Name: Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil

Botanical Name: Cedrus atlantica

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled

Color: Light Golden Yellow

Consistency: Medium and oily feeling

Perfumery Note: Base

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium - Strong

Aromatic Description: Woody, sweet, sharper note than Virginian Cedarwood, slight aroma reminiscent of artificial mothballs, balsamic.

Possible Uses: Acne, arthritis, bronchitis, coughing, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, stress. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Constituents: Atlantone, caryophyllene, cedrol, cadinene. [Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Great Britain: Element Books, 1992, cited in Salvatore Battaglia, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (Australia: The Perfect Potion, 1997), 150.]

Safety Information: Avoid during pregnancy. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 108.]

All Essential oils or highly concentrated, do not ingests or add directly to the skin. Always ask your trained massage aroma therapist on how to use any essential oils. These oils are used as a guide only.

May is Stroke Awareness Month. This is a good time to learn how bodywork can play a valuable role in helping to prevent stroke in those who are most vulnerable, and help victims recover with dignity. Of the five million stroke survivors in the United States, more than three million have some resulting disability or degree of impairment. Discover three complementary therapies that have been shown to help in stroke recovery and rehabilitation.

by Linda Fehrs, LMT

Every 45 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. It is the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer and the number one cause of adult disability. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable, according to the American Stroke Association.

Depending on the severity, recovery can be long and difficult. A major stroke can result in a person being unable to walk or speak; a mild stroke makes recovery easier and resulting disabilities are barely noticeable. Quick intervention, within 48 hours, is most effective in reducing the negative impact of damage to the brain. Unless you work in a hospital setting this is difficult but, as doctors become aware of how massage helps, this may change.

Causes
The causes of stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), include:

· Cerebral thrombosis, which is caused by a clot lodged in a cerebral artery and accounts for about 88% of strokes.
· An embolism, similar to cerebral thrombosis, differs in origin. Inefficient pumping of the heart allows blood to thicken, forming clots in the left atrium, which then enter the bloodstream and, ultimately, the brain.
· Cerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages are caused by ruptured blood vessels as a result of uncontrolled chronic hypertension, head trauma or malformed blood vessels, which produce tissue death in the brain.

The extent of damage depends on the part of the brain affected, how much of it and for how long. Motor damage can be seen in either partial or full paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia), a loss of language (aphasia), personality changes and/or loss of memory.

Symptoms
Massage therapists offer a first line of defense in helping to recognize the symptoms of stroke and later, during recovery, to reduce its effects.

If a client appears to have a sudden onset of numbness in one arm, speech is slurred or difficult to understand, if they cannot repeat a simple phrase, or their face appears to droop on one side, it is time to call 911.

Prompt intervention is the best treatment, including administration of anticoagulants for blood clot reduction, except in strokes caused by a hemorrhage. Massage would typically not be introduced into the recovery regimen for several weeks or months and requires approval from the attending physician.

Massage Reduces Anxiety and Pain
In a 2004 study, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Department of Nursing and Wong Chuk Hang Hospital in Hung Hom, Lowloon, Hong Kong, found that slow-stroke massage on elderly stroke patients treated for anxiety and shoulder pain resulted in significantly lower pain, anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate. The subjects had an average age of 73 and received no other pain relief measures. They received ten minutes of slow-stroke massage prior to bedtime for seven days and an evaluation before receiving massage on the first day, again on the last day of the study, and three days after the sessions ended.

The authors, Esther Mok and Chin Pang Woo, wrote “the results of this study support the view that [slow-stroke back massage], as an alternative adjunct to pharmacological treatment, is a clinically effective nursing intervention for reducing anxiety and shoulder pain in elderly stroke patients.”

As the study indicates, slow-stroke massage reduces two of what may be the most important factors in stroke recovery – pain and anxiety. Deep or vigorous strokes are counterproductive and may cause more harm than good. Slow, soothing techniques and gentle stretching help with flexibility and proprioception.

3 Complementary Therapies for Stroke Rehabilitation
In addition to slow-stroke massage techniques, a client’s recovery may also be helped by the use of familiar complementary therapies such as reflexology, aromatherapy or shiatsu.

1. Reflexology might be used if Swedish massage is inappropriate. It gently helps the body recover from a stroke. Clients are helped without using techniques that increase blood flow, and contraindicated in someone with blood vessel weaknesses.

2. Aromatherapy is also helpful. Using an essential oil such as lavender helps relieve stress, while oils of rosemary and lemon may help circulation.

3. Another option is shiatsu. In Chinese medicine, chronic weakness of Qi blocks the blood flow to the brain, causing strokes. Shiatsu helps restore this flow, offering a session that is both rehabilitative and relaxing. Using points known as Four Gates (LI4 and LV3) relaxes tension in the head, reduces pain and calms the mind. GB20 improves circulation to the head, thus bringing much needed oxygen to the brain.

Documentation
Documentation through accurate and thorough SOAP notes is an important factor in the treatment of stroke victims. You will most likely be working in conjunction with other health care professionals, and sharing the outcomes of your sessions provide important evidence of a client’s progress. While initial intake is important in determining the type of massage treatment, ongoing notes will record the client’s improvement, help to update the primary care physician and demonstrate how massage can be an effective and valuable tool in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors.

While there may be no definitive studies proving the efficacy of massage in preventing or reducing strokes, it has been shown to positively affect predictors such as improving circulation and lowering stress and blood pressure. The effects of stroke continue to be one of the most debilitating disability issues. Massage therapists may help prevent stroke in those who are most vulnerable, and help victims recover with dignity.

Recommended Study:
Aromatherapy Essentials
Ethical Case Management
Reflexology
Shiatsu Anma Therapy

Resources:
www.haleclinic.com, Ailments/Stroke, Hale Clinic, London, UK, 2008.

http://holistic-online.com, Jacob, Dr. George, Alternative and Complementary Medicine for Stroke, 2008.

