Football, Pumpkin Spice and Ferris Bueller

It’s almost football and pumpkin spice season.

That’s right. Pumpkin Spice is now officially a season. We say this because it is proper to call each of these a season. They both mark a moment in the year when things change. 

Football season is anticipated, and to many, so is pumpkin-spiced…well, everything. However, don’t both seem to be so distant in July, yet already in our faces by mid-August??

Yes. Because as adults, time goes by way too fast.

Football and pumpkins, to adults, mean Fall. Or more to the point, that Summer is mentally over.  We are still going into drugstores on sunny 85-degree days for suntan lotion, or insect repellant, only to see aisles of holiday candies and decorations. Our brains jump to Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and thoughts of:

• Only HOW many shopping days until Christmas??
• Where are we spending Thanksgiving this year? Is everyone coming here?
• School events and fundraisers
• Extra extra extra early Black Friday sales
• Oh. And it’s election season.

All of these thoughts trigger stress. And as a regular reader of this blog, you are well aware that stress triggers mental and physical pain, often felt in our backs, where we carry so many of these “seasonal burdens.”

Why does change of season sometimes feel negative?  School children feel stress as well, but it is more a stress of “what’s new,” rather than “what else is new?”

The difference is when younger, life is measured more by what's new and fun, versus how many years have gone by. For a student, a new year means moving up into a new grade at school. A literal upgrade in life. What new perspectives and first impressions will each eager student gain? The adventure awaits!

So, what is your upgrade? Your new perspective? When’s the last time you made an important first impression? When we think life is going by too fast, it could be due to routine. And perhaps our quiet resentment of that fact. According to Psychology Today, the feeling is very common:

“…the best answer for this phenomenon is that the early years are full of first-time events - your first date, the birth of your first child, that first big vacation, etc. First occasions are novel events and we tend to make more detailed and lasting memories of those first times. When we repeat the event, year after year, it is less likely to make a unique or lasting impression...we can observe the same phenomenon in a shorter space of time. For instance, the first couple of days of your 2-week vacation seem long and leisurely, and the time goes slowly. You’re thankful that you have two long weeks of this. But, the next thing you know, it's almost over and you are heading home!”

Don’t worry. You can change this by simply changing little behaviors. Take time out for yourself. Put the changes in perspective. Give that revving mental to-do list a break. Just for a few minutes.

Change it up. Take a stretch. Save your back. Push away your stress.

You know we have your back at Miracle Stretch®. A simple daily use of our Piri-Stretcher® can help relieve pain. It doesn’t take long and is easy to do. And while your body stretches, so will your mind. Look at it as a positive change in your life. 

One of many.

So, this year take time to relax, spice it up, and enjoy the game!

P.S. If you need additional wisdom, enjoy this Ferris Bueller clip. Turns out he was right when he inspired all of us to improve our lives by simply changing our day...

https://youtu.be/91lJhEzMaH4

YOUR 7th Inning Stretch

Every sport calls it something different, but they all have it.

A break in the action.
An official time out.
Halftime.
Intermission.

No matter the momentum, no matter the intensity, it’s mandatory that teams leave the game for a few minutes. It’s for their recovery, for their safety, and for their sanity.

So. Where’s the break in your game?

No matter what you do…
• Parent
• Nurse
• Teacher
• Truck Driver
• First Responder
• Working in an office, facility, on a farm
…YOU are a major player in the game of life.

So. Again: where’s the break in your game?

“Never?"
"Who has time for a break?!”

These are common responses in part sarcasm and almost always uttered in an exhausted, just-trying-to-catch-my-breath fashion.

Seriously, take a break. It doesn't have to be a long break. Make it simple. Stretch.

Do it for your own good.

According to a recent article in Fortune Magazine, most Americans do not take advantage of their allotted (and earned) vacation time.

“…workers, on average, fail to use nearly five vacation days a year, the U.S. Travel Association found.”

As Americans we learn, “a little hard work never hurt anyone.” Notice the perspective in that quote. The use of “a little.” That means moderation. For some reason, the word “moderation” is only familiar to American culture by way of beer commercials and disclaimers. (The same beer commercials that tell us to go to extremes in celebration and partying.)

It stems from our heritage. For many Americans, the Protestant work ethic has been built into our backbones while hitting that nerve of guilt when we feel like we don't do enough. We all know that guilt. That resentment we fear from others if we take a break, or vacation. The fear that if we don’t keep up, we will fall - also known as the Rat Race.

Spoiler alert: the Rat Race is not always worth winning. However, you can go an alternate route at different speeds, and still get to the finish line.

