FOOT HEALTH

While most people are concerned about their back, neck and shoulders it is important to remember the feet. This is especially true if you are on them for long periods of time during the day. With lots of use your feet become tired and sores. And, if they are not take care of they cane begin to give you all kinds of trouble that can begin to effect other areas of the body.

So, rub a little hand lotion on your feet and work it in sometimes. Additionally get your massage therapist to work on your feet when you go in for a session. This can get rid of soreness and that tired foot feeling as it improves the circulation in your feet a and lower legs.

Lastly, if you have diabetes foot care is extremely important, so get a massage and don't let 'de' feet get you down.

"Nuff Said"

Prudent Advice

I've seen numerous people with muscular aches and pains over the years. Most of them just needed a helping hand, or hands, to get them on the road to recovery and feeling their best. However, some had muscle imbalances due to different reasons, and some had repetitive movement injuries related to their job. In this second group I always try to give suggestions and advice on how to keep from re-injuring themselves. Here is some advice I give out a lot.

Combating Head/Shoulder Forward Posture
This happens a lot with students in college who study a lot Also, this occurs with people who have jobs requiring them to be hunched over a computer for long periods of time. This posture can cause the pectoral muscles in the chest to tighten up as well as cause problems to the rhomboids located in the upper back. And, when the rhomboids are constantly stretched without relief they rebel, become tight and cause lots of pain.
Here are some simple solutions:

• Place a post-it note on on the periphery of your computer screen saying, "Relax, Straighten up.
• Place a figurine, rock, miniature stuffed animal, etc. on your desk where you will notice it from time to time. When you do notice it check your posture.
• Both of the above ideas can be further used to remind you to take numerous mini-breaks while you are working. When doing this think of your posture. Pull your shoulder blades closer together to move your shoulders back, head up straight and positioned over the body, take a slow, deep breath and relax a few seconds. Then, get back to work.
• And, a massage once a month wouldn't hurt either.
  

"Nuff Said"

Nerve Entrapment Syndrome

A condition that results in continuous or intermittent compression of one or more peripheral nerves. Cause: Certain peripheral nerves are prone to compression because they pass through specific regions tthat are subject to the effects of pressure from surrounding areas, as in repetitive movements, for example. From: Premkumar, Kalyani; Pathology A to Z, A Handbook for Massage Therapists; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,a wolters Kluers business, p. 251.

I have worked with several people who have had this problem. In one case a lady was sewing dresses for her granddaughters wedding along with handling a lot of other activities pertaining to the wedding. She began to have pain in her shoulders going down her arms and her hands were slightly numb. After a couple of sessions she was better and busy with the wedding plans.

So, if you are doing a lot of repetitive work with you hands and arms and have similar problems get a massage. You'll be glad you did.

Caution: Pain shooting down the arms along with numbness can be caused by a more serious condition especially if it comes on suddenly with nausea and sweating or you feel clammy. In this type of situation talk to a medical professional at once.

FYI - HEADACHES

Don’t be too quick to pop a pill for that throbbing noggin. Researchers at the University of Granada in Spain recently discovered that working key trigger pints in the neck for thirty minutes can relieve a tension headache–and reduce anxiety to boot. From; Shape-Shape Your Life Magazine; Nov. 2011; News You Kneed; p.54

From: Shape-Shape Your Life Mag zine; Nov. 2011; News You Kneed, p. 45

FYI-Back Pain

Chronic back pain may respond more effectively to massage than to medication or physical therapy-and the results can last as long as six months-according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. From: Shape-Shape Your Life Mag zine; Nov. 2011; News You Kneed, p. 45

FYI-Back Pain

Chronic back pain may may respond more effectively to massage than to medication or physical therapy-and the results can last as long as six months-according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal medicine. Shape-Shape Your Life Mag zine; Nov. 2011; News You Kneed, p. 45

Circulating Health

While eating an apple, orange or any fruit or vegetable provides the body with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to keep it healthy and strong, it is necessary for there to be a delivery system to get this nutrition to all parts of the body. And, of course this system is the circulatory system.

Massage therapy aids the circulatory system. It promotes healthy blood flow throughout it pushing along life sustaining nutrients and oxygen with the blood. And if that's not enough, massage also speeds up the elimination of cellular waste and carbon dioxide.

There are many other positive effects of massage on the body. Therefore, its a good thing to get a massage. This is especially true if you do a lot of hard, strenuous physical work or you are involved in repetitive work over long periods of time.

So, if you've never gotten a massage you should try it. You'll be amazed at how much better you will feel.

"Nuff Said"

Prescription for Health

While it might be true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a massage a month can help to do the same thing. And, it can help you keep moving and pain free as well!

Vocabulary Lesson

In the Jan./Feb. 2012 issue of the "Massage & Bodywork Magazine" (P.15) Kathleen Adams
wrote that one of her pet peeves is people referring to her as a masseuse instead of a massage therapist.

To me the term masseuse, a female providing professional massage, and masseur, a male providing professional massage are antiquated terms. And, even though they seem to have some nefarious connotation in the back of my mind, I was not able to find any dark definitions upon a cursory search on the internet. Yet, it seems some people, including me, seem to think the two terms have some sort of sexual connotation.

In conclusion, it is best these days to refer to legitimate massage therapists as being massage therapists. This is especially true when the therapist is providing legitimate and proper service to his , or her, clients.

Ben Gustafson; LMT
MASSAGE THERAPIST

"Nuff Said"

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

When making your resolutions and goals for 2012 consider getting a massage every month or two. This can help you feel your best as well as clear your mind for the work ahead.

Have a great year.
Ben Gustafson