A. A chronic pain disorder characterized by diffuse, muscular aching and stiffness. Non-restorative sleep is thought to contribute significantly to this complicated syndrome that is in evolution. There are [3] types: primary [idiopathic], secondary [associated with another disorder] and post-traumatic [onset initiated following bodily injury].

Q. What causes Fibromyalgia Syndrome? [FMS]

A. FMS is a very complicated condition that appears to have more than a single cause. FMS can be activated by a physical or emotional injury or can follow an illness like the flu. To date, the underlying true etiology remains a medical mystery.

Q. Is FMS inherited or contagious?

A. Recent studies suggest genetic predisposition could play a role in the condition. There is no evidence to suggest that FMS is contagious.

Q. Who does FMS target?

A. The condition strikes 8 times as many women as men and mid-life is the targeted age group, but it can occur at any age to either sex.

Q. How severe is the pain?

A. A medical research team from Finland has reported that the pain intensity from FMS is twice that of rheumatoid arthritis.

Q. How is FMS diagnosed?

A. Laboratory or x-ray findings are not needed to diagnose FMS, however, often times numerous tests are conducted to rule out other conditions. According to the American College of Rheumatology the 1990 criteria requires a history of widespread pain [minimum 3 months]. The pain pattern must include both right and left sides of the body, be located above and below the waist and also include the axial skeletal region. On digital examination pain must be noted in at least 11 of 18 characteristic tender point sites.

Q. What aggravates FMS symptoms?

A. The symptoms of pain, stiffness and soreness are often aggravated by cold or damp weather, anxiety or stress, over-use or repetitive activity and poor sleep. Long periods of inactivity will also activate symptoms.

Q. What treatment is recommended?

A. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms not curing the underlying condition because the etiology at present is not known. FMS has no well defined or universally accepted therapy regimen. A combination of massage, exercise, stress manage- ment techniques and medication are considered the most effective treatments now available.

Q. How about exercise?

A. When muscles are inactive they become shorter and weaker. Also, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage are more prone to injury. FMS patients MUST get at least a few minutes of exercise each day despite the pain. Stretching, strengthening and cardiovascular are 3 forms of needed and recommended exercises.

Q. Does stretching help?

A. The muscles of FMS often feel tight, stiff and ropelike. Both stretching and massaging the involved muscles brings relief. The Intracell Stick provides the benefits of stretching and massage. I use it before and after exercise. It is extremely helpful during sudden flare-ups.

Q. What about nutritive supplements?

A. I know of no controlled studies evaluating a nutritive supplement’s effectiveness for FMS. Yet there is a metabolic hypothesis that MIGHT offer relief. This includes CO-Q-10, Magnesium and Malic Acid . . . ask your doctor.

Q. Does massage help?

A. Research suggests that fibromyalgic muscles fail to receive adequate oxygen. Massage increases circulation and augments the uptake of oxygen. It is better, however, to have several short massage sessions than to have a single extended session. When it comes to therapeutic massage the answer is MORE OFTEN not just more. This is why I prefer the Intracell Stick muscle device.

Q. How is sleep involved?

A. Most people with FMS fail to achieve restful, restorative sleep. If you feel sore, stiff, tired and unrefreshed upon waking, you have typical symptoms of FMS. The quality (depth) of sleep is more important than the quantity (hours) of sleep. Most FMS people are deprived of an adequate number of deep [Delta] sleep stages.

Q. What about FMS research?

A. In 1993 the US government spent 3 cents per patient on FMS research but lobbying efforts increased that figure to 28 cents per patient in 1994. Recent Senate Subcommittee testimony estimated fiscal impact on the US economy to be $9.2 billion per year.

Intracell Technology engages the use of a simple, easy to use tool called the Intracell®. The Intracell® is a non-motorized device that is composed of a semi-rigid core around which independent, 1 inch spindles freely spin. This instrument was engineered to assist healthcare providers in the deep manipulation of soft tissues such as muscle.

