Just a quick update on my progress in nursing school. The RN program at CNI College is amazing and I love how the knowledge I’ve gained in anatomy, biology and physiology have made me so much more aware of the individual situations of my massage clients. The difficult part is to avoid performing a nursing assessment on my clients and simply allowing them to relax and enjoy their massage sessions.
CNI College
Taking wellness to the next level
I’ve decided to take my passion of helping others to the next level, so I joined the nursing program earlier this year at CNI College to pursue my dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. The 20-month, 130-unit program is fast-paced yet exciting, and I love every day that I learn more about the human body.
I’m still working as a full-time massage therapist. However, will not focus on utilizing my skills as a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM) at this time.
I hope you invite me to share your journey towards total wellness.
Enzo Frazier
Massage therapist
Personal Trainer
Massage FIXX: I graduated!
I completed my 900-hour, 11-month advanced massage therapy course through CNI College and wanted to take a moment to rave about the school and their staff. I thought I knew everything there was to know about providing professional massage to my clients, but this extensive massage course really impressed (and challenged) me. I learned so much about anatomy, business practices, industry trends, professionalism and ethics. It not only drilled the basics (Swedish, Deep-Tissue, Sports and Chair) but also taught spa services such as hot stone, aromatherapy, body scrubs and mud treatments as well as more specialized modalities such as Trigger-Point, Infant Massage, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage, Shiatsu, and Elderly Massage.
I recommend CNI College here in Orange County, CA to anyone looking to become a well-trained massage professional. Check out the school’s website here
Enzo
Community FIXX: Nurturing To Remember Event
I am honored to have been able to assist at a third annual “Nurturing to Remember” event, which helps women heal from the grief of losing a baby.
The event was held this past Monday at the Pacific Edge Hotel right on the sand of Laguna Beach. It was hosted by Forever Footprints, a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit that organizes the OC Walk to Remember each year in memory of children who were lost to miscarriage, stillbirth and sudden infant death.
Five of us students from CNI College’s Massage Therapy program offered free massages during the seven-hour event to offer comfort from the stress these women are experiencing. I expected a very somber event, yet was impressed at the strength of the women I met and their ability to move forward past their pain and loss.
Enzo
Massage FIXX: Massage as effective as surgery for treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
I wrote a research paper on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) for massage school and am posting an abbreviated version of my findings.
CTS is a progressive peripheral entrapment of the median nerve by the transverse carpal ligament, causing sharp, shocking pain and/or numbing. Common symptoms include:
- Tingling or numbness in the thumb, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and occasionally the 4th finger.
- Pain radiating or extending from the wrist up the arm to the shoulder or down into the palm or fingers, especially after forceful or repetitive use.
- A sense of weakness in the hands and a tendency to drop objects.
Causes
- It is often difficult to identify a single cause of CTS. The Mayo Clinic (2011) reported that a combination of risk factors generally appear to contribute to the development of the condition. While these factors alone do not cause carpal tunnel syndrome, they may increase the chances of developing or aggravating the condition. These factors include:
- Anatomic factors. Wrist fracture or dislocation can alter the space within the carpal tunnel and create pressure on the median nerve. Also, it is more common in women, possibly because the carpal tunnel area is relatively smaller than in men.
- Nerve-damaging conditions. Certain chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and alcoholism, increase the risk of nerve damage, including damage to the median nerve.
- Inflammatory conditions. Illnesses that are characterized by inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or an infection, can affect the tendons in the wrist and create pressure on the median nerve.
- Alterations in the balance of body fluids. Certain conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, obesity, thyroid disorders and kidney failure can affect the level of fluids in the body. Fluid retention may increase pressure within the carpal tunnel, irritating the median nerve.
- Workplace factors. Working with vibrating tools or in an assembly-line type of setting which requires prolonged or repetitive flexing of the wrist may create harmful pressure on the median nerve, or worsen existing nerve damage. The Department of Rehabilitation Staff from The Brigham & Women’s Hospital (Brigham & Women’s Hospital, 2007) points out that scientific evidence is conflicting and that workplace factors haven’t been established as direct causes of CTS. There is little evidence to support extensive computer use as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome, although it may cause a different form of hand pain.
BodyFIXX Total Wellness 