Massage Tips

The weekend is finally here! Yay! What a long week. After a long day, I didn't feel like cooking. Throwing together a salad was the easiest option.


I used a Veggie Lovers salad mix from Shaw's and added feta, cucumber, strawberries, a Quorn Chik'N Patty, and Cedar's Lemon Zest hummus. I really liked the contrast of the sweet strawberries and sour lemon hummus.

I really could use a massage right now, but I'm having trouble finding a place I like that has convenient hours. At my last doctor's appointment, my specialist gave me a few massage techniques I could do myself. I thought I'd share them with you all. Maybe you could use them when you're feeling tense. The exercises are off a print out he gave me that didn't have a source cited on it. I'm assuming it's something from his own files that he gives his patients. I apologize for not having the exact source for the exercises.

1) For tight leg muscles, Sit on the floor with legs extended. With hands in fists, press knuckles into tops of thighs and slowly push them toward knees. Keep pressing down as you return to start position and repeat. Continue, changing your direction and pressure to focus on sore spots, for one minute.
2) For sore arms, Make a fist with left hand, elbow bent and palm facing up. Wrap right hand around left forearm, thumb on top. Rotate left forearm so that palm faces the floor, then turn it back up. Continue for 30 seconds, moving right hand around to focus on tender areas. Repeat on opposite arm.
3) For sore back muscles, Sit on a chair with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and bend forward at the hips. Bend arms behind you, palms facing away from you, and make fists. Knead circles into your lower back on either side of your spine. Continue, working your way up, for a minute or more.
4) For foot pain, Sit on a chair with feet on the floor and place a tennis ball under ball of left foot

. Slowly move foot forward and back for 30 seconds, then in circles for 30 seconds, pressing harder on the ball when you feel a tight spot. Repeat on right foot.

I hope you find these exercises useful in relieving your own tight muscles. I'm still having a hard time managing my pain. I've heard magnetic bracelets are supposed to help too, but I don't want to start throwing money at every little thing someone says will relieve my pain. Stretching, massage, and Sam-e are the only things on my pain relief plate right now.

Time for sleepies. Have a good night and an even better weekend!