Alternative Treatment

Massage therapy is used to help manage health conditions, as well as to help enhance individuals’ wellness. With massage therapy, muscles are manipulated in a way that eases pain and reinforces healing; for many people, massage therapy is an excellent addition to treatment at Avalon Malibu as the mind, body and spirit work to heal and rejuvenate from the negative aftermath of substance abuse. One type of massage therapy in particular - Thai massage - can greatly help a person relaxes and provides many benefits. It’s a bit different from traditional massage therapy approaches in that it involves the client lying on a padded mat on the floor, in which a masseuse guides and manipulates a person’s body into yoga positions and stretches.  Some clear benefits are Thai massage are lowered stress, boosted energy levels, experiencing greater relief from headaches, enhanced circulation, improved range of motion and so much more.Thai massage can assist with all types of back pain as well, including upper and lower back pain, neck and shoulder issues, osteoarthritis of the knee, headaches and other conditions. For those in addiction recovery, the pain experienced from withdrawal and general healing can really wear a person down physically and mentally. Massage therapy, such as Thai massage, can gently help a person improve their mental, physical and spiritual health while promoting sobriety in their recovery journey. Alongside receiving Thai massage, it can be helpful for those in recovery to practice daily breathing and stretching exercises. For those who are more comfortable staying fully clothed, Thai massage can also be a great opportunity for staying relaxed without having to take off clothes. If you’re ready to explore Thai massage, along with a variety of other holistic practices aimed at benefiting your addiction recovery journey, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when someone has witnessed a traumatic event – and many people find that the symptoms are incredibly disruptive to their daily lives. Those with PTSD may experience nightmares, flashbacks, paranoia, anxiety, depression and more, and this can lead to people wanting to abuse substances in order to get through the discomfort of their PTSD symptoms. Much tension is held throughout the body in those with PTSD because of being startled easily, overly stressed, easily angered, or due to having issues with insomnia. If this is something you’ve been struggling with, addiction recovery is a great place to begin working through the physical, mental and emotional symptoms that have held you back in making the most of your life.  Holistic practices treat the mind, body and spirit in a way that is restorative – and if your doctor recommends it, massage therapy could be a great form of treatment. Most people in the U.S. have experienced some form of trauma at least once in their lives, and with so many different experiences that can be had with PTSD, treatment like massage therapy can bring back a loving, compassionate tone to a person’s recovery journey. Previous studies have explored just how powerful massage therapy can be – even for people such as firefighters, who are exposed to traumatic incidences regularly. Massage therapy was found to significantly improve the symptoms of PTSD in many of these workers, which can mean a lot in a person’s daily life.  Massage therapy reduces cortisol (a stress response) and increases serotonin (which regulates mood, sleep, appetite, etc.) and dopamine (the “feel good” chemical). With this, people in addiction recovery can feel less anxious and less in danger, as massage therapy can provoke feelings of security. For someone who struggles with both addiction and PTSD, massage therapy could be just one of many areas of treatment that could make a world of difference.

