This week we will be wrapping up this series with a discussion on bodywork. Bodywork is considered a form of alternative medicine among both medical and mental health professionals; with its benefits recognized in both medical and mental health literature. Bodywork involves therapeutic touching or manipulation of the body using specialized techniques. Some common examples of bodywork include massage, acupuncture, total body stretching, yoga, Pilates, and breathing exercises.
Bodywork has been recommended to assist with physical wellness concerns such pain management, sleep hygiene, and recovery after an injury. For mental wellness concerns, bodywork has been recommended for stress management, anger management, anxiety reduction, and trauma recovery. Massage therapy, yoga, and Pilates can assist with relaxation, increasing your range of motion, and reducing pain. It can be beneficial for everyday lifestyle stressors related to work and activities of daily living. Those of us who sit at a desk for 8 hours could benefit from movement, stretching, or even massages to target our back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. Those of us, who stand or have physically demanding jobs could use bodywork to assist with stress management, relaxation, or self-care.
I engage in bodywork regularly as part of my physical wellness journey and ongoing self-care regime. My bodywork includes a monthly professional massage, which I found reduced the pain and tension in my back, shoulders, and neck. Through regular massages, I have been able to have specific knots and tight muscles removed, which helps me manage the impact of having to sit for 8 or more hours a day. I am also mindful about moving often throughout the workday and stretching regularly. Occasionally, I engage in yoga at home, but prefer Pilates and belly dancing when it comes to manipulating my body. I have found that all three have assisted with relaxation and movement, with belly dancing and Pilates also providing light cardio benefits. I encourage you to explore the benefits of bodywork as methods to assist with relaxation, self-care, mindfulness, and stress management. If you are impacted by pain or sleep concerns, I encourage you to speak to your medical professional about bodywork as an adjunct to your current treatment regime. Some of these resources below may benefit your physical wellness needs.
Kinesiology taping is often used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and personal trainers to support injury recovery, stretching, and range of motion exercises. I recommend this book written by Aliana Kim, which is available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3B9hyC6
If you are interested in exploring the benefits of Pilates in the comfort of your home, I recommend this Pilates Bar Kit which is available on Amazon. https://amzn.to/3umB62d
Finally, if you are interested in trying belly dancing, I wanted to share the workout collection I have been using for years, which can easily be ordered through Amazon. https://amzn.to/3Uy139A
Wishing you health and happiness
My Mind, My Body, My Journey™ 