The stretches that fixed my migraines
After all the different treatments, I really think stretching is what eliminated my migraines. Every day, multiple times a day, I did the following:
- Standing or sitting straight up, reach straight down with your left hand as if you're driving your shoulder to the floor. At the same time, with your right hand gently pull your head sideways like you're reaching for the floor with your ear. You should feel a gentle stretch on the left side of your neck. After 10-15 seconds, do the same thing for your right side.
- From the same seated or standing position, place your left hand on the back of your head. Your elbow should be facing up and your arm should be as close to parallel to your body as you can make it. With your hand in that position, gently push your left shoulder towards the floor, while keeping your elbow in the same position. At the same time, tile your head to the right side as before. After about 10-15 seconds, do the same for your right side.
- With your back straight, from a seated position, gently pull your head down, so that your chin is tucked in to your chest. Hold gently for about 10-15 seconds. You may feel a gentle stretch throughout your entire back.
Where are the scaled WODs?
This may seem like common sense, but when I first started following CrossFit, I neglated to click the link on the main page that says "start here." Even after I did venture down that way, I couldn't find the "scaled WODs." Call me stupid, call me old fashioned, but here are the CrossFit Brand X scaled WODs.
HSPUs make my eyes red
I started doing hand stand push ups (HSPU) recently as per the Crossfit main page. After doing 5-6 I noticed my eyes were extremely bloodshot for the next few minutes. After a few minutes and a few more reps, I noticed red speckles (capillaries?) all around the area under my eye. Obviously this concerned me a bit so I took to the Crossfit forum where I found other beginners who experienced the same thing. For those looking to successfully and safely complete the move I would suggest the following:
- Ease into the move; use a wall or racked barbell as a guide.
- Don't go for max reps right away; see how your body reacts.
- I find exhaling with each push helps ease the pressure.
Don’t say masseuse!
It seems the word masseuse has gone by the wayside with words like stewardess. Just so no one makes the same mistake I made, Massage Therapist is now the appropriate terminology.