By Jenny Ambrose
Giving a foot massage is something that anyone can do. If you’ve never tried to give someone one, or you are not satisfied with the type of massage that you get yourself, take into consideration these tips. Believe it or not, many massages can be done with just a bit of practice with excellent results. You don’t have to pay for a very costly massage to enjoy them every day. Follow these tips to improve yours.
• Don’t forget the lower leg. Many of the muscles in the leg connect to the ankle and then the foot. That means that the entire muscle should be worked to get the benefits that you will enjoy.
• Use your finger tips. Instead of using your entire hand or using all of your fingers, you’ll want to make sure to use just your fingertips. Use your thumb and your finger tips to work into the muscles for more noticeable results.
• Rotate your ankles. Roll your ankle from side to side to let the joint loosen. Then, rotate your feet clockwise and then back again several times. This will help to fully relax the joint and the muscles that make it work.
• Use oils. Don’t be afraid to use massage oils. These can help to stimulate your blood vessels and they work as aromatherapy, too, helping you to relax and enjoy the foot massage that you are getting.
• Knead your feet. Another trick to really enjoying your foot massage is to knead your muscles. Use your hand in a fist by rubbing your knuckles into the muscles.
By doing these simple it things can really make a difference in the quality of the foot massage that you do get. You’ll enjoy the feel of them and you’ll be able to help improve the benefits that a massage like this can do for you, too.
Jenny Ambrose has worked for many years as a masseuse and has written amazing articles on massage and its considerable benefit for our health and well being.
You can read more of her articles at http://www.massage-community.com
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
What Lack of Sleep is Doing to Your Body
By J. Wall
We all know that a lack of sleep is a common occurrence today. What we may not know is the toll that reduced sleep has on the body and its systems. In fact our perpetual shortage of rest is doing much more harm than we realize.
The effect of lack of sleep on the body is often more problematic than just not feeling well rested the next day. There can be serious health issues that result from not getting proper rest. Certainly, the most obvious side effect of a lack of sleep is reduced energy the next day. However, it is more than just feeling less than our best...the body actually performs less efficiently when we're tired. Performance, productivity, memory, etc. are all reduced when our body is running on less sleep than we need.
The body also needs rest to repair tissue, cope with stress and recharge the immune system. A lack of sleep hampers these functions in the body. The ability to handle stress and fight off illness is short circuited when we fail to get enough sleep. The body's response system to germs and stressors slows down and has a difficult time meeting the challenge of even every day issues. This is becoming increasingly problematic in a world where we seem to be under increasing stress levels in our daily lives and where germs are mutating into stronger, hardier forms. When we get sick it is often for longer periods of time as the body has a harder time catching up when we've drained it with reduced sleep.
Neurotransmitter issues are an effect of lack of sleep on the brain as well. Mental health can be impacted when we don't get our rest. Aside from increased stress and a reduced ability to cope as mentioned earlier, the brain can suffer other imbalances such as depression, irritability, anxiety, etc. as the chemicals and processes in the brain get out of balance from lack of sleep. Unfortunately, this can become a vicious cycle as increased stress and/or depression can cause insomnia thereby pushing the body further into a deficit of sleep.
This issue of sleeplessness is not a minor occurrence in our society either. The figures for sleep deprivation's effect on the economy in America alone is $45 BILLION a year according to one article from a psychiatric website I visited. These costs come from lost productivity, health care bills due to increased illness and expenses related to traffic accidents. That puts the cost of sleeplessness on par with stroke or depression. Something to consider when trying to brush off those lost hours every week.
Many people could get the sleep they need but don't as a result of lifestyle choices. They work to many hours, stay up too late at night, etc. Other unfortunately have trouble sleeping as a result of stress or other issues. If your lack of sleep is due to stress, insomnia, etc. then you may need to seek the help of a medical professional familiar with sleep issues. Be careful though, as the knee jerk reaction of many in the medical community is to prescribe drugs. These can have serious side effects and be addictive so discuss them carefully. You may be better off with some lifestyle changes and perhaps some dietary supplements that use natural ingredients to help you sleep without many of the problems that drugs contain. Make sure you talk about all these things with your doctor. Above all though...make sure you get the sleep you need. The price for not doing so is much higher than we often think.
