Golf is a billion dollar industry! It is the fastest growing sport with the most expensive equipment! An
average golfer will spend approximately 4 days a week playing or practicing, another several hours
watching golf shows, videos and read books to hit the ball a few extra yards. They will also spend
another $1500-$2500 on clubs, irons, putters, shoes, balls and other golf related accessories in order to
look, feel and play better, but in the past you really didn’t hear about them mentioning taking care of
their bodies? You can do all the above but if you can’t rotate, keep your swing plane or even bend over
without losing your balance all the equipment, lessons, books and videos are not going to help! It was
just a few years ago that you heard about golfers starting to hit the gyms, get massages and even take
yoga to get more flexible. Even the golf pro’s have their own golf fitness trainer that designs them a
program that addresses their own specific issues. With all this being said, eventually just like any sport
the body breaks down, and injuries will soon follow! Golf is a repetitious game, and many of the injuries
that I see are overuse or trauma related. I am now going to discuss a few of the most common golf
injuries and then how to address them.
Lets first look at the address position; most golfers that I have seen in my practice bend from the lower
back and not from their hips, this is usually a result of having poor posture and through bad habits
obtained during their lifetime either from their job (since most of us have desk jobs) or they are just so
tight in the hips that they have developed a poor movement pattern because their low back is weak.
Back injuries are number one on the list. If you aren’t bending correctly then you will not rotate, this in
turn can cause the body to slide or do a reverse pivot which will lead to back problems. An effective
exercise that you can try is place a 7 iron behind your back and place it on your spine, then as you
bend forward don’t allow the iron to leave your spine, also think about bending at the hips by pushing
your bottom away from you. The next phase is the backswing! Most people who can’t address the ball
with good posture will tend to come out of their swing plane in order to get the club back far enough
behind them. With reduced range of motion in the shoulders and hips the golfer will then slide or do a
reverse pivot because they cant rotate. Stretching the hips, neck, shoulders and spine on a regular
basis will help, along with finding an Active Release Practitioner and a good golf instructor is your best
bet! The next phase is at impact! The wrist and elbow are the next common golf injuries and they
usually will be involved in this phase. Early extension, leading with the arms and sliding can all occur
resulting in overusing the wrist and elbows. Tendonitis (golfers elbow) tenosynovitis(usually involving
the tendon sheath of the thumb) and sprains to the wrist (ligament damage) are all common form
overuse. Prevention of these injuries involves working on your swingplane, flexibility and strength of
your grip. Treatment involves working with a physical therapist who understands golf biomechanics or
an Active Release Practitioner. Follow through or “finish” is the last phase! Your finish is the result of your backswing.

It mirrors what you have previously done with your club or iron. Many people who don’t finish to the target usually aren’t rotating enough or at all. They will get to a certain point, and

because of physical limitations or technique end up extending their spine backwards onto their back leg,
this can result in a spinal condition called stenosis which is a narrowing of the spinal cord (pretty
common in people over 55 who have played a lot of golf). Standing in one place bending backwards or
even having a tough time walking are all possible signs of stenosis. Other problems like the club finishes
over the shoulder, flipping the club or decelerating or even stopping the swing are indications of a
physical issue usually involving the neck back or hips. Again working on your flexibility and technique are
crucial if you are experiencing these problems. If you are getting tingling down your leg sometimes
referred to as sciatica you should see your physician.
The bottom line with everything that I have addressed is to start taking better care of your body. If you
are experiencing pain either during or after golf see your physician. If you are tight and can rotate or you
cant complete you rounds because you are exhausted then see a good golf fitness professional. Think
about getting regular massages or even try yoga or pilates. These are just suggestions. Now that I have
got your attention get back on course by treating your body not by purchasing the next best thing that
will give you 10 extra yards!
Note: All the information that I have written is for you to be better educated, please see your physician
before doing any exercises that I have mentioned or before starting an exercise program.
Michael K Butler B.A.;P.T.A.;CSCS*D;RSCC*D;NMT;PES is co-owner of Kinetix Health and Performance
Center in Palm Desert. He holds many National Certifications with Distinction in the field of strength and
conditioning, he is also a full body Active Release Practitioner and is a TPI and C.H.E.K golf biomechanic
specialist. You can catch him on KXPS 1010 radio as he talks about fitness. He can be reached at 760-
200-1719, or at Michael@kinetixcenter.com. You can also go to kinetixcenter.com for more info

