Connecting Mind and Body S tudies show that 1 in 10 Americans lives with chronic pain for more than one year. When you’re in pain, you seek a way to cope. Some might attend regular physical therapy appointments to find the source of the pain and resolve it. Others might ignore the pain and adapt their lifestyle to avoid making it worse. Either way, the body continues to sustain real damage with these adaptations, which compounds pain and can make things worse. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean healing is a lost cause. Somatic exercises can offer a solution to long-term pain sufferers. Dr. Thomas Hanna taught the first class on somatics in 1990. He had discovered a disconnect between the industrialized world and healthy, pain-free living. Many people in industrialized countries have accepted pain as a natural part of aging and don’t WITH SUDOKU TAKE A BREAK
HOW SOMATICS CAN OFFER HEALING FOR LONGTIME PAIN SUFFERERS
understand that the body can heal from everyday pain and ailments.
of a physical therapist — or in some instances, a massage therapist — who pinpoints the areas of tension and guides you through hands-on exercises that relieve the pain and align the body. The second method involves exercises patients can do at home according to their physical therapist’s guidance. You don’t have to live with pain. Healing is possible, and somatics may help you get on the road to recovery. To learn more about this therapeutic technique, visit Somatics.org or talk to your physical therapist.
Somatics involve short, hands-on movements to correct the body’s posture and mobility, which can then stimulate proper healing through further movement and therapy. The technique retrains the brain on proper movement, function, and positioning to align your body and your mind so you can heal instead of just living with pain.
Somatic exercises come in two forms. The first method is done with the help
VALENTINE’S DAY DOG TREATS: CRANBERRY HEARTS
Inspired by Pretty Fluffy
To paraphrase an old saying, the way to a dog’s heart is through their stomach! This Valentine’s Day, treat your dog to some pet-friendly goodies they’re sure to love!
INGREDIENTS • 2 large eggs • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1 tbsp coconut oil • 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 3–4 tbsp coconut flour
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 325 F. 2. In a small bowl, beat eggs and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine almond flour, coconut oil, and cranberries. Pour in eggs and mix together with your hands until wet dough forms. 3. Mix in 1 tbsp of coconut flour at a time until dough easily forms into a ball. 4. Roll out dough on floured surface and cut with bite-size, heart-shaped cookie cutters. Transfer to cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 5. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until treats are crisp. 6. Remove from oven and let treats cool completely before serving.
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