The Intracell® has proved to be highly effective at its intended function, but new evidence strongly suggests that the benefits of Intracell Technology™ far outpace its original intentions. Following is a synopsis of these benefits which were researched by Dr. Andrew Bonci of the Sport Biomechanics Laboratory in New York.
The Q-10 Effect
Warm muscles perform better than cool muscles. Traditionally, athletes would have to do light exercise to raise muscle temperature and enhance enzyme activity. This came at the expense of energy stores that could make the difference between first place and second place. Intracell Technology™ allows an athlete to warm-up without expending energy reserves.
Speed, Strength and Endurance
Emphasis on flexibility training by most athletes is almost non-existent. However, flexibility is crucial for developments in speed, strength and endurance. The usual approach to flexibility is less than optimal since muscle rarely stiffens uniformly. Typically, isolated segments of muscle become chronically shortened. Intracell Technology™ allows an athlete to perform general stretching as well as segmental stretching procedures with a high degree of precision.
Barrier Trigger Points
Barrier trigger points are inflexible bands of muscle containing knots. These barriers set an artificial ceiling on muscle performance by restricting blood flow to the muscle. And, unrestricted blood flow is vital for both high performance and full recovery from exercise. Intracell Technology™ lifts the ceiling on performance by extinguishing barrier trigger points.
Growth, Repair and Glycogen
Restricted blood flow to the muscles following exercise hinders muscle growth, muscle repair and glycogen repletion. Blood flow restrictions are due to generalized muscle tightness and barrier trigger points. Intracell Technology™ relaxes tight muscle which enhances muscle growth, repairs tissue and augments glycogen repletion following heavy exercise.
Enhanced Lactic Acid Removal
During exercise, lactic acid can build to critical levels where optimal performance is sacrificed. Intracell Technology™ expedites the discharge of lactic acid from your muscles and encourages its conversion into glucose by the liver.

Q: What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)?

A: The condition can affect people in many different ways, however the major symptoms include diffuse muscular pain, ache, soreness and stiffness. Frequently waking during sleep and rising unrefreshed are companion symptoms. Memory loss and irritable bowel complaints are other symptoms that often accompany fibromyalgia syndrome.

Q: Why is syndrome used in the diagnosis?

A: Syndrome is used because the condition presents as a constellation of symptoms to the patient. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome in evolution. What a doctor or patient learns this year about Fibromyalgia Syndrome may be placed in disrepute next year. At least a recognized diagnostic criteria of the condition has now been established. This occurred in 1990 when The American College of Rheumatology developed the classification criteria.

Q: What is the cause of FMS?

A: The etiology remains a mystery despite the research. Some authorities propose deprivation of specific growth hormones produced during stage 4 sleep. Other studies point to poorly conditioned muscles and their failure to store adequate glycogen, as an underlying cause. The truth is no one really knows.

Q: Since the etiology is unknown are there any episodes that may trigger its onset?

A: There are many events that propose to trigger the syndrome. A few examples would be infection, sudden trauma [emotional or physical], or the development of a primary disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or hyperthyroidism.

Q: Is FMS a form of arthritis?

A: Some research experts in the past have referred to the condition as nonarticular rheumatism or fibrositis. To date no inflammatory process has been documented and this has caused the scientific community to drop the suffix “itis” and replace it with “algia”. By the way, for those of you who think fibromyalgia is a new term, history indicates that it was first used by Sir William Gowers in 1904.

Q: Is there more than one type of FMS?

A: Some authorities classify the syndrome as primary or secondary and others include post-traumatic as a third classification. It is very difficult to classify the syndrome and most diagnoses simply omit same.

Q: Is FMS difficult to diagnose?

A: Since the official criteria for diagnosis were established in 1990, it is said that FMS can be identified with an 88% accuracy.

Q: How does the healthcare practitioner diagnose FMS?

A: By performing a thorough history and examination. The diagnosis of FMS does not rely on laboratory findings or radiographic studies, but on a physical examination that must demonstrate diagnostic pain in at least 11 of 18 characteristic tender point sites. The tender point locations are actually 9 on each side of the body to total 18. The patient history must document widespread pain of at least 3 months duration. Widespread refers to right and left side of the body, above and below the waist, including the anterior and posterior axial skeleton.

Q: What is meant by diagnostic pain?

A: As the examiner presses or palpates the tender point site, diagnostic pain will occur with roughly 4 kilograms of pressure. If you press down with your thumb until you notice a blanching of your nail, then you have applied roughly 4 kilograms of pressure. This is known as the “Yunus Rule of Thumb”, from Muhammad Yunus, MD who published the first controlled study on Fibromyalgia in 1981.

Q: Are tender points and trigger points the same thing?

A: A safe and easy way to differentiate between the two is by pain patterns. Remember, the pain of fibromyalgia syndrome is widespread, hence the tender points will also be widespread. Trigger point pain is found in a condition known as myofascial pain syndrome which may be highly localized or regional. An active trigger point will also refer pain when deeply palpated, while a tender point is more likely to just cause more pain at the local site. Also, the prognosis for trigger points is more favorable than tender points.