Have you ever had trouble reaching down to pick up a golf ball? Or experienced low
back pain after finishing a frustrating round of golf? How about a sharp pull in the back
of your leg after crushing a tee shot?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the problem might be tight (shortened)
hamstrings!
Your hamstrings consist of three muscles, (Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, and
Semimembranosus) each originating under the pelvis, and inserting behind the knee.
When this muscle group is tight, (or in a shortened state), it can drastically affect your
setup at address. Because the pelvis is being pulled underneath you, by the shortened
hamstrings, there is an increase in flexion of the spine, which can transfer unwanted
stress to the neck and shoulders and ultimately create swing faults and reduce power
output. In turn, to compensate for the lack of spinal rotation, overuse of the arms and
wrists are not uncommon.
Here is a stretch that will help increase the flexibility of your hamstrings, and reduce the
chances of injury.
You first want to lie on your back, then place a small towel ( no thicker than the width of
your hand) under the small of your back,( directly under your navel ). Next, grab the back
of your thigh, and bend the hip to 90 degrees. Slowly try and straighten the lower part of
your leg, hold for 30 seconds, and repeat 3 times. You can then perform the same stretch
to the other leg. If you have a history of back problems always bend the opposite knee for
additional support.
It is a good idea not to bounce, and to calmly hold the stretch, this reduces the chances of
pulling the muscle.
The hamstring stretch can be done before and after you have played golf, and when you
are not playing it is a good idea to stretch 3 times a day.
Michael Butler B.A.; P.T.A.; CSCS:NMT is co owner of Kinetix Health And
Performance Center specializing in sports performance conditioning and rehabilitation of
injuries. He can be reached at 760-200-1719

Question 1: I am a female athlete who likes to strength train and work out 5x a week. My goal is to put on more muscle cut my fat down and have more energy throughout the day. i know I need to take supplements to lead a healthy lifestyle and help my muscles recover after hard workouts. The market is saturated with supplements, so I have no idea where to start, what do you recommend?
Answer: I always say that if you are eating healthy and mostly organic that you don’t need a shopping cart full of supplements. If you are like most of us and can’t always find healthy organic foods then supplements are a must. Unfortunately when we shop at our local supermarket the food isn’t always fresh, and its high in sodium and preservatives to help keep the product on the shelf. All athletes need to have plenty of Amino Acids for muscle recovery, I recommend the Branch Chain Amino acids since they are essential to have everyday and help to repair skeletal muscle and decrease muscle soreness from heavy workouts. I also believe in taking Fish oils, Magnesium, Vitamin B6 B12, flaxseed oil and Vitamin D in your diet.

Question #2- I have heard that functional training is better than machine based training can you explain why?

Answer: Machines isolate those muscles directly involved with that particular movement, so other muscles are not being trained to stabilize the body. Functional training like squats, lunges, cable push and pull movements etc… make you integrate the entire body to become strong and stable. Look at it this way; humans were designed to move and be functional, just like when the caveman used to hunt for food, build shelters and protect their families from dangerous animals…..you didn’t hear about them complaining of back pain! A large percentage of us have desk jobs where we sit for a living, drink coffee and snack all day. Oxygen and blood flow is significantly decreased as energy the will to get up and exercise is affected. So its imperative for those folks to get up and move and be functional. Also when you are working out on a machine, you typically work one joint at a time, and because the movement is already programmed into the machine the brain and nervous system are somewhat sedated, compared to kneeling on an exercise ball pressing weights above your head, where you must not only focus on what your doing but every muscle in your body and nervous system are turned on. You will also find that functional training is fun and challenging compared to machine based training.

Question#3- At what age should children start to lift weights? I heard if you start too young you can stunt their growth!

