Here’s the thing: not only does your slouched posture make you look less confident and attractive; there are more severe long-term consequences!
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you stop doing the things that are causing your neck pain and get your posture back to the stable, strong position you’re meant for. Bonus points of fixing your text neck include, but are not limited to: less tension, pain, and headaches, as well as better cognitive function and overall health and energy.
The technical term is “forward head posture” – which may seem self explanatory. However, there are a lot of muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that support your head and neck and can be compressed and “pulled down” when we’re out of alignment. It’s important to address the root cause of text neck and neck pain and take a holistic approach to correcting postural imbalances.
Of course, there can be a variety of reasons someone could have neck pain or tension. If you have a preexisting health condition or injury, ask your healthcare provider for the best corrective therapy for your situation.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of neck pain and tension:
Did you know:
You put about 10 additional pounds of pressure on your cervical spine for every inch that your head and neck position are leaning forward.
This can cause chronic tension, pain, restriction, dysfunction, and deterioration.
Assuming your neck pain and tension aren’t the result of a pre-existing health issue or injury, here are the 4 areas to focus on if you want to improve your forward head and neck position and reduce pain and tension:
Take note of your posture right now. Are your shoulders tense and rounded forward, pulling your neck and head forward and down with them? Is your back hunched? Take a moment to realign.
Here’s a pro tip to help you form healthy posture habits: set an hourly “posture check” reminder or alarm.
When you do daily activities like brushing your teeth, showering, grooming, driving, or washing dishes, be mindful of your posture and correct it when needed.
If you work at a desk, make sure your desk and chair allow you to sit upright in a comfortable position so you’re not slouched over. See if you can raise your computer screen so you have to look slightly “up” at it instead of down. Make sure you’re not twisting or craning your neck in order to look at your desk or screen.
During exercise, make sure you start with and maintain good posture. If you’re running, walking, or lifting weights with poor posture, you won’t get nearly as many benefits from the exercise, and it may even cause further pain and tension.
Sleeping is something most of us do for several hours a day, but not many people think about improving their sleeping posture. If you spend several hours crunched in a cozy ball, you’ll likely wake up with tense, angry neck and shoulders. Accommodate your bedding to allow you to sleep flat on your back, or comfortably on your side without compressing or restricting your limbs.
Although screen time is inevitable for most of us, a lot of us have developed the habit of compulsively scrolling and checking for notifications. Limiting your screen time not only helps minimize the strain it puts on your mental and physical health, but it also gives you the opportunity to be less sedentary and avoid getting “stuck” in a forward-leaning position.
During work hours – especially if your job is sedentary – take frequent breaks to get up, move around, and stretch. This helps increase blood flow and total body circulation, which improves your cellular health, brings nutrients to your cells and myofascial tissues, and gives your body a chance to reset.
* Bonus points if you can breath and absorb natural sunlight and fresh air.
Yes, what you eat and drink plays a big role in your overall wellness, pain management, and tissue health. Consume nutrient rich, unprocessed foods and liquids that hydrate your cells and give your body the nutrients it needs to regenerate and thrive.
Strengthening all the little muscles and tissues in your neck and upper body will help lift, stabilize, and correct your posture. This also helps reduce neck tension, stiffness, pain and injuries, as well as improve your flexibility, biomechanics, oxygen, and nutrient delivery throughout your entire body.
Try these at-home exercises to strengthen and stabilize your neck.
Practice these stretches daily to loosen, lengthen, and mobilize your myofascial tissues and joints:
What is Myofascial Tissue?
The Myofascial System is composed of muscle tissue and collagenous connective tissue - which includes the fascia, ligaments, and tendons. The Myofascial System interacts with every other system and function of your body, especially your organs, bones, blood vessels, nerves, brain, nervous system, lymphatic system, and immune system.
When myofascial tissues are tense and “angry” it causes pain and dysfunction. It can even interfere with your sleep patterns, hormones, range of motion, muscle performance and recovery, nervous system, circulatory system, and immune health.
What is Myofascial Release Therapy?
Myofascial Release involves techniques that relax, loosen, and restore the tissue by applying sustained pressure to decompress and create space in the tissues.
What is the Best Myofascial Release Therapy?
The KOAPRO Massage Tools decompresses and relaxes tension by targeting the body’s myofascial tissues in a uniquely gentle and effective way. Unlike other massage and Gua Sha tools, our patent-pending HUMANTouch™ technology allows the KOAPRO’s fingers to comb through and release adhesions that cause tension, pain, and dysfunction.
How to combat neck pain and tension with the KOAPRO Massage tools:
* Start with bare skin with oil, or use over tight-fitting, smooth clothing.
Benefits:
✓ Release tension, pain, & trigger points
✓ Relax & decompress
✓ Stimulate anti-aging building blocks
✓ Boost collagen & elastin
✓ Improve total circulation
✓ Detoxifying lymphatic drainage
✓ Optimize muscle performance
✓ Accelerate recovery
✓ Increase flexibility
✓ Smooth tight, dimpled skin
✓ Cellular rejuvenation
✓ Spa yourself
Check out our shop to learn more about the best myofascial massage tools for pain management, muscle performance and recovery, flexibility, and holistic health.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have more questions about myofascial therapy and our KOAPRO Massage Tools.
Assuming your hip pain isn’t the result of an injury or health condition, the great news is, your hip pain is fixable!
Correcting a pain or dysfunction issue doesn't happen overnight, and of course, the journey to wellness will be unique to each individual’s situation and lifestyle. Our goal is to empower you with the information and tools that can help you get out of pain, reclaim your health, and live life to the fullest.
In this article we’ll teach you what you need to know about your hips, what they affect, what makes them angry, and the best ways to address your hip pain and tension.
The hip flexors are an important muscle group at the front of your hips.They connect the upper leg to the hip, pelvis, and low back.
They’re what allows you to bend at the waist, raise your leg, and bring your knee towards the chest. They assist with important movements like walking, running, and squatting. They also support sedentary activities, such as sitting in a chair or reclining on your couch.
Some of the major hip flexor muscles are the:
- Iliopsoas : primary hip flexor muscle group, composed of the iliacus, psoas major, and psoas minor muscles.
- Rectus Femoris : runs from the top of your hip to your knee across the front thigh. It flexes the hip - along with the sartorius and iliopsoas - and extends the lower leg at the knee in conjunction with the quadricep muscles.
- Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) : runs along the side of the thigh and belongs to the glute muscle group. Its main function is to extend and laterally rotate the leg and knee joint. It also assists the thigh and hip joint in movement.
- Sartorius : a long, thin, muscle that runs down the thigh from the pelvis and outer thigh to the inside of the knee joint. It works with the surrounding muscles to help move the hip and knee joints.
Let’s take a quick look at hip anatomy so we can understand what’s involved:
When we talk about the hips, we also need to talk about the hip joint, the pelvis, and the surrounding muscles that interact with them - including the gluteus and hamstring muscles.
The hip joint moves in multiple directions and is designed to be mobile and flexible. The muscles that attach to and overlap the hip muscles control the hip joint’s movement and range of motion. Therefore, if any of those surrounding muscles are tight or tense, it can impede the hip joint’s mobility and significantly impact its functionality.
The pelvis is an additional, and very important piece of the hip flexor puzzle. It’s the skeletal structure that connects the lower body to the upper body. While it has less movement than the hip joint, the pelvis is designed to rotate and tilt while supporting the surrounding organs and myofascial tissues. A well functioning pelvis is vital to hip functionality, mobility, and health.
Have you ever felt tightness, tension, cramping, or pain around your hips, groin, and pelvis? If you’re sedentary, your hip flexor muscles are constantly flexed and compressed while you’re sitting. Those muscles will adapt to the shortened position you keep them in all day, and their ability to lengthen and stretch will be decreased. This can lead to brittle, tense myofascial tissues, as well as decreased blood flow and nerve signal. This dysfunction causes postural imbalances which creates more tension and inflammation, which causes more pain and discomfort.
Tight hips often lead to restriction and pain in your low back, hamstrings, and knees. It also limits your athletic performance and overall function.
If your hips are tight, your flexibility will be limited and you’ll probably feel tension or pain.
Try this simple hip flexibility test:
- Lie on your back on the floor or another stable, flat surface.
- Bring both knees to your chest.
- Hold your right knee against your chest.
- Straighten your left leg.
- Lower your left leg as far as possible.
- Repeat on the other side.
Hip flexors are considered tight if either leg cannot completely lower to the surface you are lying on. If you feel a particularly sensitive spot, that’s an additional indicator of a “trigger point” or a place your body is holding tension.
Pain is a symptom. Think of it like an “error message” or “check engine light” that lets you know something is wrong and needs your attention. The pain itself is just the messenger, it isn’t the root cause of the issue.
Paying attention to the pain symptom - aka what your body is trying to tell you - is an important part of identifying and addressing the root cause of the pain. It’s also important to identify if the pain is pointing towards a more serious issue, or if it’s a tension issue that can be easily resolved with the steps we’ll outline in this article.
There are generally 3 main areas people experience hip pain or tension:
1. Pain in the front of the hip
What it could mean:
- Tight hip flexors
- Tendon issues or possible tendon disorder in your hips and/or buttocks areas
- Undiagnosed hip joint issue - i.e. labral tear or femoral acetabular impingement (FAI)
- Non-structural impingement
2. Pain in the side of the hip
What it could mean:
- Tight gluteus medius/minimus or tensor fascia latae muscle
- Tendon issues or possible tendon disorder in your hips and/or buttocks areas
- Hip joint issue
3. Pain in the groin
What it could mean:
- Tight adductor muscles
- Tendon issues or possible tendon disorder in your adductors and/or hips
- Hip joint issue
- Non-structural impingement
- Hernia
* Check with your trusted health provider if you have persistent pain in any part of your body so they can determine if your pain is the result of an underlying medical cause.
You may be surprised to know that most people have tight hips. Whether you spend most of the day sitting, have a job that keeps you physically active, or if you’re a runner or regular gym-goer, we’re willing to bet your hips could use some stretching, lengthening, and decompression.
Main causes of hip pain:
When the deep hip muscles are shortened and contracted for prolonged periods (i.e. sitting all day), the pelvis position and normal curvature of the spine changes. This can cause increased strain on the lower back, shortened hamstrings, compressed glutes, decreased blood flow and nerve signal, weaker and shorter muscles, and overall restriction and tension in the hip flexor muscles. This domino effect of dysfunction can cause low back and hip pain - as well as increase your risk of injury.
You can reduce and even prevent hip pain with regular maintenance and care.
* If you have a preexisting health condition or injury, ask your doctor or physical therapist before for the methods that are best for your situation.
Trigger point release and myofascial release massages are very effective at relaxing and decompressing tension in the lower back, hips, and glutes.
A skilled manual therapist can help you target the areas that need release and give you some at-home stretches and recommendations for your hip pain.
The KOAPRO Massage Tools are the best self-use myofascial release and massage tools that you can use anytime, anywhere to help release tension and pain and restore mobility and vitality in your myofascial tissues.
Myofascial massage helps:
Try these techniques to release pain and tension in your hip flexors with the best myofascial release tools on the market:
Pro Tips:
Pro tips:
Set an hourly alarm to remind yourself to move
Drink extra water to induce regular restroom visits
Most of us have tight hips, but we can ease the tension and pain with a healthy lifestyle and regular myofascial therapy, including using the KOAPRO Massage tools, stretching, and exercise.
See a trusted doctor or physical therapist if you have persistent pain in any area of your body so they can help you determine the root cause and best approach.
For best results, incorporate lifestyle modifications that help you reduce the stress and strain you’re placing on your hip flexors. Correct your sitting, standing, and sleeping posture, move around more, drink more water, manage your stress, and practice regular myofascial massage. Your body and mind will thank you!
