Migraine symptoms can include pain in one or both hemispheres of the brain, nausea and sensitivity to bright light or noises. Signs of an oncoming migraine can include a sweet tooth, thirst, irritability or tiredness.

More than just passing headaches, migraines are chronic nuisance to 10% of the American population, or 30 million people. It can cause severe and relentless pain, and “there’s no cure,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

But now, in a turn of events that has migraine sufferers hopeful for a cure, a study conducted by Dr. Bahman Guyuron, chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, reveals that plastic surgery may be the answer.

“We’ve shown that surgical treatment of migraine headaches is safe, effective, and that this reasonably short operation can have a colossal impact on the patients’ quality of life,” says Dr. Guyuron.

Doctors have already believed for a while that Botox can offer temporary relief from migraines by paralyzing the muscles around the facial nerves. Then Dr. Guyuron happened upon his discovery when he noticed that some of his patients who had forehead lifts reported experiencing relief from migraines.

This led the doctor to conduct a double blind collaborative study with two neurosurgeons to determine if forehead lifts can indeed cure migraines. Since migraines can affect people in different parts of their heads, the doctors first identified the source of the migraines by injecting the patients with Botox, and those that experienced migraine relief were chosen to participate in the study. In the end, 76 patients were chosen, of which 49 were randomly selected to receive the real surgery and 26 for the sham surgery (where did the last patient go??)

The results were “fascinating and promising” according to Dr. Richard Lipton of the Montefiore Headache Center in New York, with 28 patients from the first group, or a little over half, reporting that their migraines were completely gone a year after the study, with only 1 patient in the latter group reporting the complete elimination of migraines. However, some doctors expressed skepticism of just how promising this study is, pointing out that while the sham surgery patients reported a low rate of complete relief, many of them (57%) reported significant improvement in migraine symptoms.

Here are some methods people have used to attain temporary relief from migraines:

1. Neurofeedback. Also called biofeedback, it is a game-like therapy that provides the user with feedback on his or her brain’s activity in realtime. In studies, 85 to 90 percent of migraine sufferers who underwent neurofeedback therapy reported migraine relief.
2. Stress reduction techniques. These can range from taking a vacation to meditating, and experts recommend employing these methods and avoiding stressful situations to lessen the risk of getting a migraine.
3. Don’t oversleep. The Mayo Clinic recommends shooting for 6-8 hours a night.

No matter the outcome… seeking a cure for this most devastating everyday disease should be a priority for medical professionals and a source of hope for those affected. Keep up the good work.

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In the wild, testicles are a source of confidence. I think.

Pet Cosmetic Surgery
Nose jobs, skin fold reductions, dental surgery – these are all animal cosmetic surgeries that also have a medical purpose. A nose job can improve breathing, a skin fold reduction can reduce the risk of infection and dental surgery can improve your pet’s bite.

Other plastic surgery options are a little more indulgent, like Neuticles®, the testicular implants that have sold over a quarter million pairs since 1995. Intended for self-conscious pets with “neuter-hesitant” owners, Neuticles come in NeuticlesOriginal, NeuticlesNatural and NeuticlesUltraPlus, which feature a special textured exterior for the extra discerning buyer. The creators tell us that neutering a pet is unethical and unnatural, but “with Neuticles, it’s like nothing ever changed”! So who is this helping, the dog or the owner? Either way, we think Neuticles are nuts.

The Amour Amour diamond doggie collar retails between $280,000 and $480,000.

Pet Fashion
Give your pooch a leg up on the competition with the Amour Amour, a “one-of-a-kind” 52 carat diamond doggie collar retailing between $280,000 and $480,000 from I Love Dog Diamonds. Considered in the context of the $45.4 billion Americans spend on pet care last year, the price tag doesn’t seem all that big anymore.  The website tells us that these diamonds are available in custom design to “fully reflect your style and your dog’s personality,” so maybe you could get something in the image of a dog peeing on a homeless person. And when there aren’t any homeless people around, puppy can

When there aren’t any homeless people nearby, puppy can relieve itself in your $1900 Louis Vuitton pet carrier with washable lining.

relieve itself in your $1900 Louis Vuitton pet carrier with washable lining. Don’t make the faux paw of showing up at the Pet Resort without this hot new accessory!

