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Do you suffer from painful muscle knots in your back? These so called Trigger Points are nodules inside the muscle that one can feel under the skin. They’re often sore to the touch and can cause pain and headaches. Paula Moore has been working as a chiropractor for 20 years. She shares a nifty tennis ball trick on her site that helps to ‘melt’ these tense areas — so you don’t have to spend a fortune on massage therapy. (more…)

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Body massage can bring great physical release and relaxation but it also has other powerful health benefits. Not only does massage help boost one’s immune system but it also lowers blood pressure and stress levels. Without release, muscle can be held in a permanent state of tension, which over a prolonged period can leave one feeling tired and tense. If you don’t like the idea of being massaged by somebody else, there’s always the option of self-massage. Read on for some target areas. (more…)

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Massage does more than relieve aching muscles. Research shows that it also reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, unlocks repressed emotions, increases energy, relieves pain and strengthens the immune system. Consider how your body feels as you read this. Are your neck and shoulders tense? Is your breathing shallow because of a tight diaphragm? If so, consider seeing a professional masseur or ask your partner to massage you. Read on to find out what makes for a good basic massage. (more…)

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If you’re feeling as wound up as a coiled spring, we’ve got six almost instant relaxers to reduce the tension you’re feeling. You could try a quick facial massage, some exercise, visualisation, deep breathing, self massage or chanting. These simple techniques can bring deep relaxation which can re-boost your physical and mental energy levels. Choose whatever feels appropriate at the time, for example facial exercises and chanting are best done with the door closed, or even in a lift if you get a chance. (more…)

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Yoga has been helping people achieve deep physical and mental relaxation for thousands of years. It originated in India around 5,000 years ago and has been embraced by the West in recent years, where hatha yoga is mostly practiced. Hatha yoga focuses mostly on posture which involves stretching and aligning the body. It also works with the breath and may include meditation to calm the mind. The half lotus position and the sun salutation sequence are discussed below. (more…)

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Yoga is good for one’s overall health but here we discuss some specific exercises to relieve stress, fatigue and headaches. Yoga helps to free one up both physically and mentally. By doing full yoga sequences on a regular basis, a range of aches and pains can disappear. The keywords here are ‘regular practice’. Many ailments come as a result of inner conflicts or subconscious blocks. (more…)

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If you’re an exercise fanatic, it’s easy to forget to give your body a rest between training sessions. You may also be skipping out important warm up and cool down routines if you’re on a mission to get everything done as quickly as possible. When it comes to exercise, less is not more but more is not necessarily always the best way forward. The general rule is to push your body just beyond what’s easy for you, but no more than that. (more…)

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While you are reading this article, your back is probably stooped towards the screen, your shoulders are probably slouching forward and your neck is tense. But bad posture can put your spine out of alignment, which can affect the way your nerves send signals through your body – causing pain, tension and a range of problems. On top of this, bad posture just looks sloppy. (more…)

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According to the Stress Management Society, stress is defined as ‘a situation where demands on a person exceed that person’s ability to cope’. If you’ve had that feeling, you’re not alone. The UK Health and Safety Executive found that employers lose 105 million working days a year due to stress among employees. Stress can cause a range of negative physical and emotional responses, including headaches, muscular pain and anxiety. While it’s very hard – if not impossible – to avoid stress altogether, there are some simple things you can do to make coping with it easier. (more…)

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Bikram yoga is named after Bikram Choudhury, the famous Indian yoga guru. Bikram yoga consist of a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to around 40 degrees Celsius, with a humidity of 40 per cent. Bikram yoga has been a much debated practice due to the high heat and rigorous exercise. Bikram Yoga is not recommended for those people suffering from asthma, high blood pressure, back problems or pregnant woman. However, there are many benefits of practicing Bikram yoga. (more…)