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Athletes are even encouraged to incorporate two types of recovery: passive and active. Each has its role in maintaining health and boosting their physical development.
Did you know that no matter your level of fitness or how often you train, recovery is essential for your physical and mental wellness and performance. One of the #1 rookie mistakes people make is overtraining and not giving their body the rest and nutrients it needs to recover.
So listen up, weekend warriors, casual gym-goers, runners, anyone doing physical hard work, anyone who sits often, and yes, even you, yogis. Recovery is non-negotiable!
Think of rest and recovery like maintaining your vehicle. The more you drive, the more wear and tear on your car, and the more it’s in need of maintenance and replenishing. Regular maintenance can make a huge difference in how your vehicle performs and how long it lasts. The same goes for your body. It can bounce back better when you let it rest and recover after hard physical work or exercise.
Recovery is a Form of Self-Care
A solid recovery routine can help you become stronger, faster, and better simply because you will have more endurance and less discomfort. Your myofascial tissues will be healthier and able to repair themselves faster and better between training. You’ll have less tension, post-workout soreness, and injuries, which will allow you to stay consistent with your training.
Your muscles don’t grow while you’re lifting weights and exercising; they grow while you’re resting between workouts. When you don’t take time to recover and/or if you don’t get quality sleep, your body isn’t able to fully recharge and rebuild. You’re also likely to have high cortisol levels, which impacts your body’s ability to lose fat and build muscle.
Bodyweight exercises and weightlifting can create micro-tears in your muscles. If you don’t give those tears in your muscle fibers adequate time to heal, your myofascial tissues will feel inflamed and exhausted. That can lead to soreness, decreased performance, restricted range of motion, and worse, overtraining syndrome or OTS. OTS can compromise your immune system, brain health, metabolism, hormones, and cause chronic muscle and joint pain.
Adequate rest balances your inflammation response, blood pressure, and hormones. It also improves your mood, energy, brain performance, metabolism, and lowers your risk factors of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other severe illnesses.
Ideally, try incorporating both active and passive recovery into your lifestyle to achieve optimal results. Active recovery often involves low-to-moderate-intensity movements or workouts, like leisurely walking, stretching, dancing, swimming, or riding your bike. These low impact movements help increase blood flow to your myofascial tissues, improve lymphatic drainage, and mobilize tense tissues while giving your body and mind a break from intense activities.
Getting a deep tissue massage and myofascial release therapy is one of the best ways to feel better, relax, and ease tension. Applying targeted pressure on tense muscles and trigger points helps get your blood pumping and stimulate your lymphatic drainage, which can help increase nutrient delivery to your tissues. Myofascial massage or myofascial release therapy, in particular, can target and release adhesions in your fascia or trigger points. This helps relieve muscle soreness and speed up your recovery.
On the other hand, passive recovery is all about resting and rejuvenating. You don’t have to wake up early to go on a morning run—you can sleep in. Just relax all day and avoid strenuous activities. During passive recovery, you can plan for self-care activities such as taking a long, warm bath, meditating, or whatever helps you relax and release tension.
A full-on rest day is beneficial for both your body and mind. That mental break may be all you need to take your training or physical and mental performance to the next level. Plan a quality rest day after an intense exercise session or strenuous activity and see what difference it makes for your fitness and energy levels. You’ll probably have more strength, focus, and endurance as well as a better mood and mindset.
Whether you’re recovering from intense training or strenuous activities, or you simply use recovery as a form of self-care, we have just the tools to help you.
The KOAPRO Massage Tools are all-in-one fascia and massage tools that you can use at home or anytime, anywhere. They feature an ingenious design that mimics a therapist’s fingers, hands, and elbows, which comb through and restore your myofascial tissues. The patented HumanTouch3.0™ technology effectively decompresses tight muscles and connective tissue, releases tension, and helps rejuvenate the myofascial system.
You can try our standard model called KOAPRO. Its size is suitable for massaging every area of your body, including your neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and feet while improving your blood circulation and making you feel relaxed.
Want more coverage for your back and thighs? The KOAPRO Full Body Massage Tool gives you more length and leverage and provides you with head-to-toe relief and relaxation.
We also offer the Platinum KOAPRO Massage & Gua Sha Tool. It’s a unique device that you can use for myofascial release for your active recovery or as a traditional Chinese healing method called Gua Sha for your passive recovery.
Explore our shop today to learn why these are the #1 self massage and myofascial release tools. You can also contact us if you have more questions.
The best part? You can learn how to do this yourself anytime you need relief!
Before we explain myofascial release or MFR therapy, let’s talk about what the “myofascial system” or “fascia” is.
“Myo” means muscles, and “fascia” is a network of connective tissues that protects, connects, and supports our muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves, skeletal frame, and skin. It provides hydration, lubrication, and a protective sheath that envelops every tissue, organ, and structure in our body. It also helps ensure our connective tissues, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs glide smoothly against each other when our body moves.
Simply put, fascia is what holds everything in place and helps you perform every daily activity.
The fascial system has its own nerve-signaling system. Like nerves, these signals are transmitted to and from the brain and all throughout the body. These impulse signals travel faster than our central nervous system and communicate with every cell, system, and function of our body.
What this means:
When we touch a hot stove or a sharp object, that “pain signal” travels from that area of our body to our brain via the fascia’s nerve signaling system.
Fascia is our body’s most pain-sensitive tissue. When it’s tense or dysfunctional it can be over 1,000 times more pain-sensitive than normal tissue.
Tense myofascial tissue is usually caused by chronic stress, inflammation, and trauma. When our soft tissues (muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves) are stressed or injured, the tissues can become tense, dehydrated and brittle. Medical science calls this “scar tissue” or “adhesions.”
It goes without saying that tissue in this dysfunctional state will be less mobile, hydrated, and flexible. Blood and lymphatic flow, as well as nerve signals are impeded, which consequently “dries out” the tissue and reduces its ability to perform at its best. This produces even more inflammation, which causes more pain and adhesions, and more dysfunction.
Inflamed, brittle tissue causes tension, soreness, stiffness, restriction, and pain. It can even interfere with your sleep patterns, hormones, range of motion, muscle performance and recovery, nervous system, circulatory system, and immune system. If left untreated, dysfunctional tissue can lead to deterioration, autoimmune issues, and chronic diseases.
You probably heard the term “muscle knot.” The truth is, your muscles don’t get “knotted.” Muscles are enwrapped by fascia, and when the fascia is tense and inflamed, it tightens and compresses the muscles. That’s what causes “muscle knots” or painful trigger points.
Trigger points may feel like small, hard lumps. You will usually notice them after an intense workout, hard physical work, or even after a stressful day. They can be painful to the touch, and also inhibit your mobility.
The great news is, you can release the tension and “stuck energy” and restore the myofascial tissues with myofascial therapy.
Myofascial release therapy involves techniques that relax and release tension, loosen and create space, and restore the tissue’s mobility and function. These techniques include applying gentle pressure on and around the sore area to decompress the rigid muscles and trigger points. The pressure must be steadily applied over a sustained period—and it must be done repeatedly until the tension is gradually released.
In most cases, the steady decompression and restoration techniques should also be applied above, below, and all around the areas where you feel pain and restriction. That’s because the myofascial system is a network that connects and runs through every area of your body. It’s all connected!
MFR therapy is a holistic approach to pain management, muscle performance and recovery, and overall wellness. Some doctors and practitioners even describe it as a three-dimensional approach, since the pressure runs through and all around the muscle and fascia to other organs and systems.
MRF therapy offers a variety of incredible benefits to your physical and mental wellness, including:
However, a single myofascial therapy can’t offer long-term relief. If your body often feels sore and tight, regular MFR treatments are necessary to enjoy long-term results.
If you’re able to regularly visit a manual therapist, that’s ideal! But, if that’s not practical for you – and/or when you need that release “right now” – here’s how to do myofascial release therapy and massage at home:
Best self-use myofascial release tools: KOAPRO Massage Tools
Want a convenient way to massage tension out of your tender muscles and tight trigger points? Give the KOAPRO Massage Tools a try! Unlike massage guns or rolling devices, the KOAPRO Massage Tools are specifically designed to mimic the hands, fingers, knuckles, elbows, and techniques of a skilled manual therapist. This means you can treat yourself anytime, anywhere to relief when you need it.
The KOAPRO Massage Tools are all-in-one myofascial restoration tools with our proprietary, patented HumanTouch 3.0™ technology. The ingenious design allows the KOAPRO’s “fingers” to comb through adhesions in the tissue and release tension and deep myofascial adhesions or trigger points that cause tension and pain. Best of all, the KOAPRO Massage Tools gently and effectively decompress tight muscles and fascia - at the pace, pressure, depth, and threshold you control.
KOAPRO is the standard, original model. It’s perfect for your legs, shoulders, neck, arms, hands, hips, and feet.
Want to target larger areas of your body, like your back, glutes, and thighs? The KOAPRO Full Body Massage tool gives you more coverage and leverage.
The Platinum Gua Sha & Myofascial Release Tool is a one-of-a-kind, all-in-1 tool you can use for myofascial release as well as Gua Sha - a traditional Chinese healing method.
Feel free to explore our shop to learn more about the best myofascial massage tools for pain management, muscle performance and recovery, flexibility, and holistic health.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions about myofascial therapy and our KOAPRO massage tools.
Most people would be surprised to hear, that’s not something you should accept as normal 😉 and you don’t have to live with it.
The great news is, you can use these tips and proven methods to release tension, de-stress, and feel better. All of us have the ability to increase our self awareness and develop the skill of choosing how we want to react or respond to stressors. We’ll show you how!
Before we begin, try this:
Are your shoulders stiff or hunched? Is your jaw clenched? Is your neck leaning forward? Are your eyebrows and forehead tense? Does your back feel tight, rigid, or sore? Is your breathing shallow or restricted?
If we just made you aware of your “tension spots” - you’re welcome! These “check engine lights” are telling you where your body is holding tension and what trigger points you’re most in need of releasing.
Of course, you’re not alone! For millions of people, tension and pain are a constant in their lives. Our modern lifestyles keep us hunched over screens, desks, and devices. We’re more disconnected than ever from ourselves and how our body is reacting to our daily activities. Stress and anxiety have become a normalized part of our society, as everyone seems to perpetuate this nonstop pace our busy lives demand.
It’s important to realize that stress is a reaction. Whether the stressor is a real threat or a perceived concern, our body’s default reaction puts all our systems and functions on high alert and deploys our “fight, flight, or freeze” response.
Chronic stress has been called “the silent killer.” When it’s a constant in our lives, it weakens us, depletes our mental and physical energy, compromises our immune system, throws our hormones and mood out of balance, makes us age faster, and contributes to deterioration and disease.
Our body stores tension and trauma in the form of stagnant energy or qi (pronounced “chi”). In ancient eastern Asian medicine, when your physical, mental, or emotional qi (energy) become sluggish, it causes the body to become congested, store toxins, create inflammation, and be thrown out of balance (homeostasis). If left untreated, it can wreak havoc on our physical and mental wellbeing and lead to serious, long-term consequences.
Our goal is to help you find the tools that can help you connect with yourself, release the inevitable tension we accumulate from our daily lives, and find ways to stay in control of your reactions to stress so you can enjoy a happier, healthier, more vibrant life.
Everything - including our body, mind, and spirit - is made of energy. Energy is always in motion and must be able to flow and stay vital and clear. This is e-motion.
Our connective tissues, muscles, and joints are also made of energy. Unresolved stress and trauma can manifest as “stuck energy”, or blockages, tension, rigidity, and pain. If we don’t release it, tension can literally become trapped in our tissues, organs, joints, nervous system, blood vessels, and even our brain. When you start paying attention to where you feel tension in your body, it can be an indicator of what’s causing the stress and how your body is responding to it.
