– UNLOCK YOUR HIP FLEXORS

AND

– ACTIVATE YOUR GLUTES

THEN

– STRENGTHEN YOUR CORE

IT HELPS

– RELIEVE BACKPAIN, PREVENT INJURY, LIFT EASIER, RUN FASTER

AAAANNNNDDDD HELPS

– TONE UP THAT TUMMY POOCH!

Most of us spend hours each day driving to and from work, then 9 hours at a desk or computer, we
drive kids to afterschool activities, then sit and dine for another couple hours before slumping on the
couch watching TV….its no wonder our hips lock, glutes tighten and our body tightens up!
When our body is locked in a position of flexion for the majority of our day, it creates a ripple of
wrong muscles performing functions and loads they simply cannot handle.
This alone can cause our bodies to lock up, developing imbalances that lead to dysfunctional
movement patterns and unnecessary TIGHTNESS, STRESS and PAIN!

Since everything in our body is connected, foot tingliness, ankle strain, calf tightness, knee
pain…could all lead from and to hip and lower back pain. Even upper body dysfunction can lead
down to lower back and hip pain.

This means we must LOOSEN ALL STRAINED MUSCLES to restore proper function to our CORE.
For some immediate soothing and relief, you could try google some foam or ball rolling techniques,
or at least try the stretches to help unlock hip flexors and activate glutes, as shown in the photos
below.

To restore proper muscle function and correct common areas of tightness, best you visit Muscle
Essence and ask for one of those Trigger Point massage treatments which help your body benefit
longer term!

The post Locked Hips & Tight Glutes appeared first on Muscle Essence.

Whether it’s a tired muscle due to it’s repetitive use or a strained muscle following an injury or excessive high impacting physical activity, when it knots up, it knots up. It gets tight, sore and eventually limits our range of motion. When a muscle gets tired and can’t function as it should, it calls on other muscles to help, overusing and tiring those muscles referring pain to other areas.

It’s as simple as this: that knotted muscle stuck in a muscle fibre is like a smoothie clotted up in a straw.

Imagine sucking a smoothie through a straw. The intensity of this and the thickness of the smoothie makes it clot up in the straw. It tires you out to the point you cannot suck any more of it in through that straw.

If you find a gap (or airpocket) within the straw and press on it, what happens?

The smoothie spreads out, making it easier to drink again.

That’s (very simply put) how trigger points work. The knot within the muscle fibre gets overused, tired and slows down its movement. We look for the point between the muscle and the nerve and press deep and under to release and ease the knot. Helping gain range of movement again. (Of course the technique more complex than this, so please don’t try it unless you have been trained. Pressing on an incorrect point can not only hurt, but it may damage muscles and fibres).

Is it painful? It can be. But for me, I find it less aggravating on the muscles than other treatments which aim to break down/push knots away.

I engage with clients throughout the treatment and apply pressure “just above their pain threshold” (although some clients ask me to “just kill it”).

What does it feel like? In general, it’s a sharp or pinchy sensation which lasts for a few seconds. Some points feel like a pinched nerve localised to the area, others cause a pinchiness which travel to an area of referred pain. When the pinchiness or travelling feeling eases, the pressure point is released. This can feel quite soothing to a strained body.

Recovery? Different people respond differently to this treatment. You can expect some tenderness after treatment, however range of movement improves immediately. A heat pack can be applied for some comfort if needed.

Some respond well and feel almost brand new the next day. I usually advise clients that they may wake up feeling like they’ve had a round of boxing, but it’s a good “pain” which subsides within 24-48hrs. Best of all, getting back that range of movement feels sensational and the benefit in the treatment realised.

Important to the recovery process is my lollie jar and that you drink plenty of water over the next 24hrs. The intensity of the treatment activates your muscles to a point of extreme relaxation and dehydration. You’ll need to boost those energy levels and muscles back up. A treat for feeling great!

The post A Trigger Point Analogy appeared first on Muscle Essence.

Baby Massage is mostly about using a baby’s first sensory stimulation – touch – which first starts in the womb. As well as the first form of communication – eye contact.

There is no right way or technique to massage baby. It’s mostly about applying a gentle touch and being aware of how they respond. They will tell you what they like or don’t like.

It’s a great way for a mother or caregiver to bond and create calm time with their baby.

It’s a great interactive opportunity for siblings, who through something as simple as a light foot massage (supervised of course), can learn empathy and connect with their new baby brother/sister.

Two weeks ago I was at a family gathering and my partner’s cousin was there with her 2 month old daughter. I was cradling baby in my lap facing outwards and towards her ‘mum’. Whilst I was gently rolling my fingers along each of her thighs, tummy and arms, mum was getting so much joy in just watching her daughter’s angelic expressions and listening to her soothing sounds – a calming and joyous experience for both mother and baby – just from a simple touch and massage.

Something so simple, offering a beautiful experience for mother and baby.

You don’t need to spend a long time massaging a baby. They are happy with only a few minutes. By the age of 3, 85% of a baby’s brain is developed.

Every experience leading up to this time helps to shape baby’s brain and a healthy, happy development. Research has found that regular massage can lead to increased awareness and attentiveness.

The post Baby Massage appeared first on Muscle Essence.

Gentle pulling particularly of the top, middle and bottom of the outer earlobe improves the immune system

The post “DID YOU KNOW” facts about massage: appeared first on Muscle Essence.