How to stretch and improve your flexibility!

Posted on October 25, 2009 by Abe

When I say Larry is one of the most flexible people I know, it’s no wild stretch of the imagination.I’m not just talking about physical flexibility, but in every sense of the word. A long term client, Larry touts the benefits of both massage and being flexible. ”Regular stretching may extend your life”, surely your athletic life. He believes massage makes stretching easier to accomplish with less discomfort.

As Larry explains, one keys to learning how to stretch is to “concentrate past the pain”. Ironically, to really be Gumby you have to develop an iron will. While holding your stretch you might concentrate on your breath. While breathing, during your stretch, notice your body sensations are almost always more uncomfortable when your inhaling. Pain in the body often reduces during the exhalation phase of breathing. Another key, do your stretching for at least 15 minutes a session, otherwise your wasting your time.

Larry does some exercise coaching, if your serious about getting more out of your body. His understanding of stretching is unique. This is not a”Yoga” approach. To inquire about Larry’s unique training and what he can do for you drop him a line at …..lrryhurley@yahoo.com

Top performing companies and massage therapy

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Abe

Successful companies like Google don’t get that way by accident. Even in these difficult times, the company thrives. Why? They think outside of the box. They throw most conventional thinking out the window. They always ask how they can improve what they are doing. Of course, unlike most companies, their employees are highly motivated and very creative. Fortune magazine ranked them as the number 1 company to work for. It was no surprise to hear that all their employees can receive massage as a job benefit, right at their facilities.

Google’s Massage therapists are treated with the kind of respect not often afforded in the “real” world, working no more than 12 hours a week. Contrast that with Massage Envy’s sweatshop- like conditions and meager wages that take advantage of under-trained and undereducated recent “graduates”. I bring this up because Massage Envy does a lot of the “massage” business but they don’t really provide much steak, just the sizzle. So, it is not really massage you receive and, therefore, it is more a luxury then a real benefit to your health. Don’t take my word for it…….here is what others think! The Massage Envy ? or this spa site.

At Google, the therapists are well trained and represent what massage is really all about. Does the company you work for provide massage for employees? No? Well maybe they ought to think about it, think outside the box!

Midlife comebacks and the weekend warrior

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Abe

Time to get real. If you have been a couch potato for a while, some things have changed. If you’re planning on making a comeback, there are a few things that you will probably want to know.

You can lose up to 80% of your conditioning by taking just two weeks off of your regular exercise routine. That is, if you have a regular routine. You are going to want to take a gradual approach, and, in doing so,` you will get back up to speed in no time.

Chances are, if you have been off for a while, several changes have occurred in your body.Your muscle mass will be considerably smaller. Your muscles may have shortened and lost flexibility. Muscles, tendons, and other structures will have begun to adhere together, restricting your body movements. Your posture is not as upright. Maybe, you have gained a few pounds. Because you have not used your muscles vigorously, they have accumulated waste products and are not as efficient. Your wind is less, which you notice once you start to push yourself.

Now for the plug. This is a perfect time for you to start getting regular Massage. Massage will get you back up and running faster, and with less discomfort. In fact, many individuals try to make a comeback and fail, because the transition back to fitness is just too much of a struggle. Massage can make this a much easier route. You want back, don’t you? I want you feeling good again.

However, you have some folks who are betting against you. Every gym that signs up new members knows that most of them won’t be taking advantage of their membership benefits. They know you will probably make a good two- week effort, if that much, and give up.That works fine for the gym, because they know they can oversell memberships and make a fortune while you sit at home. You see, the idea of being healthy is not the same as actually being healthy. I want you to succeed. We can do it!

So, do you agree?

Stretching Basics… bend don’t break!

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Abe

Nobody enjoys stretching; we’d rather just compete. However, that’s one big reason athletes get hurt. Afterward, the rehab can take a long time, and any athlete will tell you it is frustrating not being out there competing. So, a few pointers on stretching.

Before you stretch, warm your muscles up…..If you’re at home, take a warm shower. If you’re at the gym, do the activity you planned, only do it at 1/2 to 3/4 speed. Do this without any contact. So take a few layups, short jumpers if you’re hooping for example. The key is to do the activity slowly; this allows for blood to get into those muscles. When they are warm, they are less likely to tear or perform poorly, which might lead to an injury.
Once the muscles are warmed up, it is time to stretch. Be sure to “hold” your stretch for a minute or so. Count to Sixty, otherwise you probably won’t stretch the muscle long enough. Do this for each muscle group involved. Also, no bouncing, hold the muscle in a sustained stretch. Focus on how the muscle feels and on your breath. This will help the stretch and get you focused and ready to play.
Stretch the muscles used in the activity, focus on the ones that give you trouble.
Whatever your game, go out and perform.

Be flexible like Gumby, like Bob Hayes

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Abe

During my Massage training, we would regularly volunteer at sporting events. One time, we were at a track event with some heavy hitting corporations, like Exxon. Anyway, you could see these middle-aged executives competing, but one stood out; he seemed to be simply floating above the track. Later, I found out the athlete was Bob Hayes, ex- Olympian, ex- Dallas cowboy wide receiver. The difference between Bob and the other athletes was stark. The other guys seemed to be struggling, taking short, choppy strides while Bob took long, smooth, seemingly effortless strides. He easily destroyed his competition. Not only were his legs more flexible, but, also, his hips, shoulders and neck. He was so relaxed

The difference was flexibility. Keep that in mind when you want to cut corners and skip your stretching. Now the original Gumby

Massage and Chiropractic

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Abe

Massage is a good stand alone to be sure. But it is also useful as an adjunct to other therapies, and activities. Things do go better with Massage….plus It’s alot healthier than a Coke.

Take Chiropractic, the benefits of which by now are well known. The body’s vertebra are adjusted to put the body posture back into” alignment“. But for that to work the soft tissues, muscles and tendons, must cooperate. The bones provide a structure or framework, but it is the muscles of the body that give the body it’s support through a balanced network of levers that make it possible to hold everything together, to make it possible to stand upright, to move. Otherwise, without the help of the muscular system we would simply be a pile of bones. So when you receive your Chiropractic adjustment, that is to realign your bones back to their correct position, there is no guarantee that the bones will stay where they are put, that is in part why repeat visits are required. Essentially, the imbalanced muscles which surround the bones will simply pull the bone back out of position. So a Massage , by a skilled professional, will relax and re-balance those same muscles helping you to keep your adjustment. You could be out of pain, and healed sooner rather than later. Sometimes the muscles are so tight that they make the adjustment more difficult or impossible, as a result the Doctor may use more force to make it happen. More force means more trauma, inflammation, pain, and a slower recovery. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a great advocate for Chiropractic, and have worked in their offices for 17 years, it is a wonderful therapy. So If I made you nervous about getting Chiropractic treatment, don’t worry, just get a Massage before, and you will likely require much less force to “put you back together”, and make the whole experience more productive and enjoyable.

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