Massage Therapy Houston Massage Massage Therapist Houston Massage in Houston

Muscle Release Technique … Stretching to Help You Be Pain-free!

In late October 2003, I took a course from Michael Young, to learn his Repetitive Motion Injury Technique, which he calls Muscle Release Therapy.

Taking his course was the first time that I have encountered a teacher whose philosophy about the body and physical mechanics was based on what I call the KISS method of life... "Keep it simple, sweetheart." His method is based on a common sense approach to understanding the pain mechanism of the body.

This was the first time I agreed totally with someone about releasing the muscles and then stretching … which involves a new way of stretching.

It's so easy. In the new way of stretching, you only hold a stretch for two seconds as you exhale, then doing reps of 10 for each stretch. At 3 seconds the "stretch reflex" kicks in and the muscles want to shorten. Holding a stretch any longer than 2 seconds is counterproductive.

STRETCH! STRETCH! STRETCH! That's the key. But only for 2 seconds at a time. As you exhale. Do reps of 10.

See the "animated" stretches for the neck, arms

Before you begin a work-out or exercise program at the gym, it makes sense to begin with some simple, non-invasive stretching to lengthen and release the muscles -- then move to an exercise program. First get the muscles and other soft tissue liberated by a good therapist and learn to stretch… then tone. If you go to the gym and tighten already tight muscles, you set yourself up for pain and injury.

Rule of thumb as it pertains to muscles: Muscles at rest should be flaccid; relaxed, not tight. Often people think that if their muscles are rock-hard, they are toned. On the contrary, they are rock hard. Rock hard muscles have trigger points and are congested. Eventually those muscles will have inflammation. (The feel of inflammation in the soft tissue is gooey, spongy or puffy.)

Rock hard muscles will not allow oxygen to the muscles, tendons and ligaments and, in effect, weaken the muscles. They are weak only because they are not getting enough oxygen. When you release the muscles, they get enough oxygen to the tissue and become stronger.

The Stick

I always encourage people to take an active role in their own healing. Yes, stretching alone works very well…yet it can work even faster if the muscles are released first. You can either find a good massage therapist to help release the muscles and/or you can use "the Stick" … an intracellular device, a form of self-massage.

For a quick way of releasing and stretching the muscles, I recommend the Stick as a form of self-massage. For the elderly…for those weekend warriors who attempt to the run the marathon and end up practically crippled because of lactic acid build-up. For everyone. The Stick helps remove the lactic acid and reduce inflammation.

What is the The Stick? an intracellular device, founded on solid, scientific evidence in muscle physiology. It was actually originally designed to be used by Olympic athletes to help prevent injury as well as to restore the muscles.

One of the great things about "the Stick" is that you are in charge of your own therapy. I encourage my clients to work on themselves to promote healthy soft tissue and "the Stick: has proved to be one of the best tools around to provide home-therapy.

How does "the Stick" work? The 17 rollers on this flexible rod do a number of things for your muscles.

simultaneously compresses and stretches the muscles.
increases assimilation of oxygen-laden and nutrient-rich blood. (Your muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need for healthy function.)
helps to release trigger points. (Remember…Trigger points are contracted bundles of muscle. Contracted muscles restrict blood flow. There are no trigger points in healthy muscles.)

How to recognize "trigger points.

"Ouch" pain is felt if the instrument locates a trigger point. Recognized as bumpy, tender knots in the muscles. Trigger points hurt when compressed.
Muscles containing trigger points are weak, stiff and tender. They feel tight, fatigue quickly (they are not getting enough oxygen) and often hurt.

The Stick helps to eliminate trigger points. I really love this tool. It makes life so much easier.

By using the Stick, then incorporating a stretching program, this will help release the tissue, bringing the body back in balance and helping release pain.

"The Stick" helps me in my work, saves my back and helps my legs so I can continue playing tennis. To purchase the stick, please go to our webstore.

Combining the two … stretching & the Stick … makes sense and makes the process go faster.Personally I do the stretches for neck, back and arm … and then use the Stick for the lower body: low back, lats, hips, gluts, legs and even abdominal muscles. This works the fastest for me.

Price
$44.95

Truly, this is the KISS* method of life, to live a pain-free life!!!

So, take an pro-active role in your own healing.

It is really important to get into the habit…a daily habit of stretching, in order to bring the body back into balance and to promote flexibility. You will be amazed at how fast you can become more flexible and pain free. In a really short time.

Cryoderm

The last thing I recommend … and this is so new and wonderful. A spray-on pain relief analgesic. It is fabulous and so fast-acting. CryoDerm is made of all natural ingredients to assist the body in being pain free and to help reduce inflammation and relax the muscles.

CryoDerm contains:

Arnica … very effective to reduce swelling in muscle sprains and strains
Boswella … anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic, blocks production of leukotrenes
Ilex … helps with pain, stiff joints and swelling
Menthol … helps with pain relief, sore stiff muscles, cramps and bruises
MSM … anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Those are the four things I recommend, in addition to regular massage once a month. Chondroitin Glucosamine (any supermarket or drug store has it), stretching, the Stick and CryoDerm.

Price

$17.95

So that's it. Release the muscles and stretch. Find a good massage therapist. And live a pain-free life!!! What a concept!!!

Before you begin an exercise program, please stretch and release the muscles. I have talked with so many people who have started on an exercise program … only to find themselves in pain. Back, knee, shoulder or neck pain. And the reason for that is that usually they are tightening already tight muscles.

First of all, if at all possible, find a great massage therapist who can help release your muscles. In my opinion, a muscle release therapy should be a relaxing, not a pain-filled process. I personally use a combination of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (using lotion to smooth out the muscles and other soft tissue), combined with Muscle Release Technique and stretching.

Life is a journey and it's time to take charge of your own healing. Keep doing the things that bring you joy, so that it is a joyful, fun journey.

With many regards for your good health. Rock n' roll your muscles and "stretch on" to good health.

Patricia "Trish" Barry Rumble, RMT, Reikimaster and playwright:

If you have questions, concerning this type of work, please contact us at (713) 784-9400 or outside Houston, 1-800-814-8273 or email me at