Can't afford a massage?  Then dig out a tennis ball and roll away those knots.


photo courtesy of Flickr CCL - Linda Giddens

Regular readers of my blog know how much I bang on about how incorporating weights into your exercise programme is essential to maintain a good posture and healthy musculature.  Well, I've just found an article in Science Daily which backs up my claims:

"ScienceDaily (Nov. 18, 2009) — Strength training exercises using dumbbells can reduce pain and improve function in the trapezius muscle, the large muscle which extends from the back of the head, down the neck and into the upper back. The exercises also improve the muscle's ability to respond quickly and forcefully among women suffering trapezius myalgia, a tenderness and tightness in the upper trapezius muscle. The results are the latest findings from an ongoing Danish study aimed at reducing repetitive strain injury caused by office work."

To read the full article click here.

To see what the exercises are click here.

I noted an interesting article on Healthypages this week. Many of us already have experience and personal proof that the mind and the body are closely connected. However, the Western Medical community don't give credence to anecdotal evidence. They work on the principle that unless something can be proven with tests and data it doesn't count. So it's interesting that:

"Doctors from Germany have concluded that neck pain is not just the result of physical factors. The doctors are citing psychological reasons for neck pain as well. High up on their list for reasons are anxiety and depression.

Lead researcher, Dr. Martin Scherer from the University of Gottingen said "For successful long-term results, it is essential to consider psychosocial factors and to include them into therapeutic strategies........ "

Click here to read the full article.

This may sound like stating the obvious to those of us who can see a correlation between body and mind. However, many people are of the opinion that enough sessions of a hands-on therapy such as massage, osteopathy etc will cure the problem. In fact, this is only half the picture.

The additional therapeutic strategies which spring to my mind might include lifestyle changes, counselling, relaxation techniques and meditation.

Ever found yourself slumped over your computer at lunchtime, aimlessly surfing the web? Tsk, Tsk! you should be getting up from your desk and going for a walk in the fresh air and natural light. However, should it be raining or snowing or you're bored senseless with the streets around you office, you could do a lot worse than give yourself a 5 minute massage.

I've found this great 5 minute video which is easy to do:

Self-massage at your desk.