MEET ART SAN - "THE PAIN ERASER" - WITH SPORTS MASSAGE EXTREME.

If you have pain, you don't need to take medications, you need to find the root cause of the problem and ELIMINATE the pain.

Thus, you need to meet Art San, "The Pain Eraser."

From Art's website:

Art San’s professional journey has taken over 25 years and counting. There have been many life-changing twists and turns that have become for him both enlightening and growth provoking!

Let us introduce you to the one who is fondly known as Art San, The Pain Eraser. He holds a license in Massage Therapy, a Certificate in substance abuse counseling, Hypnotherapy, Life Coaching, Health Educator, Dispute/Suicide Prevention, and Reflexology.

He has known firsthand about chronic pain, since he endured it for approximately 20 years, until he successfully mastered his own self applied muscle release techniques.  His injuries occurred 26 years ago, while surviving a near fatal motorcycle accident.  Nearly paralyzed with a fractured back, severed foot, and profound blood loss, he is a survivor.

He is regarded as an expert in his field by his peers as well as his many clients who seek out his services.

Mission statement: To provide the most effective forms of therapy possible, and also offering a select team of experts: Doctors, Holistic Health Practitioners, Therapists and Energy Workers to his clients.  Bottom Line, Expect Results!

Philosophy:  A complete commitment to placing the client’s needs first. Offer the most correct and appropriate services possible, if necessary, he will make an outside referral with continued follow-up until optimal results are met. Expect Results.

Additionally, he is affiliated with Accreditated Massage Programs:  (Partial list) and is a member of the following Advisory Boards:

• Bryman/NIT
• American Career College
• ICDC Career College
• ICT Career College
• Merric Career College
• UEI Career College

Commendations:

Art San has received many accolades and commendations for his public services over the past 25 years. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, L.A. City Councilmember Joan Milke Flores, L.A. City Councilmember Mark Ridley Thomas, Charles Drew Medical Center, Helping Hands Award and many others.

He has been affiliated with many accredited Occupational Professional programs (partial list).

Hear Art describe his perspective on "What is Pain":

Art San, L.M.T, C.C.H, Author, Public Speaker, Trainer, Owner of the Pain and Wellness Center of L.A. and second to none. In addition, he has successfully provided long term pain relief for the following chronic and acute conditions: migraines, TMJ, frozen shoulder, bursitis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, sciatica, lumbago, plantar fasciitis and vertigo to name just a few.

Art's website:  http://www.thepaineraser.net
Art's YouTube page:  http://www.youtube.com/ThePainEraser 

Have a strong pain-free day, people.

PAIN vs. DISCOMFORT

From my experience, I've had both pain and discomfort throughout my exercise history.

What's the difference, you ask?

Allow me to explain.

I've had sharp or shooting PAIN when something is definitely wrong: pulled, strained, sprained, etc.

I've had DISCOMFORT when something is weak and needing to be strengthened.  When I hurt my lower back in 2004, the next year was full of DISCOMFORT when re-strengthening my core, but by pushing through, it has led to the ability to perform exercises I wasn't sure I'd be able to perform again.

Understandably, people are ultra concerned when they feel even the slightest twinge of something being out of the ordinary in their lower backs (and / or other areas).

Though, more often than not, as long as you are keeping good form, it is simply connective tissues, muscles, bones, etc. being made stronger.  As long as you are starting slow and not trying to swing a 75 lb kettlebell on the very first day of your kettlebell training (for example) and gradually allowing your musculature to strengthen, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT.  You MUST be able to handle it or you won't ever progress.

Our knee-jerk reaction is to avoid things that are uncomfortable, but we must fight this as usually that is the exact "thing" on which we need to be focusing.

And now, if I experience low back pain / discomfort, it usually means I HAVEN'T BEEN EXERCISING ENOUGH, not the opposite.

Yes, if you have shooting pain, or if you have definitely pulled or strained something, LAY OFF and / or get a physician's advice.  Earlier this year, I strained my left shoulder and had to lay off for about 8-10 days, which is frustrating, but at the end of those 10 days, I was back to 100%. 

In January 2009, I severely (at least by my reckoning) strained my left calf (medial gastrocnemius to be exact), and after a brief walk-in clinic visit, the advice was just to lay off.  14 days and a bit of therapeutic massage later and I was able to start putting weight on my left foot again and another two weeks after that to really be able to exercise again.

Put your pain and discomfort in perspective, and push through as best you can.

Have a strong day, knee-jerk reaction fighters.

100% OF THE TIME, FITNESS WORKS EVERY TIME.

Now, with going on six years of personal training, I often forget about the client success stories that have definitely been the cream that has risen to the top.

Yes, EVERY person is important and EVERY workout counts, but there have been some specific individuals with whom I've worked that have overcome roadblocks to make some drastic changes in their overall health and wellness.

Amy N. - resistance training has helped immensely with reducing the impact of her carpal tunnel symptoms

Susan F. - resistance training has helped immensely with reducing the impact of her rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Lisa A. - resistance training eradicated her shoulder pain that had been nagging her for years.

Horace M. - was able to lose 15 pounds in 6 weeks with a routine that included weight training and stair climbing so that he would, as a 60-year-old, be able to climb Mt. Rainier with his 21 year old son who at the time was a punter for Florida State University football team.

There has hardly been a workout in the past 7-10 years in which I haven't had some sort of nagging back issue, or shoulder issue, and, every once in a while, my knee will give me a bit of irritation. 

If something is definitely wrong, then don't work that area.  If you've pulled, strained, irritated something, then lay off of that spot.  I'm not advising that you do something stupid or to avoid the advice of a medical professional.  But, I AM advising you to learn the difference between PAIN and DISCOMFORT.  Sometimes, exercise isn't comfortable.  A lot of times, actually.  That discomfort is weaker areas of your body strengthening. And sometimes, that discomfort is excruciating.  Just ask wounded Marine Hector Delgado:

ARE YOU GOING TO SIT AROUND AND FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF AND COMPLAIN AND BITCH AND MOAN ABOUT IT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIKE DICK HOYT WHO IS PULLING HIS DISABLED SON IN A BOAT OR PUSHING HIM IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR A MARATHON OR TRIATHLON?

No, you're not.

I dare you

Repeat after me:

100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.
100% of the time, fitness works.

Oh, and

100% of the time, fitness works.

Put up or shut up.

Have a strong day.

Bravo out.