THE MANY BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

THE MANY BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Backs, Health, Wellness
I am a huge fan of massage -- it's one of the most pleasant things one's body can experience. It's safe, effective, and decidedly good for you, with only positive side-effects. Those who know me have probably heard me say that massage is one of the three "musts" for a happy back and optimal musculoskeletal health, along with exercise, of course, and spinal manipulation and bodywork such as chiropractic or osteopathy. I am often surprised how many people I meet who have never had a massage in their life -- folks, you have no idea how much you're missing out! So, to introduce massage to those of you who would like to give it a go, I interviewed Siobhan Balfour, a massage therapist based in Southampton, about the benefits of …
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NINE TIPS FOR HAPPY FEET AND HEALTHY BACKS

Backs, Wellness
Walking is really a controlled falling forward. Do you “fall forward” safely and effectively? It will largely depend on the shoes you wear. Your shoes are your contact with the ground and provide support for your body. Good support facilitates good posture, and good posture keeps the spine healthy – and vice versa. But our shoes are often less than ideal in doing their main job. We often go for the way they look more than whether they are actually good for us, whether we are women or men, and can develop serious health issues as a result. Here are some simple things you can do to help keep your feet – and the rest of you – in good shape: Don't skimp on quality when buying shoes. This one…
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THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Health, Wellness
Hello lovely people. Before you rush on, just pause for a moment and observe this great body you've got. Are you sitting well? Are your legs crossed? Lower back round? Shoulders hunching forward? Head hanging heavy off the stem of your spine like the Giant Russian sunflower in late August? Now, I will bet anything that as you read this, you have changed your posture. Have you sat up straighter and uncrossed your legs? If you have, fantastic. And all it took can be summed up in one little but important word: AWARENESS. I brought your attention to the right place, and you automatically did the rest. Having a high level of awareness, whether it be of our physical bodies or of our mental processes, is a type of skill.…
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