Stretches for back pain
On sunny spring days like today, I feel like getting out of the house and enjoying the outdoors. For me it’s a time to rebalance my body and mind.
For many people, mobility problems, lack of flexibility or poor range of motion reduces these possibilities. Whether it’s from shoulder or hip pain, neck or back pain there are always some stretches you can do whilst outdoors to feel like you are connected with the seasons and extend your movement.
Here are some stretches to get you started:
Back Stretches-
We have already explored Cat and cow yoga poses on a previous post. You could add to these the Crescent moon
and the Half lord of the fishes.
For the Crescent moon. Stand tall with arms above your head. As you inhale stretch towards the sky. As you exhale, bend to one side. You can repeat this on each side. Only stretch as far as is comfortable. However if you continue to stretch usig the inhale and exhale approach you will increase you flexibility. you can do this from a seated position if needed.
The half lord of fishes begins seated. Cross one foot over the other knee. bend the leg on floor Place opposite elbow beyond knee as support. With each inhalation, lift the spine upwards toward the sky and each exhale twist around to face behind.
Good Luck.
Mother’s Day – Taking Time for me?
This week has seen a raft of celebrations as we think about Mothers. Our own mothers, ourselves as mothers, our daughters as mothers. The mother we become to our beloved pets. The mother we are to those around us who need love care and support. It’s a refreshing time as it hits us amongst the bright yellow of daffidils and the longer sunnier days.
Indigo Spring has seen a wave of people being treated to massages and treating their mums this week. It has made me consider once more the complex roles we inhabit as we get older. Too often we push our own needs to one side as we act with selflessness to help others. And we ask is it selfish to look after ourselves?
The more we drain our resources the less we have to give others around us. I see people everyday who carry these stresses on their shoulders like a milkmaid’s yoke. And remind them that you can’t drink from an empty cup. It is essential for us to refresh and renew our energy levels in order to continue to give.
So next time you see an opportunity to fill your cups. Go ahead. Be the mother you really want to be. With energy and love to share with others.
The weight of the world on my shoulders.
When one problem after another comes your way, and you cope by internalising and taking a deep breath and carrying on, eventually the stress will manifet itself in the body. This usually is present in the neck and shoulders and across the upper back. The trapezius muscle absorbs the tension and enlarges and stiffens in response.
This is treatable however. Regular massage to this area will reduce the tension and soften the muscle.
Taking time for yourself will also help to balance the stresses placed on you in daily life. Commiting to your own wellbeing is a step in the right direction for you to feel more balanced again.
Book in for a massage today on 07900900313
Lower Back Pain Relief
This week at Indigo Spring I have been mostly treating and researching Lower Back Pain. Lots of guests have found stiffness in their lower back and shooting through their bottom to their thighs.
This is a common ailment for men and women. It occurs when the SacroIliac Joint is compressed.
The Sacrum is the triangular shaped bone at the base of the Spine. The Iliac is the large bones that form the pelvis at the hips. Where the two meet are the SacroIliac (SI) joints. When these compress the nerves between them are restricted and pain is felt from their vertically downlards through the glutes and sciatic nerve or Ilial tibial band (ITB) down the side of the upper leg.
Massage is extremely effective at releasing this joint and relieving pain. But daily massage is not an option for most of us. In between our treatments, here are some exercises that will relieve the pain.
- Knees To chest – Lie on your back, raise knees to chest. Rock slowly from side to side to massage your SI joint
- Bridge – Lie on your back with your knees bent. Lift your bottom towards the ceiling creating a straight linebetween shoulders and knees. Hold for ten and release. Repeat 5 times.
- Hip Flexor – Lie on your back with knees bent. Drop your knees slowly to the floor on one side. Return them to the centre. Drop knees to the other side. Repeat 5 times.
Good luck and do call for any further advice. 07900900313
Put an Indigo Spring back in your step.
For some people, massage therapy and complementary therapy is something for when your health hits a crisis point. Have you heard people say this sort of thing? is it you?
“The pain in my back that I’ve coped with and got used to for the last year or so, has now got me laid up in bed”.
“The lack of mobility in my shoulder has been managed by using the other hand, but now that shoulder can’t move either.”
“I can handle my stress by drinking wine, but every weekend has turned into every night”
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Homeostasis
Our bodies will heal themselves given the right environment. They want to return to Homeostasis or balance. But ignoring initial twinges or changes in behaviour, can lead to much more difficulties down the line.
Be Proactive
Being Proactive with our health doesn’t necessarily mean we have to go on diets, exercise all the time, spend all of spare time and money on the latest fad. But it does mean making small changes to areas of our lives that no longer work for us, to enable a better sense of wellbeing.
We know we can reduce our sugar and junk food intake and our weight will decrease. That stretching and exercising a little will make a big difference.
Why not think the same about your body’s systems? Regular massage therapy will reduce stress, by lowering heart rate and blood pressure, encourage the flow of endorphins and revitalise the lymphatic system. It will help relieve muscular pain and tension by stimulating the circulatory system.
A massage once or twice a month will help to keep all your systems working well and creases ironed out before they become unmanageable.
Become a Member
Contact Indigo Spring to enquire about membership, which will help you to reduce the cost of your treatment whilst ensuring you have priority care and body that is in balance.
Pamper and Prosecco Party
As well as treating individual health needs through massage, we would like you to share in the beautiful environment of Cotswold House with your friends and family. So we bring you an exclusive package – the “Pamper and Prosecco Party”.
A host will book the venue for up to 6 people and help their guests to choose 2 treatments each from the selection below.
The party will last 3 hours and can be arranged for daytimes or evenings. Two therapists will provide treatments whilst you and your friends relax in our lounge area, summerhouse or sensory garden. Prosecco, nibbles and other refreshments are available.
Parties cost £45 per head.
Treatments are 25 mins each and include:
- Swedish Massage
- Aromatherapy massage
- Foot Massage
- Indian Head Massage
- Deep Pressure massage
- Seated ( clothed) masssage
- Reflexology
- Natural facelift facial.
Contact us today at [email protected] to check availability.
Yes we do take mixed groups and hen parties.