Would you try it?

The most unusual massages on spa menus are, well, not for the faint of heart. You have probably heard of the Snake Massage or the Piranha Pedicure?!? No pain, no gain, I guess!  This isn't your grandmas spa menu!

 

 



The snails are placed on your face and left to glide around your face, leaving behind their slime, which can recover damaged skin.

 



At the Four Season, no less, you can get spanked with cacti!  Don't worry.  They say they dismember the pokey plants of their thorns before they heat them in warm water.  Then they cut them in half and use the gooey interior, like aloe vera gel, to soothe your skin.  (Sign me up!)

 

 

 



 

Gua Sha!!!!  Ouch!!!   I know a therapist in Jackson that does this, so if you are so inclined send me an e-mail and I will get you in touch with her.  I've been Rolfed and had other "bruising", although very therapeutic techniques, but I am seriously afraid of this.  Others say it is totally worth it, but, um, I don't think so!

A spoon, coin, or similar object is used to scrape problem areas to relieve pain and tightness.  Ugggh!

 

 



 

Savin' the best for last.  This is crazy, unless you like Russian Roulette or Psycho-killer Dismemberment.   Huff Post reports that this is an "ancient Chinese practice".  Are ya' sure it isn't Japanese, like a sushi chef! (laughing out LOUD)  The pounding, aka - petrissage, relieves stress and improves blood flow.  No kidding!!!  The image in my head is of a LOT of blood flowing from my amputated limb.  I think my "device of choice" is a couple of bamboo rods, or heck, why not just some good old fashioned karate chops with your blunt hands.

 



A little effort put forth each and every day will go far to accomplish making the changes in yourself that will lead to a change in your world.  Set your goals, set your reminders, and get to work.  It only takes a moment every day to be better. 

A great REBLOG...

Life sometimes is just NOT fair.  As you will read when you click on this link, "It just is."  The photograph alone is worth clicking on the link below, but the single paragraph VERY simply says all that you can say in that situation. 

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/85246559281/my-husband-got-a-rare-brain-tumor-called-acoustic

How will you ever find the right person if you do not know yourself?  Spending time alone will force you to be in tune with yourself.  That must be the first step to never being lonely.  You can find yourself.  Then and only then, will you be able to open your true soul to the world and find "the one", whether it is a person, a job, a home, or the life you always imagined.  

Believe in Yourself!

Preventing Vector-Borne Disease

Last week the WHO (not the band) released a news report about vector-borne diseases, this years focus for World Health Day.  More than half of the world's population is at risk.  Their report highlights some other interesting facts and what the WHO (again, it's not a band; it's the World Health Organization) is focused on to prevent the further spread of these diseases.   Read the full article here.
World Health Organization Small Bite, Big Threat News Release

The DANGERS of Sitting

Originally from: KQED Science
For a picture with better resolution, click on the link:
KQED Science: The Hazards of Sitting

The health hazards of sitting

“We know sitting too much is bad, and most of us intuitively feel a little guilty after a long TV binge. But what exactly goes wrong in our bodies when we park ourselves for nearly eight hours per day, the average for a U.S. adult? Many things, say four experts, who detailed a chain of problems from head to toe.” (via Washington Post)

The Many Benefits of Vitamin D!

 

The mighty vitamin D has been muted by the naysayers of the sun.   The sun really is the best source of vitamin D, but if you must protect yourself by covering every inch of skin 100% of the time, then please, for the love of all things holy, take a supplement.  Here's how it works; Vitamin D is produced by our bodies when we are in the sun.  Even with sunscreen on, you will produce vitamin D.  In winter, most of us do not get enough sunlight to get adequate amounts of vitamin D, thus making us deficient.  It is recommended to take 1000iu's of Vitamin D3 as a supplement in the winter.  The benefits of Vitamin D are too many to list.  I'll highlight a few of my favorites here.

 

Of course, because I am in the skincare business, I am especially interested in the benefits it provides to the skin.  Vitamin D has been proven to help people with psoriasis and eczema.  Oh, what a REAL relief that is.  It's a cheap and easy fix to a really pesky problem.  Here are some links to the research I read:

 

Vitamin D council: Does Vitamin D help Eczema?

 

Fitness Tips for Life: Vitamin D as an Eczema Cure

 

eHow: A Vitamin Cure for Psoriasis

 

Houston Chronicle: Vitamin D Capsules Are A Quick Fix for Psoriasis

 

LiveStrong: Vitamin D Deficiency & Skin Problems





Eczema and Allergies

For years I've believed that eczema was caused by food allergies.  I don't remember exactly where I first heard it, maybe from my mom, maybe in massage school, or somewhere along the way. I Googled the topic today, after discussing it at a Nerium University party last night, and to my surprise I didn't find the hard core conclusive evidence I was certain I would find.  What I did find wasn't too surprising, but interesting none the less, so I thought I would share it with you. 
Whether food sensitivities and allergies cause eczema or eczema causes the allergies is not exactly known.  A few things can help though.  Avoid any food that exacerbates the condition.  The simplest way to find out what your triggers are is to do an elimination diet.  Start with eggs because they seem to be the most common trigger.  Don't eat eggs or anything with eggs for 2 weeks.  If it gets better, stay off the eggs and move on to another of the most common allergens, such as wheat, dairy, nuts, or shellfish.  Keep in mind that it may get better but never completely go away. 
Stress and non food allergies, like dander and hay fever, are also linked to eczema.  There are a couple of things you can do for that too, like getting a regular massage.  Check back soon and I will have the research posted that proves how effective massage is for stress and eczema.  Some research shows that getting more vitamin D can cure eczema. 

(From About.com) 

Associated Conditions and Risk Factors:

Eczema is associated with a variety of allergic conditions. Among them are asthma, respiratory allergies, and allergic rhinitis. Eczema has a genetic component; children born into families with a history of asthma, hay fever, eczema, or other allergic disorders are more likely to develop eczema.

Eczema and Food Allergies:

About one-third of eczema patients respond to food triggers. Eczema can make allergy testing difficult. It can make skin testing almost impossible. (In these cases, RAST tests may be useful). Food allergens can sometimes cause eczema to worsen or "flare up." In people with eczema and food allergies, strictly avoiding food allergens may help reduce or, occasionally, eliminate symptoms.

Common Food Triggers for Eczema:

The most common food triggers for eczema are eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, and wheat. Among these, eggs are probably associated the most strongly with eczema.