Answer: That’s a myth that your growth will be stunted, bones actually become stronger when put under stress, you just have to watch form and gradually introduce more load to the muscles.
There is no predetermined age when a child can start weight training, it really depends on their maturity and ability to focus. I have had nine year olds that could squat under load and became strong athletes, while on the other hand I had to send 15 year olds away because they were very immature and unable to focus. Again choosing the appropriate exercises and resistance to match their physical ability is the key. When an experienced strength coach/trainer can supervise the program success will usually follow.

It’s that time again! 2014 has reached us and that means all that holiday food and consumption of sweets has found a new home around the waistline.  Many Americans overindulge around the holidays and therefore feel bad when its all said and done. Guilt and a new year brings them hope that by signing up at a gym or contacting a personal trainer will help them shed those unwanted pounds.  Have you heard this before?  I have.  For the past 30 years, my phone doesn’t stop ringing as potential clients fill the schedule hoping to get started with their new year’s resolution.

So I get asked questions all the time from people, “what type of program would best suit me”?  This is a complicated question. It would be easy for me to say just join a gym and start working out with someone, but the real answer depends on many factors. 1. Your age 2. training background 3. Have you had any surgeries? 4.Are you on any medicine? 5. do you have any aches or pains at the present time? 6. When was the last time you worked out? 7. What are your short term goals? 8. What are your long term goals? After compiling all the data plus a few other questions the next step is to ask yourself do you want to workout inside or outside? Also do you want to workout on your own or in a small group setting? Many people make the mistake of getting all caught up in new years resolutions and jump into fitness routines that are either way too advanced for them or unrealistic for their present physical condition.  The following information might make your decision easier regarding where to start your fitness plan.

If you are new to working out or haven’t worked out consistently for at least a year the best place to start might be a gym.  Find a qualified certified trainer to assist putting together a plan for you and then have a couple of follow up sessions to make sure you are progressing and have correct form. If you would rather workout at home the P-90x home video program  is good and has beginner to advanced conditioning levels. Its functional and movement based so getting strong, lean and fit is what this program is about. People have reported losing 10-30 pounds from doing their exercises consistently for 8-10 weeks. this program has been voted the best home exercise program on the market.

If you like to work out outdoors, there are many fitness  bootcamps available to push you in the right direction. They involve running, jumping, calisthenics, agility, strength and cardio training. They will tailor the camp to your needs by pushing you but not beyond your limits.  This is a great way to lose weight help your heart become stronger and workout in the sun.  For those of you who cant stand gyms this might be the best thing for you! You can also do many of the trail hikes that the valley has to offer to either sprint, jog or ride your bike.

People who have had previous surgeries , orthopedic conditions, or have any illnesses  or any other health conditions should seek the advice from their physician first before starting a program.  Starting an exercise program with a licensed health care practitioner would be a good idea so that you aren’t given any exercises that would compromise any physical problems that you are or have experienced in the past.

If you are the type that enjoys stretching and core conditioning then Yoga and pilates classes are always forming.  There are many types of yoga so, before you choose one research the various types .

These are just a few of the more popular ideas but whatever you choose to do,  please get cleared by your physician first before starting up an exercise routine.

 

Michael K Butler B.A.;P.T.A.;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT is co owner of Kinetix Health and Performance center in Palm Desert. He holds a state license as a physical therapist assistant, national certifications of distinction through the NSCA as a strength and conditioning coach, Poliquin International state coach and as a Full Body Active Release Techniques Practitioner. He is the fitness expert on a sports radio talk show (1010 kxps) . He can be reached at 760-200-1719 or at  michael@kinetixcenter.com. His website is kinetixcenter.com

