Reduce Knee Pain With Infrared Light Therapy

It is a well-known fact that we all need light in order to be healthy. But these days we are learning just how important light really is, and that it can be used to treat a number of health conditions, from mental health to physical pain. Natural light helps to provide some of the nutrition we need, and it plays a role in our mental health. This therapy can be a wonderful tool for helping to keep your body and mind healthy, and can help ease certain ailments, ranging from pain to depression. Many people are using light therapy to treat a number of aches and pains, including knee pain, which can be quite excruciating, depending on the type of injury.

What is Infrared Therapy?

This is basically the simulation of natural light using various sources of artificial light that are similar to natural light. It is a proven method of pain relief, and you will find many people visiting clinics to have light therapy treatments. Basically, infrared light is used to warm and relax the muscle tissues, and it is a perfectly safe method of pain relief, which, unlike many painkilling drugs, is not addictive or harsh on the body. It has been proven very effective in the treatment of knee pain, as well as many other types of physical pain.

Therapy at Home

Although you can visit a clinic to have light treatments, this is something that, unless you have a great health plan that covers a lot, is going to become quite expensive. You can save yourself a lot of money by using a light system at home. These units are easy to use, and not only are you going to be saving money, you will also be having your light therapy in the comfort of your own home, which for many is a really big deal. If you are interested in light therapy and like the idea of being able to do it yourself at home, you may want to look into the Lumiwave Infrared Light Therapy Device, which is small and lightweight, but really does the trick when it comes to knee pain management. This is a deep tissue light therapy device that helps to provide relief from knee pain without any harmful or negative side effects.

At less than $500, this device will really save you money in the long run, and you will be able to have light treatments whenever you like, at your own schedule. And you only need to use it a couple of times per day for just ten minutes at a time. You will be able to adjust the temperature yourself, and the Lumiwave Infrared Light Therapy Device will shut off on its own, so if you happen to fall asleep, you don't have to worry about the device still operating. Because it is portable, if you are on the go, you can take it with you just about anywhere, and you can even use it at work.

Drug Interactions with Alternative Therapies

Herbs and other alternative therapies were the original medicine. Ancient cultures used herbs and plants to stay healthy and cure illness. But, for years after the pharmaceutical world took over treatment, the Western world lost interest in alternative therapies.

Today, however, interest in alternative therapies is renewed. Many people are choosing to treat some conditions naturally before trying medicines. For example, many people recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol are choosing to increase their exercise, change their diet and lose excess weight before resorting to high blood pressure and cholesterol medications. In many cases, patients can reverse their blood pressure and cholesterol problems without ever needing medication.

Other patients are using alternative therapies as adjuncts to traditional medicine. For example, green tea has been shown to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in some forms of cancer. Drinking large amounts of tea while undergoing chemotherapy treatments can increase the concentration of the chemo drugs in the cancerous cells, making it more effective.

A large number of people are also using alternative therapies for preventative purposes. Take green tea, for example. It has been shown to prevent many types of illness, including heart disease, Alzheimer's and some forms of cancer. Others use yoga to relieve stress and massage to manage muscle and joint pain.

But, what if you're pursuing alternative therapies at the same time that you're using conventional drug therapies? Is there a chance that there could be interaction between the two?

Well, the answer is, possibly. There are thousands of drugs being prescribed for hundreds of different conditions today, and no doubt some of the drugs will interact with some of the alternative therapies.

Since alternative therapies have become so popular, some research has been performed to determine how, and if, some of the most popular alternative therapies interact with drugs.

One study, in particular, reported by the UK Tea Council studied the effects of flavonoids on drug therapies. Flavonoids were chosen for study because they are contained in so many substances that we many of us consume regularly, and because flavonoids are generally thought to be very healthy.

Flavonoids are a type of anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants are extremely important to our health because they combat free radicals. Free radicals are created in our bodies as a by product of converting our food to energy. Free radicals damage our cells and DNA. Over time, this leads to premature aging and disease. Anti-oxidants combat these free radicals, preventing them from causing damage. Research has shown that a diet rich in anti-oxidants, including flavonoids prevents many forms of disease, such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.

Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids, as does beverages made from plants, such as tea and wine. But, doctors wondered, could these healthy flavonoids interfere with drugs that we may be taking for medical conditions?

The research mentioned above found that flavonoids can, in some cases, interfere with the transport of certain drugs. Transport refers to how drugs reach the organs or body systems they're designed to affect.

In some cases, this could cause interactions between your medications and alternative therapies such as Gingko Biloba, Milk Thistle, green tea, and soy isoflavones. It's not likely that the flavonoids found in your food would interact, as they are not typically consumed in highly concentrated quantities as is found in herbal supplements.

So, for example, if you're drinking three or four cups of green tea each day to help protect your health, it's unlikely that there would be any interaction. However, if you're taking 10-12 capsules of green tea extract each day, your concentration of flavonoids would be significantly higher, and might cause some interaction.

This information is not designed to influence you to stop using flavonoids to protect your health. Research has shown time and again that they're very effective at keeping you young and healthy. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, green tea and other anti-oxidant sources can help you keep your weight in check, lower your cholesterol and even regulate insulin.

However, as with any alternative therapy you're considering, it's important to keep your doctor in the loop. Inform him of any alternative therapies you'd like to try, and find out how they might interact with any particular medicines you're taking. This way you can ensure that you're treating your particular health concerns in the best way possible, whether that means traditional medicines alone - or in combination with alternative treatments.

It's nearly impossible for researchers to list every possible medication and every alternative therapy that it might interact with. But, working closely with your doctor, who knows your medical history, health concerns and treatments can ensure that you're pursuing the healthiest route for treatment.

We're all concerned about our health. And, many of us are also concerned about using natural, healthy remedies whenever possible, as well as taking advantage of all we've learned about how substances like anti-oxidants can prevent disease. Alternative remedies can be a great way to stay healthy, but it's important to always consult your doctor before you begin something new.

The Power Of Cold Laser Therapy

A relatively new treatment in the chiropractic field is cold laser therapy. The technology has been around for approximately 30 years, but most chiropractors who use this therapy haven't started using it till recent. The therapy uses well-developed technology to attack the source of several issues within the body, contributing to areas of pain, and enable the areas to heal and be corrected. This therapy process is quite unique for several reasons.

-Cold laser therapy does not require invasive treatment that other surgeries and therapies require. Not invades the body, only lasers penetrating through layers of skin and muscle to reach cells. Recovery is not needed since nothing about the treatment is invasive.

-Most people prefer this treatment because they aren't left with the burden of recovery. Instead, the issue is corrected over time with several therapeutic treatments. Recovery is one of the most difficult parts of surgery and people don't have to deal with it when they get cold laser therapy.

-Cold laser therapy targets the area of pain or problem and works to rejuvenate and stimulate damaged cells. Since cells are the main aspect of healing and correcting a damaged area, they must be targeted and made healthy again. The lasers send photons into the area of damage and enable the cells to become healthy again.

-This therapy can help people with several ailments--arthritis, back pain, tendonitis, chronic pain, muscle strain, soft tissue injuries and more. Since this therapy is so versatile, it helps numerous people each year to recover and become healthy again.

-Side effects are non existent, if the doctor conducts the therapy properly. With less side effects than other treatments, there is less to worry about for the patient.

-Medication is not needed with this treatment, which cuts down on additional costs and reducing the patient's dependency on medication for treatment.

Overall, this type of therapy changes the way chiropractors help correct and heal the ailments of patients. With such a unique and smart therapy, chiropractors can target the source of the pain and stimulate the body back to life and back to a healthy lifestyle. Cold laser therapy is worth considering if you are dealing with any pain or ailment. Consider speaking with a chiropractor in the area about cold laser therapy and see what it can do for you and your condition. You might be surprised and how much it can help and how well it works.

Regular Massage Chair Therapy For Body Building Improves Performance

More and more research studies are showing the benefits of regular massage. Some of the benefits show regular health therapy reduces recover time from injury, increases muscle tone, improves range of motion and increases your flexibility. Just as stretching, diet and exercise are part of your body building routine, regular massage therapy should also be included. It may not always be possible to see a professional therapist. Another viable economic option is a massage chair.

If you body build then regular massage therapy helps you in many ways. It increases circulation allowing the body to supply more nutrients and oxygen. It helps to relax and soften overworked muscles and can soften injured muscles and scar tissue. It reduces the incidence of cramps or muscle spasms. It helps to increase your range of motion by increasing your joint flexibility. It reduces the recovery time from strenuous workouts while reducing aches, pains and discomfort. Massage therapy releases endorphins or your natural pain killer to reduce pain and speed recovery from surgery.

Obviously, bodywork therapy can help your body building regimen and help you reach peak performance. Getting a massage before an important event or workout enhances performance. It also reduces tense muscles, increases flexibility and increases awareness and alertness. In competition, these can help boost your confidence and get you ready to perform.

One of the challenges of getting regular bodywork therapy is reliance of going to a professional therapist. Most body builders have a strict regimen of diet, exercise and nutrition. Finding time to get a massage on a regular basis can be problematic. Massage chairs are a good solution for this situation. These robotic chairs are always available when you need them and their therapies can be delivered at your convenience. These massage recliners can provide you with regular healthy therapy. Studies show that the real benefits of massage therapy are when it is received on a frequent and regular basis.