Pet Resorts
In this dog eat caviar world, hotels are offering luxury pet packages with amenities that include massages, acupuncture, blueberry facials, pet parties and personal attendants. The new London pet hotel, Elmtree, offers web cam service, so you can keep tabs on patches while you’re out running errands for her. At the Top Dog Country Club in Minnesota, activities include watching television, pedicures and swimming in the heated inground doggy pool. If Pooches isn’t feeling up to playing and socializing, some pet hotels, like Paws 4 Paradise, partner with pet shrinks who are available for 1 on 1 therapy sessions. Only don’t call them pet shrinks. They prefer applied animal behaviorists, probably because it has more syllables.

Pet Shrinks
Just like we impose our fashions and lifestyles on our dogs, sometimes we also impose our neuroses. These days, pets are being treated for a wide variety of mental conditions that seem to mirror our own. Veterinarians routinely prescribe drugs for disorders such as separation anxiety and compulsive disorder–drugs which in many cases were originally designed for humans.

That fact made me stop and think about what we have in common with animals and how we treat them. And in researching this article, I was actually surprised to find that the most gratuitous pet luxuries weren’t as extravagant as I expected them to be. The Louis Vuitton pet carrier, albeit rather pricy, serves a valid purpose, as do pet kennels, behaviorists and surgeons (alright, I’m not gonna defend Neuticles). Maybe it’s not so bad to lavish a little extra attention on Puddles every once in a while, so don’t feel guilty because you took your dog on that weekend getaway, feel guilty because you left your wife at home.

Atlanta Pet Care | Boston Pet Care | Charlotte Pet Care | Chicago Pet Care | Dallas Pet Care | Los Angeles Pet Care | Miami Pet Care | Minneapolis Pet Care | New York Pet Care | Philadelphia Pet Care | Phoenix Pet Care | San Francisco Pet Care | Seattle Pet Care | Washington, DC Pet Care | See More Cities

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The USDA has attempted to classify french fries and ketchup as fresh vegetables

The food industry has always influenced our eating habits, making it more difficult for parents to control what their children eat. But now the industry’s marketing strategies have become much more sophisticated and invasive, bombarding children with products and advertisements from every conceivable angle, even infiltrating our schools.

The food lobby is a profit-driven business like any other and would never voluntarily enforce non-mandatory health regulations—that’s why we need to demand more vigilance from school boards and the FDA in keeping profiteering corporations out of our kids’ schools. With fast fooderies sprouting up on every corner and a national obesity epidemic that—appallingly—is increasingly afflicting even toddlers, (According to National Academies’ Institute of Medicine, the rate of childhood obesity has doubled in 2-5 year olds over the past 30 years) it’s no surprise that parents are laying the blame with those who have the most to gain.

Certainly, many food companies neglect the social responsibility that comes with the territory, and sometimes it can seem like the media has replaced us as our kids’ role models, but the ability, and responsibility, to instill good eating habits ultimately lies with the parents— the ones actually selecting and buying the food. There is absolutely no excuse for having a junk-food stocked kitchen in which your sole function is that of an on-call chef. It’s especially essential to instill a healthy routine in children from a young age to teach them about and adjust them to good nutrition practices.

If a 2-5 year old is obese, only the parents are to blame for his/her poor dietary habits. But the good news is that it’s never too late to start eating healthy, and according to leading experts, the benefits of doing so extend beyond physical wellbeing to improve general attitude and mental health.

A common obstacle many mothers and fathers face before taking the first step toward healthy living is knowing where to start. With the intimidating litany of books and opposing ideas on health topics available today, it’s easy to think the laws of nutrition have no rhyme or reason. (After all, the medical communities’ position on children drinking coffee seems to change almost monthly, and just last November a study in Aberdeen revealed that slouching is actually good for your back!) To help sort out some of the confusion, we’ve compiled several general guidelines below to help make sense of it all and debunk a few common misconceptions.

THE CLAIM

Children should be allowed to eat until they are content.

THE FACTS

There is no consensus on this issue, but many experts agree that children should be allowed to choose their own portions. The Weight-Control Information Network additionally recommends starting with small portions and letting your child ask for more if s/he is still hungry.

