Erin M. McKinney, LMT, AAHCC
Modalities Offered (Click to view description)
- Massage
Massage is a scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to have specific effect. Its objective is the restoration of function, release of tension and the re-establishment of the contours where this is desirable.
Therapeutic massage can beneficially affect the muscular, skeletal, digestive, elimination, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, emotional, mental and nervous systems. It can alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments, promoting stress relief and relaxation. The practice dates to the Chinese in 3000 BC. - Acupressure
Acupressure is a practice that originated from Chinese medicine. Pressure is applied to specific points of the body to stimulate meridians, the energy pathways, to enhance the flow of energy to organs and throughout the body. This process has been used to restore balance in a variety of ways, such as treating diseases, addictions, infertility, decreasing pain, and promoting overall wellness. Acupressure can be applied in different forms; it may be manual manipulation, or by creating suction, or placing heated herbs above specific acupoints. Typically, acupressure treatment does not cause the patient pain or discomfort.
- Aromatherapy
Originating in France, where it is a part of mainstream medicine, aromatherapy is a modality that uses plant oils with specific aromas to support and balance the mind, body, and spirit in the promotion of relaxation and healing.
The plant oils are distilled in a natural process without synthetics into essential oils, which are highly concentrated and typically blended with an inert base oil. Inhaling essential oils, such as from candle-burning or use of an air diffuser, can have immediate effects such as calming. Application in appropriate strengths through the skin can promote additional benefits, such as healing of minor injuries or other pain relief. Aromatherapy can be used for relaxation, and also in an effort to prevent or relieve various conditions, injuries, disorders, and diseases. - Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
This ancient (and modern) theory of medicine with unique diagnostic methods and systematic approach includes medication, pharmacology, herbology, acupuncture, massage and QiGong. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which encompasses many different practices, is rooted in the ancient philosophy of Taoism and dates back more than 5,000 years. Today, TCM is practiced side by side with Western medicine in many of China's hospitals and clinics, and is widely used in the U.S.
In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a 'balanced state'; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of Qi. In traditional Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health can be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians.
This view is based on the ancient Chinese perception of humans as microcosms of the larger, surrounding universe-interconnected with nature and subject to its forces. The human body is regarded as an organic entity in which the various organs, tissues, and other parts have distinct functions but are all interdependent. In this view, health and disease relate to balance of the functions. - Doula
A doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical and informational support to the woman who is expecting, in labor or has recently given birth. The doula's role is to help women have a safe, memorable and empowering birthing experience.
Labor support or birth doulas are trained and experienced labor support professionals who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women. They use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, relaxation techniques, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor/birth support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in a hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. Some doulas also offer several prenatal visits, phone support, and one postpartum meeting to ensure the mother is well informed and supported. The terms of a labor/birth doula's responsibilities are decided between the doula and the family. In addition to emotional, physical and informational support, doulas work as advocates of their client's wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.
Postpartum doulas are hired to support the woman after birth, usually in the family's home. They are skilled in offering families evidence-based information and support on breastfeeding, emotional and physical recovery from childbirth, infant soothing, mother-baby bonding, and coping skills for new parents. They may also help with light housework, coordinate freshly made nutritious meals for the mother, and help incorporate older children. The terms of a postpartum doula's responsibilities are decided between the doula and the family. (Definition provided by the Capital Region Doulas. For more information, please visit www.capitalregiondoulas.org) - Essential Oils
Essential oils are utilized in many complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM)practices including aromatherapy and massage. Essential oils are plant oils with specific aromas to support and balance the mind, body, and spirit in the promotion of relaxation and healing.
The plant oils are distilled in a natural process without synthetics into essential oils, which are highly concentrated and typically blended with an inert base oil. Inhaling essential oils, such as from candle-burning or use of an air diffuser, may have immediate calming effects. Application in appropriate strengths through the skin may promote additional benefits, such as healing of minor injuries or other pain relief. Aromatherapy can be used for relaxtion, and also to help prevent or improve various conditions, injuries, disorders, and diseases. - Holistic Health Practitioner
Holistic health practitioners offer an increasingly respected and centuries-old alternative type of healthcare that emphasizes total wellness of mind, body, emotions and spirit. They treat people not as collections of parts and diseases, but as whole individuals. Most holistic health practitioners have knowledge in some or all of the following areas: anatomy and physiology; human energy healing systems; nutrition and body chemistry; stress management and relaxation techniques; therapeutic touch and bodywork; spirituality in healing; natural remedies such as herbs, essential oils and homeopathic preparations.