Shiatsu chairs provide a wide range of therapies. Some of the best chairs have hundreds of different possible health therapies available. Some of the most common are Shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue, sports and acu-pressure. Additionally, these shiatsu chairs can perform full body massage. A roller system is used for the back, neck and shoulders. The lower body and arms/hands are manipulated using an air compression massage. These health therapies are very effective.

Some advanced robotic chairs also have full body heat. Heat can be applied to different sections of the recliner. This helps to reduce swelling and help blood flow. Also, there are lower body traction systems. These traction systems will stretch out the lower body from the lower back, hips, thighs, knees and ankles. This is especially relieving after a good strenuous work out. Some massage chairs incorporate music players with headphones so that you can relax in your own environment.

Most people think that massage chairs are expensive. However, if you are getting regular bodywork from a therapist, then they really are the most economic way to receive massage therapy. A professional therapist may cost $50 per hour plus tip. These mechanical masseuses can provide an hour of relief for as little as $3 per hour. Most therapy chairs are rated for 1,000 hours. If you purchased a $3,000 chair, then your cost per hour is $3. This is a big economic advantage.

If you body build, then you really should incorporate massage bodywork into your regimen. The benefits of regular massage therapy help you to attain peak performance. Keep your body and muscles in top condition and lessen the chance of injury with regular massage. A massage chair is a great compliment to your arsenal to get regular massage therapy.

The Basics of Relationship Therapy: Knowing What You Feel

Bill, a software company manager with sandy hair and bright blue eyes, first came to see me when he was 35 years old. He was married to Anne, an attractive brunette who was a full-time mom to their three-year-old son, Cody. After living with Anne for five years, Bill had lost touch with the good feelings he once felt, and he was getting tired of the same old routine in their relationship.

For one thing, Anne no longer seemed interested in Bill's attempts at romance. When he wanted to make love, she always seemed to have five household projects that needed to be done. While there was a time when each would drop everything to be sexual, those days were long gone.

Bill brought home flowers after work to surprise Anne, but she scolded him, saying they could not afford to spend that kind of money while raising their son. Deep down, Bill felt hurt and angry because he was trying to do the little things that Anne used to like. However, like millions of guys, he did not really know what he was feeling other than a general down feeling. When he felt this discomfort with Anne, he handled it by making impulsive sarcastic comments. At other times he would spend hours at the computer, something he knew she disliked, just to get even with her.

Building a Brick Wall

A brick wall was gradually going up between the two of them, and their love was getting buried. As the wall went up, Bill began to have fantasies about being with other women. He started going to lunch with a friendly female co-worker who made Bill feel like he was attractive, important and appreciated.

Bill secretly began looking for an apartment, thinking he may want a separation. He was tired of the chronic fighting with his wife, but every time he looked at an apartment, he couldn't help but wonder if this was what he really wanted. Just thinking about leaving Cody made his heart race as he remembered too well his own upbringing in a broken home. Bill didn't want Cody to grow up with a dad he only saw on weekends. He wanted to give him the stability his father never gave him, but Bill didn't want to sacrifice his own happiness. He felt conflicted and confused.

When Bill felt lonely he ate more junk food, or he would binge drink (drinking alcohol with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated). He was spending more money on fast food while he was cutting back on his workouts at the gym. After Cody was put to bed, Bill would go out drinking with his friends or stay up late surfing the web. As his marriage was going down the tubes, chatting with girls on online dating sites was his favorite pastime. This, at least, brought a little excitement into his life.

The World of Instant Gratification

The media does a superior job of promoting instant gratification, and this was a problem for both Anne and Bill, as it is for a significant percentage of couples. Delayed gratification involves being able to contain and manage your feelings while listening to your partner, and many people do not want to tolerate this discomfort. Most people prefer instant gratification over delayed gratification, and it causes too many marriages to end up in divorce. Many of these marriages could become exceptional if people would learn to listen to their partners, ask good questions, keep their feelings on hold and delay gratification. During difficult discussions with Anne, Bill was impatient and found himself going around in circles, so he distracted himself with alcohol, junk food and web surfing instead of taking on the challenge of developing a strong marriage.

The truth is, far too many marriages and partnerships fall apart because people:

1. don't know what they are feeling,
2. distract themselves when they feel uncomfortable, instead of getting closer to their true feelings,
3. get highly defensive and reactive during conflicts, and
4. stop expressing themselves to their partners.

The result over time is the building of resentment, and love gets buried. As you get to know Bill, you will learn how he had problems with all four. Bill's most serious problem was self-medicating his pain with alcohol, which was putting him and others at risk.Periodically, Bill thought about seeing a relationship therapist, but he kept postponing it.

Getting Some Help

Bill made an appointment to see me shortly after a police officer stopped him for driving under the influence. He knew he was heading in the wrong direction and didn't want to jeopardize his job. Bill was honest about what was happening in his marriage and had the emotional health to see that he was partly responsible for his relationship problems.

He admitted to having a rebellious side, which came out in his sarcastic comments toward Anne and his desire to get back at her. He confessed to intentionally leaving open the dating website window in hopes that Anne would get jealous. The thought of telling her that he felt hurt and wanted to get even was something that never crossed his mind. It never crossed his mind because he was only dimly aware of these feelings, and slowly, brick by brick, he pushed away the person he really loved.

Bill gradually opened up about having some awareness of a deep depression that he traced back to growing up with an alcoholic father. As a young boy, Bill remembered feeling scared and hiding under his bed when his father was drunk and yelling. In many ways, Bill felt he had lost his father to the bottle when Bill was just a preschooler. Without healthy support from his parents, Bill never learned about core feelings like sadness, anger, fear, frustration, excitement and love/joy. When Bill tried to talk to his mother, she seemed absorbed in her own world, worried about her husband. Bill still remembered that pained look in her face whenever he tried to reach out.

He also never learned to differentiate, which is a development process that involves learning skills and refined subsets of skills while growing up. Since Bill never learned to identify his core feelings, it was hard to express what he wanted. This stifled the positive feedback from others that could eventually help Bill discover his true identity. The only way Bill could get essential nurturing and appreciation was to cater to his parents' needs, and thus he learned to put his feelings aside and hold back. Over time, this holding back drained a lot of energy that he could have used for valuable learning.

Bill began to struggle with anxiety when he was around 12 years old - he tossed and turned at night and sometimes just couldn't fall asleep. Sometimes he felt like he wanted to run away. He also felt boredom and a mild sense of depression that gradually progressed through his teen years. During those years, he longed for his dad to be there and support him, but instead he felt lonely and needy. This would have been an ideal time for Bill to do some relationship work.

It was clear to me that Bill was going to have a hard time quitting his drinking and getting to know his feelings because of his childhood history of stuffed-away pain. He admitted he was not able to stop drinking completely, but he rationalized that cutting back would be the answer. Bill had suppressed a lot of feelings for years but there was a wonderful opportunity to work through his feelings in individual therapy, and eventually, in couples therapy.

In the section below you will learn about some of Bill's experiences in individual therapy and some of the skills he needed to learn. To move toward cultivating an exceptional relationship, Bill first needed to develop a positive relationship with himself. This involved developing an awareness of his thoughts and feelings, from which he could make decisions about the actions he wanted to take. He also needed to learn how to express his feelings in a way that Anne could accept, if he was to save his marriage. Finally, it was important for Bill to realize that his drinking was self-destructive, and he needed to make a decision to quit.

Learning from the Past

It didn't take long to get a deeper understanding of why Bill had a difficult time knowing what he was feeling. Not only was his father a drunk, but also he had a family history of mood disorders.He thought his dad had bipolar disorder although it had never been diagnosed. Bill reported early problems in school - his teachers said he was often out of his seat and disrupting the classroom, and eventually his family physician diagnosed hyperactivity.

Apparently, some type of hyperactivity continued into his adulthood; I learned there were times when Bill would make irrational decisions about spending, such as buying a new car on a whim or planning a last-minute trip, without consulting his wife. Clearly, his impulsiveness was negatively impacting his life - when he came home with flowers, it only reminded Anne of these earlier episodes, and she instantly became critical.

Anne and Bill seldom took the time to hear each other out and were stuck in a cycle of defending their own positions. There was little understanding, so neither one could figure out a way to negotiate and return to harmony and health in their relationship. Their differences were leading to destruction rather than to the amazing relationship Bill and Anne secretly longed for.

Given his symptoms of impulse spending, the need for decreasing amounts of sleep and trouble slowing down, I referred Bill for a psychiatric evaluation. Dr. Filbert made a provisional diagnosis of bipolar II and anxiety. Bipolar II is a mood disorder characterized by periods of depression, normal moods and symptoms of hypomania. Hypomania includes such symptoms as restlessness, pressured and rapid speech, having endless energy but needing as little as 3 hours of sleep, involvement in numerous activities, silly behavior and irritability. The doctor prescribed an antidepressant and Lamictal, a mood stabilizer that helped Bill to slow down and connect more deeply with his feelings. Since he could better identify what he felt inside, the medication really helped Bill progress in therapy.

His homework in the early months of therapy was to identify whether he felt sad, mad, scared, excited and/or love. I had Bill keep a journal of his feelings and thoughts, and gradually he became more connected to his emotional side. He was able, at last, to talk with Anne about some of his pain, and fortunately she understood. He still had a lot of work to do because he needed to learn self-calming skills for the agitation that was part of his bipolar II condition, and he also continued to carry a lot of suppressed pain about his father..