There are two caveats: children should only eat their fill if the meal is healthy (limiting your child’s daily juice intake is an acceptable and recommended weight management method); secondly, coercing a child who’s not hungry to eat can facilitate bingeing and is discouraged. Even if your child seems overly-lean but grows at a normal rate, there’s no reason to worry. If you are concerned your child may not be eating enough, start a log of his/her growth progress to identify a potential development stunt in addition to consulting with a pediatrician.

Lastly, keep an eye out for various factors that can further mitigate eating habits: for instance, children have been shown to eat more in groups, making playtime the right time to have plenty of wholesome and portioned snacks available. A study released by researchers at the University of Buffalo last Friday showed that children also tend to eat more while watching TV. It’s easy to overeat when distracted, so we suggest limiting television time to one hour a night.

THE CLAIM

Athletic children need more nutrients, particularly protein, in their diet.

THE FACTS

Along with watching what you eat, exercising is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, and building muscle is just one of its many advantages. While kids who are active use more energy and certainly require more calories to replace it, more protein does not, contrary to popular opinion, add up to more muscle. This misconception most likely stems from the deterioration associated with protein deficiency, an extremely rare condition among American children. Nutritionists recommend a mere 15% daily intake of protein for athletes, with 50% allotted for carbs—the body’s primary fuel.

Another common misconception is that kids who are active need more vitamins. In fact, taking too many supplements (such as iron) can lead to an overdose. Fluid requirements, on the other hand, are greatly elevated during any strenuous exercise, especially since thirst is not considered a reliable indicator of hydration. The Center for Disease Control recommends drinking water every 15-20 minutes before, during and after exercising, especially in the heat.

This brings us to debunk another myth: though water quenches thirst better than Gatorade, sports drinks are better suited for strenuous or prolonged exercise because they contains electrolytes which help maintain body fluid levels as well as the power-fuel glucose. This means that sports drinks not only slow dehydration but also provide energy. To sum up the key points, athletic children need extra food-energy but shouldn’t change the balance of calorie-type ratios in their diet. Even more important than a balanced diet for an athlete is constant attentiveness to his/her hydration schedule.

Tip: Eating or exercising directly before a vigorous activity will slow your performance.

THE CLAIM

Eating sugar provides a temporary energy boost.

THE FACTS

The energy rush we get from sugar strolls by leisurely more than it rushes; the body relies on stored energy—glucose stored in the muscles and liver—so not only is the sugar useless, but it can even increase the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as cramps and nausea according to Suzanne Nelson Sc.D. RD, University of Washington.

The most important thing to remember is that no matter how difficult junk-food companies make it to change your kids’ eating habits, you have more influence in your role as a parent—we think you’ll be surprised by how painless the transition can be when you incorporate a little fun and variety in the menu! Keep in mind that meal times are a perfect opportunity to embed a positive outlook on eating healthy in your children, so try to keep it fun and avoid conflict. Also, feel free to indulge in your favorite foods occasionally (variety is a great way to build excitement and a positive attitude towards nutrition), just don’t compromise healthy eating right out of your routine!—always remember who decides the menu.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.

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Alex Tatarinov-Levin met recently with the founders of NYU’s Mindfulness program,  Jackie Levin, RN, MS, and Tara Piergrossi, a Masters candidate in Public Health at Hunter College. Jackie and Tara talk about the concept of mindfulness and how to begin your own practice in this in-depth interview.

It’s All in Your Mind: an Introduction to Mindfulness

Alex Tatarinov-Levin: How did you get involved in the concept of mindfulness?

Jackie Levin: I have a master’s degree in holistic nursing, and as part of that I became interested in the practice of meditation. I studied mindfulness first with Jon Kabat-Zinn [Associated Professor of Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School] and learned about his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, and that became a foundation of my own personal strategy for becoming centered, focused and aware.

“The practice of meditation is essentially common sense.” – Jackie Levin

Alex: What kind of stress are you referring to?

Jackie: All types of stress are interconnected, so while we might see emotional stress manifested physically, for example, tense shoulders, aches, pains, and the beginnings of disease – we can also experience it emotionally through anxiety, lack of focus, forgetfulness, mood swings or spiritual distress, in which you don’t feel a connection to others or to a spiritual being.

