(This is Part 6 of the Repetitive Strain Series) In the last two posts (here and here), I talked about postural habits that contribute to repetitive strain injury (RSI). Now let’s look at another behavioral habit that puts you at risk for RSI: excess effort. Almost everyone uses more muscular … Read more about Reducing Effort for More Ease at Your Computer
Re-Evaluating Good Sitting Posture for Happier Hands and Arms
(This is Part 3 of the Repetitive Strain Series) In the last post, I talked about three habits that make you vulnerable to repetitive strain injuries (RSI). In this post, I’ll delve deeper into posture, the first of these habits. What Is Good Posture? As you experienced when you lifted your … Read more about Re-Evaluating Good Sitting Posture for Happier Hands and Arms
3 Habits that Make You Vulnerable to Repetitive Strain Injury
(This is Part 2 of the Repetitive Strain Series) In Part 1 of this series, I talked about what repetitive strain injury (RSI) is and why you should know about it. In this article, we’ll look at three habits that contribute to RSI. How Do You Prevent Repetitive Strain Injury? If I asked, “What … Read more about 3 Habits that Make You Vulnerable to Repetitive Strain Injury
What You Need to Know About Repetitive Strain and How to Prevent It
Repetitive Strain Injury Series — Part 1 If you spend time on a computer, tablet or smart phone, you’ve likely felt complaints from your neck and shoulders, or discomfort in your hands, wrists or arms. Or maybe you like to cook, knit, garden or do other activities that involve repetitive … Read more about What You Need to Know About Repetitive Strain and How to Prevent It
Free Your Neck with This 5-Minute Miracle
Could You Use a 5-Minute Miracle? Several years ago, I substitute taught an aerobics class. During the class I incorporated a short bit of Feldenkrais®. One woman, let’s call her Ellen, experienced such incredible improvement in her ability to turn that she began attending my weekly Awareness … Read more about Free Your Neck with This 5-Minute Miracle
A Jaw-Dropping Experiment to Free your Jaw
Your Jaw Has Wide-Ranging Influence on Your Comfort Several years ago I developed a terrible earache. I’d gone swimming a few days before, so I assumed I had gotten an ear infection. So I was taken aback when the doctor told me there was no infection; my ear pain was coming from my jaw. How … Read more about A Jaw-Dropping Experiment to Free your Jaw
5 Myths Busted to Let Your Shoulders Hang Naturally
Shoulders Down! Almost everyone's had a parent or teacher tell you to “sit/stand up straight” or “pull your shoulders down/back”. Rounded shoulders and slouching are typically viewed as a postural transgression. If you’re like most people, this may have led you to feel self-conscious about … Read more about 5 Myths Busted to Let Your Shoulders Hang Naturally
How to Increase Your Flexibility Without Stretching
The Flexibility Wisdom of Dogs and Cats Have you ever seen a dog or cat (or any other animal) stretch a particular muscle like we humans do? Occasionally they might stretch one limb, but generally they do full-body stretches. What can we learn from this? We’ve been told stretching is the way … Read more about How to Increase Your Flexibility Without Stretching
One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health: Walking
My Change of Attitude About Walking I’ve always appreciated walks in nature, but it’s only since having a dog that I’ve really embraced walking. Before, other than occasional hikes in nature, I rarely walked. It just didn’t seem like an interesting activity in itself. And if I needed to go … Read more about One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health: Walking
1 Thing You Can Do to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension at the Computer
The Foot Bone’s Connected to the Shoulder Bone Many people come to me for help with neck and shoulder tension and pain after spending long hours at a computer. That’s not surprising. What is surprising is that recently, several of these folks had one thing in common—they don’t put their feet … Read more about 1 Thing You Can Do to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension at the Computer
Dare to Sit on the Edge: How Giving Up the Chair’s Back May Improve Yours
Sit Up Straight! One of the most consistent complaints I hear from students is that their neck, shoulders or back hurt from sitting. Many then say, “It’s my bad posture. I need to stop hunching and sit up straight.” Our cultural idea of sitting “properly” is pulling our shoulders back and … Read more about Dare to Sit on the Edge: How Giving Up the Chair’s Back May Improve Yours
Start Unraveling Your Jaw Tension in Just 3 Minutes
Are You Aware How Much Tension Your Hold in Your Jaw? Raise your dental night guard* if you hold excess tension in your jaw! (* mouth piece worn to help protect one's teeth from grinding when sleeping) Some of us are all too aware we hold tension in our jaws—jaw pain, stiffness, difficulty … Read more about Start Unraveling Your Jaw Tension in Just 3 Minutes