Your Powerhouse & Its Backup Team: Why the Core and Neck Work Together

As the weather cools and we move into the deep stillness of winter, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with the part of your body that keeps you grounded: your powerhouse. In physical therapy, the term “powerhouse” refers to your deep core — the diaphragm, deep abdominals, pelvic floor, and small stabilizing muscles along your spine. Think of it as your internal fireplace. When it’s engaged and working well, it brings warmth, steadiness, and support to everything you do, from walking on icy sidewalks to simply sitting comfortably through holiday gatherings.

Your primary powerhouse does far more than give you strength. It stabilizes your entire trunk, supports efficient breathing, and helps distribute forces through your body in a balanced way. This matters even more during winter, when activities like decorating, shoveling, traveling, or spending long hours sitting can challenge your posture and strain your body. When your core is doing its job, everything else — your back, hips, shoulders, and even your neck — gets to relax and function more naturally.

But here’s something most people don’t realize: your neck acts as a secondary powerhouse. When the deep core isn’t fully supporting you, or when stress and cold weather cause you to hunch or hold tension, the neck often steps in to “help.” This is when those upper cervical muscles begin overworking. The result? Tight shoulders, headaches, neck pain, and that feeling of constantly “holding yourself up” through sheer effort. Your neck is strong and capable — but it’s not meant to be your body’s primary stabilizer. 

I see so many clients with muscle imbalances in their neck from trying to help their body compensate for weakness elsewhere. The "Basic 4" Exercises I teach help to engage the key core muscles in the hips, pelvis and spine, and our neck treatments and individualized Home Exercises help to "put my client's heads back on straight." These exercises go a long way in helping to stabilize the body from head to toe. 

The core and neck are deeply interconnected through posture, breath, and the fascial web that runs throughout your body. When your core activates properly, your neck doesn’t have to grip for stability. When your breathing expands your ribs instead of lifting your shoulders, the neck softens and finds its natural alignment. It’s a team effort: when the powerhouse burns steady and warm, the secondary powerhouse can finally take a well-deserved break.

This winter, try treating your body to more support from the inside out. Simple practices like diaphragmatic breathing, gentle neck mobility, and mindful posture go a long way. And if you’re following along with our December theme, incorporate this month’s three movement practices — the Holiday Hug Core Activation, Snow Angel Dead Bug, and Winter Wood-Chop — to build strength where it matters most. Consider it your seasonal gift to your future self: a body that moves, balances, and breathes with more ease all winter long.

Give Your Body the Gift of Support This Season
If you’ve been feeling neck tension, winter stiffness, or want help reconnecting with your core, I’d love to support you.  Schedule a follow-up session to assess your powerhouse, calm the secondary powerhouse in your neck, and build a plan tailored to your winter movement needs.

👉 Email me at 1212bodyworks@gmail.com to book your appointment or ask any questions. Or, you can schedule directly online now from my website or from this link: Schedule at 1212 Bodyworks

Let’s help your body move with ease, warmth, and confidence this season.

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Love the Sun, Protect Your Skin

 

Love the Sun, Protect Your Skin

Sunscreen and Whole Body Health Considerations

Summer is fast approaching and the sunshine will be consistently emitting its rays upon us very soon! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation website, “1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.” Since skin is the human body’s largest organ, we need to protect it and keep it healthy to allow us to keep moving comfortably and enjoying our everyday activities and daily functions. 

The skin interfaces with the connective tissue, or fascial system, which surrounds every cell, organ, muscle, and joint and holds us all together. As described in my book “MAGIC in Motion,” what we put on the outside of our body gets absorbed by the skin and becomes part of our internal environment. We need to be mindful of when and what we are putting on our skin so that we are protected from the elements when needed, while not adding unnecessary toxins to our body. The "C" in the MAGIC acronym refers to our muscles' ability to "Circulate" Lymphatic fluids. We want to ensure that our body works and moves efficiently from head to toe to pump those waste fluids out of our body.

In an article by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the constituents of a good sunscreen are highlighted. “A good sunscreen should provide equal broad-spectrum protection, against both ultraviolet, or UV, A and B rays. But the SPF value primarily reflects how well a product will protect from UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn and some skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma. Sun protection products originally aimed to reduce sunburn. Today, it’s known that some UV rays, such as UVA, don’t cause sunburn but can lead to health harms. UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays, are associated with skin aging and cancer, such as melanoma.”

To learn more about skin care and sunscreen, I consulted my favorite skin care professional, Nova Zynski, Aesthetician and Owner of “Skin Care by Nova Z” in Brookfield. One of the reasons I love to work with Nova is that part of her treatment process includes a wonderful head, face, neck, upper chest and shoulder lymphatic massage. She is able to really get stagnant fluids moving to de-puff and sculpt your face. Her techniques feel amazing and your skin truly glows! Nova has done a lot of research and is a master of her craft. I asked Nova to share her expertise to help us make sense of how we can best support our body’s health and safety this summer. Here is part of our conversation. 