Spend some time evaluating your daily habits, posture, internal dialogue, and mindset. Connect with your inner awareness and your body’s ability to auto-correct and regain homeostasis.
The first step in releasing tension is to identify where your body is holding it. Once you increase this self awareness, you’ll notice patterns or clues in the areas you feel tension.
Take a look at this chart and check the boxes for the areas where you often feel tension or pain.
Can you think of some recurring activities or habits that may be the cause of your tension?
If you sit at a desk all day, we’ll bet your traps are stiff, your shoulders are rounded, your neck is forward, your eyebrows and forehead are tense, and your low back and hips are tight.
If you stand all day or do physical labor, your back, hamstrings, knees, calves and feet are likely tense and sore.
If you stare at screens all day, you may get tension headaches.
If you have a baby or small child, you probably have neck and back pain, and possibly also hip pain and imbalances.
Do you get the picture? Your tension and pain are clues. Pay attention to them and they can help you find the root cause.
Breathe in slowly through your nose, filling up your lungs. Hold your breath at the top for a few seconds, then slowly breathe out slowly as you drop your shoulders, pull your head back, and relax your facial expression. Close your eyes for a moment (if it’s safe to do so), relax, clear your mind, and allow your body to decompress and elongate.
Bonus tip: think of the things you’re most grateful for, and spend some time feeling those emotions of gratitude. Smile and give thanks.
Experiencing gratitude is a simple technique to raise your vibration and help your body and mind connect with your higher consciousness. You’ll be surprised how weightless and revitalized you’ll feel!
Practice this simple exercise throughout the day - especially when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
When we’re stressed, our muscles and connective tissues get tense and “wound up.” This causes compression and pressure while “winding” or hunching us into a bunched up state.
Hold your right arm out in front of you and bring it across your chest. Hold your right elbow with your left hand, bring it closer to your chest, and breathe slowly into the stretch. You may want to wiggle and move around as you allow your body to create space in your shoulder blades and traps. Try rotating your neck up and down, and side to side.
Now, stretch your right arm up above your head and slowly bend your upper body to the left. You can use your left hand to grab your right hand or elbow and ease into a deeper side stretch. Breath and relax into the stretch, allowing your upper body to bend, lengthen, and open.
Repeat on the other side.
Use this simple stretching technique - and any others you enjoy - throughout the day to unwind your tense myofascial tissues and improve your circulation, range of motion, and pain management.
Nothing beats a relaxing myofascial massage to release tension in your body and mind! A skilled manual therapist will be able to identify the tension zones and trigger points and release them.
But, what if you don’t have time to see a massage therapist and you need relief NOW?!
The KOAPRO Massage Tools are the best self-use myofascial release tools. Their patented design mimics a therapist’s hands, fingers, knuckles, and elbows and allows you to treat every area of your body to anytime, anywhere relief.
They’re available in 3 sizes - each with unique features that allow you to release, decompress, and loosen tension and pain wherever you need it.
You’ll feel a difference with even just a few minutes of use. With consistent use, you can expect to feel less tension, discomfort, restriction, and pain. You’ll also notice better blood flow, muscle performance and recovery, less puffiness and inflammation, and more flexibility and vitality.
Hot baths have been a popular wellness method since ancient times. They help release tension, ease muscle soreness, and relax the body and mind.
If you’re not already a fan of epsom salt baths, we recommend picking up some epsom salt at your local store and enjoying a 20-30 minute soak. The natural magnesium and sulfate minerals in epsom salt help destress and detoxify the body, move out lactic acid and inflammation, improve myofascial tissue and nerve function, and reduce muscle spasms and pain. It can even help you get a better night’s sleep!
If you don’t have access to a bath, you can also enjoy the benefits of heat therapy by relaxing in a hot shower, sauna or steam room, or using hot packs.
Be sure to drink extra water and stay hydrated!
While making time for self care during the holidays may be easier said than done, these tips and strategies can help you maximize your “me time” and recharge your energy.
Keep it simple and doable. Choose relaxing activities that bring you peace and joy.
Pro tip: create a calendar event and set an alarm so you don’t miss this appointment with yourself.
Clear your mind and focus on your breath. Breathe in slowly, hold at the top, then breathe out slowly. This simple breathing technique calms your nervous system, sends nutrients to your brain, and helps you recalibrate.
Pro tip: try this box breathing technique.
Think of at least 5 things you’re grateful for. Keep focusing on those feelings of gratitude and joy. As simple as it sounds, the act of feeling grateful raises your vibration and helps you rise above the nuances of daily life.
If you haven’t already incorporated meditation into your routine, now is a great time to start. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. The practice of meditation can simply be clearing your mind, focusing on your breath, and connecting with your higher self. Look up some guided meditation tutorials on YouTube, or just play instrumental music that relaxes and elevates your consciousness.
If you’re easily annoyed or short with those around you, step aside and go within so you can examine what’s behind these feelings. Are you sleep deprived, or maybe just at wits end? Do you need to take a break from that crowd or situation? Do you have too much on your plate? Do you need to communicate your feelings with people so they understand the way you’re feeling? Give yourself time, space, and grace.
For most of us, there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done. Don’t let that overwhelm you. Make a list with 3 categories: the things you “must” do, the things you “should” do, and the things you “might” do when you find that extra time or inspiration. Revisit and readjust this list often to ensure you’re getting your priorities done, and not stressing about the rest.
The holiday season can be stressful enough without the constant inundation of opinions, distractions, and comparisons. Do yourself a favor and schedule weekly breaks from online media and screen time. You can set time limits on your phone, set a weekly alarm, or do an outdoor activity that forces you to leave your phone behind.
When you’re with family and friends, put your phone down and be present in the moment. Make real memories, tell real stories, and set the intention to connect with each person you interact with. Your relationships and mental health will thank you!
Try walking in nature, going to the gym, treating yourself to a KOAPRO Massage, listening to music, dancing, or taking a bath. Whether you have 2 minutes or 20, having a list available helps take the guesswork out of these mini-breaks so you can focus on you.
It sounds obvious, but most of us don’t sleep enough - or as deeply as we should. Stress, racing thoughts, chronic pain, blue light and other hormone disruptors can throw off our sleep cycles and cause a domino effect of sleep deprivation, fatigue, brain fog, and stress. An hour or two before bedtime, turn off all electronics and bright lights, create a cozy environment, and start winding down for the night. A consistent sleep routine trains your body to power down when you want it to and get in the right state for restful sleep.
Even though the holidays present more food and drink choices, try to consume quality when you can. Increase your nutrient intake in between festivities, drink more water, and be mindful of what you put in your body.
Exercising doesn't have to be time consuming. Even if you do a 10 minute HIIT bodyweight circuit, walk or run around the block, or run around with the kids, daily movement is vital to your wellbeing, mood, and overall energy.
We all know that stress breeds tension, which leads to pain, dysfunction, and even injuries. When we don’t release that tension, it gets worse and can cause all kinds of discomfort. The best way to treat your body to relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness is with the KOAPRO Massage Tools.
All it takes is a few minutes to release tension and restore the myofascial tissue. Doing so helps improve your total body circulation, nerve function, lymphatic drainage, muscle performance and recovery, and SO much of your cellular health.
Remember to enjoy the holidays and find your bliss in every moment. Just as an airline’s safety precautions say to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others, you need to take care of yourself and prioritize your needs.
Self care isn’t selfish; it’s physical and mental health. The healthier and more grounded you are, the better equipped you are to be there for others.
Happy holidays!
]]>Whether you train like an athlete, or your exercise routine involves low impact movements, recovery is vital to your wellness and long term results.
Intense exercise places a high-stress demand on your body and mind. This can be a great thing when you’re building muscle and improving your strength and conditioning. However, frequent, intense exercise is only beneficial IF you allow yourself to properly recover so your body can adapt and rebuild. The process of tissue remodeling and building muscle happens during recovery, not during the “breakdown” process of intense exercise.
No matter your fitness level, your body needs time to rest and recover in between intense exercise sessions. Quality recovery allows your body to adapt to the increased demand from your training and learn to repair itself. Overtraining - especially, without proper rest and recovery - can result in diminishing returns. Worse yet, it can actually sabotage your results, because your training is only breaking your body down and causing an imbalance in inflammation, fatigue, and hormonal distress.
Even if you have the perfect nutrition, hydration, and supplementation, rest and repair is still a requirement.
The good news?
Rest and recovery days don’t mean you have to stay sedentary. Active recovery has proven to be a superior way to help accelerate your body’s natural repair processes and help you see better long-term results.
A great way to recover between intense workouts is with low to moderate intensity movements. This can mean anything from stretching, walking, dancing, or swimming, to a leisure bike ride or even myofascial release treatments, such as a deep tissue massage.
These movements help stimulate your lymphatic drainage and get your blood pumping, which increases nutrient delivery to the tissues and helps carry out waste and lactic acid so you can recover faster and better. Stretching out sore muscles can also help you relax the myofascial tissue while increasing circulation and flexibility, which feels great and helps speed up the recovery process.
It’s also worth mentioning that a relaxing, active recovery day after intense exercise can give you a much needed mental break. This additional benefit helps you fully recover so you can bring your best self to your next training session.
When you’re physically and mentally exhausted, have brain fog, and/or extreme muscle soreness, sometimes quality sleep is exactly what you need.
Passive recovery is intentionally resting and rejuvenating. That can mean: sleeping in, relaxing all day, and avoiding strenuous activities. Ideally, you can plan time for self care activities like an epsom salt bath, reading, journaling, meditating, or whatever brings you peace.
A full on, passive rest day can also be hugely beneficial for your body and mind. Try it, and see what difference it makes for your training the following day. If you come back with more strength, endurance, and focus, it may be a sign that your body will thrive with more rest.
For optimal results, listen to your body and what it needs. If you train hard and are feeling sore or sluggish, try some active recovery. If your sleep schedule has been taking a hit, create a cozy environment, turn off all electronics, and get to sleep early so you can give your body ample time to recharge.
Self-paced, active recovery showed a higher velocity of blood lactate removal than passive recovery.
This data suggests that athletes may be able to choose the best recovery intensity for themselves, based on their preferences and abilities.
There’s no right or wrong method; there’s only what’s best for you in your current situation.
If you squirm at the thought of taking a day or two away from training, plan an active recovery day. You can still get your body moving, increase your physical strength and conditioning, and move your body in ways that help it flush nutrients to the areas that need extra care.
Because we know you want the most bang for your buck, here’s an example routine that you can customize as needed on your next recovery day:
Think about and feel the things you’re most grateful for, while you elongate your limbs, stretch out your body, and mobilize your spine.
Pro tip: stretch in your bed, on the comfort of your mattress. This removes any prep or planning and offers soft support for all your movements.
Take your furry friends outside, or just enjoy the rising sun and fresh air while taking a brisk walk.
The easiest, best way to relax and rejuvenate your body is with the KOAPRO Massage Tools. These at-home myofascial release tools allow you to decompress tension, release pain and inflammation, stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and feel amazing within minutes.
Studies on Myofascial Release For Recovery:
Effects of self-myofascial release: A systematic review
Self-myofascial release (SMFR) seems to increase flexibility and reduce muscle soreness but does not impede athletic performance. It may lead to improved arterial function, improved vascular endothelial function, and increased parasympathetic nervous system activity acutely, which could be useful in recovery.
Is self myofascial release an effective preexercise and recovery strategy?
SMR appears to have a positive effect on range of motion and soreness/fatigue following exercise.
