treatment for pelvic pain focuses on managing the pain. Symptoms Pelvic pain may have many different characteristics. The signs and symptoms may vary from severe and steady pain, pain that comes and goes (intermittent), dull, aching or sharp pains or cramping, or pressure or heaviness deep within your pelvis. Additionally, you may have pain during intercourse, while having a bowel movement or even when you sit down. The pain may intensify after standing for long periods and may be relieved when you lie down. The pain may be so bad that you miss work, can’t sleep and can’t exercise. The pain may vary from mild to severe, from annoying to disabling. Causes Some of the more common causes of pelvic pain include: • Endometriosis • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) • Prostatitis • Pudendal nerve impingement • Fibroids • Irritable bowel syndrome • Interstitial cystitis • Psychological factors • Muscle tension Whether or not a medical reason for the pain is found, restoring balance and harmony in your body will reduce pain and increase function. Regular therapeutic massage is an excellent choice to accomplish this goal. Massage therapy can address any muscle tension be the cause of your pelvic pain. Massage Therapists with special training can also help realign the bony structures and release tightness around visceral structures that may contribute to the pain. Your therapist can also suggest stretches and self-care techniques to help you maintain the improvement. Acupuncture is an excellent tool to help pain relieve and restore balance in the body’s homeostasis. Specially trained Physiotherapists can also perform work internally to help retrain the pelvic floor muscles. Psy

Massage Therapy: A Complement to Diabetes Management (April Issue North Simcoe News)
Massage therapy is a health care tool that complements medical management of many health conditions. The benefits of massage can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and may help to reduce the need for medications.
Diabetes is an example of this. Diabetes is a complicated disease that results from the body’s inability to produce or utilize insulin. As a result, the body is unable to maintain proper blood sugar (glucose) levels. Currently, more than two million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes. As many as one third of Canada’s population have it, but don’t know it.
Massage helps diabetes in three ways: by increasing relaxation, circulation and tissue flexibility.
1. Relaxation: Research studies are showing that stress management can lower blood glucose levels. The “fight or flight” reaction induced by stress makes more glucose available in the blood. Since increased glucose in the blood is not good for people with diabetes, keeping stress under control is important. Massage therapy is an excellent tool to help people learn to relax.
2. Circulation: Massage increases blood circulation in the area being worked. By bringing more blood to the tissue, the body uses more insulin. Increasing the circulation also brings more oxygen and nutrients to the tissue which helps it to be healthier.
3. Tissue Flexibility: When someone has had high blood sugar for a while, they experience thickening of their connective tissue, the tissue layers between the skin and the muscle. This is manifested as stiffness in the body and decreased range of motion in the joints. Massage therapy helps increase the elasticity in the tissue, reversing the thickening effect that occurs.
There are some important precautions that a Massage Therapist should take to keep their diabetic clients safe.
Overall, massage therapy has great value for people with diabetes. Awareness of the precautions allows clients to enjoy the benefits of the treatment, safely. There is a role for massage therapy to reduce the risks of further complications of the disease and contributes to the maintenance of overall health.