E: Should we be using sunscreen every day? 

Nova: Not necessarily on a daily basis. If you're just in and out doing a few things, you need to be getting the sunshine on your skin.  Sunglasses are an issue too because people wear sunglasses too much, and to really get your vitamin D, sunlight needs to come through the eyes so the combo is important. Now, if you’re a truck driver and you have the sun on you all day every day that's different. Also, if you're sitting at your desk by a window in front of a computer all day every day, yes you should have sunscreen on, but you also want one that's going to protect you from the blue light. 

E: As an Aesthetician, what are the signs of sun damage that you see the most frequently with your clients? 

Nova: I see dark spots (hyperpigmentation) and light or white spots (hypopigmentation). Excess sun exposure accelerates the natural, gradual process of breaking down of the elastin bands in the skin. Skin becomes more lax faster, and overtime the skin becomes super thin. Also, some people’s skin will get really tough overtime because it's trying to compensate for what's been done to it. Their skin will have a lot more lines, and is sometimes really wrinkly looking, but really tough at the same time. It's not soft, supple skin anymore. 

E: What are some of the things we should be looking for in a good sunscreen?

Nova: Eminence, the Organic Skin Care line that I use with my clients, has a Radiance Protection SPF, which is also a moisturizer, and has botanicals that are good for the skin. This contains niacin-amide which has B complexes that help reduce pore size, help retain moisture levels, and build the moisture barrier. Zinc Oxide is another good ingredient to look for in sunscreen. There are many products available now that are not as thick and chalky as they used to be, and won’t leave the white film on your skin. 

E: Do you have any specific cautions regarding sunscreen? 

Nova: You want to use a “clean” product that doesn’t contain toxic ingredients. We want to steer clear of hormone disrupting chemicals. We also need to be careful of “nano-technologies” where the molecular sizes of certain ingredients are extremely small, and they can pass through the blood brain barrier. Sometimes certain chemicals in sunscreens can actually cause dark spots and do the opposite of protecting your skin. Also, even if a product is labeled “organic,” it could still have a few ingredients that you really don't want in there. It’s a misconception people have that if it says organic, that everything in there is good, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is.  

I did a little extra research on some of the specific toxic chemicals to avoid in sunscreens. According to an article by Thais Alibadi, MD, “here are 6 questionable common chemical sunscreen ingredients:

• Oxybenzone, known as benzophenone-3, a hormone disruptor

• Avobenzone, also a benzophenone

• Homosalate, another hormone disruptor

• Octinoxate, known as octyl methoxycinnamate, a hormone and endocrine disruptor

• Octocrylene

• Octisalate, which stabilizes avobenzone”

Be sure to read your labels and avoid any of the above ingredients and lean toward using the products that are hydrating and safe for your skin, while protecting your body from excessive sun exposure. Enjoy your summer, but protect your skin and body from harmful rays and unnecessary chemicals. 

To learn more about Nova Zynski and her Skin Care Services, check out her website: 

Skin Care by Nova Z

To purchase your copy of “MAGIC in Motion: Foundations for Functional Fitness,” or purchase a copy for a friend or family member, learn more ways to keep your body healthy, and “treat yourself well” from the outside in and inside out, click HERE. 

To uncover your unique, bio-mechanical blockages that zap your energy and keep you from moving how you used to, or to enhance your whole body's communication and immune boosting circulation, schedule a session today: click HERE, call/text 414-405-3956, or email 1212bodyworks@gmail.com.

Osteoporosis and Falls: Avoiding the Fracture

THREE THINGS TO DO TO AVOID A SERIOUS FALL AND THE CRITICAL COMPLICATIONS THAT COME WITH IT

I got a message from a long-time client saying she slipped and fell outside and fractured her wrist. She's lucky she didn't need surgery this time, as she had similar falls twice before that resulted in fractures and DID require surgery, due to osteoporosis. Because she lives independently, she is now having to adjust her daily routine as things take a little longer, even with her non-dominant arm being affected. Lifting, carrying, cooking, and dressing are all more difficult.  

Another client told me she was sitting on a folding chair without arms while doing some crafting projects later one evening. "I fell asleep and fell right out of my chair!" Thank goodness she did not injure herself. She also has osteoporosis and lives alone. Although this type of fall incident is very rare, a fracture would have really impacted her life. 

I'm on the other side of 50 now, and I don’t want to be one of the one in four adults (14 MILLION OF US SENIORS), falling every year. About 37% of those who fall reported an injury that required medical treatment or restricted their activity for at least one day.  Surgery comes with it's own long list of unwanted complications (including death!!). If you’re like me, you want to do everything you can to NOT join this club and maintain your independence for as long as possible.

Here are some things I do as I am reaching the later years of my life:
1) I use Yak Tracks on my shoes in the winter when I'm walking on slippery surfaces. They fasten onto any shoe or boot and really help to grip the ground with their metal spikes. They saved me from falling many times when out walking with our former doggy in the winter. 
2) I walk every day for at least 20 minutes. This can reduce stress, boost your immunity, maintain strength, and build bone with the weight bearing activity.
3) I perform my "Treat Yourself Well" exercise regularly to prevent the rounded, forward flexed posture of a little old lady, and practice simple balance & stability challenges several times weekly. This helps to prevent the spinal compression fractures that often occur with osteoporosis. 

