low back pain

For the Gardeners: How to Stretch Before & After Your Day Outside

For the Gardeners: How to Stretch Before & After Your Day Outside

In addition to being one of our amazing LMTs, Molly-Grace Rea also operates a cut flower CSA out of her farm-home in Sherwood, OR so she’s no stranger to the work of tending a robustly growing garden throughout the summer. And if you’re a gardener yourself, you know we don’t use the word WORK lightly!

Though gardening is so rewarding and often gets us into the beneficial flow state (or, “in the zone” as some say), the day-in and day-out care for our chlorophylled kin can start to take a toll on our bodies if we’re not caring for ourselves as much as we care for our plants. Using her training and experience as a bodyworker, athlete, and professional gardener, Molly offers up some stretches that can help carry us through our gardens prolific summer months.

Dynamic Qigong back stretches for Spring

Dynamic Qigong back stretches for Spring

Remember when the spring equinox happened, and we were all ready for spring to come? Then, you saw more snow in the forecast? Although spring is around the corner, you may still need help with warming up your muscles, and in particular, your back and back body to prepare for spring activities. Before you go for a hike up to Mt. Tabor, cycle along the Willamette, create the most epic garden, I highly recommend a dynamic back stretch to warm up your muscles before your spring ahead.

The benefits of cupping therapy explained

The benefits of cupping therapy explained

You have likely heard of cupping as an inexpensive, effective, and low risk way to alleviate musculoskeletal pain- but what is cupping, and what does it do for the body? Al Reed, LAc explains the science research behind the modality and why it works so well for musculoskeletal pain.

Self Care Tips for Low Back Pain

Self Care Tips for Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work in the United States. Whether acute or chronic, low back pain gets in the way of your ability to be as active and productive as you want to be. Here are some self-care strategies from a Chinese medicine perspective that you can integrate into your daily routine.