Q: Do muscle spasms occur in Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

A: When examining muscles of the FMS patient they often feel tight and like a rope that is twisted and knotted. These shortened muscles and twisted fascia biomechanically compromise blood supply to the area. Remember that fascia has a tensile strength of 2000 pounds per square inch; it’s no wonder noncompliant muscles feel so tight when they are palpated. Without a copious blood supply muscles can not relax enough to recover, therefore the FMS patient exhibits a persistent low energy level regardless of their dietary habits. Remember it takes as much energy to relax a muscle as it does to work a muscle.

Q: What does noncompliant muscle mean to the FMS patient?

A: In order to understand the role of noncompliant or unhealthy muscle it is necessary to discuss complaint or healthy muscle. Compliant muscle can be stretched, shortened, twisted or compressed without restriction or pain. It exhibits good circulation, flexibility, strength and endurance. On the other hand non-compliant tissue is stiff, tender and sore with a feeling of painful knots or tight bands in the muscle. Noncompliant muscle also exhibits poor circulation, reduced flexibility, weakness and it easily fatigues. It is susceptible to injury in the same way a worn tire invites a blowout. Remember, the way we diagnose the FMS patient is by compressing noncompliant muscle at characteristic spots.

Q: Does therapeutic massage or myofascial release help the FMS patient?

A: Frequent use of myofascial release or therapeutic massage is the secret to the management of symptoms. The Intracell Stick allows the FMS patient to self-manage symptoms, between clinic visits, with a high degree of accuracy. Waiting for an appointment to get help, often triggers an unnecessary flare up for the patient.

Q: What sex is most prone to FMS?

A: The condition strikes 8 times more women than men. Mid-life is the targeted age, however it does occur at any age.

Q: Can Fibromyalgia Syndrome be cured?

A: At present there is no cure for the syndrome. Dr. Stuart Silverman is quoted as saying, “Tricyclic drugs can be used to improve the quality of sleep or reduce pain sensitivity, but they are only mildly effective in alleviating the symptoms.” On the brighter side, Dr. Andrew Bonci, Professor, Department of Diagnoses at Cleveland College states,” advances in exercise science and manual medicine are evolving practical and promising solutions for the fibromyalgia patient.”

Q: How does the healthcare practitioner attract FMS patients to his or her office?

A: One of the best ways is to contact a local support group and request to speak at one of the meetings. If you don’t speak, go listen . . . you can learn a great deal about this condition from the ones who have it.

Q: Is FMS a workers’ compensation issue?

A: Most of the time when we think of compensable muscular injuries we associate them with an acute onset, however an exception we now see is carpal tunnel syndrome which of course is a chronic manifestation. According to noted ergonomist and chief editor of Occutrax magazine, Patrick Venditti, “fibromyalgia syndrome may be the next industrial epidemic.”

By Dee Clement, M Ed, MA
Exercise Physiologist

The plantar fascia is a tough thick band. Its 3 fibrous structures help hold up the arch – from the heel to the ball of the foot. A rich blood supply and high degree of flexibility are essential for proper functioning. A minor tear or pull in the fascia can painfully hamper daily activities. Plantar fasciitis is also known as calcaneal spur syndrome. It can mimic the pain of a stone bruise in the heel.

“If heel pain is felt during the first few steps after sleep – I immediately think of a problem with the plantar fascia”, says Dr William Hamilton, Orthopedic Surgeon for the N Y City Ballet.

Some Common Causes

• Over training
• Constant contact with hard or irregular surfaces
• Structural / biomechanical abnormalities
• Repeated stress to the foot
• Improper footwear
• Obesity

Dr Perry H Julian, foot specialist for the 1996 Olympic games, states, “One of the most common causes of plantar fasciitis is tightness of the calf and achilles tendon.” I agree with Dr. Julian. More importantly muscle tightness is usually traced to trigger points! And, that’s where my approach is focused.

Trigger Points

When the foot becomes fatigued the musculature becomes compromised. Muscle support and locomotion are hampered. An environment ripe for the creation of trigger points is generated. Trigger points are knotty, involuntary contractions of muscle bundles. They prevent the host muscle form relaxing and recovering. Trigger points are painful. The foot contains 126 ligaments, muscles and tendons, so there is plenty of hiding places for trigger points. These aggravating little knots can be found in any muscle. In fact, trigger points in the calf often refer pain directly to the bottom of the foot. Therefore, trigger point therapy of the lower leg and foot is essential in the successful management of plantar fasciitis.