This last thing is REALLY IMPORTANT. Whether you have Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, or just want to prevent those issues, you can work with me to learn where your body is weak and how that is affecting your balance and your ability to avoid or survive a fall. I’ve helped some people with weak buttock muscles. With others, I’ve worked to correct foot issues. Other clients need assistance with getting their deep core muscles to activate and get stronger to support their ability to move around in bed, get up from a chair, and walk with more stability. 

Here’s what some of my current clients say:
"I was able to stand up so much taller after my session with Emily!" 
"My husband noticed I'm able to walk further before I need to sit down and rest." 
"My friend asked me what I've been doing to walk so well, as she has trouble keeping up with me now!"

Join my “NO FRACTURE CLUB” today. 
I have a few slots open in March for a 2025 Balance Assessment (just $79 for people on my list, $120 for everyone else). In this 30 minute session you’ll do a series of Functional Balance Tests to assess your risk of a fall. You’ll get 3 customized exercises to keep you stable and prevent fractures if you do fall. And, as a bonus, you’ll get a free pass to my Balance & Stability Class at the Brookfield WAC. And, I’ll put you on the list to get a free copy of my new book “The MAGIC of a Well Balanced Life” (Coming out on May 1).  Don’t wait. We might have a few more weeks of slippery ice and snow covered driveways, steps and sidewalks. You need to protect yourself. Email (1212bodyworks@gmail.com) or call (414-405-3956) today!

Dedicated to your stability, 
-Emily-

The TRICK to TREAT Yourself Well

 Treat Yourself Well

Fall is in full swing with kids/grandkids back in school, sports schedules pack the evenings and weekends, and yard cleanup from summer gardening and raking leaves keeps us all so busy! This is the time of year when colds and flu bugs start ramping up, so it is important now more than ever to keep yourself well so you can enjoy the upcoming holiday season.  There is so much advice on what we could be doing to take care of ourselves, but it can be overwhelming to put it all together and find the time in your day to actually DO the recommended things! So many of us are caregivers and are in the habit of putting other's needs before our own. Remember the advice from the flight attendants to "Put on YOUR oxygen mask before assisting others" or you may have heard "You can't pour from and empty vessel." I'm on a mission to simplify things and help my clients (and myself...) learn to "Treat Yourself Well."  

I've come up with an easy activity to remember and perform that will feel good and help enliven key muscles in your neck, shoulders, upper back, and core to energize your mind, enhance your ideal alignment and posture, minimize pain, and keep your immune system boosted, and the best thing is that you don't need any extra equipment. Sound too good to be true? If you can remember 3 letters, you'll never forget this game-changing "trick" that I've already shared with a handful of clients. 

This "trick" is very practical and versatile, as it can be performed while sitting, standing, lying down, and walking.  This simple activity involves making 3 positions with your arms. If you want to "Treat Yourself Well" and can remember the first letters of each word in the phrase, T Y W, you will always remember this easy trick! 

T stands for Treat

Make a "T" shape with your arms stretched out to either side with your palms facing forward. Be sure to keep your shoulder-blades down and back, anchored to your ribcage. Take a full breath into your belly and as you exhale, engage your shoulder-blades down and back as you reach out through both of your middle fingers to feel the elongation/stretch through the front of your neck, chest, shoulders and arms. Hold this position for 3 full breaths, relaxing slightly as you inhale, and reaching as you exhale. Allow your body to move gently from side to side or any way it feels natural and easy to fully enjoy the benefits of this position. 

Y stands for Yourself

Move your arms into a "Y" shape, as if you are at a wedding and doing the "YMCA" dance move. Be sure to keep your shoulder-blades down and back again, just like during the T position, and position your hands so your thumbs face the back of your body. Take a full breath into your belly and as you exhale, engage your shoulder-blades down and back slightly more as you reach up and out through both of your middle fingers to feel the elongation/stretch through the arms, shoulders, armpits and ribcage. Hold this position for 3 full breaths, relaxing slightly as you inhale, and reaching as you exhale. Allow your body to move gently from side to side or any way it feels natural and easy to fully enjoy the benefits of this position. 

W is for Well

Move your arms into a "W" shape with elbows bent out at your sides, palms facing forward or with pinky fingers facing the back of your body. Take a full breath into your belly and as you exhale, allow your shoulder-blades to engage down and back on your ribcage and feel the elongation/stretch through the front of your shoulders, arms and chest as you reach your pinky fingers back. Hold this position for 3 full breaths, relaxing slightly as you inhale, reaching as you exhale. Allow your body to move gently from side to side or any way it feels natural and easy to fully enjoy the benefits of this position. 

