ASIS Massage Education Blog

Neurons of Compassion - Hope for a planet

From Spirituality & Health:

Have we found the basis for empathy and altruism?

Like most great scientific breakthroughs, the discovery of the human mirror neuron system (MNS) was a complete accident. What may end up being the most important neuroscientific discovery of the twenty-first century was uncovered serendipitously because of an ice cream cone.

In 1995, scientists at the University of Parma in Italy were studying monkeys’ brains with electrodes — small wires that could detect if neurons in the outer layers were giving off electrical signals. As the monkeys ate peanuts, the cells would fire in sequences, showing activity of the mouth and tongue (chewing and tasting), the hand and arms (reaching), and the fingers (cracking the shell and handling the food). One afternoon, the experiments were running late and the research technician realized that he might miss lunch, so he left the monkey hooked up to the electrode recorders and headed to his favorite bistro. Pressed for time at the end of the meal, he grabbed a gelato and took it with him back to the lab. While he rechecked the instruments, getting ready for the afternoon’s studies, he licked away at his ice cream cone. The monkey hooked up to the recorder followed him around the room with its eyes.

When the technician returned to the cellular tracings, he was shocked. Even though the monkey had only been watching him eat the ice cream, the neuronal firings recorded in the primate’s cortex were what one would have expected to see if the monkey had actually been licking and eating the dessert. The macaque showed the same electrical patterns in its brain as those that would have appeared in the technician’s cortex. In other words, the monkey’s brain was “mirroring” what was happening to the technician as he ate his ice cream.

The accidental discovery was puzzling. Why would a person’s (or a monkey’s) brain fire as if it were experiencing something when it wasn’t? The team decided to investigate further. They fed the monkeys peanuts and measured how much the cells of the motor cortex fired. Then they had the monkeys watch as the technician ate a peanut. The results were the same whether the monkeys were eating the peanut or watching it being eaten. And there was another twist: if the monkeys simply heard the sound of a peanut being cracked open, even when it was out of their sight, their brains showed the same firing pattern as if they were cracking open and eating the peanut themselves.

The question remained: What purpose could such an “imitative” neuron system have? Researchers began to look at baby primates. They watched as young monkeys imitated both the mouth movements and facial expressions of their mothers. The same phenomenon was known to occur in humans: babies smile when they begin to imitate the expressions on their parents’ faces. As the communication abilities of the human ancestors developed, individuals also had to learn to imitate the movements of the lips and tongue of the older individuals in the troupe. In this way, the young hominids learned to make similar sounds — and gradually acquired language. They also learned to closely imitate with their hands. They watched others throw spears and start fires. The watching caused their brains to start firing as if they were actually doing the actions themselves. The action they saw was mirrored in their brains so they could more easily learn to do it themselves.

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Derek Walcott Love After Love

Love After Love

             

              The time will come

when, with elation

you will greet yourself arriving

at your own door, in your own mirror

and each will smile at the other's welcome,

 

and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was your self.

Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

 

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart.

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

 

the photographs, the desperate notes,

peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.

Skin Cancer & Cars

An interesting study done at St. louis University reviewed the cases of over 1000 skin cancer patients, according to livescience.com

Of those with cancers of the head and neck, more than 56% of men and 52 % of women had it on their left side, the side exposed to their car window.  More worrisome was the statistic that showed over 72% of all melanomas,"the deadliest form of skin cancer, occured on the left side".

"Drivers need to be aware of the amount of sun exposure they receive behind the wheel", says dermatologist and study author Scott Fosko.  

For massage therapy workshops, CEU's, click here!