What is the right path? We need to be in tune with our bodies. Like professional athletes, we need to take a break. When we don't relax or recharge, our bodies suffer. There are approximately 31 million Americans suffering from low back pain - the second most common reason for visits to the doctor in the United States. This is a key example of what stress and long hours on the job can contribute to, and a pretty big reason to take a break.

Check out this direct advice from the Center for Disease Control:

Taking five-minute breaks--whether you sit at a desk, do heavy construction work, or anything in between--can have several benefits. Take several short breaks throughout the day (about every hour). Make sure they include some movement.

• Take a short walk away from your workstation
• Stand up and stretch or walk in place at your desk without looking at your computer monitor
• Get out of your chair whenever you take phone calls at your desk
• Change positions at your workstation
• Have a drink of water or a light snack

Advantage Behavior Health emphasizes the importance of breaks to reduce stress and anxiety; plus boost mental and physical health.

Start slow, perhaps five minutes daily.

Stretching is a great way to spend five minutes of downtime. At Miracle Stretch, we understand the precious value of health and happiness. The Piri-Stretcher® is designed to allow your muscles and your mind to take a break. As your back pain heals, your body becomes stronger. As your pain fades, your thoughts become happier. And as a result, your life becomes much more positive.

So just like the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, or San Francisco Giants....you come back from that seventh inning stretch rejuvenated and recharged...and amazing things happen! You knock one over the fence...round third...slide into home...and whether you win the game or not - you feel your best.

So. Who has time for a break? You do. You’ve earned it.

The Sweet Spot

Hitting the target or mark in the best area, creating the most impact. 

For many, it conjures up images of a baseball batter crushing one over the fence, or a golfer as he connects for the perfect tee shot. Or perhaps it means an ideal opportunity, a coming together of positive events, a perfect storm. Then again, it can be that sweet spot found on the masseuse table that results in the release of tense muscles. No matter your definition, the "sweet spot," to all, means reaching a perfect balance. 

A feeling of harmony.

Unfortunately, too few Americans feel harmonious. Too many suffer from fatigue and physical pain. Technology may be advancing, but stress levels are rising, and that can contribute to increased chronic pain.

More than 31 million Americans suffer from low back pain and are desperately looking for that “sweet spot” of relief. So, where is the “sweet spot?’ How can we find it?

The key ingredients for finding the "sweet spot" are within our reach. Somewhere rooted underneath our daily lives and habits...the murky material your “sweet spot” is buried under is STRESS. Stress can pile up, creating a sinking feeling, that will bring the mind and body down along with it. 

In fact, an author named Christine Carter Ph.D., took this notion and published a book “The Sweet Spot. How to find a groove at home and work.” Dr. Carter, a Happiness Expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, points out: “At the same time that our lives have gotten easier in many ways—with devices to wash the dishes, learn just about anything, have our groceries delivered—it has also gotten easier to WORK MORE. We communicate with our co-workers at all hours of the day and night in person and by phone, text and email. Instead of starting work at 8 am, we are starting as we switch off the alarm at 6 am on our smart phones and check the emails that came in overnight!”

Longer hours physically and mentally, in an office or at home, create stress. Maybe it's time we rethink our approach to stress. Sometimes changing just a few behaviors will uncover the “sweet spot” of relief. To help you achieve your own personal zen, Miracle Stretch® wants you to know that we “have your back” when it comes to making your life easier and pain-free. Every blog or post we share on social media is to help you live happy, healthy, and pain free. This includes less stress, more positive inspiration, healthy living, and alleviating pain.

And as it relates to our products, the Miracle Stretch® “sweet spot” comes in two ways: effectiveness and affordability. 

Our best-selling Piri-Stretcher® therapy tool is an effective, reliable, natural solution to help manage your stress. Stretching daily not only feels good, but can relieve and fight back against low back pain brought on by physical demands, and burdensome mental loads. Whether you suffer from Piriformis Syndrome, Sciatica, or Myofascial Pain, let us provide a modern, patented, and effective tool to help fix that back.

The Piri-Stretcher® also hits the sweet spot of affordability. It is priced to promote accessibility. We are not one of those low-quality “As Seen On TV” products that are usually too good to be true. The Piri-Stretcher® addresses the root cause of Piriformis Syndrome by helping to stretch and relax the piriformis muscle to reduce tension on the sciatic nerve. Targeted stretching of the isolated muscle, with proper leverage to control the stretch, produces relief from associated pain. No drugs. No injections. And the Piri-Stretcher® is far away from expensive (and invasive) surgery.

Check out the testimonials on the web and Facebook. Social media is getting the word out now on how the Piri-Stretcher® by Miracle Stretch® is removing stress and pain on a daily (and affordable) basis.