So there you have it! It's as easy as TYW to Treat Yourself Well! When you "embody" these letters and perform these simple movements, you truly are participating in a form of self-care. This easy trick will help you fill your own cup so you can continue to pour out for others.  Let me know how this goes for you and what you notice in your body and in your life as you make this a daily practice. You deserve to take the time to TYW! 

Reflections

As the Summer season gently transforms into Fall, we see beauty in the changes. As we move from one season of our life into another as we age, the beauty is harder to find. Pain, stiffness, tightness, joint noises, and limited movements feel far from beautiful. It's like standing uncomfortably at the edge of a pond, looking down at your reflection and seeing your younger self, happy, free, mobile, capable, knowing that version of you is still who you are at your core, but you come back into your body on the shore and feel your current reality. You are longing to get back to the day when life was so much easier and freer, when your body moved without discomfort and without having to strategize how do perform once simple activities.

The Supreme's 1967 classic song  "Reflections"  represents the change of seasons in our lives. Upon further research, this article shared that this song was "inspired by Diana Ross’s realization that she was no longer a teenybopper but a mature woman, reflecting on her life and the changes she had experienced. The lyrics reflect a deep and universal truth about our journey through life, the choices we make, and the consequences that follow. As we continue to face uncertain times, it is natural to look back on our lives and reflect on the choices that led us to where we are today. “Reflections” is a reminder that we are not alone in this journey and that by embracing our past, we can find the strength and hope to move forward."

.                     

I'm here for you and WITH you on your journey. Whether your body's issues crept up on you over time, were the result of inefficient habits stacked over the years, or came on suddenly from an accident or a trauma that you endured, these issues are not YOU. They are just part of your experience. You may feel uncertain about if you'll ever feel better or like "yourself" again. I can see who you are at your core, underneath your pain and limited movements. This is what drives me to take the time to analyze your movement patterns, search for, continuously read about, and learn new techniques to get to the root of your body's issues, and find solutions to help you feel better and discover the beauty in your current season. Thank you for trusting me to help you find the strength and hope to move forward. 

 

UN-DO the Stuck Stress & Tension in your Body

 

As the Midwest summer quickly passes by, we are busy DO-ing all sorts of fun things outside to soak up all of the nice weather activities while we can. Walking around farmer's markets, festivals, enjoying lake life, and summer parties are all so much fun, but can lead to tension and stress getting stuck in our tissues. Instead of being focused on all the we are DO-ing, I've been teaching people how to UN-DO the stress and tension that gets stuck in the body due to connective tissue dehydration with the MELT Method. If you haven't already heard me gush about this amazing method, MELT is a simple, self-care treatment that enhances mobility, stability, and performance and is clinically proven to reduce chronic pain while restoring overall well-being. Using specially designed soft balls and rubberized foam Body Rollers, you can rebalance your body's nervous system and rehydrate the connective tissue system. 
 

It has been amazing to witness the changes in the clients who have adopted this method as part of their home wellness program. It was also fun to hear some of the feedback at the workshops held in July when people noticed immediate changes in their bodies. 

"My whole upper body feels relaxed, yet I feel energized at the same time." -- Carol S

"I can put my shoes back on without any hip pain after the workshop!" --Lynn M
 
"I can't wait to see what my co-workers say when they see me MELTing at my desk!" -- Heather B

I'd love to share more about this method or have you attend a workshop to learn how you too can take matters into your own hands to MELT your issues away! 

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Join me for another  MELT Method Hand and Foot Intro Workshop on
Saturday August 12,  from 10-11:30am at 1212 Bodyworks, Brookfield.
($45. Product discounts for attendees)

You'll learn a gentle, self-treatment for your hands and feet, using the MELT soft ball system, and your whole body will benefit!  

Space is limited, so be sure to click this link to register soon.

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Have you been feeling limited with your daily activities because of pain or uncomfortable movement? Want more information about the upcoming workshop? Curious about a custom MELT Method treatment session?  Or, just need a reboot to get your body back into balance?

Simply call, text [(414) 405-3956] or email [1212bodyworks@gmail.com] to schedule your next session.

I'd love to help you feel your best and enjoy the rest of the summer! 

 

Keep Moving Well! 

-Emily-

PS: If you were forwarded this message, email me to receive a free copy of my article

                                                    "How Mary Ditched Her Cane and Her Pain"  

Tootsie's TWEET: Save Yourself Hundreds of $$$ This Year

Hello there! It's me again, "Tootsie," Emily's (straight-forward & sassy) Alter-Ego. (If you haven't met me yet, click here for my official introduction) As "Queen of the Posture Police," it's my duty to keep our community safe from all things that may negatively affect your posture or drain your body's precious energy and CALL THEM OUT!! I had to issue another "warning" recently at a local recreation equipment store, and wanted to share with you so you can avoid bodily harm AND save yourself hundreds of dollars this year! 

Massage Gadgets: Wonders or Weapons?