Effect of self-myofascial release on myofascial pain, muscle flexibility, and strength
Researchers observed a significant increase in the joint range of motion after using the SMFR technique and no decrease in muscle force or changes in performance after treatment with SMFR.
Massage was found to be the most powerful technique for recovering from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and fatigue.
Effects of Self-myofascial Release Instruments on Performance and Recovery
SMR using instruments is beneficial to enhancing short-term flexibility-related and recovery-related outcomes.
For best results, warm up with light exercise, or in a sauna, bath, or shower. Heating up your tissues before a myofascial release treatment allows your tissues to relax and be more mobile so you can get the most out of your KOAPRO massage.
Find some tutorials on YouTube, or just breathe and relax into any stretches that you enjoy. Be sure to ease into any stretches that your body may be resistant to because of your sore muscles. Take your time, keep your body and mind relaxed, and allow yourself to ease into every movement.
Choose whatever low-impact activities you love, and move your body. Have fun with it! Put on a playlist that makes you feel like dancing, go explore the outdoors, or do some bodyweight movements at home.
Cold exposure can rebalance your inflammation levels, improve your immune system, and help your body move out toxins. Some easy cold therapy methods include a cold shower or bath, cold packs, or cryotherapy.
If you squirm at the thought of taking a day or two away from training, plan an active recovery day. You can still get your body moving, increase your physical strength and conditioning, and move your body in ways that help it flush nutrients to the areas that need extra care.
The KOAPRO Massage Tools are the best self-use myofascial release tools for muscle recovery, blood flow, lymphatic drainage, pain management, nerve function, and overall performance and wellness.
Be sure to stay hydrated and prioritize quality nutrition, sleep, and stress management to optimize your recovery routine.
]]>While some stress is unavoidable, letting stress go unchecked can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. Because all of us are confronted with daily challenges and stressors, it’s important to find effective ways to release stress.
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone’s experiences, reactions, perceptions, and lifestyle are unique to them and their choices. So, the stress relief solutions that work best for you will be unique to your situation and preferences.
Read on for some practical techniques to help connect with yourself, regain control of your emotions, and maximize your stress management.
Chronic stress negatively impacts every system and function of your body. It can raise your blood pressure, cause tension and discomfort, increase your risk for heart attacks and disease, suppress your organ function and immune system, interrupt your sleep, and speed up the aging process.
Think of your body as an organism. It works synergistically; every part of it affects the others.
When you’re stressed, your body and mind go into “emergency mode”. Instead of focusing on important tasks or maximizing your physical and mental wellness, you’re focused on surviving the perceived threat. This constant state of “fight or flight” is unsustainable and will cause a domino effect of deterioration.
To combat hyper-anxious feelings, practice ways to get your body and mind into a state of calm. The relaxation response helps reduce and even reverse the effects of stress and promote a grounded, peaceful mind. From this state of calm, you can then regain control of your emotions and reactions so you can choose how to best respond.
Allowing your nervous system to rest and reboot allows your neurological and physical systems to regain full function - instead of staying in emergency mode.
Sometimes, your reactions to perceived stressors are habitual. Meaning, you may be so accustomed to reacting emotionally to difficult situations that it’s now a habit for you. Many people even stress about things that haven’t even happened - meaning, you’re making up things to worry about, instead of staying in the present moment and strategically dealing with reality.
As soon as you wake up in the morning, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and focus on what you’re grateful for. It could be your loved ones, animals, favorite places or foods, or something you’re excited about.
Intentional breathing is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to control your body's rhythm and change your state.
Try this:
- Take a deep, sloooow breath in through your nose and out through your mouth as you allow your shoulders to drop and your body and mind to relax.
Don't you feel more calm and focused?
- Now, do 10 shallow breaths as fast as you can.
Is your heart rate up? Do you feel flustered and lightheaded?
That's a simple example of how you can use your breathing to change the way you feel.
Try this Box Breathing exercise to calm your mind and body. It’s also a great technique to help you calm your racing thoughts, relax your body and mind, and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
The goal is to remain relaxed and clear headed, focused only on breathing.Stretch out your limbs, get comfortable, and relax.
- Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath at the top for 4 seconds.
- Breathe out slowly for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Repeat as needed.
One of your body’s specialties is adapting to and masking stress. The downside is, we often allow the stress to linger and stay top of mind, which prevents us from releasing it. This also causes our body to store the stress, which can lead to tension, pain, dysfunction, and all kinds of illness.
Most of us lead busy lives and don’t take enough time to connect with and listen to our body. A great way to break that cycle is to schedule time for intentional relaxation and stress release.
It sounds simple enough, but self-care is so much more than self-pampering. It’s any stress-relieving, grounding, mental health boosting, relaxing, soothing, wellness-enhancing practice that works for you. Keep it simple, meaningful, and consistent. Most importantly, make sure to schedule and prioritize this sacred, uninterrupted time with yourself.
Your body stores trauma and stress. One of the reasons myofascial release therapy is so effective is because it helps you communicate with your body, identify tension, and release it.
An easy way to find out if you’re holding tension is to do a full body KOAPRO Massage. Spend a few minutes on each area of your body and pay attention to what you feel. If an area is very stiff, sensitive, or painful, it could be a sign your body is subconsciously holding tension. Some common tension areas include the neck, traps, shoulders, chest, back, and hips. Spend a little more time easing into any tense areas so they have time to relax and release.
The best stress relief methods are the ones that work best for you. Learning to relax and regain control may be easier said than done, but it’s a practice that’s worth perfecting. Take your time, keep it simple, and stay consistent.
Until you learn to pause, find your groundings, and choose how to react to stressful situations, you will continue to be controlled by them.
Self care is both wellness and prevention. When your body and mind are healthy and happy, you’re better equipped to handle stress.
]]>Gua Sha means to “scrape away illness.” It’s one of the oldest and most widely used methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for decongesting the body and alleviating sickness. It’s also known to “activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis," according to TCM theory.
According to the principles of TCM, when your qi (pronounced “chi”), or energy, becomes sluggish or stagnant, it can cause health problems. Gua Sha can help move out inflammation and congestion to promote total body circulation, qi, and healing.
Gua Sha stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which helps shuttle nutrients to the skin, boost collagen and elastin, purify and cleanse the body, and regenerate you inside and out. It can also help address tension, pain, inflammation, and scar tissue while boosting your immune system, range of motion, and overall wellness. Some studies show it even helps improve sleep quality and has a variety of therapeutic benefits.
This self-care practice is also incredibly relaxing and therapeutic for your nervous system. It’s now more important than ever to spend time connecting with ourselves and anchoring in beneficial rituals that support our emotional and physical wellbeing.
“We’re just promoting that flow of qi through the body. We’re helping to ensure a better blood supply and proper nerve conduction so that everything is moving through your body as it should. In doing Gua Sha, the hope is that any symptoms you’re experiencing will subside. That’s the overall goal.”
Scraping the skin’s surface helps stimulate your body’s fluids. This process helps move out metabolic waste from deep within your myofascial tissues and rejuvenate the body, while also relaxing and restoring your myofascial tissue and total body circulation.
The best time is when it works best for you. You can Gua Sha in the morning to brighten your eyes and reduce puffiness, or at night to relax and revitalize your muscles and help you get quality sleep. You can also take a quick KOAPRO Massage break any time during the day, or while lounging at home watching your favorite shows.
The Platinum KOAPRO Massage & Gua Sha Tool decompresses and relaxes tension by targeting the body’s myofascial tissues in a uniquely gentle and effective way. Unlike other massage and Gua Sha tools, our patent-pending HUMANTouch™ technology allows the KOAPRO’s fingers to comb through the myofascial tissues and release adhesions that cause tension, pain, and dysfunction.
Similar to rolling devices, Gua Sha strokes apply light pressure to the skin and facial tissues to boost circulation and cellular rejuvenation. Unlike jade rolling, Gua Sha strokes create a light stretch of skin and facial tissues, resulting in more effective, noticeable myofascial release and decompression. Simply put: both methods are awesome, but Gua Sha is most effective.
The most common mistake while using Gua Sha techniques is applying too much, vigorous pressure. Always ease in at your own pace and allow your body to relax and accept the treatment.
Be sure to also stay extra hydrated to assist your body in moving out toxins and excess fluids.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or blood coagulation issues, ask your doctor before using any therapy that stimulates blood flow. If you may be experiencing any of the following, please avoid Gua Sha and myofascial treatments until cleared by your healthcare provider:
Gua Sha is considered safe for most skin types. We recommend starting with light pressure on a test spot to see if your body reacts well to this treatment.
It’s normal for your skin to look temporarily flushed, pink, or red after using Gua Sha. After deep treatments you may even notice reddish or purple bruises. Cold therapy - such as ice packs, an ice bath, or cryotherapy - can help reduce the swelling and soreness and speed up the recovery process.
We recommend at least once a week per area.
If the area is sore or bruised, avoid using the KOAPRO Massage Tools or any deep tissue, myofascial release treatments until the area has fully healed.
Gua Sha is considered a safe, effective treatment. People all over the world use it to manage pain and discomfort and improve their body’s circulatory and immune response. For the best results, ease into the treatment at your own pace and monitor your body’s results.
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All exercise - especially high intensity training - stresses the body. When you push through fatigue or soreness, you’re causing microscopic damage to the muscle cells, which is part of the “break down and rebuild” process of building muscle and physical fitness.
Both scientific and anecdotal evidence emphasize the importance of an effective recovery regimen. Recovering between training sessions encourages adaptation, wellness, and high performance – which are fundamental to physical fitness.
The human body is designed to adapt or perish when faced with stress. An intense, short-term stressor, followed by the appropriate recovery method, is healthy and very beneficial for your body’s systems and functions. However, repeated stressors without adequate recovery can throw your body out of balance and lead to pain, injury, and illness.
The demand you’re placing on your body is beneficial - IF - you take the time to let the muscles repair and rebuild. That only happens when you’re resting and allowing your body to recover.
When more stress and demand is placed on your body’s tissues - including your myofascial tissues, heart, lungs, and bones - they learn to adapt, recover, and get stronger. This allows you to work towards more strength, muscle definition, gains, and a healthier mind and body. However, if the recovery process is overlooked, it can cause a domino effect of unwanted outcomes.
It should go without saying that too much stress can prevent your muscles from fully relaxing, healing, and growing. You’re also more likely to feel fatigue, soreness, and swelling, less likely to see the results you’re after, and more likely to experience pain and injuries.
Your recovery time depends on your unique fitness level, lifestyle, genetics, age, as well as the intensity, volume, and duration of your training.
If you prioritize quality nutrition, sleep, stress management, lifestyle habits, and fitness regimen, you’re likely to recover much faster than someone who doesn’t give their body what it needs to work at its best. If your training regimen includes mostly low-impact, low-intensity exercises, you may only feel light soreness and muscle fatigue, versus someone who lifts heavy weights and trains with intensity.
The smarter you train and recover, the less time it takes to fully recover. You’ll also have more effective workouts and see better, longer-lasting results.
Proper recovery includes rest (relaxation and sleep), refueling (quality nutrition and hydration), and regeneration (repair, resynthesis, and restoration). This healing process naturally returns the body to a state homeostasis (harmony).
What you eat and drink gives or takes away nutrients that your body needs to repair muscles and promote recovery. Adequate, quality protein, carbohydrates, essential fats, and water intake are vital in helping your body repair and rebuild between workouts.
Low-intensity, low-impact exercises like walking, stretching, dancing, and swimming promote blood flow and tissue repair without putting much stress on the body. Low impact movements also increase circulation, help your body move out waste, and stretch out your myofascial tissues, which helps reduce muscle soreness and fatigue.
One of the most effective ways to reduce muscle soreness and achieve better performance, definition, and gains is to release tension with myofascial massage therapy.