Bill shared with me that his parents were divorced when he was 15 years old. He felt guilty during that time because he believed, on some level, that he was the cause of their divorce. His dad left at a time when Bill needed his guidance, and Bill felt a responsibility to care for his grieving mother. These conditions made it nearly impossible for Bill to develop good connections to his feelings. Also, he had never learned to tolerate uncomfortable feelings or to talk out problems in the context of a significant relationship. Essentially, Bill lacked role models for a healthy adult intimacy.

Like Bill, there are people of all ages who try, at all costs, to avoid their feelings. Addictions of various sorts such as drugs, gambling, sex, alcohol and even food are all known to self-medicate emotional states that people think they can't tolerate. Conflict avoidance is another serious problem in relationships where adults lack effective listening skills and are out of touch with the depth of their feelings. The bottom line is that people can tolerate a lot more than they think, and these skills can make an amazing improvement in communication and intimacy.

Developing strong connections with feelings and being able to both contain and appropriately express those feelings are essential to mastering the challenges of life and developing exceptional relationships. Most people want to achieve important goals in their lives, but many don't succeed because they have not learned how to identify their feelings, tolerate the discomfort of negative emotions and stick with a plan to reach an important goal.

Learning How to Identify Your Feelings

Healthy people know what they feel and what to do about it. This was hard for Bill to figure out because of his long history of burying his feelings. With some work in therapy, Bill gradually learned to identify more fully with the range of his feelings. He learned to hang out with his uncomfortable feelings long enough to know what he was feeling, and then he could put action on the feeling. But just how do you go about learning this important skill?

Learning to identify and contain your feelings will take some time, but it is worth every minute. Here are the five main steps in the process:

1. Schedule some quiet time to be with yourself.

2. Focus inward on one event in your day where you had an emotional response, and make notes about what you felt and thought. Remember the core feelings -- do you feel sad, mad, scared, excited, frustrated or love/joy?

3. Stay with your feelings long enough to become clear about what you are thinking and feeling.

4. Let yourself journal about whatever comes to mind so you can go deeper into your emotions and generate options from this connection.

5. When you feel confused, stick with the process till you get somewhere.

Journaling is a great way to get connected with your feelings, and I will share a sample of Bill's journaling below. This will enable you to understand his internal struggle and see how journaling can help you get in touch with your feelings. In this journal section, from early in his therapy, Bill was mainly grappling with his feelings toward Anne (the content has been changed for confidentiality):

What's on my mind? Mostly I am connected to negative thoughts about Anne. She is such a control freak, and all she cares about is keeping the house in perfect order. She'd rather clean the kitchen than make love. I'm sick of her, and I feel bad that I want to move on. Actually I am really angry at her, and I'd like to make her pay for how she mistreats me. And how am I going to tell her all of this?

Also, my life seems boring and such a routine. It's the same old thing day after day. The only bright star in my life is Cody. I feel stuck and I know this place. I feel stagnant, compressed and like my energy is stuck in cream cheese. So what are my options? My therapist says "knowledge of options is power." So what are my options?

• I can tell Anne the truth about these feelings.
• I can go on the way I have been, stuffing my feelings.
• I can just move out and find a new place to live.
• I could suggest counseling for the two of us.
• I could have an affair.
• I can talk with my therapist about these feelings.

It's hard to tell Anne the truth that I feel lonely, hurt and depressed, and she'll probably just tell me I need a therapist, like something is wrong with me. I already feel something is wrong with me - sometimes I feel like such a failure. I think it is best to talk to my therapist. Yes, that seems like the best choice, so I'll trust this feeling.

Moving Forward

From his journaling piece, Bill and I were able to recognize that he felt angry and rebellious, but underneath that layer of feeling he felt sad and alone. He realized that he actually felt hurt when Anne didn't want to make love.

I was also able to identify that Bill was struggling with bipolar depression and, at times, agitation. We instituted a weekly exercise plan, and he was better able to move forward. He took up track and surfing, and he soon felt invigorated and better able to handle stress. With his commitment to identifying his thoughts and feelings, Bill was able to get in touch with his feelings, communicate more effectively and gradually work through the pain from his childhood. He expressed rage about how his father treated him, but found that underneath that feeling there was a deep sadness.

Bill later decided he wanted to bring Anne into therapy, and in their third session he mustered up the courage to share his true thoughts and feelings. Understandably he fumbled a bit, but he was generally effective in his communication. He used what is called "I" messages such as "I feel very discouraged about our marriage, I feel angry at you and sometimes I think to myself that I want to leave the marriage."

It's easy to see that this type of messaging told Anne more about what Bill felt rather than what Anne was doing wrong. His communication prompted Anne to share that she felt hurt because of Bill's sarcastic comments. Anne confessed that she distanced herself from Bill as a way of getting back at him. As it turns out, each was trying to get even with the other.

Healthy disagreements and constructive communication were nearly impossible when Anne and Bill couldn't share their true feelings. When Bill was connected to a challenging feeling, his goal was to quickly get rid of it. Anne channeled her anger at Bill with chronic cleaning because she had never learned about assertive behavior from her mom. She needed to make a real effort to express her anger as soon as she became aware of it.

Both Anne and Bill agreed to speak up about what they wanted and to work individually on keeping notes to develop a stronger connection to their thoughts and feelings. Gradually, each partner was able to connect with the full range of feelings, and while it took almost a year, they were able to rekindle their former love and intimacy. Cody is now sixteen, and Bill and Anne have developed a set of skills that will serve them for years to come.

If you are one of the many people who are out of touch with their feelings, there is hope, there is help, and it is just a phone call away.

Massage Therapy Certification - A Millennial Career for the 21st Century

A significant amount of news coverage has been given to "Generation Y," or "The Millennial Generation" - most often considered to be individuals born between 1980 and 1994. Growing up in the 21st century entails greater privilege and greater hardship than previous generations have faced. One thing's for sure - members of this generation are needed to fill critical healthcare job gaps, one of which just might be massage therapy.

Massage therapy is recognized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as a growing career, and one with benefits beyond the immediately obvious. The massage therapy education trains students to have a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology, which is essential for effective massage treatment. The scientific background of the massage therapy certification program allows students of massage to understand how different body parts and systems work together - and how, if one system is out of whack, a massage client can feel ill or out-of-sorts all over.

Schools such as the Certified Careers Institute, with campus locations in Clearfield and Salt Lake City, Utah, offer massage therapy education that prepares students to sit for a massage therapy certification. This education is popular with the younger generation, because it leads to a career with worker-defined office conditions. Young workers can choose what type of massage therapy they will specialize in, decorate their offices however they choose, and determine what kinds of massage oils, wraps, and techniques they will use on their clients. This generation of young adults, who grew up with technology, views "cool" careers like massage therapy in a positive light.

It's a good thing, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that as Gen Y's parents - the Baby Boomer generation - age, there will be an increased need for professional massage therapists to administer their services as supplementary medical therapies. Generations X and Y enjoy massage therapy at work or after-hours. Today's jobs can demand long hours, and some people must work two jobs to be able to meet their bills; so, massage therapy is a helpful accessory to a demanding career. It can also become a great career for a Gen Y student. This generation, more so than older counterparts, places emphasis on work-life balance, and many enjoy more flexible working arrangements, including flex time and telecommuting. Some massage therapists can set their own hours and delineate their own working conditions, making massage therapy certification an appealing career choice for the under-30 set.

This kind of treatment can also be beneficial to individuals who suffer from depression, isolation, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (side effects, after all, of our highly interactive -but ultimately, human-contact deprived - wired society). Many people eschew drug therapies for mental health issues - after all, modern antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs have gotten negative press because of certain deleterious side effects. Massage therapy enables total body relaxation, which can effectively boost a person's mood. In fact, certified massage therapists themselves can benefit from the health-conscious outlook their career field demands. Individuals who sell health services can market their services more credibly if they are actually healthy individuals, themselves - meaning, for example, that they eat a healthy diet, follow an exercise regimen, and refrain from using drugs or alcohol.

Millennials' Boomer parents can benefit from massage therapy. Adult-onset (Type II) diabetes and heart disease are two major killers of older Americans - and the Boomer generation is aging and quickly closing in on their retirement years. The massage therapy education, such as that provided by the Certified Careers Institute's Clearfield and Salt Lake City, Utah schools, teaches students massage techniques that can be beneficial in treating conditions affecting older adults: diabetes, arthritis, gout, and even cancer. Boomers, too, face career stress - after all, their generation was strongly affected by corporate mergers and downsizing. Massage therapy can help them shed the health-negative stresses of the modern workplace.

Finally - and perhaps most importantly - massage therapy education and certification addresses some of the commonest woes of 21st century higher learning and job market conditions. College tuition has soared over the past decade, necessitating that some Millennials take out substantial private loans to pay for their educations, and that others forgo college altogether. And, the modern job market is a volatile entity, with technological advances, outsourcing, and downsizing threatening every industry from computer sciences to journalism. Students today must make difficult choices when deciding upon careers - and, many of those choices come with sacrifices.

