In the world of alternative health care there is an increasing number of practitioners utilizing a multidimensional approach in conjunction with the primary function of their service to result in a more complete treatment for their clientele. The results that these clients are experiencing are greater than the sum of their individual parts. In other words the benefits are not added, they are multiplied as the individual is treated as a whole person rather than symptomatically and on a case by case basis. It is in line with the concept of preventative (rather than reactive) maintenance that this approach to health care is gaining recognition.
Imagine, for instance, that your body is a brand new luxury sedan. Initially it runs great, has good gas mileage, and has a fresh new-car smell to it. Now lets say that the only thing you do to it, aside from putting gas in the tank is that you have it washed once every two weeks for the next year. The paint may look fantastic and the body may not have a scratch on it but if the oil hasn't been changed in a year it won't run like it's meant to; if the tires are low on air then it will get poor gas mileage.
Just like a high-performance automobile, the human body is a complex mechanism comprising of many systems that each work together to sustain it. Focusing on one system, or aspect of the body to the exclusion of others does not result in healthy and balanced lifestyle. Just feeding it well (filling up on high octane fuel), while an extremely important part of the equation, will not result in the total well-being of the body. The concept is checking the tire pressure before the tire blows, changing the oil at least once every 3 months, if not checking it once a week, using fuel injector cleaner, etc., so that the entire machine runs the way in which it was designed.
This is the reason why Body Maintenance is partnering with health and wellness professionals in the Greater Columbia Area, not to be just another massage therapy company, but to play a larger role in preventative health care and to address the whole body.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
DO Sweat it!
In a world full of antiperspirants and deodorants used to combat the unpleasant aroma our bodies sometimes give off due to excessive heat, whether it is internal or external or a combination, the thought may be strange that we may be missing something vital.
Being sweaty is not really a pleasant situation in most circumstances, especially social, however there are some important aspects to sweating that those who have extreme aversions to it miss out on.
At this point you may be saying to yourself, "well everyone sweats," and yes, to some extent, but how much? Let me paint you a picture that is not at all ridiculous or inconceivable, and it may even remind yourself of your own life. As follows: Mr. John Smith, a businessman for Widget Works Inc. wakes up at 7:00 AM, takes a shower, shaves, eats his breakfast in his air-conditioned house, and walks outside to his car and on his way to his car his body temperature raises due to the summer heat, and his pores enlarge allowing a little bit of condensation in his armpits which his deodorant absorbs easily. Cranking his car up, he immediately turns on the A/C to low, as it is still early in the day and the sun has not had a chance to really cook the air inside the vehicle. He drives in comfort the 30 minutes to his office and parks in the parking garage which, if the air has heated up a bit the garage is still very well shaded and there is a decent breeze as well. He immediately picks up his briefcase and walks into his office and works the entire day, with the exception of lunch which is spent in a cafeteria or at a restaurant, in an air conditioned environment. Mr. Smith finishes work and drives home. After work, Mr. Smith walks his dog in shorts and a T-shirt for 15 minutes and sweats more than he has all day, but it is after 6PM so the sun is not nearly as intense as it was earlier on in the day. He takes a shower, eats dinner and watches a dvd and goes to bed.
In this daily scenario Mr. Smith is not sweating a whole lot and most of his day is spent in an effort to stay dry and comfortable. In doing so, he is limiting the natural waste removal system that our sweat glands are designed to facilitate. This is obviously not the case with people who exercise regularly or those who have professions which require them to spend long periods of time in the summer heat.
While you sweat your body releases toxins and waste bi-products which can naturally take up to 24 hours for your body to otherwise dispose of them, sometimes longer!
Exercising, especially cardiovascular workouts that really get the heart going, are great for clearing out sweat glands and getting those toxins out. A sauna can be a great alternative for those who aren't able to exercise very long or hard.
Being sweaty is not really a pleasant situation in most circumstances, especially social, however there are some important aspects to sweating that those who have extreme aversions to it miss out on.
At this point you may be saying to yourself, "well everyone sweats," and yes, to some extent, but how much? Let me paint you a picture that is not at all ridiculous or inconceivable, and it may even remind yourself of your own life. As follows: Mr. John Smith, a businessman for Widget Works Inc. wakes up at 7:00 AM, takes a shower, shaves, eats his breakfast in his air-conditioned house, and walks outside to his car and on his way to his car his body temperature raises due to the summer heat, and his pores enlarge allowing a little bit of condensation in his armpits which his deodorant absorbs easily. Cranking his car up, he immediately turns on the A/C to low, as it is still early in the day and the sun has not had a chance to really cook the air inside the vehicle. He drives in comfort the 30 minutes to his office and parks in the parking garage which, if the air has heated up a bit the garage is still very well shaded and there is a decent breeze as well. He immediately picks up his briefcase and walks into his office and works the entire day, with the exception of lunch which is spent in a cafeteria or at a restaurant, in an air conditioned environment. Mr. Smith finishes work and drives home. After work, Mr. Smith walks his dog in shorts and a T-shirt for 15 minutes and sweats more than he has all day, but it is after 6PM so the sun is not nearly as intense as it was earlier on in the day. He takes a shower, eats dinner and watches a dvd and goes to bed.
In this daily scenario Mr. Smith is not sweating a whole lot and most of his day is spent in an effort to stay dry and comfortable. In doing so, he is limiting the natural waste removal system that our sweat glands are designed to facilitate. This is obviously not the case with people who exercise regularly or those who have professions which require them to spend long periods of time in the summer heat.
While you sweat your body releases toxins and waste bi-products which can naturally take up to 24 hours for your body to otherwise dispose of them, sometimes longer!
