In an exercise, there is repeated motion and not held for longer than about six seconds. A stretch might consist of the same motion, but it is done only once, and with the position held motionless for 30 to 60 seconds.
While stretch, you extend the muscle and joint to the extreme position that can be comfortably reached. It’s a general thought that stretching is a good warm up before engaging in exercise, but in reality, stretch is best done after the body has been warmed up by an exercise. After an exercise session loosens and flushes out a tight muscle, stretching acts like the final hearty squeeze that you give a sponge after you’ve wet it and wrung it out repeatedly.
The stretches are grouped by trouble spot. The stretches should never hurt. When the final stretch position is approached, some tightness or tension is felt. As you continue to hold the stretch, the tightness will diminish. This is a sign that the muscle fiber is relaxing and stretching.
Breathing deeply and regularly during a stretch will help to relax you and increase the effectiveness of the stretch. With each breath, feel the healing steam and oxygen rush in , and all stress and tension fly out.
Posts Tagged ‘Relief’
How does stretching work and what are different benefits of stretching?
July 3rd, 2010Sauna Health Benefits : Are saunas healthy or harmful?
June 4th, 2010A sauna is an enclosed room which can be heated with the use of an electric heater, infrared heater, or wood stove. The elevated temperature in the room can be made more intense with the use of steam, or left dry, depending on the taste of the sauna bathers.
- During a 10-20 minute sauna session, your heart rate increases by 50-75%. This provides the same metabolic result as physical exercise. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure.
- Blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to the extremities.
- One of the main health benefits to owning a sauna is that using it rids your body of unwanted materials and helps to improve overall circulation.
- Another health benefit to owning a sauna is that it can help prevent heart disease.
- Steambaths and saunas induce sweating to provide a comprehensive cleansing of the skin and sweat glands.
- When taking a sauna, skin temperature rises to 40°C (104°F) and internal body temperature rises to about 38°C (100.4°F). Exposure to the high heat creates an artificial fever state. Fever stimulates the immune system resulting in increased production of disease fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon.
- Relief from the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
- Steam is an excellent treatment for respiratory problems, such as; chest congestion, bronchitis, laryngitis and sinusitis.
- Revives tired and strained muscles after physical exertion.
- The cleansing effect of profuse perspiration helps provide healthy skin and a clear complexion.
- Burns calories. About 600 calories burned in 30 minutes while sitting in a sauna.
Precautions before using sauna
- Avoid alcohol and medications that may impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna.
- Stay in no more than 15–20 minutes.
- Cool down gradually afterward.
- Drink two to four glasses of cool water after each sauna.
- Don’t take a sauna when you are ill, and if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door.
Caution
Pregnant women, heart patient with low or high blood pressure condition or suffering from any disease which has negative effect of sauna bath should first consult a physician regarding their physical condition and the length of period they can take sauna bath.
NOTE : Using a sauna for weight loss is not a sole method. Used in conjunction with eating correctly and getting regular exercise a sauna can help a person to lose weight. It is also a great way to relax after a stressful way, which will also help keep the body healthy. A healthy body losses weight much better than one that is not healthy.
Use chilli peppers to relieve pain
October 16th, 2009When we say that chilli peppers can help in relieving pain, it does not mean that if you are suffering from pain, you consume some chillis (that may lead to additional pain of a different kind). It means that chillis contain a compound that can help in the treatment of peripheral pain in a significant percentage of cases (although there are other scientists who disagree with the study, and you can read those comments at the bottom of the page) (link to article):
A new study by British researchers suggests that people suffering peripheral pain – which produces stinging sensations, numbness, weakness, burning pain – can get respite by taking capsaicin cream, an active constituent of chilli peppers. Peripheral pains often accompany disorders like diabetes, AIDS, shingles and arthritis; cancer patients can have peripheral neuropathies after receiving their therapies.
The team said that capsaicin cream could be used when the treatment has not been affective. The report has been published in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library.
