Moonshadow Medical Massage

Having spent most of my life working long hours in Los Angeles based law firms, I needed to find a way to keep myself in physical, mental and emotional balance in what is well known for being a stressful, deadline intensive environment where long hours are the rule, not the exception. I turned to massage therapy as a personal reset button and I credit one massage therapist for getting me through most of law school with some semblance of sanity left. My favorite Los Angeles spot was in the Omni Hotel, downtown Los Angeles and their Shiatsu just about ruined me for any other massage style or therapist. I could walk in on not more than a few hours of sleep after pulling many near all-nighters and leave feeling well rested and invigorated.

When I moved to North Carolina I initially struggled to find the type of massage therapy I was looking for. I found a plethora of spas that would leave me feeling pampered (and often up-sold but I’m a sucker for lavender essential oils so bygones) but I was really looking for that medicinal/healing arts massage that would leave me feeling renewed, energized and re-booted. I wanted a quality wellness partner and I see quality massage as a powerful wellness tool. When I moved to Cary, NC, I found Moonshadow Medical Massage right in downtown Cary. I knew when I walked in the door that I had found what I was looking for. The atmosphere is definitely more healing arts oriented and the therapists are experienced professionals who have dedicated many years to client wellness. In furtherance of their much appreciated client focus, they even offer free instructions for stretching, self-massage and other self care tips right on their website with detailed step-by-step instruction and visual aids (they even have instructions for Shiatsu self massage! Woohoo!).

So, for those of you working hard at your desk today, if you can’t get out for a lunch time reboot, try the following stretch specifically targeted for desk workers and check out their website for more!

From Moonshadow Medical Massage:

Try these to reduce tension and discomfort at work. Stretch only to a comfortable level, not to pain.

If you feel any of these movements are difficult because of tension, let your massage therapist know you would like to work on releasing that area at your next session. If you have intense pain with any of these stretches, discontinue them until you discuss them with your physician.

For neck tension, drop your chin to your chest as you exhale. Inhale and very slowly let your right ear drop to your right shoulder. Exhale and roll your chin to your chest. Inhale and roll your left ear to your left shoulder. Exhale and return to the chest. Continue these move- ments, slowly and easily, for several minutes. Note: Many yoga and other exercise instructors advise people to avoid rolling the head behind the shoulders.
To stretch your whole spine, raise your arms over your head. Stretch your right arm toward the ceiling, hold and relax. Then repeat with your left arm. Breathe slowly, exhaling completely as you stretch. Repeat several times. If you have high blood pressure, skip this one.
For joint mobility, stretch one leg in front of you and roll your ankle in circles, both directions. Repeat on the other side. Then, with your arms at your sides, roll your wrists one way, then the other.
As if you had a piece of tape stuck to your fingers, shake your arms and hands vigorously to get it off. Shake for 30 seconds and feel the energy move through your limbs.
For upper body tension, clasp your hands behind your head with your elbows to the side. Exhale and very slowly twist your head and torso to the right. Hold for a moment, inhale and turn back to center. Then exhale, turn to the left, and return to center. Repeat 5 times each direction, up to 3 times a day.
To ease back tension, push your chair away from the desk. Stretch both arms forward and rest your hands on the desk. Exhale and lower your head while arching your back. Relax for a moment with your head down, then inhale and raise your head and chest, arching your back in the other direction. Stretch several times this way, breathing slowly and completely.