Exercising, especially cardiovascular workouts that really get the heart going, are great for clearing out sweat glands and getting those toxins out. A sauna can be a great alternative for those who aren't able to exercise very long or hard.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Stretching Your Limits
Stretching, (the art of maintaining or increasing your body's range of motion), while being one of the most effective forms of preventative maintenance that a person can practice with or without the aid of another, however is a widely unpopular discipline, especially among those who have no need of much physical exertion on a daily basis. This is not to say that people are specifically lazy, on the contrary many of these people live disciplined lives and are responsible people. There are plenty of hardworking people whose jobs are not physically demanding; a career that is mentally and psychologically demanding is sometimes more exhausting than a career that is physically demanding.
Regardless of the nature of the job, both sitting at an office desk typing at a computer all day and walking around a construction site swinging hammers, measuring and sawing 2x4's and working to a prospective deadline, each individual is in need of a regular stretching regimen. People who sit in the same position for 8 to 12 hrs/day get stiff from lack of motion and exercise. People who physically exert themselves 8 to 12 hrs/day get tired, achey muscles due to their exertion.
The concepts of stretching are the basic principles that massage therapy is based upon. In fact modern massage techniques, more specifically Swedish Massage, is supported heavily by the work of Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish Physician who incorporated massage to compliment his system of Swedish gymnastics. His manuals and methods were followed by the physiologists of his time to develop treatments for muscular and joint dysfunction as well as other disorders. Furthermore gymnasts today are some of the most powerful, flexible and stable athletes due to their constant stretching.
The difference between massage therapy and the formal act of stretching a muscle is made quite simple; just picture that a muscle is a gob of bread dough. Stretching that dough is taking one end in the right hand and the other in the left and slowly pull it apart. It an effective method however there are bound to remain lumps at specific points inside that dough. In order to achieve a consistent mixture, the pressure must be applied on all points from one end to the other; pressure applied in differing proportions depending on how pliable the dough may be.
Note: just because some of you know how to knead dough, and you now how the concept of stretching and massage relate to the concept of kneading dough, I would encourage you to be careful (sensitive) if you do decide to knead someone else's proverbial "dough". (I'll just go on the record for saying you should be taught by a trained professional).
Regardless of the nature of the job, both sitting at an office desk typing at a computer all day and walking around a construction site swinging hammers, measuring and sawing 2x4's and working to a prospective deadline, each individual is in need of a regular stretching regimen. People who sit in the same position for 8 to 12 hrs/day get stiff from lack of motion and exercise. People who physically exert themselves 8 to 12 hrs/day get tired, achey muscles due to their exertion.
The concepts of stretching are the basic principles that massage therapy is based upon. In fact modern massage techniques, more specifically Swedish Massage, is supported heavily by the work of Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish Physician who incorporated massage to compliment his system of Swedish gymnastics. His manuals and methods were followed by the physiologists of his time to develop treatments for muscular and joint dysfunction as well as other disorders. Furthermore gymnasts today are some of the most powerful, flexible and stable athletes due to their constant stretching.
The difference between massage therapy and the formal act of stretching a muscle is made quite simple; just picture that a muscle is a gob of bread dough. Stretching that dough is taking one end in the right hand and the other in the left and slowly pull it apart. It an effective method however there are bound to remain lumps at specific points inside that dough. In order to achieve a consistent mixture, the pressure must be applied on all points from one end to the other; pressure applied in differing proportions depending on how pliable the dough may be.
Note: just because some of you know how to knead dough, and you now how the concept of stretching and massage relate to the concept of kneading dough, I would encourage you to be careful (sensitive) if you do decide to knead someone else's proverbial "dough". (I'll just go on the record for saying you should be taught by a trained professional).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome and thank you for visiting the Body Maintenance blog. This is a forum dedicated to the discussion and mutual edification as it pertains to our own health, wellness and preventative maintenance. It is the goal of Body Maintenance to promote a healthy lifestyle through proper diet, exercise, cleansing, etc., etc.
There are many avenues of obtaining and maintaining health, and one is not necessarily better than the other. Massage Therapy is the primary function of Body Maintenance and is a tool we use to help our clients reach their goals, and help them obtain the results that they are looking for.
We welcome discussion about health-related issues and different approaches to these issues.
We want to emphasize that this site is "for all people" and that whoever you may be and whatever your experience or knowledge of the subject matter, you have a personal knowledge of your own bodily health that you may relate to the subject matter being discussed.
We also would like to emphasize to those who do have an advanced knowledge of the subject matter, being that this is a forum "for all people", that you post messages and describe concepts in a way that only requires a cursory knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology. On the other hand, we encourage our readers to educate themselves on human health issues and how they relate to their daily lifestyle.
Perhaps including links pertaining to the concepts, conditions, or ideas that you are discussing in your posts would be good for those who want to do some of their own research and thus enrich the quality of the discussions as well.
There are many avenues of obtaining and maintaining health, and one is not necessarily better than the other. Massage Therapy is the primary function of Body Maintenance and is a tool we use to help our clients reach their goals, and help them obtain the results that they are looking for.
We welcome discussion about health-related issues and different approaches to these issues.
We want to emphasize that this site is "for all people" and that whoever you may be and whatever your experience or knowledge of the subject matter, you have a personal knowledge of your own bodily health that you may relate to the subject matter being discussed.
We also would like to emphasize to those who do have an advanced knowledge of the subject matter, being that this is a forum "for all people", that you post messages and describe concepts in a way that only requires a cursory knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology. On the other hand, we encourage our readers to educate themselves on human health issues and how they relate to their daily lifestyle.
Perhaps including links pertaining to the concepts, conditions, or ideas that you are discussing in your posts would be good for those who want to do some of their own research and thus enrich the quality of the discussions as well.
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