1/16/2023: Five months from now will be my 20 year anniversary of graduating from massage school. I have worked ALOT of different jobs, giving me insight into different things that can affect your body in different situations. I don't plan to retire because I enjoy massage very much. If you are reading this and enjoyed a massage by me, please pass it on. That is the greatest compliment.
12/14/2021= As we are immersed in the travel season, I am reminded of one item I will never leave home without....THE ORIGINAL WORM. If you only read to here, know that it is a mini traveling foam roller. I prefer to drive on vacations and I am constantly saved from my back "going out of alignment" at the bra strap line by being able to pull over at a rest stop, assuming "the crab" position, finding the spot that is "out", rolling, settling on the spot again, and hearing that wonderful "click" as my spine noninvasively goes back into back into alignment. I can position it behind my lumbar spine in the seat of my vehicle to keep my back supported while driving. I can add it to a flat hotel pillow for cervial support. I can roll out my IT bands anywhere. There are a hundred uses. I caution that if you are traveling by air, please pull it out of your suitcase for declaration of what it is so the over worked TSA staff doesn't have a cow. The Original Worm is worth it's weight in gold.
12/4/2021 = No need to fret when you feel hunched over from a day of too much computer, driving or slumping in a chair. Don't have a foam roller? That's ok! Roll up a big blanket into a cylinder. Lay down on it lined up with the length of your spine and making sure your head is supported. If it's on your upper back and head, you are good. Allow your arms to fall to your sides. Feel the rib cage lifted, feel your shoulders fall back. Stay here as long as you want, even if you only have 5 minutes. For more lift, make a thicker cylinder shape. If you love this and want to buy a foam roller, get one. 5 inches wide is fabulous, 8 inches wide will get you further off the ground but you will need to balance a little more. You can even do this with that pool noodle that is laying around at the back of your closet or garage. Use gravity to naturally stretch out those pectoral muscles, while giving your upper back muscles a break. Do this every day, your body will thank you with better posture and less pain. Cute dog not included.
11/17/2021 = Tis the season to soak in Epsom Salts, add baking soda and your favorite essential oil for a truly fabulous experience!
Tip (04/6/2021):
This is so simple, I hope you don't discount it. Just.....get outside. Garden, walk, ride your bike, jog, meander, smell the roses, whatever makes you feel alive.
Safety tip (3-6-2020):
Is it safe to get a massage with the Covid-19 (Corona Virus) starting to circulate? Only if you are not sick. This should be a standard practice and we have ALWAYS urged our clients to not schedule a massage when they are sick or cancel if they are sick. N95 and doubled up face masks and frequent hand washing, and staying home when you are sick are your best bets. If you are NOT sick, get a massage. Know that we regularly sanitize all surfaces, wash our hands constantly, wear properly fitted masks and will not work if we are sick.
"Wash your hands using liquid soap. Then wash them again. Get between your fingers. Use a nail brush for your nails and cuticles. Now do it one more time. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to touch the door to exit the bathroom." Blog post Ruth Werner - Massage Educator
Tip (2-23-2020)
Before, during and after flight stretches that helped me.
http://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/5-stretches-you-should-do-before-during-and-after-a-long-flight/
Tip one (2-5-18)
Your neck hurts. You have a headache. Your mind is racing. It's midnight and you can't get to sleep. What do you do?
I have done this for years and it works. It's so simple.
Get two tennis balls, racquet balls, lacrosse balls, any two balls that are the same size and place them in a sock or hose. Tie off one end so the balls are tight next to each other. You have just created a still point inducer. Look it up if you want to.
But if you want relief, just do this:
Lay down on a carpeted floor (or at least throw a blanket down so it's softer) but not on the bed cuz it won't work (the balls will sink in, silly. Place the wonderful object you just created under your head....specifically, at the base of your occiput....what? at the base of your skull. The magic place involves having the spheres of the balls on either side of your spine (not on it, that wouldn't feel good). You want this apparatus to gently cradle your head (all 10 or so pounds of it). Move it slightly up, down or sideways until it feels right, until you say "Ah!". Now, this is the even easier part.....just lay there and let that puppy do it's job. Don't worry about setting a timer, just lay there. When you fall asleep, you won't have far to fall if you roll over. And when you do wake up, chances are, your headache will be gone, your neck won't hurt, your mind will have slowed down. Priceless!
Here is a picture of a $20 still point inducer (1st photo), but you should make one (2nd photo) yourself cuz why not? The next day you can experiment with grabbing the loose end and throwing it over one shoulder, leaning up against the wall to work out that knot. You're welcome.
Check back for more tips from Keep Austin Massaged!
This is so simple, I hope you don't discount it. Just.....get outside. Garden, walk, ride your bike, jog, meander, smell the roses, whatever makes you feel alive.