Common Trigger Points of the Foot

Common Trigger Points of the Lower Limb

Leg Management Regimen

I like to start the treatment with the lower leg. I recommend and use a trigger point therapy product called the Intracell Stick. TOf the several different models, I prefer the short length with good flexibility. The Intracell Stick compresses and stretches muscle. It simultaneously moves fluids. The Stick performs trigger point therapy and myofascial release – with virtually no effort.

Step 1 – [about 30 seconds]

• Place the hands close together for better control and easier use of the Intracell Stick.
• Begin by rolling the muscles outside the shin bone – use short, specific, back-and-forth strokes
• Roll lengthwise, starting at just below the knee to immediately above the ankle
• Search for trigger points [ouch pain] and roll with a progressively deeper pressure. When found … roll trigger poonts an additional 10 – 15 seconds

Step 2 – [about 45 seconds]

• Follow the same procedure for the calf muscles as you did in step 1
• The area between the two large muscles of the calf, downward to the heel cord, usually needs special attention
• I always end the session on the calf with several long back-and-forth rolling strokes

The Foot Regimen

Treatment to the bottom of the foot has always presented a problem for me. In the past I’ve massaged my own feet with coke bottles, frozen cans of juice, golf balls – you name it. Recently I discovered a simple, yet very effective, body tool that absolutely eliminates shortened, tight plantar fascia. It’s called a FootWheel. The FootWheel easily compresses and stretches the complex musculature of the plantar fascia. This process increases circulation and rapidly permits chronically shortened muscles to relax and recover. The 3 treating surfaces of the FootWheel are designed to target the 3 major support muscles of the foot.

Step 3 – [about 45 seconds] Procedure

• Place the FootWheel on a thick carpet or heavy towel – always stand
• Support your weight on the opposite side, and begin rolling the bottom of the foot. Use gentle, pleasant pressure
• Roll the 3 therapeutic wheels to locate and destroy trigger points
• Trigger points will be recognized as tight, knotty, tender bands of muscle
• When trigger points are located [ouch pain] – continue rolling for 15 / 20 seconds
• Move slowly and be gentle. Use specific, short, back-and-forth movements
• Be sure to tilt and roll the foot – on both the inside and outside – before completing the session.

The foregoing is an amazingly effective procedure to prevent or manage plantar fasciitis. It takes about 3 minutes. Use the techniques at least twice per day – namely before and after a night’s sleep. Use more often if needed. Keep the sessions short and gentle to avoid soreness. Progress is gauged by the way you feel and the number of trigger points you extinguish. Healthy, happy feet are free to tenderness, soreness & pain … even during rollouts.

Good luck and keep on rolling!

REMEMBER, this is an article based on the empirical findings of the author. The suggestions, procedures and ideas are not intended to replace or substitute the medical advice of the readers’ healthcare provider. Please consult your personal healthcare practitioner before adopting any of the suggestions.

I’ve had a twinge in my right shoulder when bench pressing lately, but I wouldn’t say I have a problem.

Or I wouldn’t have said so before fulfilling an assignment to visit Rockford chiropractor R .G. Hotchkiss, who wrote to the Register Star a couple of weeks ago commending a treatment he’s found for nonspecific shoulder pain.

Hotchkiss’ treatment uses two tools developed by Atlanta, Ga. – based researcher Pat Belcher – the Trigger Wheel (registered trademark), a small metal wheel about 1/4-inch thick that rotates on a plastic grip and the Intracell (registered trademark), a row of hard plastic rings strung on an approximately 2-foot long flexible rod with plastic grips at either end.

“I had used so many different things for people with shoulder problems over the years,” said Hotchkiss, who added that pain is sometimes attributable to arthritis, frozen shoulder or a torn rotator cuff and other times no cause can be identified. “This has been so successful that I’ve thought of giving up the chiropractic end of it and just doing this treatment.”

The Trigger Wheel and Intracell were developed to treat complaints of unspecified muscular pains and that’s what Hotchkiss used them for until about four years ago, when a patient with shoulder pain said several doctors had been unable to find its cause.

“He indicated that there were areas of muscular soreness, but that he could feel the results of the Intracell in his fingers and arm on the same side as the shoulder complaint,” Hotchkiss said.

