The "Rotary Cup"

Formally known as the "Rotator Cuff", these four muscles can be the culprit of several upper body aches and pains if not properly managed. The subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor all attach to the head of the humerus - as shown in the picture above. These four muscles work individually and together to connect your humerus to your scapula to the rest of your body. 

While there are many muscles that attach to the humerus, the shoulder is the least supported joint in the body. Take a minute and think about how often you use your arm throughout the day. Yep, that's right. You use them all day long! This makes the shoulder joint and connecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments much more susceptible to repetitive stress injuries, tendinitis, bursitis, and muscle tears. Especially in those who participate in overhead and repetitive motion sports such as swimming, baseball, tennis, and weight lifting. The repetitive motions and extra weight overhead put a lot of strain on these rather small muscles. 

Massage therapy is a great integration into any healthcare routine, even more so when athletic activities are involved. Muscle specific techniques can help the muscle fibers repair themselves when injury does occur. Broadening and lengthening strokes can assist in easing muscle tension. Self-care is imperative in keeping the body in top functioning condition!

Is It Time To Slow Down?

These days life seems to have one pace: FAST.

Days fly by, your to-do list stacks up, your calendar overflows, before you know it weeks have flown by.

Where do you even find time to have 5 seconds to breathe, let alone time to get a massage?

Just like every other activity in your calendar, you purposefully make time for it. Even crazier, you make time for you!

I can almost guarantee that if you took 30 seconds to stop and assess how your body feels, you would start to realize the toll life has taken on your body. Do your joints feel stiff? Nagging headache? Foggy brain? Trouble sleeping at night?

These are all ways your body is telling you that it is time to slow down and take care of yourself. Listen to them. They may be easily ignored aches and pains now but could easily turn into much bigger problems if they are not addressed correctly. Why add one more problem in life if you can help it?

Studies have shown that as little as 10 - 15 minutes of massage can reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol (long term stress hormone) levels.

Sounds like a pretty healthy alternative to running around like a chicken with their head cut off!