It's almost summer, and for many of us that means a vacation is on the horizon. Long hours sitting on planes, trains, or cars, combined with unfamiliar sleeping arrangements can wreak havoc on your neck, and your fun. With a few simple strategies and some planning, you can optimize your chances for pain-free adventures.
Your posture—how you hold your body—isn't just about physical appearance. When you slump in a chair or stand up straight, the body sends signals to your brain that can significantly impact your emotional state, confidence levels, and happiness. Studies show that by consciously improving your posture, you can trigger positive changes in your physical and mental well-being.
Menopause: Embraced by some, dreaded by many, this life transition brings physical, emotional, and mental changes. Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and muscle aches are just some of the common symptoms that can significantly impact your life during, and after, menopause. Massage can help in relieve some of these related issues.
Feeling tired and blue? Learn to improve your mood and increase energy by healing your gut-brain connection. The gut-brain connection refers to the communication back and forth of the intestinal tract and the brain. Recent research has discovered a complex system of communication involving the gut, the brain, the immune and endocrine systems, and all the microorganisms of the intestinal tract.
You're probably used to hearing the term "TMJ" refer to jaw problems, but TMJ actually just stands for temporomandibular joint. The TMJ holds your jaw on your skull and is the most unique joint in your body — it's actually two joints located on either side of your jaw. The TMJ controls talking, chewing, and biting. With so much going on in the TMJ, it's no wonder it sometimes needs a little TLC.
Chances are you're not thinking of your vertebrae when you suddenly feel like you could grow a cactus on your tongue and realize you haven't drunk water all day. Yet just like every other part of your body, your spine needs adequate water to function properly. And so hydration plays an important role in back health.
Almost all of us carry stories on our skin, etched in the form of scars. While some may tell tales of resilience and courage, scars can also be bothersome and limit movement. When our friend Mary Ellen donated a kidney to her daughter, her doctors stressed the importance of movement, walking, and regaining strength. But there's another often-overlooked aspect of post-transplant care: scar massage.
Let's face it, aging isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Wrinkles creep in, joints get achy, and that youthful bounce in our step starts to fade. But before you resign yourself to a rocking chair and endless reruns, there's good news: staying fit as you age is possible, and it can make you feel like a million bucks.
