Welcome to Psoas Massage + Bodywork

Psoas Massage + Bodywork Newsletter

Welcome to Psoas Bodywork

Greetings!

There is no other profession that yields so many people with discomfort, pain and injury than the desk worker. In this issue we will attempt to show you all how to spot characteristics of poor desk worker posture. We provide two articles and a video to help educate you about a very common desk worker condition called Upper Cross Syndrome. In our next issue we will go further into prevention and repair of these characteristics with some home tools, ergonomic tips and stretches.

But if you see these conditions after reading below, especially if you are feeling pain, numbness or tingling, contact us today.

We now have your 2010 event list complete. Check it out to see what your next event might be. Also, Fleet Feet and Marathon Matt have another half marathon training coming up in Santa Barbara.

And finally, happy Valentines Day to all! If you need a good present from the heart, a Psoas gift certificate says 'I love you' in so many ways.

Peace,
Psoas

Perils of the Desk Worker

Desk Worker Many Hands

At Psoas, client complaints are associated to no other task in daily life more often than to desk and computer usage. Every day we see new clients ailed by headaches, numbness and tingling in the arms and hands - all of which are desk-working related issues. We are seeing these types of concerns at such an alarming rate that we have dedicated two entire newsletters to it.

If you work at a desk or have loved ones that do, take a close look at the following articles and video. Luckily, desk worker symptoms are easily detectable and if they are spotted early, easily reversed. The therapists at Psoas are skilled in dealing with all these issues - which are usually muscular no matter how long they have been affecting you.

Please use this as an opportunity to see if you have the Upper Cross characteristics caused by desk work. And if you do - contact us at Psoas as soon as you can.

Upper Cross Syndrome - The Plight of the Desk Worker

Upper cross syndrome is very common in desk users. It results from the repetitive nature of sitting at a desk day after day. Symptoms tend to increase with years of desk work and results in pain in the hands, arms, shoulders, neck and back. When severe, it could also increase the likelihood of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, loss of strength in the hands, numbness, tingling and other nerve impingement issues.

In brief, Upper Cross Syndrome is a tightening of the muscles of your upper chest and anterior (front) neck and a weakening of the muscles in your upper back and posterior (rear) neck. It also includes a tightening of your upper trapezius, the muscles on the tops of your shoulders, and the sub-occipital muscles, just beneath your skull, on the backside of your head.

Spotting Upper Cross Syndrome

Below is a brief description of what Upper Cross Syndrome actually looks like. Check to see if you have some or all of these symptoms. If they seem bad, you will probably need some bodywork to help change your posture; if moderate, either bodywork and/or a focused and disciplined stretching plan would be greatly beneficial. If you work at a desk and see none of these signs, learn to stretch. This postural syndrome is so common in long-term desk workers that you might want to take precautions.

Here are the identifiable symptoms:

Inwardly rotated shoulders (or single shoulder) is caused by the typing and mousing position. The pectorals (chest muscles) get tight and pull shoulders inward.
Raised shoulders or shoulder. Stress can cause the trapezius muscles to elevate the shoulders (the shrug). Poor desk set-up/ergonomics is the main culprit (keyboard is too high and the traps try to adjust the elbows up in a perpendicular elbow-to-wrist angle).

Forward neck is caused by a continued forward gaze. A low monitor could add to the problem. Laptops are particularly bad for this.

Backward tilting head. If the head is placed straight on a forward-tilting neck, the face would be looking down. The backward tilting head adjusts for this.

At Psoas, we specialize in elimination of chronic desk-related issues. It takes a strong commitment from the client to implement the behavioral and structural changes needed to improve from these issues, especially when they are longstanding. However, nearly all desk-related issues can be avoided with some bodywork, stretching and knowledge.

Santa Barbara 13.1-Waves, Wine, and.....13.1 miles!