Alex: Is mindfulness intended to relieve stress?

Jackie: No, but it can be a byproduct. Mindfulness is the moment-to-moment awareness of what is going on around you. It’s a practice of becoming more aware and awake. So many of us are spending most of our time distracted, consciously or unconsciously, thinking about memories of the past or worrying about the future, but the only moment that really exists is this one. The practice of mindfulness helps you become a better observer and non-judgmentally aware of what’s going on in your environment.

Alex: What’s the importance of non-judgment to mindfulness?

Tara Piergrossi: You’re not trying to change the moment, just to accept it without judging it, and without trying to hold on to it or labeling it as good or bad.

Jackie: Your judgment says, if I were to see a dog going down the street and as a child I was bit by a dog and maintained that fear my whole life, I would see that dog as threatening. So is that dog threatening? I don’t really know, but if I take a moment I can become a non-judgmental observer of the dog walking down the street, I can then better understand if that dog is a threat or not, and whether I should turn and run or whether I could actually stop and pet the dog.

Alex: What if I’m restless or have trouble clearing my mind for five minutes?

Tara: Then you’re probably normal.

Jackie: Yes, very normal. You’re not trying to clear the mind; you’re trying to wake up the mind. We think our minds are awake, but mostly they’re asleep to what’s going on.

Alex: So mindfulness helps you step back and assess each situation on its own merits?

Jackie: Yes, that’s it. Each moment is unique. It doesn’t mean you don’t have memories and it doesn’t mean you don’t utilize those memories to make current analyses but you’re not letting those past memories dictate your current experience.

Alex: Is there a relationship between mindfulness and meditation?

Jackie: Mindfulness is a type of meditation practice.

Tara: You can sit in meditation position and notice your thoughts. So thoughts come in, you notice them and just go back to your point of focus, whatever it is, and you do that as many times as you need to, without judgment.

Alex: So it’s intended to help you make sense of your thoughts?

Jackie: Most of the time, we’re not aware of what we’re thinking. Those thoughts are just having random effects on us. So if I stop and I just sit there, I see sometimes I have a repetitive thought. Which means I can begin to attend to it and say, oh, that’s a worry I didn’t realize I had, and what is it I’d like to do about that? Is it really as big a problem as I think it is? So you can begin to discharge some of the tension through natural stress reduction and observe it. And you develop a compassion for yourself—a softness. Saying, oh, I did something I wasn’t so happy about. Most of the time, we end up being hard on ourselves. In mindfulness you’d be able to say, well, ok, I can now see how I did that in a clearer way, and I have lots of options and choices now. I can go talk to that person, I can redo the situation, I can get more information.

Alex: What other benefits are there to mindfulness?

Jackie: In the mental realm, it can increase focus, memory, clarity of thought. In the emotional realm, it can improve your mood. In the relationship realm, it can improve how you connect to others. In the physical realm, it may lower your blood pressure and regulate your heart rate and respiratory rate. Relaxation enhances your metabolism, so it can help your digestive processes because it’s actually activating the parasympathetic system.

Alex: What is the parasympathetic system?

Jackie: There are two systems: the stress response and the relaxation response. The stress response stimulates the sympathetic system that puts me in a fight or flight mode, and that raises the blood pressure and sends your blood out into the extremities so you can run or fight as you might need. It also narrows your focus, so you’re only able to focus on that stress. The relaxation response is the opposite and stimulates the parasympathetic system. It’s about the bodily processes that can go on when you’re not in a fight or flight situation. For example, you don’t need to digest food when you’re trying to fight or flee. The relaxation response reduces your blood pressure. Your heart rate is more regulated; your digestive system is working better and your body releases muscle tension. A lot of energy goes into stress-related anxiety. Stress requires a lot of energy in the body. Sort of like if you’re in a car and revving in the engine but not going anywhere, you’re wearing the engine down.

Take a Minute to be Mindful

Alex: What’s the best position for mindfulness practice and what can people do if they’re not comfortable with it?

