Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Massage Professionals of Illinois Inc. the Genesis: Sleepless in the night...

Massage Professionals of Illinois Inc. the Genesis: Sleepless in the night...: "Over the last 2 weeks I have been approached several times about concerns with insomnia, either their not going to sleep or not staying asle..."

Sleepless in the night...

Over the last 2 weeks I have been approached several times about concerns with insomnia, either their not going to sleep or not staying asleep. Medical doctors all over the country would be salivating over this conversation. Most MD's would prescribe Ambien or Lunesta, there is a host of other sleeping pills available. Why would we want to suffer from aggressiveness, strange or unusually outgoing behavior, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), feeling as if you are outside of your body, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, slowed speech or movements, new or worsening depression, thinking about killing yourself, confusion, and any other changes in your usual thoughts, mood, or behavior? Well these are some of the symptoms that are associated with these medications.
There are several things that we over look before we schedule appointments with our physicians. Don't get me wrong I visit the Doctors office, I just go after I have evaluated all things that could have possibly caused my issue and exhausted all options that may resolve my issue naturally. Sleep is one thing that may be resolved easy enough by follow the check list below.
  1.  Close blinds/curtains to bed room
  2. No television or computer at least an hour before bed.
  3. No exercising an hour before bed.
Simple enough right?  If you have your curtains opened and the street lights are shining in the room that would create a bit of a distraction. Your room should be dark to create the sleep cycle. The blue light in the television and computer stimulates the release of melatonin when they are on, which is the same effect the sun light has on the human body. Melatonin is your awake hormone, so if your attempting to sleep you should trigger the opposite effect. You shouldn't have any stimulation before bed. There shouldn't be any activities like intense workouts to be exact, this will encourage adrenaline. There are many things you can try to ensure that you can unwind and have a good nights sleep. Fore instance, deep breathing and stretching with no music or television going for 10 to 15 minutes,drink a glass of water or warm milk (Yes, I will always say drink water) and make sure all lights are out in your bed room when going to sleep.

Just checking off a few simple things may change your life dramatically. After exhausting all options then you should go to the MD. In no way am I saying never go to your MD, I'm just saying educate yourself and learn about your body. Again, I will remind you, The body places you on a reward system, you treat it right, it will treat you right. If you're having difficulty sleeping don't take it lightly, sleep deprivation is a serious thing. Evaluate your diet, life style as far as activities or the lack there of, choice of beverages. Do you drink a lot of caffeine? Simple things can cause such a annoying issue. Be wise about your life style and habits. Were told daily almost everything is generational, of course if we keep teaching the same habits generation after generation. let's break the cycle. Also remember sleep deprivation can also be a sign of some health issues if you 're encountering health issues and insomnia is a symptom please consult your physician, I encourage it, I don't want you to think I'm against it.

God Bless and I look forward to our next chat. If you have any questions email me info@massageprofessionalsofillinois.com


Monday, September 20, 2010

Massage Professionals of Illinois Inc. the Genesis: A Joy in the professional life.

Massage Professionals of Illinois Inc. the Genesis: A Joy in the professional life.: "After I posted my last blog, I realized that 10 years ago I would have never considered blogging about health or anything for that matter. I..."

A Joy in the professional life.

After I posted my last blog, I realized that 10 years ago I would have never considered blogging about health or anything for that matter. I have developed such a Love and passion for others and their health that I decided to  to do my blog. The purpose of this blog is to encourage other massage therapist, educate patients/clients and to share my passion.

This past weekend was a great weekend, but a little disappointing. I picked up a new hobby. Yes, at 36 years old I decided to find a new hobby, believe it or not I am filled with Joy over this new change. I started running about 6 months ago and I realized how important it is to take care of the entire body as a whole unit.

Massage is so important to a person that you would really have to experience the benefits of massage to understand. Now that I am a semi athlete I now have started to experience massage from a different state of mind. As a Therapeutic Massage Therapist I tell everyone to stretch, hydrate and warm up before every activity. I see the benefit of following these wise instructions. What are your thoughts on massage as a some who receives massage a luxury or an athlete? What is your favorite massage experience?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The perfect marriage in health Massage and Chiropractic...

When is the last time you had a massage or adjustment?

Almost every person at some point in their life has said “I will work on improving my health”. There are many misconceptions about healthy living.

The average person doesn’t realize they’re:

1. Dehydrated (Did you know you should drink half your body weight in water?)

2. Vitamin deficient ( As Gillian mentioned you need at least 15 to 20 minutes of direct sun light)

3. Chronic Muscular tension (if you don’t stretch you can create misalignment's of the spine, muscle pulls bone)

4. Poor posture (Due to misaligned skeletal system)

Massage therapist and Chiropractors goal is to assist in you receiving total health. We focus on the body as a whole. We understand what happens on the inside reflects on the outside. As a Massage therapist I understand we create a systemic as well as physically effect which is why massage coupled with chiropractic is the perfect marriage in alternative health.

