Flow Shiatsu RMT Clinic

02/21/2024

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Two consecutive falls from the balance beamWith the consent of the patient and …

02/20/2024

"TAD's Method for Checking the Health of Your Legs and Hips"

Today, I will introduce a simple method for checking the health of your legs and hips. This method is based on my own assessment, ranging from patients suffering from back pain to Olympic gold medalists.

◆ TAD's Leg and Hip Health Check Method ◆

Stand upright with your feet parallel.
Slowly bend your knees and ankles while lowering your hips without lifting your heels off the floor.
You will end up in a position similar to what is commonly called "yankee sitting."
If you can lower your hips to the end without lifting your heels and without losing balance, you pass. If you can only lower your hips partway, it's likely that your legs and hips are fatigued.*** Why can't you lower your hips? ***It's often due to fatigue in the ankles or buttock muscles.*** What problems arise from fatigue in the ankles or buttock muscles? ***Poor ankle mobility can lead to easy falls and slower running. Tight buttock muscles can restrict movement at the hips and the base of the legs, leading to back pain.
How to prevent it?A well-known method for relieving ankle fatigue is the "person watching the sea at the pier + thinking person" introduced in my 18th column. (It can be found in the Health & Beauty category on TORJA's website.) Additionally, the method I want to introduce today is "self-massage."

◆ TAD's "Self-Massage" ◆

Sit in a cross-legged position and carefully search for the knotty area behind the inner ankle bone (near the bone).
The area to target is about 5 cm above and below the back of the ankle.
Apply sustained pressure for one minute. (Once you find a tight spot, apply continuous pressure for one minute, making it feel comfortable.)

BenefitsThe key to "self-massage" lies in touching the problematic areas yourself. By touching and loosening hard-to-reach areas while in a stretching motion, you can expect a 100% effective method. This means you can prevent situations where you've been doing it every day yet see absolutely "no effect." As these areas likely haven't been properly tended to for years, improving them could potentially alleviate chronic symptoms such as "pain" and "movement restrictions" in about a week. This approach is effective not only for ankles but also for relieving fatigue around other joints.

02/19/2024

Do children get stiff shoulders too??I often receive questions like, "Do children also get stiff shoulders?" Basically, since adults and children are composed of the same body elements, children can also experience stiff shoulders. The causes of stiff shoulders are similar to those in adults, including overexertion (such as from sports or studying) and stress from interpersonal relationships. Generally, the reason why it might be thought that "children don't get stiff shoulders" is because children may not often complain to their parents about such discomfort due to a lack of awareness of stiff shoulders. On the flip side, when children seem tired, having a third party touch their muscles, such as shoulders, back, and thighs, to assess and release their physical fatigue can be a very effective way to manage their physical condition. Releasing "body tension = stress" may lead to improved blood circulation, increased oxygen supply to the brain, and even effects like "improved intelligence⁉". This is supported by feedback received from many students who report increased reading speed and sustained concentration after receiving treatment for study fatigue. Checkpoints for "body tension release" include 1) tension on the side of the neck, 2) tension around the middle of the shoulders, 3) tension on both sides of the spine, 4) tension in the thigh muscles above the knee cap, and 5) tension on the shins. Recently, when children experience inefficiency in studying, lack of concentration, or frequent injuries during sports, changing the perspective a little and releasing physical fatigue and discomfort often leads to improvement.

02/19/2024

Do you have areas in your body that don't seem to loosen up even after stretching, attending Pilates classes, or working on your core? Here's the reason why:
Typically, exercises you do yourself involve active motion, meaning movements you generate. One reason they might not be effective is the limitation of these active motion exercises.

For instance, if muscle fibers are extremely flexible or longer than average, there might not be enough tension in the muscles at the maximum joint range, rendering active motion exercises ineffective.

The solution lies in incorporating "two-motion exercises" such as active motion exercises along with massage.