Jackie: People should find a position in which they’re comfortable and not in pain, whether sitting or lying. If you’re sitting, your feet should be on the floor, your spine should be tall, but not rigid, and your neck should be long. You’re trying to give enough room for your ribs to breathe and take tension out of your spine. Arms are in your lap so there’s no tension in your shoulders. If you feel tension in your shoulders, put a pillow in your lap to reduce it. If your feet don’t reach the floor, put a pillow underneath them so that there’s no tension in your legs. You can also sit on the floor cross-legged, if that’s comfortable, with a little pillow under the buttocks so that your hips are higher than your knees.

Tara: Or lying down, but it’s sometimes hard not to fall asleep.

Jackie: If you’re lying down you may need a pillow under your knees. You can do it lying down, but the trick is not to fall asleep. Sleeping is not meditating. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, it’s sometimes helpful to meditate first. There’s also yoga meditation, anything that has a point of focus that captures your attention in which you practice not letting your mind wander off your point of focus. Walking can be a form of meditation, chanting is also a form of meditation.

Alex: What connection, if any, is there, between mindfulness and yoga? Between mindfulness and Buddhism or spirituality in general?

Jackie: Mindfulness meditation is a form of Buddhist meditation and many forms of eastern meditation practices. The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program that Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli developed put the spiritual practice into a more secular format.

Alex: Is mindfulness similar to prayer?

Jackie: For me, mindfulness is related to contemplative prayer.

Alex: Is there any conflict between mindfulness and religion?

Jackie: No. people can practice their own forms of religion and spirituality and can also explore and practice meditation.

Tara: It can actually enhance religion.

Jackie: Other practices might call it prayer, concentration, contemplation. It’s a practice to give you insight into yourself. Jon Kabat-Zinn suggested in a program I took with him that we become our own scientist in our own laboratory, and just a keen observer of what goes on in that laboratory.

Alex: Do you have an example of an easy exercise that anyone can start out with?

Jackie: Start with a breath and smile. Put yourself in a comfortable position, with your feet on the ground and your neck and back long and feeling supported. Begin by bringing your awareness to your breath and letting your mind rest on your natural rhythm of breathing. Next, bring your attention to the full duration of your in-breath and the full duration of your out-breath. Wherever you notice your breath the most, at your nostrils or mouth as the air enters and leaves your body or during the rise and fall of your belly and chest.

Alex: Does that help you relax?

Jackie: It can help many people relax, but some people can become more agitated. Then you watch your agitation without judgment and observe it. We tend to run away from the difficult parts of our lives, so if agitation is a response you have to sitting quietly, just observe your experience with agitation, and then experience your mind frame. You might say, I want to get off this cushion as fast as I can, or, I just want to run away from the experience of agitation!

But what is this experience of agitation? You might feel your chest tightening or your heart racing, and observing these symptoms in your body will help you deal with them. What can often happen from there is that you can begin to relax. When we stop avoiding our problems and start gently, compassionately and non-judgmentally facing who we are in this moment, you’ll realize it’s just one moment. And this one might be different from the next. Mindfulness can lead to relaxation, but it’s different for everyone, there is no one way. It’s only you that you’re observing, in an intimate way, when you’re sitting in formal practice of meditation.

I want to connect this to making changes. The whole point of Healthy Monday is to develop a practice of reinventing yourself and changing once a week. If you’re not able to stop and reflect on what are the barriers to making change, or if you’re not able to observe yourself non-judgmentally and with compassion, when you realize you’re not making the choices that are good for you, you can just sit back and reflect on that and gain greater insight. And then perhaps you can make a more lasting committed change.

Formal vs. Informal Practice

Jackie: Formal practice is saying, I’m going to sit down for five to ten minutes a day and just sit with my breath and observe my thoughts and sensations that might be passing through my awareness in these ten minutes. If have the urge to get up or to avoid a thought, then that’s just my experience during this meditation. Informal practice is in our day-to-day life. Taking an everyday experience and being mindful throughout that activity. If I’m brushing my teeth and I let my mind wander to the 50 things I’m going to be doing the rest of the morning, I just stop and for two minutes just focus on the experience of brushing my teeth.

