Massage, Mind & Body

Rheumatoid arthritis as defined by arthritis.org is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Did you know that women who suffer from RA are less likely to experience relief from bouts of remission from the conditions? Well it’s true, according to a Swedish study of nearly 700 adults who suffer from RA (2/3 were women). The results?

At two years, 48 percent of men and 32 percent of women were in remission. At five years, 52 percent of men and 31 percent of women were in remission. At both time points, men were more than twice as likely as women to be in remission, the study said.

Initially, the women in the study did not have more severe rheumatoid arthritis than men. However, the disease quickly became more severe and progressed more rapidly in the women than in the men, according to the research team from University Hospital Lund.

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All hope is not lost though. You may know what I’m going to suggest now…massage therapy helps! It will not cure rheumatoid arthritis but therapeutic massage (neuromuscular therapy in particular) can bring about tremendous relief. Send me a comment if you want more details.

Here’s some interesting info on how music can enhance your health and wellness:

Music can improve your workout, your lungs, and your smarts. Listen to music while you cycle or trot and you’ll go farther than if you exercised without the soundtrack. And the combo of tunes and treadmill boosts brainpower more than either alone; one study showed that a bout of exercise enhanced verbal fluency more when amped by Vivaldi.

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Aluminum is one of the most abundant minerals available but it is wise to still limit your intake, through mouth (it’s found in some preservatives, containers and drinking water), injections (it’s added to some vaccines to boost the immune response to the shot) and topically (it’s found widely in antiperspirants). Here’s what Dr. Andrew Weil has to say about Aluminum, as particularly found in antiperspirants:

I recommend avoiding anti-perspirants that contain aluminum compounds, which are irritants and may be absorbed into the body. We don’t know the details of aluminum toxicity, but aluminum has no known role in human physiology, and I think you’re better off with natural deodorants available in health food stores (the best ones contain extracts of green tea) or with rubbing alcohol splashed under the arms as an antibacterial agent.

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Eh, it’s just a little rocket fuel. What harm could that do? That must be the mentality of the Enrironmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to decide not to limit the amounts of rocket fule found in American drinking water. Take a look: Continue Reading »

Have you ever heard that there is a difference between table salt an sea salt? Well, there is and though it’s important to be aware of one’s salt intake, that advise applies primarily to table salt. There are varying opinions available but there is evidence that sea salt contains beneficial nutrients and is even good for you in moderation! Ever wonder why our tears and our sweat are salty? Well, it has a similar consistency to sea salt. Here’s more: Continue Reading »

Need some good tips to reduce anxiety–or better yet stop it before it starts? Below are some great suggestions to keep in mind when you are dealing with stressful situations cause anxiety to rise.

- Live in the present. Learn to let go and have fun. Try not to be held back by the “what-if’s” and “should-have’s.”

- Eat well. Because blood sugar tends to drop when worrying, it’s important to eat three meals a day. This can even include an afternoon snack, such as nuts or yogurt, for a quick protein pick-me-up. Avoid caffeine, which can add to feelings of anxiousness.

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Do you know the best remedy for the pain that ails you? You may think you know what is the safest and most effective drug (if no natural remedy like arnica, biofreeze, ice or heat is available) to utilize for your strained muscle, headache or cramp, but you could be surprised. Check out the following true or false options:

1. Acetaminophen is the best choice for when you have sore muscles, sunburn, or arthritis. [T/F]

2. Ibuprofen is the most effective pain reliever for children. [T/F]

3. You can be assured that you won’t overdose if you follow a drug’s dosing instructions. [T/F]

4. Long-term use of painkillers can increase risk factors for heart attack and stroke. [T/F]

5. Pain pills that contain caffeine can be especially effective against headaches. [T/F]

Check out the answers at the Prevention post this pain IQ test.

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Wouldn’t it be nice to receive a five to ten minute break from work for a daily massage? If you don’t have a massage therapist at the ready at your place of work, don’t fret. Do it yourself! You probably need no reminders as to why massage therapy is so beneficial (but here’s a previous post just in case), Following are a couple of helpful massage tricks to utilize while sitting at your desk: Continue Reading »

There’s a modern epidemic of sore shoulders, stiff necks and painful backs affecting women that can be blamed on popular, super-sized handbags. It’s gotten so bad that doctors, massage therapists, and chiropractors now tailor treatments for the fashion bag obsessed,
Carrying only absolute necessities helps, along a weekly handbag cleanout. Regular massage for any pain, as well as gentle stretching and warm baths with Epsom salts at home also can spell relief.

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A study in The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that a 20-minute evening back massage can help relieve pain and reduce anxiety following major surgery–when given in addition to pain medications.

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