My Greatest Journey (Part 1)

I spent eighteen years working as a supplemental health insurance agent. To be more specific, I sold heart disability and accident policies. I loved dealing with people and providing them with something that helped them during their time of need. It’s safe to say that I was satisfied during that period of time in my life.

Then one day I injured my knee so badly I could not walk, and the injury was very slow to heal. I ran into an old friend who just so happened to know about massage, not just any type of massage, he specialized in Chinese work. I was shocked at how massage this form of massage treated my injury. That chance meeting led to my healing and changed my life. I decided that I wanted to help people in a different way. I decided to sign up for massage classes and began my journey to becoming a massage therapistin the Chinese healing arts.

Going Back to School

I learned real fast that massage is an amazing science. Learning the principles and practice of massage therapy was not easy. In massage therapy school our book learning consisted of learning anatomy, physiology of muscles and ethics while continuing to work full time. Massage school was both mentally and physically taxing.

What got me through was my excitement and desire to physically help heal people and relieve them of their pain through this remarkable vehicle.

What to Practice

There are several areas of massage that I learned in school. I knew that I wanted to work with people that suffered from chronic pain. I did not want to open or work at a day spa; I wanted to approach massage from a medical point of view. Not the weserne point of view, but from the view point that everything is connected.

In the early years of opening my studio, I offered several forms of massage that included Swedish, hot rocks, and Anma. As I worked with a mentor and began to improve my skills with Anma massage therapy, I realized it was the most effective form of massage for me.

My Travels

Recently, I decided to go to Phoenix for a ten-day seminar to learn more about Anma. Phoenix was an incredible journey. I made some wonderful friends, learned, practiced and improved my Anma massage skills. In my blogs to follow, I am going to discuss more about Anma massage, share pictures and what I learned while I was in Phoenix.

Next month I will share more about my travels to Phoenix.

4 Ways You Can Beat the Heat

I don’t have to tell you how hot it gets here in Louisiana. It’s not just the summertime heat we need to beat, our hot days start as early as March and can often extend into the holiday season. We have to stay conscious on ways to stay healthy and hydrated.

Drink More

It’s important to stay hydrated, especially once your body begins to sweat. Many of my clients do not like to drink plain water. You don’t have to drink water in order to stay hydrated. Try drinking the sports drinks in place of water, just remember to watch your sugar intake with the sports drinks. Another option is to add some flavoring to your water.

If you are looking for ideas on how to enhance your water, here are a few tips and recipes:

Bored with Water? Add Some Flavor!

The Magical Wonders of Water!

Control the Sweat

If you are prone to excessive sweating, you may want to take your workouts indoors or cut back on some of your activities. Making small changes, such as wearing breathable cotton clothes can help keep you cooler. Getting a massage can help keep your muscles active and improve your flexibility if you need to cut back on your workouts until the weather cools down a little bit.

Eat Cooler Foods

Eating cooler foods such as summer salads and cold soups. Cooking heats up your house and eating hot meals can raise your body temperature and make you sweat. Two other types of foods you may need to cut back on and monitor is your salt intake and super spicy foods.

Drinking milk, eating fruits such as avocados, plums, grapes, peaches and mangos are great for cooling you off. Veggies that keep you healthy and cool are asparagus, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green leafy veggies, zucchini and green beans. Here are a few recipes from my friend and integrative health coach Angie B. LeBlanc:

Asparagus with Lemon Grapeseed Oil

Cucumber Salad

Rancher Green Beans

Super Cold Drinks

This tip may surprise you, but you are better off avoiding super cold drinks. Drinking ice water with your meal can often lower your body temperature and slow down your digestive system. When your digestive system slows down, it takes longer for your body to rehydrate.

Healthy Myths Busted

There are all kinds of health and wellness myths we are taught during our childhood. Going into adulthood, we just took what mom and dad told us as true. These myths that we grew up on, eventually become do’s and don’ts for us to follow throughout our lives.

