Music: Strings Tradition

Music plays a big role in my life. The music selection that I play during a massage is not your typical spa music. I like music to be a companion during the session, not solely something to drown out the external noises.

A big part of my music education has been shaped by Western Africa. Sounds and melodies from Senegal, Mali and Mauritania amongst many. I love Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Rokia Traore and have shared much of their music with you at one time or another.

Once in a while, music melt into something absolutely phenomenal. When the deep musical tradition of Mali meets the deep musical of South Asia (India and Pakistan), you get a magical, hypnotizing mix.

The album String Traditions combines the Malian Kora from Mamadou Diabate with Sitar, Tabla, Violin and Ghatam to make a most amazing musical journey. I highly, highly recommend it and can't wait to share it with you.

Enjoy!

Book Review: How to Use Herbs, Nutrients & Yoga in Mental Health Care

Let me start by stating that I am not a mental health specialist. I just love integrative health care solutions. I firmly believe that medicine should first be a combination of diet and exercise but that's another matter.

This book, written by three medical doctors (Richard P. Brown, Patricia L. Gerbard, Philip R. Muskin) is NOT a self-help or self-treatment book. It is a rather technical look on how exercise and a combination of herbal and nutritional changes can dramatically affect the outcome of common health care ailments such as depression, learning disabilities, substance abuses, etc. The authors review the application and potential side effects of complementary and alternative approach through pretty extensive case studies presentation and analysis.

While this book is definitely not for everybody, it is a wonderful addition to the bookshelf of mental health practitioners.

Enjoy.

Anna Deavere Smith on Bill Moyers Journal

In my list of podcasts subscriptions is the audio version of Bill Moyers Journal which airs first on PBS. The show is a fascinating look at current events from a somewhat different point of view.

Last night I stumbled on a rare gem. Playwright and actress Anna Deavere Smith was the guest of the show. She was invited to talked about her last one-woman show "Let me down easy".

From the show's website:

In the 90 minutes of LET ME DOWN EASY, Anna Deavere Smith becomes 20 people on stage, from a rodeo bullrider to a Buddhist monk, cyclist Lance Armstrong and the late governor of Texas, Ann Richards, each talking about life, illnesses, mortality and the human body. The project began when a doctor asked Smith to lend her talents as an interpreter of real voices and characters to the study of modern health care.

It is truly amazing! I highly recommend it. If you happen to be in NYC for Thanksgiving (the show plays through December 6 at the Second Stage Theatre) or if Anna Deavere Smith takes the show on the road to a city near you do not miss it.

Second Stage Theatre web site: http://www.2st.com/
Bill Moyers Journal: Episode of November 13, 2009

Enjoy!

Contrast Hydrotherapy

Often enough you will hear me advising using Contrast Hydrotherapy to help decrease inflammation, such as plantar fasciitis or tennis elbow.

Contrast Hydrotherapy is the process of assisting the vascular pump by alternating period of dilation and constriction on an injury using alternating heat and cold.

Let me translate:

When you apply heat to an injured area, you dilate the tissue and draw circulation to it. Apply cold on the same area you constrict the tissue and flush fluids out of it. The greater the difference in temperature between the heat and cold, the greater the effect on local circulation.

How do you do it?

It is best to affect as much of the injured area as possible. For example, in the case of a tennis elbow, it is best to treat the whole forearm.

You can alternate placing the injured tissue in warm and cold water directly, using buckets for example or use hot and cold packs on the area. Hot towels work pretty well for applying heat (soak a hand towel in warm water, wring it then microwave it for a minute. Be careful, the center of the towel will be warmer than the edges.). Bags of frozen peas or corn work well as an ice pack.

The rule of thumb I follow is to use a 2:1 ratio of time for each application. For example, I apply heat for 6 minutes than ice the area for 3 minutes. Pay attention to not burn yourself or freeze the skin.

Repeat the process as much as you have time for. I like to do 3 of 4 applications in one sitting.
Gently stretching during the heating can help.
ALWAYS finish by applying cold, encouraging vasoconstriction instead of congestion.

When to do it?
Do not use Contrast Hydrotherapy on a freshest injury (acute). Use ice at first to contain the swelling. As a rule of thumb, you can start Contrast three days after the initial onset, when the injury is in the subacute phase (when in doubt, consult your primary care physician or bodyworker).
Try using Contrast Hydrotherapy at least once a day.

Try it! It is really powerful.

North End Arts Tour

Four Hands is proud to support the North End Arts Tour. Dec 4th to 6th, 2009.

This free, self-guided tour showcases the work of 32 local artists at seven north Seattle locations just minutes apart.

A perfect place to look for the perfect gift.

For more information and links to artists' websites, visit www.neatseattle.com

Healthcare, a history.

The healthcare system of the United States is unique, complex and in need of some reforms. Alas, the debate about what those reforms need to be has been taken over by shouting matches, blame games and scare tactics.

Thankfully Chicago Public Radio's This American Life has created a wonderfully clear and concise explanation of the healthcare system in two episodes.

In my opinion, this is probably the most understandable explanation of the origins of the system, its evolution and its problems. Truly a must!

Episode 1: More is Less: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1320
Episode 2: Someone Else's Money: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1321

Enjoy!

Blink!

Mmmm... Looks like I haven't paid much attention to the blog lately... Let's change that...

Not exactly bodywork or massage related but I thought I would share this with you. One of my favorite radio shows is WNYC Radiolab. In their own words:

"Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility."

The episode I would like to share with you is called "Blink". It asks a simple question: "Why do we blink?". The answer might surprise you...

Enjoy!

http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/2009/10/05/blink/

Four Hands now accepts credit and debit cards.

You have been asking for it. So starting February 1st, you can now pay for your session or gift certificates using Visa/Mastercard or Discover. The equipment I have allows the use of your debit card as well. This also means that you can now earn miles (or any other rewards associated with your card) every time you come for a massage!

This Summer, I will update the web site to allow purchase of gift certificates online.

We, of course, continue to accept cash and checks. The updated version of the Payment Policy Document is available on the web site.

Celebrate your Valentine with a little help from Four Hands

Celebrate that special someone!
Show them that you care!
Offer them a waste free gift!
Give them an opportunity to take care of themselves
Give them a massage!

Gift Certificates for sessions at Four Hands are
only $85 for 90 minutes
or only $72 for a 60 minutes session
(when ordered between Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, 2009)

Yes, you can gift them to yourself :).
Regular prices are $80 for a 60 minutes session and $95 for a 90 minutes session.
For additional volume discounts, please contact me!
Gift certificates do not expire, however, the price per session is only guaranteed for a year. If the price of the session has increased after a year, the certificate bearer might be asked to pay the difference.
Cannot be used with other discounts.