Massage Warsaw- Massage Therapy – Warsaw Acupuncture

Category: Pain Management & Self Care

  • Video: Shoulder Exercises for Improving Posture & Decreasing Chronic Pain

    Here is a video for some exercises for improving shoulder posture. It is definitely worth a try for people who haven’t had much luck with the traditional stretching exercises. Traditionally, to correct posture, we focus on increasing the length of shortened muscles or increasing the strength of weak muscles in an attempt to bring the body’s posture back to equilibrium. The technique proposed in this video focuses on awareness and activating. These gentle, almost effortless movements bring the participant’s attention to muscles that are often ignored. In this example, the participant activates her serratus anterior muscle, which is a small postural muscle whose weakness is often overcompensated for by larger muscle groups like the trapezius muscles. Teaching the participant to use her serratus anterior muscle results in a more evenly divided workload for the postural muscles, which in turn lead to better posture and reduced chronic pain. With the shoulder blade sitting better on the torso, the many neck muscles that originate from the torso or shoulder blade experience reduced stress.

    I tried the exercises myself on the weekend after a long bout of cycling (ie. sore neck and shoulders) and found instant relief.

    Enjoy the video.

  • Video: Exercise for Lower Back Pain: The Cat & Dog Stretch

    Here is a video on a great little exercise to help ease lower back pain. It is called the “Cat & Dog Stretch” and it is very useful in helping to mobilize the back vertebrae and take pressure off the spinal joints, discs & nerves. Remember that much pain in the body comes from inactivity, poor circulation and tight muscles. This simple exercise is also an excellent first step in relieving pain from a herniated disc.

    To do the exercise, go slowly. You should not feel any pain with the exercise. If you do feel discomfort, decrease the range of movement. If the pain is aggravated with the exercise, discontinue. Try to do 10 repititions 3 times a day (morning, mid day and night) for the best benefit.

    (ps. I apologize for the excessive use of spandex in the video. Nevertheless, it is a good, simple explanation of the exercise)

    (pss. No, that is not me in the video. It’s some other bald guy on Youtube)

  • Yoga for Pain Reduction

    Since becoming a massage therapist, I have quickly found the limits my body can go before it needs help. The work is tiring and physically demanding and burns out many RMT’s by the 5 year mark. This is why I religiously follow a program of postural awareness, stretching exercises, epsom salt baths, weight training and most important of all: yoga. Yoga has done wonders for helping me maintain my core strength and flexibility and decreasing lower back pain. I plan on writing more on these topics in the near future, but for now I’d like to give props to my yoga teacher, Julia. She can be found on her website: http://www.yoga-vibe.com/

  • Success!

    I spent so much time in the last few posts talking of my little slip ups doing my detox cleanse that I figured it’s about time that I gave you some positive news.  The day’s not over yet, but so far, I haven’t cheated.  Same goes for yesterday where I was a model of discipline and determination (minus 3 teeny weeny itsy bitsy Quality Street chocolates… but they were just wafer thin….).

    I started last Monday  night and this morning I took the last herbal supplements, that means that I’m done.  I finished a one week cleanse.  And really, it wasn’t that difficult.   Especially with my soon to be patented “cleanse with benefits” method.

    I should feel relieved and have the urge to run out and get me some T-bone steak, but I feel like something’s missing. You might not believe this, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to extend the cleanse.  My plan is to buy some more supply and extend the detox/cleanse till the end of this week.   I know that I could stop now, but I feel like I am just really getting into the good stuff.  The stomach is feeling flatter, I’m getting used to the leaner cleaner diet (the cravings are almost non existent now), my body feels pretty well adjusted to the changes, and my digestive system…. well, it’s almost working the way I want it to.  It’s all good stuff, but I just feel like I have unfinished business still.

  • Oops, I did it again

    So, that’s now twice that I slipped up on Saturday.  A new low.  This cleanse business is becoming more of a “cleanse with benefits” the way things are going.  Thank goodness I’m not a nutritionist, otherwise I’d have to seriously consider looking for a new line of work.  Luckily I’m just a humble RMT whose failings on the diet front have no reflection on his skills at massage.  Whew…

    Last night’s indiscretion was mostly my fault, but I think the menu was partly to blame.  How can anyone resist such a deliciously worded menu?  The menu in question belonged to “Real Thailand” on Bloor west of Spadina.  It did not disappoint.  A real Thai restaurant, owned by real  Thai people, serving real Thai dishes.  The menu went far beyond the red/green/orange curry or the chicken/beef in ginger and had my mouth watering just reading about the mussel, king fish and shrimp soup.  So, in yet another moment of weakness, I broke down and had a fantastic dinner.  Weakness can be so yummy.

  • Cleansing Can be Tough Business

    After the initial stumble (Norwegian caviar, English chocolates…. things are tough for an RMT), I was on a bit of a roll for a while.  Nothing passed through these teeth unless it was vegetarian, gluten free and non dairy.  That is until today when a client brought in, for little ‘ol me, home cooked shrimp in an onion & tomato sauce over a bed of quinoa.  Absolutely yummy.  A little bit of a guilty pleasure, but not too much as I figure that shrimp is gluten free, dairy free and such a great, light little seafood that it’s practically vegetarian as well.  I’m starting to think that the best part of the cleansing has got to be the cheating.  And can I help but cheat when the universe seems to be conspiring to keep me well fed?

    The real reason why I cleanse, though, is for the health benefits.  Right away when I start a cleanse, my digestive system kicks into high gear and feels much more at ease.  After about a week I notice an increase in my energy levels and clarity of mind.  Also, food starts to taste better as if my taste buds have heightened senses.  And, one of my favourite side effects is that by the end of 2 or 3 weeks of cleansing, I am usually about 5 or 10 pounds lighter.  Miraculously, most of the weight seems to be from the midsection, which I am perfectly OK with.

    So, I’m back on my cleanse again and it’ll be a bit tricky as this weekend is Taste of the Danforth, so basically as soon as I walk out my front door, I am greeted by ferris wheels, amusement park rides and the smell of souvlaki, lamb and gyros.  The Taste of the Danforth is a meat lover’s paradise, but definitely not a good place for me this weekend.