The massage therapy education, by contrast, is a relatively simple process - programs like Certified Careers Institute's can take just weeks - and has fewer course requirements than a traditional four-year degree does. Therefore, acquiring a massage therapy certification is cheaper than getting a college degree. And, this particular career is expected to grow as it is increasingly recognized in the allied health field - making it a smart choice for people who want job security.

It's no wonder, with all of these positives - cool job description, health-positive benefits, job stability, and a low-cost education - that Generation Y is turning massage therapy into a career of the future.

What to Do About Stress - Can Massage Therapy Really Help?

Do you feel stressed daily? Do lack of motivation and low energy levels sound suspiciously familiar? This indicates that your lifestyle is highly stressful which is most commonly caused by late working hours or a very gruelling type of work. Most people cannot afford to quit their jobs and take a lifelong vacation. Therefore we have to find ways to cope with our fast paced lives and maintain our health at the same time.

At first, this might seem like an insolvable situation, but do not be intimidated. Nowadays green thinking is promoted all over the world. Besides saving the planet, we also have to think about our own bodies and how we are affected by external factors. While we all know organic food and natural fabrics are useful to us, not many realize that there is an alternative to certain kinds of medicine also. This natural way of relieving the body of tension, toxins and stress is massage therapy. For example, when having a headache, most people are used to taking a tablet when at the same time a massage session can provide similar, if not better results.

Headaches and tense muscles are the most usual complaints regarding stressful lifestyle and massage is a great solution, because it does not just relieve the complaints, but massaging also relaxes and calms the body and the mind. This is an important difference, because in order to have a healthy body, one has to have healthy mind as well. As the masseuse uses a variety of techniques, applying pressure and making different movements, the blood vessels dilate and overall circulation improves. This increases the level of oxygen and nutrients in the blood, which is extremely important and beneficial, because all the internal organs and nerves are supplied with it. As a result, a person feels considerably more energetic and fresh, having a calm and positive mood at the same time.
The main benefits of massage are relaxation and relieving tension in different parts of the body. What most people do not know is that massage can help with many other health problems as well. Massage therapy is known to improve skin condition, digestion and intestinal function and immune system. The versatility of massage therapy makes it profitable for people of many different ages and lifestyles. It is used by athletes on recovery periods, expectant mothers to ease the labor and relieve lower back pains and elderly people to improve the flexibility of the joints. This shows that massage therapy is worth trying despite the type of health problem, because it does not directly cure any diseases, but it helps the body to heal itself instead.

As massage therapy has many benefits, it has grown hugely popular all over the world. It really is the quickest, easiest and safest way to recover and energise your body. All people who have problems with stress or other health issues should make an appointment already today. Massage therapy is a relatively small and effortless, but extremely beneficial and permanent investment into your healthy lifestyle.

Tips For the Best Dry Skin Therapy and Dry Skin Remedies

My skin used to be very dry, so I searched high and low for the best dry skin therapy I could find. There are so many on the market that I found myself thoroughly confused as to which one to purchase. I ended up buying product after product, trying each one diligently for a month or two figuring it would take awhile for each of them to start working enough to show some improvement in my skin. My success in finding a product was limited to one company.

Dry skin remedies are important if you don't want to be itching all the time. Which I was - I would scratch myself to the point that my skin would become inflamed and at times even bleed. That just made my skin itch more, so I would want to scratch harder, which I knew was a no no. I was tired of spending my hard earned money on dry skin therapy products when they didn't give me any lasting relief.

I finally found a company that had some great products that worked, relieving me of the constant need to scratch. The ingredients were natural and wholesome, actually helping to heal the problems that caused the itching instead of just temporarily soothing my skin. In fact they are so natural and healthy I can eat them and they won't harm me.

The ingredients I found that worked the best in my dry skin therapy were as follows:

· Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the form of Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10. CoQ10 is an antioxidant found in every cell in the body. It is quickly destroyed by the UV rays from the sun and also is reduced as a person ages or is under stress. Nano-Lipobelle H-EQ10 penetrates deeply into the skin restoring what is lost.

· Phytessence Wakame is a powerful antioxidant derived from Japanese sea algae. This ingredient is great for healing irritated or dry skin. It is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, which help sooth, inflamed skin. This is one ingredient must be included in dry skin remedies.

· Cynergy TK is a bioactive form of keratin. Cynergy TK reduces redness that comes with inflamed skin. It also helps the skin retain its ability to heal itself.

· Jojoba oil moisturizes dry skin. It is different from other vegetable oils, in the sense that it is similar to human sebum, the oil produced by the skin. This ingredient also is beneficial in treating serious skin diseases like psoriasis.

· Olivem 800 comes from olive oil and is specially formulated to hydrate and rejuvenate the skin by penetrating deeply down into the layers of the skin. What results is healthy moisturized skin, that is not dry and itchy.

· Active Manuka Honey is added to dry skin remedies in a powdered form that is formulated without losing any of it active properties. This special honey is from New Zealand, and is known for its unique healing abilities due to its antibacterial effects. When used in dry skin therapy it supports the skin's own cell renewal process, which benefits the skin's ability to heal itself.

You'll find with these ingredients in dry skin remedies, the cost will be higher. Don't let the cost scare you away from trying these great substances. When you find a product that works the cost is worth it. Find a company that has a money back guarantee. This allows you to try the product to see how effective it is. So if you find it does not work, you can return the unused portion for a refund.

Companies that stand behind their product, work diligently to provide you with a product that has been proven to work. Shop online today and find a company that truly cares for your skin and your health. If you're like me your search for a product for dry skin therapy will cease.

Natural Healing Therapy - Polarity Therapy

Importance of healing therapies is increasing day by day. Various detox therapies are practiced today to stay healthy and fit. Even the health care therapies from all over the world are adopted by people. Use of those therapies is increasing. But, there are some therapies which use multi-treatments to achieve detoxification.

Polarity therapy is a blend of three major healing or detox therapies from ancient east naturopathies. Those are yoga, acupuncture, and osteopathy and chiropractic treatment. The therapy was founded by Dr. Randolph Stone in 1940s.

An energy form drives life in all living beings, is the belief of polarity therapists. It was advocated by Ancient Indian ayurveda. The force is called as "Prana" by ayurveda and "chi" or "gi" in China. Western similar phrase could be defined as spirit or soul. That form of energy flows in the body which helps keeping good health and sound mind.

When this flow of energy is disturbed or imbalanced because of defective lifestyle, we face ailments. Defective lifestyle includes tensions, stress, incomplete sleeping hours, wrong diet habits, lack of exercise, overloaded schedule etc. Polarity therapy treats body, mind and soul at the same time regenerates the strength of the energy.

Neutral, positive and negative are the three relationships control your issues in day to day life. These relationships are maintained by five centers in the body. Those centers hold the charge of separate organic functions and health. This concept is adopted by ancient Indian concept of panchamahabhuta. Those are ether, earth, fire, water and air. They are responsible for controlling following organic functions:

Ether: ears and throat.
Earth: rectum and bladder
Fire: stomach and bowels.
Water: pelvis and glands.
Air: circulation and breathing.

Balance between all these points is important as that keeps the body fit. Polarity therapy's helps to keep a balance between all these centers. As the therapy treats body, mind and soul at the same time, treatments like diet control, stretching exercises, massage, and meditation are prescribed by polarity therapists.

Human body has three energy fields:

1) Long line currents that run north to south on the body;

2) Transverse currents that run east-west in the body;

3) Spiral currents that start at the navel and expand outward.

Acupressure techniques and massage therapies are used to treat the problems which occur due to defects in those currents.

Diet: green vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs are used in the diet. Lemon juice, olive oil, fruit, garlic and ginger juice etc. are used to detoxify the body. The span and quantity is decided according to the level of cleansing required. Cleansing is a primary step of purification. There is another diet to promote and increase health, after cleansing.

Exercise:

Yoga:
Yoga is used to exert the body. Specially to detox the breathing system.There are some exercises to purify the body and soul. Stretching exercises are also used in this therapy.

Concept of polarity also implies two forces, which are opposite in the nature, can be balanced with the help of third subtle third neutral factor. Those two opposite natures are rajas and tamas. Those can be controlled by satvic nature a neutral factor between both. Meditation is used to keep proper balance between them.

Thus, polarity therapy helps cure your body, mind and soul. So, choose a healthy lifestyle.

A Guide to Dry Skin Therapy

Who needs dry skin therapy?  It has been reported that 20 percent of the population suffers from some lack of skin hydration.  That means 1 out of every 5 people are in need of dry skin remedies. 

If you have ever gotten out of the shower and had your skin feel tight, then you belong in the 20 percent of people with a skin hydration problem.  Dry skin can be as mild as that tight feeling after washing to something more sever with symptoms of red, flaky, or itchy skin. 

Its a popular problem and many people are looking to have smoother, fresher skin.  There are some simple dry skin remedies that are easy to follow.  If you put them together you will have a solid dry skin therapy that will make a difference in the health of your skin.

The first step in your therapy is to stop using soap; go for a mild cleanser instead.  This is especially true for the delicate skin on your face. 

Soap is designed to remove oil.  The problem is most soaps can not distinguish between excess oil and the natural oil your skin uses to maintain moisture.  A mild cleanser doesn't use harsh chemicals and therefore does not strip your skin of its natural moisturizers.

Just switching to a mild cleanser is not enough.  For complete dry skin therapy you need to use a deep penetrating moisturizer.  Look for a cream that has natural ingredients and stay away from anything that uses mineral oil.