PRINCIPLES 
FOR 
CONTRAINDICTIONS of SWEDISH MASSAGE

1. Do
 not 
use 
massage 
over 
any 
condition 
that 
might 
be
 spread

by
 means
 of:
 SKIN,
LYMPH,
and
 BLOOD.
2. Do 
not 
use
 massage 
near
 or
 over 
any
 area 
where
 there 
is

BLEEDING.
3. Do
 not 
use 
massage
 over 
areas
 of
 ACUTE
 INFLAMMATION.
4. Regarding
 DISORDERS
 of
 the
 CIRCULATORY 
SYSTEM,

research 
carefully
 and
 get 
a 
physician’s 
recommendation.

5. In
 areas 
of 
ABNORMAL 
SENSATION 
be 
especially
 careful.
6. Have
 a 
thorough 
understanding
 of 
the
 anatomy
 and 
the

physician’s 
recommendations
 in
 cases
 where 
there 
is 
a 
LOSS

OF 
INTEGRITY 
in 
an 
area.
7. COMPROMISED
 IMMUNE
 SYSTEM:
 As
 in
 all
 cases,
 proceed

with 
care
 regarding
 hygiene 
according 
to 
the 
physician’s

recommendations.

8. Understand 
the 
PATHOGENESIS 
of 
a 
symptom
 (know 
the

origin).
9. Track 
PAIN:

 it
 usually 
has 
something 
to 
tell 
us.

Lydia, an ASIS Massage alumni's blog from the bayou

Hey hey dear ones,
so I'll just keep a steady update here, and I'll try to keep it relatively brief.
Yesterday i went out to Venice, LA with a couple of steady-minded people to check out the situation, talk to some fishermen, take some pictures, and very important: to take a class so that we can get our HAZWOPER cards.
We did, indeed, wait in line for 2 hours, and were not allowed into the actual class.
But it was a good opportunity to talk to the locals and the fishermen.
We also found out that BP was making everyone that entered this mandatory class sign a paper that they wouldn't sue BP for any poisoning, cancer, brain damage, death, etc. that resulted from contact with Benzine.  I have since found out that as of today, these forms have been outlawed. Thank Jezabel! ;) I really didn't want to sign that one!
The fishermen say that although BP is saying in the media that they have put out Booms to help stop or slow the spread of the oil, the fishermen (who know this land and water like a lover) have not seen very many.  I heard alot of "2 or 3", and we spoke to quite a few fishermen. But I don't know.
These people are in near riot form, so filled with frustration and anger, and utter despair.  This is the only livelihood that they've ever known, and the land that they love.
(please, don't get me wrong, I do try to love the people, but my heart is in it for the land, the trees, the water, the air, the lovely animals, turtles, otter, birds and fish. tell me how, oh how, do i clean an alligator?!?!? I can't wait for training.)
Nothing, and I mean Nothing, seems to be happening.
The environmental agencies are still unorganized, and BP is still stalling.
I seems that everyone is just holding their breath to see how much worse it will get.
One bird has been cleaned,
for the media cameras, one.
as of yesterday, at least.
there has to be more.
Right now it seems like all the environmental efforts are completely in BP's court, but I don't expect that it will remain this way much longer.  
Soon the environmental troops should be mobilizing (so to speak), but the thing that worries me is that because BP has stalled so long, I foresee that many groups will be at odds.  We cannot have this happening. 
"Hippees" and fishermen and environmentalists need to understand that there are a great deal of Oil field workers that care about this land just as much as they do. We all absolutely HAVE to work together.
But the facts of the situation are as such:
We aren't going to be allowed out there to help for 2 possibly 3 weeks.
Right now is the time to collect our spirits and our resolves and our peace of mind, so that (and I'm speaking very strongly to myself here too) when we get out there we can be completely effective and not caught up in the emotion of tragedy and finger-pointing.
People also need to be smart and protect themselves, physically.
During exxon's Valdez, many volunteer's rushed out (can you blame them) and ended up not properly protected, and they have suffered greatly.  Its best not to become a casualty of the situation, so that we can be effective in other situations.
should be interesting, huh, once June starts to reach 100 degrees, out on the water, wearing all plastic (petroleum!!!!) suits, and respiratory masks.
I know that I am responsible for this mess, too. I am maintaining compassion for the idiots ;) really. hell, I had to fill my car up to go to the training course that I was turned away from. And while I was doing it, I had to pause and take a moment and prayer. Own it.
Right now we are organizing a couple of demonstrations,
and a documentary.
I'm trying to keep the faith,
at this moment, during this email, it's rough.
I'm allowing myself to feel hopeless,
because I certainly don't want to suppress this feeling,
If I do, it will surely bite me in the ass.
I'm just trusting that all things cycle,
maybe tomorrow will bring a lessening of this grief and an added hope,
or even better...
a detached and rational resolve. that would be nice.
Love always to you all,
Lydia

