Welcome to another installment of
Find Balance Newsletter

We are definitely on the downhill run to Spring, the days are already getting longer, and so many of you will be starting to think about getting a little more active to shed a few winter pounds and on the other hand I'm sure a few of you are already starting to clock up a few kilometers on the count down to the Auckland Half Marathon and Marathon. But no matter where you are in your exercise regime I hope you have been keeping your massages regular to help you Find Balance.

Early Bird Special for August

For those of you with a little flexibility in your week check out Sue's special offer and for those who need a little pampering on the weekend check out Lynda's special offer...

$15 off any Massage with Sue on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.30am to 12pm.

OR

$15 off any Facial Radiance with Lynda on Saturdays.

So there is no excuse to get your regular treatment at Balance Massage, book in now as this offer won't last.

Thanks!

A BIG thanks to all our lovely local businesses for supporting our Weekly Prize Draw for our clients...make sure you support them too!

Thanks to:

Westend Tennis Club www.worldtennis.co.nz

Ponsonby Podiatry www.ponsonbypodiatry.co.nz

Blake Street Cafe www.blakestcafe.co.nz

Tops Dance Studio www.topsdance.co.nz

Mike Huffam Personal Training www.mikehuffam.co.nz

Shoe Clinic Ponsonby www.shoeclinic.co.nz

CSL Lipobase Intelligent Skincare

Now to introduce you to another local business that will complement your massage...

Peak Pilates Grey Lynn is your local Pilates studio to assist you in regaining muscle "control".

With Pilates you are working muscle groups in patterns that are functional, the result is a body that works more efficiently. This type of workout is highly complementary to your regular massage, as we work the mucle tissue to release and soften and ease trigger points, Pilates can start correcting the weaker muscles and therefore there is less compensation and muscle imbalance.

A One 2 One Introductory session is compulsory before joining any classes. This is designed to take you through the basics of breathing, posture and correct muscle use.

Classes include Mat Classes, Reformer Classes, Semi-Private (2pax)/Machines, One 2 One Private Sessions/Machines, One 2 One Rehab/ACC/Machines & Mat

Look out for their Open Day in August when you can try Pilates for free!

So give the team at Grey Lynn a call to book your Intro session

Ph 376 8343

274 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

www.peakpilatesgroup.co.nz

Hamstring Stretches To Ease Lower Back Pain.

Alot of us have suffered lower back pain especially after being on our feet all day or after a big walk or run. So here's a little tip you can try at home to help ease that tight achy feeling...stretch your hamstrings!

The lower back is acted upon by any of the muscles connected to the lower torso. For example, the abdominal muscles play a leading part in keeping the lower spine straight and any back exercise program must strengthen the abdominals.

The subject of this article, however, is stretching the back of the legs, or hamstring muscles, and how that helps prevent or help treat lower back pain.
The hamstring group of muscles, located at the back of the upper leg, are actually a group of three separate muscles. The top of these muscles are attached to the lower part of the pelvis, and the bottom of the hamstring muscles are attached to the lower leg bone just below the knee joint.
The technical or anatomical names for the three hamstring muscles are semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris.
Tight hamstrings tend to pull on the pelvis, as the top of the long hamstring is attached to the pelvis, so this causes a rounding of the lower back.
Over time, this postural imbalance will lead to back pain.In Image A, the person on the right's lower back is rounded, meaning that the hips have been pulled backwards by the hamstring. His back no longer has an 'S' shape and is likely to suffer from lower back pain.

By improving the flexibility of the hamstrings you are able to remove the tension from the pelvis and allow the pelvis to sit in its' natural position, which in turn allows the spine to resume its' natural 'S' shape.

Image A

So, making sure you stretch the Hamstring muscles by starting with your foot on a step or chair as pictured, and begin with a bent knee. Slowly bend forward from the hips not the lower back until you feel a stretch. For some of you this maybe enough, so hold here. Otherwise start to staighten the knee to obtain a good stretch...hold for 30 seconds.
Stretch daily when your muscles are warm, after exercise or a hot bath or shower.
Remember that massage can help with loosening off your Hamstrings and easing your lower back pain too.

Happy Stretching!

Reference: The Stretching Institute