Posted by Emme on February 16, 2002, at 7:52:06
In reply to Re: Extreme Muscle Tension » Emme, posted by IsoM on February 14, 2002, at 10:06:04
Hi IsoM,
Thanks for the suggestions. I sympathize with the rock-hard muscles. What you do sounds similar to what I've started to do at work sometimes. After sitting for a while, and no doubt tensing my shoulders as I work, I feel the need to move around. I go out in the hallway and go through some yoga poses including a couple of sun salutations, as well as doing stretches the massage therapist suggested. You're right, it does seem to help. Fortunately my office is in an annex space with a handful of cool people otherwise I'd be sure to look kooky. :)Yeah, massage therapy can get expensive. One really helpful thing she did was figure out exactly which sore, tense muscles were causing pain in which body part. Sounds obvious I know, but there were a few surprises, especially with the pain in my fingers, which I wouldn't have found on my own. Now I know to massage those spots myself. So as well as just plain feeling good, she has increased my awareness of my body, which is helpful. Plus, this particular woman really has hands of magic. :) So now that I'm getting a handle on the muscle tension problems, I'll just go once in a while for a treat/tune-up.
cheers,
Emme> Emme, if massage therapy helped then there's something you can do at home to help. I have muscle tension & pain in the same places as you due to a couple of old injuries plus a genetic weakeness there, I think. My Mom & 2 sons who also get pain & tension, plus me, all have the same shoulder, back, & neck posture. And all have the same points of pain around these areas. The knots can become rock hard.
>
> When I'm working about the place, cleaning, cooking & doing laundry, I'll put music on to work by & pause frequently to do Tai Chi type swaying, dancing, stretching movements in time to the music. If the neighbours could see me, they'd probably phone someone to take me away. But it feels so good & keeps the area relaxed. I know when I don't do it regularly, the pain builds.
>
> Adapt whatever sort of movements you need to do & improvise till it feels good. A lot of slow arm & shoulder movement is great for me. Another movement I came up with is something like pretending you're using a bow & pulling the arrow slowly way back. Then I alternate with the other arm doing the pulling. (I use to do archery when younger & had a set.) Try these ideas for a week & see if it doesn't help. Much cheaper than massage!
poster:Emme
thread:94019
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020215/msgs/94393.html