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Understanding Trigger Points

Integrative Works is hosting some content on Patreon so that we can devote more time and energy to creating the resources that you need. Basically, the majority of our content is still available to the public. Content that is oriented toward bodywork professionals is available with a nominal subscription to Patreon. Log in to Patreon […]

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Do You Find Trigger Point Illustrations Confusing?

Integrative Works is hosting some content on Patreon so that we can devote more time and energy to creating the resources that you need. Basically, the majority of our content is still available to the public. Content that is oriented toward bodywork professionals is available with a nominal subscription to Patreon. Log in to Patreon

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Why are the unfamiliar activities painful?

It’s a great question. I often state its counter part, “Other people do that and don’t have pain. Let’s work so that you can do that without pain, too.” Let’s briefly look at few things about trigger points that will answer this question: what they do, their levels of activity, what makes them more active, how

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Stretching for scalene muscles

Here are some specific stretches for scalene muscles that have been recommended by many sources over the years. They were published in the self-care section on scalenes in the research of Janet Travell, the physician to two presidents. Clinical experience has proven them to be effective for helping the problematic effects of tight scalene muscles. Helpful

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Self Care – Basics of Ice-and-Stretch

Pain. Soreness. Restricted range of motion. The combination of stretching and icing can rid these ailments quickly if done correctly. Any stretching routine can be faster, more effective, and easier when combined with icing. Ice-and-stretch is an excellent adaptation of two other popular practices: Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) and Stretch-N-Spray. Ice and stretch is an

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Self Care – Breathing exercise for upper back pain

This breathing exercise for relief from upper back pain can be very effective when done properly and regularly. It is relaxing and works well for clients that don’t want to use something like a yoga wheel. Also, some people like it who don’t want to “pop their back.” I have given this technique to a

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How I became a fan of Active Isolated Stretching.

In the mid-90s, I had a client. He came to my practice for a completely different reason. However, he bugged me until I learned a great lesson. This is how I became a fan of Active Isolated Stretching. Let’s call him Rastus. I used craniostructural techniques to, at first, deal with his headaches. Then, unexpectedly,

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Self Care – Releasing hip trigger points with a tennis ball

This is a VERY useful home care activity for clients with chronic trigger points in the hips. This not only includes clients with hip pain but the pain that extends down the side of the leg, down the back of the leg, and seizing hamstrings. Your neuromuscular therapist can use assessment to pinpoint the spot

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