“The initial treatment resulted in a reduction of the shoulder pain, plus increased mobility. Continued treatment led to full relief and no return of the symptoms, and similar results have been repeated with hundreds of patients,” Hotchkiss said.

Here’s what he showed me.

We performed a test in which I pressed the tips of my thumb and pinkie finger together with palm up, palm perpendicular to the floor and palm down positions. I resisted as much as I could while Hotchkiss tried to pull the fingertips apart.

In the palm down position on my right hand, the fingertips came apart easily, leading Hotchkiss to believe I had a problem with two small muscles in my rotator cuff.

After having me lie face down, he rolled the Trigger Wheel across my left shoulder blade -no problem. The same action on my right shoulder blade produced shooting pains throughout my shoulder area.

He had me stand with my left shoulder against a wall and place my right hand atop my head. He rolled the Intracell across the shoulder blade and produced more pain. It took a couple more tries before the pain subsided and my shoulder felt better.

“I’ve never had this take fewer than five or more than 14 visits,” said Hotchkiss, adding that he wants a patient three times a week for each of the first two weeks. “The progress after the second week will determine the number of remaining visits. I want to make sure the ligaments and muscles are all in balance before I release them.”

The Trigger Wheel and a nonexclusive to healthcare providers version of the Intracell, called The Stick (registered trademark), also can be bought and used for self-massage of sore muscles, Hotchkiss said.

For more information, contact Hotchkiss at Metro Health Center, 461 N. Mulford Road, 815-227-1600 or Belcher at 800-554-1501 or online at www.intracell.info.

Nearly 80% of all pain syndromes originate in muscle. Thankfully, there is no pain in healthy muscle tissue. Also, healthy muscle can be stretched, contracted, twisted and compressed without pain or restriction. Management of healthy muscle requires an adequate pre-activity warm-up, stretch and cool-down period. This article features the warm-up and is part one of a three part series that deals with feeling good.

Unlike most workers, athletes of all ages and skill levels, have learned that increasing body temperature before the activity will elevate performance. Pre-activity warming of muscle prepares athletes and workers both physically and mentally. Muscle warming elevates body temperature, increases blood circulation and speeds muscle contractions. A good pre-activity warm-up helps prevent joint sprains and muscle strains. This is especially true with the priority muscles that are always under greater stress.

Enzymes are substances in muscles that allow them to contract and relax. Enzymes allow muscles to convert food to energy and help expedite the conversion of waste products. When enzymes are warm, they are dramatically more effective and efficient. An added bonus is recognized by Covert Bailey who states, “A warm muscle burns more fat than a cold muscle.”

Following are three pre-activity warm-up techniques:

1. Passive Warm-up involves raising body temperature with external sources such as hot baths, saunas, heating pads or by simply warming in the sun. Passive warm-ups are effective for superficial muscles and require virtually no depletion of food reserves in the muscle cells.
2. General Warm-up elevates both superficial and deep muscle temperatures through active movements. Jogging in place, jumping rope or stationary bicycling are effective ways to elevate temperature of deep and superficial muscles. General warm-ups, however, deplete vital stores of muscle energy.
3. Specific Warm-up is directed primarily to muscles that will be used most during specific activities. A good way to warm these priority muscles is by increasing localized circulation. I have talked with numerous companies over the past several years that use the Wellness Stick for this purpose. The Stick allows for both superficial and deep warming of muscle and can be used at the workstation. This wellness technique increases vital food reserves in the muscle cells.

Next time we will discuss general and segmental stretching in part two of this three part series.

Remember how sore your arms get from the first bout of raking leaves in the fall or how stiff your back gets after shoveling snow following the first big storm. The scientific term for this form of muscle distress is delayed onset muscle soreness [DOMS]. It starts about eight hours following the unaccustomed exercise and peaks about 24 to 72 hours later.

During this period the sensation of tender, tight, achy muscles is usually felt during activity or while touching the muscles. The old field of thinking associated the degree of distress with the intensity and duration of the activity. Today, research findings indicate that properly preparing the muscles to perform the activity is directly related to the resultant degree of DOMS.

Although the phenomenon of DOMS remains unclear to researchers, it is probably related to tiny tears in the covering of overused muscle fibers. All researchers agree, however, that lengthened muscle contractions produce more injury than shortened muscle contractions. This explains why muscles get more sore after bouts of downhill walking than they do with uphill walking.