J. Wall has an avid interest in natural remedies for the treatment of Sleeplessness. He is a regular contributor to the Importance of Sleep section of http://www.sleep-help-center.com, a site dedicated to improving sleep for everyone.
We all know that a lack of sleep is a common occurrence today. What we may not know is the toll that reduced sleep has on the body and its systems. In fact our perpetual shortage of rest is doing much more harm than we realize.
The effect of lack of sleep on the body is often more problematic than just not feeling well rested the next day. There can be serious health issues that result from not getting proper rest. Certainly, the most obvious side effect of a lack of sleep is reduced energy the next day. However, it is more than just feeling less than our best...the body actually performs less efficiently when we're tired. Performance, productivity, memory, etc. are all reduced when our body is running on less sleep than we need.
The body also needs rest to repair tissue, cope with stress and recharge the immune system. A lack of sleep hampers these functions in the body. The ability to handle stress and fight off illness is short circuited when we fail to get enough sleep. The body's response system to germs and stressors slows down and has a difficult time meeting the challenge of even every day issues. This is becoming increasingly problematic in a world where we seem to be under increasing stress levels in our daily lives and where germs are mutating into stronger, hardier forms. When we get sick it is often for longer periods of time as the body has a harder time catching up when we've drained it with reduced sleep.
Neurotransmitter issues are an effect of lack of sleep on the brain as well. Mental health can be impacted when we don't get our rest. Aside from increased stress and a reduced ability to cope as mentioned earlier, the brain can suffer other imbalances such as depression, irritability, anxiety, etc. as the chemicals and processes in the brain get out of balance from lack of sleep. Unfortunately, this can become a vicious cycle as increased stress and/or depression can cause insomnia thereby pushing the body further into a deficit of sleep.
This issue of sleeplessness is not a minor occurrence in our society either. The figures for sleep deprivation's effect on the economy in America alone is $45 BILLION a year according to one article from a psychiatric website I visited. These costs come from lost productivity, health care bills due to increased illness and expenses related to traffic accidents. That puts the cost of sleeplessness on par with stroke or depression. Something to consider when trying to brush off those lost hours every week.
Many people could get the sleep they need but don't as a result of lifestyle choices. They work to many hours, stay up too late at night, etc. Other unfortunately have trouble sleeping as a result of stress or other issues. If your lack of sleep is due to stress, insomnia, etc. then you may need to seek the help of a medical professional familiar with sleep issues. Be careful though, as the knee jerk reaction of many in the medical community is to prescribe drugs. These can have serious side effects and be addictive so discuss them carefully. You may be better off with some lifestyle changes and perhaps some dietary supplements that use natural ingredients to help you sleep without many of the problems that drugs contain. Make sure you talk about all these things with your doctor. Above all though...make sure you get the sleep you need. The price for not doing so is much higher than we often think.
J. Wall has an avid interest in natural remedies for the treatment of Sleeplessness. He is a regular contributor to the Importance of Sleep section of http://www.sleep-help-center.com, a site dedicated to improving sleep for everyone.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Bad Health Effects of Alcohol: Worth Avoiding
By Gabriel J Adams
Most of us have engaged in drinking alcohol at some point. It may have been to satisfy our curioustiy, out of peer pressure, our 21st birthday bash, or just as part of a celebration. Alcohol can help us relax and enjoy what is taking place. There are those who consume alcohol in excess and too often. The result is it takes a toll on their life and their health.
