5 Steps To Glowing Summer Skin

Summer is here!

Is your skin ready?

If you are like most people, your skin has been hiding behind long sleeves and pants and needs a little TLC before you bare it.

Follow the five tips below, and you’ll have great summer skin in no time!

Step 1. Exfoliate.

Did you ever wonder what happens to all of the skins cells that your body sheds?

They remain right on top of your skin, making it look dull and dry. In order to get rid of those old cells, you are going to have to exfoliate.

Use a facial exfoliator for your face, and a body exfoliator for your body.

Exfoliate at least once per week for soft, smooth skin.

Step 2. Use lotion.

If you’ve been using a heavier lotion in the winter, now’s the time to switch to a lighter lotion.

Try something fast absorbing, and make sure you rub it on immediately after getting out of the shower to seal the moisture in.

Step 3. Pay attention to your hands and feet.

Your hands and feet have been hidden in gloves and boots all winter long, and they are most likely rough and dry.

Schedule a manicure/pedicure, and have all of the calluses sloughed off and your nails buffed and polished. A good pedicure will leave both hands and feet smooth and ready for summer!

Step 4. Stock up on the sunscreen.

Sun not only makes your skin wrinkly and dry, it increases the likelihood of skin cancer!

If you have old sunscreen from last summer, toss it and buy new. Use at least a teaspoon for your face, and a shot glass full for your body.

Reapply whenever you get wet or every two hours—whichever comes first.

Step 5. Give us a call and schedule a massage appointment.

Yep, that's right...

Massage aids your circulatory system which in turn helps to remove toxins from your body... including your skin.

 Stretch Your Way to Good Health

When you talk about fitness and exercise, many people ignore one important aspect of a healthy fitness regime. While it’s important to get enough cardiovascular and weight bearing exercise every week, it’s also extremely important to stretch.

That’s right!

No matter what your age or activity level, stretching should be a part of your daily routine.

What’s so great about stretching?

Well, as we age we have less range of motion in our joints, and our muscles also become tighter.If you are like many people, at one time or another you’ve probably bent over to pick up something you’ve dropped and realized you’re not quite as limber as you used to be!

People who stretch, however, enjoy the benefits of more limber muscles and joints. One of the best things about stretching is that just about anyone can do it.

You don’t have to be incredibly fit to stretch, nor do you have to have tons of time.As a matter of fact, there are relatively few excuses not to stretch!

So when should you stretch?

Try in the morning after you get up, as well as right before you go to bed.Stretch while you are watching television, at your desk or computer, or even while doing chores like making dinner or folding laundry.If you participate in cardiovascular or weight bearing exercises, stretch both before and after your workouts to keep muscles and joints warm, limber, and injury free.

In addition to keeping joints and muscles in good shape, there are other benefits to stretching.Stretching enhances muscle coordination, and also increases blood circulation.

This increased blood circulation increases energy levels.

Finally, stretching just feels great! So be kind to your muscles and joints and add stretching to your fitness routine.

In addition to stretching, treat your muscles and joints right by keeping up with your massage appointments.

Come in for your regular massage and bodywork sessions so we can help your muscles and joints to stay in the best shape possible!

 Your Garden... A Dangerous Place

When you think of gardening, you most likely think of quietly digging in the dirt and peacefully communing with nature.

Would you believe that gardening accidents are the result of numerous visits to emergency rooms throughout the United States every year?
You can ensure that your gardening experience is a safe, productive one by following a few simple rules:

Wear the right clothing.

You'll be exposing yourself to gardening chemicals, equipment, sun, and insects.

Always wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts and lacerations, and protect yourself from insects and the sun by wearing long-sleeved shirts
and pants. Lower your risk for sunburn and skin cancer by slathering on a protective coating of sunblock.

Finally, protect your eyes with goggles when using equipment.

Beware of the heat.

Many garden-related accidents are the result of exposure to excessive heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and reduce or eliminate
your intake of alcohol or sugary beverages. Be sure to seek out the shade regularly for breaks.

Finally, if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or confused, or experience breathlessness or rapid heartbeat, remove yourself from the sun immediately
and seek medical attention.

Know your limits.
 

Gardening is exercise! To that end, start out gradually and build your stamina every day. If you feel fatigued or your muscles are tired,
call it a day.
 

Get regular massage therapy.

Any exercise can cause muscular imbalances, but gardeners are particularly susceptible to these things because of the positions that gardening requires.

Regular massage therapy will help to ensure that your muscles and joints stay healthy and pain-free. And that means lots more gardening for you!

 
Watch Out For Your Shoulder

Rotator cuff injuries aren't reserved just for athletes. While tennis players, baseball players, swimmers, and other athletes that engage in overhead sports are particularly susceptible, one of the largest populations at risk for rotator cuff injury comprises those who are over the age of 40.

That's right-normal wear and tear is one of the most frequent causes of rotator cuff injury.

So what exactly is the rotator cuff?

The rotator cuff makes up the muscles and tendons in your shoulder, and is responsible for connecting the shoulder blade and arm bone, and providing support to the shoulder. When damage or irritation to these muscles occur, the result is rotator cuff injury.

Rotator cuff injury is a real pain!

Common symptoms include shoulder pain, weakness, and lack of range of motion. So how can you prevent rotator cuff injury?

One of the keys to preventing rotator cuff injury lies in proper conditioning.

The best way to keep the rotator cuff conditioned is to strength train using lower resistance and high repetitions.

Try using Therabands or light handheld weights to complete exercises such as horizontal arm lifts, diagonal arm lifting, and wall push-ups.

Another important step to keeping rotator cuff injury at bay is to get regular massage therapy.