When selecting a treatment center, there are many different factors that you want to look into. Long-term success in recovery has been shown to meet individual’s needs not just by focusing on a person’s mental illness or addiction, but also by exploring other areas of a person’s life that may have been negatively effecting them. Recovery is a time to learn how to deal with challenging emotions better, gain a greater sense of clarity, and identify goals that we can work towards achieving for the future. There are several necessities that are needed for healing and restoration – and it’s important to incorporate these into treatment instead.   Previous studies have emphasized the importance of a client’s comfort in treatment, as well as cleanliness and hospitality to their family members and other staff as well. In addition to having a space that minimizes errors, falls, and infections, places like Avalon Malibu really emphasize comfort and security. The rooms at Avalon Malibu are very spacious and beautiful, which makes it even easier for patients to feel relaxed and to spend time focusing on their recovery.  Recovery involves a person’s willingness to become sober, change their lifestyle and behaviors, and work on developing tools that are better for their health and wellbeing. Nutrition helps to restore the balance of the mind and body, which is why Avalon Malibu will provide the nutritional assessment and guidance that a person needs. Through eating the right food and getting adequate exercise, you can work towards replenishing your overall health and well-being.  No matter your circumstance, you’ve likely experienced ups and downs that have affected you in one way or another. It’s important to work through those issues so that you can heal and move forward with your life – something that psychotherapy and a host of other holistic activities can help you achieve. If you’re ready to seek help, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Many people struggle with feeling anxious or depressed or angry, and they find it hard to talk about it. For many previous generations, it’s been a challenge to talk about feelings because we’re told to suppress it and hold it deep inside. We hold it in, expecting the pain to fade away – but when it doesn’t, we find ourselves searching outside for solutions, and in many cases, that’s when addiction becomes part of our daily routine. Recovery is a time when we can release some of what’s been holding us back – to talk through the challenging emotions and find healing. Expressive therapy uses music, art, dance, poetry and other creative instances within the context of psychotherapy or rehabilitation. Addiction recovery is about working through some of the hardest experiences and emotions that we’ve held onto for so many years, and expressive arts therapy can help us reach this place in a way that simply talking about it can’t. Previous studies have shown that expressive arts therapies can work wonders for those in recovery, especially alongside other treatment practices like meditation, yoga, nutrition management and more. Other studies have shown that expressive art therapies can help those in recovery understand their thoughts and feelings better, which helps a person become stronger in moving towards healing and restoration. For those who are seriously considering expressive arts therapy, it’s important to understand the many factors that go into it, such as:

There is so much pain that we experience throughout our lives, yet many of us haven’t been taught healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with these challenging, heartbreaking situations. We spend months, sometimes years, searching for something that will ease the discomfort that we’re feeling; we begin abusing alcohol or drugs to numb the pain and take away the agony – and while it seems to work temporarily, the reality is that over time, we find that we’re not able to get rid of the hurt completely. If you’re ready to dive into some creative, holistic approaches to healing in addiction recovery, you’ll find that music therapy is worth looking into. On the surface, music therapy may be depicted as simply listening to music and finding relief from it; while this could certainly be true, it takes a much stronger precedent in addiction recovery. In fact, music therapy could be defined as a health profession where music is used for therapeutic healing – to address cognitive, emotional issues, physical concerns, and social needs of people in recovery. While addiction recovery is certainly the main focus of treatment, music therapy can also tend to the unique needs of individuals such as those with emotional or behavioral concerns, depression, anxiety, and other related issues. Music therapy is holistically a creative process that could involve more than simply listening to music, but could also involve activities like creating songs, singing, dancing, interpreting the lyrics to songs, and so much more.   Music therapy truly provides a unique mode of communication in which those in recovery can discover some of the core beliefs they’ve picked up throughout their lives – and even for instances in which it’s difficult to talk about, music can bring out important messages through emotion.  Music therapy sessions are always led by a licensed therapist, and it often begins with the therapist trying to get ot know the client a bit better and what their needs are. From there, a variety of activities may be scheduled over a longer period of time and the therapist and client may work together to break through some of the things that have been holding them back – even some post-traumatic growth periods of triumph may occur. Previous studies have found that unique treatment approaches, such as songwriting and lyric analyses, can bring about emotional changes in patients by giving them time to think and reflect on not only the songs and their meaning but also on what they’ve personally gone through – and sometimes greater insight is gained from it. The willingness itself to participate in music therapy offers clients in recovery with a powerful opportunity to harness what they’ve gone through and redefine their story – or, at a fundamental level, to understand what they’ve been going through a little better. Despite many people’s views that music therapy is simply about “strumming a guitar,” it goes beyond that to provide more deeply connected tools for a person, that can be used to gain greater meaning from pain or to help individuals like family members heal from painful situations.  