Wednesday, October 20, 2010

It Really Works!


One of the pleasures of massage school was learning that something actually worked. We learned that the use of cross-fiber friction could realign scar tissue. Normal, healthy muscle fibers are in line, which gives them strength. Scar tissue (from injury), on the other hand, is formed in a kind of random pattern, which leaves it less strong. This in turn leaves a potential weakness in that area of the muscle. Cross-fiber friction realigns the fibers in the original direction of the muscle fibers. Amazing, right? So, I've been using this with my injured biceps tendon. The massage in the subacute stage is helping to bring oxygen and nutrients to the area, and I'm making sure that the tendon is nice and strong! Amazing stuff.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Kettlebell & Bicep


An avid kettlebell user, I recently overdid it and found myself in pain. Lifting a glass and turning a doorknob caused my left arm (anterior, just distal to the elbow crease) increasing pain. Thinking about the movements of the kettlebell clean and snatch, I realized...biceps tendon (flexion, supination). So, some Traumeel, some cross-fiber friction of the tendon (once it calms down a little), and I should be as good as new. In the meantime, I guess it's time to get on the treadmill, eh?