Benefits:
Click here to learn why you absolutely need myofascial release therapy for better recovery, performance, and pain management.
While you sleep, your body produces the majority of the hormones and building blocks that aid in muscle recovery and growth. If you’re not letting your body fully recharge and recover with quality sleep, you’ll be operating at a deficit. Meaning, your performance, recovery, and results will noticeably suffer.
Opt for seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night. Use these self-care tips to help prepare your body and mind for restful sleep.
It’s essential to pay close attention to how you feel and how your body is responding to your workout and recovery regimen. Elite athletes understand the importance of heeding your body’s feedback and making adjustments to keep maximizing their performance and results.
Exercise plateaus (when you can’t seem to push yourself harder), fatigue, burnout, and intense muscle soreness that lasts for more than a few days are some signs that you’re not recovering like you should. There may be seasons where you turn your training intensity up or down, but taking time to recover should always be a priority.
Listen to your body. Don’t sacrifice your long term results and wellbeing by over-training, under-nourishing, and neglecting recovery. Your optimal workout and recovery strategy will be tailored to meet your unique needs and lifestyle while propelling you to higher levels of performance and wellness.
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When it comes to skin cleansing, it’s easy to overdo it – which can cause all kinds of skin problems. Many cleansers, toners, and exfoliators contain harsh chemicals that disrupt your skin’s natural balance. This can counteract the good the product is doing and actually cause irritation, breakouts, and dry or oily skin.
Solution: Sonic Facial Cleansing Devices
Sonic cleansing refers to the low-frequency, rapid vibration technology used in a sonic cleaning device. Sonic vibration technology is a cutting-edge, anti-aging skincare method that offers deep, effective, gentle cleansing and rejuvenation.
Sonic cleansing devices are an electric brush with a soft, silicone bristle brush head that vibrates. It’s meant to replace your hands and fingers as you apply your skincare products. It also gently exfoliates as you cleanse and rejuvenate your skin.
It allows your skincare products to absorb deeper into your pores while also releasing trapped dirt, oil, and buildup. It also helps slough off rough flakes and dead skin cells and decreases puffiness and congestion by stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage. This helps relax wrinkle-causing tension, smooth fine lines, rejuvenate your skin elasticity, and give you a dewy, youthful glow.
Sonic cleansing enhances product absorption, eliminates product waste, reduces bacteria and germs being transferred from your fingers to your skin, cleanses thoroughly without compromising the skin barrier, and exfoliates gently while rejuvenating your skin inside and out.
Did you know your hands, fingers, and fingernails harbor a LOT of bacteria and germs that aren’t cleansed – even with detailed hand washing? You can avoid rubbing that dirt and bacteria into your pores by using a sonic cleansing device.
Studies show that sonic facial cleansing is far more effective and efficient than cleansing with fingers – and it’s even safe for people with skin sensitivities like acne and rosacea. Sonic cleansing devices are also more effective in cleansing the skin of pollution particles.
Sonic facial cleansing devices are generally safe and are not abrasive for the skin or disruptive to the skin barrier. Their optimal parameters ensure there’s no damage to the skin’s collagen fibers.
Sure, you can apply your cleanser with your hands and fingers. But, did you know a lot of your precious product will be absorbed into … your fingers … instead of your face?!
The micropulsations of the sonic cleansing device help your skincare product’s active ingredients absorb deep into your pores. It also improves circulation, skin elasticity, collagen production, and reduces the appearance of pores.
The efficacy of electronic sonic cleansing brushes has been demonstrated on people with skin sensitivities - including acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. So far, sonic facial cleansing devices are considered safe for consistent use, even with these dermatological conditions.
Although more research is needed, studies show that cyclic mechanical stimulation may induce protein in the skin. Another study showed a sonic facial cleanser device improved the wrinkle-reducing effects of an anti-aging cream that was used with the sonic cleanser.
It’s no secret that facial massages bring nutrients to the surface and improve your skin’s appearance by increasing blood flow, lymphatic drainage, collagen, and elastin. The boosted microcirculation also helps you decrease puffiness and achieve a dewy, youthful glow from inside out.
The best sonic cleansing devices use an optimal range of frequency and amplitude of vibrations that loosen dirt particles and sebum that have adhered to the pores.
When used on the skin, sonic facial cleansing devices create cyclic deformation and relaxation at up to 160 times per second. The repetitive, pulsating motions gradually loosen adhesions between the pores and comedones, dead skin, and dirt. The soft bristles can then remove the debris and rough flakes, resulting in vibrant, youthful, glowing skin.
The low-frequency pulsations also help relax myofascial tension and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. The gentle massage also boosts microcirculation which delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells while carrying out toxins and waste.
100% silicone! Nylon bristles and brush heads should not be put in the same category as gentle sonic silicone bristles.
The MintSonic V-Lift is the only 3-in-1 sonic cleansing, massaging, and lifting device.
Unlike most facial cleansing brushes that use nylon bristles, the MintSonic’s ultra-soft silicone bristles gently and non-abrasively exfoliate and renew your skin. The velvet-soft silicone is also naturally anti-bacterial and much more hygienic than nylon brushes or using your fingers and hands.
3 IN 1: RENEW, LIFT, REFINE
- Gentle, effective, deep cleansing
- Helps remove dirt, oil, and residue trapped deep within pores
- Sloughs off rough flakes and dead skin cells
- Significantly more hygienic than fingers or nylon facial brushes
- Low-frequency pulsations provide therapeutic skin renewal and radiance
- Helps relax wrinkle-causing tension and smooth the appearance of fine lines
- Helps decrease puffiness and congestion by stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Rejuvenates and restores skin elasticity
- Aids in deeper serum absorption
- Achieve a dewy, youthful glow from inside out with boosted microcirculation
- 8 adjustable speeds with up to 10,000 sonic pulsations per minute
- Helps lift and define cheeks, chin, and jawline
- Helps reduce appearance of double chin
- Roller nubs target pressure points
- Helps increase circulation
✓ Cleanse deeper & better than hands alone
✓ Remove up to 99.5% of dirt, product residue, and oil from the skin
✓ Maximize your serums & creams
✓ Relax your tension lines
✓ Reduce the appearance of pores
✓ Plump, uplift & glow by boosting circulation, elastin & collagen
✓ Stimulate anti-aging building blocks
✓ Helps contour, lift, & tighten
✓ Detoxifying lymphatic drainage
✓ Gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation
✓ Relaxing, spa-like treatment
✓ Antibacterial: won’t irritate or cause rashes like cheap plastic & metal
✓ Use anytime, anywhere on your body
✓ Great for all skin types - including those with mild rosacea
Need more convincing?
Click here to learn more about the best Korean Beauty Sonic Cleansing Brush.
]]>The heart and blood vessels make up the circulatory system - also known as the cardiovascular system (“cardio” means heart and “vascular” refers to blood vessels). This vital system keeps our organs and tissues alive by bringing them essential nutrients - such as oxygen, fluid, hormones, and electrolytes. It also helps your body remove waste from your cells and organs.
The circulatory system has its own pump - the heart. It pumps blood to every area of our body via our arteries, veins, and capillaries (blood vessels). Unlike other muscles, the heart never tires or stops pumping - unless there’s disruption or disease. The heart is actually a double pump with blood flowing in from one direction, and blood pumping out from the opposite direction.
Blood vessels originate at the heart and run all throughout your body. These one-way roadways transport vital nutrients and oxygen to every organ and tissue, and purify your cells.
Blood vessels can be various sizes and shapes, depending on their role in the body.
Arteries run from your heart to your extremities, carrying oxygenated blood to every limb and fingertip. Arteries divide like tiny tree branches to reach every extremity.
The smallest blood vessels - capillaries - are the intricate connective system that link the arteries to the veins and allow for the exchange of blood cells.
Veins have one-way valves that transport blood from all over the body back to the heart. There, the blood can be filtered, oxygenated, purified, and then redistributed throughout your body.
Your circulatory system acts as your body’s purification system, and your heart is the central pump that keeps it all moving.
Oxygen is absorbed by the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream and goes to the heart, which pumps oxygen into the arteries.
Arteries take the oxygenated nutrients to organs and tissues.
Nutrients are merged into capillaries so they can be delivered to the cells. The capillaries also collect waste materials, such as carbon dioxide.
The waste is delivered to the veins, which transport the waste to the heart, which pumps it back to the lungs where it can be purified (oxygenated).
The circulatory system is a continuous loop that starts and ends with the heart. It’s an enclosed system that allows blood and fluid to stay within the blood vessels during the circulatory and purification journey throughout the body.
If you’re dehydrated, don’t have proper nutrition, don’t exercise regularly, or if you have tense, tight myofascial tissue, your circulatory system will be unable to work at its best. That means, your body isn’t able to transport nutrients to your cells and carry out toxins. It also means your muscles, connective tissues, organs, and cells aren’t getting the nutrients they need to work properly.
When your organs and systems aren’t getting the oxygen and nutrients they need, their performance is affected.
Your brain requires adequate blood flow for proper function, and even the slightest decrease in circulation can impact your brain energy and cognitive function.
Proper circulation is imperative for muscle contraction, conditioning, performance, and recovery. Remember: your heart is also a muscle!
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients and helps improve collagen and elastin production – all of which are crucial for healthy, glowing skin and anti-aging.
If your cardiovascular and lymphatic systems are sluggish and/or under-stimulated, the flow of nutrients will slow down and the fluid can become stagnant. This can result in a slow metabolic rate, so you’ll have a harder time burning calories and fat for energy.
In some cases, trapped blood flow can cause the veins to surge and swell. Like a kinked garden hose, if there is compression in any area of your blood vessels, it can cause other areas to surge and swell.
DVT is caused by a blood clot that forms due to poor circulation. Symptoms may include swelling, redness, or an area that’s hot-to-the-touch. DVTs are most commonly formed in the legs of overweight individuals, and will usually dissolve without becoming harmful. In rare cases if the clot is dislodged, it can become fatal.
Whether it’s a few minutes of walking, stretching, swimming, or other cardiovascular activities, daily movement is imperative for keeping your “pump” in working order. The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week of moderate exercise to improve overall cardiovascular health.
By loosening the tense, tight myofascial tissue and releasing adhesions with the KOAPRO Massage Tools, you can help decompress the blood and lymph vessels, muscles, nerves, joints, and tissues for optimal function. Your myofascial tissue will be better able to protect and support your blood vessels as they carry nutrients and oxygen all throughout your body without impediment.
A healthy diet that promotes cellular health, brain energy, hydration, and increased performance is essential for a healthy circulatory system.
Proper sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and regular myofascial treatments support a healthy circulatory system and your holistic health and performance.
Poor circulation impacts your health, performance, and daily function. Regularly using the KOAPRO Massage Tools and making simple lifestyle upgrades can help improve your circulatory system health and overall wellness.
A KOAPRO Massage is a relaxing, soothing, self-massage using the patented HumanTouch 3.0™ technology of the KOAPRO Massage Tools. They’re designed to mimic the hands and elbows of a skilled massage therapist so you can enjoy an anytime, anywhere massage and relief when you need it!
Here are some tips and best practices to help you get the most out of the KOAPRO Massage Tools:
Always start with freshly cleansed skin and KOAPRO Massage Tools.
If you’re using the KOAPRO Massage tools on bare skin, always use oil or lotion to help the “fingers” glide easily on your skin. If you’re using the KOAPRO Massage tools over tight-fitting, thin clothing, no oil or lotion is needed.
For best results, warm up just like you would before a workout. It can be as easy as being in a sauna, hot bath, or shower, or doing a few minutes of bodyweight exercises to get your body moving and ready for work.
Pro tip: make sure to drink extra water before, during, and after your KOAPRO Massage.
