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Lactic acid and why am I sore?

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A common question is, why am I sore after exercising? The standard reply and misconception, is " it's because of a lactic acid build up in your muscles". That's an answer that is given by not only the layperson but massage therapists, physical therapists, and doctors. Heck, that's what I was told in massage school. One thing I love about this field of work is that there is an endless amount of knowledge and new discoveries to learn from. Stay hungry! I hope you enjoy reading this article written by Thomas Fahey, Ed.D., Professor of Exercise Physiology, California State University at Chico, as much as I have. Lactic acid has a bad reputation. Many people blame it for fatigue, sore muscles, and cramps. They think of it as a waste product that should be avoided at all cost. Guess what? Scientists have discovered that lactic acid plays a critical role in generating energy during exercise. Far from being the bad boy of metabolism, lactic acid provides fue
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Goals

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If you have a goal, be it big, huge, or small; at the end of every day, ask your self, what did I DO today to get closer to reaching my goal? If the answer is, "I did nothing", then make sure tomorrow you do something. If you are in a rut, making a handwritten to-do list at the very start of your day makes a HUGE difference. Here are a few things that help me reach my goals, in my personal and professional life: Get to bed by 10pm and sleep 8 hours Before I go to bed, have some tea and do my stretching routine After I let the dogs out, I have my coffee time. Slowly wake up and reflect on what I want to accomplish over the course of the day. Make a to-do list, on paper or the whiteboard in our kitchen Have a healthy breakfast Start chipping away at that list, which always includes aerobic and or anaerobic exercise I've noticed over the years, that if I get to bed too late, but still get 8 hours of sleep, I don't have the same level of energy or focus
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WHY?

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Periodically, I'm asked why I became a massage therapist. It wasn't until I started preparing for a new career as an EMT Firefighter in Washington State, that the simple answer of, "to help people", just wasn't good enough. To help people doesn't actually answer WHY. As true as that answer is, it has no depth to it. There are unlimited ways to help people, why massage, what does it mean to you, where's the story that brought you to become a massage therapist.  When I decided to become a massage therapist, I w as enjoying my dream job as a full-time rock climbing guide. As much as I loved being a guide, it wasn't as fulfilling as I had hoped, it was time for a change. I wanted a career that would continue to give me a connection with people, something that involved movement, fostered an environment of learning (about body and soul) for both me and "them", improved people's quality of life, and provided a significant tactile experience f
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