Imagining Fascial Fluidity

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One of the first metaphors that made an immediate impression on me when I started practicing massage was the term “Cement Back”. You don’t have to be a bodyworker to understand the difficulty one might encounter when working with tissue that’s analogous to the consistency of cement. Where do you even begin? Plus, how must that person feel living inside a body whose soft, flexible tissue seems to have hardened into place.

There are lots of ways people refer to these layers of tension that build up between and within the neuromatrix of our bodies. “I have lots of knots in my back… I carry all my tension in my neck and shoulders… I’m not very flexible…. I really need to stretch more…” are just a few of the common phrases I hear from folks looking to get some relief.

“Fascia is a form of dense connective tissue. It is a continuous sheet of fibrous membrane located beneath the skin and around the muscles and organs. The fascial system forms a 3D matrix of connective tissue extending throughout the body from head to toe.” (Trail Guide to the Body, p. 24)

I believe that imagining this ubiquitous tissue that connects the entire body as fluid and flexible – like it feels after exercise, after conscious relaxation, after massage – can help create that physical state of being. Even more than thinking about how any one or synergistic group of muscles function, focusing your mind’s eye on what I call “fascial fluidity” throughout the entire body during exercise (and stillness for the matter) can produce more positive outcomes than just the activity alone.

Visualizing your ever-changing body as more than the sum of it’s parts opens a pathway for increased range of motion, self-awareness, and vitality. I encourage everyone to develop an open-minded curiosity about the relationships between different areas of the body; a relaxed yet attentive approach to areas that may not be functioning optimally and gratitude for the all of the incredible things our bodies do automatically.

After all, beyond good and bad, it’s amazing to be alive.

ROLL with it EVERYDAY!

I always remind people, what you do everyday matters more than what you do every once in a while. (And what you do every once in a while can really help you maintain your commitment to what you do everyday!)

So, taking the time to roll out the tension that accumulates in the tissues on a regular basis is really important.

One of the many tools that I recommend for this purpose is the Tiger Tail. It's easy to store, easy to use and easy to modify how much pressure you apply.

I sell them right here in Santa Barbara. And I'm offering one for FREE to everyone who purchases a discounted series of 4 massages in September 2014.

Do your Homework

I recently read a quote that really resonated with me and the work I do with clients.

"What you do everyday matters more than what you do every once in while."

Of course, we all know that most of us can't schedule a massage everyday. But we can move every day. Eat everyday. Meditate everyday. Sleep well. Tell our loved ones how much they mean to us every day. All of this is what matters most to your health.

Another thing you can do everyday -- and actually do without even realizing it -- is stretch and self-massage. The trick is to do these things consciously and with intention.

You wake up and stretch, naturally. You get in and out of your car. Up and down from your desk. All of these everyday activities involve stretching the tissues of your body. It doesn't have to be formal, although it is nice to flex and move the spine forward, backward, side to side, twisting -- in a methodical way. (Or while your dancing to your favorite music!)

With the right tools, you can also massage your back and legs, arms and feet, even your scalp. Everyday! The foam roller can be your best friend and at home massage therapist. See more about the foam roller here http://www.maggiespa.com/2011/06/self-care-101-foam-roller.html

Self-Care 101: The FOAM ROLLER

If you invest in regular massage treatments (which of course I think you should!) you could also benefit from doing some homework. I'd like to introduce some of my very favorite at-home, self-care accessories for you to enjoy between your professional massage sessions. These massage-on-demand tools provide instant relief, ongoing suppleness and increased flexibility.

Hi Density Foam Rollers are extra firm and last much longer than White single construction rollers. This foam roller is 36” in length and 6” in diameter. It can be used for myofascial release and dynamic strength. $44 including tax.

Stability + Strength = FREEDOM

Today I had the great pleasure of experiencing a session of Muscle Activation Technique or MAT —with Joe Marso at Conditioning Specialists. Part muscle-testing, part massaging the weakened attachments that inhibit proper alignment, this approach works immediately to correct structural imbalance, creating more stability, strength and balance.

From my perspective, when the muscular system is not working the way it’s ultimately designed to work, you’re heading in the wrong direction. While your body can compensate, it’s best to recruit the “right” muscles for whatever job you’re asking your body to do—whether it’s walking, throwing a ball, or standing in a proud yoga warrior pose. The beauty of the body is that it can—and will—compensate in order to get you through your task if the “right” muscles aren’t available or responding well. The downside is that compromise will likely lead to weakness, discomfort and eventually pain and/or total inhibition in areas that aren’t working properly.

While the body is a process, ever changing and never perfectly aligned, it’s definitely worth the time to identify your body’s tendencies and get—or stay—headed in a strong and stable direction. MAT can really help you get individual and specific information about your body mechanics and jumpstart those muscles that need reactivation or strength building for your “machine” (body) to work to the best of it’s ability. Thanks, Joe, you’ve made me a fan of MAT.

2009 iSPA Conference & Expo

I recently returned, refreshed and motivated, from the 2009 iSPA Conference & Expo which was in Austin, TX. Many highlights and inSPAration from motivational speakers, industry friends and the ongoing theme of the scientific data supporting the benefits of massage, yoga and meditation in overall health and recovery from health issues. Lance Armstrong gave a wonderful, heartfelt, grounded and honest account of his own journey with cancer and believing in what sounded like a silly, "undo-able" idea -- the live strong bracelets.