DOMS can not be prevented because muscle soreness is a natural response to unaccustomed physical activity. It can, however, be minimized by better preparing your muscles for the raking, shoveling, etc.

Before your unaccustomed activity, warm up your muscles by gently jogging in place, walking around the block or doing some old-fashion jumping jacks. Ask a family member or friend to deeply massage the activity specific muscles. If you cannot recruit any help, use a rolling pin or better yet the Intracell Stick to roll-out your muscles. Follow this with a little gentle stretching and you are ready.

After the exercise activity is over, immediately repeat the above regimen. In fact you may need to perform the massage part several times over the next few days in order to better manage the amount of lactic acid buildup. A nice long, hot bath will help you relax and it sure feels good. Forget the aspirin, because they do not help the distress of DOMS and may even delay healing. Stay active during the following 2 or 3 days and you will be able to take on the next challenge with vigor and zest.

The full article is available here:  Physiology – Muscle or Nerve
(Requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader)

The biomechanics of muscle nutrition expands our present understanding of high performance sports nutrition and muscle biomechanics. The research currently being done in nutritional biomechanics centers around biomechanical lesions in muscle called barrier trigger points.

It is well established that barrier trigger points impose an artificial ceiling on muscle performance. They limit their host muscle’s strength, flexibility and endurance. Studies reveal that barrier trigger points can restrict the delivery of nutrients to muscle through a simple biomechanical mechanism. Thus, muscle growth, repair and recovery are compromised.

Scientific advances in sport nutrition have insured nutrient absorption. Sport nutrition products on the market today are engineered for high performance when delivered to working and recovering muscle. For the most part, these nutrients are efficiently delivered to muscle.

The problem of nutrient delivery becomes apparent in muscles harboring barrier trigger points. And, barrier trigger points are extremely prevalent in athletes.

Barrier trigger points usually affect only a few of the individual bundles that form muscle. These renegade bundles are shorter and tighter than their neighboring bundles. To prevent painful stretching of these barrier trigger points, the nervous system will reset tension of the surrounding normal bundles; making them shorter and tighter. This results in restricted blood flow due to abnormally high internal muscle pressure.

Research has demonstrated that removing barrier trigger points promotes strength, flexibility and endurance gains. This is due, in large part, to enhanced blood flow to muscles during exercise. The key to muscle performance appears to be directly related to an unrestricted blood supply.

Athletes who regularly engage in deep muscle massage tend to have fewer injuries and a larger capacity for performance. A regular program of deep muscle massage, coupled with high performance sport nutrition, has a very promising future.

Deep massage, to priority muscle before and after training sessions, provides a mechanical breakup of barrier trigger points, thus, establishing an unimpeded thoroughfare for nutrient delivery to muscle. The only stumbling block has been the availability of impromptu massage services, because timing is a critical factor.

Intracell Technology has solved this dilemma with the advent of a biomechanical device trademarked the Intracell Stick®. The Intracell Stick® is a hand-held, non-motorized instrument that is composed of a semi-rigid core which features several freely revolving 1 inch spindles. This ergonomic design allows the user to self-administer deep or superficial manipulation to all major muscle groups, either directly on the skin or through light clothing.

The Stick To Wellness format is designed to prepare muscle for work and to improve muscle compliance at the work station. Healthy, happy muscles contribute to a more content work force, yielding greater production with measurably less down time. The short term mission of Stick To Wellness is to provide the worker with a program that makes them feel and perform better at the end of the work day. The long term mission is for them to be healthy enough to enjoy life during retirement.

Concept

It is a physiological fact that warm muscle works better than cool muscle. Hence, performing muscle should always be warm before it is worked. Muscle is best warmed by the increase of circulation. Muscle requirements vary according to job description. For this reason each Stick To Wellness program is customized to meet priority muscle requirements.

Method

Stick To Wellness engages the use of a simple body tool trademarked The Stick. The Stick is a non-motorized muscle device composed of a semi-rigid core around which one inch spindles freely spin. The instrument is engineered to actively stretch and passively exercise muscle tissue. The ergonomic design encourages self-use and is highly effective through clothing. The Stick empowers a worker to feel better, work harder, last longer and recover faster.

Implementation

Each job classification dictates the amount of time needed to prepare priority muscles for work. Simple repetitive muscle tasks such as VDT operators may require only a couple minutes. A manual laborer, who stresses and works many major muscle groups, could require upwards of 10 minutes. The average Stick To Wellness session requires less than 5 minutes to physiologically prepare priority muscle for the job at hand.