The benefits of exercise for hypertension are numerous. Not only does it have a huge impact in reversing the direction of that downward spiral your health has taken, it perks you up, improves your social life, saves your pocket and transforms you into a Super Model.
Now if you have a tendency to shy away from it, try reflecting a bit more on these positive effects that the following kinds of exercise for hypertension will have on you. If it sounds too much effort, then nothing I write about here will sway your decision to go and look for the miracle pill.
Gentle on the Joints
One of the benefits of exercise for hypertension is the choice you have of two or three different exercises depending on your physic. You need to think about what impact each exercise will have on your joints.
If weight is a problem, swimming for exercise is a good choice. It tops them all provided you can swim! The buoyancy of your body in the water will take all weight off your joints and give you a fighting chance without inflicting any more damage to your system.
If you can`t swim, don`t despair. Cycling is another choice. Again the weight is taken of the legs allowing you to use the muscles for pushing. If you can`t ride a bike, there are other exercises you can think of that are easy on the joints. One example is Nordic walking, because the walking poles help lessens the impact to the joints and rowing is another, although not discussed in this article.
Aerobics are Calorie Burners
Adding to the health benefits of exercise for hypertension is that most of them are aerobic depending on the intensity.
Swimming, cycling or walking as exercise at a moderate pace, will improve the way your body uses oxygen, without overworking the heart. With this steady, increased supply of oxygen, more calories are burned. More calories burned, reduces weight, which reduces pressure to the vein and artery walls. What is strange too is that if your speed is causing you to hyperventilate, you will soon tire out and won`t loose as many calories as you would at a steady pace, because the heart cannot keep up with supplying the muscles with the oxygen they need. At least, not until your fitness level increases. For example, the calories burned cycling at 5.5mph will almost amount to 225 calories in a 30 minute ride and Nordic walking will burn almost twice the calories as normal walking. So build at a steady pace. Try gauging it by still being able to hold a conversation without getting out of breath. Of course before taking up any exercise and hypertension therapy, consult your doctor.
Strengthening Arteries and Veins
The unseen benefits of exercise for hypertension are excellent too! Our cardiovascular system is toned up. The varicose veins improve and the compound nitric oxide has been shown to increase while we exercise, helping to open and keep the blood vessels clear. That would certainly help our hearts to pump the larger volume of oxygenated blood to the muscles. Sorry if I am getting a bit medical here, but it`s all interesting and encouraging stuff. So just one more point on the goings on of our insides. When we engage in these exercises a chemicals called endorphins are released in the brain that enhance our mood, reduce our stress and anxiety, which in turn, leaves us invigorated and wanting more.
The Social Side of the Matter
If you are a social animal, then you will jump at the chance to be around other people, another one of the benefits of exercise for hypertension. Are you interested in Nordic walking? Why not start up Meet-up Group. It`s a great and novel idea that people will take an interest in and not only will your health benefit but there are safety in crowds and you get the opportunity to meet new friends.
If you like going to the gym, perhaps linking up with someone will help you to keep it up the momentum. Don`t forget to included the family. Cycling trips on scenic routes is a great day out. Then there`s dancing for those a bit lighter on their feet. There`s just one faithful friend you have left out. Yes Rover! They say a man`s best friend is their dog, and that is so true. They are always faithful and they are only too willing to get out every day to exercise.
Look! - The Body Beautiful, and at a Fraction of the Price
Now with all this energy and physical activity, guess what? You won`t recognise yourself in the mirror! Yes a new you! All toned up to the hilt. Well it`s good to dream but you can make that dream a reality! Remember some rules as you go that will help tone you up. When walking, keep relaxed and positive. Slightly tuck in your tummy to support the back muscles, hold your shoulders back and swing your arms.
Regular swimming is excellent for toning all the muscles in the body and cycling will take care of the legs, thighs and tummy. If you can do all 3 then you have an advantage. You will also help keep the budget down by walking whenever you can instead of using transport, invest in cycling fitness software, exercise cds, and videos and do workouts at home with family or friends. If you live by the sea it "could be" healthier than the swimming pool and it`s free. Yes there are many benefits of exercise for hypertension. Good health to you!
Disclaimer - This article is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any illness or disease, but is intended for informational purposes only. A doctor should be consulted before embarking on using any of the information therein.
Copyright 2007
http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org
Monday, June 18, 2007
Piriformis Syndrome and Massage Therapy
In my San Antonio, Texas based Massage Therapy and Bodywork practice I often treat pain from various syndromes including Piriformis Syndrome. Like many painful conditions Piriformis Syndrome responds quite well to massage therapy and bodywork.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
Piriformis Syndrome is the name of a painful nerve entrapment condition in which the sciatic nerve is placed under abnormal pressure by the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle attaches to the sacrum bone of the low back to the top of greater trochanter of the femur (thigh bone) and lies on top of the sciatic nerve. When the piriformis muscle becomes tight and enlarged, pain results from myofascial trigger points (knots) in the muscle, pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sometimes from the S-I Joint in the low back. Pain from Piriformis Syndrome is usually found in the extreme low back, buttocks, hip, and often the back of the thigh. Most of the time the symptoms are on one side, but may affect both sides in some cases. Additionally, people with Piriformis Syndrome often have trouble sitting for long periods and the pain may worsen when walking or squatting.