Can we as massage therapists work our profession even more gently on this wonderful planet we live on?

Lydia, an ASIS Massage alumni's blog from the bayou

This is a rough time to be a True Lover of Louisiana.
This is a time when the destruction of my Beloved Land can no longer be ignored, face it, look it in the eyes
when one you love has cancer,
can you hate the cancer?
is there any point?
Well, Louisiana has cancer and the cancer is called HUMANs.
(I guess we could say the same for the whole world, huh?)
but there are also so many people here, who truly truly truly Love this land.
I tried to ignore it at first,
a typical response when one feels helpless.
Yesterday, obviously, when it came out in the media so strongly,
I could ignore it no longer.
First I allowed myself to collapse completely in my grief, shame, and hatred.
my helplessness.
I cried freely for hours,
(get it out get it out get it out)
I cried for the destruction of this breathtaking land
this ravaged paradise.
and then
the warrior emerged
I started making some phone calls
i called every environmental agency that i know of or have worked with,
every organization that internet wizard John or I could find,
then i went down to the Nature Station and talked to wonderful Stacey Scarce (a crusader for the hopeless cause of fighting for the land, for the sea, for the world) and i called every organization that she knows.
Right now I'm in limbo,
a difficult place to be.
I am in the place that the eye does not see.
and I'm allowing myself to cry at need
I am deepening my Compassion
So that I can not Hate, so that I can not point my finger at anyone, or myself.
We're all in this life together
We are all one
humans, animals, birds, trees, air, water, insects, fish,
Right now i am preparing my spirit and building my courage.
Because I want to go work, I want to go help
so very much that it is leaking from me,
spilling over the sides of this protective bubble
that I've put up against the world.
I am so afraid
I am afraid that i will break beneath facing these horrors.
I am so scared.
So I am calling out to you.
to you all.
my beloved family, my beloved friends, my soul companions in this life
I am calling out for courage and for fortitude.
for stamina
and for that detached kind of compassion that gets things done.
Have you ever heard that story...
A woman walks along the beach
where millions of starfish have washed ashore,
throwing them back into the water one by one
and someone says to her
"why do you bother, you will never make a difference, there are millions..."
and she picks another one up
throws it back into the arms of the ocean
and says
"it made a difference to that one."
What a huge and horrifying task that is ahead.
to clean this mess as best it can be cleaned.
This mess that is not even finished pouring out.
oh, how much longer will it continue to get worse???
especially hard, because there are so many innocents involved.
the sea turtles, the otter, the fish, the lovely birds who are so ripe and ready to bear their children right now. (not to mention the genuine and sacred land and sea, the air soiled with the desperate burnings)
all innocents.
I have been sitting on my ass too long
feeding my passions and my outrage into my self-consuming fire
because i am afraid
afraid that i am too sensitive and not strong enough to endure trying, and likely failing.
But the time has come to understand
the power of the small things
The time has come
to be content if all i can do is help one tiny starfish.
The time is here to Live on Purpose
The time has come to stop judging Failure.
and to understand that to be a True Soul one must accept and even Love one's failings.
I must accept and love it ALL.
So, all these agencies have me on their waiting list.
No one is prepared and DOING anything yet.
nothing is organized yet, as far as I can tell, and the waves are still too high.
But I've heard back from three, and they said that they would contact me as soon as they could, and that they would allow me to be there in my own small way.
If any of you out-of-towners want to come out here
and wipe oil from sea-turtles with me,
my house is open.
If anyone wants to contribute in anyway,
I am gathering information of how to do that, so contact me, please.
I understand that jobs and families won't really allow,
so please, some prayers, please please please.
and feel free to forward this email, or you own, at will.
Your strength is my strength.
Send your love through me, and I will do my very best
to make sure that it is received within this great wound.
As Almah would say "the Earth has a Bo-bo".
I love you all greatly and dearly
and I am deeply thankful for your spirits and your grace,
always,
Lydia

