Tag Archive for: hand massage

RSI

Since I became a massage therapist and undertook special training in Acupressure Massage. I went off to work in many big corporate buildings all around London. I offered 15-minute express (clothed) massages using a specially designed chair.   Wow! I was astonished the difference such a short pressure point treatment could make to the body tension that some people were holding.   One by one the workers would come in for their session complaining of tingling up their arms, wrist painful, neck sore and lower back aches…does this sound familiar?

As time went on I specialised in Maternity massage and found that pregnant and postnatal mums were getting similar symptoms as office workers.   I developed my own skillset over time and used acupressure and deeper tissue massage together, using oil for a more therapeutic touch and on a couch. Golfers and tennis players also suffer from the same symptoms and acupressure has worked wonders with lasting results.

How can we prevent or ‘help ourselves’ to avoid it?

‘Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by repetitive movement and overuse. It’s also known as work-related upper limb disorder, or non-specific upper limb pain.’

If you find you are one of these, here are some small tips that may help.

  1. Typing a lot without breaks.

Try and take short breaks ever 30min even if it’s to stand up away from your desk and stretch your arms.

  1. Holding your baby in the same position for long periods

Take time to flex fingers, do small rotations with your wrists, and massage the inner wrist and padded area of the hand.

  1. Comforting baby with long periods of patting with your hand.

Wow tension will go up the arm probably ending up around the neck. If you find the tension going further up the arm, massage the outside of the elbow, and with the index and middle finger massage the top of the shoulder for as long as feels comfortable.

  1. Sports players using lots of arm action.

The most important preventive measure is a thorough warm up prior to physical activity; it is also important to remember to cool down after exercise; these processes allow the muscles time to adjust.

So don’t leave it!

Sometimes RSI symptoms may go away if you do nothing.

But they can also get considerably worse. Don’t take that risk.

Don’t wait until:

  1. The pain becomes so bad that you need to take time off work.
  2. You develop carpal tunnel syndrome and need surgery to relieve the pain.
  3. Your condition is so bad that you will never fully recover.

Change your work environment. Change your work habits. Start taking regular rest breaks.

If you would like to book in for an acupressure massage call me on 07773 844 273, or at least for some friendly, honest and free advice.

Budda Stress Free

As a holistic therapist I help to get my clients in the “zone”, helping them to destress and unwind with massage and reflexology.  Once they have left me how do they continue to maintain the relaxation.  Knowing how to relax is vital for ensuring your health and well-being, as well as restoring the passion and joy in your life. Allowing stress to affect you can lead to depression, illness, weight gain and a general sense of malcontent.

Try some of these ways to zone out for 5 minutes:

Give Yourself a DIY Hand Massage for an instant relaxation that calms a pounding heart.

Try a little Acupressure by rubbing your feet over a golf ball.

Deep Breathing take 5 minutes and focus on your breathing. Sit up straight, eyes closed, with a hand on your belly. Slowly inhale through your nose, feeling the breath start in your abdomen and work its way to the top of your head. Reverse the process as you exhale through your mouth.

Eat Real Foods

Poor diets full of processed foods, grains, sugars and chemicals put a tremendous stress on the body. For many people (some experts estimate close to 85%), grains can put a huge stress on the body. for a stress-reducing, adrenal nourishing diet, focus on getting your nutrients from fresh, real foods in as close to their natural source as possible. Drink a lot of water and avoid the caffeine.

What you put into your body will give it the fuel to give you energy!