Massage & Posture

The short answer is...

• Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massage is a short focused massage to release tension in the Neck & Shoulders
• Choose Sports massage over deep tissue massage when you go to the gym with a specific sporting goal in mind, i.e. you are going for more than just generally keeping fit. Or you are really focused on your sport including actively taking part in competitions or you are keen to improve your performance or your training is solely focused on your sport and you do not cross train.

Description of your back	Recommended Treatment
My back feels like concrete?	Deep Tissue Massage – the use of hot stones to relax the muscle can be less painful than other deep pressure techniques
My neck and shoulder are tight and sore from sitting at my desk all day?	Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder Massage
You play sports, don’t cross train and have specific trouble spots?	Sports Massage
You work out religiously at the gym, but don’t always stretch?	Sports Massage as it incorporates stretching
You are training for a specific sporting event or just completed one?	Sports Massage
You are inactive or active but just have a bad back?	Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage

 

A number of studies have identified that nurses experience a range of symptoms indicative of work related stress including

1. Headaches
2. Shoulder tension
3. Fatigue
4. Muscle and joint pain

All of which can lead to more long term problems or dissatisfaction at work, absenteeism or burn out. An study looked at the "feasibility of chair massage during the work hours of nurses in impatient and out patient settings and its effects on stress-related symptoms".   A total of 38 nurses received a weekly 15 minute chair massage treatment once a week for 10 weeks.  All the nurses were assessed prior to the study at 5 weeks and then at 10 weeks for

• Overall quality of life
• Self-perceived levels of stress
• Anxiety
• Symptoms relating to anxiety

Scored produced by all four measurements showed that compared with prior to intervention, symptoms improved at 5 weeks and improved even further at 10 weeks, with the results were most noticeable in those nurses working longer hours (12 hour shifts).  92 percent of the nurses made positive comments in relation to

• improvements in sleeping
• reduction in pain, stress and tension
• reduction in headaches

78% reported that their overall job satisfaction had improved and 60% showed a willingness to pay for chair massages if they were made available at work. Researchers concluded that "offering chair massages for nurses during work hours, while challenging because of busy schedules reduced stress related symptoms significantly and was highly appreciated by the nurses." Book your chair massage now >> Book Now Reference Engen JE et al (2012) Feasibility and effect of chair massage offered to nurses during working hours on stress related symptoms: A pilot study.  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 18(4): 221-22

Previously I have looked at nutritional factors that contribute to muscle cramps, now I want to move on to lifestyle factors. Pregnancy Leg cramps may start to plague you during your second trimester and may get worse as your pregnancy progresses and your belly gets bigger. While these cramps can occur during the day, you'll probably notice them most at night, when they can interfere with your ability to get a good night's sleep.  You may want to see a nutritionalist to determine if you are short of calcium and magnesium as inadequate levels of both of these minerals have been associated with muscle cramps during pregnancy.  You may also want to  

• Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
• Stretch your calf muscles regularly during the day and several times before you go to bed.
• Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, eat dinner, or watch TV.
• Lie down on your left side to improve circulation to and from your legs.

  It is safe to have massage from the 12 week of pregnancy, and in our clinic we have sucessfully eased the pain of pregnancy related muscle cramps.