Yonemoto Physical Therapy

We take state of the art computers, phones, trains, roads and bridges for granted. Do we stop to think that much of this equipment is over 70 years old, just about the same age as an individual when he begins to experience chronic pain. 

“Life is movement and the body is designed to create movement,” says Sheila Yonemoto, a physical therapist in Alhambra , CA. “The body uses a network of systems very similar to how a city functions. A movement disorder is like construction on the freeway, or sewage pipes on the pavement. Both make it hard for you to get to work!”
 
The body has blueprints (DNA) to guide the design. Building materials are needed to create and maintain structures, roads, energy systems, information systems, defense systems, and sewage systems. The building materials may vary in quality, quantity, cost, and availability. They will ultimately affect the design or look of the city. Just as a cup looks different if it is made of tin or glass, certain foods will change a person's looks depending whether they consume a diet of excess sugar and fat or a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber and vitamins.
 
Energy is necessary to cause movement. Gasoline powers a car and oxygen powers our bodies. Movement will also create more movement. Notice how differently your limbs feel when sitting still versus doing exercise routines which get more oxygen to a wider area of the body.

In olden days, a city had a wall and a moat to keep the citizens safe. The body also has its safety and defense systems to ensure that the process of living can occur. We have external defenses such as sense organs and skin and internal defenses supplied by the immune system (chiefly the spleen, thymus gland and lymph).

We experience disease when our body defenses are breached and chronic pain when we neglect or abuse the body.

The failure to maintain and improve the aging city infrastructure is being cited as a cause of recent blackouts -- and reason to fear that there may be more in the future. We can compare a blackout to chronic pain. Something has broken down and it is a warning that something needs to be done. We need to fix the electrical grid.  In the same way if the body breaks down, we need to change our habits and routines. 
 
A sewage system is needed for recycling and removal. The liver and kidneys filter the blood and remove non-nutrients from the body, while the colon and the bladder remove waste. The liver may have a harder time functioning when overloaded with alcohol, pollution, or chemicals (medication, preservatives, etc). The colon functions differently with a high fiber healthy diet versus low fiber. By the way, did you know it is normal to have 2-3 bowel movements per day?
 
Imagine a city which is filled with so much garbage that it begins to spill into the streets. Toxins from unhealthy diets and medication, drugs and alcohol clog up the works.

A communication network coordinates external and internal environments, i.e. sense organs, the nervous system and glands/hormones. The sense organs and nervous system act as a hard wire system, while the gland/hormone system acts as a mobile unit messenger. Reaction time differs with different perception/awareness levels. Hormones and glandular secretions are involved with metabolism of food, immune function, sexual function, muscle function and the defense system, to name a few.

And, finally, there is the leadership role guiding the direction, decision-making and coordination of the body via the brain, gut and heart. Obviously, these function better when operating on true data. You can begin a process of self healing by learning how your body works.

A good place to start is with the educational articles about chronic pain and natural pain relief authored by Sheila Yonemoto, a physical therapist in Alhambra (CA) who spends on the average 45 minutes with a person at a time, one to three times a week for several weeks. Her training in natural pain relief includes an emphasis on raising awareness of the body so that each individual is better equipped to continue the journey to optimum health and wellness and gain freedom from chronic pain.

If you have any questions please submit them to Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.
Yonemoto Physical Therapy

Links:
http://www.yonemoto.com/
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm
http://media.yonemoto.com/info_index.php

Technorati Tags: Chronic Pain, Sheila Yonemoto, physical therapist, Alhambra CA., natural pain relief