Lately, we’ve all been hearing about the benefits of core strength, which is certainly of value to any exercise regime. Strengthening opposing muscles is key to longevity in all sports. But what about when the tightness in your hamstrings doesn’t go away like it once did? What happens if your lower back won’t allow you to stand up straight or even walk up the stairs? A combination of alternative therapies can help alleviate pain and tight muscles—and that goes a long way toward adding longevity to any exercise program.

What are alternative therapies? According to the Web, alternative therapies are treatments based on speculative or abstract reasoning as compared to common practice. Do they work? Yes! And there are so many alternative therapies available today. My personal favorites are massage and acupuncture.

I once thought that getting a massage was a luxury, not a necessity. Now that I understand and have experienced the benefits of getting regular massages, that thought has gone out the window. The therapeutic properties of getting a regular massage are invaluable.

I contacted Jessica Gumkowski, a certified massage specialist as well as the marketing coordinator for the College of Massage Therapy (www.bcmt.org), and asked if there was such a thing as a triathlon massage. Jessica informed me that there wasn’t a specific massage called a “triathlon massage,” but that “sports massage” was a general term used for describing massage for athletes. According to Jessica, “Triathlon demands a high level of performance from all muscles as well as the mind.” She went on to say, “I incorporate a full mind, body, and spirit experience so that I’m not only assisting the health of the athlete’s arms for swimming, legs for biking and running, but I’m also helping to increase his or her mental strength, which is a huge component when racing.”

I said, “Sign me up!”

I went to the Boulder College of Massage Therapy and thoroughly enjoyed a sports massage. When I left, my muscles felt loose and my mind free. I learned that massage not only feels good but increases blood circulation, relaxes muscles, reduces heart rate, reduces blood pressure, increases range of motion, and can aid in recovery.

The second therapy I recommend is acupuncture. Acupuncture is often described as the technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

Dr. Marco Chung-Shu Lam of the Mandala Center (www.bouldermandala.com) recently helped me ward off a potentially serious injury to my hamstrings and lower back through a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. After just three treatments, my hamstrings loosened up and the pain in my lower back disappeared.

The key to remaining injury-free is prevention. Remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? Alternative therapies have helped me understand the relationship between my body, mind, and spirit. In addition, alternative therapies have allowed me to continue participating in the activities that I love: running, swimming, and cycling.

Publisher’s Pick
BY LAANNA CARRASCO

Are you happiest moving at a high velocity, while challenging the natural elements of water, sun, snow, and wind? If so, you probably know that functionality and style are necessities when selecting eyewear. HaberVision’s new line of sunglasses may be just what you need to protect your eyes, ensure comfort and support outdoor performance. A variety of styles allow you to tailor your sunglass-use to the specific functional needs of any outdoor sport, whatever your passion may be.

The Magnum glasses are constructed with an advanced sports-focused design and have air channels that allow them to float, should they come off in the water. The Velocity lenses have gripping temples making them perfect for high-movement sports such as mountain biking, cycling, and running. All of HaberVision’s lenses are designed by individuals who take both outdoor sports and vision seriously—the company was founded by Steve Haber, developer of the Bolle brand of eyewear. Additionally HaberVision, based in Golden, donates a portion of its profits to environmentally-focused groups including the Waterkeeper Alliance, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, and the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

THE MAGNUM

THE VELOCITY

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•   Lenses come in neutral or performance color.
    Neutral—pumice or green tints—allow you to see
    colors as they occur in nature, while performance
    lenses—reddish or brownish tints—are designed to
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•   Colors: Frames come in Blue and Silver. Lenses
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•   E-commerce Price: $77.50

All HaberVision sunglasses are unisex and available for purchase online at www.habervision.com.