The most commonly talked about effect of alcohol is on the liver. It can lead to serious health problems as the liver becomes inflamed. Symptoms that your liver has been adversely affected by alcohol include impotency in men, fatigue, no appetite, achey muscles, jaundice, vomiting of blood,
Consuming large amounts of alcohol puts you at risk for many health issues including cancer and diabetes. This is because alcohol depletes your body of the necessary nutrients. Most alcoholics don’t eat a healthy diet either. The alcohol you consume remains in your bloodstream. In some severe cases alcohol can affect the memory and lead to brain damage.
It is never a good idea to consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. Being pregnant takes enough of a toll on your body. The alcohol in your blood can lead to a miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. Some babies are born addicted to alcohol because they have consumed so much of it in the womb. This is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
There are many great treatment programs out there to help someone with an alcohol problem. The sooner they seek treatment the less severe the effects will be on their health. The damage to the liver and other effects can’t be reversed. The internet and the yellow pages are great resources to help you find a solution.
Visit the Texas Residential Treatment Center and learn about their 12 Step Recovery Program for men - nestled in the peaceful Hill Country near Austin, Texas.
Most of us have engaged in drinking alcohol at some point. It may have been to satisfy our curioustiy, out of peer pressure, our 21st birthday bash, or just as part of a celebration. Alcohol can help us relax and enjoy what is taking place. There are those who consume alcohol in excess and too often. The result is it takes a toll on their life and their health.
The most commonly talked about effect of alcohol is on the liver. It can lead to serious health problems as the liver becomes inflamed. Symptoms that your liver has been adversely affected by alcohol include impotency in men, fatigue, no appetite, achey muscles, jaundice, vomiting of blood,
Consuming large amounts of alcohol puts you at risk for many health issues including cancer and diabetes. This is because alcohol depletes your body of the necessary nutrients. Most alcoholics don’t eat a healthy diet either. The alcohol you consume remains in your bloodstream. In some severe cases alcohol can affect the memory and lead to brain damage.
It is never a good idea to consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. Being pregnant takes enough of a toll on your body. The alcohol in your blood can lead to a miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and birth defects. Some babies are born addicted to alcohol because they have consumed so much of it in the womb. This is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
There are many great treatment programs out there to help someone with an alcohol problem. The sooner they seek treatment the less severe the effects will be on their health. The damage to the liver and other effects can’t be reversed. The internet and the yellow pages are great resources to help you find a solution.
Visit the Texas Residential Treatment Center and learn about their 12 Step Recovery Program for men - nestled in the peaceful Hill Country near Austin, Texas.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Treating Sleep Apnea
By Toby Russell
Sleep Apnea, a common sleep disorder can be treated using various methods, but it can become in some cases a life threatening illness if not treated properly and kept in check.
This brief article offers just some of the measures available to help cope with the condition, however detailed diagnostic skills are required from professionals to ensure the correct treatment is used.
Sleep Apnea treatments include complementary and alternative , as well as conventional and common sense treatments.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
· Exercise and Weight Reduction- Since the physique of the person influences Sleep Apnea, any reduction in body weight will make a big difference particularly in obese people.
· Homeopathy- Homeopathy, Lachesis and Opium can be used for the treatment of Sleep Apnea. Lachesis is preferred for highly dynamic, extrovert and angry individuals. Opium is prescribed for person with emotional pain. Homeopathic physicians prescribe special diet control since Sleep Apnea is mostly related to loss of energy.
· Essence Treatment (flower treatment)- Flower remedy Vervain is usually preferred for people with strong sentiments for life. Vervain helps them to calm down and solve the daily life problems including Sleep Apnea. This type of treatment is given to people with Obstructive Sleep apnea.
· 5HTP- it is suggested that a decreased level of Seretonin affects the nerves which control breathing activity. Seretonin releases hormone cortisols, which controls the muscles for breathing. This natural maintenance of (5HTP) serotonin supply is another option for the treating sleep Apnea.