Do any of these bring back memories:

• Always wear a coat so you won’t catch a cold.
• Cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis.
• Never swim immediately after eating.
• Swallow a watermelon seed and a watermelon will grow in your stomach

Well, I decided to do some research to find out what we were taught growing up is just a myth and what is true.

Being Cold Gives You a Cold

Remember your mom yelling out to you, “Come inside before you catch a cold”? I don’t often say this, but mom was wrong. Spending too much time in the cold air doesn’t make you sick. One study found that healthy men who spent several hours in temperatures just above freezing had an increase in healthy, virus-fighting activity in their immune systems.

In fact, you’re more likely to get sick indoors, where germs are easily passed. So instead of covering yourself in thick coats while outdoors, be more mindful about covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze when indoors.

Cracking Your Joints Causes Arthritis

It’s a habit many have; popping your knuckles or cracking your neck for relief. The sound might annoy people around you, but that’s about all the harm it does. The popping noise is a gas bubble that forms between the joints and eventually bursts. Studies show it doesn’t cause or play a role in arthritis. But, if you feel regular or severe pain when you pop your knuckles or crack your neck, see your doctor.

Drinking Coffee is Unhealthy

Good news my coffee loving friends, coffee is healthy! Although many health critics tell you to avoid coffee consumption due negative side effects of too much caffeine, they tend to leave out the benefits that coffee can bring to your body:

●     Lowered risk of depression

●     Lowered risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

●     Studies show coffee drinkers live longer than non-coffee drinkers

●     Loaded with antioxidants, outranking most fruits and vegetables

What can make coffee unhealthy is loading it with fancy creams and sugars. As always, enjoy in moderation.

Don’t Sleep After a Concussion

Concussions are indeed dangerous and can be scary if ever experienced. But don’t be fooled by the myth that you can’t sleep after getting a concussion. A recent study shows that it is safe to go to sleep after getting concussed, as long as you aren’t showing any other signs of trauma, such as slurred speech, numbness, persistent vomiting, or dilated pupils. All head injuries should be evaluated by a doctor, but for mild concussions that don’t show any other symptoms, sleep can help you recover a little bit quicker.

Wait an Hour After Eating Before You Swim

This myth has ruined many summer pool parties for kids for years. Recently, I learned that it's simply not true. An episode of someone drowning because of a full stomach has never been medically documented.

There is a possibility that you could develop cramps while swimming with a full stomach, but a person swimming in a pool or controlled swimming area could easily exit the water if this happens. As with any exercise after eating, swimming right after a big meal might be uncomfortable, but it should not lead to drowning. 

Myth busting is a lot of fun. I’m still not sure if I’m going to tell my momma she has been wrong all these years. What are some quirky old wives tales you were told growing up that you’ve been able to bust? 

Methods of Walking

Sometimes even knowing benefits of exercise isn’t enough motivation to actually get out of your house and do it.  Doing the same 30 minute walk or cardio routine each day can become tedious and boring.  In a recent blog, I discussed the benefits of walking.  I shared that during a thirty-minute walk you are:

•  Strengthening your heart
•  Burning at least 150 calories
• Toning muscles
• Reducing risk of dementia by 40%
• Boosting your vitamin levels
• Wakes you up
• Makes you happy 

Tummy Issues? Try a Massage

It may be an embarrassing and even a gross topic but I know everyone has dealt with digestive issues at some point in their lives.  Whether it be reflux, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion or something more serious like colitis or cancer.  No matter how many healthy choices you make, when deciding what you put into your body, you can still have issues with your digestive system. 

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Is Best Friend

Invented in 5000 BC, apple cider vinegar went from a medicinal liquid to a pantry staple.  Apple cider vinegar was used to manage wounds, treat poison ivy, relieve stomach aches, and even aided with symptoms related to diabetes.  Over time, the vinegar evolved into something we use almost daily with our favorite food recipes.  In present day, vinegar is still used for the same medical benefits, cooking, household chores, and more!