H
Self-massage away fashion-induced pain with advice from Kit Expert and RMT
Ryan Seitz of Vancouver’s Spruce Body Lab
Ryan Seitz
“Sit in a comfortable chair with your foot resting over the opposite knee. Grasp the upper leg’s calf muscle from the top near the knee and work down, squeezing each segment for three to five seconds. Repeat three times. Now place hands on the lower leg so your fingers drape across your shin and your thumbs are on your calf muscle. Knead the muscle with both thumbs from top to bottom. When your thumbs get tired, make a fist and knead with your knuckles. Now, work your feet. Make a fist and knead your soles inside the arches and balls of your feet with your knuckles. You can also use your thumbs—be sure to include your toes. Finish by squeezing and releasing your whole foot several times. As an alternative, massage your feet with a tennis, golf or squash ball. Run each foot over a ball for a minute or two, pressing and holding on tender or tight areas.”
As heels get higher and flats
get flatter, our feet and legs
take a beating. Any tips?
Big shoulder
bags are killer
for the neck and
shoulders. What self-
massage therapy can help?
Skin Advisor
CONTENTS
FACE KIT
“Grab the meaty muscle
of the shoulder (upper
trapezius) with the
opposite hand. Squeeze and twist
for two counts of three seconds.
Then take three seconds to release
it while taking a deep breath in
and slowly exhaling. For muscle
tension in your upper back above
and between your shoulder blades,
position a tennis ball between your
upper back and a wall. Lean into the
ball; when you find a tender area,
lean a little harder for 10 seconds.
Ease off the pressure for two
seconds. Repeat for no longer
than two minutes.”
HAIR KIT
BODY KIT BODY KIT
YOU KNEADED ME
Spruce Body Lab’s deliciously scented Be Soothed
Musclebalm includes oils of eucalyptus, lavender,
peppermint, clove flower, cinnamon leaf and sweet
marjoram to invigorate, relieve tension and nourish
the skin. $24, www.sprucebodylab.com
HEALTH KIT
FIT KIT
