Molly Pearl Co.

I've had quite a few questions on foam rolling this week. Here's a great article to give you some introductory knowledge and easy beginning stretches.

What Is a Foam Roller, How Do I Use It, and Why Does It Hurt? So you've got a foam roller, but do you know how to use it? Do you know what it's actually doing and why it hurts? Here's some info on how to do self-myofascial release (that's what it's called).

Great results from a new client! After four 30 minute deep tissue sessions for a musician struggling with chronic shoulder and arm pain: "Just wanted to let you know I had the BEST 30 minute playing session yet. Absolutely no numbness etc..." I love my job.

"The preservation of health is a duty. Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morality."

~Herbert Spencer

Sweethearts love massages...

Interesting study for pregnant mothers from the Touch Research Institute:

Twenty-eight women were recruited from prenatal classes and randomly assigned to receive massage in addition to coaching in breathing from their partners during labor , or to receive coaching in breathing alone. The massaged mothers reported a decrease in depressed mood, anxiety and pain, and showed less agitated activity and anxiety and more positive affect following the first massage during labor. In addition the massaged mothers had shorter labors, a shorter hospital stay and less postpartum depression.

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Taylor , S., Quintino, O., & Burman, I. (1997). Labor pain is reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 18, 286-291.

http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/AdultMassage.html

Touch Research Institute Hart, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Nearing, G., Shaw, S., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2001). Anorexia nervosa symptoms are reduced by massage therapy. Eating Disorders, 9, 289-299.