Tag: Complimentary Concepts

Just what is "Flossing?"

CP-Thigh1Unfortunately because of the popularity of some web videos, many people think applying elastic straps to the limbs or joints is called "flossing." The straps actually have little or nothing to do with the flossing process. Here is a good audio explanation of what "flossing" actually is.

It is actually a series of movements with specific joints and limbs to lengthen the nerve branches and "pull" them through the channels they are supposed to pass through easily. You should see a licensed therapist for instruction of which movements are safe and necessary for you and your specific needs. As mentioned in the audio clip you really should not explore flossing on your own with simply some web videos and your perception of pain as your guide. Flossing is AMAZING when needed and done properly! If practiced incorrectly it can irritate an already compromised nerve issue, if not lead to permanent nerve damage (which is what we would call a "bad" result).

All4The compression straps we use are safe and effective tools one uses to improve circulation locally with specific muscles in the arms or legs (click here for some instructional videos). Not only will the improved circulation help with function and recovery for almost every method of exercise, the immediate flush of circulation reduces spot sensitivity for the local muscles so that massage techniques are dramatically more comfortable.

Can you say "not-so-painful Quads Roll?"
Can you say "not-so-painful Quads Roll?"
This means a deeper, more effective self-massage with less pain and longer lasting results.

The more you know, the better your self-care results will be. Contact us to reach a Certified Alexander Method of SMR trainer to learn more!

Are You Dehydrated?

heart_of_waterMany of us lead busy lives. Wake up early, grab a cup of coffee and off to start the day. Whether it's a busy schedule with the kids and activities scheduled throughout the day or business meetings that spill over through lunch or into the late hours of the evening, we all have our "stuff" that takes us away from the ideal lifestyle for health. A couple rather easy fixes to maintain in your day to minimize the stress to the body during the busy days involve how much water you take in and how effectively your body utilizes the water that you drink.

1. Are you drinking enough or too much?

    Dehydration can be a life-threatening condition or a mild frustration. MedicineNet.com has a table on their dehydration facts page that lists the recommended number of ounces of water intake for a particular body weight. This is not a new recommendation, but you might be surprised by how poorly your body utilizes the water you ingest. More water is not always better, but until you are drinking dramatically more than is recommended in this table it is likely you won't harm yourself by having another glass (or two) of just plain water.

2. Is the water you are drinking actually entering your body tissues or is it just testing your plumbing?

    How many times are you hitting the water closet for "number one?" WebMD has four to eight times a day listed as typical for a healthy bladder. After looking through their list of causes of frequent urination we suggest you take a look at your electrolyte balance before knee-jerking to schedule a cystoscopy. Many of us do not eat & drink the right balance of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium (plus other minerals) so it is likely you are moving toward an electrolyte disorder. If you have a "daily cup o' jo" then it is likely your nutrient balance is at least a little out of whack. If you just drink more water and don't address these nutritional imbalances you will simply "test your plumbing." We suggest you find a good electrolyte additive that you can simply drop into your water as needed. Nuun makes a variety of flavors of highly transportable tabs that you can easily split and drop into almost any water bottle or glass. Click here if you care to read a thorough (and rather lengthy) explanation of the mineral balance in our body and its impact on water retention.

Whether you eat more nutrient dense foods or add supplements to your drinking water, one thing is for sure: getting the right mineral to water balance will improve your energy levels, provide just the right amount of bathroom trips to rid your body of waste, and make you a generally awesome person.

One other thing, since this is a site for taking care of tight muscles...getting your water and mineral levels balanced means fewer cramping muscles!

Compression Straps

We endorse the following compression straps for use in SMR techniques to improve circulation and more quickly relieve soft tissue issues that limit muscular performance. By using the appropriate level of tension for short periods of time (30 seconds up to 2 minutes) you can help your stubborn, tight muscles to relax more quickly and lessen the stress on your joints.
All4
Compression Strap 4-Pack

An added "side effect" of the reperfusion that immediately follows use of the compression strap is a reduction in the perceived pain in your tight muscles as you use a roller or ball to practice SMR.

SOOOOOO, use the compression strap immediately before using your rollers or balls. It will hurt less and bring you faster results.

Use these bands for lighter to moderate resistance and light to aggressive compression.

To order compression straps for yourself or your facility, click here

The following are several instructional videos we uploaded to YouTube:

















Use these bands for lighter to moderate resistance and light to aggressive compression.

All4
Use this to boost circulation
Compression Strap 4-Pack

Pack of all 4 Bands (Levels 1 through 4) has a 1-7/8" wide and 2-6 lbs. resistance band up to a 2-1/2" wide and 5-13 lbs. of resistance band. These 80" long bands can be used for entry to moderate level strength training, or in a rehabilitation setting. This product is extremely durable, latex-free and made in the USA.

Click here to view all of the individual straps.

Legal Disclaimer

Any suggestions for use of the items on this page with SMR techniques are made for educational purposes only. No claim is made to provide relief of any diagnosed disorder. Proper use of any of the products or educational materials found on this site are the sole responsibility of the user.

Hot & cold massage stones are here!

Massage-Stones-HotMassage-Stones-ColdWe've added to our inventory some of the more than 80 different basalt and marble stones used in hot or cold stone massage therapy. The stones we've selected we use on our own bodies and we have determined them to be the best fit for working on yourself. Some of the stones are best used by a licensed stone massage practitioner, and you will not see them available on our site. We will be adding a practitioners section to our site in the coming months, based on the feedback we get from individual's positive experiences working with exceptional therapists. If you have a great masseuse or masseur, let us know! We're looking for high-quality deep tissue, sports massage, ART, or sport-related stone massage therapists. There are a lot of "fru-fru" spas out there and the types of massages they offer are typically not the approach we're looking for. We want you to get the best recovery possible so you can get back to training HARD! Toward that end, you will need a therapist that understands the sometimes masochistic punishment that you sometimes put yourself through to reach new athletic goals. We'll guide you through how to work on yourself. You will need the assistance of a professional on certain occasions, and we want to help you find that professional.

When working on yourself, remember that your body will tend to go numb after exposure to the stones (especially the cold stones). You need to be VERY aware of your reaction to the temperature of the stones. The last thing you want to do is freezer burn or properly burn your skin! It is typically best to have a barrier between your skin and the stone such as a cloth, shirt, pants, towel, etc. Once you get familiar with the application of hot or cold, the same SMR techniques you've learned using the balls and rollers will apply to the stones. In many cases, all you need to do is lie on the stone and let the hot or cold do the work for you. Your SMR efforts can be cut from more than 30 minutes to less than 5 minutes when done correctly!

Click here to go to the stones section of our site. We will add more stones to our inventory as we determine the safe and practical application with each one.