Taking the quadriceps femoris muscle as an example:

Sit in seiza position (sitting on your heels) and extend one leg forward.
While supporting with your arms, arch your upper body backward to stretch the front of your thigh.
If the quadriceps femoris isn't adequately stretched, additional approaches like targeting the inguinal area or the tendon of the quadriceps femoris above the knee can be effective.
A reliable way to determine if you're stretching adequately is to physically feel the muscles.

By neglecting this simple step, many ineffective conditioning practices become prevalent.

The essence of conditioning lies not in continually adopting new methods or increasing time but in understanding the purpose of conditioning and ensuring the effectiveness of each approach.

By personally explaining two-motion exercises to all patients, I've achieved positive results in long-standing issues.

02/19/2024

Training Methods Learned from Calgary Stampeders #19 Toshiki Sato

Tad:Please tell me about the training methods of football players.
Sato: In football, due to the intense contact involved, training on the field is not permitted until a certain level of neck strength is achieved for safety reasons. The training regimen typically consists of three days of practice simulating real gameplay out of six days, with the remaining three days dedicated to weight training and field exercises, meticulously separated. In the professional realm, there are restrictions on practice hours to mitigate the risk of concussions and maintain fairness among teams.
Tad;Could you provide specific training methods?
Sato: There isn't a set routine for football players. What's crucial is adopting training methods tailored to oneself, based on solutions accumulated from past injuries and setbacks encountered throughout one's career, learned from individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Here's the process to find one's own style:
Identify movements seen in top NFL players that one can't replicate.
Determine whether it's a technical issue or a physical difference.
Address technical issues by adjusting one's approach and body mechanics.
Consult specialists to pinpoint physical deficiencies hindering desired movements and work on targeted muscle strengthening and joint mobility for improvement.
I believe that clear identification of problems yields precise solutions from experts.
Training Points to Remember
Sato: It's crucial to constantly communicate with one's body, assessing fatigue and identifying areas of poor movement to adjust training volume and intensity accordingly. The era where pushing through high volume with sheer determination leads to results is over.
For me, the training goal is to maintain the movements required for kicking in optimal condition and to kick the ball farther. The ideal motion I aim for is when the body's axis is aligned.
I learned from Aoyashima-sensei that "when things don't go well in play, there's always a problem somewhere in the body," which resonated with me.
Tad:It's gratifying that this message has been conveyed.

02/07/2024

To skate with beautiful edges in figure skating, it's important to pay attention to the following points:

Maintain Posture: Keeping a good posture is crucial. Keep your back straight, head up, and distribute your body weight properly.
Maintain Balance: When using edges, focus on maintaining balance. Distribute your weight appropriately and maintain stability while skating.
Be Conscious of Blade Edges: Figure skating boots have inner and outer edges. Be aware of which edge you are using while skating and control it accordingly.
Understand the Skating Surface: Feel the skating surface while skating, considering the condition of the ice and any irregularities. Adapt to the surface flexibly to maintain stable edges.
Ensure Smooth Movement: When using edges, aim for smooth movement while skating. Avoid unnatural movements or sudden changes, and strive for a flowing glide.
Training and Practice: Regular training and practice are necessary to improve edge work. Work on improving your technique with the guidance and advice of coaches or instructors.
Keep these elements in mind as you aim for beautiful edge work in figure skating.

02/07/2024

There are several methods to jump higher:

Strength Training: Perform weight training exercises like squats and leg presses to improve leg strength. Strong muscles generate more power for higher jumps.
Flexibility Improvement: Higher flexibility allows for greater force during jumps. Incorporate stretching and yoga to enhance flexibility.
Technique Enhancement: Improving jumping technique helps to utilize force more effectively. Practice proper posture, footwork, and knee bending.
Explosiveness Training: Rapid force application is crucial for higher jumps. Include exercises like box jumps and bounding to increase explosiveness.
Center of Gravity Control: Controlling the body's center of gravity during jumps is essential. Core training helps maintain balance.
By combining these methods, you can improve your ability to jump higher. However, it's important to train safely to prevent injuries.

