Many of you have experienced the power of this specialised style of massage before from one of our therapists, but with coughs and colds doing the rounds I thought it was a great time to talk about what lymphatic massage is and how it can help you.
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​I'm not saying don't do it, but it's just not as effective as we are lead to believe and there are way more effective ways to release it (and less painful!)
Here's what we know about the ITB

• It's connective tissue so has very little contractile properties (hence painfully rolling on it is not going to make much difference in it's length anyway)
• It's designed to have some tension to support your lateral quads and hamstrings, so stop trying to make it loose!

How do you stretch it?
I like to think of the ITB as guitar string which is controlled by the tuning pegs at the top. ITB tension is controlled by the glute max and TFL (shown below). So if you want to stretch it, grab a rubber ball and start rolling in those muscles. Way more effective and kinder!

​Every day I step into clinic I feel genuinely grateful for the beautiful nature of the clients we have. I know some of you are doing it hard at the moment, be it from a broken heart or battling a chronic illness and so this one is for you, and everyone else needing a reminder to keep taking those steps, not matter how small...eventually it will lead to to amazing things;-)

Keeping in the theme of our newsletter this month around setting fitness goals for the rest of the year and looking after yourself while doing it, a client of mine has forwarded this link to me for a run / walk event in November and it looks like fun!
Check it out and come and join us ;-)  ​

Before you reach for that cookie, muffin or soda consider this: sugar, cocaine and heroin share the same neurological pathways in our brain, and just like a drug addict we need more and more sugar to be satiated. It helps explain why it's so hard to give up huh, myself included! Little wonder why conditions such as diabetes, cardiac distress and obesity are rife in New Zealand. ​

It is so tempting on days like today to go into hibernation mode...and frankly, for the rest of winter ;-)  But now is the perfect time to start setting some goals to help inject some fun and motivation into these winter months.  Why not grab a mate or two to join you.  Here are some of my goals for this winter:
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We’re only five months away from dusting off the bikinis and board shorts and hitting the beach, so time to start thinking about setting some lifestyle goals. If you have been following our Friday’s Food Fix then you have a head start with some healthy food options. Why not give yourself some fitness goals too, they are a great way to stay on track and we are lucky to have so many fantastic options in New Zealand. Personally, I can’t wait for the up – coming Tough Guy Tough Girl Challenge, but for many of you it may be the Auckland Marathon and this week’s newsletter is perfect for you.
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I hope you are all feeling rested after our lovely long weekends. Mother’s Day is just around the corner and if you are wondering what would make the perfect gift, we have the answer!  Grab one of our beautiful vouchers to the value of your choice and let your Mum take a well-deserved break on our heated treatment tables. Bliss!
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