Hi Everyone!
"SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING!”
The surgeon general shared this slogan back in 2010 to emphasize the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. The truth is that we all sit so much more than our ancestors did. It’s just part of modern life. Too much sitting has obvious health risks (obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and so much more). But the musculoskeletal issues are showing up for just about everyone, including children. These show up as:
What can we do?
I’d like to share one of my favorite and most popular soap box blurbs. I’ve shared this in session with hundreds (maybe thousands) of clients over the years and hope you find it helpful.
1 - AWARENESS IS KEY!
It’s important to understand why this happens and then hopefully you’ll be more inspired to take action. The average persons head weighs about 12 lbs. If you have great posture when you’re sitting at a desk, in the car or moving around throughout the day - then your head is over the midline of your body and supported by gravity. But most of us don’t have great posture when sitting at a computer, looking at our phones or moving about. The shoulders are rounded forward which contracts the front pectoral muscles. That pulls the upper back muscles forward and overworks the neck and back muscles. The 12 lb. head jutting out over the midline of the body can add up to 30 lbs. of pressure on our cervical spine. These patterns of overuse present gradually but have cumulative effects and get locked in our musculature.
We call it FORWARD HEAD POSTURE SYNDROME.
That’s what we’re dealing with. And so many people have it.
The body becomes so tight that we lose range of motion and have a hard time moving freely without stiffness or pain.
Awareness is the first step.
Know that change is possible.
2 - MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE!
I feel like a broken record reminding clients to STRETCH and demonstrating some of my favorite stretches. The truth is when I demo, I’m stretching and it reminds me how beneficial it is because it feels so good. Our bodies are designed to move. There’s a saying “Motion in Lotion.” Synovial fluid is activated in the joints with movement. Yes, movement is medicine!
I thoroughly believe that we do not have to live with stiffness and pain. We just need to stretch and move our bodies more. Take it from me…I’m working with clients and doing massage for almost 40 years. I’m hunched over with rounded shoulders and have patterns of overuse. WE TEACH WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN!
3 - Lastly, MASSAGE doesn’t just feel good…it helps a lot!
It’s therapeutic. You don’t need to live with pain and stiffness.
That’s WHY we ask our clients what’s going on in their body and why they are here. We’re change agents! Let us know if there are any areas that need extra or special attention. We’re here to help!
Onward toward PEACE & HEALTH,
💜 ~ Patti
"SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING!”
The surgeon general shared this slogan back in 2010 to emphasize the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle. The truth is that we all sit so much more than our ancestors did. It’s just part of modern life. Too much sitting has obvious health risks (obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and so much more). But the musculoskeletal issues are showing up for just about everyone, including children. These show up as:
- Neck pain, soreness and stiffness
- Shoulder pain and tightness, upper back pain
- Headaches and TMJ
- Shortened hamstrings, tight hips, low back pain
What can we do?
I’d like to share one of my favorite and most popular soap box blurbs. I’ve shared this in session with hundreds (maybe thousands) of clients over the years and hope you find it helpful.
1 - AWARENESS IS KEY!
It’s important to understand why this happens and then hopefully you’ll be more inspired to take action. The average persons head weighs about 12 lbs. If you have great posture when you’re sitting at a desk, in the car or moving around throughout the day - then your head is over the midline of your body and supported by gravity. But most of us don’t have great posture when sitting at a computer, looking at our phones or moving about. The shoulders are rounded forward which contracts the front pectoral muscles. That pulls the upper back muscles forward and overworks the neck and back muscles. The 12 lb. head jutting out over the midline of the body can add up to 30 lbs. of pressure on our cervical spine. These patterns of overuse present gradually but have cumulative effects and get locked in our musculature.
We call it FORWARD HEAD POSTURE SYNDROME.
That’s what we’re dealing with. And so many people have it.
The body becomes so tight that we lose range of motion and have a hard time moving freely without stiffness or pain.
Awareness is the first step.
Know that change is possible.
2 - MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE!
I feel like a broken record reminding clients to STRETCH and demonstrating some of my favorite stretches. The truth is when I demo, I’m stretching and it reminds me how beneficial it is because it feels so good. Our bodies are designed to move. There’s a saying “Motion in Lotion.” Synovial fluid is activated in the joints with movement. Yes, movement is medicine!
I thoroughly believe that we do not have to live with stiffness and pain. We just need to stretch and move our bodies more. Take it from me…I’m working with clients and doing massage for almost 40 years. I’m hunched over with rounded shoulders and have patterns of overuse. WE TEACH WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN!
3 - Lastly, MASSAGE doesn’t just feel good…it helps a lot!
It’s therapeutic. You don’t need to live with pain and stiffness.
That’s WHY we ask our clients what’s going on in their body and why they are here. We’re change agents! Let us know if there are any areas that need extra or special attention. We’re here to help!
Onward toward PEACE & HEALTH,
💜 ~ Patti
