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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2021)
18 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Mind-body therapies promote well-being By Katy Yoder Correspondent Pain happens. Sometimes it starts in the mind, sometimes from an injury. As we live with the discom- fort, the true origins of that limp or lower back pain or headache or stiff knee are hard to pin down. We get used to it. We accommodate it; and quite often, our mood is affected by it. Stoicism, finances and, these days, fear of COVID-19 can stop us from seeking help. The mind-body connection can be described as a person9s feelings, thoughts, or behaviors and how they physically manifest in the body. Thoughts, feelings, beliefs and atti- tudes can positively or negatively affect biological functioning. Our minds affect how healthy we are. On the flip side, how we manage the body as it relates to nutrition, exercise, and other activities can either benefit or undermine our mental states. A deep dive into beliefs about mind-body connections is compli- cated territory. Finding a guide to understand and navigate mental and physical challenges can get you closer to feeling better. Mind-body modali- ties abound in Sisters. Practitioners offer a wide variety of treatments used to overcome chronic and acute pain. Kendra Littrell manages the Shibui Spa, known for its tranquility and oasis-like environment. <We spe- cialize in Ayurvedic treatments. Our owner went to school for Ayurvedic medicine,= said Littrell. Ayurveda is the art and science of tuning the body into balance. It harnesses the natural intelligence of the body to bring people into optimal health. <We9re one of a few places that use it on a spa level. We have five differ- ent Ayurvedic treatments at Shibui,= said Littrell. After COVID mandated closures, Shibui reopened June 1, to deeply appreciative clients. <We saw clients who were almost in tears& there9s no one hugging and touch- ing. People need touch.= Littrell says people are screened to make sure they are healthy and understand COVID rules. <We want to make sure we are keeping our clients and our employees safe. We9re operating at 50% capacity for physical distancing. Shibui9s ther- apists are trained in modalities like lymphatic drainage for people recov- ering from cancer, physical-therapy- type massages and cranial sacral. In the end, it9s all about peace of mind,= said Littrell. Alana Vernon is a physical thera- pist and the clinic director for Step & Spine Physical Therapy. She9s learned that a successful treatment plan includes finding the right com- mindfulness, movement, modalities as bination of physical-therapy modali- necessary (ice, heat, laser) and mixing ties and exercises that address each it up. We don9t want to get caught up patient9s unique circumstances. <We with a sixth M 4 monotony. Doing teach patients how our nervous sys- the same thing over and over can tem changes based on what we apply be boring, and sometimes harmful. to it. We retrain your brain so it9s not That9s why mixing it up is so impor- reproducing the pain stimulus. Listen tant,= said Vernon. to your body and don9t go so far that it Greg Zadow is the owner of increases pain. You want that perfect Green Ridge Physical Therapy that spot where you make positive changes just celebrated their 20-year anni- without making further harm. We help versary. Zadow says recent research our patients find that sweet spot, rec- has shown what all good practitio- ognizing how their body feels. Too ners have known for years: Whatever many people ignore what their body intervention you are administering, its feels; or they may be too sensitive affects will be magnified if you can and overreact to a sensation that9s normal. You9re training your ner- vous system with mindful actions. The more your mind recognizes that certain move- ments are benefit- ing healing, the faster the physi- cal therapy can make positive changes. We9re trying to get away from medications. There9s the five PHOTO PROVIDED M9s: meditation, Beth Hummel treats a patient with laser therapy. Therapeutic Associates HELPING PATIENTS GET MOVING! Physical Therapy • Aquatic Therapy Post-Surgical • Sports-Specifi c Training Strengthening & Conditioning Strengthe 541-549-3574 2022 Desperado Trail, Ste 201 at Sisters Athletic Club www.therapeuticassociates.com/Sisters Sisters Dental We are here for you! Trevor Frideres, D . M . D . Greg Everson, D . M . D . 541-549-2011 www.sistersdental.com 491 E. Main Ave., Sisters Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. For years, Therapeutic Associates has been keeping the active folks in Sisters active, despite the inevitable aches, pains and injuries of the Central Oregon lifestyle. That hasn’t changed, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re still open, with strict COVID protocols in place to ensure staff and patient safety. Visiting Therapeutic Associates can help keep you out of the emergency room or urgent care. The staff are experts in triaging musculoskeletal injuries. Therapeutic Associates welcomes physical therapist Taylor O’Dell to the clinic, working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Whether you’ve banged yourself up on the slopes or are dealing with long-term mobility issues, Therapeutic Associates can help you recover and learn to move better, avoid injury and perform better in your activities. All of their work has one goal in mind: help- ing people in Sisters live the way they want to live in an environment that richly rewards an active, outdoor lifestyle. Sisters Dental Taking care of your teeth and gums is about a whole lot more than a nice smile. It’s critical to your health. Don’t put off taking care of your dental health out of safety concerns. At Sisters Dental, COVID-19 safety protocols are built in. They limit numbers in the building, sanitize intensively, and — most importantly — circulate air so that all air in treatment rooms is removed and replaced every six minutes. Sisters Dental offers a warm, comfortable set- ting that eases anxiety. They’re even introducing an Australian labradoodle therapy dog, named Prim, who will be around the office to offer a lit- tle extra comfort and fun. You can follow Prim’s introduction on Sisters Dental’s Facebook page. Sisters Dental offers a full scope of general and cosmetic dentistry with expertise ranging from porcelain veneers to dental implants, crowns and bridges. The team is dedicated to delivering exceptional and personalized dental care for every patient.