Book Review: Overcoming Headaches, a natural approach by Pat Thomas

Once in a while, a book set on the display tables at my local library catches the corner of my eye. That is where I came across Pat Thomas' book: Overcoming Headaches, a natural approach.

The author lays out some pretty interesting facts about headaches and how to take care of them. She emphasizes the fact that headaches are only the symptoms of an imbalance in one or more body systems (for example in the muscular system or the endocrine system). She also outlines some pretty interesting short term relief ideas as well as the need to keep a log of when headaches happen and in what circumstances (the headache diary concept).

Overall a nice, straightforward treaty of probably one of the most widespread ailment plaguing us. Check it out...

From the Seattle Public Library system.

or from Amazon.com

When to use ice?

A recent article in Training and Conditioning brought my attention to the use of ice by hands-on therapist. The article in question compares the benefits of Biofreeze, a common ice substitution product manufactured by Performance Health, Inc. (the manufacturers of Thera-band) and actual ice. If you want to read it, check it here (but keep in mind of who actually paid for the research).

A question clients often ask is: "should I ice it?".

The answer is: it depends.

As a rule of thumb when an muscular injury occurs, we need to control the swelling that occurs with tissue damage. The swelling (or edema to be technical) is a natural reaction stemming from the release of serous fluid and blood from the damaged structure. It is important to contain the fluids to prevent adjacent area to be damaged as well by the increase in pressure. To do this, the traditional response to a sprain or a strain in the acute stage (24 to 48 hours after the injury) is R.I.C.E. or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

The ice constricts blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, helping to slow the release of fluids in the area.

Beyond the acute stage of the injury, ice can help numb the pain but it doesn't really help speeding the healing process. If the area is re-injured (if the rest part of the treatment hasn't been followed :)), icing can help control secondary swelling.

Some precautions need to be applied when working with ice:

• do not apply ice to the skin directly: to prevent potential frost damage to the superficial layers of the skin, it is better to wrap the ice in a towel.
• do not apply the ice for more than 20 minutes to the same area: this again to prevent frost damage to the skin and superficial tissue.
• frozen peas or corn bags make great ice bags than can be reused again and again. Don't eat the vegetables if they have been thawed and refrozen.
• Biofreeze or other ice substitution product can also be applied. Carefully wash your hands after application.

I will cover the treatment options for sprains in the February newsletter.

Keep moving!

A passing... Lhasa de Sela

Music is an important part of my sessions. I truly enjoy sharing my love of world music with my clients during our work together.

Lately, I have been playing the music of a very special artist, Lhasa de Sela. In her own words:

Lhasa's unusual childhood was marked by long periods of nomadic wandering through Mexico and the U.S., with her parents and sisters in the school bus which was their home. During this period the children improvised, both theatrically and musically, performing for their parents on a nightly basis. Lhasa grew up in a world imbued with artistic discovery, far from conventional culture.

This unique background gave her music an unique, bewitching quality. Juggling between French, Spanish and English, her songs have a way to weave themselves around your heart and never let go. I have been playing her first two albums: La Llorna and The Living Road.

Lhasa died after a long battle with breast cancer earlier this year. She will be missed.

To learn more about her visit her web site at http://lhasadesela.com

Enjoy...

The efficiency of 'fitness' video games.

This morning while indulging in my strongest addiction (listening to NPR), I heard this small segment about the efficiency of fitness oriented video games (such as Wii Fit). To summarize, it is a great way to start moving but it is not enough.

To view the transcript for the story, click here...

Keep moving!

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!