Welcome back all!
For those that don't know me, I'm one of the newest members of the music teaching staff at C.H.S. I joined in December last year as the new drum and percussion teacher and I really enjoy working here with the incredible students and staff.
Some of you have also met me within my other professional role as sports massage therapist and personal trainer/fitness coach. Professional musicians often, and especially since Covid, have many beaters to their stick bag ('strings to their bow' is such a cliche).
Anyway, for the last few months I have been massaging many at CH as part of my level 4 course. With many thanks to them I passed in August. One thing that is apparent is that many are suffering with a similar ailment. By now, looking at a computer screen, you maybe rubbing and clicking your neck muscles. You may now notice your posture sat at your desk, and straightening up and pull your sore shoulders backward. You feel that it's hard to keep that position and slump back down again to continue reading. Yeah...me too.
No doubt, teaching is a tough job. There is always something to be dealing with and we only notice the tension when it's really bad. Stress, as we all know, is a big part of everyday life and effects our physical state. Muscles, and other soft tissue, (I won't bore your with details, ask me at lunch if you're interested) hold that tension and doesn't let go easily. Sitting for long periods is also bad on our hips, which in turn is bad for our shoulders, and therefore neck. The food we eat, the sleep we don't get,and the water we don't drink is all part of the sore neck, shoulders and back tension. We mustn't get through term and let our leave time be the only time we reduce the tension.
I'm not here to 'doom and gloom' it though and I'm certainly not here to add too much to your already busy days. Simple changes start the ball rolling to reduced tension and improve our daily wellbeing.
So here's what we're going to try (me too):
1 - Drink one more glass of water a day.
2 - Move more. Set a reminder to get up and move around. Reduce your sitting time.
3 - Take a few seconds to take a few deep breaths. Grab hour hands behind your back and pull your shoulders down and back.
4 - Make a T (not tea, see 1) - stand up and take your arms out to the sides at shoulder hight, with your palms facing forward, like a letter 'T'. Take your arms further backward and feel your chest open up - breathe.
5 - Move your neck. Tilt your head to each side, ear to shoulder; look as far as you can to each side; look down and up. Repeat all for 30 seconds. Don't worry if it clicks.
6 - Reward yourself for doing the above. A sticker chart, a piece of fruit, a biscuit. Stamp it into the subconsciousness.
That's all for now.
I'll be checking in on you in a few weeks.
If anyone would like further advice please contact me via my email.
I shall be massaging for my Level 5 course log book in the coming weeks. Do book in at the medical centre for your reduced cost massage on Friday's.
Best wishes,
Matt Hobson
About me:
I'm a freelance musician, sports massage therapist, personal trainer and former Royal Marine bandsman. Lives in Horsham and can be seen in Bluecoats gym a few times a week getting rid of middle aged 'dadbod' and training for OCR events. I run MH Fitness and Health in Brighton and Horsham on my days not teaching at CHS.