I have many clients that come and see me that want to lose weight fast but don’t
know how. They have tried dieting, aerobic exercise, even tried many of the fad
exercise weight loss programs that they saw on television. Nothing seems to work.
The bottom line is you have you overload your muscles and challenge yourself to
lose weight. Most women fear lifting weights in that they think that they are going
to become bigger or injure themselves in the process. If done correctly strength
training is the safest mode of exercise out there. When you try and get fancy and
challenge yourself beyond what you are capable of doing is when you can get
injured. Men want to lift heavy but get caught up in a rut after doing so, most likely
because of their exercise choices. Older men who have desk jobs and low energy
think they will hurt themselves and so they avoid it all together.
Strength training challenges you both mentally and physically. When you can squat,
bench press or even do 10 chin ups will boost your self confidence, make you feel
good about yourself and will keep you young, even as you age. There are so many
benefits to strength training that I will touch upon a few that I feel will want to make
you pick up weights and ask the question “why didn’t I do this sooner?!”.
1. Weight training will help you lose fat! The bottom line is more muscle
means more calories burned during rest! With all the different fads that are on the
market, nothing can match old style strength training. Where most people fail is
they don’t push themselves hard enough to gain a metabolic effect during recovery.
For instance , a large review of published research shows that weight training has
an average loss of approximately 1.7 kg of fat in both normal and overweight
individuals while preserving both their lean body mass and metabolic rate.
2. Strength Training decreases blood pressure and improves heart
function! Weight training dramatically improves heart function. it repeatedly has
been shown to decrease blood pressure. A review found that across 8 trials, systolic
blood pressure decreased by an average of 6.2mmhg. This shows clinical
significance since it is more than double the benefit of typical blood pressure
medications.
3. Strength Training improves sleep and reduces chronic pain! A recent
intervention showed that older men improved their quality of sleep by 5% and woke
up fewer times during the night. Research has shown that sleep disturbance, not
getting quality rest and losing out on deep REM sleep can influence glycemic
control, diabetes risk, body fat gain and inflammation.
4. Lifting heavy can help build bone! Weight training more than any other
activity helps to build bone mass and density. Studies show former elite athletes
who included weight lifting as part of their workouts have much stronger bones as
they age. This translates into a 50% lower chance of fracture in men, and 20% lower
fracture risk in women.
To build bone you want a program design that emphasizes hypertrophy and
strength ranges. This means lifting at times near maximal loads, doing plyometrics
and even wearing a vest! For hypertrohy stay in a rep range of 8-12 reps and near
75% of your max, while for strength gains do 6-8 reps near 85% of you max load.
5. Strength Training can help prevent disease, particularly cancer and
diabetes! Many doctors who specialize in treating diabetes use diet and exercise,
and research has shown that interval training is the most effective. Building muscle
increases the muscles demand for glucose which pulls it out of the bloodstream,
this contributes to better body composition and diabetes prevention.
Strength training has been shown to repeatedly to correlate to lower risk of a
number of cancers, in particular breast cancer. Teen girls who weight train
experience a greater reduction risk of breast cancer later in life. But the benefit for
cancer prevention extends to women of all ages.
6. Strength training improves hormone levels and reproductive function!
Strength training increases both testosterone and IGF-1 in men which correlates to
leanness. In women building lean muscle has been shown to improve the
metabolism of estrogen which in turn means lower risk of cancer and lower body
fat!
Michael K Butler B.A.;P.T.A.;CSCS*D;RSCC*D NMT is co owner of Kinetix Health and
Performance center in Palm Desert. He holds a state license as a physical therapist
assistant, national certifications of distinction through the NSCA as a strength and
conditioning coach, Poliquin International state coach and as a Full Body Active
Release Techniques Practitioner.  He can be reached at 760-200-1719 or at
michael@kinetixcenter.com.

Our kids are our future, and what I have been devoting a great deal of time to recently are how a kid/ teen functions throughout a given day.

We  hold a sports conditioning camp every year to promote fitness out here in the valley, and I was alarmed in watching and listening to how some of these kids look, feel and operate during a day. Some of them told me that they always skip breakfast, eat junk food, play video games as much as they can, don’t get regular exercise and are always complaining of fatigue. I wonder why we have a health issue here to be concerned about.

There is a major health concern these days when it comes to adolescent nutrition. There are organizations that are stepping up to the plate recently to help teenagers make better food choices.  A big part of the problem is that kids don’t know better. The majority of kids were raised on foods high in sugar and junk which includes fast foods places, movie theatres and convenience stores.

The schools’ cafeterias’ (up until recently) were filled with junk. The food choices were loaded with processed foods and high in sugars and unwanted fat. Some of the choices included pizza, hot dogs, sodas, candy and ice cream. No wonder why teachers are having a difficult time with their student’s attention levels. Some schools now have taken away vending machines, sodas, candy and have added fruits and salads.

