Why stay in pain?

"Pain lets you know you are alive" that is a bunch of bull! How many times are you going to take a pain pill for the symptom before you actually do something to help the cause?

Just yesterday I was talking to a client. They mentioned that a friend of theirs has had multiple back surgeries, chronic pain, and muscular dysfunction through out the body.  All this has resulted in arthritis and a very difficult life to live with limited range of motion, pain every day, and I am guessing a bad attitude about it all.  I know that would give me a bad attitude.

This friend has only gone to doctors that either prescribe medication, surgery, or do not know what to do. Simply put, he is at a loss and has to live with it.  He has never tried alternative medicine or even some self care exercises that were suggested to him.  Why? you got me.

I do understand that there is a certain generation of people out there that think alternative medicine is a bunch of quacks that don't know what their talking about.  Seriously people, it is time to get over it!!

I use western medicine, don't get me wrong. It certainly has it's benefits.  But how many times are you going to go to the doctor for the same problem that they can not help with?  How long will you live with the pain? 

There is a saying out there "Pain lets you know that you're alive", that is a bunch of bull. To me not being in pain is being more alive then being in pain. A pain free life allows you to do way more activities then a painful life would.

If you are one of these people that just won't bend on receiving alternative medicine than I suggest you give me a call, ask all the questions you want, check out testimonies, do some research.  You might just change your mind, and live a better and healthier life in the process, would that be so bad?
http://www.leandrastouchtherapy.massagetherapy.com/?p=leandras-testimonials

This Needs to Change

In this link it tells us the statistics about how many men and women have or have not received massage and how the numbers have changed in the past year.
http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9862&catid=1&title=More-U.S.-Women-than-Men-Receive-Massage-Therapy

Since 2009 the numbers have decreased, this needs to change.  Why? because our society has been doing pretty good these last 10 or so years about adding Complimentary Alternative Medicine into their lives, and now the numbers are dropping?! I do realize that we are in an economic downfall, and trust me we all feel the burn, but there are ways around that so we can still receive massage and stay healthy.

First of all, by receiving massage therapy on a regular basis (this could mean weekly or monthly depending on the person) we are only setting our selves up to be healthier.  This could mean less doctor visits because you are sick less. A gradual decrease in medications (consult doctor) for certain ailments such as high blood pressure, muscle relaxers, pain management treatments and many more. Less sick days from work, increased energy, over all feeling better, and the list goes on and on. All of these things either help you not spend so much money or help you make more money. Overall people need to receive more massage to be able to take advantage of these benefits.

How do I get around high massage prices from crappy massage therapists?
First; a referral from a friend is always good. Your friend doesn't want you to think less of them because they sent you to a crappy, expensive therapist, so they will send you to a good, competitive one.

Second; If the therapist has a website or information you can read, be sure you look at it. There should be testimonies, information on massage, prices, benefits and more. Something you can begin to relate to from your own life.

Third; If you call the therapist to ask questions, they should call you back with in 24 hours. They should be knowledgeable and passionate about what they do and also very eager to help you with your problems.

and Lastly;  Take advantage of the therapists client appreciation program and their newsletter (if they have one) this will give you discounts, exclusive offers for you, family and friends.

So there are so many reasons to take advantage of massage therapy. Doctors tell us to take this medication because the good things out way the bad side effects. Well in this case that is most definitely true. There are way more benefits then side effects to massage therapy. And if there is a type of massage that someone should not receive (like Hot Stone massage for pregnant women) there is always another technique to use (like prenatal massage).

Taking Care of Your Feet

We tend to take out feet for granted. All day their stuck in shoes, walked on, ran on, not used enough cause we're sitting at a desk all day. We depend on them to get us from here to there. Then one day or at the end/beginning of every day they hurt and we wonder why, asking ourselves, "Man my feet hurt, I wonder why?" or "I wish I could stay off my feet more, they sure do hurt."

Well everyone it is time to take better care of our feet, no one likes to get taken for granted.

Here are four at home ways to take care of those puppies and they will thank you by lasting much longer. The more pain you feel in your feet the more often you should do these exercises.

1) Take a gulf ball and roll it under your foot for about 10 minutes (one foot at a time).

• Don't think you don't have time, because everyone takes time during their day to wind down. So while your sitting in your chair, watching T.V. do the exercise.
• The golf ball helps break up adhesion's in the feet and lengthen the tissues. This helps blood flow and release toxins that build up in our feet due to gravity.
• Be sure to drink plenty of water to flush your system of any toxin release.

2) Freeze a 20oz water bottle and roll it under a socked foot for 10-20 minutes.

• This can be done daily depending on the severity of foot pain. The more pain the more ice.
• Our feet can get swollen easily and in turn can be painful, stiff and sore. Ice reduces swelling, and the rolling of the bottle helps lengthen the tissues under the feet.

3) If your feet are painful and stiff in the mornings or after a rest then stretch them. This can be done several times a day.

• Grab the sides of the feet and pull them towards the shin, one at a time. Massage the bottom a little before walking this will help them to warm up and be less painful.

4) Another good stretch is to hang your heals off the edge of a step as if to do a calf raise.

• This stretches the calf and the tissue under the feet and should be done several times a day.

Getting massage is another great way to help with chronic foot pain. I hope these tips help you, they helped me greatly when I suffered from Plantar Faciitis.