Massage therapy and chiropractic has several benefits people wouldn’t typically expect. Massage and Chiropractic affect The Vascular system, which is the heart and blood flow. We increase blood flow so that the muscle can relax and help the joints move freely. You can create a sluggish immune system without healthy movement. With every movement you pump lymph fluid through the body which helps filter through the lymph nodes so you can fight off colds and flu better. Chiropractors can give you a cervical adjustment to stimulate white blood cell that help fight off infections. Massage therapy relax he muscles allowing the chiropractor to adjust the neck. Muscle pulls bone if you receive adjustments without the muscles relaxing the muscle will return back to the position that originally caused the vertebrae to be misaligned.

Your body will put you on a physiological reward system if you treat your body right it will treat you right.
We encourage you being hydrated to help your body have healthy fluid moving joints, pliable muscle tissue, increased healthy blood flow and improved immune system. All these things will make your body perform at its optimal for you. Receiving massage and chiropractic can just encourage your body to respond properly for you.

You should find out from your own personal experience what Massage and or Chiropractic can do  for you.
What do you do to maintain your health? Alternative medicine works well with traditional medicine. What are some of your physical concerns? Do you experience neck pain, head ache, low back pain, or numb tingling feelings in your fingers? 

For more information massage you can go to www.massageprofessionalsofillinois.com  and for Chiropractic questions you can go to www.illinoisspinalcare.com







                                         

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Getting on track

Well today is a great day it is sunny outside and I have to get moving. I am excited. I have got back on track I have Red Devil Promotions scheduled to review my website before I launch it, I have Ms. Erma who will assist with my business plan. Erma gave me a ton of home work and I have to start today. I also have to meet with my DPWN http://www.dpwomen.com/ associate to put together our power partner talk on Wellness. It will be a very busy weekend. I also have to prepare for Latonja and her husbands going away party tomorrow night. Wow!! My friend is moving to the ATL. How exciting? I have so much to do these days.

While I am working so hard I have to remember that I have to stay healthy. I found it odd that for a week I didn't go on any runs and all did was crave very unhealthy food. The funny thing is I craved McDonalds. Wow! McDonalds I wanted to have a Big Mac so bad. Did you know that a Big Mac has over 400 calories? I would have to run 4 miles just to burn off the Big Mac.

We as people considering that Americans are considered to be the most unhealthy people as far as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. We have a lot to work on and toward. I live in Chicago and if your in the Midwest at all you understand how we receive very little sun light. Now I know you hear stay out of the sun, where sun tanning lotion, and stay covered up. You actually need sun light to survive. That's right I said " You need sun light to survive". We get Vitamin D from the sun light it's a fat soluble vitamin which helps your body absorber calcium and phosphorus from our food. It also helps to build the bones in your body. Just remember everything in moderation people. Always remember everything in moderation. We are a nation built on fear. Don't do this, You can't do that, and be careful or this will happened. If you notice everything changes every couple of years. remember this drink red wine it's good for your heart, pregnant Moms can drink wine it's good for the blood etc... Every drug is the best for you as your Doctor but if you take it you may experience depression, heart attack, loss of eye sight or death.

What is our medical field coming to? What are we as a society tolerating? Don't get me wrong I go to the Doctor for my regular check up. However, I like to find out about the natural way to handle the situation first. I take my vitamin supplements but I also eat the necessary food and expose myself to the natural environment that enhances my health. I take vitamin D in addition to exposing myself to sun light. I have considered to change all lights in our place to ensure that we receive sufficient vitamin D.

I have experienced being vitamin D deficent just 4 months ago. I was experiencing fatigue sluggish behavior, irregular menstrual cycle and a few other symptoms all from low vitamin levels. I have encounter several patients who I heard some of the same symptoms and advised them to have their levels checked. Guess what? Yes, their levels were also low. Have you check you vitamin levels? If the answer is no please have them check right away. We are going into the winter season and in the Midwest we loose sun light and the temperatures change. our bodies will change. I was prescribed 50,000 IU's for 4 weeks and I don't know if you will be comfortable with this but i didn't realize that my digestive system had slowed down so much until I started to take my vitamin D and boy did I notice things started to get jump started. to read more about vitamin D go to http://www.vitamindeficiencysymptomsguide.com/

I hope My information was of assistance to you. Have you had your massage today?
You can schedule with Massage Professionals of Illinois, Inc. (708)680-6764 or tmacklin@massageprofessionalofillinois.com God Bless You and May you and your family be healthy and full of Joy.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Womans Health (Seasonal Affects)

If you are a man share with your Wife, family, girlfriend, or female friend.

It has been a very interesting summer for me. I have encountered woman who have many questions about bra's, menstrual cycles, and mental health. The funny thing is if you don't have a good bra when you come on your menstrual it can cause you to be very hormonal and agitated which affects your mental health. Lol!!! I just had to get that out. now let's get serious.