Music therapy sessions tend to have a therapeutic component that involves a sort of structure or system that the therapist and client set in place, but they also have a portion of therapy that involves direct application of music to bring thoughts, feelings, and emotions to life. Everyone’s experience in music therapy will be different – but for many, the journey is worthwhile. Many people in music therapy treatment fear that they need to be an “artist” or to have musical talent, but that’s not the case. In fact, even a person with no musical ability can benefit from music therapy because it’s more about emotional healing than it is about the practicality of being able to play or interpret music. There are several benefits that can derive from music therapy, such as a person being able to have a sense of community and understanding as others may be involved as well. Music therapy can help create positive rifts in the way a person views themselves, especially as they discover that they’re not alone in recovery. Music therapy can also help promote self-discovery and release tension that may be held inside; in most cases, music therapy has a wonderful effect on addiction recovery and can foster safe opportunities to work through a variety of feelings. If you’re ready to seek help, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects so many people around the world, and the symptoms can truly be debilitating. Many people with PTSD experience nightmares, flashbacks, paranoia, anxiety, depression and more, with some individuals relying on substances to help ease their physical, mental and emotional pain. When PTSD is involved, there is typically a lot of tension throughout the body – a person then becomes easily-startled, stressed, angered, or has trouble sleeping. If this is something you’ve been struggling with, addiction recovery is the time to begin working on some of these issues so that you can go on to lead a healthier, happier life.  Holistic practices are often used to help individuals work through some of the mental, physical and spiritual turmoil that they may go through not just with PTSD, but also with addiction recovery. Without treatment, a person with PTSD may go on to exhibit behaviors that only make things worse – and by pursuing holistic treatment options alongside addiction recovery, like massage therapy, meditation, yoga, art therapy and more, a person can develop a stronger understanding of the PTSD they’re battling and tools they can use to work through it. A common group of people who struggle with PTSD includes those in the professions of police work and firefighters, including people in social work because of the constant trauma they may experience as they save others’ lives. In other instances, childhood trauma can have a significant impact on a person’s well-being even well into adulthood.  Massage therapy reduces cortisol (a stress response) and increases serotonin (which regulates mood, sleep, appetite, etc.) and dopamine (the chemical that makes us feel good). This type of practice can help the body relax, which then translates into the mind relaxing as well. For someone who struggles with both addiction and PTSD, holistic practices are a safe route to go – and can be personalized depending on the person’s needs. Now is the time to take a firm hold on your self-care; it’s time to get your life back.

Previous research has shown that depression can have a significant effect on our mental, physical and spiritual standing. Many people diagnosed with depression also battle sleep issues like insomnia, appetite problems (such as over or under-eating), lack of energy, difficulties concentrating, low self-esteem, and more. In other instances, there are a number of other physical symptoms that may be experienced such as migraines, joint pain such as fibromyalgia, digestive problems such as constipation and bloating, chest pain, back pain with tension in the neck, and more – which can certainly have a negative impact on daily life. Previous studies have shown that nearly 70% of people with depression also experience aches and pains; if you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, massage therapy at Avalon Malibu could help you greatly. A relaxing, full-body massage involving massage oil and lotions can greatly help reduce symptoms of depression that weigh heavily on a person’s daily life. Another major benefit of massage therapy is that there are different types of massage that can help people depending on their needs. For example, therapeutic massage can help a person achieve a full-body sense of relaxation, while a sports massage can help those who are quite active throughout the day or participate in particular sports. Whatever your needs are, you can speak with your therapist to see what would work best for you moving forward. Massage therapy has been shown to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, manage lower back pain, reduce muscle tension, relieve tension headaches, improve balance, lower blood pressure, and so much more. Avalon Malibu offers an exceptional massage therapy program alongside traditional treatment for addiction recovery – and having this alongside your regular program activities, including other holistic practices like meditation and yoga, you’ll feel more confident in moving forward in healing. As previous research has shown, massage therapy benefits the mind, body, and spirit. A relaxing environment in massage therapy can help you to release pent-up stress and other emotions that may be weighing heavily on your body as you progress through treatment. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu to learn more about massage therapy and treatment programs that could assist you on your journey to recovery. It’s never too late to seek the help you need.