Massage Benefits Stroke Patients Study: Originally published in Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery, 2004, Vol. 10, pp. 209-216.

www.massagetherapy.com, Stroke Rehab – Part I, An Overview, April/May 2000, and Stroke Rehab – Part II, Coming Back, June/July 2000, Massage and Bodywork Magazine, Miesler, Dietrich, M.A., C.M.T.

www.stroke.org, May is Stroke Awareness Month, National Stroke Association, 2008

www.pacificviewpress.com, The Practical Application of Meridian Style Acupuncture, Pirog, John E., Pacific View Press, Berkeley, C, 1996.

www.americanheart.org, Stroke Statistics, American Heart Association, 2008.

Posted by Editors at 09:29 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Washing your hands before and after every massage client is hygienically necessary, yet doing so typically dries out the skin of healthcare providers. By implementing these five solutions for keeping their hands healthy, massage therapists can avoid the sore and irritable skin damage attributed to frequent hand washing.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

In the healthcare profession, hand washing is essential to stop the spread of potentially serious infections. To prevent transmitting pathogens, massage therapists are constantly washing their hands – before a client, after a client, before eating, after eating and after going to the bathroom. For a therapist who sees eight clients in a row, that can add up to over 20 hand washings during one day at work! While this habitual cleansing is mandatory for a healthy environment, it can also result in dry, chapped hands – which can eventually progress to dermatitis. To prevent the spread of germs and maintain healthy skin, bodyworkers have to pay extra attention to the condition of their primary diagnostic and treatment tool: their hands.

Skin 101
The largest organ of the human body, our skin protects us from our environment. With an outermost epidermal layer only 1/250th of an inch, and the dermis being only 1/50th to 3/25ths of an inch thick, the skin’s protective function can be interrupted without difficulty. Repeated hand washing easily leads to drying of the skin and microscopic cracks.

Since healthy skin has a slightly acidic pH, exposure to alkaline substances (such as many commercial cleansers and hand soaps) contributes to a disruption in the skin’s integrity. While a homeostatic repair mechanism repairs the skin’s barrier, continued exposure to alkaline substances will slow down this repair by inhibiting normal skin acidity. Used in most soaps, sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent naturally derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil. In its concentrated raw form, it has an approximate pH of 10, which is very alkaline and drying to the skin.

Once the top layer of the skin cracks due to recurrent wet/dry cycles, especially in conditions of low humidity where drying occurs rapidly, it results in inflammation. This is how irritant hand dermatitis begins. The swollen, reddened and itchy skin characterized by dermatitis is familiar to many frequent hand washers.

Dermatitis
Affecting all types of healthcare workers, dry skin and dermatitis are two conditions linked to frequent hand washing. In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) states that skin injuries and diseases account for a large proportion of all occupational injuries and diseases. A recent study conducted in collaboration with NIOSH and the American Academy of Dermatology focused on 100 healthcare workers in Cleveland who washed their hands at least eight times daily. Participants completed questionnaires identifying the frequency of hand washing, family history of dermatitis and medical condition history. Researchers used patch tests to determine how easily detergents irritated the participants’ skin and to predict which patients were at risk for hand dermatitis.

According to Susan T. Nedorost, dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, “Our findings confirm that healthcare workers who wash their hands repeatedly are at an increased risk of developing hand dermatitis, which can take months to heal. This knowledge can help workers at risk for the condition to practice good hand care and follow preventative tips to decrease their risk factors on the job.”

Of particular interest, analysis of the data highlighted that the most important factor in predicting those at risk for hand dermatitis was a reaction to the detergent sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Specifically, the large percentage of participants who reacted positively to SLS and developed hand dermatitis far outweighed the number of participants who did not react positively to SLS, but subsequently developed hand dermatitis. Considering the highly alkaline pH of SLS, it’s not surprising that it was associated with dermatitis in this study.

5 Solutions
Since repeated hand washing is required for massage therapists, taking good care of their hands is very important. Suggestions for preventing the damage to the skin typically inflicted by frequent hand washing include:

1. Choose your skin cleanser carefully. Make sure to use a pH-balanced skin cleanser and, if sensitive to SLS, use hand cleaners free of this foaming agent.

2. Especially important if not working with oils or lotions during a session, make sure to moisturize after every hand washing. Moisturizers coat the skin with oil, block evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture and trap water in its surface. While they can’t cure dry skin, moisturizers provide protection, relieve the dry, itchy feeling and reduce the tendency to crack. Although most of the water in the cream or moisturizer evaporates, the oil stays on as a lubricant, enabling the skin to retain moisture. In addition, apply a good hand cream every night before bed.

3. Give your hands a weekly paraffin treatment to help them recover from all of the hand washing. Paraffin is soothing to the skin because the wax is mixed with mineral oil. The heated seal that the wax creates allows the oil to penetrate the skin deeply for moisture restoration.

4. When not at work, protect hands from further damage. Minimize direct exposure to cold, dry weather by wearing gloves when submersed in these elements.

5. Maintain moisture inside and outside your body by drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.

As the single most important step towards infection control, healthcare professionals must wash their hands frequently. As such, massage therapists often encounter the consequences of washing their hands ten times a day or more. Make sure to pay extra attention to your hands’ moisture and periodically pamper your mitts. By making good hand health a priority, even bodyworkers can avoid dry, cracked, itchy and irritated hands.

References:

www.aad.org, New Study Finds Frequent Hand Washing Puts Health Care Workers at Increases Risk for Irritant Contact Dermatitis, American Academy of Dermatology, February 2008.

www.earthessentials.com, FAQ, Earthscience, 2008.

www.health.com, Heal Chapped, Dry Hands, Health Magazine, 2008.

www.infectioncontroltoday.com, Handwashing: Breaking the Chain of Infection, Amy Walker Barres, Virgo Publishing, LLC, 2008.

www.mayoclinic.com, Dermatitis, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2008.

www.medscape.com, What Should I Recommend for Severe Dry, Cracking Skin?, Margaret A. Fitzgerald, MS, APRN, BC, NP-C, FAANP, Medscape, 2008.

www.occupationalhazards.com, Excessive Hand Washing Linked to “Hand Dermatitis”, Laura Walter, Penton Media Inc., February 2008.