I read in one of my massage therapy books by Mosby that women are lunar beings. When they say lunar they mean we are based off of the lunar system. I found that to be very funny and thought about it a little deeper. We all know that we are of the earth so why wouldn't we believe if the earth changes we would change? Have you noticed that during seasonal changes your menstrual cycle changes? Did you notice that in the summer your very energetic, during the winter your SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and during spring you find yourself having a little more sexual energy? Though my Husband says " All year has been spring it seems". (That's Newly Weds for You). The funny part is I also learned that the word lunatic was created to describe the woman. Yes, I know, that's what I said to... The word lunatic is meant to describe our mental state during the changes like full moon etc...



We are as humans controlled by the planet and everything that surround it. Ex: we have a gland called the pineal gland that controls the release of our melatonin and serotonin which controls our sleep and awake cycle. To explain when the sun rises and the sun light touches your fore head it the pineal gland will release the hormone to wake you up. Now you know the same for sun set and going to sleep. Oh!! How God has created a miraculous system.





Women menstrual cycles change for many reasons. Have you ever notice you come on your cycle on the 21st every month now you have a new job and suddenly it changes to the 10th of the month? Or It could be you started hanging with a new female friend. It's funny we become synced up and suddenly all the women who work together or hang together begin to start their menstrual at the same time. That is one thing I can't explain to you, but it's very funny.

The body goes on hormonal over load and we become upset and sad but we can change it. Laugh ladies when you feel sad, angry, or depressed. Emotions are all hormonally controlled if you feel anything negitive just laugh and stimulate the joyful hormone so you can counter act the SAD hormone. We don't have to be depressed or angry when we are on our menstral cycle. Let's learn more about our bodies so we can treat about bodies better. Rememeber your body put you on a physiological reward system. We are a self healing organisim we have to learn about our bodies to unlock the gifts with in it. I Thank God for this wonderful beautiful body he blessed me with.

Cramps...

During the time I was seeking ways to sooth my cramps and feel healthy and full of joy even during what we consider a not so joyful moment I found several things.

I found a natural way to stop cramps that works for me-
  • Black cohosh you can take it in the tea form or pill. If you take the tea it isn't delicious but it works. I have been using it for about 2 years.
  • Exercise helps with cramps
  • staying hydrated
  • check your vitamin levels
  • massage therapy
  • I found that I have more complications when I have low vitamin levels like Iron and vitamin B.

We as women we have to speak to one another and help one another to understand why we are experiencing changes. Ladies let us share.

What have you noticed with your body?

If you have any questions or comments feel free to share. We all should share.

Physical rewards

Today I am relaxing after church and realized I have plenty of home work. I have a mini talk to put together for Dynamic Professional Women Network www.dpwomen.com and I have to work on my Vision statement, objective and company biography. Thank God of Ms. Erma who will be working with me on my business plan. I have been slightly set back because August 30, 2010 My Husband and I celebrated our first year anniversary. We decided to do something different and it was also healthy. When I say your body will put you on a physiological reward system" it is true. We felt great after a weekend of hiking.

My Husband and I went to Starved Rock in Utica, Illinois. We went Horse Back riding and Hiking. We were there for 2 days and in the 2 days we were there we hiked about 12 miles. I tell you we were slightly sore but we stayed hydrated. Hydration is what helped us during our time out in the wilderness. The funny part it is my Husband has allergies but during the entire trip he didn't sneeze once nor did his eyes bother him one time.

If any of you have ever been hiking you will understand how physically demanding it can be. I was able to clear my mind and refocus on what I needed to do. Today I could feel my muscles and I forgot that Thursday I complete the longest run I ever ran 5 miles. Yay!!! Please let us start to work toward God Health and Quality health.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Understanding your body

Today most people don't take time to listen to their body. Do you know when you have pushed your body to far? Have you noticed when your body screams for rest? These are the million dollar questions that most people can't answer. To some a slight head ache requires a aspirin or Tylenol, achy bones and joints mean to put icy hot on them or push past the pain.

Every body has different demands but the bottom line is that they want to be treated well. Your body puts you on a physiological reward system you treat it well and it will treat you well. How have you been treating your body.

We need to focus on several things to keep ourselves healthy. I'm not perfect however I am growing toward being a healthier individual.

1. What is your activity of choice?
2.When do you do breathing exercise?
3. How often are you hydrating?
4. Do you stretch daily?
5.Do you take supplements (vitamins)?

These things should be apart of your daily routine. We schedule every thing from work to social functions with friends and family. Why can't we schedule our wellness? Everyone would like to live a long life. We really need to focus on the quality of life we live. What good is it to live to be 90 years old but have little to no mobility, respiratory issues or having some long term health issue.

I don't think anyone wants to live a long painful life. I challenge you to live healthy. Take out 10 minutes to do breathing exercises, 15 minutes to stretch a few times a day and try and do a 30 minute run or walk per day.

Let's hydrate ourselves. Hydration assist with clear thinking, lubricated joints, improved range of motion and assist immune system. You should be drinking half your body weight in water. Yes 50% of your body weight.

I challenge you to improve your quality of life and I would really enjoy hearing about your progress.

Stay tuned for the next topic