Flex your muscles

Jenny Woolsey, a massage therapist with and director of the Sutherland-Chan Centre, has the following advice to keep your muscles healthy during the hot summer months:

Stretch

Stretching can reduce muscle tension and make the body feel more relaxed, preventing injury and making strenuous activity easier.

It helps maintain flexibility, and aids co-ordination by allowing freer and easier movement. Stretch in the morning, at work to release nervous tension, or after standing for a long time.

Stay hydrated

Water is second only to oxygen as essential for life, and most people don't drink enough.

The body's signals of dehydration are frequent joint pain, stomach pain and ulcers, back pain, low energy and disorientation. The more you exercise the more you need. Drink at least eight glasses a day.

Gentle exercise

Try to schedule a daily workout at the local gym or pool. If this isn't possible, then walk a few blocks instead of taking a taxi. You can even burn calories while shopping: walk up the escalators instead of standing still, and use stairs instead of lifts. Plan physical activities whenever you can.

Regular massage therapy

You don't have to be sick or injured to benefit from massage therapy. It can be a powerful part of your ongoing health-care regimen.

Sutherland-Chan Centre, 15/F Capitol Plaza, 2-10 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. Inquiries:

2544 5838

The Body Group: 17/F, 10 Pottinger Street, Central. Inquiries: 2167 7305