Safety tip (3-6-2020):
Is it safe to get a massage with the Covid-19 (Corona Virus) starting to circulate? Only if you are not sick. This should be a standard practice and we have ALWAYS urged our clients to not schedule a massage when they are sick or cancel if they are sick. N95 and doubled up face masks and frequent hand washing, and staying home when you are sick are your best bets. If you are NOT sick, get a massage. Know that we regularly sanitize all surfaces, wash our hands constantly, wear properly fitted masks and will not work if we are sick.
"Wash your hands using liquid soap. Then wash them again. Get between your fingers. Use a nail brush for your nails and cuticles. Now do it one more time. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to touch the door to exit the bathroom." Blog post Ruth Werner - Massage Educator
Tip (2-23-2020)
Before, during and after flight stretches that helped me.
http://www.thediscoverer.com/blog/5-stretches-you-should-do-before-during-and-after-a-long-flight/
Tip one (2-5-18)
Your neck hurts. You have a headache. Your mind is racing. It's midnight and you can't get to sleep. What do you do?
I have done this for years and it works. It's so simple.
Get two tennis balls, racquet balls, lacrosse balls, any two balls that are the same size and place them in a sock or hose. Tie off one end so the balls are tight next to each other. You have just created a still point inducer. Look it up if you want to.
But if you want relief, just do this:
Lay down on a carpeted floor (or at least throw a blanket down so it's softer) but not on the bed cuz it won't work (the balls will sink in, silly. Place the wonderful object you just created under your head....specifically, at the base of your occiput....what? at the base of your skull. The magic place involves having the spheres of the balls on either side of your spine (not on it, that wouldn't feel good). You want this apparatus to gently cradle your head (all 10 or so pounds of it). Move it slightly up, down or sideways until it feels right, until you say "Ah!". Now, this is the even easier part.....just lay there and let that puppy do it's job. Don't worry about setting a timer, just lay there. When you fall asleep, you won't have far to fall if you roll over. And when you do wake up, chances are, your headache will be gone, your neck won't hurt, your mind will have slowed down. Priceless!
Here is a picture of a $20 still point inducer (1st photo), but you should make one (2nd photo) yourself cuz why not? The next day you can experiment with grabbing the loose end and throwing it over one shoulder, leaning up against the wall to work out that knot. You're welcome.
Check back for more tips from Keep Austin Massaged!
Tip #2 (7-16-18)
I have seen alot of people in the 30-50 years old crowd that already have an "old ladies bump" starting at the base of their neck. You don't want that. I am not a physical therapist, so I can't prescribe. I can tell you, if you notice this, please go see a good physical therapist. Don't know one? Ask your friends why they like theirs or ask me for a good referral in Austin, TX. I can tell you I do chin retracts everyday (gently tucking your chin into your neck line). I lay on an 8 inch foam roller (every night) with my head on there, and put my arms in a "T" position and just lay there for as long as I can. What this does is non invasively streches your pectoral muscles (please don't bouce cuz you can tear muscles). They get short during the day with static activities such as driving and all our computer work, even our phones are offensive. Lay that puppy on a flat surface so you are not clutching it with the death grip all day long. These little things, done consistently, will make your body happy in the long run.
I have seen alot of people in the 30-50 years old crowd that already have an "old ladies bump" starting at the base of their neck. You don't want that. I am not a physical therapist, so I can't prescribe. I can tell you, if you notice this, please go see a good physical therapist. Don't know one? Ask your friends why they like theirs or ask me for a good referral in Austin, TX. I can tell you I do chin retracts everyday (gently tucking your chin into your neck line). I lay on an 8 inch foam roller (every night) with my head on there, and put my arms in a "T" position and just lay there for as long as I can. What this does is non invasively streches your pectoral muscles (please don't bouce cuz you can tear muscles). They get short during the day with static activities such as driving and all our computer work, even our phones are offensive. Lay that puppy on a flat surface so you are not clutching it with the death grip all day long. These little things, done consistently, will make your body happy in the long run.
Tip #3 = If you live anywhere near a Hot Springs, please visit this after a stressful day, a physically trying day, a busy day, after a massage, after or before a test or interview.....are you catching my drift? Take time to soak in the healing properties of mineral water. Your skin is your biggest orifice and will drink in the mineral and expel what it doesn't need. You may feel drowsy after a soak. Follow your body's lead and take a nap.
12-3-19: I encourage you, where ever you live, to try out a float tank. My experience was stellar. The music didn't work but I didn't want any. I closed the lid, but you can leave it open. I turned the lights off, but you can leave them on. I used the foam donut to hold my head up and fell asleep. I will do it again. To have all that space to spread out vs being in a conventional tub, was really nice. There's not much water in there, you think....no way will I float. But the concentration of Epsom Salts is so great, you will float. This is perfect for folks that don't want massage but need to let go and relax.
