Massage Testimonials on Beka's Work with New Motor Vehical Injuries, Whiplash, Shoulder and Old Low Back Injuries

I worked with Beka, of Ashland, Oregon after I had a high speed whiplash injury from a car accident. Her massages helped relieve the discomfort in my neck.  Her gift is finding the exact points in the body that are causing the pain and clearing them.  She always made my neck and shoulders feel better.  The exercises she showed me helped speed my recovery.  I would recommend her massage therapy for any physical issue you are facing.  She is not only a massage therapist but also a skilled technician.  Bonnie Slay, Seattle, Washington

I have been to many different therapists in the past.  I was always given a long list of exercises to do with no explanation.  Beka is the first person to explain what is going on in my body and how each exercise specifically helps that area.  She really understands how each muscle functions and how the whole body works.  She used hot stones, suction cups, organic balms and oils during my massage to clear pain and trigger points.  Her massage sessions helped me reduce stiffness in multiple areas including an old injury in my low back.  She teaches how you can integrate rehab exercises into your daily life, which is much easier.  I enjoyed her information on an anti-inflammatory diet and wellness lifestyle.  Susan Springer, Illahe Gallery, Ashland Oregon

Beka Chandler is a Massage Therapist & Injury Specialist in Ashland, Oregon, serving Talent, Phoenix, Jacksonville &  Medford.  http://www.bekachandler.com, Beka@bekachandler.com  

How My Sled Dog Fisher Grew Beyond PTSD

     Fisher the sled dog resembled a black wolf.  If he were a boy he would have skate boarded.  If  he were a man he would have enjoyed a single shot of whiskey at night while sitting by a wood stove looking out the window at winter.  When I first made his acquaintance, he was skittish, dying to play and afraid to be touched.  That was the first day of the start of our loving friendship that would last forever.

     The strong, wolfy, easy pleaser lived with a recreational team out in a valley right on the trails.  During my visits, we loved to play chase.  After a few weeks, he trusted me enough and for the first time I touched him.  I would never have been fast enough to catch him so he slowed down and let me just reach his back.  Then he tucked his tail, curled his but up and under like a snail and tore off.  I do not know what had happened to him.  Probably a musher had been abusive and hurt him for making a mistake for something he didn't even know.  Even though Fisher didn't want to, he lost his trust of all humans.  Fisher was not fitting in to any kennels, being hard to handle and catch he was getting passed around.  He had a lot of strength and he was an honest dog.   

     A few months later, the musher who had him said he had decided to get rid of him and did I want him.  A dream had come true for us.  Soon after I brought him home, we went for a walk.  Out in the woods in Alaska you can pee anywhere, no one is around.  Feeling nature calling, I bent down and suddenly felt a warm stream hitting my low back.  It was very meaningful to me.  Fisher was marking me, he liked me and was claiming to the world that I belonged to him.  Since he was to scared to kiss me, he was showing me he considered me his friend.  
     When friends came over they were amazed at the changes in him.  Putting the harness on him got easier and easier over time.  One day a musher came to visit.  "I can't believe what you have done with Fisher.  I have seen times when mushers couldn't get him out of the box on the dog truck."

     Fisher was the first dog with trauma I had worked with.  He was a great teacher.  Inside every body is the wisdom that knows what to do to heal.  So far Fisher was letting me catch him and even rub his belly.  The next step was encouraging the sled pulling tail wagger to give kiss on the chin.  

     The first time I said, Fisher give me a kiss, his eyes got big, he wanted to.  For dogs this can be dangerous for putting your face near a mean animals mouth can get you bit.  He couldn't do it.  My intuition said to work on the positive desire.  I went to each dog near him and they gave me a kiss.  

     He barked, "I want to, but I am scared".    This and the chase game, where I would tag you're it his low back, were our fun desensitization games.
     The last Musher who had him could never catch him if he got loose.  "How did you get him back?"   He told me "I had to call a friend, the only guy who could catch him."  I finally ran into the catch man.  "How did you do it?"  I asked.  "I gave him a pot brownie and waited till he fell asleep."  It was lucky he didn't die, marijuana can kill dogs
     I went over to a friends house with Fisher to go skijoring (skiing with 1 to 3 sled dogs tied to a climbing harness).  We had to run a quick errand.  We left Fisher in the fenced yard.  He thought I was leaving him forever and escaped.  I kept calling the pound.  "Yes we are getting many calls he is running in traffic on the Steese Highway, now he's on the expressway."  Sadly, I was on the opposite side of town and always missed him.  It was beyond horrible.  Days went by with no sight of him. 
      A corner store had been getting reports he was sleeping off Farmers Loop road.  Driving one day I thought I saw a black spot.  I pulled into a little field and called.  He came running and let me catch him!  The feeling went beyond words.  He was skinny and tired and happy to be home.  After a week of exhaustion we fattened him up and he was ready to start pulling sleds or skijorers.  
     One day after I had had Fisher for over 7 years he stood up on his hind legs face to face with me and gave me a kiss on the chin.  He was saying mom I made it through my fear, thank you, I love you.  It was the most meaningful kiss of my life.  Healing is always happening never give up.


Beka Chandler Massage & Injury Specialists of Ashland, Oregon.  Beka is a massage therapist, injury specialist, business consultant & health educator in Ashland, Oregon.  She has a lot of fun blending 25 years of personal growth, intuition and healing arts adventures with over 20 years of experience from her clinical massage practice to inspire people. 
Feel free to send her an email or call at your leisure.  http://www.bekachandler.com, Beka@bekachandler.com (541) 778- 0015

SI Joints, How Massage & Exercise Can Improve Your Low Back Experience

     Getting to know your SI joints is easy and can take the mystery out of many low back and hip issues.  Think of the sacrum as an upside down triangle, where your hips meet your back are two little joints on both sides of your sacrum.  They feel kind of like little ridgy clam shells and they are right under the cute little dimples in your low back.  If you poke them strongly and they hurt, some fun and easy SI joint exercises will do you a world of good.
     Once you learn where they are and the exercises to fix them you are empowered for life.  Some movements can be done while sitting at work, in bed or anywhere really.  While sitting, open your legs wide and put your fists on the inside of both thighs.  Use your strait arms to resist while you "Squeeze the beach ball".   This feels especially good on the outsides of the SI joints.  My favorite exercise because I named it and it is fun and sticks in the mind is "Separate knee mountain ".   With this move you keep knees together with fists providing resistance on the outside of your knees and pull knees apart.  This massages the joint, especially on the inside of the two joints.  These work the horizontal plane of the joints.  The SI self correct is a super exercise for getting more movement on the lateral plane.  It is probably on tube.  You basically pull your knee to the same side arm pit and hold your knee to your arm pit with your arm while your knee tries to escape and pushes down.  It is good to get checked so you know which side needs it longer, usually the hip that is lower in the front.  

     I am happy to check you and show you exercises during a massage anytime.  If this does not provide relief you may have trigger points or stuck fascia pulling things out of whack.  Always do exercises slowly, engaging your breath and resist to a count to 7 Mississippi.  Try 7 reps twice a day.  Even 2 is better than none.  Best life to you,   Beka  

Beka Chandler is a Massage Therapist & Injury Specialist in Ashland, Oregon a really healthy place!  http://www.bekachandler.com, Beka@bekachandler.com