Environmental Help for Gulf Oil Spill

National Audubon Society  
  Thank you very much for volunteering to help the birds, wildlife and habitat endangered by the impending oil spill. We will be in touch soon with more information on where your help is need most urgently or we may send your contact information to agencies that are looking for specific kinds of volunteers. Audubon is working with many other public and private conservation organizations to recruit and coordinate volunteers and connect them with oiled-wildlife response leaders to help in the recovery effort.  Hands-on work to protect and save birds and other wildlife will be a complex and potentially dangerous process, and first and foremost it is important that only trained volunteers participate on the front lines.  Untrained volunteers can pose a risk not only to themselves, but to the birds and wildlife they are trying to save, so we ask that you please be patient.  If you have any questions, please contact us at audubonaction@audubon.org

Here's another way you can help. If you have not already done so, ask Congress to fully fund coastal Louisiana restoration projects. <http://www.audubonaction.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=837>  Now more than ever, we need healthy habitat to help mitigate the tragic oil spill and the damage it will inflict to the wetlands, marshes, fisheries and wildlife along the Louisiana coast. This recent tragic oil spill shows all too clearly why oil and gas drilling is neither safe nor responsible energy policy. Let's work for clean, renewable energy sources for our country's future. We will be updating potential volunteers regularly. Sincerely yours, Audubon Oil Spill Response Team.

Massage Therapists are also appreciated at emergency sites!

Best And Worst Sustainable Seafood Supermarkets

Greenpeace has released the fourth update of their Carting Away the Oceans report, where they give us the latest review of the best and worst sustainable seafood supermarkets for 2010. In an effort to push for an environmentally friendly and sustainable seafood marketplace, Greenpeace has done an in-depth ranking of 20 popular seafood retailers, rating them on factors like their seafood policies, initiatives in sustainability, and the quality of their labeling in providing consumers concise and accurate information about the seafood they purchase. Greenpeace also makes note of how many species each company sells that are on Greenpeace's red list, a list compiling the 22 most unsustainable seafood products on the market.

Greenpeace gives each grocery chain an overall rank from 1-10. 1-3 is a failing grade, 4-6 is passing, and 7-10 is good. Though no one has yet reached that highest division, 10 of the 20 companies reviewed made a passing grade, with many taking audacious strides to improve their previous scores, and setting new precedents in the marketplace for sustainable seafood.

Take a look at how Greenpeace rated popular chains like Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Trader Joe's, and others. Vote to let us know which rating surprised you the most! Read Greenpeace's report for more information.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Gulf Oil Spill in Louisiana, click here!

For environmentally safe massage therapy training, and

CE workshops, click here!

How can we all work together to live more peacefully?

 

The Science of NMT (VII)

REFLEX ARC

A reflex arc consists of some sort of receptor, a sensory neuron, a center in the central nervous system, a motor neuron, and an effector organ; and may be defined as the shortest route of an impulse between receptor and effector.

Receptors are specialized cells or organs transduce information from the external or internal environment into neural impulses. Those receptors that are sensitive to stimuli from the external environment are located close to the surface of the body and are called exteroceptors. They include sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Interoceptors are receptors that are sensitive to stimuli from the internal environment and may be divided into two categories: visceroceptors and proprioceptors. Visceroceptors receive impulses from the viscera and proprioceptors receive impulses from tissues directly associated with musculoskeletal movement and position.