Many people consider diary writing to be “stupid” when indeed it can be very helpful. In fact, diary writing has been used for so many years – and by so many people - to uncover deeply hidden feelings, make sense of behavioral patterns, and find new ways of understanding events that have happened in the past. Have you ever tried diary or journal writing before? While it may seem “silly” or “childish”, there are so many benefits in doing this. Who knows, you may learn something new about yourself that could aid in greater strength and healing while in recovery.

Millions of people all across the world struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Common symptoms of this disorder include frightening flashbacks and nightmares, paranoia, agitation, anxiety, depression, and more, which obviously makes it hard to function in daily life for many people. Not everyone who goes through a traumatic event develops PTSD, but of those who do, it can leave long-lasting physical and/or emotional damages. If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, it’s possible that you may feel things will never get better – that you’ll constantly be stuck in a state of misery. But that’s not true. Writing therapy, in particular, has been shown in numerous studies to help people work through their emotions and traumatic memories to find healing and strength. With writing therapy, a person may experience relief from stress, improved immune system functioning, and the ability to understand and learn from one’s emotions – which can have a significantly positive effect not only in their daily functioning but in how they view themselves, the world and others as well. The reason why writing therapy is so beneficial is that it combines expressive writing and CBT techniques to help individuals find new ways of viewing and expressing themselves and their life stories, particularly in their mental script. It’s hard to talk about painful events in one’s life, but writing about it can help. After all, you’re your story. When writing it down, you can write it however you want – you get to choose what you want to say and how you want to say it. For many people, this gives them a sense of control because they do not have to be questioned or confronted regarding what they’ve written; writing therapy gives them an opportunity to get everything out of their system and out into the open. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu to begin working towards your own healing journey. There are so many things you can write about, and you may find that you become more resilient from it.

Each day, we’re filled with thousands of thoughts, feelings, moments and more. All of these impact us not only on a daily basis but add up over time to create what our daily lives entail – and since they all combine to form our lived experiences, they’re all equally important. True health and well-being are based on three primary areas that tend to cover nearly every aspect of living: mind, body, and spirit. Part of addiction recovery is working on emphasizing these three areas of life – oftentimes, addiction can take away from these most vital components of living and so during recovery, we have to strengthen them again. When we’re actively involved in substance abuse, our brain becomes flooded with dopamine, a “feel good” chemical that causes us to involuntarily want more and more of the drug. In many cases, loved ones will state that their brother, sister, mother, etc. are acting differently than they used to – for instance, people may suddenly lie, steal, or act defensively/mean when substances are involved, even if they would never say anything or act a certain way if they were sober. In fact, many addiction recovery professionals associate addiction with “hijacking” a person, because they no longer are themselves.  This is one of the most commonly discussed areas of addiction, and that’s because it’s the easiest to see; addiction can significantly affect the body in the way the brain functions, but also in the way the body functions. A clear indicator of this is when someone becomes intoxicated – a person is no longer able to think clearly, and it may become more difficult for them to make rational choices. Health organizations state that long-term addiction can lead to a number of physical health problems such as: a weakened immune system, damaged kidneys, liver or lungs, heart problems, rotted teeth, skin infections and more.   The least discussed by society – but one of the most important aspects to discuss in addiction treatment – is how a person’s spirit becomes affected by substance abuse. Substances can take over nearly every aspect of a person’s life, and this can cause them to lose important relationships with friends and family, their career progression, meaningful hobbies and more. Over time, a person’s life can become centered by only substances and less with things that contribute to happiness, health, and fulfillment.    