02/07/2024

the use of the left hip in an Axel jump in figure skating:

Maintaining Balance and Posture: It's important to use the left hip to maintain balance and stabilize posture during the jump. Proper use of the left hip helps control the jump without compromising body posture.
Supporting Rotation: The left hip supports rotation during the jump. How the hip is utilized affects the speed and stability of rotation, maintaining posture in the air.
Role as the Starting Point: The left hip serves as the starting point for the jump. How it is utilized influences the success of the jump from the start to the landing.
Transmission of Force: Force transmitted from the left hip affects the height and rotation of the jump. Using the left hip at the right timing and transmitting force appropriately is crucial.
Improving the use of the left hip through practice and feedback from coaches is essential to mastering a stable Axel jump.

02/07/2024

Tad: What does weight training entail?

Sato: Typically, in team sports, everyone follows the same training regimen provided by the team.

As a specialist in kicking, I question the relevance of performing the same exercises as defensive players who engage in intense contact, as it may develop muscles unnecessary for kicking, leading to compromised movements. Thus, I incorporate additional exercises focused on building quality muscles essential for kicking.

"The most important aspect of weight training is to prevent injuries!"

This may sound cool, but it stems from bitter experiences during high school. There was a prevailing atmosphere where lifting heavy weights in awkward positions to show off was considered admirable, leading to a back injury from competing with friends.

Tad: That's a common mistake.

Sato: This injury prompted me to reconsider weight training. I learned about body structure from team trainers and started analyzing why the injury occurred and how it could be prevented. Now, I prioritize lifting weights with proper form, even if it means reducing the load by 10 kg.

Tad: Are there still players competing in weightlifting?

Sato: Some players focus on building impressive muscles for appearance.

Tad: Could you share your approach to injury prevention?

Sato: Simply put, it's about building a strong body capable of withstanding stress and ensuring thorough warm-up and cool-down before and after physical activity.

When I injured my MCL in high school, I initially didn't understand what it was. However, by embracing the guidance and explanations from trainers, I developed an interest in understanding the body's mechanics, stress distribution, and preventing injury recurrence.

MCL = Medial Collateral Ligament (supports the inner knee and is susceptible to damage from strong impacts from the side)

Tad: Meeting excellent trainers laid the foundation for your fundamental training concepts.

Sato: Acquiring proper form is also crucial. Even intense movements, when done with correct form, can prevent injuries and strain on the body.

Sato: Ultimately, the key is how high one's awareness of injury prevention is. For professionals, a high level of consciousness toward injury prevention and seriousness towards conditioning sets them apart from amateurs.

Tad: I agree. I consider my job to advise young players with zero awareness of body management to adopt the mindset of players like Sato before getting injured.

02/07/2024

Reasons why stretching might not be effective:

Lack of precise understanding of the movements.
Insufficient time allocated for stretching.
Lack of understanding of critical points.
Solutions for effective stretching:

A. Points to consider for shorter durations involve finding efficient methods and addressing the causes of pain and stiffness to observe changes. For instance, addressing ankle issues to alleviate lower back pain. Understanding that joints are interconnected, focusing on smaller joints before larger ones in a sequence can maximize effectiveness.

B. Points for enhancing comfort include controlling the speed and intensity of stretching. Maintaining a rhythm similar to deep breathing and stopping just before discomfort sets in can ensure a comfortable experience while effectively loosening muscle fibers.

By being mindful of these points and controlling the sequence and speed, previously ineffective stretching routines can become more fruitful.

Now, an exercise to introduce is "Door Frame Pull":

Stand within the door frame (as if entering the center with the door open).
Bend the right elbow at a 90-degree angle, keeping it close to the body, and grip the door frame with the right hand.
Take one or two steps forward with the right foot (about 30-40 cm forward).
While keeping the upper body (spine) extended, lean forward about 45 degrees.
Maintain the grip on the door frame with the right hand, allowing the elbow to naturally extend. The position resembles a ski jumper's gliding position when viewed from the side.
Maintain the position for about 30 seconds.
This stretch targets the deep areas around the front of the shoulder. Adjusting the position of the grip on the door frame higher or lower can target various parts of the shoulder for relaxation.