Start with light, brisk strokes using up-and-down and side-to-side motions on and all around the target areas. Remember, you’re in control of the pressure, duration, and areas you focus on, so always go at your own pace and do what feels good for you.
If an area feels tense or sore, ease up on the pressure and continue with light massage strokes all around the area. You can then work your way to the target area as it relaxes and desensitizes.
Pro tip: for very sensitive areas, use your hands to lightly massage and desensitize the area until it’s ready for a KOAPRO Massage.
As your myofascial tissues relax and accept the treatment, it may feel good to apply more pressure. Use the ends or “thumbs” of the KOAPRO tools to press into and release tense areas and adhesions.
If you want even deeper pressure, you can try using the KOAPRO Massage Tool “fingers” at different angles to release deeper adhesions.
When you’ve finished your KOAPRO Massage, use your hands or the flat, smooth handle of the KOAPRO Tools to “flush” and move circulation towards your heart. This helps with tissue restoration and recovery.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water!
If you feel some soreness or swelling after a KOAPRO Massage - don’t be alarmed! It’s normal for your tissue to go through the natural remodeling process after myofascial release and tissue restoration. You may feel some “post-workout soreness” in the areas you treated, but they should not be painful to the touch. You may even see some light bruising as a result of the soft tissue restoration, similar to the bruises you get after cupping or other deep tissue massage treatments.
Ways To Speed Up The Recovery Process:
Go for a walk, do some stretching, dance, or enjoy any kind of cardiovascular exercise that you love! This helps your body move out waste and circulate replenishing nutrients.
Take a cold shower or bath, apply ice packs, or do cryotherapy to help decrease inflammation and move out lactic acid and lymphatic fluid.
Staying properly hydrated is key to cellular health, and it’s even more vital when during and after myofascial release treatments. Avoid or minimize processed and fried foods as well as artificial sweeteners and alcohol.
Do a gentle, full body massage using your hands or the KOAPRO Massage Tools. Keep the pressure very light in an effort to help your body recover and move out excess fluid and waste.
* Avoid massaging or applying pressure over any bruises or swollen areas.
For best results, do some resistance exercises within about 24 hours of your KOAPRO Massage. You can use weights, resistance bands, or even bodyweight. The goal is to contract the muscles in the areas you treated so they can tone and condition for a sculpted look and feel.
We hope you love using the KOAPRO Massage Tools and experiencing the benefits of myofascial tissue restoration! If you have any questions, contact us! We love hearing from you and we’re always here to help!
]]>Tight myofascial tissue can cause tension and discomfort, as well as inhibit muscle growth, definition, and activation, circulation, and nerve function. When the myofascial tissue compresses the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, it impedes their ability to work at their best.
]]>However, muscles are surrounded and penetrated by connective tissue, and that can get tense, brittle, and inflamed. When the connective tissue is unhealthy, it becomes “tight” and can compress the muscles and cause adhesions or “trigger points”.
Think of your muscles like the pillow and connective tissue like the pillow case. If the pillow case is tight and stiff, the pillow within it will get “squished” or compressed.
Tight connective tissue - or myofascial tissue - can not only cause tension and discomfort, but it can also inhibit muscle growth, definition, and activation. Additionally, the fascial system also encases blood vessels and nerves. When the myofascial tissue is clamping down on the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, it impedes their ability to function properly.
In this article, we’ll explain how to do this easily in the comfort of your own home. But first, let’s unpack what the myofascial system is, how it affects every aspect of muscle performance and recovery, and what you can do to help your body feel and function at its best.
The Myofascial System is comprised of muscle tissue and collagenous connective tissue - which includes the fascia, ligaments, and tendons. The Myofascial System interacts with every other system and function of your body, especially your organs, bones, blood vessels, nerves, brain, nervous system, lymphatic system, and immune system.
Myo = muscleFascial = fascia
Fascia is a type of connective tissue made of 3-dimensional layers of collagen fibers that are encased in a film-like fluid. It provides lubrication, support, and hydration for the surrounding tissues, organs, and structures.
Fascia is best known for providing internal support and structure by connecting and attaching muscles and joints and holding our internal organs in place. It helps your body’s tissues and organs glide smoothly against each other, as well as stretch, contract, and relax. It’s designed to hold things in place, as well as to stretch and support you as you move.
Fascia also provides a sheath of protection around every blood vessel and nerve. It assists the circulatory system in providing nutrients, oxygen, and hydration to every area of the body, while also carrying out waste. It even has its own sensory receptors - making it almost as sensitive as skin! It transports nerves and acts as a communication system between the skin, muscles, and brain.
When we’re stressed, injured, or unhealthy, fascia tightens up in an effort to protect us. If the tension isn’t addressed, the fascia can become brittle and dehydrated, compress your muscles, joints, blood vessels, and nerves, and cause muscle tension and discomfort.
Healthy fascia transports nutrients to the muscles and organs, allowing them to perform at their best. It also provides a flexible sheath that can stretch, contract, relax, and has its own elasticity that optimizes your athletic abilities, speed, and range of motion.
Healthy fascia = healthy, defined, flexible, pain-free muscles
Unhealthy fascia = unhealthy, inflamed, rigid, sore muscles
Chronic muscle pain associated with inflammation or irritation of the muscles and/or fascia.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a clinical condition caused by myofascial adhesions or trigger points that cause muscle tension, pain, and dysfunction. This syndrome is common after repeated injuries, overuse, or muscle stress.
For example, if you’re a runner, the repeated impact on your knees and ankles may cause the surrounding tissues to inflame and contract in an effort to support and stabilize your joints. This may cause the muscles and fascia in your quads, IT bands, hamstrings, calves, shins, and feet to tense and brace for impact.
If you don’t make the effort to stretch, hydrate, and relax your myofascial tissues (muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments), they will stay tense and become brittle. That means, your range of motion will be limited, you won’t have full muscle access or activation, your blood flow, lymphatic flow, and nerve activity will be impeded, and your joints and soft tissues will be inflamed and sore.
It goes without saying, this domino effect will negatively affect your athletic performance and recovery. Here’s a great visual.
When myofascial tissue is tense and “angry” it causes pain and dysfunction. Myofascial Release involves techniques that relax, loosen, and restore the tissue by applying sustained pressure to decompress and create space in the tissues.
Myofascial Release Treatments help reduce tension, pain, and inflammation while improving blood flow, lymphatic drainage, nerve function, and immune health. This has a cascade of positive effects that helps improve everything from your muscle pump, strength, definition, and recovery to your mental performance, mood, digestion, and metabolism.
A skilled Myofascial Release therapist will help you relax, identify areas of tension and dysfunction, and perform techniques to restore healthy myofascial tissue.
However, we have amazing news for those of us who can’t make it to the therapist every day, and want to get out of pain and have better muscle performance and recovery - now!
If you haven’t already experienced the relaxing, rejuvenating relief of a KOAPRO Massage, get ready to unlock an empowering, pain-free, high-performance lifestyle.
The KOAPRO Massage Tool’s patented design releases deep myofascial adhesions by decompressing, relaxing, and restoring the myofascial tissue. Our proprietary HumanTouch 3.0™ technology mimics the hands, knuckles, fingers, and elbows of a skilled therapist and allows you to be in control of the pressure, location, and duration of your myofascial release treatment.
These easy-to-use massage tools are perfect for the bath or shower, sauna, gym, yoga studio, sports field, office, travel, on the go, or at home. Pick up a KOAPRO Massage Tool any time for fast-acting relief, or treat yourself to a deluxe spa experience.
Myofascial health is cellular health! Quality nutrition, hydration, and daily movement are vital to keeping your body and mind happy and healthy so everything can perform at its best.
Adding the KOAPRO Massage Tools to a healthy lifestyle helps take your fitness, flexibility, muscle performance and recovery, pain management, total body circulation, and immune health to a whole new level! You don’t have to “train through the pain” - and in fact, that’s a short-term strategy that won’t get you the lasting results you’re after. Optimize your muscle performance and recovery by optimizing your myofascial care with regular myofascial release treatments.
Did you know:
For a company to say their product is “natural”, only 1% of the product has to be plant-based, naturally-sourced, or minerally-derived. There are no regulations or requirements for testing, inspection, or certification. This means, clever marketers can label a product as “natural” because one of its ingredients is water - even if it has a long list of other potentially harmful ingredients.
Because there’s no regulation in the skincare and beauty industries, terminology can mislead customers into believing they’re investing in a healthier option. Basically, any company can market any product as “natural” or “clean” - regardless of what’s in it.
The European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals from being used in beauty products. The USA has only banned about 30. The USA’s cosmetic regulations for safe products is 81 years old. Clearly, we have a long way to go to achieve truly healthy, safe beauty products.
While “natural” is a broad statement that can mean pretty much anything, “clean” beauty and skincare focuses on both the product’s ingredients, as well as its environmental impact. Clean beauty products should be able to specify what toxic ingredients they’re “free from” - such as sulfates, BPA, and parabens.
Keep in mind, just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you - or good for your skin. And by the same token, not all chemicals should be avoided (i.e. poison ivy is natural, and water is a chemical).
While trendy words may make the product seem superior, dig a little deeper and look for evidence to back up the claims.
What it implies:
A product is made with ingredients sourced from nature that are minimally modified.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
The ingredients from natural sources that may have undergone some chemical processing.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
The product does not contain harmful chemicals, such as lead or formaldehyde.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
A product and its ingredients are not poisonous or harmful.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
Eco-friendly products and ingredients with minimal environmental impact.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
The product does not contain any ingredients derived from animals or animal byproducts (i.e. honey, animal fats, etc.)
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
No animal testing has been done on the product or its ingredients.
What it means:
The product was grown and manufactured without harmful chemicals, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or other synthetic ingredients.
Keep in mind:
What it implies:
A product or ingredient is made or grown by workers who are fairly-treated and paid.
Keep in mind:
At MintBiology, all our products are 100% natural, non-toxic, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and made without any harsh methylparaben, propylparaben, alcohol, or any other paraben. Unlike most “natural” beauty products, they’re also free of hormonal disruptors, epigenetic triggers, immunity suppressors, gut imbalancers, and ingredients repeatedly linked to cancer.
Benzotriazol
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol S (BPS)
Dimethyl fumarate
Latex
Octabromodiphenyl ethers
Pentabromodiphenyl ethers
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
It’s not just about how a product or ingredient makes your skin look or feel. It’s how it affects your unique biology on a chemical and cellular level. Everything you put in and on your body impacts your brain health, energy, immune system, digestion, nutrient absorption, nervous system, skin health, and SO much more!
Everything about the ingredients - from the way they’re sourced and grown, to their harvesting and extraction, to packaging and fulfillment - can make or break the quality of your natural beauty products.
Read the label, research the science behind it, and see if it’s recommended for skin like yours.
If a company makes claims like “clean ingredients” or “eco-friendly” - see if they provide specifics on their website. If not, they may be greenwashing.
Keep in mind that each company will have their own moral and ethical standards. Find brands that resonate with your personal values and beliefs and who are passionate about bettering the beauty industry and the planet.
Start by evaluating the products you use on your skin every day. See if you can switch them out for something that’s good for you and the planet.
Research the company and each ingredient before you buy. Choose products that are non-toxic, have science-based ingredients, and are transparent with their ingredients and product information.
True, clean beauty is about avoiding ingredients that can be harmful to your health and/or Mother Earth.
There’s a lot of misinformation disguised as marketing when it comes to cosmetic and skincare products. There’s no regulatory body for the beauty and skincare industries, so companies can call any product “natural” or almost anything they want.
Do your research, find evidence to support the claims, and see what works best for your unique skin.