We live in a fast paced world and our lifestyles are like the places that most Americans love to dine, in “fast” food places.  Kids today skip meals, because either they just don’t have the time, or they say they are not hungry. The problem with skipping meals is that our metabolism slows down, and our energy levels become alarmingly low, which in turn leads to a decrease in concentration levels which then equals bad grades.

 The best advice that I can give kids is to eat often but eat in small portions. Your body needs the food to use as energy. When you eat often you maintain normal blood sugar levels, which means that you won’t have “peaks and valleys”. You also want to eat as natural as you can. Meaning eat organic foods. These foods have not been tarnished by adding chemicals such as pesticides, toxins, hormones and additives to them.

 Here are some helpful nutrition tips and guidelines to follow:

1. Eat regularly. Don’t skip meals. By doing so your energy, digestion, metabolism and concentration will all suffer.
2. Don’t skip breakfast. This is your most important meal of the day.
3. Select good food choices. Like meat, vegetables and fruit. Avoid processed (fast foods), sugar, soda, caffeine, foods high in salt. Limit intake of milk and dairy products due to pasteurization.
4. Try and eat a balanced meal that contains a balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fat.
5. Don’t be afraid to eat healthy fat, like nuts, seeds, lean meat, and oils. You need fat in your diet to protect your organs and for energy.
6. Drink plenty of water ( Approx. ½ of your body weight in ounces a day, if your urine is a dark yellow then you are dehydrates)
7. A good energy replacement drink is Propel. Gatorade has 12-14 grams of sugar while Propel has 2grams of sugar.
8. Avoid fast food places. They are loaded with additives and preservatives. (You might notice how good you feel right after, and then an hour later you are tired?)
9. Get plenty of sleep (sometimes its tough with your school schedule) but try for 8 hours.
10.  Get plenty of exercise. Have an activity that you enjoy. Keep moving, you will be hungry more often.
11.  Limit your time playing video games. It’s tough on your eyes, concentration and energy.

 These are just a few ideas. Get educated on what you are putting into your body, it’s the most important tool you own so take care of it!

Helen Davis has suffered with arthritis for 20 years. She is on two different medications for two types of arthritis, yet has seen the condition progress. This past January, she had an arthritic flare up that left her totally helpless. Her family feared for her life.

Prior to treatment, arthritis kept Davis from being able to make a fist.

“I have always been healthy and active,” she proudly says. “I could have delivered all my babies myself (including my twins!), but I never thought something could leave me as helpless as a baby.” She slowly got back to the walking exercise she loves. But then swelling in her knees kept her from even doing that. Just prior to her trip to the Desert to see her daughter’s family, she visited her rheumatologist in Alabama. “She couldn’t even get my pant leg over my knee and told me that when I returned, she would adjust my medications.”

Her son-in-law had not seen Helen in almost a year. She arrived from the airport embarrassed about her condition. Upon seeing her, he knew she needed Cryotherapy. Their daughter, a competitive volleyball player and client of Kinetix Health & Performance Center seriously injured her ankle and was scheduled for surgery. The surgery was postponed and Kinetix owner Mike Butler recommended Cryo. After four treatments, her ankle was well on its way to recovery. Upon re-examination, the stunned surgeon encouraged her to keep doing what she was doing. Her recovery time will continue for a few more weeks versus the months planned for post-op.

Treatments include up to three minutes in the Cryotherapy cylinder

They were convinced that Helen could benefit from the treatment as well. As arthritis inhibits your body’s ability to heal, Helen also had a skin condition on her finger that had been there for years. After two Cryo treatments, it was gone and she could bend her fingers. After 5 treatments, she could bend her knee and was walking without pain.

“I am walking proof of the benefits of this therapy and will be singing its praises all the way back to Alabama,” says Helen. “I am so grateful to have found something that works.” Butler recommended 1-2 monthly maintenance treatments for Helen, who had already researched the closest location to her home and will be traveling 5 hours to Tallahassee as needed. “I can’t wait to show my doctor my skin, my hands. She won’t believe this knee!”

