SARAH GAUDETTE'S – SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR REMOVING EVERYDAY STRESS AND MUSCLE TENSION
Prevent injuries in the great outdoors
Prepare with massage and warmups
Like so many others, you may feel the need to get out of the house and move. When you go outside, it may be for vigorous activities like gardening, raking leaves, or exercise. Think ahead and prepare. Make sure your muscles are warm. Wear layers and start your activities slowly, gradually stepping up the pace. If you are experiencing muscle tightness, or have injured yourself in the past, schedule massage during the yard work and gardening season.
As you begin your gardening or engaging in your sport, focus on using your body "smarter, not harder." Switch activities every 30 minutes so you are not using the same muscles for extended periods. Take regular rest breaks and stretch the muscles you've been using.
Ramping up your outdoor activities carefully will give your body time to adjust and could prevent soreness and even injury. If you add regular massage to your schedule, it may prevent pain and injuries as well. Massage stretches tight muscles and enhances circulation around the joints. And if you do get sore or injured, research shows massage is effective for back pain.
A clinical trial at the Center for Health Studies, Group Health Seattle, showed massage produced a "substantial and persistent benefit" for low back pain sufferers during the 10-week study. "The magnitude of this effect was quite surprising. Function is not an easy thing to improve in people with chronic back pain," said Daniel Cherkin, PhD and acting director of the Center.
With warmups and regular massage, your body will be more prepared and less prone to injury when you go outside to bend, reach, twist and run.
Massage & Wellness - Bradenton, Florida
Sarah Gaudette is the owner and massage therapist at her practice, Paradise Therapy. Before going to massage school, Sarah graduated from Johnson State College in Vermont with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2002. Afterward, she worked as a Counselor for a Mental Health Agency. Sarah went on to graduate from Florida College of Natural Health in Orlando, Florida where she received her diploma in Therapeutic Massage in 2005. Sarah is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association and a Reiki Master. She received her certification for Reiki 1 in 2002, Reiki 2 in 2008 and her Reiki Master (Reiki 3) certification in October 2011. Sarah specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage. She believes that massage does not need to be painful in order to be effective. Her slow massage strokes and techniques allow the muscles to relax so that the deeper muscle layers can unwind without damage. Sarah is also well accomplished in Reiki Energy Work, Reiki-Massage, Combo Massage, Foot Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage and Prenatal Therapy. Her work in day spas before becoming a business owner influenced her in creating the mini-indulgences as well as the Aromatic Body Polish, Shea Butter Body Wrap and Aloe Sunburn Relief treatment. She is excited that the business continues to grow every year and looks forward to many years to come.