- Meridian Flexibility
Meridian Resistance Flexibility and Strength Training is a system of stretching and strength training developed by Olympic Coach Bob Cooley, of the Meridian Flexibility Center.
The program design incorporates advanced circuit training principles as well as alternating muscle/antagonist targets. The participant controls the resistance levels, allowing intensity to range from mild rehabilitation to optimal neuromuscular strength and lean muscle mass stimulation.
The program is designed to have the participant provide both the resistance and the stretch; working two sets of his or her muscles simultaneously. This stretching of the muscle under tension results in both increased stability and range of motion. - Reflexology
Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and/or hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.
It is a non-invasive complementary form of therapy that encourages the body to self-correct. This is accomplished through first doing a visual observation, then by applying an exercise pressure upon relax areas to achieve a specific, highly specialized relaxation in that area of the body. Points on the feet and hands correspond to various zones and organs throughout the body. Precise pressure on these reflex points can stimulate energy and release blockages to the specific areas of pain or illness.
Conditions Addressed (Click to view description)
- Back Pain
Each year, up to one-quarter of U.S. adults experience low-back pain. Most people have significant back pain at least once in their lives; often, the cause is unknown. Back pain varies widely. For many people, it lasts only a few weeks, no matter what treatment is used. But for others, the pain can become chronic and even debilitating. Low-back pain is a challenging condition to diagnose, treat, and study.
Overall, studies have shown that spinal manipulation can provide mild-to-moderate relief from low-back pain and appears to be as effective as conventional medical treatments. In 2007 guidelines, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society include spinal manipulation as one of several treatment options for practitioners to consider using when pain does not improve with self-care. - Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that lasts beyond the expected time for healing (it can be weeks, months, or years) and interferes with normal life. The injury has healed, but the pain continues. Pain is a feeling triggered in the nervous system. The pain message may be triggered by muscle tension, stiffness, weakness, or spasms. The pain may be sharp or dull. It may come and go, or it may be constant. You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen or chest or you may feel pain all over, such as when your muscles ache from the flu.
Whatever the cause of chronic pain, feelings of frustration, anger, and fear can make the pain more intense. Chronic pain can affect all areas of your life and should be taken seriously. Your response to pain is determined by many factors, including your emotional outlook. For example, depression seems to increase a person's perception of pain and decrease her or his ability to cope with it. Often, treating the depression treats the pain as well. Sometimes chronic pain is due to an ongoing cause, such as cancer or arthritis. Sometimes the cause is unknown. A healthcare professional can help you evaluate your pain and its cause. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat pain. Treatment varies depending on the cause of pain.
Pain can be helpful. Without pain, you might seriously hurt yourself without knowing it, or you might not realize you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Once you take care of the problem, pain usually goes away; therefore, it is important to seek appropriate care when you are experiencing pain. - Depression
Depression is a medical condition that affects many millions of American adults each year. Mood, thoughts, physical health, and behavior all may be affected.
The most common symptoms of depression include; persistent sad, anxious, or 'empty' feelings, feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness, restlessness or irritability, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that the person once enjoyed, fatigue and decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and/or making decisions, insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping, overeating, or appetite loss, thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts, persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease with treatment.
There are many forms of Depression and the exact symptoms and degree of severity depends on the individual person. In major depression (also called major depressive disorder), people experience symptoms that interfere with their ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and take pleasure in activities they once enjoyed. Symptoms last for at least 2 weeks but frequently last for several months or longer. In dysthymia (also called dysthymic disorder), a less severe, but more chronic form of depression, people experience symptoms that are not as disabling but keep them from functioning well or feeling good. Symptoms last at least 2 years. Many people with dysthymia also have episodes of major depression.
In bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness), people have periods of depressive symptoms that alternate or may co-exist with periods of mania. Symptoms of mania include abnormally high levels of excitement and energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive and inappropriate behavior. Other forms of depression exist that fall into the category of minor depression. With this type of depression, people experience the same symptoms as major depression, but they are fewer in number and are less disabling. Symptoms last at least 6 months but less than 2 years continuously. Mental health is how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.
Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Everyone feels worried, anxious, sad or stressed sometimes. But with a mental illness, these feelings do not go away and are severe enough to interfere with your daily life. It can make it hard to meet and keep friends, hold a job or enjoy your life. Mental illnesses are common, they affect about one in five families in the U.S. It is not your fault if you have one. Disorders such as depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and many others are real diseases that you cannot will or wish away. Fortunately, they are often treatable. Complementary, alternative, integrative and mainstream practitioners offer therapeutic options that may help improve the life of most people with mental illnesses.
- Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue. People with fibromyalgia have chronic widespread pain, as well as 'tender points' on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs, which hurt when slight pressure (about 9 pounds) is applied.
People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as; trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called 'fibro fog'), Irritable bowel syndrome, and depression. Women with fibromyalgia may also have painful menstrual periods.
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but problems with the nervous system could be involved. It is estimated that fibromyalgia affects as many as 1 in 50 Americans. Most people with fibromyalgia are women, and most are diagnosed during middle age. However, men and children also can have the disorder. - Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by an inability to initiate or maintain sleep. It can also present as early morning awakening where a person awakens several hours early and is unable to go back to sleep. Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep may often present itself as excessive daytime sleepiness, which commonly results in functional impairment throughout the day. Before being diagnosed with primary insomnia, other potential causes need to be ruled out, such as other sleep disorders, side effects of medications, substance abuse, depression, or other previously undetected illness. Chronic psychophysiological insomnia (or "learned" or "conditioned" insomnia) may result from a stressor combined with fear of being unable to sleep. People affected with this condition may sleep better when not in their own beds.
- Menopause, Change of Life
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her period stops and she can no longer become pregnant. It is a normal change in a woman's body. Menopause can occur naturally or be caused by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. A woman is said to have completed natural menopause when she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months (and there are no other causes, such as pregnancy or illness, for this change). This typically happens after age 45. Menopause occurs immediately if the uterus or both ovaries are surgically removed, or if the ovaries are damaged in cancer treatment with radiation therapy or certain drugs.
Menopause is sometimes called,'the change of life.' In the years leading up to menopause, a woman's ovaries slowly make less and less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. You might not be aware of the changes happening in your body. Or, you might have symptoms as you near menopause. Many women wonder if these symptoms are normal, and many are confused about how to treat their symptoms.
Menopause affects every woman differently. Your only symptom may be your period stopping. You may have other symptoms, too. Some symptoms that women experience are related to menopause and decreased activity of the ovaries. Others may be related to aging in general.
Scientific evidence of a link to menopause is strongest for the following symptoms; hot flashes and night sweats, sleep difficulties, and vaginal dryness, which can lead to painful intercourse and other sexual problems.
It is not certain whether the following symptoms are due to menopause, other factors that can come with aging or a combination of menopause and these factors; problems in thinking or in remembering things, urinary incontinence, physical complaints, such as tiredness and stiff or painful joints, and changes in mood, such as depression, anxiety, and/or irritability.
After menopause, bone loss speeds up for several years as estrogen levels rapidly decrease. Bone loss can cause bones to weaken. Weak bones can break more easily. When bones weaken a lot, the condition is called osteoporosis. - Multiple Sclerosis, MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a nervous system disease that affects the nervous system including the brain and spinal cord.
It damages the myelin sheath, the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells. This damage slows down or blocks messages between the brain and body. Symptoms of MS can include visual disturbances, muscle weakness, trouble with coordination and balance, sensations such as numbness, prickling, or 'pins and needles,' and thinking or memory problems.
The cause of MS is unknown. It may be an autoimmune disease which happens when your body attacks itself. Multiple sclerosis affects woman more than men. It often begins between the ages of 20 and 40. Usually, the disease is mild, but some people lose the ability to write, speak or walk. There is no cure for MS but medicines may slow it down and help control symptoms. Physical and occupational therapy and some Complementary and Alternative therapies may also help.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless Legs Syndrom (RLS) is characterized by an unpleasant "creeping" sensation, often feeling like it is originating in the lower legs, but often associated with aches and pains throughout the legs. This often causes difficulty initiating sleep and is relieved by movement of the leg, such as walking or kicking. Abnormalities in the neurotransmitter dopamine have often been associated with RLS. Talk to a healthcare practitioner if you suspect you have RLS.
Common Ailments Addressed [ Show ]
Contact Information
Name: Erin McKinney
Hands Can Heal Therapeutic Massage, Birth Support and Childbirth Education
Click to visit this practitioner's website.
485 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: 518-339-1130
Fax: 518-453-9252
Contact this Practitioner [ Show ]
Qualifications
Degree: NYS Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Labor Support Professional, Certified Childbirth Educator
Schools Graduated:
- Center For Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy, Albany, NY (2003)
- American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth (2007)
- ALACE/ Family Life Center Doula Training/Certification (2008)
Professional Association Memberships:
- AAHCC- Affiliated Childbirth Instructor
Years in Practice: 6 - 10
Financial Information
Average Cost per Initial Visit: $51 - $100
Average Cost per Session: $51 - $75
Credit Cards Accepted? no
Insurance Accepted? yes
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