During the months of April and May call in and try a 70 minute Hot Stone Massage.  The stones are warm and inviting and can help put flexibility back into achy joints or muscles that are just waking up after a winter of resting.  Hit the summer running with improved flexibility and circulation.  Mention you read about it online and receive $10.00 off your first Hot Stone Massage (retail value- $80)

Part of the mission of Time For Me Massage Therapy is to be a catayst for information to be shared in helping individuals find balance.  The following information was aired on April 1, 2008 on The View.  Passport to Beauty, a book by Shalini Vadhera, decribes beauty secrets used around the world.  Here are a few that she suggested. 

Greece: The women of Greece use large green olive pits (which they grind in a coffee grinder) along with olive oil to exfoliate dead skin and give their entire body a radiant glow. (Yes, you rub this on your skin- you can also use olive oil instead of over the counter hot oil treatments for your hair).

Japan: There are several uses for the alcohol choice of Japan, Saki.  It can be applied to age spots with a cotton ball or put one cup Saki in hot bath water and rinse with cool water to detoxify the whole body.  She does not suggest drinking alcohol before or during this process (though it might be tempting!)

USA:   In Georgia they  use Golden Globe peaches (cut in quarters and rubbed on face) to help fade dark spots and give your complextion a nice fresh look.  Avacados mashed up into 1 cup plain yogurt rubbed over rough, dry skin, will get rid of scaly skin and leave a soft, supple and younger look and feel ( She says she knows 100 uses for avacados alone!)

Chile:  Use a handful of grapes (she used red grapes) and 2 tbls flour to make a paste to apply over tired skin (like after traveling in an airplane) to help rejuvenate the skin (tired eyes).

India:  They use tumeric seasoning ( 1 tbs) in hot milk before bed to help them sleep and to decrease inflamation in the face and body.  Also, tumerice seasoning (1 tbs) and yogurt (1 cup) made into a paste can be rubbed over stretch marks and help them disappear!

Mexico:  Don’t use this one if you have any cuts or cracks on the skin.  Use sugar (3 tbs) and squeeze fresh or concentrated lemon juice over the sugar to make an exfoliant for hands and feet.

So make time to take care of yourself and have fun!

MYTH:  I don’t need to drink as much water in the wintertime since I’m not sweating or in the hot sun.

FACT:  You actually need just as much water in the winter as in the summer.   Cold temperatures pull the moisture out of the air… and out of you!  Make sure you keep a humidifier running in your home to cut down on sore throats in the morning &  to help your family sleep more comfortably.  One great habit to get into during the winter is leaving a tall glass of water by your bedside.  Drink a few sips of it before bedtime (or during the night if you don’t have that humidifier runnning!) Before you even put one foot out of the bed the next morning, drink the rest of your water.  This is one good way to start your day better hydrated, more alert, and energized.  Plus, taking the time to drink your water in bed allows yourself a few minutes to fully wake up, think about the day ahead, and know that you’re starting your day off on the right foot. 

Here is an article I found that I think will help you understand your back pain.  If you have any questions or would like to find out how massage would be beneficial for you, please call 701-261-5785.  Hope to hear from you soon!

Tracy

The biggest factor in back and hip pain is the psoas muscle. The number of problems caused by the psoas is quite astonishing. These include: low back pain, sacroiliac pain, sciatica, disc problems, spondylolysis, scoliosis, hip degeneration, knee pain, menstruation pain, infertility, and digestive problems. The list can also include biomechanical problems like pelvic tilt, leg length discrepancies, kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis.

What is the psoas?

The psoas (pronounced “so - oz”) primarily flexes the hip and the spinal column. At about 16 inches long on the average, it is one of the largest and thickest muscles of the body (in animals it’s known as the tenderloin). This powerful muscle runs down the lower mid spine beginning at the 12th thoracic vertebrae connecting to all the vertebral bodies, discs and transverse processes of all the lumbar vertebrae down across the pelvis to attach on the inside of the top of the leg at the lesser trochanter. The lower portion combines with fibers from the iliacus muscle, which sits inside the surface of the pelvis and sacrum, to become the Iliopsoas muscle as it curves over the pubic bone and inserts on the lesser trochanter.

What is the function of the psoas?

This has a number of diverse functions making it a key factor in health. The psoas as a hip and thigh flexor is the major walking muscle. If the legs are stationary the action of it is a bend the spine forward; if sitting it stabilizes and balances the trunk. The lower psoas brings the lumbar vertebrae forward and downward to create pelvic tilt.

When we think of smooth, elegant and graceful movement in dancers and athletes we are looking at the psoas functioning at it optimum. It requires that the psoas maintain the pelvis in a dynamically neutral orientation that can move easily and retain structural integrity. This creates positions of the spine that require the least muscular effort.

What are the common pain symptoms of the psoas?

When the muscle becomes contracted due to injuries, poor posture, prolonged sitting, or stress, it can alter the biomechanics of the pelvis and the lumbar, thoracic and even cervical vertebrae. Typically a dysfunctional is responsible for referred pain down the front of the thigh and vertically along the lower to mid spinal column. Trigger points are found above the path of the psoas on the abdomen. Frequently the quadratus lumborum muscles develop trigger point, as well as the piriformis, gluteals, hamstrings, and erector spinae.

It can torque your spine to the right or left, pull it forward and twist the pelvis into various distortions. Frequently one psoas will shorten and pull the spine and/or pelvis to our dominant side. The distortions of the spine and pelvis can also show up as a short or long leg. This all results in scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, trigger points, and spasms in back muscles trying to resist the pulling of the psoas.

It can pull the spine downward, compressing the facet joints and the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. The pressure can cause the discs to degenerate, becoming thinner and less flexible. This degeneration makes the discs more susceptible to bulging or tearing, especially with twisting and bending movements.

What keeps the psoas in contraction?

The psoas will stay contracted because of postural habits and trauma. The way we stand, walk and sit can distort the psoas. If we walk or stand with our chin in an overly forward position the muscle will tighten. Sitting through much of the day it shortens to keep us bio mechanically balanced in our chairs. Over time we develop a “normal” way of holding the psoas that is dysfunctional.

Unresolved trauma can keep the psoas short and reactive. This is a primary muscle in flight, fight, freeze or fear responses to danger. When survival is at stake, it propels the body to hit the ground running. When startled, it ignites preparation of the extensor muscles to reach out (grab hold) or run. Until the psoas is released the muscle may stay contracted and go into further shortening and spasm very easily.

Techniques include, sports/deep tissue, relaxation, myofascial release, acupressure, postural analysis, pelvic stabilization, aroma therapy, joint mobilization, child & baby massage, couples massage & office on-site chair massage. Relief for fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic pain & TMJ. Massages available in increments of 30, 60, & 90 minutes or a 70 minute Hot

Stone Massage.  Mention you saw this online and receive five dollars off any massage over an hour. Gift certificate and discount packages available.

Want to impress her?  Give her a romantic date at home with a couples massage from Time For Me Massage Therapy.  Package includes: massage table set up in your home (living room or dining room areas work well for needed space), 2 hours of massage (one at a time- maybe set her up with a nice bubble bath while she waits??) and a lot of help from Tracy on how to add some finishing touches to the evening. Example: while she gets her massage, you could throw in a nice (but easy- buy it at Sams!) lasagna dish and set up a romantic dinner for two while she gets her massage.  Sounds good, huh? It’s not very costly either… only $110.  AND I’ll give you a $10 off coupon if you mention you found it online!  Call Tracy at 701-261-5785 for details.