Posted by Editors at 03:16 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Spring has finally rolled around, and the first thing that may come to mind is cleaning your home from top to bottom. Spring also happens to be the best time of year to get rid of the toxins in your body - learn which three massage techniques are especially suited for this task.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

As the cobwebs of winter dissipate with spring’s rainfall, the human body has its own way of adjusting to longer hours of daylight and increases in the outside temperature. By getting rid of the dirt that has accrued over the colder months, the tradition of spring cleaning promotes clean homes across the continents. Similarly, many realize spring as the ideal season to rid their body of the toxins accumulated over winter. Known specifically for their internal cleansing properties, certain bodywork techniques have the ability to support this ritualistic detoxification.

Chinese medical theory teaches its students that the energy in the liver organ system is most active in the spring. As the first line of defense against accumulated poisons, the liver’s role in cleansing the blood makes it one of the most important targets for detoxification. According to Denver naturopath and yoga instructor Brenna Hatami, “Spring represents the best time of year for cleansing the body for many reasons.” Hatami cites the availability of lighter foods, milder weather enticing more people outdoors and the enhanced regenerative properties of the liver as contributing to spring’s history as the season where people return to health.

Today, with more toxins in the environment than ever, “it’s critical to detox,” says Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D., the author of Detoxification (Healthy Healing Publications). Page recommends detoxifying for symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, sluggish elimination, irritated skin, allergies or low-grade infections, bags under the eyes, a distended stomach even if the rest of your body is thin, menstrual difficulties or mental confusion.

Among advocates of detoxification, there is dissension about what constitutes the ideal detoxification regimen. However, any program that augments the removal of toxins will improve health. Depending on who is consulted, a plan for detoxification may involve many factors, including:

· A highly specialized diet – often organic, vegetarian and low-fat
· Fasting
· Herbal supplements
· Bodywork
· Colonics
· Perspiration practices
· Increased water consumption
· Physical activity

While no one method is sufficient for a complete system overhaul, combining several detoxification approaches always enhances toxin removal quantity.

Bodywork to Detoxify
There are a number of different massage therapy techniques that encourage detoxification. While a case for impurity elimination can be constructed for many of these approaches, three kinds of bodywork are known to be especially supportive of detoxification:

1. Shiatsu for the Liver – Based on the meridian network mapped by Traditional Chinese Medicine, stimulating points along the liver channel help stimulate this organ to be a more efficient blood purifier. Performing shiatsu on Liver 3, the source point of the liver, is especially effective in increasing the blood circulation and thus purification capacity of this organ.

2. Lymphatic Drainage Massage – Integral to detoxification, the lymphatic system sequesters circulating threats in the body and aids in their elimination. Thus, draining the lymph nodes of accumulated toxins with lymphatic drainage massage removes blockages and improves their cleansing function.

3. Swedish Massage – Because the circulation resulting from Swedish massage enhances oxygen exchange among local tissues and improves colon drainage capability, this is a good addition for helping escort impurities out of the body.

Bodywork Caution
Massage therapists working with clients undergoing an intense detoxification program must be aware of the potential for a Herxheimer reaction. The Herxheimer reaction occurs when the body is detoxifying too rapidly, causing toxins to be released faster than the body can eliminate them. When this occurs, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting and malaise typically ensue. Although a Herxheimer reaction is short-lived, it can be severe enough for a client to stop detoxification.

To minimize this problem, advise clients undergoing detoxification to:

· proceed with their detox program slowly
· drink lots of pure water
· avoid exposure to environmental toxins
· avoid eating refined, processed foods
· abstain from alcohol
· perspire through exercise or taking a sauna/steam bath

Encourage established or potential clients to take advantage of spring’s momentum by cleansing themselves of the toxins residing within. As long as bodyworkers are careful to circumvent a Herxheimer reaction, shiatsu for the liver, lymphatic drainage massage and Swedish massage are the perfect accompaniments to someone’s internal spring cleaning.

Recommended Study:
Shiatsu Anma Therapy
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Swedish Massage

References:

http://chetday.com , Detoxification Details, Ted H. Spence, DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH, chetday.com, 2008.

http://life.gaiam.com, 10 Ways to Detoxify Your Body, Deborahann Smith, Gaiam Inc., 2008.

Marty, Diane M., Detox Days, Body Sense, Spring/Summer 2004.

www.healthydetoxtips.com, Detox - Why You Need To Start Now, How to Detox, 2008.

www.integrative-healthcare.com/mt, Emotional Spring Cleaning, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Natural Wellness, 2008.

www.massagemag.com, Massage Eases Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Massage Magazine, March/April 2005.

www.talkmince.com, Detox Massage for Body Cleansing, Sandra Kim Leong, 2008.

Posted by Editors at 12:54 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Often a neglected part of the body, the ears hold a special place in bodywork. Discover why clients love their ears rubbed during a session, what ear massage is particularly effective for and how to use the ears to increase a session’s effectiveness.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Auriculotherapy is reflexology of the ear. The auricle of the ear (the external, protruding portion), can be viewed as a microsystem representing the entire body. Microsystems are valuable in many disciplines, including neuroanatomy, foot and hand reflexology, face and scalp acupuncture, and iridology.

The first defined microsystem is a figurative representation of the human body mapped in the brain’s cortex. Called somatosensory mapping, a distorted human figure reflects the corresponding body parts in the sensory and motor cortex. Also known as the cortical homunculus, this figure has disproportionately large lips, hands, feet and genitals, reflecting the larger cortical area allocated for the innervation of these body parts.

Similar to the cortical homunculus, the ear has been mapped in detail to reflect associated areas with the entire human body. Due to its high level of accessibility, this auricular microsystem can be used to treat health conditions affecting all parts of the body. Stimulating points on the ear can alleviate problems associated with nearby regions of the face and head as well as relieve pathological disorders in the chest, abdomen, lower back, and feet. According to microsystem theory, there are no direct connections between the ear and specific distal body parts. Rather, nerves from the ear connect to reflex centers in the brain that send neurological reflex pathways to the spinal cord, which in turn, sends them on to the neurons reaching distal body parts.