What is the cause of Piriformis Syndrome?
There are a number of causes for Piriformis Syndrome including direct blunt trauma to the buttocks, prolonged sitting while working or driving, Morton's foot, or S-I Joint instability. Frequent or prolonged running on canted surfaces and participation in sports requiring quick lateral movement such as tennis, skiing, and basketball may also overstress the piriformis muscle and lead to Piriformis Syndrome.
Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Piriformis Syndrome
There are many ways that massage therapy and bodywork can be used to treat Piriformis Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ a number of techniques to relieve the condition. For example the massage therapist may use Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy to eliminate myofascial trigger points in the piriformis muscle. The massage therapist could also use Myofascial Release techniques or Deep Tissue Massage techniques to release adhesions between the piriformis muscle and surrounding tissues while also using Muscle Energy Techniques to gently lengthen the piriformis muscle. Piriformis Syndrome also responds well to positional release therapies such as Ortho-Bionomy which work with the body's nervous system to release muscles and improve joint movement in the area. In addition to working on the piriformis muscle it may be necessary to provide therapy for other muscles near piriformis and even to muscles opposing piriformis to improve muscular balance. Comprehensive treatment with massage and bodywork, in conjunction with a home program of stretching and exercise, usually helps to completely resolve Piriformis Syndrome.
Other Treatments for Piriformis Syndrome
While massage therapy and bodywork are an excellent treatment for Piriformis Syndrome there are other treatments you should discuss with your physician:
1) Anti-inflammatory medications;
2) Anesthetic and Steroid Injections;
3) Surgery
Other Names for Piriformis Syndrome
1) Pseudosciatica;
2) Back Pocket Sciatica;
3) Deep Gluteal Syndrome;
4) Hip Socket Neuropathy
The information on this page has been provided for information purposes only. It is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed physician may diagnose Piriformis Syndrome. If you feel that you have the symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome please see your physician for a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment which may include massage therapy and bodywork. There are a number of more serious conditions that resemble Piriformis Syndrome that could require immediate medical attention.
If, after consulting your physician, you would like to pursue treatment of Piriformis Syndrome with Massage Therapy and Bodywork please contact me at my San Antonio Massage and Bodywork practice or contact a Massage Therapist near you.
Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques. See his site MassageByBen.com or his blog.
What is Piriformis Syndrome?
Piriformis Syndrome is the name of a painful nerve entrapment condition in which the sciatic nerve is placed under abnormal pressure by the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle attaches to the sacrum bone of the low back to the top of greater trochanter of the femur (thigh bone) and lies on top of the sciatic nerve. When the piriformis muscle becomes tight and enlarged, pain results from myofascial trigger points (knots) in the muscle, pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sometimes from the S-I Joint in the low back. Pain from Piriformis Syndrome is usually found in the extreme low back, buttocks, hip, and often the back of the thigh. Most of the time the symptoms are on one side, but may affect both sides in some cases. Additionally, people with Piriformis Syndrome often have trouble sitting for long periods and the pain may worsen when walking or squatting.
What is the cause of Piriformis Syndrome?
There are a number of causes for Piriformis Syndrome including direct blunt trauma to the buttocks, prolonged sitting while working or driving, Morton's foot, or S-I Joint instability. Frequent or prolonged running on canted surfaces and participation in sports requiring quick lateral movement such as tennis, skiing, and basketball may also overstress the piriformis muscle and lead to Piriformis Syndrome.
Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Piriformis Syndrome
There are many ways that massage therapy and bodywork can be used to treat Piriformis Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ a number of techniques to relieve the condition. For example the massage therapist may use Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy to eliminate myofascial trigger points in the piriformis muscle. The massage therapist could also use Myofascial Release techniques or Deep Tissue Massage techniques to release adhesions between the piriformis muscle and surrounding tissues while also using Muscle Energy Techniques to gently lengthen the piriformis muscle. Piriformis Syndrome also responds well to positional release therapies such as Ortho-Bionomy which work with the body's nervous system to release muscles and improve joint movement in the area. In addition to working on the piriformis muscle it may be necessary to provide therapy for other muscles near piriformis and even to muscles opposing piriformis to improve muscular balance. Comprehensive treatment with massage and bodywork, in conjunction with a home program of stretching and exercise, usually helps to completely resolve Piriformis Syndrome.
Other Treatments for Piriformis Syndrome
While massage therapy and bodywork are an excellent treatment for Piriformis Syndrome there are other treatments you should discuss with your physician:
1) Anti-inflammatory medications;
2) Anesthetic and Steroid Injections;
3) Surgery
Other Names for Piriformis Syndrome
1) Pseudosciatica;
2) Back Pocket Sciatica;
3) Deep Gluteal Syndrome;
4) Hip Socket Neuropathy
The information on this page has been provided for information purposes only. It is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed physician may diagnose Piriformis Syndrome. If you feel that you have the symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome please see your physician for a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment which may include massage therapy and bodywork. There are a number of more serious conditions that resemble Piriformis Syndrome that could require immediate medical attention.
If, after consulting your physician, you would like to pursue treatment of Piriformis Syndrome with Massage Therapy and Bodywork please contact me at my San Antonio Massage and Bodywork practice or contact a Massage Therapist near you.
Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques. See his site MassageByBen.com or his blog.
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