Kids have it easy commercial

I saw a commercial today that left me feeling a bit horrified. It was a 14 year old boy talking to some younger boys about how they have it so easy nowadays. The younger kids were on the couch with their laptop computers. The 14 year old boy spoke about having to wait 1 whole minute sitting in front of his computer for something to download, and now he has back problems. As amusing as this may have been for the commercial, I couldn't help but think how the newer generation will most likely have more back issues due to sitting in front of their computers for hours each day. Technology has taken us all a long way. Many of my older clients that work at a desk position for 8-12 hours a day come in with persistent back pain. Many have smartphones, or ipads, or some other device in which they hold it in a way that they are looking down at their machines. They complain of neck pain, headaches, and other back related issues. As our society becomes more dependent on these devices. I can't help but think about the issues we will be facing in the future. Take this as a reminder to get up, move around, at the very least each hour. Set a timer at your desk while at work. Set a timer for your children when they are doing their homework. Make sure you stretch a bit. Just get up and move. The more mobile we are now, the more mobile we will be in the future.

Backpacks and Back Pain

Did you know that choosing the right backpack can help prevent serious back pain and injury? Did you also know that the way your child chooses to wear your bag can also affect back pain? Here is a simple list to follow on what to do and what not to do when it comes to choosing and wearing a backpack.

1. Look for a backpack made out of a lightweight canvas material. The lighter, the better.
   
2. Find a backpack with thick, padded straps. Wider straps provide optimal support.
   
3. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the bag sits close to your child's body.
   
4. If you find a backpack with an extra waist strap, make sure your child uses it for even better for weight distribution.
   
5. When wearing the backpack, your child should use both straps, and not carry it on one shoulder. If he/she does do that, it will lead to uneven weight distribution and can lead to long term back problems in the future.
   
6. When filling the backpack, make sure to put the heaviest items in first so they are closest to your child's body. This will help keep your child standing upright and minimize leaning forward.
   
7. Make sure your child's backpack isn't too heavy for them. The full bag should not weigh more than 15% of his/her body weight. So for a 100 pound child, their bag shouldn't weigh more than 15 pounds.
   
   
   While you are purchasing all the basic school supplies such as pencils, pens, notebooks, rulers and so on, make sure that the backpack they keep everything in is right for them.
   
    
   

Make your own foam roller

Have you heard about foam rolling and its benefits? It is basically a way for you to be able to massage your muscles on your own.  It is a great way to save some money, and take care of yourself between massage appointments.  The use of foam rollers has become widely popular to athletes and workout enthusiasts, but you don't need to have an intense workout routine to get the benefits of self massage through foam rolling.

Foam rollers come in different sizes, and vary in density.  There are ways to make your own by covering pvc pipe with layers of foam, but I have found an even cheaper way to make one.  You know those pool noodles that keep you afloat?  they make monster size ones, and that is what I used.  To give it a bit of support, insert a broom stick, or a skinny pipe, or you can even cut the noodle in half and use one half cut to size to fit inside the other.

Here is a picture of the homemade foam roller that I created.  It works great and better yet it cost less than $5 to make.  I cut the noodle in half, and took a plastic broom handle to add support.

Here it is!  My DIY foam roller.

That's it.  How simple is that? 

Now you want to know how to use it?  A quick search on youtube will get you many results, but we found this very well put together video.  http://life.gaiam.com/video/roll-it-out-myofascial-release
I would just suggest going a bit slower to really feel out the areas that need extra attention, and when you find one, sit there for a while with your foam roller pressed into that area and breath into that spot until it relaxes a bit.

10 Reasons to Get a Massage Today!

Here are my top 10 reasons to get a massage:

1. Reduce Fatigue – If you are really tired, a massage can give you a few moments to relax, even if it is just a few minutes out of your day. That can leave you feeling re-energized!
2. Increase Mental Clarity – At some point I'm sure you have felt mentally exhausted either from a project you are working on, or from a personal problem that has taken all of your energy. You may feel like you have a foggy brain. The simple act of touch, as in a massage, will help you to focus your energy. All that tension you had been experiencing begins to dissipate. Once that mental stress is reduced, you will feel more alert and energized.
   
   
3. Reduce Stress - Recent scientific research has found that massage affects the immune system in the following ways: it decreases arginine vasopressin, a hormone that contributes to aggressive behavior, and also decreases the amount of cortisol also known as the stress hormone.
   
   
4. Relieve Muscle Tightness and Tension – This one is no secret. You make an appointment to get a massage because your body is sore from working out, gardening, or moving boxes, etc... and after the massage is over, you feel like you can climb Mt. Everest. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration there, but if you have ever had a really good massage, you know what I mean. And if you haven't, then make your appointment now.
   
   
5. Increase your Range of Motion (ROM) – When a muscle is so tight that it begins to hinder your range of motion, say to raise your hands over your head, or behind your back, it can really start to affect your daily life. Getting regular massage will help you to regain and keep your full ROM.
   
   
6. Reduce Muscle Cramping – Have you ever ran a race, and afterward you begin to cramp up? If there is a massage therapist on site, he/she can take care of the cramp right away. Being hydrated will help too!
   