Tara: That’s a great way to utilize mindfulness. I was telling my students, pick one activity you do every day and just be mindful of it. Maybe washing your hair. Where are you going to go? Are you thinking about washing your hair? Probably not.

Jackie: Washing the dishes, making your bed, doing laundry. All those things in daily life are an opportunity to stop and just be present to this one moment. Let’s say you’re on this incredible beach and you’re watching the most amazing sunset. The first few moments you’re actually watching the sunset, but the rest of the time you’re thinking about how you’re going tell this friend of yours about it. In reality, you left the sunset and were actually in a conversation with your friend in your mind. You missed that beautiful sunset.

Tara: Another thing is when you’re on vacation, you’re thinking ahead to, oh, there’s only three days left, and you’re missing your whole vacation because you’re thinking about when you have to go back to work.

Jackie: Then as we go about our day, our formal and informal practices can be utilized spontaneously when moments of stress arise. For example, If I’m standing in a very long line at the supermarket and I’m running late, I may begin to experience a sense of agitation because I’m in a hurry. I just take a deep breath and observe my experience of standing in line, which then helps me realize it’s not that big a deal. I’ll be 5 minutes late, or I’ll put my groceries back and get them later, but I don’t have to let my blood pressure go up, I don’t have to let my agitation take over, I don’t have to stamp my foot and have all those experiences we have when you’re feeling stressed.

Tara: The benefit of using the breath-centered approach to mindfulness is that your breath is always with you; any time of day you can always focus on your breath.

Jackie: And your breath is always changing, so it’s dynamic, and that relates to life. If you’re able to connect to this ever-present dynamic aspect of yourself, you’ll be able to better manage the ever-present changing dynamics that go on in your external life as well. The thing that gets us most stressed and disrupted in our lives is that when we have an expectation of something happening and it doesn’t. Unrequited expectations cause stress. So the more you’re able to accept the moment for what it is, then there’s less chance of your being disappointed.

Alex: Is there a specific breathing method you recommend?

Jackie: In this form of mindfulness it’s just observing your breath. There are many powerful distinctive ways of breathing in meditation, but, mindfulness is just observing the breath, one breath at a time.

Jackie: So there are a hundred ways we can lose our balance – emotional balance, natural, psychological balance, physical balance – every moment. If you’re practicing mindfulness, you have a greater awareness of when you fall off balance, and you can then grab onto your practice of mindfulness to bring you back into balance. This way I don’t get so off-center.

Mindfulness Monday: Practice Living Each Moment

Alex: Let’s say I’m in an angry mood because I recently got laid off. What if meditating doesn’t make me feel any better?

Jackie: Mindfulness is not necessarily about changing an angry person into a non-angry person, it’s about you becoming aware of your anger and how you experience it. So imagine you’re feeling anger, and you send all this rage externally. Unless you’re being violent to someone physically, most of the violence is done to ourselves. Only we’re not aware of it because we’re so focused on our emotional hurt. The goal is not to take away the anger, the goal is for you to become awake to the feeling that you’re angry and that you might have all these varieties of thought and physical and emotional experiences while being angry. When you allow yourself to be aware of your experience, the experience shifts. Say you got laid off and you’re angry. A lot of us would be resentful and angry towards the person who laid us off and we’d blame them for our problems, instead I could become more specific about the concerns of being laid off like, I’ve been laid off, I don’t know if I’m going get another job. I’m scared about not paying the mortgage. What am I going to tell my family? If you can get down to that beginning level of awareness, you can begin to sort through and go on. Just breathe for the next few moments and don’t try to change anything at all. Then see where your thoughts can lead you. Oh, I didn’t like this job anyway, or, maybe I can tell the bank I was laid off, and they’ll give me a month without penalty of paying my mortgage.

Tara: Mindfulness helps you not to cling to that past experience. If you’re in the present, you know, that happened, I’m here now, not looking forward, not looking ahead, just being here for a moment.

Alex: How can mindfulness help you stay away from extreme behavior while encouraging acceptance of it?