The Piri-Stretcher® puts you in the perfect position.

Ah, the sweet spot.

TGIM!

That’s right. Thank God It’s Monday!

This Monday: You are in control. You feel less stress. You are happy. You are healthier for it.

Feeling skeptical? Read on to learn how to turn your Mondays around.

Two important reasons:
1) Stress is unhealthy
2) Mondays are inevitable

Stress will affect the mind and attack the body. Doctors’ offices all across the country are filled with chronic pain patients. Many who have no idea it may be from the negatives they allow to penetrate their minds.

Here is how to fight back.

Remove Monday’s stress by OWNING it. Begin the week on your terms.

News. Start by removing the smart phone from the bedside.  Emails and news updates from the 24-hour media are not “good-mornings.”  In fact, according to Psychology Today, the average American news media coverage has been on a steady rise in negative stories and overall negative news coverage over the past 30 years! So it is not “just you” if you are feeling an increase in negativity after watching the news.

Negativity affects the brain in patterns and behavior. If you’re not careful, or mindful, your day can be shaped by simply being exposed to bad news. It can infect you with stress. Stop giving bad news your brain’s attention. Especially when you wake up.

Emails. This is perhaps more of a challenge, but one that must be met. Of course you want to be alerted to important business, but not every email is a fire that you must put out.  Let your mind stretch and be filled with positivity. This will fuel you with the perspective and confidence to take on important emails, so that you don't feel like you're swimming to keep your head above water.

And before you think you’re excused from social media, sorry, no. Social media has joined the ranks of wonderful technology, but can also be a source of negativity. From news feeds, to friends reporting bad news, to declarations of anger and political strife--social media can be a scrolling wall of negativity. Or even worse, it can be what psychologists refer to as a source of “compare and despair.” When you see and interpret others achieving, living, or progressing past you, it may result in a negative feeling of being left behind. Just remember: most people use social media as a tool to accentuate the positive, and completely eliminate the negative. Meaning, it can be candy-coated and is not absolute truth. Everyone has problems. They just don’t post them.

So avoid feeding your mind junk food for breakfast. Instead, take a few minutes. Make time to taste your breakfast. Enjoy your coffee. As your mind awakens, feed your brain a breakfast of positivity.

Find what inspires you. Browse art and architecture magazines, look at beautiful scenic photos, read poetry, or enjoy some of your favorite inspirational quotes. Go to YouTube and find that favorite movie clip, the one that gets you motivated or laughing. Google your personal heroes. Find out what inspired them. Maybe they, too, stayed away from negatives by seeking out positive influences.

Sit on the porch and listen to birds. Meditate. Breathe life in.

Exercise. Another tactic to fight stress is by staying active to recharge you mentally and physically. Go for a morning walk or a bike ride. Do yoga. Stretch. A simple, productive stretch can supercharge your morning. The more stress you eliminate, the more you can reduce chronic pain - that's one reason the Miracle Stretch® Piri-Stretcher® works so well. It helps eliminate struggling to target and stretch the piriformis muscle.  Relaxing the muscle reduces tension from the sciatic nerve to relieve pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Imagine a Monday morning that is positive, happy, healthy, and pain free.

These few daily changes can jumpstart your mind and body in a positive manner and help you “push-back” on Monday syndrome...it's time to permanently defuse it from its nasty reputation.

Now go amaze everyone with your Monday.

PS. This works for the rest of the week, too!

Live Happy, Healthy, and Pain Free…and Give a Butterfly its Wings!

Our #1 priority at Miracle Stretch® is helping people feel happy, healthy and pain free. We know all too well what suffering from low back pain feels like. Our co-workers, families, friends, and loved ones have been there…we understand Piriformis Syndrome and ache for our customers who experience Sciatica every day. We wholeheartedly want to make the pain go away. While we may not be able to help every single person suffering from these conditions, we have helped many, and are committed to every person who crosses our path. Each and every person matters.

We have a custom here at Miracle Stretch® - each time we hear how we have helped someone feel better and feel less pain, we contribute to our 'Butterfly Fund' to symbolize feeling happy and moving freely, without pain. At the end of the year, we will donate to the Michigan State University (MSU) Horticulture Gardens. There, students at MSU’s Department of Horticulture care for an amazing butterfly garden, providing hands-on education about flora and fauna for children. The garden encourages exploration, curiosity, learning, and respect for these beautiful creatures - and of course, taking the time to relax and soak it all in. Relaxation and stress-free living are crucial to preventing and alleviating chronic pain. So, if you have found relief using the Miracle Stretch® Piri-Stretcher® then please send us a note at support@miraclestretch.com or share a comment on our Facebook reviews at www.facebook.com/miraclestretch. Each time we hear one of our customers is feeling better; you could say that you just helped give a butterfly its wings!