Mineral oil makes your skin feel hydrated upon the first application.  However, because it petroleum based, it tends to clog your pores and will build up until your skin can no longer breathe.  It's an ingredient in many dry skin remedies but it will only deteriorate the health of your skin.

I don't want to go into too much of the technical mechanisms in the skin, but I am going to talk about one important part of the skin that hasn't gotten much press. 

Hyaluronic acid is a component of skin that acts like a glue keeping together the protein building blocks of our dermis.  Why I mention it is that it holds up to 100 times its weight in water.  It is the single most important component when it comes to dry skin therapy.

Look for creams that include ingredients to stimulate hyaluronic acid in your system.  Pytessence Wakame is derived from Japanese sea kelp and is a natural way to boost your amount of hyaluronic acid, keeping your skin hydrated and giving it a healthy glow.

Functional keratin is another ingredient that has been proven to hydrate your skin down to the deepest levels.  People have even called this ingredient a miracle cure for the skin.  It has been reported that a difference can be seen in skin hydration after only a few applications.

We've covered topical dry skin remedies.  Now lets look at some things you can take internally to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.  Vitamin E and the B group vitamins are great suppliments to take either orally or topically through your skin care products. 

Also consider taking fish oil to stimulate the healthy function of your skin.  Fish oil is very high in Omega 3 fatty acids.  People taking this supplement have reported fewer lines in their skin and receive more compliments on how their skin looks after only 6 weeks. 

What there is for you to do is make small daily changes in your dry skin therapy.  The more consistently you apply a quality moisturizer, the easier it will be to watch your dry skin disappear.

Understanding Massage Therapy

It is well known today that most of our diseases are psycho-somatic in nature. What this means is that it is our emotional well-being that leads to a healthy body. Our illnesses are related to the stress that we tend to face in our daily lives.

It is massage therapy that can be a real help here. It can help to decrease anxiety besides helping to increase our concentration and rejuvenating us. It improves our quality of sleep and reduces the fatigue that we all tend to experience some time in the day.

Not only this, massage therapy can be quite helpful in easing various medical conditions. Most important, it helps to ease our dependence on medication. The side effects of taking any medication for a long time are well-known. Also, massage is quite effective for easing low back pain. This way, it helps to improve our range of movement.

Expectant mothers can expect a lot of benefits from massage therapy. It eases the labour pains. Besides, it will ensure a shorter duration of stay in the hospital post delivery.

Massaging of any kind helps in tightening and improving any kind of weak muscles in the body. It is a highly effective system for improving the immunity system as the natural defense system of the body gets highly stimulated due to regular massaging.

Massage therapy is recommended for athletes or for people who do strenuous physical activity as it helps their body to recover fast. It has an amazing effect on the skin by improving its look and lustre. It improves upon the flexibility of joints and makes movement smoother and easier. Thus it is recommended in the cases of arthritis. Using massage therapy has an impact on tissue regeneration too. Thus, there is a clear evidence of scar removal and stretch marks reduction.

Renewed energy level post massage is due to pumping of oxygen as well as other nutrients into the tissues and various vital organs of the body. All this leads to improved blood circulation in the body.

Any kind of post surgery swellings or adhesions tend to get healed through massage therapy. People who experience spasms or any kind of cramps on a regular basis benefit a lot through massage therapy. Any kind of injured, overused or even soft muscles tend to get relaxed by massage.

It is the massage therapy that releases endorphins the blood stream of the body. It is these endorphins that are the natural pain killers of the body. This is why people experience a soothing feeling of calmness after getting a massage. People suffering from migraine may also feel better after using this therapy.

There is nothing in this world that tends to age us faster than stress. This stress can be due to many reasons. It affects us physically as well as emotionally. Now we have a therapy that looks after our physical looks as well as emotional health. Various kinds of massage therapy are available and we can pick up one that suits us best.

A Natural Dry Skin Therapy Will Help to Heal Your Dry Itchy Skin

Do you suffer from dry skin but have a hard time finding a dry skin therapy to moisturize your skin without making it too oily? No matter how many times you lotion your skin it goes back to feeling dry again. It tend to become stiff and sometimes itch. You would be surprised to learn that about 20% of the population suffer from this problem. So you know you are not alone.

You know you suffer from dry skin if when you get out of the shower your skin feel tight. Therefore you need to find a good natural treatment to take care of it. Never shower using hot water, hot water dries your skin even more. Using warm water is much better for your dry skin.

It is important to learn how to take care of your dry skin. Learn what to use and what to avoid to help make your skin better.

Do not use soap, instead use a natural mild cleanser especially on your face. Soap's main purpose is to remove oil however it cannot tell the difference between your skin's natural oil and excess oil so it dries all the oils that are present. Using a mild cleanser will help your skin to maintain its natural oil.

Along with using a natural cleanser you also need to use moisturiser which is deeply penetrating and will not clog your pores. Mineral oil clogs the pores so avoid using it.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance in your skin that plays a vital role in keeping the protein building blocks of your dermis glued together. It is important to know that it holds about 100 times its weight in water and is therefore a very important aspect of dry skin therapy.

Dry skin therapy should contain natural emollients and moisturizers. Avoid chemicals that are harsh and will further dry your skin such as alcohol, parabens, fragrances and mineral oil but instead look for plant-based oils such as grapeseed, avocado, macadamia and jojoba. These will keep your skin properly moisturized making it supple.

Keeping your skin hydrated also must be done from within. Therefore drinking at least 6 glasses of water daily will help keep it hydrated. Also certain habits that you do daily can contribute to dry skin such as smoking, spending too much time in the sun and not eating healthy.

Fish is very good for keeping skin healthy. Look for fatty fish that contain high concentration of Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, hoki and sardines are high in omega 3 fatty acids and will nourish your skin with needed nutrients to keep it healthy.

To give your skin a healthy glow and to stop the dryness make sure you find the best dry skin therapy that will repair your skin from within and help to keep it moist and supple regardless of the environmental factors it might be facing.

Visit my website to learn more about the best natural dry skin therapy.

What Is Sex Therapy In Terms Of Sex Addiction Recovery?

What is sex therapy? It is a form of psychotherapy. In therapy, people can work with a therapist either on their own or with their spouse or partner. The issues can range from childhood trauma, abuse, neglect or intimacy to sexual concerns such as feelings or function. It is a helpful way for adults, regardless of sexual orientation, age or gender to work through their problems. In particular, sex therapy is an important part of the recovery process for many people who have struggled with sex addiction.

In general, sex therapy is conducted by licensed professionals including psychologists, physicians and therapists. CSAT's, certified sex addiction therapists are best suited to handle the problems of sexually addicted individuals. Other professionals have a specialized expertise in the field of sexual/relationship therapy. A reputable sex therapist will have a graduate degree and credentials through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

People who are struggling with sex addiction will not always be at a point where they are ready for sex therapy. In most cases, sex therapy is meant to be a short-term treatment option. However, the treatment plan for sex therapy is based on the individual. Once a sex addict is ready for sex therapy as an individual or with his or her partner or spouse, he or she may work with the therapist to address specific treatment goals.

There is one big misconception that needs to be cleared up when it comes to sex therapy. At no time during any therapy session by certified sex therapists should there be sexual contact with the patients either in the office or off-site. If you or someone you know is going to a "therapist" who engages in contact with them, this behavior should raise a red flag. Sex therapy, like other forms of therapy involves verbal communication between the therapist and the patient.

So what exactly does sex therapy involve? Why should anyone, let alone sex addicts see a sex therapist? The answer is quite simple: Sex therapy is an effective way to help people resolve their concerns about sexual desire or arousal, sexual interests or orientation, compulsive sexual behavior, erectile dysfunction, ejaculating too quickly (premature ejaculation), trouble reaching orgasm, painful intercourse and intimacy issues related to a disability or chronic condition just to name a few. All of these concerns can be worked through with the guidance of a licensed therapist.

Let's face it, discussing sex and intimacy issues can be a very sensitive subject. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that sex therapists are professionals. Your therapist will help you begin to feel comfortable discussing your concerns. A therapist's office is a safe setting where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself without judgment or condemnation. It is a place where you and your partner or spouse can learn and grow together. For sex addicts, learning how to move beyond sexually compulsive behaviors and developing healthy sexual behaviors, relationships and intimacy is of utmost importance.

It is natural to feel reluctant to take the first step and commit yourself to sex therapy. You might feel you need to somehow prepare for it. In reality, all you need to do is search for a certified therapist whom you and your spouse or partner (if you are attending as a couple) feel comfortable with and trust. A good place to start is by talking to your primary care doctor. He or she can give you a referral to either a therapist or to a sex therapy clinic. Some health insurance programs or employee programs offer recommended listings for licensed professionals such as sex therapists. Another good option is to find certified members of the AASECT in your area. Finally, if you are enrolled in a sex addiction treatment program, they might recommend a number of ideal options for you.

There are many considerations you will want to keep in mind before you decide on a therapist. It is important to research the therapist's credentials including education, training, accreditation and licensing. For sex addicts, you may also want to know the therapist's level of experience in dealing with issues specific to sex addiction. Other considerations might include the office location and hours, session length, treatment length, frequency of sessions, cost, insurance coverage and payment options.

