who uses a modality called Active Release
Technique to help his patients rehabilitate
their soft tissues.
Siobhan Coleman, fascial stretch therapist and owner of Athletic Stretch Therapy
( athleticstretchtherapy.com) in Bellevue,
Washington, agrees: “I’ve had plenty of clients
who have had serious range-of-motion problems where they literally can’t lift their arms
much higher than [shoulder level] simply
because of a lot of desk work. [When] you
have constant stress in certain areas of the
body, the body will build up stronger and
thicker [scar tissue] in those stress spots.
Essentially what we do to our body sitting at
a desk is comparable to what happens in a
major injury.”
Treating and preventing pain
Coleman, a Costco member who has
worked with desk jockeys and professional
athletes alike, says that no matter how long
your movement has been compromised,
rehabilitation is not a lost cause. She has
helped people who’ve experienced pain and
limited mobility for years. “I’m actually
stretching the muscles and fascia at the angles
that they’re supposed to be activated and the
way that they’re supposed to be moved, and
so this [therapy] helps encourage the [tissue]
Soames, who uses a variety of exercises
and hands-on manual manipulations to
treat her clients, says, “Part of what I feel is
missing for most people in the world is learn-
ing how to do these repetitive tasks, but in a
way that is not going to set them up for poten-
tial injury down the road.”
And while she recommends ergonomic
assessments in the workplace, she says it
starts with becoming acutely aware of your
body’s movements at all times, a skill called
proprioception, which she helps her clients
acquire through a series of exercises.
Stepien, Soames and Coleman all cite
variability in movement as being key to keeping soft tissues healthy, yet they champion different exercises. Soames named yin and hatha
yoga as activities that directly target fascia.
Coleman also cites yoga and adds Pilates to
the mix. Stepien recommends a CrossFit regimen that includes yoga, strength work, swimming and other exercises that mimic
movements done in daily life, such as carrying items and getting up from the ground.
Coleman notes that a good workout regi-
men can always be modified to accommodate
injuries and range-of-motion issues: “You just
need to have a qualified trainer that under-
stands the body well enough. Everything can
be worked around, and even if a person is in
a wheelchair, there are tons of exercises that
you can do.” She adds that it’s worthwhile to
inquire about a fitness instructor’s certifica-
tions and experience before engaging in a
new activity to ensure the instructor can
safely accommodate any limitations.
Regardless of your abilities and activity
level, Soames says, it’s key to treat yourself
with patience and compassion. “Most impor-
tantly, people need to respect what their body
is doing for them that day, and to actually
[learn] how to modify things, because our
egos get in the way,” she states. “People will do
[exercises] that they really shouldn’t be doing.”
Many different medical professionals,
therapies, techniques and exercises address
soft tissue rehabilitation. This article is not a
comprehensive representation of all treatment options, so speak with a medical professional to determine if a particular therapy is
right for you. C
The Costco Connection
Costco warehouses and Costco.com offer
a variety of strength training and cardio
machines as well as nutrition supplements,
pain medication, heat wraps and more.
KEEP ON MOVING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67
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