As we conclude our 3-part series we will be discussing the most problematic and serious condition: LYMPHEDEMA. Lymphedema is a chronic condition that occurs when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluid from tissues, becomes compromised, leading to the accumulation of protein and water in the tissue. While there is no cure for lymphedema, various treatment options can help manage the condition, improve symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Lymphedema can occur in two forms: primary and secondary. Primary Lymphedema: This is often c ..read more

Welcome to the second of our three-part series on various types of swelling in the body. The first up was edema, and today we are talking about LIPEDEMA. While edema is an excess buildup of fluid in the body (potentially from injuries, recovering from surgery, or simply not enough movement), lipedema is a buildup of fat and water in the tissues, and it’s something that is often misdiagnosed because it only affects approximately 11% of women.  Lipedema is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fat cells in specific areas of the body, typically the legs and buttocks, but sometime ..read more

We’ve already covered the importance of eye health in our article ‘Taking Care of Your Eyes: a Quick Guide for Veterans’, explaining how you can look after your eyes. Sometimes, you may need corrective surgery on your eyes; lazer vision correction (LVC) and especially LASIK are now some of the safest surgical procedures. Yet, 2021 research published in Clinical Ophthalmology notes that many people still delay or choose not to have LVC out of fear of the potential pain and failure of the operation Fear of possible complications post-LASIK, such as ghosting, halos, glare, difficul ..read more

There can be a lot of confusion regarding swelling in the body. Is it edema? Is it lipedema? Or is it lymphedema? Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate but keep scrolling to learn about our first topic in this 3 part series: EDEMA. Edema is excess fluid in the body. If you’ve ever sprained your ankle or had some trauma to your tissues, be it from a fall while trying to stop a home run in your weekly softball league or simply running into the corner of your desk at home (because how many of us does that happen to regularly?) and suddenly the area is swollen, it’s likely edema.&nbs ..read more

Can’t relax? Maybe it’s your vagus nerve. There seems to be a lot of buzz around the vagus nerve these days, but a lot of people don’t know what it is or the critical role it plays in the day to day. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered so settle in and take a journey on the wonder and complexity of one of the most fascinating pieces of the human body. (Seriously, it does a lot!)   First off, what is the vagus nerve anyway? Also known as the tenth cranial nerve, the vagus nerve is not only the longest nerve in the body, but it’s an essential part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and is ..read more

Injuries in the line of duty are to be expected. According to the Defense Centers for Public Health, up to 50% of military personnel suffer one or more injuries each year—and by the time soldiers graduate to be veterans, those injuries are likely to have accumulated. One such injury servicemen often face is ocular damage, which impairs their ability to see. If you’re a veteran who experiences eye impairments due to your work, it is the government’s utmost priority to ensure your well-being, and there are programs specifically aimed at giving you the care you require. The following article ..read more

Curious About Manual Lymphatic Drainage? I have a confession to make. Since becoming a massage therapist in 2003, I NEVER had any interest in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). It seemed boring, repetitive and not at all anything I wanted to do. Over the past 20 years, my career has transitioned quite a bit. In 2019 I ‘retired’ from doing the traditional style of massage that everyone knows and loves and started to focus on more specialty work such as stretching, scar tissue, breathwork, mobility and more. And in 2022 I started to think more and more about MLD. Did you know that the average care ..read more

Meet Michigan Massage and Wellness When it comes to choosing a massage therapist, what do you look for? Convenience? Price? Geographic desirability? Or do you just throw caution to the wind, Google it and pick whoever pops up first? Or are you the type to do a lot of research and find a practice that best fits in with you? I do the latter, and many of our clients do, so it would be an excellent opportunity to introduce Michigan Massage and Wellness to you! I’m Rebecca Tamm, and Michigan Massage and Wellness is my child. I started my practice in 2004, so I guess if it were an actual h ..read more

Acupuncture (Without The Needles) You may be familiar with TENS devices if you’ve had physical therapy or tried various pain relief options. MPS Therapy is kind of like that but is considered a modified TENS device because of the difference in current flow. TENS utilizes an alternating current with a much higher current rate. In contrast, MPS uses a direct and much lower current which mimics and dramatically affects the human nervous system, including increasing your parasympathetic tone. Your parasympathetic nervous system is your ‘rest and digest.’’ In contrast, your sympathetic is your ‘fi ..read more

Acupuncture (Without The Needles) You may be familiar with TENS devices if you’ve had physical therapy or tried various pain relief options. MPS Therapy is kind of like that but is considered a modified TENS device because of the difference in current flow. TENS utilizes an alternating current with a much higher current rate. In contrast, MPS uses a direct and much lower current which mimics and dramatically affects the human nervous system, including increasing your parasympathetic tone. Your parasympathetic nervous system is your ‘rest and digest.’’ In contrast, your sympathetic is your ‘fi ..read more