Jackie: The beauty of mindfulness, like life, is that it is full of paradoxes. On the one hand, mindfulness helps you not get so angry, but then you say but mindfulness is not asking you not to be so angry, so both are true. It’s a paradox. Human beings want things defined, without confusion. But what mindfulness teaches is that if we’re being present fully in the moment, we become aware of the multidimensionality of our existence. So there is no absolute. So when I practice mindfulness long enough, I become more aware of what takes me, personally, out of balance, so that I am much more sensitive and alert to those situations – and when they start to happen, I go into my practice which is to be present to my own responses. However, if I’m observing my anger, I’m not necessarily acting my anger out. So you could say something to me that makes me angrier than I’ve ever been, and you might never know.

Tips for Starting Your Own Practice

Alex: Who are your Monday Mindfulness Memos intended for?
Jackie: This is on the NYU Medical Center intranet, available for any employee of the NYU Medical Center right now.
Tara: But eventually we’d like to house them on our website, which is being created. We already have one for our preparatory surgery program, but we’re creating one for the Mind Body Patient Care program, and we’ll put these on there – so they’ll be available to anyone. We want to do one memo a month and then supplement that memo with weekly Monday tips on how to use mindfulness and apply it to your daily life. So every Monday you start fresh – you use mindfulness and incorporate it into your life.

Alex: Are the tips cumulative? Or can anyone start fresh?

Jackie: Anyone can start fresh. We’re going to have links and an archive for monthly memos so people can click on that and then utilize those tips.

Tara: The first one is basically, what is mindfulness? and that will always be on the intranet in case you come into this later and you don’t already know what mindfulness is. Later on we are going to write memos on mindful communication, mindful eating… all sorts of ways to use mindfulness in your everyday life.

Alex: What are you trying to communicate with these memos and tips?

Jackie: Basically it’s utilizing the principles of compassion and non-judgmentalness when we listen and speak with each other. The more skillful we are at listening deeply to what another is trying to communicate to us, the more we are able to understand the intent of the speaker.

Tara: It’s an ideal way of communicating. Also, when you’re talking to someone, instead of thinking of what you’re going to say next –you’re actually listening, mindfully listening, and then responding.

Alex: Sounds brilliant – and common sense.

Jackie: The practice of meditation is essentially common sense. But in order to implement it on a regular basis you have to practice. It’s difficult to always remember to be mindful when somebody says something that I want to react to. It also helps me remember that the other person has a frame of reference too, and I want to understand it. That’s where the compassion comes in and the non-judgmental attitude. If you say something to me, I first try to understand your motivation, your reason for saying that, then I can honestly assess what kind of response I should give.

Alex: How does Monday fit in?

Jackie: I think the Monday idea is great. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes practice and commitment. Using Monday helps you realize, without judgment, that changes will eventually occur if you stick with it. And on the days that you don’t, you’re not harsh on yourself. Be kind to yourself. If it’s Thursday, you can decide to meditate or skip meat or whatever else you’re trying to do on that day, but you also know that every Monday is another day when you can begin seeing yourself fresh and anew. In mindfulness, every moment gives you that opportunity – but I think it’s very clever to connect it to a day of the week. The whole point of Healthy Monday is to develop a practice of reinventing yourself and working on changing once a week. If you’re not able to stop and reflect on what are the barriers to making change, or if you’re not able to observe yourself non-judgmentally and with compassion, when you realize you’re not making the choices that are good for you, you can just sit back and reflect on that and gain greater insight. And then perhaps you can make a more lasting committed change.

Tara: I think it really supports being compassionate to yourself. I know in my life, if I don’t go to the gym, I’ll be like forget it. But with Monday, you have a weekly opportunity to start over. It helps you not get discouraged with quitting or having a setback.

Jackie: Mindfulness has really helped with my greater sense of patience. When we’re taking on a big change, like quitting smoking – which is huge – you commit to Monday, you commit to being mindful of every time you have an urge to smoke, and you accept that urge, but in this moment, I can resist that urge because next moment that urge might go away. I know that if I can wait 30 seconds, that urge will be gone. That urge may come back later in the day, and then you sit with it. You can quit cold turkey, but it doesn’t mean you won’t have other desires for cigarettes.

Tara: When you have the urge to smoke, you supplement it for something else, unless you really feel the reason why you’re smoking.