   
7. Boost Immune System – Massage increases the amount of lymphocytes in your body, cells that help the immune system defend the body from harmful substances. 
   
   
8. Improve Posture – Ever really notice when you are slouching during the day? When you do, do you find your self automatically stretching your arms back behind you? Your body knows which muscles are feeling tight, and that is your automatic response to slouching. Now, getting a massage on those tightened muscles can help you improve your posture so much more. Ask me to assist you with a Snow Angel stretch for your pectoral muscles, and you will notice your upper back feeling less tense.
   
   
9. Get Healthier Skin – Depending on the massage people are getting from me, I use different emollients. Most of the time it is pure jojoba that I use. Technically not an oil, it is a liquid wax ester from the jojoba plant. This emollient is the closest to our natural oils. It does not clog your pores and it soothes and conditions the skin. Jojoba is naturally full of Vitamin E.
   
   
10. Improve your workout - Think of a cold rubber band. If you stretch it what will happen? Probably will snap and break off. Now think of your muscles. If you don't warm them up, stretching them can be harmful. They say to 'never stretch a cold muscle' for a reason. Getting a quick sports massage right before a 5k walk/run or marathon, or game, or even a workout can help to warm up your muscles so that you can have a longer endurance and work stronger.

So tell me, why do you get massage? Enter your comment below to let us know.

Exercise while in your car. Did you know you can?

Whether you have a long commute to work, driving is your job, or even if you are just waiting for your kids to get out of school, sitting in a car for a long period of time can leave you feeling a little stiff. Here are a few exercises you can do while waiting at a red light, and a few you can do while driving. As always, take caution when doing these exercises. It won't be helpful if you are too distracted to drive and end up causing an accident!

The easiest exercises to do while driving all have to do with holding, tightening, then letting go. These are called isometric exercises. Let's start with the feet, and work our way up the body.

• Lift toes, hold 10 seconds, relax and repeat. Then curl your toes, hold 10 seconds, relax and repeat. Now wiggle, wiggle, wiggle those toes!
  

• Now concentrate on your calves. Activate your muscle, hold for a few seconds, now release. From this point forward, I will just say squeeze and release.
  
• Now concentrate on your quads (thighs). Squeeze and release.
  
• Now your butt is probably the most numb from sitting in your vehicle for so long. Squeeze your gluts, hold for a few seconds, now release. Try that again. Ahhhh! So much better. =)
  
• For the abs and chest, let's try a breathing exercise. This will also mobilize your spine a bit. Think of an empty glass that you are about to pour water into. It fills from the bottom up. Then picture drinking it through a straw, it empties top to bottom. Now imagine you are the glass and the air you breathe is the water. Take a breath in and concentrate on where you are filling up. Your belly will expand first, then your ribcage will open and finally your shoulders will rise just slightly. Now exhale by lowering your shoulders back down, your ribcage will close back in, and your belly will shrink. Do this a couple of times, but not too many! You don't want to get dizzy from all that fresh air while you are driving.
  
• Back to the isometrics. Your abs. Tighten them (make sure you are still breathing), hold a few seconds, and release.
  
• Arms. Squeeze those biceps, and release.
  
• Hold on to that steering wheel really tightly, and now relax your hands.
  
• Now on to your neck and shoulders. Shrug your shoulders up, hold for a few seconds, and release.
  
• Your back. While holding onto the steering wheel, pull your shoulders down and back, as if you were trying to touch your shoulder blades together. Hold it...and release.
  

So, how do you feel now? Do you feel like you already worked out for the day? =) You can always find time to do your exercises, even if you have a long commute. Let me know what your favorite exercise is to do, or if you have any more to share.

Prevent and Relieve Back Pain

It is getting colder out, and I seem to be hearing many more stories of people injuring their backs this time of year. Following are some easy stretches for the back (especially that lower back) that can help prevent that soreness you feel after putting up those holiday lights.  The lower back resting pose is also great for if you already feel you may have slightly injured your back.  (If you have injured yourself, it might be a good idea to go visit your doctor or chiropractor first to rule out any serious injuries.)

 As with any exercise, if it hurts to do any of these, please do not do them!  Consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.


Lower Back Resting Pose (my favorite!)
This exercise is done near an ottoman or chair.
1. Lie on your back with the chair at your feet and raise your legs in the air.
2. Bend your knees and place your lower leg on the top of the ottoman or chair. Your lower legs should be at a 90 degree angle with the floor and your bottom should be near the base of whatever you are using as a leg rest.
3. Relaxing your lower back, rest in this pose for 10-15 minutes. You should feel a decrease in the strain on your lower back muscles. If not, try adjusting your position.
4. While in this position, concentrate on your breathing.  Take a few deep breaths and as you inhale, your belly should rise, then your chest and then your shoulders.  As you exhale, bring your shoulders back down, your chest falls, then your belly falls as well.

Lumbar Vertebrae Stretch
1. Lie on your back with knees bent.
2. Pull in and tighten your stomach muscles while flattening your lower back to the floor.
3. Hold for a few seconds. Repeat several times.

Neck and Lower Back Wall Stretch
1. Stand with your back straight against a wall.
2. Gently move your lower back and neck toward the wall. Without over stretching, hold for a few seconds.
3. Repeat several times.