]]>Self care isn’t self-indulgence; it’s intentionally meeting the needs of your body, mind, and spirit so you can stay mentally, physically, and emotionally well. It means taking care of yourself so you can show up for your family, friends, work life, and social life. It’s ensuring you have the wherewithal to accomplish your daily tasks while maintaining a balanced connection with yourself and your loved ones.
There are many forms of self care, and no one-size-fits-all methods. It can be as simple as taking a walk in nature, taking a bath, giving yourself a face massage, or getting quality sleep! What’s important is to prioritize it, do it often, and ensure it’s quality time.
What nutrients are you feeding your body? How much sleep are you getting, and is it quality sleep? Do you nourish and care for your skin? Are you getting regular exercise? Are you chronically tense or in pain?
Homework: identify one area you’d like to improve about your physical wellbeing and make a plan to take at least once corrective action this week.
Pro Tips:
1. Our Korean Beauty Sheet Masks and skincare products are the perfect, easy way to cleanse and rejuvenate your skin while relaxing and indulging in all-natural skin nourishment.
2. Use the KOAPRO Massage Tools for a relaxing anytime, anywhere massage. Decompress tight muscles and tissue, ease pain and tension, and improve your circulation, nerve activity, and range of motion.
What do you focus on? Are you clear-headed, or are negative thoughts clouding your mind? Do you feel generally happy and positive?
Homework: choose one positive behavior or habit that you will incorporate at least once a week. Some suggestions are: meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises.
Did you know your body stores suppressed or unresolved trauma? When we let emotions get the best of us, we allow ourselves to be controlled by our traumas, which causes us to be reactive to stressful situations. It’s important to acknowledge and express your feelings and emotions, give yourself the nurturing and support you need, and then design the outlook you want to have on that situation or event, instead of letting it determine your happiness.
Homework: do you have a healthy way to process your emotions? What memory or life event is holding you back from living life to the fullest?
Nurturing your spirit doesn’t have to involve religion, but for many people, maintaining a close connection with a higher power helps them develop a deeper connection with themselves, others, and the universe. Whether you pray, meditate, attend a ceremony, or sit in silence, spiritual self-care is an important part of finding fulfillment.
Homework: find a spiritual practice that resonates with you, and practice it often.
Human connection is vital to our wellbeing. Cultivating and maintaining quality relationships takes time and commitment, and everyone’s needs vary. The key is to find your perfect balance, and to invest in the relationships that bring you joy and a sense of belonging.
Homework: call a friend that you haven’t talked to in awhile. Tell them why you value them and their friendship.
Regular self-care has a number of important health benefits, including:
Here are some helpful things to consider as you’re building out your self care routine:
Your schedule and the ever-changing demands of your daily life can determine which types of self care you may need the most. Don’t wait until you’re burned out. Take the time to plan and prioritize the self care strategies that can help you face life’s challenges with certainty and ease.
Remember: you're worth it! xoxo
]]>The superficial fascia, which is mostly associated with the skin. This deep layer gives you your outward shape and helps to maintain it!
The deep fascia, which is mostly associated with the muscles and bones. This layer of dense fibrous connective tissue surrounds individual muscle groups to provide them with functional movement in coordination with one another.
Visceral fascia is the tissue that surrounds your internal organs and suspends them in place, allowing both structure and movement.
Fascia covers muscles and keeps it in the correct position.
Fascia helps maintain the body's movement by allowing one muscle or fiber to move independently from its neighbor.
When muscles slide against each other, the fascia provides a lubricated surface that allows for smooth movement.
Improved flexibility is often the result of a well-designed program that focuses on muscles and their fascia. When you are inactive for long periods, from injury or idleness your fascia will start binding together which prevents them from moving freely against each other leading to stiffness and tightness in those areas. Regular stretching keeps us healthy by keeping our bodies' connective tissues pliable and strong so we can perform daily activities being carried out with minimized pain.
A lack of exercise can lead to low muscle tone and poor posture.
Improper healing after injuries and surgeries.
High levels of mental stress and over-exercising.
Inflammation caused by unhealthy foods, drugs, autoimmune and environmental factors.
When you get injured, your body creates collagen to heal the damaged tissue. The clumps of fibers stick together without having their natural alignment and are “stuck-together” because they're not connected properly with other tissues like muscle or fascia which can create tension when pulled upon by another object during movement. Sometimes myofascial fibers become fused together with surrounding tissues in abnormal ways, and those spots are called "adhesions."
A normal adhesion would be at the site of an injury or microtrauma, but sometimes they form elsewhere on your body too, like where there's been chronic stress placed upon it over time by repeated movements that have caused damage deep within muscle tissue itself. Adhesions are one of the most common causes for chronic pain.
Tight fascia will cause your body to shift out of alignment, causing poor posture, increasing pressure on muscles and joints. Over time this can lead to not only discomfort but also pain. The restricted movement may cause loss of hydration because you're blocking blood flow because of tension-filled areas, something we want to avoid when trying to achieve our fitness goals.
Massaging your fascia can help reduce adhesion pain by improving fluid flow to the bound tissues. Movement is essential for treating the adhesions. Breaking down adhesions through deep tissue massage relieves these restrictions that reduce stress and decrease pain. This can help break negative loops that often compound.
Acupressure is performed by applying pressure to adhesions and trigger points. When pressure is applied blood flow is restricted resulting in an ischemic compression, so that a resurgence of local blood flow will occur upon release. As the pressure is applied, scar tissue tension is released, softened, and broken down. An increase in blood flow occurs to help repair damage and improve the fascia and muscle condition.
Trigger points are often found in the center of muscle fiber and can become painful when compressed. They're so named because they feel like a trigger - something that pulls or urges us into action, which is exactly what happens with these intense nerve meetings. When pressure is applied to trigger points, scar tissue breaks down and a decrease in pain can occur. This allows deeper tissue manipulation where we can apply more force for even greater results. Once constriction is released from these areas it's like magic - blood flow increases at the site of damaged tissue due in part by an increase in local circulation and repair initiation.
Temperature around the massage site is increased due to friction created between hands and skin, the heat penetrates deeper towards the muscles and circulation is improved. A rise in muscle temperature increases the elasticity of muscular tissues around areas that are contracting. It allows these muscles to relax, decreasing tension and therefore pain. The warmth from massaging encourages scar tissue to be broken down which allows you to move more freely with less restrictions as well increased range-of-motion.
]]>
Whether you want your skin to look brighter and clearer or you just want to relax and indulge in the massage, there's really no reason why you shouldn't opt for a facial massage at home. You'll be saving time, money, and you'll get to do it all in the comfort of your own house. What's not to love?
Are you curious to see how you could benefit from an at-home facial massage? If so, you've come to the right place. Here, we're sharing all of the incredible benefits of a facial massage. Just keep on reading to learn more!
As your face gets massaged, your facial muscles release tension and will become more toned as a result. Blood circulation will also improve, removing toxins from your skin and making it look brighter, clearer, and younger.
If oils are being used on the face, your skin will look even more dewy and glowy, adding to your skin's youthful appearance.
Dry skin can look dull and unattractive, but a facial massage can give your skin the hydration boost it needs!
Combine luxury moisturizers and/or oils along with our at-home facial massage tool to give your skin a hydrated, glamorous look. The moisture will leave your skin bouncy and dewy, making you appear more awake.
Did you know that many people hold tension in their faces? An at-home facial massage helps reduce tension and tone the facial muscles, letting your skin relax.
The process of getting a facial massage is also very calming, especially if aromatic oils are being used, and it helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Do you deal with puffy eyes? A facial massage can help boost circulation which sends blood and oxygen right to the surface of the skin. This reduced the amount of puffiness in your face and detoxifies your skin, making it bouncy and beautiful.
Moisturizers and/or oils used on the skin will also bring hydration to the skin, helping it look more renewed and refreshed.
Many people find that a facial massage improves the appearance of their skin by evening out their skin tones. So, whether you're dealing with redness, patchiness, or discoloration, massaging the facial skin could lead to a more even complexion.
There are a ton of great benefits that come along with facial massages. What's even better is a facial massage at home! Now that you're aware of these skin-loving benefits, you can sit back, relax, and indulge in one of the best rituals you can do for your facial skin. Enjoy!
Are you looking to add high-quality, clean facial products into your skincare routine? If so, check out our selection here and look forward to healthier, happier skin.
]]>We get it, you're running around dropping the kids off at soccer practice, or trying to meet deadlines for work, that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider self-care. We put together the amazing benefits of a deep tissue massage and how it can make your life easier!
Almost 65 million Americans have experienced back pain their life. One of the most helpful deep tissue massage benefits is that it can be used to reduce back pain. Those who suffer from pain may notice that their pain pills have stopped working.
Over time, your body builds resistance to these pills and causes your pain to increase. Let's be real, pharmaceuticals only mask the pain, not the actual problem. Deep tissue massages use oblique pressure, stretching, and cross-strokes of fiber techniques to help break up knots and tension in the lower back.
Stress is inevitable in life, but that doesn't mean it can't be managed. A deep tissue massage relaxes the body and mind, putting you at ease. It helps lower your cortisol levels and releases oxytocin throughout the body, yes, which makes you feel great!
Deep tissue massages can act as a stress reliever that improves your mental health. It can also alleviate physical symptoms of stress, like tight knots and muscle tensions in the shoulders.
Studies have shown that a deep tissue massage can reduce systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and arterial pressure. Also, because deep tissue massages reduce stress, it positively impacts your blood pressure. Your blood pressure comes down when you're relaxed because your heart rate decreases and blood vessels become dilated.
Unfortunately, the beautiful journey of pregnancy can be physically and mentally unbearing. Pregnant women tend to suffer from back and lower body pain throughout their pregnancy, as well as, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Research has shown that women who received deep tissue massages before and during labor experienced less pain. The reduction of cortisol levels and blood flow consistency in the body can contribute to a smoother and shorter delivery.
Has your body ever ached after an intense workout sesh? Deep tissue massages can improve your physical health. It helps your recovery and athletic performance by warming up the body and improving lactate clearance which helps reduce muscle fatigue and pain.
Deep tissue massages prevent injuries and also treats them. This well-rounded therapy also has psychological benefits when it comes to performance that includes, greater focus and confidence.
It's understandable that some people may be too busy to schedule a formal deep tissue massage. The KOAPRO Fascia Massage tool is an all-in-one, portable, and ergonomically designed self-massage tool that has all the same benefits as an in-person deep tissue massage session.
Be sure to check out our page to find out all the benefits of this product, as well as, our other interesting posts.
]]>But why is this beauty product so popular?
Does it have any perks, or is it one of those beauty trends that disappears almost as quickly as it got here? In the article below, we discuss the benefits of using the K-Beauty sheet masks from MINTBIOLOGY; a company inspired to bring you the latest in beauty and skincare technology.
Korean sheet masks or K-Beauty sheet masks are thin sheets made from cotton. The cotton pads contain powerful, rejuvenating products that enhance the skin’s appearance after every single use (please note that each sheet must be used once and disposed of after every application). Each sheet is soaked in a medium of collagen, hyaluronic acid and other essential nutrients that restore the natural balance of your skin and keep it looking healthy all day long.
The sheet masks are designed to fit all face shapes perfectly. But this is just the beginning. While the sheet rests on the face, it infuses the skin with wholesome, vital nutrients without damaging the skin surface. After a while, you will notice your skin becoming visibly smoother and clearer. The changes can take place after the first application and continue to improve after each subsequent use of the K-Beauty facial masks.
The mask saturates the facial skin with natural ingredients, including astaxanthin, an antioxidant that is 6,000 times stronger than vitamin C, and once the skin has received its dose of the essential elements, the mask helps to seal in the active components. Unlike many other products, Korean facial masks securely deliver the nutrients to the inner layers of the skin. Other products on the market allow the deposited nutrients to evaporate away as soon as you remove the mask.