So many people are talking about all of the various self-massage gadgets available these days. Some people have even given them or received them as holiday gifts last year.  Obviously, people think these are helpful tools, as the local recreation store mentioned above had a whole rack of items including massage sticks, trigger point releasing canes, foam rollers, and spiky massage balls of all shapes and sizes, some with pretty hefty price-tags. I'm here to give you a different perspective... I say, "Drop your weapons!!" 

So, I'm all for taking matters into your own hands to help yourself feel better. Massage can be a wonderfully beneficial modality to improve circulation, promote relaxation, and increase endorphins. But seriously people, less is more!! I can't tell you how many people have hurt themselves digging for gold with these tools!!  Sure, some people can handle deep pressure and can tolerate using these devices without any problems, but I'm here to tell you, you will not be "releasing" the knots--you simply can't "untie" them! Nor do you even want to. Here's why...

Your Body is Your Vehicle for Life!! 

Just because something is tight and sore does not mean it is the problem!! Would you take a hammer and break the red light flashing inside your dashboard to solve your car's problem?? Of course not!! Pain and other not-so-fun sensations are indicators (red lights) that something is not right. Your body is your vehicle for life, and although they are available, replacement parts are nowhere near as good as the originals!! Stop killing the messengers in your body by trying to dig them out, and keep looking for the root of the problems so your body works better!

Maybe your chronically sore and tight neck and shoulders are chronically sore and tight because you have weak abdominals or lower spine muscles. Those sweet, innocent neck muscles may be holding on for dear life, as they are the ONLY muscles working to keep you upright, OR they are majorly overworking to compensate for the weakness below and they are trying to get your attention!! Get that Thera-Gun away from your neck and shoulders and THANK those sore areas for keeping you upright! Sure, feel free to give them some love, a gentle rub-down, or better yet move your shoulders up, back, down and around to alleviate some discomfort. But enough already with trying to dig out the tightness, untie the knots, and "release" the red flashing light on your dashboard! We don't hesitate to take our cars in for regular maintenance, yet often wait until our vehicle for life screams at us before we do something about it! 

Re-Wire your Body

(Science Nerd-Alert) The nervous system runs our body's show! Similar to a computer, the electrical messages sent by the nervous system (software) control the movement of our muscles and bones (hardware).  Our software tells our muscles where, when, and how quickly to contract to do 3 main things: hold our alignment/posture, move us from place to place, and pump our lymphatic system to boost health. When one muscle gets the message to contract, the brain sends a signal to its opposing muscle to relax.  If something feels tight, the opposing muscle might not be contracting as well as it could be. If one movement pattern isn't working well, your brain will find another one nearby that does something similar, but not exactly the same.  If you "release" the compensations that may be indicating a problem in your body, your brain will have to come up with an even less efficient secondary compensation!! TWEET!! I'm blowing my whistle again here to stop the madness, to say STOP mashing on something just because it hurts, and focus on finding better ways to get your body working efficiently!! 

Just like a light switch turns on a lightbulb, a Muscle System Specialist can help turn on our muscle activity. Nerve pathways get blocked up, almost like the switches get turned off, with inflammation from stress, injuries, surgeries and accidents. This can lead to the pain, tightness, limited movements, and imbalances that usually send Emily's clients in to see her.  Emily is helping your nervous system send those electrical messages better when she's poking and prodding on you to re-wire your system! It is important to re-boot your body, get your lights turned back on, improve how you move and flush out your system, so you can feel and live better! 

Ready to ditch the rollers, mashers, and diggers, finally get to the root of the issues in your tissues, and let a muscle whisperer help? Get your "vehicle for life" checked and take advantage of Emily's special offer today: 

Winter Wellness Special: $79**

Full Body 5-Point Inspection:

✔ Alignment/Posture Check

✔ Range of Motion Check

✔ Muscle Stability Check

✔ Gait Analysis

✔ Home Program Check/Update

**Available for the first 3 clients who mention this offer when scheduling**

Simply call or text 414-405-3956, or email 1212bodyworks@gmail.com to schedule 

Investing in your health care pays dividends for years to come. Save your money when it comes to buying another plastic gadget and put it toward making a real difference in your body!

Keep Moving Well! 

"Tootsie" 

Tootsie's "TWEET": Stand Up Already!

It's me again, Emily's alter-ego, Tootsie. I introduced myself last month as "Queen of the Posture Police." (If you didn't get to meet me yet, hop back to the last blog entry and find out more about me). Basically, I'm tired of Emily being so nice to you all. I'm here to keep it real and offer some unfiltered advice so you feel better and stay better!! I know you have better things to do than go in for treatments all the time! As Queen of the Posture Police, I'm here to blow my whistle and make another crappy posture citation. 

TWEET! Stand Up Already!! 

