Talking, texting, typing, cross-training... Life takes its toll on your body, leading to painful muscles and joints. Just take a look at pain meds: According to an Associated Press investigation, prescription pain medication sales have jumped 90 percent since 1997. That's a lot of pills, especially when massage can be just as effective in some cases, and almost free. Whether it's your head, shoulders, knees, or...feet that need attention, we've got an easy massage you can give yourself, no expensive meds required.
Trouble Spot: Your hands
The Solution: A wrist workout
Sitting at a desk all day long can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, irritation of a nerve in your wrist and fingers, but this series of exercises, ideally done every hour, can prevent pain from creeping into your day.
Hold your left hand up, palm facing outward. Using your right hand, pull the fingers back toward your wrist until you feel a stretch, and hold that position for 5 seconds. Repeat the stretch on your right hand.Press the palms of your hands together at chest height. Lower them towards your lap until you feel the stretch in your wrists. Hold for 5 seconds.Spread your fingers wide for 5 seconds.On your left hand, gently pull the thumb back toward your wrist until you feel the stretch. Hold it for 5 seconds, and then repeat the move on your right hand.Curl your fingers into a fist: Start with your pinky finger, and gradually fold the remaining four fingers into a fist. Then curl your wrists inward until you feel the stretch, and hold it for 5 seconds.Massage the inside and outside of each hand, and then gently shake them out.Your Body On...Meditation
Trouble Spot: Your feet
The Solution: A tennis ball and frozen water bottle
Whether you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day or you're a devoted runner, lots of factors can play into foot pain. The key to keeping it at bay is to massage and ice those feet after a hard day (or a long run).
Massage your feet with the tennis ball: Place it under one heel, and then stand and sink your body weight onto the ball. Slowly roll the ball from the heel to the base of the toes, spreading your toes wide when the ball passes near. Repeat on the opposite foot. A soup can or a golf ball can also stand in if you don't have a tennis ball handy. Use the water bottle to ice your feet down afterward, rolling it back and forth under each foot.
Trouble Spot: Your shoulders or back
The Solution: Another tennis ball
This basic massage move will help anyone who sits hunched in front of a computer screen all day or suffers from any form of back pain. Lay on the floor with a tennis ball placed near the area that hurts most, such as your lower back or the spot between your shoulder blades. Roll the tennis ball around until you hit the spot that's most tender, and lie there for 1 to 5 minutes, or until you feel your muscles relax.
be well, feel better
Scientist Jeff Leach urges us to get down and dirty to improve our health.
8 ways you can boost a sluggish thyroid.
11 ways to alleviate tummy troubles.
An underactive thyroid gland can cause symptoms that are often ignored or misdiagnosed. Natural remedies can help.
Back to school isn’t just for the kids. Here’s what it means for parents.
Trying for an all-natural diet? A lot happens to your food before it hits your plate.
Solve your personal energy crisis with these research-proven pick-me-ups.
Yes, it's politically incorrect, but wrinkles and spots discriminate based on skin color all the time. Whites, blacks, Latinas and Asians are all prone to developing lines, sagging and spots at different rates and in different ways, but the way you battle back makes a big difference.