While ear massage can be used to address a countless array of health issues, musculoskeletal pain and addiction have demonstrated some of the most dramatic responses to auriculotherapy.

Pain
Regardless of the mechanism, applying pressure to the ear in specific locations has been found to relieve distal body pain. Ear massage triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, endorphins. Studies have demonstrated that ear stimulation increases levels of endorphins in both the blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Ear massage also aids in breaking the pain-spasm-pain cycle. Most chronic pain is due to the constriction of connective tissue surrounding muscles in spasm. Muscles remain in spasm when the brain instructs motor neurons to initiate and sustain their contraction. The stimulation of ear reflex points connected to the brain can reset the brain’s electrical prompts, stopping unwanted activation of spinal reflexes. According to Oleson, “Pain sensations that are due to irritated nerves can be relieved by the normalizing of pathological, hypersensitive reflex pathways that interconnect the ear microsystem and the somatotopic brain.”

Consult an auriculotherapy map to locate the correct reflex area to address a specific painful body part. Identification of a tender area on the ear typically corresponds with the most beneficial point to relieve the distally located pain.

Addiction
Auriculotherapy is used throughout the world to reduce substance cravings and assist in the detoxification of addictive substances. Explanations for the effectiveness of auriculotherapy in facilitating drug independence derive from both a Western neurological conceptualization and a Traditional Oriental Medicine perspective. The first evidence of auriculotherapy’s in reducing substance cravings of drug addicts came from Dr. Wen of Hong Kong in the 1970s, and was expanded upon by Dr. Michel Smith, a physician who practices Oriental Medicine in New York City.

A Western neurological basis for using auriculotherapy as part of drug detoxification focuses on the area of the ear primarily used in addiction treatment, the concha. The two concave or hollow areas of the outer ear, the concha correspond to the autonomic nervous system via the vagus nerve and the brain’s hypothalamus. Influencing these nervous system components enhances relaxation and maintains balance. Auriculotherapy’s release of endorphins has the additional benefit of improving mood without the aid of the addicted substance.

Traditionally, five points are stimulated on the outer ear to aid the addiction recovery process. Possession of an illustrated ear map will facilitate locating each of the five points: Sympathetic, Shen Men, Heart, Liver and Lung.

Don’t skip the ears
While the majority of research has focused on ear acupuncture, auriculotherapy works with any type of ear stimulation. Many massage therapists include a general, feel-good ear rub at the conclusion of a session. However, learning the anatomy and body map of the ear can add a new level of healing to a massage. Since the ears provide direct access to the central and peripheral nervous systems, spending some time to focus on specific ear locations will benefit your client by amplifying the bodywork performed.

References:

Netter, MD, Frank H., Atlas of Human Anatomy, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, 1989.

Oleson, PhD, Terry, Auriculotherapy Manual, Health Care Alternatives, 1998.

www.auriculotherapy.com, FAQs, Terry Oleson, PhD, 2006.

www.brainconnection.com, Motor Humunculus, Scientific Learning, 2006.

www.emedicine.com, Massage, Traction, and Manipulation, J Michael Wieting, DO, MEd, 7/18/05.

Posted by Editors at 02:26 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

An increasing number of children are being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and treated with brain-altering medication. Learn the role bodywork can play in this common condition and five massage techniques to help those affected.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Bodywork is perfectly suited for reducing the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a condition typically appearing in young children, although teenagers and adults may also be affected. Someone with ADHD has difficulty controlling their behavior and/or paying attention. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.

Symptoms
The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms begin over the course of many months, often with impulsiveness and hyperactivity preceding inattention, which may not emerge for a year or more. A child who “can’t sit still” or is otherwise disruptive will be noticeable in school, but the inattentive daydreamer may be overlooked. The impulsive child who acts before thinking may be considered a “discipline problem,” while the child who is passive or sluggish may be viewed as unmotivated. Each of these children may have different types of ADHD.

All children are sometimes restless, sometimes act without thinking and sometimes daydream. When the child’s hyperactivity, distractibility, poor concentration, or impulsivity begin to affect performance in school, social relationships with other children, or behavior at home, ADHD may be suspected. Because the symptoms of ADHD vary so much, ADHD must be diagnosed by a professional. Primarily consisting of stimulants, pharmaceutical intervention is the first choice in treating ADHD. In an effort to control affected individuals, an increasing number of school age children are regularly medicated.

The Brain
The suggested etiology of ADHD consists of many proposed theories. Whether stemming from genetics, environment or trauma, most experts agree the brains of individuals with this condition function differently than those unaffected. Research scientists have learned a great deal about ADHD by using modern brain imaging technology. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers found that children with ADHD had 3 to 4 percent smaller brain volume in several regions, than age and gender matched controls. According to Jay Gordon, MD, a “deficiency in central nervous system dopamine probably causes many, if not most, of the problems associated with ADHD.” It is no surprise that the most popular medications for this condition increase dopamine levels within the brain.

The Autonomic Nervous System
Two structures comprise our nervous system, the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system assures proper functioning of involuntary actions, such as heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and our body’s secretion of chemicals. The autonomic nervous system has two sub-divisions, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic system provides us with adrenaline (the fight-or-flight response), while the parasympathetic is responsible for relaxation.

The sympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system appears to be the predominant force in ADHD, overriding the balancing role of the parasympathetic system. Bodywork can be a critical component of ADHD recovery because it accesses and initiates the parasympathetic nervous system response.

Proof
At the Touch Research Institute in Florida, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on ADHD. Thirty ADHD diagnosed students aged 7 to 18 years participated in the study where one group received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice per week over the course of one month. The researchers reported that the ADHD students in the massage group demonstrated improved short-term mood state and longer-term classroom behavior.

Methods
While there is no specific ADHD massage technique, certain methods will have a greater effect than others. The important concept to grasp is that stimulating the parasympathetic relaxation response is desired when working with this population. Clues for the therapist indicating parasympathetic response are slowed breathing, reduced heart rate and increased digestive sounds.

