HEALTH TIPS
Lately, I have been sharing with my clients massage-bodywork techniques you can do at home to help reduce pain, stay in alignment, etc. These are economical remedies to help alleviate pain in your neck, back, IT bands, gluts, your feet, and where ever else you hurt. The “equipment” I suggest you probably already have stashed in your home somewhere, but if you do not, you can go to a 2nd hand sports store, a softball/baseball field, a tennis court, or golf course…
So if you have a softball, tennis ball, and/or golf ball, you are in business to do your own massage-bodywork!
Start with a tennis ball and roll it:
On the bottom of your feet while standing or sitting – great for plantar fasciitis.
On your temples – great for headaches.
On both sides of your spine – must have 2 tennis balls. Lie on the bed or floor (is better) and put 2 balls at the base of your neck (great for headaches) or on sides of your spine (great for back pain) and just lie there. You can also move the balls down your spine or do compressions down your spine.
For those who graduated from using tennis balls, use a golf ball instead.
With a softball, put it in a long sock and roll it:
Anywhere you have pain…great for your back, IT bands, gluteal (butt) muscles, calves, etc. For the back, stand with your back facing the wall. With the softball in a sock, put it between the wall and your back, and start finding areas that hurt. Once you do, hold it for up to 10 seconds. If the pain does not go away, find another spot to address, and then revisit the initial spot of pain later to see if it has lessened or gone away. If the pain is very intense or the pain does not go away, make sure you lighten up on your pressure.
You will need to be creative on how to use these balls as massage tools for your muscles, but they do great work.
Also, always make sure you are drinking enough water, eating well, getting plenty of rest, and exercising daily. These actions will keep the pain away, too.
Lastly, I have used softballs to give-away – given to me from 2 of my clients on a local women’s softball team.
RESOURCE OF THE MONTH
Some other cool “tools” to have are a foam roller and/or the trigger point pro. These tools are similar in usage to the balls discussed above:
Foam rollers: Visit “http://www.nefitco.com/foam_rollers.html?source=”. (Copy/paste link between quotes into your browser). I recommend getting a 3ft roller.
The trigger point pro: Visit http://www.massagewarehouse.com/itemdetail~item~230+0050.asp.
As always, do your research for better prices and what works for you.
FOR ALL MILITARY
Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities. Also, you can ask your military healthcare provider about seeing an acupuncturist/a chiropractor “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.
However, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system like acupuncture and chiropractic services.
I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.
INFORMATION ABOUT MY PRACTICE
My practice focuses on stretching contracted connective tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) and deactivating trigger points (hyper-irritable pain spots), which allows your body to release pain and to find its natural alignment so that you can move without feeling pain. I specialize in several modalities from gentle to intense. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.
If you are in a pinch, I have gift certificates available for upcoming holidays (like Valentine’s Day!), birthdays, and other celebrations.
If your company is interested in establishing or maintaining a wellness department to provide pain and stress prevention to its employees for improved work performance, please, contact me. I am available to speak to your company or organization about general health and the benefits of massage-bodywork therapy.
If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!