5/28/2011

Sunday Drivers Beware

There is no better way to spend a warm, sunny afternoon in the spring then to pack u everyone in the car and drive somewhere, anywhere. But what happens when we eventually get home and a few hours realize that we are now sore? Besides calling me for an appt, there are ways to prevent this from occurring in the first place. Think of all the muscles we use while driving a car. The shoulders get held in isometric contractions, while the rotator cuffs are working in small repetitive motions. There is lack of lumbar support while the right leg an dhip is overworked pressing on the pedals and going back and forth. Before you get in the car warm up by walking around the block or going up and down the stairs herding your passengers. Ar eyou stopping for a tastey treat on your adventure? Take a few minutes and stretch out your body. Try putting a small pillow behind you if you do not have enough lumbar support.

Keep only your memories, not a pain in the glutes.

5/25/2011

It's Official!!

If you are following my blog, you know that my 15 month old has never really "liked" my massages..... He loooves it when my husband massages his moisturizer on after his bath. Me, not so much, my baby acts like he tolerates it. Well, last night Zack only wanted his mommy, so I led the whole bath/bedtime routine. (This is usually Daddy time by the way) I really want him to like my massages so I am working hard at making it nice. My husband commented that I was giving him too much of a real massage and that was silly. I replied that Zack works hard toddling and climbing all day. So I start talking to my son about bedtime etc. Then I say, "See Zack, Mommy knows what she is doing. Do you like Mommy's massages now?" Zack looks me right in the eye and starts shaking his head "No". Mind you he does know what 'No' means and he has been shaking his head 'No' appropriately for a few days....... I guess it is official, my son does does not like my massages!!! Does he not know people pay me a lot of money to do this?!?

5/23/2011

Shoes To Shrink My Thighs & Hips??

Many shoe companies are now selling shoes that supposedly tone your glutes and thighs simply by walking in them. How do they work? They don't. Every client of mine that owns them complains of mysterious low back pain. What is not so mysterious is why. These sneakers (yes, I am from the northeast so they are called sneakers) adjust the height of your heel at certain spots. There is a yoga pose that they are trying to emulate. Will this pose work in toning and strengthening these areas? Sure! Should we be moving continuously in this position for a length of time? Of course not! Myself, personal trainers, physical therapists, kineasologists, physiologists and rehab specialists all agree that these shoes do more harm than good. Our bodies are a very intricately engineered machine. If you mess with its foundation, you mess with the functioning of the whole machine.

My advice: If you want to tone and strengthen your hips and legs, stick with what actually works. Squats, lunges, weights, aerobics, walking, running, etc.