Since many styles of bodywork initiate relaxation, the following five suggestions for ADHD are not all inclusive:

1. Swedish Massage, particularly effleurage and other slow stroking movements have a sedating effect, leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

2. Because they encourage stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, avoid fast and firm strokes, as well as percussive massage techniques.

3. Cranial-Sacral Therapy will free up any restrictions in the cranium or sacrum that could contribute to ADHD. Additionally, the movements used in this modality initiate the parasympathetic response.

4. Rooted in Osteopathic medicine, Myofascial Release bypasses the muscles by focusing on the fascia as one, large, connected system. Exceedingly gentle, the unwinding technique in myofascial release activates the parasympathetic system. Similar to cranial-sacral, this will free any restrictions inhibiting energy flow, leading to tension release.

5. Watsu is a deeply relaxing style of bodywork performed in a warm water pool. While specific training and equipment (a pool!) are needed to perform this therapy, it has been reputed to calm the uncalmable.

The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is controversial, as parents are refusing to accept the habitual medicating of their children. Many have posed the hypothesis that ADHD is a natural evolution of our brains to keep up with the speed at which technology powers our world. Living in a calm and peaceful environment is now an exception, rather than the norm. Bodyworkers have the ability to introduce calm and peace to a client, regardless of their environment. By focusing ADHD treatment on the parasympathetic nervous system, massage therapy can be a crucial component of therapy for this condition.

Recommended Study:

Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Swedish Massage

References:

Khilnani S, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S., Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Adolescence, 2003 Winter; 38(152):623-38.

Osborn, Karri, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families, Massage and Bodywork, June/July 2004.
Soma Brings Peace of Mind to Families

Osborn, Karri, Sea of Calm: Water Therapy Touches Young Spirits, Massage and Bodywork, Feb/March 2003.

www.nimh.nih.gov, Attention Deficit Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health, 2/17/06.

www.realbodywork.com, The Nervous System, Sean Riehl, 2003.

www.drjaygordon.com, Attention Deficit Disorder, Gordon, MD, J., 2005.

Posted by Editors at 11:05 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

The environment you create for a massage, including the sounds your clients hear, is intended to enhance the experience. You don’t want to miss these twelve tips to make sure you are choosing well.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

The right musical selection can enhance the relaxing ambiance of a massage session. Massage therapists rely on client’s relaxation for optimal therapeutic results. Whether a client requests a session for relaxation, wellness, injury prevention or specific treatment, all types of bodywork are enhanced when the body is relaxed.

Listening to music that causes discomfort or irritation sparks the tightening of muscles, a programmed reaction meant to protect and mask our feelings. During massage, this type of response works contrary to the intended result. Whether conscious or unconscious, the clenching or tightening associated with a negative response will inhibit the body’s circulation, hindering the massage’s goal of releasing muscle tissue. If a client dislikes the music, then he/she will not be relaxed during a session, and the treatment will not have the full, desired effect. Massage therapists are typically aware of the direct relationship between relaxation and massage, often going to great lengths to bring comfort to their clients.

Everyone is different
When deciding what music to choose for a session, understand that peoples’ preferences for music run a wide gamut. This includes both the preferences of the therapist and the client. All massage therapists have different styles, thus finding tunes to meld with your work is going to be highly personal. Additionally, choosing music that your client enjoys, but you dislike, will also hamper the experience for both of you. Deciphering your client’s musical preferences may take some time, as many people are often unaware of the sounds that best suit them. Therefore, it is worthwhile to discuss musical preferences with your client before, during and after the session.

Tempo
As reported in the online publication Heart, Italian researchers reported; “Music induces an arousal effect, predominantly related to the tempo. Slow or meditative music can induce a relaxing effect; relaxation is particularly evident during a pause. Music, especially in trained subjects, might first concentrate attention during faster rhythms, then induce relaxation during pauses or slower rhythms.”

Most experts suggest that music’s rhythm or beat unconsciously denotes its calming effects. Music with a slow rhythm (slower than the natural heart beat which is about 72 beats per minute), and a repeating or cyclical pattern, is found to be most effective in relaxing people. It is theorized that humans are influenced by the heartbeat of our mother while still in the womb. A relaxing response to certain music throughout life is perhaps associated with the safe, relaxing and protective environment provided by our mother.

Twelve Tips
1. When shopping for music online, take advantage of audio clips. Actually listening to as much of the recording as possible will give you the best idea of its suitability for massage.

2. Utilize a network of other massage therapists to share information about massage music preferences.

3. When purchasing a CD, choose a vendor that has a liberal return policy, in case the selection more closely resembles heavy metal than light and relaxing.

4. Search for albums long enough to play continuously without repeating for the length of an entire massage session.

5. Albums that evolve slowly during the session give the added bonus of allowing practitioners to maintain a subtle sense of timing during their work.

6. Though undoubtedly relaxing, water sounds (waterfall, babbling brook) may activate a urinary response. This can either interrupt the massage with a bathroom break, or cause the client to tense pelvic girdle muscles to hold it in.

7. Drumming may be trancelike for many of us, for others it is too stimulating for a massage.

8. While an instrument enjoyed by many people, the flute can sometimes reach very high pitches, which can be irritating and jarring to a relaxed client.

9. Massage music is typically located in the following categories: relaxation, stress management, meditation, new age or ambient. Note: Any of these categories may include portions inappropriate for a session.

10. Seek music without any obvious tune or pattern. This style seems to be more conducive to relaxation.

11. Music with words or a specific rhythm may be especially soothing for some people, while it may psychologically spark non-relaxing thoughts for others. (Relaxation classics may have emotional baggage attached for certain individuals.)

12. When screening music, look for the following characteristics: slow tempo, the lack of unexpected changes and music that flows smoothly from one track to another without an obvious break.

When a great musical selection is made, the massage experience is greatly enhanced. Determining the tunes that best fit your style, and melding them with each client’s taste is a trial and error process. If you don’t have the luxury of repeat clients, then you are left to make the best choices possible and be flexible to change music mid-session. Attention to musical detail displays your desire to provide high quality, considerate care to your clients.