Communication is essential to successful results from sex therapy. You must ensure you and your spouse or partner are comfortable with the therapist you decide on. Take some time after your consultation to evaluate how you feel about the therapist and if you feel you can develop a strong line of communication with this individual. There is no shame in asking for a referral if it isn't a good match.

Once you have selected a therapist who you feel comfortable with, you may still be a bit apprehensive. Understanding what to expect might help ease your concerns. Initially, you should expect to discuss your sexual concerns. As a sex addict, you will need to discuss the nature of your sexual addiction and the steps you have taken for recovery. Essentially, you need to give the therapist a broad overview of your situation. Ultimately, the therapist will use this information to help you build communication and improve your intimacy problems.

If you are attending sex therapy as a couple with your spouse or partner, you should expect to be asked to do a number of homework exercises. These may include reading about sexual techniques, slowing down and concentrating on your senses during sexual encounters and changing the way you relate to your spouse or partner during sex. As a sex addict, it may also include learning to develop healthy sexual behaviors with your spouse or partner.

The length of your therapy will vary based on your particular needs. It can be as short as a handful of sessions or last for several months. Your experiences outside of therapy will play a large role in determining the direction of your therapy sessions. It is also important to remember sex therapy should not include physical contact between you and the therapist. This is not an accepted part of mainstream sex therapy treatment.

Finally, you need to remember sex therapy will often be just small part of your treatment, especially when recovering from sex addiction. Other considerations such as stress, anxiety, depression and medical issues will also require treatment. Sex therapy will help you develop healthy sexual behaviors and restore your sexual relationship with your spouse or partner.

Raising Different Happy, Healthy and Intelligent Kids

Like most parents, we welcomed our first new born with great excitement and anticipation. We did the usual things parents-to-be do - getting ready a nursery with decorations, furniture, toys and clothing. We read books and went to classes on how to raise the boy in his first year. Little did we know none of this would prepare us to cope with what lay ahead. Vincent was born in the US full term without complications. We brought him back to Singapore when he was 10 weeks old. Our aim was to bring him up in a multi cultural and multi lingual environment.

However, when he was three months' old, Vincent became a regular visitor to the doctor's clinic. He was diagnosed with spleen and liver enlargements that required weekly, monthly then half yearly lever function blood tests. His enzyme was at 800+ while the normal kid should be below 50. His enzyme level stabilized when he turned three.

At 14 months', he got an infection from a make up BCG injection. This required general anesthetization and operation to remove the pustule. At two, the doctor found that Vincent had a heart murmur. Thankfully, it was a benign murmur put down to growth. At 3 , Vincent fell over a roadside curve which required three stitches above his right eye brow. At four, he had high fever for two consecutive days and had to be admitted to hospital. In between, there were the common flu and colds.

I imagine many parents have gone through similar scenarios. But these weren't the challenges that confronted our beliefs, tested our strength, and changed the course of our lives. Vincent had met all developmental milestones until we noticed he was different at a year and half. He had no language. This literally meant he did not utter a single comprehensible word. He did not call Mum or Dad. The doctor told us not to worry as boys normally develop language skills later than girls.

We became really worried when he still did not have any language at two years old. This started another stream of consultation with specialists in ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), neurology, psychology, and psychiatry. It took us more than two years to search, schedule and complete the evaluation. Vincent's hearing was tested. The neurologist couldn't find anything unusual from the visual evaluation and referred us to a psychologist.

The session with the psychologist was disastrous. She was more than one hour late for the appointment. Vincent lost patience waiting and wet his pants during the evaluation, though he had been toilet trained. The psychologist prescribed him as having a "Behavior Disorder". This brought disbelief and confusion to us. The only positive outcome was a list of recommended schools that would accept kids like Vincent.

A dark shadow
We then sought advice from a renowned psychiatrist. I still vividly remember the meeting over Vincent's diagnosis: Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS). In ayman's term, Vincent was severely delayed in development but the doctor couldn't pinpoint the cause. The psychiatrist's response that Vincent might not ever be able to live an independent life cast a dark shadow over the family.

In between the numerous evaluations, we managed to enroll Vincent into a private school with a special education program starting at age three. This marked the beginning of ever lasting therapeutic and learning programs for Vincent. To augment the learning of spoken language, Vincent was introduced to sign language and so were the parents. It was one of the happiest moments in life to hear Vincent call out 'Mum' and 'Dad' at the age of three years and four months. Though his language advanced from one word to two words level in relative short time, the speed of learning stalled. The speech pathologist advised that he needed to improve his gross and fine motor skills before language learning could accelerate.

At the strong recommendation of the teachers and specialists, we moved back to US when Vincent was five. It started a new chapter of life for Vincent and the family. Through references, we were fortunate to find a developmental pediatrician who specialized in kids like Vincent. She did a thorough evaluation of Vincent and diagnosed him as a kid with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that typically appears in early childhood. Vincent was literal with minimal imagination and common sense, and was inflexible to change. He had no eye contact, could not read social cues, had Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), showed severe delay in communication, and had gross motor and sensory dysfunction.

He exhibited symptoms of a typical autistic kid, except he was not hiding in a corner. On the contrary, he was very sociable. We started a series of therapies with Vincent. He attended private speech and occupational therapy for a year until the school could effectively address his needs. He also took herapeutic horseback riding once a week and swimming twice a week. Horseback riding helped calm him down and regulate his brain while swimming improved gross motor skills. He did both activities for more than five years.

Seeking the aid of Mozart

During these five years, we performed Patricia Wilbarger brushing at two-hour intervals to reduce sensory dysfunction, even when we were out. At the same time, he was put under Auditory Integrated Therapy (AIT). He listened to Mozart with filtered tune that was supposedly to stimulate brain function differently from regular music. Later on he had music therapy to inspire creativity. He attended 15 interactive metronome sessions to increase attention span. At the end of three months' intensive therapy, he could clap 1,500 times nonstop and consistently. We also engaged a motor specialist to improve his handwriting. The US law mandates public schools to provide support for kids with special needs. Vincent was integrated straight into mainstream kindergarten.

With limited language, mainstream kindergarten was extremely challenging for Vincent. He was easily distracted and so disruptive that he had to be brought out of the classroom. Frequent breaks or walking the school hallways were a daily event. We had to cross our fingers every day and pray that he had a good school day without incidences. With medication and consistent support, Vincent learned the daily routines and began picking up language gradually. During the First Grade language test, he scored at 1%. This meant in a hundred kids, he was the last in language proficiency. At home we worked on cognitive skills, basic and spatial concepts, attributes and functions with flash cards, and a daily follow up of the school's teaching. We also taught him phonics, time, numbers, size, money, etc. It was daunting to teach him 10 cents have more value than 5 cents when the 10 cents coin is smaller than 5 cents. Vincent's language improved to 25% by 2nd Grade. He advanced it to around 50% by the end of 4th Grade, well beyond any specialist's expectations.

Once Vincent picked up languages, he participated in classroom activity with less and less assistance from the special education teacher and the education aide.

Shifting focus

The focus for IEP has shifted to social interaction and communication. Socially we have gone through times than language learning. During kindergarten, neighbor's kids called him crazy and dumb. Fortunately, the name-calling was only hard on us parents as Vincent could not understand them. He was never invited to a birthday party from kindergarten to fourth grade. The school speech therapist drafted programs for Vincent to role-play and sat with him during lunchtime to coach him. We read books and wrote Carol Gray's social stories to demonstrate to him the broad social rules of behavior for each occasion and getting along.

He joined social skills training at a hospital and in the summer camp. Nothing came easy to Vincent. Everything had to be taught. He needed - and needs - written rules and demonstrations to guide him through each social occasion. It was hoped that he would be able to apply instantly once he gained broad base foundations. All the practices and coaching paid off when Vincent finally made three friends at Fifth Grade.

He was invited to their birthday parties. He invited them back for sleep over. He made a couple more friends at Sixth Grade. He maintained two of them as his buddies with whom he talked during lunchtime and played with after school. He no longer was a lone ranger or a target for bullies at school. We were fortunate that Vincent reacted positively to all the therapies and interventions. The developmental pediatrician was very pleased with Vincent's advancement. A psychological evaluation showed that Vincent continues to function in the above average to superior range of intelligence. He was no longer exhibiting significant discrepancy between verbal and nonverbal abilities. The doctor changed Vincent's diagnostic to Asperger Syndrome, the mildest form of the ASD, at the age of nine.

Fulfilling a dream

After many years of challenges, we started treating Vincent more like a normal kid. There are set rules on TV time. He had an allowance to purchase his favorite games and toys. He learned how to do laundry, use the dryer, fold clothes, wash dishes and cars, sweep floors, operate the vacuum cleaner, and change light bulbs, etc. Recently, he started preparing his own breakfast, cooking instant noodles, frying eggs and using a knife.

He needs these skills when he goes to college. We expect him to behave appropriately in public and at gatherings. He said he was responsible for his schoolwork so we stopped checking his homework or reviewing with him before tests. His duty as a student is to perform well academically and maintain his honor roll. He continues reading voraciously, especially science and nonfiction books. As he is not athletically inclined, he has chosen fencing as his only form of sport.