I'm all for standing up to crappy posture, but this time I'm serious! Sitting is the new smoking, or so it's been said. Sitting is one of the worst things that you can do for your body, especially when you remain sitting for long periods of time. Chronic sitting leads to many detrimental health effects including 

• Decreased Digestion
• Stifled Breathing
• Heart Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Dementia
• Cancer 
• Muscle Fatigue
• Muscle Tightness
• Muscle Weakness
• Pain (Neck, Back, Shoulders, Hips, Pelvis, etc)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Sciatica
• LE Swelling/Edema
• Varicose Veins

Sounds awful, am I right? And this is only some of the bad effects of sitting. So what do you do about this problem? There are some easy solutions. Emily will go into more details about all of them next week in a Free Zoom Seminar, but for now, here are some ideas for you:

 

1. Set a timer to get up every 30-45 minutes

2. Get a Standing Desk

3. Choose to have a walking meeting instead of at a desk

4. If you have to sit, sit correctly

5. Avoid sitting as much as possible

6. MOVE!! 

See, it's really not that difficult to break the cycle of sitting. Wondering what correct posture is all about? Curious about which exercises or movements are best to negate the effects of sitting? Well, you're in luck! You can join Emily next week on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 9am for a Free Zoom Seminar called "Take a Stand Against Sitting." You'll learn more about why we should be getting up off of our keisters more often, what correct sitting posture looks and feels like, and what exercises you can incorporate to keep yourself from adding any of those bullet points above to your life!! 

Interested in joining in? Drop Emily an email at 1212bodyworks@gmail.com, or send her a text to 414-405-3956 letting her know you are interested, and she will send you all of the details for the seminar including the Zoom link. (I might just be making any appearance at the seminar...TWEET!!)

Now, don't just sit there!! Get up off of your keisters and contact Emily already! 

I cried today...

"I've been told by so many practitioners what is wrong with me." 

"Nothing else has worked and I'm not sure that this will either."

"I'm feeling worse, not better."

"I don't feel like doctors or therapists understand my problem."

"I'm depressed because nothing I'm doing is helping me feel better."

What a day it was! 4 clients in one day, and ALL of them are discouraged. I can't blame them at all. They have all been on a healing journey to try to find answers to their various health challenges. They have worked with multiple practitioners, have invested in supplements, cleanses and special tests, had surgeries and other treatments to try to "fix" their structural problems, only to create more pain and movement dysfunctions to overcome. It must be so frustrating!! These quotes are familiar to me, as a PT for the past 20+ years now. Usually I try not to take things personally, am strong and try to stay positive and encouraging with my clients, but today I cried. Not in front of my clients (although I did that once last week...) but at the end of my day. 

Working with the human body is no joke! As owners of our human bodies, it is enough to make any one of our heads spin trying to keep up with all of the messages our bodies share with us each day on what we feel, what we need, what we want, and what is best for taking care of ourselves and moving and feeling our best. And then actually following through on it is a whole other ballgame! Recognizing these messages, doing what we can to make changes ourselves, and then discerning when it is time to ask a professional for help can be additional challenges.  Each individual comes with a unique history, concerns and goals, and even though our bodies "mostly" look like the medical charts we study as bodyworkers, no two humans are exactly alike. This makes the healing process a challenge, to say the least.  

It is a huge blessing to me to be invited in to someone's healing journey to try to facilitate positive change. I have made it my mission to help clients in a unique way to figure out their movement imbalances, reawaken muscle contractions, and educate them on how to keep these areas active and firing. As a Physical Therapist, I know the physical anatomy and how to enhance its function very well. Some of my clients call what we do here "magic" as we help the nervous system improve its stability almost instantaneously, which can have a positive impact on reducing pain sensations. However, many of the clients here also have layers of emotional pain tied in with their physical pain. Whether this emotional pain comes from abuse or trauma from childhood, physical trauma due to injuries, medical treatments or surgeries, mental exhaustion from dealing with chronic pain, family stressors, workplace demands, or life transitions, this emotional pain needs to be addressed before full resolution of body pain can be achieved. I WISH I could wave a magic wand to make THAT kind of pain disappear, but that is not possible. 

Physical Therapy is a wonderful modality that can be added to enhance one's healing journey. It is never the "end all be all" as there are many other factors in life that need to be addressed in addition to your balanced posture and movements. PT can be a wonderful adjunct to eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated, taking supplements, getting Vitamin D from the sun, exercising, seeing a Chiropractor, Acupuncturist, Massage Therapist, or other Holistic Practitioners. I understand that some people will move and feel better with my help, and others may not. Some may even feel worse! That is the risk we both take when entering into a working relationship. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that the process I use and the individualized plan that I devise, based on each client's assessment findings, will actually take all of their pain away. My heart breaks for the number of clients who have seen multiple practitioners and are still left wanting more relief. My heart breaks again when the work we do here isn't enough for them to see positive change and they have to move on to yet another practitioner for help. I'm grateful to know that there are still a lot of other wonderful, healing avenues for clients to pursue if this process is not the end of their journey. 

As much as it was a tough day for me emotionally to hear all of my clients discouragement, I am still more encouraged by the wonder and resiliency of the human body and its ability to heal, to move, and feel better.  I am still grateful for the opportunity to try to help as many people as possible and teach them what they can be doing for themselves to facilitate healing. I'm choosing to bless and release those that are not a good fit for my services and embrace those of you who are still willing to take the chance to move forward together along your healing journey. Thanks for your trust in this process and for understanding that what we do here is just one piece of a HUGE healing puzzle. 