About Piriformis Syndrome:

Piriformis Syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve leading to pain or numbness in the buttocks region, and referred pain along the path of sciatic nerve. This referred pain (also known as sciatica) normally descends into the lower rear or the back of the thigh. The syndrome usually develops when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and places pressure on, or compresses, the sciatic nerve.

Who gets Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is common for those who sit extended periods, whether at home, or working – including first responders, teachers, truck drivers, delivery drivers, farmers, customer service or call center representatives, office staff, and IT representatives. It is also common among runners, swimmers, walkers, golfers, equestrians, and bicyclists. Being overweight is a common trigger for Piriformis Syndrome.

What are ways to help prevent it?

Prevention is important for Piriformis Syndrome. Ways that can help prevent it include exercising or stretching the piriformis and surrounding glute muscles, learning new routines particularly for repetitive activities, modifying sitting positions, managing weight, and reducing stress. Strengthening the muscles of the buttocks, lower back and hips also helps prevent Piriformis Syndrome. To keep the tendons and muscles supple and flexible, it is essential to undertake a stretching routine.

How does the Piri-Stretcher® help?

Since the piriformis muscle is located deep to the glutes, it is not an easy one to isolate. We developed the patented Piri-Stretcher® therapy tool to help with a focused stretch of the piriformis muscle. The Piri-Stretcher® is designed to provide leverage in targeting the muscle, including an adaptive comfort grip handle, with two levels of stretching. The handle allows users to lay flat and gently relax into a piriformis stretch at their comfort level; without struggling or added stress on the upper back, shoulders, neck, or hands. When the muscle is relaxed, pressure is released from the sciatic nerve, producing relief of low back, buttocks, and radiating leg pain associated with Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica.  

As with all exercise, and particularly with pain management, it’s important to develop a routine. Set time aside every day. Warm up with a brisk walk, side steps, or joint rotations. Focus on stretching. Focus on YOU. You will feel happy and healthier for it…and hopefully dancing and moving pain free, just like a butterfly, very soon! 

(don't forget to tell us about it!!)

For more on Miracle Stretch® and the Piri-Stretcher®:

www.miraclestretch.com/?click=bf707

For more on Butterflies in the Garden at MSU visit:

http://www.hrt.msu.edu/our-gardens/

http://4hgarden.cowplex.com/Butterflies/When_Here_Butterflies/

Save that Rind!!!

Nothing says summer like sunshine and watermelon.  Americans love watermelon so much that the average person eats 16 pounds of it per year.  That’s 5.1 billion pounds of watermelon consumed per year in the US!  That’s a good thing, because watermelon has been shown to be particularly healthy and quite low in calories.

But, most Americans only eat the red part of the watermelon and toss away the rind. Since the rind comprises 30 percent of a watermelon, that means Americans throw away 1.5 billion pounds of watermelon rind every year.  If only there was something which could be done with all that rind….

Good news!  There is actually a lot that can be done with the lowly watermelon rind, culinarily speaking.  It can be stewed, pickled and even used as a tasty addition to stir-fries.  Keep in mind that we are talking about the juicy white part, not the green outer-layer (don’t eat that).

While the sweet red part of the watermelon provides benefits such as increased muscle movement, recovery, and reduced inflammation, the rind also provides an added bonus of health benefits. Watermelon rind has tons of an amino acid called citrulline.  This amino has been shown to have very effective antioxidant effects.  Plus citrulline is known to dilate blood vessels and greatly improve circulation.  Citrulline also provides endurance, making muscles take longer to fatigue.  This means you can exercise more effectively and stretch better (especially with the Piri-Stretcher® from Miracle Stretch®). 

In addition, citrulline is converted into another amino within the kidneys, called arginine. Arginine improves heart health, the circulatory system and immune system. That's a power packed picnic of watermelon rind benefits, usually left to waste.

So, while the rind may be healthy, it does need a little help to elevate it from a juicy, but bland, throw-away to a delectable summer treat.  It can be added to stir-fries or stewed, but in the Southern US, Americans have found the perfect solution:  making rind pickles!

There are many good recipes out there, and odds are that you will have more than enough rind to try each one of them.  Why not?  Making pickles is extremely easy, and even fun - something you can do with your kids or grandkids.  All you need is a jar, a few simple ingredients, and a stove.  The end result is an absolutely delicious addition to your summer afternoons that will benefit your health and have your friends talking about what a culinary genius you are.

