Conflict can cause negative emotions to surface such as anger and frustration. These negative emotions can lead to physical effects such as loss of energy, feeling sick, and can keep you from seeing the problem clearly. By controlling how you react to conflict it can help you to solve problems quickly and effectively - and without ruining your entire day. I recently had an insurance problem where the computer apparently forgot to send my insurance policy to the insurance company.  A family member needed hospital treatment and the hospital told me that I had no insurance. "What? Of course I do. Let me go figure this out."  That started a three month process of calling the insurance company and going back and forth. If I did not figure this out [...]

The most common question I am asked is what is the best way to sleep. The short answer is there isn't any. The best way to sleep is probably the position that is most natural for your body . However, some positions might be worse than others, but with a few modifications they can have fewer pain symptoms and leave you feeling refreshed and rested. I searched the web for some tips on best sleeping positions, and this is what I found.   This is my favorite video I found. Although using four pillows is a bit intense and might annoy your partner, it has some good suggestions. I particulary like his suggestion for stomach sleepers.  Back Sleepers When sleeping on the back place a pillow under the knees to [...]

Subscribe to our mailing list * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name       When it comes to maintaining your health, improving stress, or managing a pain condition you may want to rethink longer and less frequent massage sessions. Whenever I put my hands on someone it is inevitable that someone will say, "I wish I could do this every day!" And why shouldn't you? You might think that the longer a session the better. When you look at massage research on health conditions all the research usually uses twenty to thirty minutes of massage two - three times a week for five to six weeks(1, 2, 3). Massage therapy, like any therapy, is cumalative. You wouldn't exercise once a month to get stronger. Or [...]

Subscribe to our mailing list * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name       If you are dealing with muscular aches and discomfort you may have trigger points. Trigger points can cause local or referred pain. They can cause headaches, pain in various parts of the body. They may cause pain that can be diagnosed as pinched nerves or herniated discs. This video describes what trigger points are, how they form, and how to treat your own trigger points.       Did You Like This Article? Click Here To Sign Up For My Newsletter!  Subscribe to our mailing list * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name  Matthew Snow is a Licensed Massage Therapist practicing in Greenwich, CT. If you would [...]

      I read a lot of blogs on health and wellness. And many times I am frustrated with the black and white stances that are taken on preventative medicine.  In particular I read this post on the importance of strength training. The author asserts that without outside trauma most people should not have to have hip or knee replacements.   What really got me peeved, though, was his strong dislike for sliding stair chairs and that the real problem lies within the bad lifestyle choices and weakness in our society.  I have worked in a Pain Management office for eight years now. I have worked with many different pain conditions and with people who can't walk upstairs or sit down without extreme effort.    While I do think [...]

Subscribe to our mailing list * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name Whether you are a professional athlete, use exercise to feel good and maintain your health, or use it as a discipline to keep yourself from bad habits,  there are many ways massage therapy can help your performance. Massage therapy can improve sports performance by: Maintain the health of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments.) If you maintain the health and function of the soft tissues you can help to prevent pain conditions that force you to stop your exercise. Help reduce muscle soreness from high loads of exercise. This can help keep you fresh and ready for your next workout Can be used to rehabilitate a problem area (muscle strain, ligament sprain, and tendinitis.) This will [...]