Conventional treatment of Sleep Apnea
Continuous Positive Air way Pressure (CPAP) - a Sleep Apnea Treatment which provides a continuous supply of air through the nose. The sufferer wears a mask when asleep with it being connected to a machine that pushes air into the nasal track thereby keeping the airways open during sleep.
Bi-Level Positive Air way Pressure (BPAP)- is a machine used for severe Sleep Apnea. The Bi-level machine applies pressure in two levels in which the person inhales pressure in a higher level and exhales at lower level.
Oral Appliances- are prescribed to open the air passage through mouth. This can cure mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Surgery- is sometimes the preferred option to correct physical abnormalities, to increase the size of air passage and to correct nasal disorders. There are different surgical methods- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Somnoplasty, Laser Assisted palatoplasty, tracheostomy, Maxillo Facial Surgery.
Common Sense Treatment methods of Sleep Apnea
· Sleeping on your back should be avoided
· Raising your bed head for maintaining an elevated position
· Avoid alcohol as it depresses breathing activity
· Avoid sleeping pills
Though a complete cure of sleep Apnea is not currently possible , discussing with your doctor and taking appropriate treatment measures can help sufferers to lead a normal life.
Toby Russell & his website: http://www.sleepapneainfoguide.com offers information, advice and news for sufferers of snoring, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Sleep Apnea, a common sleep disorder can be treated using various methods, but it can become in some cases a life threatening illness if not treated properly and kept in check.
This brief article offers just some of the measures available to help cope with the condition, however detailed diagnostic skills are required from professionals to ensure the correct treatment is used.
Sleep Apnea treatments include complementary and alternative , as well as conventional and common sense treatments.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
· Exercise and Weight Reduction- Since the physique of the person influences Sleep Apnea, any reduction in body weight will make a big difference particularly in obese people.
· Homeopathy- Homeopathy, Lachesis and Opium can be used for the treatment of Sleep Apnea. Lachesis is preferred for highly dynamic, extrovert and angry individuals. Opium is prescribed for person with emotional pain. Homeopathic physicians prescribe special diet control since Sleep Apnea is mostly related to loss of energy.
· Essence Treatment (flower treatment)- Flower remedy Vervain is usually preferred for people with strong sentiments for life. Vervain helps them to calm down and solve the daily life problems including Sleep Apnea. This type of treatment is given to people with Obstructive Sleep apnea.
· 5HTP- it is suggested that a decreased level of Seretonin affects the nerves which control breathing activity. Seretonin releases hormone cortisols, which controls the muscles for breathing. This natural maintenance of (5HTP) serotonin supply is another option for the treating sleep Apnea.
Conventional treatment of Sleep Apnea
Continuous Positive Air way Pressure (CPAP) - a Sleep Apnea Treatment which provides a continuous supply of air through the nose. The sufferer wears a mask when asleep with it being connected to a machine that pushes air into the nasal track thereby keeping the airways open during sleep.
Bi-Level Positive Air way Pressure (BPAP)- is a machine used for severe Sleep Apnea. The Bi-level machine applies pressure in two levels in which the person inhales pressure in a higher level and exhales at lower level.
Oral Appliances- are prescribed to open the air passage through mouth. This can cure mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Surgery- is sometimes the preferred option to correct physical abnormalities, to increase the size of air passage and to correct nasal disorders. There are different surgical methods- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Somnoplasty, Laser Assisted palatoplasty, tracheostomy, Maxillo Facial Surgery.
Common Sense Treatment methods of Sleep Apnea
· Sleeping on your back should be avoided
· Raising your bed head for maintaining an elevated position
· Avoid alcohol as it depresses breathing activity
· Avoid sleeping pills
Though a complete cure of sleep Apnea is not currently possible , discussing with your doctor and taking appropriate treatment measures can help sufferers to lead a normal life.
Toby Russell & his website: http://www.sleepapneainfoguide.com offers information, advice and news for sufferers of snoring, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
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