Editor’s Note: To browse Natural Wellness’ relaxing musical selections, visit Natural Wellness Stress Management Music.

References:
www.medscape.com, Music May Be an Alternative Relaxation Technique With Cardiovascular Benefit, Heart, Laurie Barclay, MD, 9/30/05.

www.symbiosis-music.com, Choosing and Using Music for Relaxation and Complementary Therapies, Symbiosis Music Ltd, 2006.

Posted by Editors at 02:54 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

The principle goal of traditional scoliosis treatment is to reduce the progression of spine curvature. However, two techniques employed by bodyworkers can reduce some of the most frequent complaints of people with scoliosis.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Affecting the spines of children, teenagers and adults, an estimated six million people suffer from some form of scoliosis in the United States. While the human spine features several natural curvatures to allow for movement and flexibility, scoliosis is diagnosed when there is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is rarely fatal, but it can severely impact a person’s quality of life, both physically and psychologically. Although not one of the treatment options for correcting this condition, massage therapy can help relieve some of the resulting back pain, shallow breathing, sciatica, headaches and insomnia brought on by this aberrant spinal structure.

Spinal Curves
Curves are a normal part of the spine’s structure. Looking at the spine from a lateral view, a properly formed spine resembles a soft ‘S’ shape to maintain balance over the pelvis. From a posterior view, a normal spine will appear vertically straight from the neck to the sacrum.

Scoliosis is diagnosed when a posterior view of the spinal column reveals lateral bends. A scoliosis curve to the right side of center will form a compensating bend back to the left side, and vice versa. Scoliosis usually occurs in the thoracic or lumbar areas of the back. A normal spine has a vertical curve measuring less than 10 degrees. By measuring the curve’s angle using the vertebra at the apex of the curve as a starting point, a scoliotic spine measures curves of 10 degrees in mild cases and up to 90 degrees in the most severe cases.

Distribution and Causes
Most cases of scoliosis are considered to be of unknown origin, otherwise known as idiopathic. Statistics confirm that scoliosis is more prevalent in girls than in boys, and develops in adolescence in eighty percent of all cases. While it is also found in adults, most professionals assume that these scoliosis diagnoses were missed during childhood.

Sometimes, scoliosis can be a result of physical trauma or stress, such as a car accident. Rarely, congenital or infantile scoliosis occurs when severe spinal deformities are present at birth. While all of the following theories have not yet been validated, research has indicated that possible causes of scoliosis include:

· connective tissue disorders
· nervous system abnormalities
· hormonal imbalances
· genetic/hereditary factors
· consistent physical or emotional stress

Treatment
Once diagnosed with scoliosis, there are several considerations a professional will evaluate before assessing treatment. These include determining:
· if the spine is still growing and changing

· how severe the curvature is

· the extent the patient’s lifestyle is impacted

· the curve’s location – according to the Scoliosis Research Society, thoracic curves are more likely to progress than lumbar curves

· the curve’s potential for progression – those with large curves prior to their adolescent growth spurts are more likely to experience curve progression.
After these variables are analyzed, the three treatment options to consider are:

1. Observation – In mild cases of scoliosis, the only treatment warranted is periodic physician observation to ensure that the problem has not increased.

2. Orthopedic Bracing – The most common treatment used for scoliosis, bracing is used for curves of 30-40 degrees. While a brace does not change the amount of curvature already present, a brace can stop the curve’s progression. Since most curve progressions occur during a child’s growth phase, bracing is most common from infancy through adolescence. Braces have replaced full torso non-removable casts and are usually worn 23 hours per day.

3. Surgery – Surgery is used to stabilize the spine. In a procedure called Bone-Fusion, an orthopedic surgeon takes tiny pieces of bone from the patient’s pelvis and inserts them between the vertebrae in hopes of stimulating the bones to eventually grow together. During the surgery a metal rod, hooks and wire are inserted to keep the spine straight until the bones fuse. The hardware is rarely removed because that would require another extensive surgery.

Alternative Medicine for Scoliosis Relief
Since scoliosis is considered a deformity, the treatments discussed above are focused solely on reducing the progression of the problem. Due to the elongated musculature on one side and the shortened musculature on the opposite side, back pain, shallow breathing, sciatica, headaches and insomnia are frequent issues that a person with scoliosis must contend with. Consequently, many alternative treatments have been used to help reduce the problems caused by excessive curvature of the spine.

While Rolfing®, yoga, acupuncture, structural integration and exercise have a history of improving scoliosis symptoms, two massage therapy techniques also can help this condition:

1. Cranial-Sacral Therapy – By gently addressing restricted tissue patterns surrounding and within the spinal column, adipose tissue and the dural tube, cranial-sacral therapy’s mobilization of fascia, gentle traction and enhancing mobility of the body can help bring some balance to the spine.

2. Deep Tissue Massage – Deep tissue work, neuromuscular therapy and assisted stretching techniques to hypertonic muscles enhance local circulation and can bring relief from muscular pain and related adhesions. By elongating these tightened areas, the causal pull on the spine can relax. However, therapists should be aware that deep work on the overstretched fascia covering the ribs is not beneficial.

Since scoliosis reforms bone and becomes more difficult to liberate beyond 25 years of age, younger patients can have more dramatic results. While scoliotic patterns can change for adults too, older bodies change more slowly and differently than with youth.

Alternative treatments are not suggested to replace a traditional physician’s prescription. However, massage therapy can help reduce some of scoliosis’ related symptoms. Appropriate application of cranial-sacral therapy and deep tissue massage can provide a respite for continuously over-stretched fascia and muscles, thus lessening the stress on a wrenched spinal column.

Recommended Study:
Cranial-Sacral Fundamentals
Deep Tissue Massage
Neuromuscular Therapy

References:

Dalton, Erik, Symptomatic Scoliosis, Massage and Bodywork, April/May 2006.

Lensman, Lena, Getting it Straight: Scoliosis and Structural Integration, Massage and Bodywork, April/May 2003.

http://erikdalton.com, “Scoliosis – A Case Study”, Erik Dalton, PhD, Rolf Institute, 2008.