Types of proprioceptors include: neuromuscular spindles in the bellies of muscles, golgi tendon organs in tendons, joint and skin proprioceptors under the skin and around joint capsules, and the labyrinthine proprioceptors of the inner ear. We are principally concerned with neuromuscular spindles and golgi tendon organs. Both are stretch sensitive, the former responding to stretch with signals that tell the muscle to contract, and the latter with signals that tell the muscle to relax.

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The Science of NMT (VI)

TENDON REFLEX

Tendon reflexes are triggered by golgi tendon organs located in tendons close to where they join the muscle. The golgi tendon organ consists of a network of pressure-sensitive nerve endings surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. When the connective tissue of the tendon is stretched to a crucial point, by contraction of the muscle, an impulse is generated at the receiving end of the sensory axon. The process is then similar to that of the stretch reflex except that the impulse inhibits motor neurons, rather than exciting them, causing the muscle to relax rather than to contract.

In the simple monosynaptic reflex arc described above, sensory and motor neurons are in direct contact, but in the vast majority of cases, there is an association neuron at the center that transmits the impulse between the sensory and motor neurons. Axon branches of association neurons may also synapse with other association neurons that transmit impulses to higher centers within the brain stem or other parts of the brain. They may also synapse with the motor neurons of other muscles as well. Whenever an association neuron delivers turn on signals to motor units of one muscle, collateral branches of its axon deliver turn off signals to an opposing muscle. The result is that, ideally, as one muscle contracts its opposing muscle relaxes. This is known as reciprocal inhibition.

What happens in reality is considerably more complex than the simple models we have been examining. The cell bodies and dendrites of association and motor neurons are covered with hundreds and even thousands of receptor sites for incoming signals. In order to generate an impulse, the voltage across the cell membrane at the axon hillock must be lowered by a specific amount. Excitatory signals lower the voltage and inhibitory signals raise it. There must be a substantial majority of these Association neurons receive impulses from sensory neurons and from other association neurons. A single neuron in the spinal cord may be getting input directly from sensory neurons associated with free nerve endings, neuromuscular spindles, golgi tendon organs, joint proprioceptors, and opposing muscles; and indirectly by way of tracts of other association neurons from the brain stem, diencephalon, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex. Collateral axon branches and telodendria of the same association neuron may deliver excitatory signals to the motor units of one muscle and inhibitory signals to the motor units of another muscle, as well as signals of either kind to other association neurons in tracts carrying information to any of the higher centers in the brain and other parts of the spinal cord. To add to this complexity, in addition to connections with local association and motor neurons, a single sensory neuron may have collateral axon branches that transmit inputs to secondary association neurons at a variety of different vertical locations within the spinal cord. When this information is then relayed to the sensory area of the cerebral cortex it may be interpreted as coming from the locale of the secondary neuron. This is thought to be one of the contributing factors for precise definable areas of referred pain associated with trigger points.

Up to this point we have for the most part focused on reflexive centers within the spinal cord. Suffice it to say that the hierarchy of reflexive activity associated with the higher centers of control within the brain becomes increasingly more complex at each level. The area associated with voluntary control of muscle tension is the cerebral cortex. As the highest level of hierarchic activity, the cortex acts as a locus of control in much the same style as old line political bosses. In the multi-layered electoral process of generating impulses at motor units, whole blocks of votes are commandeered by cortical centers. It is possible then, for the voluntary will to contract or relax a muscle to override much of the reflexive activity we have been focussing on. This is at least true during the period when the will to contract or relax is being exerted. When the attention is diverted, tensional patterns related to lower level feedback loops, like the relationship between gamma efferents and effects of free nerve endings, tend to reassert themselves. Conversely, if physiological changes are made to tissues without changes in habitual cortical control, tensional patterns will also tend to reassert themselves.

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