These transitional months can be exciting, but they also present challenges for our bodies. They bring out aches that we haven’t felt since the previous summer and sometimes they just need a little help from a massage session or two to get worked out. Take the time today to make sure you have your appointments scheduled, Living Touch Massage books up quickly and Rita wants to make sure everyone enjoys the warm weather this year. ​

According to Mayo Clinic, here are three things for you to adjust to make your work space a better fit for you and your body positioning: 

1. Chair: Choose a chair that supports your spinal curves. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust armrests so your arms gently rest on them with your shoulders relaxed.
2. Keyboard and mouse: Place your mouse within easy reach and on the same surface as your keyboard. While typing or using your mouse, keep your wrists straight, your upper arms close to your body, and your hands at or slightly below the level of your elbows. Use keyboard shortcuts to reduce extended mouse use. If possible, adjust the sensitivity of the mouse so you can use a light touch to operate it. Alternate the hand you use to operate the mouse by moving the mouse to the other side of your keyboard.
3. Monitor: Place the monitor directly in front of you, about an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. The monitor should be directly behind your keyboard. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor an additional 1 to 2 inches for more comfortable viewing. Place your monitor so that the brightest light source is to the side.

Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/office-ergonomics/art-20046169
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Expanding a bit more regarding your choice of mouse, you may want to consider a vertical mouse. The vertical mouse is actually a relatively new design invented after suffering from  the constant discomfort caused by the traditional mouse. Referred to as the “handshake” design, it has been validated by a number of people who suffer from hand and wrist pain. and who have found great relief after switching over to this design. The handshake position is the neutral position for most people’s arm and hand at rest, which is also the most comfortable. There is no pronation of the forearm, and your shoulders are naturally rotated externally. A vertical mouse is ergonomically shaped to help the user maintain that handshake design while operating it. Instead of twisting your wrist so it’s parallel to the desk to operate a regular mouse, there is little to no twisting of the wrist required to grasp a vertical mouse. 

The 4 main benefits of using a vertical mouse include:

1. Keeps the forearm and wrist at a neutral rest position, which minimizes muscle use.
2. Avoids forearm and wrist pronation (rotating of the wrist counterclockwise) that compresses the median nerve and can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Keeps the bulk of the underside of your wrist off the desk, further reducing pressure in that area.
4. Handshake position lets you operate the mouse with your forearm instead of wrist if you choose. Great for people with existing carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist strains.

Most importantly, always invest in yourself. Take the time to set yourself and your body up for success. You can easily prevent muscle strain by adjusting your workstation to be more ergonomic and fit the needs of your body.

​It is important be healthy and take care of your body. Two things most people think of when discussing a healthy lifestyle is their diet and fitness routine. These things are both important parts of living a healthy life, but how does massage fit in?

If you plan on getting a massage pre-workout, it is suggested that you go for a light massage. A light massage helps warm up the muscles and makes them more flexible. However, if you plan on working out after a deep tissue massage, you might want to think again. This can lead to increased soreness, and it can inhibit the effectiveness of the tissue work done during your massage.

There are five major benefits to post-workout massages:

​It’s that time of year again, Back-to-School, and Boo is getting ready to continue his education in the office. Education and proper certifications are always primary goals at Living Touch Massage. It is important to Rita that she practices the most current and accurate techniques in the massage industry. It is so important to her practice that she goes above and beyond required certifications and learns specific techniques to help clients with a variety of conditions. Continuing her education and maintaining her certifications allows her to meet the needs of a broader range of clients and truly make an impact on their lives. From her education, she gains increased knowledge, a better understanding of old and new techniques, and an increased skill level. This helps her create the best possible experience for her clients.

Rita is currently nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. To have received this certification, she must demonstrate a mastery of core skills and knowledge, pass an NCBTMB standardized exam, uphold the organization’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, as well as continue her education.

​Rita is already experienced and trained in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Myofascial massage and release, therapeutic, relaxation, restorative, prenatal, and chair massage. For more information on all specialties, view all Our Services.