Saturday, January 23, 2010

No Pain, No Gain - Half Truth!

This concept was adopted in gyms and sports arenas. It has also been applied incorrectly as a general belief to areas where it is not so true. In an exerted exercise work-out the muscles rip on a microscopic level. They hurt a little. Following the repetitive motion, the muscle memory keeps pumping lactic acid in the muscles. When insufficient or no stretching follows a hard work-out, excess lactic acid builds up in the muscle causing pain! The pain from the excess lactic acid is greater than the microscopic muscle rip. Did you know that stretching after a work-out is also a trigger to turn off excess lactic acid production in muscles? The cool down starts this process to slow down lactic acid production. Therefore, proper repeated stretching following a work out will allow you to be slightly uncomfortable the next day. It is possible to have no soreness the day after a work-out. Surprising isn’t it? That’s one change of perspective.

“Active Isolated Stretching, “assisted by a trained professional releases toxins and congestion, from the muscles. It also warms the fascia or web-like connective tissue for greater flexibility. When you find the massage therapist or a medical professional that knows these techniques and others, you may experience a calm relief.

Most people think to relieve tension in painful areas that it has to hurt during a therapeutic massage. That is also not true. Some massage therapist use bodywork methods that allow the muscle to release the tension without force. One method is called, “myofascial sustained release”. In this method of working with muscle memory, the therapist forms a pocket of comfort where the tension is located. After sustaining that position for awhile, this triggers the proprioceptors in the muscle structure to release the tension naturally, without pain. The method may have other names, too.

Licensed massage therapist MaryAnne Palumbo’s style is a medical result with a spa feel. She can be reached by calling 407-756-4947.MA38837

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

7 Tips for sciatica sufferers – Prevent Additional Pain

1. Sleep with a pillow under your knees when on your back.
2. When sleeping on your side, put a thin pillow between
your bent knees.
3. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
4. Always keep your knees bend while resting.
Especially avoid using an Ottoman with your legs straight.
5. Avoid repetitive leg exercises: i.e. leg presses, etc.
6. Sit on an ice cold gel pack for 15 minutes. Place it right on
the bone where you sit. There needs to be fabric between
your skin and the cold pack.
7. Call MaryAnne Palumbo, Licensed Massage Therapist MA38837
407-756-4947 or another medical professional.

Sciatica Stretch

Sciatica Stretch to reduce inflammation
(aka Piriformis-hip rotator Muscle Stretch)
If this stretch causes any pain – STOP!
Call a doctor.

1. Use a frozen gel pack and sit on it – right on the sitting bone.
There needs to be fabric between your skin and the gel pack.
Sit on it for approximately 15 minutes before step 2.
2. While seated, take the foot (of the aching leg or hip) and rest
it on the other knee Indian or Yoga style
3. Keep that angle with the hurting leg.
4. Inhale
5. Slowly exhale, while lifting the foot up until you feel a gentle pull.
(not pain)
Hold it for 6 seconds while continuing to exhale slowly.
6. Repeat this stretch up to 6 times and do several times per day.
However, the key is slowly!
7. Schedule and appointment with MaryAnne Palumbo,
8. Licensed Massage Therapist 407-756-4947