For many years without changing, his goal is to become a Zoo Veterinarian. He is on track to fulfilling his dream. After difficult processes of denial, blame, frustration, anger, acceptance and resolution, we have come to terms with his diagnosis. While we search for treatments that best suit him, we accept, most of the time, who he is and what he will become. We have vowed to provide him whatever normal kids enjoy and we expect him to perform no less than other kids' of his calibre. We understand there are more challenges ahead of him and us but we are confident he will lead a happy and independent life.

How Women Can Overcome Hormonal Imbalance With Human Growth Hormone HGH Therapy

Hormones regulate the brain functioning, cell metabolism and reproduction process in a woman's body. Hormonal balance is therefore essential and any chronic imbalance may create a number of problems for women. This imbalance may cause a fragile immune system, faster aging and innumerable diseases.

Peri menopause, menopause, flashes, forgetfulness, mood swings, insomnia, weight gain, lost libido are some signs of hormonal imbalance among women. These symptoms start to reflect in the early 30's onwards. In the U.S., the number of hormonal imbalances among women is common. The factors are many, including unhealthy diet, life circumstances, stress, environmental pollution and heredity.

How Women From Age 35-50 Can Treat Hormonal Imbalance With Human Growth Hormone HGH Therapy?

For ages Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has been known for the lovely benefits it gives to the people. It is a natural hormone deep down in the body that keeps men and women energetic and youthful in a plenty of ways.

Human Growth Hormone HGH Therapy has become a unique healing option for women having GH (Growth Hormone) imbalance and deficiency. Most recent studies show that a number of metabolic and psychological abnormalities related with hormonal imbalance can be controlled and even inversed with Human Growth Hormone (HGH) Replacement Therapy, even at a lesser dose which does not carry any side-effects.

The imbalances in body basically disrupt the hormonal growth in the body and should be nursed on-time. The Scientifically Advanced Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women serves as a beneficial strategy to help the body safely rebalances the female hormonal system. Since hormonal imbalance can create subtle dysfunctions in our physiological and psychological states, it is important to get it treated soon.

HGH therapy is the supreme anti-aging recipe and hormone balancing treatment responsible for;

" Improving Memory
" Enhancing Sex Drive
" Controlling night sweats and hot flashes
" Reducing Stress Levels
" Overall Energy Increase
" cell production and growth stimulation
" increasing height
" keeping bones healthy
" checks and regulates sugar and insulin level
" reducing fat in women

The great news is that now you can rebuild your hormonal balance in a healthy and safe way with Hormone Replacement Therapy. At LA Health & Rejuvenation Center we have treated a number of women suffering hormonal problems of all kinds. We conduct a proper medical test before proceeding with Hormone Therapy.

Organic Skin Therapy and Treatment - What is it and What Will it Do For Me?

If you have never heard of organic skin therapy and treatment, it's probably because no one has told you about the connection between the environment and skin care regimes. Organic skin therapy is associated with an inner beauty that results from a new way of looking at your life. For your true inner radiance to show through your skin, you should consider adopting a green lifestyle, which embraces organic ways of living.

Rather than applying artificial synthetic bronzers to your skin to make it look warmer and more radiant, when you take care of your body from the inside out and you utilize organic skin therapy and treatment methods, your natural beauty will show through automatically.

When someone talks about organic products or living an organic lifestyle, it requires removing clutter from your daily habits that would otherwise cause you stress. Researchers have shown us that our skin adapts holistically to the rest of our body and lifestyle. What does that mean? What you put into your body shows on the outside. When you apply products to your skin that contain harmful chemicals, that also impacts your body's responses and health.

When you use natural and organic products that come from substances found in nature, it is most likely that your body will metabolize the ingredients effectively. Everything that you eat and the habits that you have or don't have regarding exercise will determine and be a reflection of how your body functions. When you focus on eating nutritious foods and eliminate unnecessary carbs and junk foods, you'll have glowing skin. When your diet is balanced, and you keep a regular routine supplying your body with vital nutrients, then your skin and other vital body tissues will benefit accordingly.

Skin Therapy Nutrition Requirements

For the most effective organic skin therapy and treatment, you should try to maintain a diet that is rich in the following foods:

* Organic foods that have not been overly processed.

* Animal protein foods such as free range chicken, and grass fed beef.

* Freshly caught fish, nuts, grains, seeds, and other foodstuffs that provide essential fatty acids.

* Fresh fruits and vegetables that are a source of protein and help build collagen in the skin.

* Vegetable oils, yogurt, honey, yeast, and milk are known to increase the skin's suppleness and longevity.

* Water, most definitely, is the blood detoxifier and helps your lymphatic system to become hydrated and free-flowing.

In addition to putting healthy foods into your body, it is also important for you to get enough sleep every night, and to exercise every day, even if you just walk in place for ten minutes. It's long been known that skin problems are the result of stress. So it is critically important for you to achieve a balance of work, rest, and play. Even if you take thirty minutes a day to meditate, pray, or take a walk in your neighborhood, or soak in the tub, this is valuable time that your body requires on a daily basis.

If you're young, you might not think that diet, exercise, lifestyle and dedicated relaxation time makes any difference. However, to assure yourself of longevity of life and a healthy body, free of unnecessary illness, you can start now with this organic skin therapy program.

Juice Therapy

Surviving on fresh fruit and vegetable juices is a kind of treatment termed as juice therapy.

This therapy is very effective than that of fasting on plain water that leaves you wrecked and tired. Juice therapy is quite an effective method to provide the body's digestive and assimilative system a short break, and enable the body to reinvigorate itself. Apart from, giving the system a break, the juices themselves carries effective medicinal components. Different juices have different benefits.

The synergistic effect of the fasting and the raw juices, the functioning of the eliminating organs e.g. lungs, kidneys, and the skin, is improved.

Benefits of Juice Therapy

Of course, juices have the same properties as the fruits or vegetables in their raw from, but their being in liquid form, are absorbed by the body very easily and quickly. They are replete of vitamins, minerals, natural sugars and trace elements. They are also aplenty in alkaline elements, which help in maintaining the body's acid-alkaline balance.

This qualities itself qualifies them to heal many diseases. Juices also display several natural remedies that enhance a good health. A healthy, glowing skin is one of the results of a healthy functioning of human body.

Precautionary Measures

Some precautions must be taken during Juice therapy process. It is imperative to consult a doctor or an expert naturopath, especially if you plan to continue this therapy for a few days, since this involves a considerable deviation from your usual lifestyle. It is also recommended that all juices should be freshly juiced. This is because raw juices tend to oxidize very quickly, and hence lose their medicinal properties faster than raw fruits. Sweet juices are advisable to be diluted with water before consuming to cut down its sweetness. At the same time, fruit and vegetable juices must not be consumed at a time, as they work differently having different effects.

Besides being used as a juice therapy, juices can also be taken as a supplement to your daily diet. Carrot juice is considered as one of the prominent juices for a healthy and glowing skin. It is known to treat acne and spots on the skin. Apple, watermelon, and lemon juices also help cleaning the skin and spots.

Even spinach and cabbage juices are also a rich source of elements that help in acquiring a clear skin. Mixture of carrot juice with spinach juice, or with spinach and cabbage juice can also help to get rid of acne. Lemon juice also carries a large amount of vitamin C in it, and this can also be consumed after a diet to help digestion.

Other Factors

Though, expecting healthy and glowing skin only by consuming these juices is not possible. A delineation of lifestyle by incorporating some daily exercise into your life, and also eating wholesome, healthy foods and avoiding stress are the other factors that immensely reflects in your skin and health.

Colon Therapy Is the Best Way to Achieve a Healthy Body

Indigestion and constipation are some of the major problems faced by many people. Making a few dietary changes can help you get rid of this problem. Dietary changes such as inclusion of fibrous food in the daily diet and proper intake of water can help you achieve relief naturally. You can also find a number of products that facilitate regular bowel movements. However, there are times when even these natural and tested methods do not work and you need to look out for other alternatives. One such option that has proven results and has helped many patients is colon irrigation.

Colon irrigation is a procedure that has gained immense popularity among many patients. It is also popularly known as colon therapy or colon hydrotherapy. Water is one of the main ingredients used to perform this cleansing. Hydrotherapy is a clinically tested method which ensures healthy bowel movements. Initially, it was a method popular among celebrities and Hollywood stars. However, with the awareness of the importance of having a healthy digestive system, many people have opted for this method. The procedure is inexpensive and simple. There are a number of irrigation treatment centers that have come up around the country catering to the increased demand among people.

Over time, there are a number of toxins and waste which build up in the body. Having these harmful toxins in the body for a long time can create serious health problems. Thus, it is essential to flush these wastes out of the digestive system regularly to remain healthy and fit. Colon irrigation is an alternative therapy that ensures a healthy and fit body. It ensures the presence of a healthy and properly functioning digestive system. This cleansing method has been used as a preventive measure to avoid major health problems in the future. It is a method that requires a high level of professional skills and is performed only by trained therapists. The procedure requires flushing water into the colon several times with the help of a tube. The movement of water creates the necessary muscle stimulation of the colon. This movement, in turn, helps the muscles to contract and push out the waste. The therapy ensures that the colon is entirely and thoroughly cleaned. You can also add additives such as wheat grass and coffee to the water to enjoy added health benefits.

