Let me guess, when you think of a massage treatment, it’s something you would only do once in a blue moon to treat yourself? Perhaps as a reward or an act of self care, when you really need it? And I’ll be totally honest, I used to have a similar attitude before learning about the long-term benefits of regular massage therapy treatments and postural correction.
You may be sitting at home right now after a long day of work, and, if you’re anything like me, you probably aren’t considering your posture. You may be leaning heavily to one side at your dining room table with your legs crossed in the opposite direction, or slouched into the couch with no support for your lower back. Maybe you’re hunched over with your neck and shoulders pulled forward, and that posture feels normal for you because that’s how you spend most of the day. Often, 9-to-5 desk workers have this problem from poor workplace ergonomics. You might not even be aware of the strain this is putting on your body in the long term, or maybe you only feel the tension from time to time, such as first thing in the morning, or right around 2 or 3 O’clock when you need another coffee fix. If you’re feeling a bit called out, don’t worry! You’re not alone. And there is a long-term solution!
Remedial massage therapists like myself can assess areas of tension and weakness in the body that are caused by poor posture. We can help your body on the path to better health, by meeting you where you are and guiding your steps towards improving your posture.
Long-term benefits can be seen over the course of even just a handful of sessions with a trained professional and working with a remedial massage therapist once or twice a month can make a significant difference to the quality of your daily life.
Postural assessment and a few daily activities can help to strengthen your core and adjust your posture, without having to make major changes to the structure of your day. Small adjustments to workplace and home-life habits can make a huge difference in the long-run. These include viewing screens (including your phone!) at eye level, taking regular breaks from your desk to stretch, as well as ensuring that your feet are flat on the floor and your weight is evenly distributed between your hips when seated.
Good posture is just one way to help enhance your quality of life! If you are interested in more tips or experiencing the long-term benefits of massage therapy, Remedial Massage Therapist Aidan Garvey is available at Health Space Clinics in Lane Cove on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