“In addition to the reduction of inflammation and pain, we’ve noticed a big difference with sclerosis and eczema,” says Susan Butler. “Within a few sessions it is gone.”

As a therapy for ankylosing spondylitis and other chronic inflammatory conditions including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, Cryotherapy has been successfully used in European hospitals for years. The theory is that intense cold stimulates the body’s natural anti-inflammatory chemicals and pain-relieving hormones. After just a few minutes in the chamber, the temperature causes blood to pump to your main organs and brain to protect them. When you come out, blood is rushed back into the system greatly benefiting damaged areas. Your endocrine system is also stimulated and releases a whole host of chemicals including anti–inflammatory markers, pain-relieving hormones, feel-good endorphins, and adrenaline to help the body in repairing injury.1

The chamber can reach -170 Celsius and treatments are 2-3 minutes. “My husband offered to prepare an ice bath for me,” Helen says with a smile. “I told him ‘no thank you.’ I’ll drive 5 hours for the real thing.”

 

Shoulder impingements limited Tom’s range of motion

After three treatments, range of motion improved and Tom was playing pain-free golf

Tom D. of La Quinta is an avid golfer whose game was only disturbed by severe pain from shoulder impingements which limited his range of motion. For this condition, the Butlers recommended Active Release Therapy (ART) to break up the tissue coupled with Cryo. After his second treatment, his range of motion had improved and the pain went from sharp to dull. The third treatment was combined with ART and Tom went out and played his first pain-free round in years. Also surprising were the many ancillary benefits he experienced including better sleep, more energy, improved posture, and “overall pain-free mornings.” Two weeks later he is still playing golf pain-free and with an improved range of motion.

“You live with pain for so long, and are amazed when you find something that works with lasting results. I look forward to my maintenance program – and to many more pain-free rounds.”

The Whole Body Cryotherapy Chamber is available locally at Kinetix Health & Performance Center in Palm Desert. For more information call (760) 200-1719 or visit KinetixCenter.com.

References: (1) UK DailyMail: Can standing in a deep freeze ease arthritis? Just five minutes in an ice chamber made me feel years younger, says this sufferer. Barbara Metcalfe 23 July 2012

There is a new therapeutic trend growing nationally, which could become very popular for the Desert’s summer residents. It involves whole body ‘chilling’ to relieve achy joints and bones. It’s called Whole Body Cryotherapy and it is as popular in Europe as massage is in the US.

The science behind cryotherapy is that it significantly lowers skin temperature for a brief period of 2.5-3 minutes. The dramatic cooling effect activates the immune system, prompting each organ in the body to heal and repair itself. The results can increase circulation, metabolism, detoxification, tissue repair and immune function. During cryotherapy, the skin’s sensors send a distress signal to the brain which then draws blood to the body’s core. The blood picks up oxygen nutrients and enzymes needed to survive. When the session ends, the body sends this oxygen–rich blood out to fatigued muscles.

Whole body cryotherapy was first developed by scientists and physicians in Japan in 1978. Throughout the decades, numerous institutional studies have been performed proving the therapy to be both safe and very effective. Professional sports teams like the world champion Dallas Mavericks keep a cryrochamber on hand for athletes. They found that their athletes’ recovery time from grueling games improved dramatically and workouts became easier. During their NBA championship run, Jason Terry and the rest of the Mavericks would use the cryochamber daily to aid in fast recovery and put a spring back in their legs. Because of its reported success for professional basketball players, many soccer players, rugby teams, cyclists, track and field athletes, and now Olympic athletes are flocking to cryogenic centers all over the world to experience “The big chill.”

What does it take? Before entering into a six-foot tall chamber, a client puts a pair of socks on their feet and hands, takes off all jewelry and is asked to totally be dry, so that articles of clothing don’t stick to the skin. Next, their skin temperature is taken to be compared to when they exit the chamber. Typically there is a 30-degree difference. Once in the chamber, liquid nitrogen is blasted out at least 5 times during the 2.5-3 minute treatment. The client is instructed to keep walking around in small circles, wiggling their fingers and toes and creating small circles with their arms. The nitrogen feels extremely cold and it is typical to shiver at about 20 seconds into the treatment. Sessions are always monitored by an attendant, and can be stopped immediately if a client feels too uncomfortable. After the treatment, the skin temperature is taken again and the client is instructed not to drink anything warm for 2 hours afterwards. The average temperature for treatment ranges between -140 to -170 degrees Celsius.

