Syracuse Massage Therapists to work at 2009 Men’s US Golf Open

John Capozzi and Erika Lutwin, licensed massage therapists, from CNY Healing Arts Wellness Center in Syracuse, NY have been selected to work at the 2009 Men’s US Golf Open.  This event will be held at Bethpage Black Golf Course, Farmingdale, NY from June 17th through to June 21st, 2009. Capozzi and Lutwin will be working with professional golfers and their caddies in treatment settings as volunteers of a Wellness Team for the US Open this year.

Dr. Robert Kiltz, the owner of CNY Healing Arts Wellness Center, will be sponsoring them on this trip and taking care of all of their expenses. As an employer he strongly encourages his people to take advantage of the opportunities that come to them in life. He also encourages them to follow their passion and assists in making their dreams come true whenever possible.

Direct quote from Erika Lutwin, LMT:
“It is a great honor to be selected to work with professional golfers and their caddies in this setting. Their dedication as athletes encourages me to work harder as a massage therapist in order to help them prepare for top level competition. I hope to effectively treat and educate as many people as possible while I am there. This will be a very valuable learning experience and I am looking forward to being surrounded by other health care professionals in this setting. I would like to continue to be involved in other elite sporting events and hopefully, the Olympics someday in the future.” ~Erika Lutwin

Dig it!!

It’s planting time (actually I’ll be enjoying lettuce and radishes any day now) and its great being able to get back into my small backyard organic garden and get my hands in the soil.   If you’ve thought about planting a garden – what are you waiting for?  Plan your garden and get your plantings in by the first week or two of June.   Don’t get in over your head – start small with a few of your favorite vegetables.  You’ll save on your grocery bill and you’ll get great exercise pulling up a little sod (who needs all that grass to mow anyway?) tilling, planting and doing the dreaded weeding.  Watch your body mechanics while gardening and take frequent breaks.

Of course, the reward is the harvest where you’ll enjoy your own fresh vegetables straight from the soil to your table.  The overflow of tomatoes, zucchini, etc. can be given to your family or friends, or invite them over for a harvest lunch or dinner where everyone lends a hand in the preparation of the meal.  It just tastes better that way!  Enjoy it with a bottle of wine from one of your favorite Finger Lakes wineries.  Green thumbs up to you.

Katherine Scholl, L.M.T., N.C.T.M.B
Massage Therapist
Katherine Scholl Massage Therapy Website
(315) 488-5504

Care for the caregiver

Most caregivers are helping relatives, and one in four live with the person for whom they are providing care.

If you are a caregiver for a loved one, your role may have came about suddenly or gradually over a period of time, and your duties as such may range from light to heavy.  It’s important to find time for yourself to keep from feeling overwhelmed, fatigued and stressed which can result your own health being compromised.

Some things you can do:

• Talk about your feelings with someone you trust
• Ask for help from a friend or relative and take advantage of services (voluntary or paid) that can assist you
• Eat healthy and try to get a good night’s sleep (try to share evening duties with someone so that you get enough rest)
• Exercise while a friend or relative watches over your loved one Read more

Orthopedic Sports Massage for Baseball

Baseball season is here, high school teams have started to practice, and young pitching arms are in motion. Even with proper stretching and strength conditioning throwing a baseball can lead to rotator cuff tears, tendonitis of the elbow, along with general muscle strains and soreness. Any of these conditions could cost you valuable playing time as the season progresses.

Orthopedic sports massage can prevent or aide in the healing process with any of the above conditions. These are all soft tissue related injuries; massage can reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and release the surrounding muscles that may be causing the problem.

The best way to prevent an injury is to receive massage work before it becomes a problem. In most cases people get injured first then seek help. Read more

…ZZZZZZZZZ…

Restorative sleep is an important wellness ingredient – during sleep we are renewed and repaired physically and emotionally.  A range of between six to as much as nine hours a night is a requirement for most of us.  However, sleep disturbance is a factor for many people and can contribute to illness and chronic pain syndromes.  There are many possible interruptions to sleep, such as work schedules, stress, external disturbances, physical factors like hormone fluctuations and certain medications, diet, and inadequate exposure to daylight and darkness.

Ways you can help support better sleep:

• Receive therapeutic massage which reduces autonomic nervous system activity and stress hormone levels and activates the parasympathetic (rest/digest) nervous system.  Massage can help to relieve pain that may interrupt sleep and can improve your sense of overall wellbeing.
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid or reduce stimulant intake – no caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. Read more

Take care of your stocking so you can keep rocking!

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and more than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually.

As a massage therapist, I often spend more time observing clients’ skin than anyone else, including the client.  Noting any skin changes or possible abnormalities early and seeing a physician means that most problems can be taken care of before they become serious.  With the new year upon us, you might take the time to schedule an examination for yourself and a loved one with your physician or dermatologist.  Read more

John Capozzi – Bio

John Capozzi, LMT
CNY Healing Arts Center
315.671.5755
Email me

Graduating in 1999 from Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado. John has an extensive background in both the practice and teaching of therapeutic massage. He is a credentialed instructor, most recently teaching at the Utah College of Massage Therapy at the Denver campus. John and his family have relocated to the Otisco Lake area from Lafayette, Colorado where he was in private practice specializing in Neuromuscular Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, Injury / Orthopedic / Sports, and Structural massage. He is also certified in prenatal massage.

John has experience working with many conditions including Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel, TMJ, Whiplash, Torticollis, Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Injuries, Back Pain, Knee Pain, Headaches, Plantar Fascitis, Shin Splints, Fibromyalgia, and Multiple Sclerosis. Email me (jcapozzi@cnyhealingarts.com)

Trigger Point Therapy

Massage Treatment for a Whiplash and related injuries:

The traffic light is yellow, you slow down and as the light turns red, you stop. The driver behind you has the intention to stop but they misjudge the distance between your rear bumper and their front bumper. This results in a low impact minimal damage accident.

Everything seems fine with you physically. Then about one hour later you feel a headache coming on, your neck and shoulders start to tighten up, and maybe your low back develops spasms. You are now the recipient of a whiplash injury that occurred under the speed of 5 miles an hour. Read more

Body Trivia

Some “did you knows” about the body that I recently came across while going through some notes:

The human skull contains 22 bones: 8 in the cranium and 14 in the facial region. The cranial bones are not fully developed or joined when we’re born–there are usually six gaps that close over a period of between 2 and 24 months.

The stapedius muscle located in the middle ear is the smallest muscle in the body Read more

Massage Therapy – Good for You!

The American Massage Therapy Association’s definition of massage therapy: Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, Read more