Below is an adaptation for pickled watermelon rinds from a fruit pickling recipe by Alton Brown.

Summertime Watermelon-Rind Pickles

Rind of 1 medium watermelon, skin and remaining red flesh removed, cut into 2”x1/2” pieces

½ lemon, thinly sliced

1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, thinly sliced

1c water

1c sugar

1c cider vinegar

1 sprig fresh mint

1 canning jar with lid

Place the cut rinds (standing upright) into jar.  Add lemon, ginger and mint.

In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the water, sugar and cider vinegar.  Bring the liquid to a simmer, and cook until the sugar is dissolved.

Slowly, and carefully, pour the hot liquid over the rind mixture in the jar.  Fill to the top.  Cool the jars contents, then refrigerate for 2 days before serving.

So, enjoy the sunshine and summertime with your fun, new guilt-free pickled snack...and all the amazing health benefits that go along with it. 

Continuing Therapy at Home

Many utilize physical therapists or chiropractors as a part of a treatment program for Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica.  At the end of the therapy session it feels great, and most patients are full of intent to continue the prescribed stretches when they get home.  However once home, it is easy to fall back into routine, forgo stretching, and begin to experience associated low back, buttocks, or leg pain all over again.

Why is it so difficult to stick to a home therapy regimen?

Some of the obstacles are:

1)    Once home, it is easy to forget how the stretches are properly done.

2)    You aren't flexible enough to confidently complete the stretch alone.

3)    It's difficult to stick to a home therapy schedule, especially when you aren’t experiencing immediate pain.

4)    Pain meds can sometimes seem like a faster, easier solution, despite the fact that they never address the root cause.

Let’s address each of these barriers, and see if our solutions can lead to a happier, more pain free life.

What was that stretch again??? So, you learn great stretches at the clinic.  You think they work so well.  But later at home, you can’t remember exactly how it was done… there are several things you can do to help solve this problem.

Ask your doctor or therapist for the name of each particular stretch you are taught.  Write them down.  Later, you can do an internet search for the stretch and find visual examples.

Also, ask if you can set up your phone to record your stretches at the clinic.  A video of yourself, doing the proper stretch, is a great way to revisit proper technique.  As you repeat these stretches again and again, your body will remember how they’re done, even if you don’t.

I can't do it very well by myself. If it is a stretch beyond your ability, your doctor or therapist will let you know. So be confident.  Surround yourself with positive thoughts.  Take deep breaths; maybe even take a moment to meditate prior to beginning your stretches.  Keep your goal firmly set in mind: which is to relieve the pain you suffer.

Now just do the best you can; relax, don't push too hard, know that perfection isn’t required.

Umm… I forgot. Procrastination and forgetfulness are huge obstacles to success.  To reach any goal, it's important to eliminate these as much as possible.  In the context of home therapy, they can mean the difference between successful pain management or suffering. 

Keep a journal.  Log the date and time of each home therapy session.  By doing this, we become more accountable to ourselves.  There can be no confusion about when, how often, or for how long.

Place any equipment you utilize (like the Piri-Stretcher® by Miracle Stretch®) in a prominent place in your house.  Put it where you see it several times a day.  When it’s placed in a closet or drawer, it becomes easier to forget it.  However, when you force yourself to see it, the visual aid will prompt and drive you to use it, thus helping you to stick to your therapy routine.

Set a specific time each day to do your therapy.  Make it the same time every day.  Research has found that just before bed is an optimal time for stretching, as it aids in relaxing your mind and body, and makes for a better sleep.  A regular schedule is easier to follow than one that varies.

I don’t need to stretch… I took my meds.  Pain medication can be an important part of a pain management program.  However, it will not address the root cause of your pain.  While a short term goal is to reduce pain immediately, the over-arching goal should be to eliminate pain altogether.  To accomplish this goal, it's imperative to address the cause of pain.  Dedicated stretching and physical rehabilitation target the root cause for long-term relief.

The  Piri-Stretcher® by Miracle Stretch® helps address obstacles by assisting with a guided, targeted piriformis muscle stretch to relax the muscle and relieve tension on the sciatic nerve. This reduced tension can relieve pain in the lower back, buttocks, and radiating down the legs. Properly placed adaptive handles help you gently relax into the stretch, laying flat, and stretching with confidence; they also provide assistance for various levels of flexibility.  Placed in plain view, The Piri-Stretcher® is a constant reminder that you need to stretch today.  Unlike pain meds, it does target the root of your pain to help with relief and prevention.  

A dedicated regimen of stretching is an excellent, natural way to continue home therapy and move toward a permanent, pain free future.