Breastfeeding: Problem solving Breastfeeding is a wonderful and natural approach to feeding our newborns.

Although many women plan to breastfeed, often, many are challenged with re-occurring obstacles that lead to frustration, pain and depression and sometimes defeat. Even those women that have been successful with their breastfeeding goals often still find themselves struggling with reoccurring problems that drain on your energy. I recommend that all women spend some time with their Midwife or Lactation Consultant to help identify those challenges. The most common obstacles that we see are blocked milk ducts, mastitis, latching problems, poor milk production, tongue tied baby or pain due to the posture of breastfeeding. It is helpful to identify the problems, but often the solutions offered can only help so much. Instead of getting the help they need, many women feel their only option is to resort to the bottle with either expressed milk or formula. What has been overlooked when addressing treatment for these problems is asking where did the problem originate? The number of women that suffer with reoccurring breast infections that are either treated with antibiotics or time could be reduced significantly if someone would treat the underlying cause. Most of us whether we have given birth or not are carrying around an enormous number of fascial restrictions. These restrictions will ultimately pull bones out of alignment, block milk ducts, cause tension or deviations in a babys jaw, contribute to tongue tie in babies as well as cause numerous aches and pains throughout the body. What is fascial tissue? Fascia tissue is composed of approximately 20% elastic fibers and 80% collagen fibers. When in a healthy state, it is very strong yet flexible. It is housed in a fluid-like matrix known as ground substance. It has the tensile strength of 2000psi.That is like pulling a car with your tissue. It is a continuous fiber that appears web like within the body. Tension or restrictions in one area can pull on the fibers in an entirely different area of the body. Restrictions in this tissue are caused by trauma, postural imbalances, dysfunctional and/or repetitive movement patterns or inflammation. These will create dehydration of the ground substance causing compression and tremendous tension on the body. Imagine 2000psi of strength pulling down on your joints. Your body will attempt to balance the strain and recruit muscles and other tissue to counter the pulling affect. Over time muscles will fatigue and weaken as they cannot compete with the strength of the fascial tissue. Pregnancy and childbirth are large contributors to restrictions. More so if you had a cesarean section as now there is restrictive scar tissue as well.

What can be done? Myofascial Release is a therapy that specifically addresses fascial tissue. Skilled therapists feel for the restrictions and then apply gentle but sustained pressure at the initial barrier of the restriction. At first, the elastic component of the fascia will release allowing the collagenous barrier to be engaged. This barrier cannot be forced. The therapist applies gentle pressure. As the collagenous aspect releases, the therapist follows the motion of the tissue until the tissue is released. This time factor is essential for lasting results. Since fascia is designed to protect us against sudden impact and movements that could damage our internal structures (think of how you brace before impact in a fall), it needs to be engaged slowly in order to reverse its protective tightening response. It requires a minimum of 1.5 2 minutes of sustained pressure at (not beyond) the fascial barrier before a fascial restriction will begin to release. Conditions treated Although myofascial release has been successful in treating numerous muscluoskeletal conditions it has been highly helpful in many pre and post pregnancy concerns. These include but are not limited to; Mastitis Blocked milk ducts Pelvic imbalances Pelvic pain Incontinence Tongue tied (ankyloglossia) Painful Intercourse Jaw deviations in babies (affecting latching) Muscle weakness/tension (affecting latching) Caesarian or episiotomy scars Postural pain due to pregnancy or breastfeeding Coccygeal pain/dislocation

Seeking out a skilled Myofascial Release therapist is a great treatment option, but did you know that you can learn to self-treat as well. Self-treatment Myofascial stretching can increase the speed of your progress and help you to create and maintain lasting changes in your body. Myofascial stretching follows the principles of Myofascial Release which uses gentle and sustained pressure into the fascial system. Choose

your favorite stretches or yoga routine and try applying the following approach. You will notice how much different you feel and how much longer the results last. This stretching differs from traditional stretches in the following ways;

1. Time element. It takes at least 120 seconds for the fascia to begin to engage so you will want to hold your stretches for at least 3-5 minutes to allow releases to occur. Myofascial stretching affects not only the musculature and the elastic components of the connective tissue but also the collagenous component, which allows for a lasting change within the fascial system. 2. Active Elongation. Without the assistance of your therapist, active elongation allows you to engage the fascial barrier which is the point at which you feel the resistance to the stretch. 3. Presence/Awareness. Tune in and allow yourself to be present feeling for tension. Direct your breath into tight or restricted areas. Notice the easing or slack that comes as the release takes place. Next elongate into the next barrier and wait patiently for another release to take place. Using your attention in this way will increase the effectiveness of your stretching and enhance your body awareness. Note how different one side feels to the other.

How does it feel? Myofascial stretching may elicit an array of sensations in the body and these will change as you follow the body further into the tissue, release after release. It can feel like taffy spreading or melting. There can be sensations of burning, ripping, itching, pulsing, tingling or heat. There can be a fluctuation between increased tension and slack in the tissue. The sensations can intensify as a release is occurring and subside as the tissue releases. Over time and with practice, you will feel the fascia loosen and change. Until you are able to feel this, trust that if you are holding your stretch for longer than 120 seconds, change is occurring whether you are able to feel it or not. Even though you may not be directly stretching the area of restriction, because the fibers of the fascial system are continuous throughout the body, you will reach your areas of tightness indirectly. If you feel that you need additional focus in areas, you can seek out a trained myofascial release therapist (often a registered massage therapist or physiotherapist).