Wanveer, Tad, LMT, CST-D, Scoliosis and CranioSacral Therapy, Massage Today, February 2008.

www.associatedcontent.com, Rolfing: Treating Scoliosis With A Special Massage, Jennifer Dooley, Associated Content, Inc., January 2008.

www.spineuniverse.com, The Natural Curves of Your Spine, Stewart E. Eidelson, MD, SpineUniverse.com, 2008.

www.yogajournal.com, Back to Back, Elise Miller, Cruz Bay Publishing Inc., 2008.

Posted by Editors at 09:05 AM

Although frequently prescribed, many people do not realize the disturbing implications of antibiotic use. Discover several issues relating to antibiotics that all massage therapists should be aware of.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

People around the globe equate visiting their doctor with getting antibiotics. In today’s age of emerging superbugs, doctors are still writing prescriptions for antibiotics at an unprecedented rate. While antibiotics can be life-saving, many health authorities are beginning to admit that these medications are often over-prescribed, creating problems worse than the original condition. Although advising for or against the use of medications is beyond a bodyworker’s scope of practice, there are several issues relating to antibiotics that all massage therapists should be aware of.

Antibiotic Resistance
Resistance to antibiotics is a major public-health problem. Because antibiotic overuse contributes to the rise of superbugs, experts have been calling on doctors to curb the liberal prescribing of antibiotics in many types of patients, including children with earaches, adults with sore throats and those with terminal end-stage disease. Although the medical ethics involved in preferential antibiotic dispensation are hotly debated among physicians, bodyworkers must take extra precautions when working with people who take, or have taken, these commonly dispensed drugs. Experts are increasingly recognizing that the evolution of stronger pathogens has a global impact, affecting the patient, their environment and all the people that come into contact with that patient or with their environment.

Impact on Bodywork
Clients typically come to bodywork sessions reporting current antibiotic use. While this isn’t always a contraindication, it does present concern demanding more information prior to treatment. Some questions about the antibiotics needing clarification include:

· Why is your client taking antibiotics?
· How long have they been on them?
· Is there an infection?
· Is the infection systemic or localized?
· Is there a fever?

Before proceeding with massage therapy with a client on antibiotics, the bodyworker must evaluate the following:

1. Will our session risk spreading the infection?

2. Will this client put me or my environment at elevated risk for superbug exposure?

3. Can I help the additional health issues resulting from antibiotic use?

Spreading the Infection
While there are many reasons a doctor might put their patient on antibiotics, a current infection is the most common. Because most forms of bodywork involve enhancing circulation, a therapist must determine if their work could spread infection. Since there are so many variables in pathogen strength and location, antibiotic strength and human response, there is no exact formula to determine this risk. In favor of bodywork for an infection, circulatory massage can actually assist the lymph and immune systems move pathogens out of body tissue.

Taking both perspectives into account, a therapist must use their best judgment to ascertain any potential risk of spreading the infection. In general, bodywork is considered safe if the client has been taking antibiotics for at least three days, the infection is not systemic and none of the signs of current infection are present: heat, fever, swelling or pain.

Superbug Exposure
Aside from living in a bubble, all of us are exposed to potentially drug-resistant organisms every day. As members of the healthcare industry, bodyworkers and their environment are particularly prone to pathogen exposure. Understanding this vulnerability is one more reason for bodyworkers to practice Universal Precautions with each and every client.

The importance of frequent hand washing must not be underestimated in healthcare environments. Thoroughly washing your hands before and after each session is the number one way to prevent passing superbugs along to yourself or other clientele. In addition, providing fresh linens for each client, cleaning door handles and keeping your own immune system healthy all contribute to the prevention of spreading infection.

Results of Antibiotics
Hopefully, properly prescribed and utilized antibiotic use destroys a person’s potentially dangerous bacterial infection. Whether this is the case or not, a majority of those taking antibiotics suffer from the annihilation of all organisms in their digestive tract.

Like pesticides, antibiotics kill good bugs along with the bad ones, especially the wide-spectrum antibiotics. The non-discriminating nature of most antibiotics disrupts the delicate balance of organisms in the gastrointestinal system by destroying beneficial bowel flora. These beneficial flora help us digest food, produce certain vitamins and prevent harmful bacteria and yeast from multiplying. Unfortunately, antibiotic use can invite parasitic infection, vitamin deficiencies, mineral loss through diarrhea, gut inflammation, malabsorption syndromes and food allergy development.

When this pattern of antibiotics destroying good and bad bacteria is recognized, bodyworkers can offer their clients hope. The following strategies are used by alternative healthcare practitioners to restore healthy bowel flora:

1. Suggest taking a good quality probiotic to help restore balance in the gastrointestinal system. While several dairy products have started including probiotics in foods, higher, more therapeutic concentrations of probiotics are found in supplements such as Fatigue Relief Plus.

2. Tonifying certain acupressure points can stimulate a client’s immune and digestive systems. The most beneficial points for helping strengthen the gastrointestinal system include Large Intestine 11, Stomach 36 and Spleen 6.

3. Encouraging clients to rejuvenate their immune system with good nutrition and plenty of rest to help their body resist the consequences of antibiotic use. Getting adequate vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from their diet and giving their cells time to recharge with restful sleep helps the digestive system bounce back from being cleaned out by antibiotics.

Whether it stems from cold and flu season, a toothache or an open wound gone bad, nobody likes to be sidelined with an infection. In an attempt to eliminate infections, most physicians habitually prescribe antibiotics. Bodyworkers aware of the possible problems caused by antibiotics are best prepared to help their patients taking these drugs. In addition to making certain their clients on antibiotics are well enough to receive massage, bodyworkers must practice Universal Precautions to reduce the spread of infection. On an even further level, bodyworkers can employ the three previously described strategies to help their clients cope with the destructive aftermath of antibiotic use.