Colon irrigation treatment is similar to enema. However, the enema process doesn't always clean the colon thoroughly and only manages to clear the bottom of the colon. On the other hand, the irrigation method ensures that the entire colon is thoroughly cleaned. Visiting the clinic regularly for the cleansing can be difficult for professionals with busy work schedules. To promote health and wellness, many companies offer colon cleansing kits used to perform the procedure privately at home. These kits are easy to use and store. You can browse the internet to know more about these products and choose the one that suits your needs.

Testosterone For Menopause - A Therapy That May Work For You

Testosterone therapy has proven to be a very effective treatment when it comes to regulating or even eliminating the symptoms that are associated with menopause. During menopause, the extreme changes in the body can cause hormone levels to be out of balance, so testosterone therapy can help manage menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, and sexual dysfunction. Testosterone is critical in maintaining healthy bone density, lean muscle, red blood cell production, and safeguarding the immune system. It is also vital for proper cardiac output and neurological function.

If you have been looking for a safe way to treat menopausal symptoms, testosterone therapy may be right for you. Here are some facts about the procedure that you should discuss with your doctor.

If you are thinking seriously about testosterone therapy, you should be aware of a few things before you begin treatment. First, you should prepare yourself to stay with the treatment until you see definite results, and this could take a few weeks. You will need to be on testosterone therapy for at least a month in most cases to make sure that your hormone levels are becoming balanced again, so if you don't feel better right away, don't panic.

You should also be aware that the amount of 'good' cholesterol, or HCL , will decrease in your body naturally while you are on testosterone therapy. So, you will have to make certain adjustments in your diet in order to stay healthy and keep your energy level up.

You should discuss testosterone therapy with your doctor in detail once you have made the final decision to undergo therapy, so that he or she can tell you about the additional ailments that you may be able to get rid of. For instance, your mood will improve due to the amount of androgens that will be injected into the body, and your bones and muscles will be strengthened. This is especially important if osteoporosis runs in your family; 75 percent of all women who have osteoporosis are post-menopausal, so the sooner you start testosterone therapy, the more likely it is that you will avoid this condition.

You may also want to talk to your doctor about how to customize your treatment; taking small dosages of the hormone at first may be best, especially if you are consuming a healthy diet and exercising daily.

Top 3 Natural Fertility Therapies

There are many natural fertility therapies available to help you boost your fertility or balance your body in preparation for conception. I am going to share with you my favorite three. I feel these three are some of the most effective natural fertility therapies available. They can be used by any woman who would like to increase her reproductive health

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been a staple in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries, and because of its effectiveness it will most likely remain at the forefront of natural procedures. Although acupuncture has come under fire several times in our modern age, every single time it has been tested, researchers have come back and stated that while it may not "cure" a disease it does in fact have a positive influence on the body! The point of acupuncture is not to cure your disease; acupuncture is used to promote positive energy within the body to help it restore a normal healthy environment. Basically, it is used to help relax the body, promote healing, and maintain health once it is restored.

While traditional acupuncture does include the use of several tiny needles, modern practitioners have found ways around this with the use of pressure or other techniques. Now days an acupuncturist may use suction, pressure, heat, friction, or even electromagnetic energy to stimulate your points. This all depends on your personal preference; bottom line is generally you need an acupuncturist to perform these techniques. The next natural fertility therapy we will discuss can be done in the privacy of your own home by you or your spouse. This therapy is called fertility massage. 

Self Fertility Massage

Fertility massage combines several different types of massage that can be performed by yourself, or a loved one on the abdomen. This massage like acupuncture has been used for centuries to aid in fertility and conception. Fertility massage can aid in correcting several of the problems that commonly cause infertility such as blockages, adhesions, scar tissue, and many more. It is very important that one knows all the correct techniques and time frames in which to perform fertility massage. The really great thing about fertility massage is you can apply the technique for yourself.

Fertility Cleanse

Last but certainly not least is fertility cleansing. A fertility cleanse is very important when preparing your body for conception, cleansing the body before conception is essential to prevent any toxins from being passed to your baby in utero, creating a healthy menstrual cycle, and preparing the uterus for conception. During a fertility cleanse you will take very specific herbs that cleanse the liver and uterus of old toxins, hormones, and stagnate blood. This will in turn promote a more healthy reproductive system, and a healthier body. It is important to understand that once you become pregnant you should not cleanse

The truly great thing about natural fertility therapies vs. traditional fertility therapies is, natural fertility therapies will leave you feeling wonderfully refreshed and make you healthier over all. Traditional fertility therapies may often be stressful, expensive, and treat one specific symptom, not the whole body like natural therapies does. But when medical assistance is necessary natural remedies can help to create a healthier body, lessen the stress of the situation, and possibly help to increase your chances of success.

Staying Healthy - Magnet Maintenance

If you are one of the lucky Americans that doesn't have a physical injury that gives you pain on a daily basis, congratulations! Now that you are completely healthy, you must strive to maintain your health and live disease-free. You can accomplish this high quality of life with proper diet, exercise and health supplements. One such supplemental program is magnet therapy.

A popular perception of magnet therapy is that you have to be sick or injured to use the magnets for benefit. Believe it or not, you can use many other magnetic products that will provide an extra preventative health measure against negative health consequences.

You spend about a third of your life in bed: sleeping, reading, watching T.V. and relaxing with family. A great way to take advantage of all this bed time is to use magnets in bed! You can begin your bed time health program with a magnetic mattress pad and magnetic pillows that can provide overall body recharging and healing. Using these products differs from the more specific products (the metal bracelet, braces) by giving total body magnetic therapy every single night.

Do you sometimes suffer from sinus or stress headaches? There's even a magnetic solution to this problem! Using a magnetic eye mask (similar to the black eye masks you can use to sleep) will provide arterial and venous relaxation which will alleviate the pain of your headaches and sinus pressure.

While you spend a third of your life in bed, the other two-thirds is spent on your feet. Magnetic insoles can help minimize the pain the long days at work by keeping your tendons and ligaments stretched and relaxed throughout the day. Magnetic insoles also have a very centering effect on your mental focus and clarity, since the magnetic force of the Earth directly contacts your feet.

You can even share the love of magnets with your pets. Pet products that will help your older dogs and cats stay healthy into old age when arthritis becomes a problem. Magnets for your pets can also cut down on cancer and heart problems in older dogs.

Finally, before getting started with your magnetic health maintenance program, you should do your homework. Be certain that the company that provides you with your magnet products certifies the quality of its magnets and purity of the metals used in your magnets. Some online magnet therapy providers will give you very cheap impure magnets. These do not have any health benefits whatsoever! Pure metal magnets are the only way to get assured health benefits.

Health with magnets is a practical and reasonably priced way to maintain your physical well being. Why not start today?

Top 10 Reasons People Seek Massage Therapy

Most of us are aware that therapeutic massage feels amazing; but massage also provides relief to a multitude of specific health concerns. Therapeutic massage has been proven beneficial in reducing muscular pain and tension; relieving lower back pain; lessening depression; giving K.O.'s to sleep disorders, lowering high blood pressure, increasing flexibility, and much more!

Experts believe that 90% of stress accounts for 80-90% of illnesses and disease. As massage is a great stress-reliever, you can see that we can avoid a lot of current, stress-related illnesses via massage therapy.

As mentioned above, there are several reasons why people seek massage. Below are the top ten reasons why most people seek massage:

1. Massage feels great!

Massage can be a wonderful experience for deep relaxation. Post massage leaves your body and mind feeling at amazing ease.

2. Pain Relief

Massage provides significant reduction in back pain, (including lower back pain), migraine headaches, neck aches, shoulder pain, joint pain, overused or sore muscles, arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and muscle injuries. A regular massage loosens all this unnecessary tension!

3. Stress!

That overworked, overwhelmed, spaced-out feeling. Massage provides deep relaxation lessening your muscle tension and lowering your blood pressure (by reducing heart and pulse rates). Massage increases your mental clarity, heightens mental alertness, and revitalizes your mind. Massage also increases academic performance and ability to focus on calculations.

4. Combating age

Massage therapy and bodywork improves immune system functioning while relieving muscle aches and stiffness. Massage also enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility; improves blood and lymph circulation; and promotes healthy vibrant skin.

5. Calming Emotions

You'd be surprised at the number of people who receive regular massage treatments as an alternative to 'dealing' with depression. . Massage therapy increases self-esteem, improves your mood, decreases depression, reduces anxiety, and quiets insomnia. Massage also can ease PMS symptoms.

6. Accelerated Healing

Massage therapy speeds healing of muscles, tissues, and skin. Thus sports massage is used and great for post-workouts, post-surgery, and muscle soreness in general.

7. Increased Flexibility/Mobility

Massage therapy is perfect for people who workout, are physically fit, those who are athletes, elderly, and even pre/post surgery. Massage is wonderful for improving motor skills. Massage therapy also maintains posture in the skeletal system.

8. Removing built up toxins

Massage flushes away waste products from your muscles, tissues, and skin more easily. This helps digestive disorders (such as spastic colon, constipation and intestinal gas).

9. Improving and Maintaining Skin Tone

Massage therapy stimulates skin gland production, leaving clear, healthy skin. Massage to the skin also helps to reduce superficial scar tissue, improving skin condition(s).

10. Better overall health investment, maintenance of optimal health

In summary:

Regular massage will make you look and feel years younger! Massage therapy is so much more than a luxurious way to relax. It is a wise investment in your health and being. Massage certainly should be regarded as proof to your dedication towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Take a mini vacation for an hour or two!