Struggling With Sleep?

At Loosen Up we often receive questions regarding ideal sleep recommendations; best positions, pillows, mattresses, etc. These are tougher questions to answer than you would think. There are many contributing factors to preferred sleeping position, pillows, and mattresses; previous injuries, room orientation, or sleeping companions. How we sleep is a personal topic and effective tips and tricks vary for each person.

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How to Use a Foam Roller for Myofascial Release

Using a foam roller is simple, but working some areas may take a bit of practice and some…

Tracing Out A Problem Area – Soft Tissue and Massage Treatment

I hear the phrase “it’s all connected” often in my treatment room, as well as from other therapists.  This phrase has always frustrated me because of its vague nature.  It can leave a therapist or client with the idea that we should address all of the soft tissues in the body in one session to possibly stumble upon the solution to a persistent ache or pain.  This is not to say that a general full-body session isn’t great for maintenance or de-stressing, but the therapist and client might miss an opportunity to explore the variety of structures that surround a problem area and trace them out to see what tension patterns are present. Read more

What is Active Release Technique / ART?

Active Release Technique, or ART, is a combination of soft tissue manipulations and neuromuscular techniques applied together, after a thorough intake and hands-on assessment. Read more

Flexibility and Strength for the Hips and Legs

These four flexibility exercises will increase circulation to the joins and improve the range of motion in your hips. Read more

Stretches for Your Legs

If you’re an active runner, cyclist, or just work on your feet all day, consistent stretching can decrease muscle pain and tension. Read more

Have a Weekly Practice of Reflection & Observation to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

Now is the time of year when we all put ourselves under a microscope. Read more

7 Effective Steps for Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays can bring a lot of stress — high expectations, one too many parties, out-of town guests,…

Learning to manage stress is the first step to prevent overwhelm.

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10 More Stress Busters

Last week, we listed 20 Stress Management techniques you can do in between massage sessions. Here are 10 more to try: Read more