Treatment is about not only treating the addiction but also helping a person regain balance in mind, body, and spirit. Everyone is on different paths and have different needs, which is why a personalized treatment plan is crucial – without it, certain needs may not be met, and it may become easier for a person to dive back into their old lifestyle. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help individuals reduce old, negative thought patterns that are keeping them down and replace them with newer, more productive ones to uplift their happiness and health. In addition to that, group therapy can provide valuable lessons and experiences along with moments of connection to build social support. When individuals in recovery begin to focus on nutrition management, they’ll find that their mind, body, and spirit become replenished. Even effective tools of treatment such as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), can provide incredibly useful tools for everyday life.  Exercise is a crucial component of healing and growth in recovery, as it reduces stress, improves serotonin levels, and sets us up to think more clearly. Nutrition not only affects the brain but the body too – and with healthier eating habits, we’re likely to suffer less with mental illness and despair; furthermore, proper rest can help the body heal itself from the damages of addiction – which is greatly needed for a person’s full recovery. If you’re looking for some excellent, sober-filled activities to dive into, rock climbing and playing sports could not only give you a chance to connect with others but could yield you with positive physical benefits such as greater flexibility and strength enhanced blood circulation and others. Mindfulness can help us regain a sense of balance amidst the chaos; psychologists say that mindfulness can help reduce rumination and stress while boosting working memory, focus, less emotional reactivity, greater meta-cognitive flexibility, relationship satisfaction and so much more. Even activities such as yoga can not only aid the body and mind but the spirit, too – with a greater sense of grounding, we can make decisions that are more proactive for our health. Not to mention, social support can provide a wonderful base for a happier, healthier life and can help individuals find nurturement throughout their sobriety journey. Lastly, therapy can greatly help individuals work through deep problems they may not otherwise have dealt with – in effect, all of these strategies can help a person’s mind, body and spirit grow. If you’re ready to seek help, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Starting a regular yoga practice is a great idea. When we truly commit to mindfulness practices or exercises, we start to reap the rewards. Yoga is no exception. When we start to practice yoga regularly, we start to feel more connected to our minds, bodies, and the world around us. We start to feel more flexible, strong, and clear-headed. We start to notice our breath, become more mindful and less stressed, and we begin to feel a deeper connection with spirit. Sometimes the prospect of starting a new habit or routine can be daunting and the mental stress of thinking about it can prevent us from starting it all together. Here are some tips for how to start a regular yoga practice so that you can experience the wonderful mind-body benefits.

Lately, it seems as though there’s a yoga studio popping up on every corner. Yoga is an ancient practice for connecting the mind and the body and it’s way more than just exercise. Yoga can have spiritual and mental components, as well. The word “yoga” translates as “to yoke” or “to unite” and it’s all about uniting the mind and the body through our movements and breath. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the amazing benefits of yoga and why it’s so wonderful to have a regular practice. If you’ve ever completed a yoga class, you know that you feel very different at the end than when you walked in. Yoga has a way of resetting the brain and making us feel both calm and energized, aware and soothed. Our bodies are more limber and our minds are clearer. Physical benefits of yoga include increased strength and flexibility, as well as improved heart health and reduced inflammation. If you’re doing a very physical type of yoga, such as vinyasa or Ashtanga, you’ll notice a serious boost in your stamina and overall aerobic capacities. Additionally, yoga helps us to become more aware of our mental states, our breath, and the intricate connection between body and mind. Yoga is a practice of concentration and when we look at it as a way to connect as opposed to just a physical exercise, we start to notice some of the mental health benefits. It helps decrease stress, anxiety, and depression, while also increasing overall mood, memory, and concentration. The spiritual aspect of yoga helps us to feel more connected to not only ourselves but the world around us. When we start to get in the flow of breath and movement, we realize that we are one part of a whole and that everything truly is connected. In this sense, we can see yoga as a path for spiritual transcendence and heightened awareness.