From Pain to Equilibrium: Body Brushing (A Recap)

Hola Peeps. It's been one of those whirlwind weeks at my course (the last one!) so I've been ridiculously occupied. Having said this, there's a topic I've been meaning to return to, lo these past few weeks - body scrubbing. As you may know, it's  something I've been doing for a couple of months.

For those with myofascial pain, I believe that this activity is arguably practical. Of course, my proviso is that everyone is different. Chronic pain (even if it emerges from the same - or a similar - source) reflects itself differently in most people. What works for me is a confluence of numerous supports: my "head of nails" and "bed of nails", MELT and Yoga Tune Up, yoga (active and supportive), anti-inflammatory supplements and cold-pressed juice (namely turmeric), Advil, heat, distraction and meditation. I'm not covering all the bases. The lengths I've gone to, to mitigate pain, are far-reaching. Those of you who struggle will no doubt understand.

What I'd say to anyone who experiences regular pain is that is, at its core, a reaction. It's the terribly unique (and therefore solitary) way one's body responds to neurochemical stimulus. The beauty of this is that every cure is just as unique - and just as probable (though sometimes it can take a long, long time to find).

But back to the topic at hand: Body scrubbing, or brushing, is a fairly easy prong in the multi-faceted approach to pain-relief. If you can bend, you can do it. It takes about 5 extra minutes in the shower, 2-3 times a week (you should let your scrubber dry out completely between uses) and it has a fairly delicious, flexibility and energy-inducing outcome (at least for me).

What I do is work from toe to head, drawing little circles on my skin, moving towards the heart. You don't need to overdo it with pressure but definitely hit all of your large muscle groups. Spend extra time on those areas that are predisposed to pain

One thing I neglected to write about, the last time I referred to body brushing, is the after-brush experience. Frankly, that's weird because it's a perfect segue to body oil (which itself is a perfect segue to CURIO). You think I'd have explored that cross-marketing option on the first go-round...

When you get out of the shower, I encourage you to pat your body with a towel (so that it is semi-dry) and then to massage in a high-quality emollient. (Note: this isn't a sales tactic - you can easily make your own oil.) The thing is - you don't need a ton of ingredients to gain the benefit. A good base oil and one or two, targeted essential oils will be more than adequate. Make sure you love the scent. It matters. Sure: Immortelle and lavender are particularly lauded for pain management, but choose a fragrance you love. The key here is to massage (if briefly) in the same direction as your original scrub. The semi-dry massage will lock in moisture and encourage body awareness. My perspective is that those high-quality essential oils also work on pain but you can determine that outcome for yourself.

This end-to-end scrub accomplishes self-body work (a key element in managing chronic pain), myofascial release, lymphatic release and circulatory improvement - all in the context of heat therapy (that would be the warm shower component of the exercise).

I do many things to mitigate pain - and I've been pretty successful in some ways. This is definitely a tool in the arsenal, and one I don't intend to neglect. It's easy, inexpensive and independent.

But how about you? Have you tried scrubbing for pain management? Do you scrub just cuz it's fun (never mind the pain angle). If you do, I have to assume that you have a reason. Why bother if there isn't a benefit? Do tell and let's talk...

Resolute

Y'all know I'm not a "resolution" person, though I do love a quick win. I'm confident that giving up sugar on January 1 is a free-fall into binge eating. But drinking more water? That is SO doable. Admittedly, I started this resolution on some other day of the year, about 18 months ago, but I have never looked back.

I drink water and herbal tea (yes, it's an expensive habit) to the tune of 64 ounces / 2 litres daily. Strangely, I pee less than ever, though I attribute this to feeling less anxious about needing to pee - something my anxiety condition glommed onto at some point. More to the point, I understand how people wake up, drink a glass of water and actually feel their cells soak up liquid to improve mobility and diminish pain. Sure, I can't say that's what I'm feeling literally, but I definitely notice a huge difference after that first glass of water. I also feel altered, for the better, by water consumption after yoga.

If you want to do something life-altering and stupidly easy while contending that you've achieved a new year's resolution, get on board with this one.

In that spirit, I recently decided to implement an effortless new lifestyle change: body scrubbing.

Merben Sisal Body Brush (can be purchased at Ziggy's and elsewhere online)

I haven't decided if I'm going with dry brush or wet brush (so far I've been wet brushing but I do worry extensively about germs on perennially wet natural fibres, so I may yet switch over). I figure, if it's good enough for the Scandinavians...

In fact, the practice of body scrub is known to:

• improve circulation (something that all peeps can benefit from - especially the pain-havers)
• decrease stagnation in the upper layers of the epidermis
• soothe sore muscles
• feel good and scratchy
• exfoliate skin to improve its natural colour and texture
• increase energy - cuz egad, that scrubbing is lively!

There are also claims about eliminating body toxins, redistributing fat deposits, diminishing cellulite and saving the world. I don't know that there's much hope of any of those but, hey, if it works, I'll take 'em.

If you decide to try this, apparently you should massage in small circular motions from the limbs towards the heart. Don't go crazy with the pressure. A little goes a long way. And if you're wet brushing, do ensure that the gizmo can dry out between showers. Mine is very robust and, though my house isn't damp, it's not drying. I'm frankly as creeped out by dry brushing, germs notwithstanding, cuz, um, dead skin flakes on the floor?!?!?

Needless to say, don't use exfoliating scrubs with microbeads because they're trashing our ecosystem.

Technically I started this practice a couple of weeks ago, but I'm cashing in on the resolution angle because, why not?

So there you have it: 2 entirely fuss-free ways to make a self-improvement promise that you can keep and therefore brag about. You're welcome.

Today's questions: Do you body scrub and, if yes, how has it improved the quality of your life? (I'm looking for motivation!) Do you drink a ton of water or do you avoid it tenaciously because, you know, you have better things to do and you prefer the taste of booze? Can you provide another example of a resolution that's easily and effortlessly incorporated into one's life? Let's talk!