Run for your life! Group

by Gisele on Apr 17, 2008 at 9:36 am

Have you ever gotten a professional massage? I have tendinitis in my left arm and hand, and I've found it really helpful to have my left arm, shoulder, and my neck worked on, helps to relieve the tension and let me relax. The massage therapist also showed me some stretching exercises and self-massage that I can do, and it sounds as though this might be helpful both for your running and singing. Have you ever looked into the Alexander technique? I also used that to relax myself and improve my posture.

by dblades on Apr 17, 2008 at 9:58 am

i do practice the alexander technique actually and i like it very much (i started doing that in college and just stuck with it). the massage sounds like a good idea - i've had them before but i've never had them focus on one specific area - next time i go, i'll do that.
thanks

by tammybees on Apr 17, 2008 at 11:00 am

I have degenerative disks in my neck and I can have numerous problems with that when I run. It took me quite a while of running before I stopped getting spasms in my neck and shoulders everytime I run. I have learned how to focus the majority of my attention on a constant state of relaxation when I run. Kind of like the same techniqes you would use in yoga. It actually makes the run more enjoyable when you put all of your focus into relaxation. It takes the focus off of the strain of the run. If you want more specific tequniques just pm me.

by dblades on Apr 17, 2008 at 11:19 am

i actually do yoga and running for me is my meditation but lately it's just been awkward because of the tension - i'm much more aware of it now.

what kind of techniques?
anything will help

thanks

by tammybees on Apr 17, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Ok well I just explained this in a message to Ed5 so Ed your going to get it again. We all know the meditation pose for yoga where you sit indian style, elows on your knees, palm up, middle finger and thumb touching. Well, when your running, you do the same thing only hang your shoulders (i like to envision softness when I do this) elbows at a 90 degree angle, and take even, steady breaths (I'm not sure why but the thumb and middle finger touching very softly is very important). That is half. The other half is being able to envision the tension leaving your body. That combined with possative self talk can work wonders.

If it persists, make sure that you dont have some kind of heart thing.

by rachel1028 on Apr 17, 2008 at 3:13 pm

1- It's been a while since I've posted so hi everyone!!! **smiles & waves**


OK - I've had a very VERY similar thing before and it was actually a muscle spasm. I've done yoga and have been running for long enough to know when something’s wrong. No matter what I did, I could NOT get my shoulder to relax - and at times it felt like my left shoulder was all the way up at my ear!

So after waiting and getting massages and seeing a chiropractor, it spasmed SO BAD that it literally twisted my vertebrae just enough to pinch a nerve!!! The stiff tight ache turned into a knife and I went straight to the ER.

I spent 3 months going to physical therapy 2x week and I wasn't allowed to run, lift, spin, or do yoga for 2-3 weeks! They also gave me good pillz to relax my spasm and treated it with both ultrasound therapy and electro-shock therapy. Sounds scary, but it was SO soothing.

Since then I've been able to feel a bad spasm coming on - triggered by stress and poor posture. After a day or two on muscle relaxers it goes away for the long-term.

Obviously - I'm no doc, and I'm not saying this is what you have or may have. BUT - your doc will. I understand the pain for sure. I hope you find something to remedy it! :)

Edited by rachel1028, on April 17th, 2008 at 3:20 pm.

by dblades on Apr 18, 2008 at 6:15 am

thank you everyone - i'm going to go see my doctor and my orthopedic and get a massage!!!