Celebrating "Women's History Month" in a Unique Way

Mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, family, friends, child-bearers, caretakers, cooks, educators, entrepreneurs,  and more...women are some of the greatest Superheroes we know!! It is amazing to see how far women have come and how they have shaped our world throughout "Her-story." It is great to have a whole month to celebrate all of the amazing women in our lives, especially those who brought us into the world! Of course, most great women have tons of support from great men in their lives (thanks fellas!), as it takes all of us to make the world go around! So, if you are reading this and you are a woman, or have women that you love in your life, please read on!! 

One of the greatest concerns that women face is caring for their bodies so they can continue to care for and nurture others. October is "Breast Cancer Awareness" month, but I like to refer to it as "Breast Health Awareness" month. We're ALL aware of the rates of all sorts of cancers, so instead, I like to switch the focus to "What can we do to prevent breast cancer or holistically treat it?" I'm bringing it back for National Women's Month as breast health is so important yet often goes overlooked until there seems to be a problem. A lot of people don't realize that movement is key in preventing and treating breast cancer. 

Breast tissue is imbedded with many lymphatic ducts and channels, which are part of our immune system and allow for waste removal. Gravity pulls us forward naturally, but the increased use of computers, cell phones, and other hand-held devices keeps us flexed forward even more, putting added stress on our neck and shoulders, and limiting the flow of the lymphatic fluid throughout our neck, chest, and armpits. That is NOT good, as this can lead to cystic and cancerous tissues to form. 

For the rest of March, I'm offering a "Breast Wellness Check" as part of each treatment session to assess mobility and tissue health for the muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest and armpits. It's amazing how easy it is to locate compromised tissue areas with some simple movements, and these specific movements can really help to keep tissues healthy and fluids flowing naturally to boost your wellness. Instead of only having your monthly breast self-exam to do, you'll leave your session with some customized and super easy movement exercises to add into your daily routine to help keep you healthy!! 

Call, text (414-405-3956), or email (1212bodyworks@gmail.com) today to schedule your "Breast Wellness Check" appointment. I'm happy to help keep women as healthy and happy as I possibly can so that they can continue their work as Superheroes and continue to shape "Her-story" for YEARS to come!!

Keep Moving Well! 

A MOVE that your Valentine will NEVER forget!

The candles are glowing. The sweet, vibrant fragrance from the vase of red roses in the center of the table has filled the room. The table is elegantly set with your fancy dishes, and that bottle of wine that you've been saving for a special occasion is chilling, waiting for you and your love to enjoy together. The clean, soft sheets and pillowcases comfortably adorn the bed.  The anticipation of the most romantic night of the year has been rising and you're getting excited!  

The only snag in your anxiously awaited special date night plan is that nagging lower back pain, which started as a little, annoying "niggle," and has gradually become a nuisance with every squat, bend and step. You're frustrated because you went through PT for several weeks and the exercises haven't gotten rid of the pain completely. Your Chiropractor gets your pelvis re-aligned, only to have it go "out" again within a few days.  You DON'T want this night to be ruined by this nagging issue!! 

The key missing piece of the puzzle that is likely at the bottom of your unresolved back pain is...likely at the bottom of your pelvis. 

A sore "back" is usually located somewhere near the spine, pelvis, or tailbone. Sometimes it is on one side, and other times it goes across both sides of your body. None of this is fun, and frankly, this pain can really get in the way of your everyday functioning, not to mention take away enjoyment of intimate times with your love. 

What if the root of your nagging lower back pain comes from even lower than you think? 

It is really common to find weakness in the hips and "pelvic floor." Just for a quick reference, this area is located between your pubic bone and tailbone, the area that makes contact with a bicycle seat. You use these important tissues to support your internal organs and stop the flow of urine (now the story is getting really sexy, huh?). Well, as you can imagine, if anything is out of balance in the lower back, front or bottom of the pelvis, other areas have to compensate and tighten up, creating abnormal movement and pain. Sometimes the pain in the "back" of your body is a messenger trying to tell you that something else down below is not working well! The first step in discovering weakness is testing to see if your tissues are doing what they are supposed to be doing. (Don't worry, in my office, there are no gloves involved with pelvic floor testing!) In fact, it's so simple, you probably wouldn't believe me if I told you how I test for this!!  

What if the answer to the issues in your tissues was a simple little squeeze? 

The old-school "Kegel" exercise, otherwise known as squeezing the pelvic floor, is helpful, but it's not the best way to help your weak tissues. Just like the song says "The Hip Bone's connected to the Pelvic Bone..." our body parts truly are all connected! By using your hips strategically (with some simple, yet specific positions) at the same time as performing a Kegel exercise, you can help resolve your back pain, AND you can also help boost the stamina and sensitivity of your most intimate tissues! These Specific Pelvic Activation & Contraction Exercises (SPACE) are so simple to learn! You and your partner will thank me once you learn how easy they really are--in fact, you'll wonder why no one has taught you this before!! 

