Massage Therapy and Dentistry

Going to the dentist can be stressful for many people. Massage can help you relax. In addition to reducing anxiety, massage is beneficial in many other ways:

Physical Benefits of Massage

-- Strengthens the immune system
-- Relaxes the nervous system
-- Increases circulation of blood and lymph fluids
-- Promotes deeper and easier breathing
-- Increases joint flexibility and range of motion
-- Reduces blood pressure
-- Reduces muscle spasm and tension
-- reduces pain

Psychological Benefits of Massage

-- Improves sense of well-being
-- Reduces stress and anxiety
-- Reduces sense of isolation
-- Nurtures the spirit
-- Increases body awareness

How will massage therapy help before I see the dentist?

Massage therapy can help to relax your body and mind. Through increased circulation in the oral tissues, massage can help prepare the area for dental work.

How will massage therapy help me after dental work?

Massage therapy is beneficial in the overall healing process.

Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

The temperomandibular joints (TMJs) or the jaw joints are located in front of each ear. Each joint is made up of the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible or lower jaw. The TMJs move when we chew, talk and even swallow. They are probably the most used joints in the body. Because of injury, sometimes these joints become misaligned causing pain in the head, neck and face. TMJ disorders involve ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels.

Massage therapy can reduce pain, muscle tension, spasm, TMJ swelling and increase mobility due to TMJ disorders.
For more information, page Donna at (847) 569-4534

Donna Schiller is a certified massage therapist, a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). She is trained in: Swedish massage, sports massage, muscle/trigger point therapy and myofascial therapy. In addition, Donna is trained in Lymphatic Drainage, TMJ Dysfunction and CranioSacral Therapy. She strives to compassionately integrate various techniques to restore normal function, reduce pain and tension and facilitate ongoing health. Donna has a Master's DEgree in Public Health from the University of IL. She currently works at Lutheran General Hospital in cancer research.

Donna Schiller
Biography

I was first exposed to the wonders of massage therapy when I was eight years old. My grandmother had severe arthritis in her shoulders and back. Every Saturday morning she asked me to rub her back. She would tell me what felt good and what didn't. This went on for years. Although the frequency of our weekly ritual decreased as I got older, I believe that the memory of my grandmother, the warm, sunny mornings and the gentle touch left an indelible impression in my body.

After completing college, I volunteered for the Emma Goldman Women's Health Center. Emma's provided a variety of health care services for poor women in the Chicago area. Although Emma's has been closed for years, I am blessed to have developed my sense of compassion and respect.

Years later, after completing a Masters degree in Public Health, I decided to volunteer at the Chicago Women's Aids Project (CWAP). This community-based organization provided support services for women and their families affected by HIV/AIDS. A student from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy was also volunteering at CWAP. After attending an information session on massage therapy and HIV/AIDS, this wonderful student asked if I wanted to learn some techniques! I jumped at the chance. I practiced massage therapy twice each month for the clients at CWAP. This went on (quite happily) for three years. The blessing of compassion continues.

I have worked in the area of health care research since finishing public health school. The people I met and experiences I had in various hospital settings left deep impressions on my soul. Some of these experiences include: teaching medical students how to compassionately conduct gynecologic exams; starting a speakers' bureau at Planned Parenthood; coordinating a needs assessment at Cook County Hospital; teaching medical residents how to do research; participating in a national HIV/AIDS study; currently, managing cancer prevention research studies.

Today, all these experiences meld with my massage therapy practice. I shall always be grateful to my colleagues and instructors at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy for helping me put it all together. The Universe has many ways of revealing herself. I truly believe that each person and situation in my life impacts who I am.

Namaste

[Home] [General Information ] [About Dentistry] [Field Trips] [My Family][Forensics] [Personal Manias] [Read My Resume] [ New Products and Services ] [Ask The Dentist] [Links + Awards]
Massage Therapy and Dentistry

Going to the dentist can be stressful for many people. Massage can help you relax. In addition to reducing anxiety, massage is beneficial in many other ways: Physical Benefits of Massage -- Strengthens the immune system -- Relaxes the nervous system -- Increases circulation of blood and lymph fluids -- Promotes deeper and easier breathing -- Increases joint flexibility and range of motion -- Reduces blood pressure -- Reduces muscle spasm and tension -- reduces pain Psychological Benefits of Massage -- Improves sense of well-being -- Reduces stress and anxiety -- Reduces sense of isolation -- Nurtures the spirit -- Increases body awareness How will massage therapy help before I see the dentist? Massage therapy can help to relax your body and mind. Through increased circulation in the oral tissues, massage can help prepare the area for dental work. How will massage therapy help me after dental work? Massage therapy is beneficial in the overall healing process. Temperomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders The temperomandibular joints (TMJs) or the jaw joints are located in front of each ear. Each joint is made up of the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible or lower jaw. The TMJs move when we chew, talk and even swallow. They are probably the most used joints in the body. Because of injury, sometimes these joints become misaligned causing pain in the head, neck and face. TMJ disorders involve ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Massage therapy can reduce pain, muscle tension, spasm, TMJ swelling and increase mobility due to TMJ disorders. For more information, page Donna at (847) 569-4534 Donna Schiller is a certified massage therapist, a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). She is trained in: Swedish massage, sports massage, muscle/trigger point therapy and myofascial therapy. In addition, Donna is trained in Lymphatic Drainage, TMJ Dysfunction and CranioSacral Therapy. She strives to compassionately integrate various techniques to restore normal function, reduce pain and tension and facilitate ongoing health. Donna has a Master's DEgree in Public Health from the University of IL. She currently works at Lutheran General Hospital in cancer research. Donna Schiller Biography I was first exposed to the wonders of massage therapy when I was eight years old. My grandmother had severe arthritis in her shoulders and back. Every Saturday morning she asked me to rub her back. She would tell me what felt good and what didn't. This went on for years. Although the frequency of our weekly ritual decreased as I got older, I believe that the memory of my grandmother, the warm, sunny mornings and the gentle touch left an indelible impression in my body. After completing college, I volunteered for the Emma Goldman Women's Health Center. Emma's provided a variety of health care services for poor women in the Chicago area. Although Emma's has been closed for years, I am blessed to have developed my sense of compassion and respect. Years later, after completing a Masters degree in Public Health, I decided to volunteer at the Chicago Women's Aids Project (CWAP). This community-based organization provided support services for women and their families affected by HIV/AIDS. A student from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy was also volunteering at CWAP. After attending an information session on massage therapy and HIV/AIDS, this wonderful student asked if I wanted to learn some techniques! I jumped at the chance. I practiced massage therapy twice each month for the clients at CWAP. This went on (quite happily) for three years. The blessing of compassion continues. I have worked in the area of health care research since finishing public health school. The people I met and experiences I had in various hospital settings left deep impressions on my soul. Some of these experiences include: teaching medical students how to compassionately conduct gynecologic exams; starting a speakers' bureau at Planned Parenthood; coordinating a needs assessment at Cook County Hospital; teaching medical residents how to do research; participating in a national HIV/AIDS study; currently, managing cancer prevention research studies. Today, all these experiences meld with my massage therapy practice. I shall always be grateful to my colleagues and instructors at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy for helping me put it all together. The Universe has many ways of revealing herself. I truly believe that each person and situation in my life impacts who I am. Namaste
[Home] [General Information ] [About Dentistry] [Field Trips] [My Family][Forensics] [Personal Manias] [Read My Resume] [ New Products and Services ] [Ask The Dentist] [Links + Awards]