For the best results, you should leave the astaxanthin skin care mask on your face for about 15-20 minutes. While the mask lies on the skin, it forms a protective barrier that allows the skin to not only retain its natural moisture but also to give it enough time to absorb all the delicate nutrients. This is not always possible with other facial masks since they do not stay on the skin for long.
Also, other beauty face masks dry up after some time, which can interfere with the skin’s normal moisture barrier. Examples of products with this problem include cream and mud-based sheet masks that dry up as soon as you apply them; although these products are easy to apply for most people, the end-results are not so appealing. As they dry up, the alcohol in them draws out the natural oils produced by the sebaceous glands found in the inner layers of the skin, leaving the skin drier than before the application of the mask. The Korean skin care products from MINTBIOLOGY, on the other hand, contain natural fatty acids and other nutrients. They help the skin retain its moisture when you are wearing them and after you take them off.
Here are the five top benefits of using K-beauty sheet masks:
Hydrates the Skin
As already discussed, Korean face masks help the skin stay hydrated. Not only are the masks beneficial for hydration under normal conditions, but they also aid in rehydration of dry skin types. One of the characteristics of dry skin is that it is inflexible and rigid. The active serum in the mask infuses into the inner skin layers, softening them, and restoring the skin’s natural elasticity.
Cleanses Clogged Pores
As you go through life, your skin regenerates, sloughing away dead skin cells as new ones are created. These dead skin cells, oil from the sebaceous glands and bacteria can congest the pores interfering with the skin’s ability to breathe and results in a dull-looking appearance. As the ingredients of the K-beauty masks penetrate the epidermal layer, they naturally cleanse the skin and remove all the dead skin cells and accumulated dirt that sit in the pores while depositing fresh nourishment.
Helps to Achieve an Even Skin Tone
MINTBIOLOGY’s sheet masks are engineered to remove excess pigmentation from the skin’s surface. Hyperpigmentation may be caused by exposure to extreme environmental conditions or even exposure to chemicals from other beauty products such as foundations and creams. Korean face masks contain only natural products, such as astaxanthin, that help the skin achieve a consistent texture and an even tone. Beauty masks packed with harsh chemicals inhibit the functioning of the sweat glands as well, but the K-beauty masks will stimulate sweat gland activity. The toxins and other waste products wash away from the skin as it suffuses with oxygen, creating the natural blush of healthy skin.
Helps Attain Firmer and Younger Looking Skin
As we age, the skin loses its natural elasticity, but the aging process can be slowed or reversed with K-Beauty face masks. Skin that has lost its elasticity makes you look older but applying Korean face masks improves the appearance of the skin over time. The results may not be immediate, but with constant use according to the recommended application guidelines you will notice visible results. The Korean sheet masks add collagen to the skin, replacing that which is lost with age. The active serum ingredients also stimulate the skin to produce more collagen naturally. Astaxanthin and collagen rejuvenate the skin, leaving it looking younger, firmer and tighter.
Eliminates Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Regular, consistent and correct application of safe and toxin-free Korean face masks reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Blemishes and spots that appear on the skin as a result of the aging process are reduced, leaving behind a softer, smoother skin surface. Applying a face mask helps you relax and de-stress after a long day, which can also help you look younger. Stress has been implicated in the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, spots and blemishes on the skin. These Korean face masks are the ultimate game-changer.
MINTBIOLOGY is a California-based company that develops healthy solutions for the skin and body. It was founded by alumni from the University of Southern California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) with degrees in microbiology, molecular genetics and bioengineering. The beauty and wellness brand is science-based and brings the elements of healthy living into daily skincare routines.
MINTBIOLOGY uses the latest state-of-the-art technology and innovation to manufacture the ultimate beauty solutions for radiant, glowing skin and vibrant health. Each product in its catalog empowers your self-confidence and lets your skin shine throughout the day, improving how you feel and contributing to your best performance.
Many of the face masks available on the market contain toxic chemicals and alcohol that can irritate or damage your skin, resulting in a dry, rough, or dull complexion. But you can avoid this painful conclusion by choosing the right product for your face.
MINTBIOLOGY, a clean beauty company, incorporates only safe ingredients into its products that work well for users. Its Korean sheet masks have received dozens of rave reviews from delighted customers whose skin has been reborn after using them.
Each sheet mask contains astaxanthin — one of the most powerful antioxidants that have been discovered — working in perfect synergy with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and the other beneficial ingredients to achieve younger-looking skin that radiates health and beauty. MINTBIOLOGY is the first skincare company to incorporate astaxanthin in Korean face mask sheet packs.
Don’t wait another minute for the silky-smooth skin you’ve always dreamed about. Buy a pack of MINTBIOLOGY’s Korean face masks today from their Amazon storefront or through their website and add it to your daily/weekly skin-care routine for optimal results.
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Have you ever been sore from sitting all day at work? Or experienced tension in one area of your body to find a decreased range of motion in another? Why does your doctor keep prescribing pain pills when it isn't helping? Have you ever thought of why you have the problem in the first place?
Now you can get the information you need to heal.
The answer to these chronic-pain questions about your body is your fascia (pronounced fah-sha). The fascia is the soft tissue that connects to your muscles and joints. When fascia is tightly bound, it can be the root cause of most chronic pain issues people have.
How Fascia Affects Your Health
When fascia is too tight, muscles and joints are limited, and such lack of range can cause pain not only in the area of tightness but in other areas of the body connected to that series of tissue. The tissue, muscles, and joints must work together to enable proper bodily function. When fascia, muscles, and joints are restricted, pain results.
Fascia tissue envelopes and connects muscles to help bodies move. When fascia is tight in the back, it can cause sciatic pain down the leg. Restricted fascia in the neck can cause headaches or chronic pain through the shoulders and back. So, you see, your body is an interconnected ecosystem of the fascia.
It is no wonder that aches and pains often have a root in fascial dysfunction. An issue on one part of the body can cause pain in another part of the body.
Why pain pills don't work for chronic pain
Over time, prescription pain pills can make cause the pain you experience to increase. That's because your body builds resistance to medicine. Meanwhile, the drugs are not working to help the body improve.
The pills can numb the pain, but of course, they do not address the real underlying problem. Many doctors have not trained holistically to treat soft tissue pain, and pills are never the answer.
Increasing your range of motion is the best treatment for your body.
Let's find out how to do that with fascia.
The benefits of fascia tissue massage
Deep tissue fascia massage has extraordinary benefits for your body, releasing tense muscles and tendons.
The therapeutic value extends to your entire body because of the way it improves your movement. Fascia massage with a massage tool kneading the trigger points, and releasing tight tissue layers is essential to relieving pain issues.
Massages can lead to many benefits, including:
KOAPRO Fascia Massage Tool
Many professional therapists use KOAPRO to help treat patients and save their cramping fingers.
Use the KOAPRO fascia tool to help massage out knots in between therapist visits or if there aren't any in your area. KOAPRO knobs(fingers) designed to mimic fingers and elbows to dig into tight knots to release inflammation
Hydrate well - properly "oiled" muscles work better
KOAPRO tips:
It does hurt, but the more you work the area, the more pain will lessen until it goes away.
The KOAPRO Fascia Massage tool is an all-in-one massage tool to relax sore muscles, relieve minor pain and tension, and temporarily reduce cellulite appearance. Find out how our patented ergonomic design gives you precise control of pressure and placement by mimicking the fingers and hands to beat chronic pain.
]]>Beyond making marine life pretty in pink, carotenoids are incredibly beneficial antioxidants.
Astaxanthin is 6000x’s more potent than vitamin C and 550x’s stronger than vitamin E when eliminating free radicals. Thus, this antioxidant has the makings of a skincare warrior that’ll protect cell membranes and combat oxidative stress to promote good skin health.
Alone or combined with other antioxidant agents, Astaxanthin will synergistically help slow or even reverse skin aging. The benefits are no gimmick. Because of its superpower antioxidant properties, there has been impactful research on how astaxanthin treats skincare and aging problems.
Life Extension reports that astaxanthin has “the ability to scavenge skin-damaging free radicals and provide potent protection against ultraviolet radiation.”
And Healthline refers to research on the powers of astaxanthin to reduce wrinkles and fight the aging process, while Dermascope calls Astaxanthin the “Red Miracle of the Sea.”
The evidence coming in reveals how skin can benefit from the nutrients antioxidant activity and unique “biochemical messenger properties” with the ability to treat and prevent skin disease.
Specifically, the carotenoid helps reduce a natural process in your cells called oxidation. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the aging process.
Reducing oxidation means skin that defies age.
So what exactly can this nutrient do for your skin and why do you need it in your arsenal?
Now your skin has a new ally. Astaxanthin is there when you need it. It can be used topically to promote healthy skin, smooth wrinkles, decrease the appearance of age spots, and help maintain skin moisture.
Below are some skin conditions with Astaxanthin may help:
• Wrinkles: CNN’s Metro Manila reports that clinical studies have proven that astaxanthin can improve fine lines and wrinkles
• Age Spots: Age spots are age-related skin deterioration associated with environmentally induced damage. Using skincare products rich in astaxanthin may inhibit their formation, and even lighten existing spots.
• Dryness: In clinical studies, supplementing with astaxanthin has been shown to improve skin moisture content
• Sun Damage: The antioxidant effects of astaxanthin allow it to protect and repair skin from damaging ultraviolet rays. Please don’t forget to always use in addition to sunblock for the best protection.
MINTBIOLOGY Rejuvenating Mask has astaxanthin in it as the main ingredient.
A dewy, super-hydrating Korean face mask packed with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients, this beauty staple gives skin a radiant, healthier appearance. Think of it as a moisturizer on steroids.
You won't know how you ever hydrated before this mask. The Korean formula hydrates, plumps, nourishes, protects, and lifts dry, dull skin in ten minutes.
With continued use, your skin will look smooth, bright, and glass-like.
The MINTBIOLOGY Rejuvenating Mask is an easy way to introduce astaxanthin into your skincare routine ASAP.
Find out how MINTBIOLOGY's hand-picked, superskin ingredients can combat gravity and hydrate your skin.
No harsh chemicals - No parabens - No alcohols - No sulfates - No mineral oils - No phthalates
If you seek a masking option that will give your skin a burst of moisture and lock in hydration for days, look no further. A good Korean facial sheet mask will feel lovely and provide you with that sought-after porcelain radiance!
Your Korean beauty “glass skin” look is just a few sheet mask treatments away!
What are you waiting for?
Achieve perfectly dewy skin with a welcome side of pampering. Goodbye, dry and lackluster skin.
When choosing a cleanser, it's best to choose one labeled gentle, pH-balanced, and fragrance-free.
Wet skin with lukewarm water and apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser onto your face.
Wet, Activate, and Adjust Mintsonic V-Lift to your desired intensity level. Use upwards circular motions to gently exfoliate, deep cleanse, unclog pores of makeup residue, and remove impurities for beautiful, clean skin.
Mintsonic V-Lift is the only Facial Brush today that has soft rounded bristles with adjustable intensities that won't scratch or leave microtears on your skin. Choosing Mintsonic V-Lift is safe for daily use, and will NEVER over-exfoliate your delicate facial skin.
Gently pat dry and never scrub your face with a towel.
This last part is what MOST WOMEN leave out.
Apply your favorite anti-aging skincare products using Mintsonic V-Lift’s gentle micro-firming vibrations to deeply infuse into your skin.
Mintsonic V-Lift helps to improve blood circulation and bring oxygen to the face. This natural form of anti-aging skin care increases collagen production, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and gives a healthy, natural glow to your complexion.