Cryotherapy significantly lowers skin temperature for a brief period of 2.5 – 3 minutes.

The only contraindication from using whole body cryotherapy is if you have a heart condition. Because of the sudden rush of blood through the entire body with the rapid temperature change, blood pressure might be affected, and potential cryogenic patients must be cleared of any heart conditions by their primary care physician first.

To gain maximum relief from achy joint pain, 10-12 successive cryotherapy treatments are typically recommended, (ie. 3x a week for 4 weeks and then 1-4x a month thereafter). For recovery during sports training, 1-2 treatments a week and 1-2x a month thereafter is recommended. There are many elite athletes who experience immediate results with their recovery and who use cryotherapy daily as part of their routine. With this type of training, a one-month break is recommended after a month of treatments. Therapy sessions run between $50-85 a session at most centers.

As a therapy that helps the body heal itself, whole body cryotherapy is a popular and safe alternative to medications for aches and pains.

Michael K. Butler B.A.;P.T.A;CSCS*D RSCC*D PES;NMT, is co-owner of Kinetix Health and Performance Center in Palm Desert. He holds a state license as a physical therapist assistant and National Certifications with Distinction as a strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA. He is also a certified full body Active Release Therapist. For more information: 760-200-1719 or www.kinetixcenter.com.

This type of massage concentrates on the lymphatic system and attempts to restore proper lymph flow to the system.

What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes can be as small as the head of a pin, or as big as an olive. There are 400-700 lymph nodes in the body, half of which are located in the abdomen. There are approximately 170-200 located in your neck.

The primary function of lymph nodes is to filter and purify the lymph. The lymph nodes produce various types of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes destroy harmful substances within the body, and are a big part of the immune system. The lymph fluid enters the node, moves through various sinuses and cavities, mixes with lymphocytes and phagocytes, and leaves the node through efferent lymph vessels.

The lymph nodes also reabsorb about 40% of the liquid content of the lymph. This makes the lymph much thicker. Because of this thickening and the filtering process, the lymph nodes offer the greatest resistance to the flow of lymph. In fact the lymph nodes offer about 15 times more resistance than the vessels themselves. Lymphatic drainage massage can help overcome this resistance and get the lymph flowing more freely.

Benefits

• Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of various origins.
• Detoxification of the body.
• Relief of numerous chronic and subacute inflammations, including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis.
• Relief of chronic pain.
• Regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds, stretch marks and wrinkles.
• Stimulation of the immune system.
• Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
• Antispastic actions to relieve conditions such as muscle hypertonus and some forms of constipation.
• Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory.
• Anti-aging effects.
• Alleviation of adiposis and cellulite tissue.

How does it work?
All of the lymph above the waist drains up into the axillary nodes. All the lymph below drains down into the inguinal nodes. After the lymph drains into the inguinal nodes, it travels upward though the organs, to the thoracic duct, and then up near the heart where it is distibuted back into the blood stream. The center and lower lymphotome drains the lymph into the submandiblular nodes, then down the cervical chain, to the terminus and into the blood stream. The lateral part of the breast drains out towards the axillary nodes. The upper medial part drains into the sternal nodes, which then drain up to the terminus and into the blood stream. The lower medial portion drains deep into the torso.

Techniques are performed with hands and fingers simulating gentle, wave-like movements. These subtle manual maneuvers activate lymph and interstitial fluid circulation as well as stimulate the functioning of the immune and parasympathetic nervous systems. It can be used for post traumatic injury or surgery to reduce the swelling and speed up the healing time. It can also be used to help treat migraines, sinusitis, acne, tinnitus, and high blood pressure. It is helpful wherever there is poor circulation, or a need for detoxification.

It is safe for most everyone to receive, including the elderly, as it is noninvasive, as well as having a calming effect on the nervous system, it is a non-oil massage.

You should allow an hour for personal areas of need, an hour and a half for a full body treatment and and a half hour for a spot treatment.