What if you don't even HAVE back pain? Can this still be helpful for you??

Absolutely!! As a back pain prevention activity, or to simply boost your body's ability to support itself, both inside and out, these SPACE techniques are a game changer! According to this article from the Pelvic Floor First website, activating and strengthening the pelvic floor can "improve bladder and bowel control, reduce the risk of prolapse, enhance recovery from childbirth or gynecological surgery, improve recovery from prostate surgery, increase sexual sensation and orgasmic potential, and increase social confidence and quality of life." Sounds pretty nice and helpful, huh??

Don't let your nagging issues get in the way of your body's enjoyment of everyday activities and special Valentine's Day or Date night (or day, or morning...) plans! Get to the root of the issues in your tissues once and for all!! It might be a lot simpler than you think. 

Are you ready to help Valentine's Day last all year? Now offering a "Pelvic Wellness Check," complete with an alignment test, functional analysis (no gloves involved!!), and instruction in your own unique "SPACE" techniques to improve your health, both in and out of the bedroom. 

Simply call, text [(414) 405-3956] or email [1212bodyworks@gmail.com] to schedule your next session.

**The first 3 people who mention this blog post when scheduling will receive a free gift!**  

Looking forward to serving you soon. 

How do you really WANT to FEEL??

WE MADE IT!! Here we are, settling into 2021. What a crazy year we all had in 2020, but the important thing is that we made it through!! Every year, many people like to reflect on the previous year and then look ahead to the new year as a fresh start.  Many people set resolutions as in "This year, I'm going to stop snacking after dinner," or "I'm going to start walking every day," or after 2020, a resolution might be "I'm going to stop finishing a bottle of wine every night!" Many people make resolutions involving something that they want to stop doing or start doing, and often these resolutions have something to do with improving health. Often times, a few weeks or even a month or two will go by with the best of intentions, but then the efforts toward the resolutions fade out or stop all together. I know this because this often happens to me! This year, I did something different and it has already impacted my life so much in two weeks that I HAD to share it with you! 

My childhood friend, Kristen Finch, is a Life Coach and the hostess of the Podcast "Show Up and Love." She has a podcast episode about setting "Re-SOUL-utions" and she offers a simple yet very effective way to actually make positive changes in your life. Give it a listen HERE. Instead of focusing on stopping or starting something, she recommends you focus on how you want to FEEL about 9 categories in your life: Body, Mind, Work, Marriage/Relationship, Family, Home, Money, Soul, and Life. Once you have the feelings identified, you make a list of all of the activities you can do to help you get to the feeling place for each category. By being focused on how you want to feel in these various areas, you will be more likely to make choices that will lead you to the feeling place. I re-read my "Re-SOUL-utions" daily and sometimes re-write them and I can already feel a difference in most of those categories! Sometimes simple things make the biggest difference. 

I started thinking about how I can use this concept to improve my client sessions. Most clients I see have some sort of "not-so-good" sensations in their body, such as pain, tightness, or stiffness. Or, they have some "not-so-good" movements that restrict their ability to perform their daily tasks or fully enjoy their life. Up until now, I've always started the sessions asking "How are you feeling?" Then, my clients report where their aches and pains are located, or which movements are limited. As a PT, I've always taken responsibility for trying to help get rid of those "not-so-good" sensations. Many clients feel better in their bodies after moving through our treatment sessions with the therapies and exercises used to help their body's efficiency improve. But one session is not a cure-all and often doesn't help to fully resolve the undesired sensations, especially if those sensations have lingered for a long time. Sometimes I would feel unsuccessful if I wasn't able to take someone's pain away in a session or even throughout a series of treatments, which would then turn into feelings of negativity, sadness, disappointment with myself, and lack of confidence in my abilities as a therapist. After listening to the podcast and doing the work to identify the way I WANT to feel in my life, it made me realize that I have been focused on the wrong sensations with my clients. Now, instead of just asking where the "not-so-good" sensations are located, I have started asking clients "How do you WANT to FEEL in your body?" The answers have been simple, yet profound sometimes. So far, clients have shared that they want to feel "relaxed," "free," "flexible," "youthful," "vibrant," and "energized." By spinning the focus to something so much more positive and desirable  the level of satisfaction with our sessions has improved, both from the client perspective and from mine as the providing therapist. What a relief! And what a simple way to  make such a huge difference! 

So, how is it that YOU want to FEEL in your life? In your Body? What do you want to be able to DO more easily? What happens as you start to focus in on those feelings and activities? Is there something you can do to make yourself feel just a little bit better? Is there something I can do to help you feel just a little bit better? 

I'd love to hear how this process is beneficial for YOU as you begin the fresh start of this new year! My hope is that you find ways to feel relaxed, free, flexible, youthful, vibrant, energized or any other way that YOU want to feel EVERY day this year!