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Water and Your Fascia

Water and Your Fascia

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Flourish Team

The importance of water and the fascial system

with Monica Bradley, our Massage Therapist and Bowenworker

Keeping hydrated is an important component in the health of your fascia.

Since fascia is made up of 70% water, it is crucial to keep your body hydrated.

When fascia gets dehydrated it loses the ability to slide and glide against other tissues. It then sticks to other structures and can cause dysfunction and adhesions throughout the matrix. This can cause pain and poor functioning in your body. 

Sometimes your muscles will cramp due to dehydration and a burning pain can be felt if the tissue is creating friction. Because fascia covers of of your bones, muscles, brain, organs and nerves, all systems in your body can be affected by lack of water.

I bet I can guess the next question on your mind:

“How much water should I drink?”

My thoughts are to self analyze the color of your urine. It should be a pale yellow. You are a unique individuals, so how much you sweat, how much you exercise and your own unique system plays a role in hydration. I had to drink more water when I lived in Denver, CO due to elevation and an arid climate.

Often after a bodywork session, you are told to drink more water because your body may be detoxing and water will help flush out toxins. Getting bodywork also uses your body’s water, so you need to replenish your system.

If you are interested in going deeper on the power of water, there is a book called, “The Hidden Messages in Water” by Masaru Emoto where he discovered that the molecules of water are affected by thoughts, feelings and words. Inspired, I wrote positive words on the bottom of my water bottle and am grateful that water is my favorite drink. 

Want to learn more about my work with fascia?

Check out this blog.

Food and Mood

Food and Mood

by | Feb 17, 2023 | Food Medicine

The connection between gut health and mental health

with Peggy Fisher, our Functional Nutritionist

Did you know that what we eat can affect our mood and how we feel?  Interestingly, there is a connection between a healthy and diverse microbiome, the bacteria in our gastrointestinal system, and our mood. Newer research focuses on the microbiota-gut-brain axis – the connection between your gut, its bacteria, and your brain.  The trillions of gut microbes are more closely connected to our mood that we have realized in the past. 

How so?

Gut microbiota help by producing neurotransmitters – molecules that communicate with our brain including serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin.  In fact, the majority of serotonin is produced in our gut!  Inflammation in the gut caused by poor diet, alcohol, or an imbalance in bacteria species can interfere with this process, reducing the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. 

Studies have shown that those with depression and anxiety often have an altered microbiome.  But does it work the other way around? Can changing our microbiome affect our mood and anxiety levels?  Yes – there is exciting research in both animals and humans showing that changing gut microbiota through diet and probiotics can improve brain neurochemistry and mood. 

So, what can you do to nurture your own healthy microbiome?

Probiotics are one way to change bacterial composition in the gut, and there are specific strains that target mood enhancement.  While probiotics can be helpful, diet is the factor that has the largest influence on our microbiome.

The best way to nurture a healthy gut microbiome is by eating a diet that is rich in colorful plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, while minimizing sugar, processed and fried foods, and alcohol. Studies have consistently confirmed that a healthy diet can improve depression and anxiety symptoms, and that changes in diet can result in small shifts in microbial composition within just a day.

Foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon or other cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds are specifically helpful in fighting depression.  High fiber foods like berries, broccoli and beans are beneficial by providing fiber that feeds a healthy microbiome.

For more personalized information on how nutrition and targeted supplements can support your mood, click here to book a free discovery call with me. I can work with you at The Flourish Center or online.