Recommended Study:
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Infectious Disease: Hepatitis
Pharmacology for Massage
Shiatsu Anma Therapy

References:

http://news.yahoo.com, Study Suggests Antibiotics are Overused, Carla K. Johnson, Yahoo Inc., 2008.

Versagi, Charlotte Michael, LMT, NCTMB, When Is It Safe to Treat a Patient Taking Antibiotics?, Massage Today, March 2008.

www.drwilson.com, Beyond Antibiotics, Lawrence Wilson, MD, 2008.

www.medicalnewstoday.com, Causal Link Between Antibiotic Prescription And Antibiotic Resistance, MediLexicon International, Ltd., February 2007.

Posted by Editors at 11:36 AM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org

Since massage therapists are in such close proximity to their clients, they must take several extra steps to beef up their immune system. In addition to eating well and sleeping soundly, incorporating four more approaches to a wellness routine can help prevent therapists from calling in sick.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Professionals who interact with people daily are vulnerable to airborne bacteria and viruses every time they go to work. Due to the increased likelihood of pathogen communicability in school-age children, anyone in elementary education can attest to the overwhelming amount of time spent recovering from a cold or flu. Fortunately, schoolteachers have the luxury of paid sick days as one of their benefits. Because of the physically intimate nature of their work, massage therapists are especially prone to bacterial and viral exposure. An unfortunate result of most bodyworkers being self-employed, the lack of benefits translates into a financial loss each time a sick day must be taken. On top of the loss of productivity and misery accompanying being sick, it is in a massage therapist’s best monetary interest to stay healthy.

Often counseling their own clients on making healthy lifestyle changes, a majority of massage therapists are aware of how important it is to support the immune system. By eliminating factors that can weaken the body’s ability to deflect illness, a person’s immune system has more strength to defeat the hundreds of daily pathogens it encounters. According to Lauriann Greene, author of Save Your Hands, staying healthy as a massage therapist requires four basic commitments:

· Paying rigorous attention to your body
· Adopting a positive attitude
· Living a healthy lifestyle
· Using a technique that is not harmful to your body

Maintaining optimal conditions for your immune system to work its best, paying attention to your body and living a healthy lifestyle ranks highest among efforts to deflect illness. In addition to getting adequate nutrition and sleep, four commonly overlooked ways bodyworkers can achieve this goal include:

1. Cleanliness – The easiest way to help the immune system combat the daily onslaught of microorganisms it encounters is to reduce the quantity it must defeat. Since restricting access to clients with a sniffle is not always realistic, the next best choice for minimizing germ contact is to remove as many pathogens as possible from the environment. Changing linens between clients, periodically cleaning doorknobs and having tissues available for those who need them all contribute to removing potential infectious agents. In addition to these approaches, frequent hand washing is the best defense against microscopic germs. Especially important before and after each client, frequent hand washing not only protects the therapist, but also prevents spreading germs to subsequent clients.

2. Exercise Breaks – Massage therapists know the value that circulation plays in maintaining health. Whether accomplished through movement or massage, the circulation of blood, energy and lymphatic fluid prevent pathogens from accumulating and overpowering the immune system. A realistic way to maintain free flowing circulation is to exercise and stretch throughout the day. Since high levels of stress wear down the immune system, the natural stress relief resulting from movement can increase a person’s resistance to illness. People are amazed at how much of an impact squeezing in a couple of 5-10 minute walks has on their overall health and stress levels.

3. Optimize Digestive Health – Most healthcare advocates agree that the heart of immunity lies in the digestive system. In addition to good nutrition, supplementing with beneficial bacteria helps ward off infection. Taking probiotics can help maintain a preponderance of good gut bacteria over the bad gut bacteria. These beneficial bacteria aid in:

· Immune system development
· Protection against over-growth of other microorganisms that could cause disease
· The digestion of food and absorption of nutrients
· Waste elimination

In fact, a study published in the February 2008 edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that in athletes, supplementing with probiotic supplements reduced the number and length of infections.

4. Reduce Immune System Drag – The more toxins your body must process and eliminate, the less attention it can focus on pathogen defense. This becomes obvious after a night of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, when it is much easier to come down with a cold or flu. However, toxicity from many sources can be a factor in weakening immunity. In addition to alcohol, any kind of drug, processed and artificial foods, cuisine high in saturated fat, cigarettes, toxic fumes or other types of chemicals can put a drag on your body’s ability to purify. There are several ways to reduce this toxicity burden:

· Pay close attention to what you eat and drink, being sure to eliminate obviously toxic items

· Periodically cleanse your body with a detoxification fast or supplement formulated for detoxification

· Drink plenty of water to decrease the concentration of poisons and enhance their elimination

· Especially after indulging in toxic fare, supplement with a high quality milk thistle to protect your liver cells from the damage excessive poisons inflict

Regardless of the reasons, nobody likes putting life on hold by staying in bed with an illness. Getting the most out of our bacteria- and virus-filled world requires a commitment to immune health. As professionals invested in natural healthcare who have close, physical contact with the public, this is especially important for massage therapists. In addition to the abundance of healthy lifestyle choices that better enable a person to deflect pathogens, those in-the-know can take advantage of specific approaches to immune strengthening. By emphasizing cleanliness, scheduling movement into each day, consuming probiotics and reducing toxic drag on the immune system, therapists have a better chance of deflecting the germs clients bring into their practice. With this stronger immune system, bodyworkers will spend less time canceling appointments and more time building and thriving in their chosen profession.

References:

Cox, AJ, et al., Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes, British Journal of Sports Medicine, February 2008.

http://articles.mercola.com, Probiotics Protect Top Athletes, Dr. Joseph Mercola, 2008.

http://coldflu.about.com, Tips for Staying Healthy at Work, Kristina Duda, RN, About.com, 2008.

https://healthlibrary.epnet.com, Immune Support, EBSCO Publishing, 2008.

www.massagemag.com, Helping the Healers, Lauriann Greene, Massage Magazine, July/August 2000.

Posted by Editors at 03:20 PM

© 2009 Institute for Integrative HealthCare Studies. This work is reproduced with the permission of the Institute. www.Integrative-Healthcare.org