Dealing with chronic pain? This program may help

From pain relief and improved every day mobility to injury rehabilitation and increased flexibility, MELT can be beneficial for all ages and fitness levels. CONTRIBUTED

From pain relief and improved every day mobility to injury rehabilitation and increased flexibility, MELT can be beneficial for all ages and fitness levels. CONTRIBUTED

To say that the MELT Method has made a difference in Michele Giles’ life would be an understatement.

“I have arthritis, bad knees and bad feet, I was struggling to get out of a chair or up the stairs,” Giles said. “MELT has been life-altering for me, I have so much more mobility.”

It wasn’t long after the 53-year-old Xenia woman tried MELT that she became a believer. Those success stories mean everything to MELT instructor Velvet Swartzel.

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“I am regularly blown away by the difference it makes for my clients who come to class in pain and leave feeling as though they’ve had a massage,” Swartzel said. “I found MELT in 2013 and knew it was something I wanted to learn and share with others. I believe MELT has an even greater potential to make a profound difference in the everyday lives of my clients. We don’t all have to be rock stars, but we should all have quality of life as we age.”

MELT Method

The MELT Method was designed to reduce chronic pain. It is based on research that indicates that a balanced nervous system and healthy connective tissue working together provide body support and optimal mind-body communication.

“In a nutshell, MELT is a simple, self-treatment technique that reduces chronic pain and helps people stay healthy and active for a lifetime,” said Swartzel, who has studied with MELT creator Sue Hitzmann. “We utilize specially designed soft body rollers and small balls in class with a goal of rehydrating the connective tissue system and balancing the nervous system.”

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The program is designed to improve the body’s ability to restore balance and repair itself, which can create lasting changes.

“Research has confirmed that just living our lives contributes to the dehydration of our cellular tissue and if we don’t do anything, it just gets worse,” Swartzel said. “MELT is manual therapy which is very empowering.

“It isn’t the kind of class that asks you to push through the pain to get results. The MELT philosophy is that you shouldn’t have to cause pain to get out of pain.”

MELT Benefits

From pain relief and improved every day mobility to injury rehabilitation and increased flexibility, MELT can be beneficial for all ages and fitness levels.

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“I don’t want to be on a lot of medications,” Giles said. “Before MELT, my pain level was between 8-10, now it’s between 1-3. I’m so grateful.”

But the method isn’t just for those with chronic pain.

“It’s wonderful for athletes or to help with injury recovery,” Swartzel said. “I don’t have pain I would consider chronic, but MELT has definitely given me the tools to feel better on a daily basis.”

Try MELT

Candlelight MELT

What: Slow down with a relaxing MELT Method session to candlelight. Calm the nerves and recharge the body as you MELT the holiday stress away. Bring an exercise mat, all other equipment will be provided.

When: Dec. 11, 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Where: Samaritan North Health Center, 9000 N. Main St., Englewood

Cost: $15, call the Samaritan Well-Being Center at 937-734-5860 to register

Intro to the MELT Method

What: Using MELT hand and foot treatment balls and soft roller, learn how to reduce joint pain and muscle tension with self-treatment techniques that rehydrate connective tissue and rebalance the nervous system. Bring an exercise mat and water bottle to class, all other equipment will be provided.

When: Jan. 6, 9:30-11 a.m., Samaritan North Health Center

Cost: $15, call the Samaritan Well-Being Center at 937-734-5860 to register.

For additional MELT programs

Visit: www.LotusFlowerWellness.com or Lotus Flower Wellness on Facebook

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