Tara: You don’t practice mindfulness to make yourself a better person or to relax or make changes in yourself, but to help you tune in to what’s going on. All those things could happen as a result, but it is really easy to think I need to practice mindfulness to be better, to do more.

Alex: How has mindfulness changed your lives or perspectives?

Tara: Well I found mindfulness through yoga, and from the process of yoga I started teaching it. I just started doing yoga and it really changed my perspective on my life, and I didn’t know why. I wanted to figure out why and then help teach that to other people. I spent so much of my younger years looking forward, thinking I’ll be happy when I’m in college or I’ll be happy when I’m doing this. You can keep saying you’ll be happy when you get somewhere else, but this is your life right now. So that really helped me to live now and be happy.

Tara: My brother is a mindfulness meditation instructor. He did a workshop with people, and he had a little cup with sunflower seeds. We were sitting and observing our thoughts, and every time you had a thought, you’re supposed to drop a sunflower into the cup. So you could hear when everyone else had a thought, and it was like a rainstorm, and it was just a wonderful to hear everybody’s thoughts. You’re always giving off thoughts, and there’s nothing wrong with having them, just remember to come back.

Jackie: Mindfulness has helped me take things less seriously, be more playful. I can deal with things that are serious and hard, but also have an accompanying lightness to that experience. The people that I know who practice mindfulness on a regular basis smile a lot more, laugh a lot more, enjoy life a lot more.

Tara: Since you’re observing your thoughts, and if you notice your thoughts, it’s like, oh, that’s interesting. Where did that come from? It’s much more playful.

Alex: How’s this for a headline? Mindfulness: live for the moment.

Jackie: It’s more, be present in each moment, really.

Jackie: The more mindful I am the more precise I am. Not in an exhausting way; but, because I’m trying to actually capture everything as it is. I’ve become less satisfied with a lazy approach to understanding what others are trying to say or do. It’s a very precise practice.

Tara: We’re also much more curious about ourselves, and the world around us.

On Mindful Eating

Alex: Can you tell our readers a little bit about mindful eating?

Tara: If you’re mindful of your body, you will be swallowing and chewing when you need to, and you will stop way before you have gorged yourself. To be full, sometimes we throw food in our mouths, but you’ll enjoy and taste the food more if you practice mindful eating. You can extend it to the mindfulness of purchasing and preparing the food, and it will also connect you to the food though awareness of who grew the food, who harvested it, packaged and delivered it, if we’re not in a rural community and growing it ourselves.

Alex: Why is it important to have a connection with our food?

Jackie: I think it’s important to have a connection with everything that’s around us, and that I think good food is important, and the more we’re aware of how our food came to us, the more likely we are to make healthier choices.

Tara: If you’re mindful that you’re hungry, you’ll eat when you’re hungry, and you might make better choices if you’re mindful of your body’s hunger. So if right now I’m hungry, I know that I would probably go eat that whole counter, but if I’m aware of that it will help restrict me.

Jackie: When you connect to where your food is grown and the environment it’s grown in, we have a global awareness, and global awareness will help eventually bring peace.

Tara: It shows that we’re all connected—

Jackie: —and we should appreciate the people who grow our food.

Alex: Thanks for taking the time to enlighten us.

Tara and Jackie: Thank you

Jackie Levin, RN, MS, and Tara Piergrossi, a Masters candidate in Public Health at Hunter College, are the founders of the NYU Mindfulness program.

Find more health info at http://www.healthymonday.com

Find more self-improvement articles at http://www.selfgrowth.com

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After inspecting the tooth in question, your dentist will select a color for the composite resin (the material used in bonding) that most closely matches your tooth.

Innovations in cosmetic dentistry have made a trip to the dentist’s office an entirely new and rewarding experience for millions of Americans, and many procedures are even covered by dental insurers! So whether you’re fixing a single tooth or getting a total smile makeover, arm yourself with these facts to help you decide on a procedure that fits your dental and aesthetic needs and budget.

Dental Bonding
Dental Bridges
Dental Crowns
Inlays/Onlays
Veneers

Dental Bonding

What Is Dental Bonding?

A favored procedure for minor dental corrections, bonding – also known as composite bonding – is a quick and affordable way to correct a variety of dental flaws such as:

• Cracks
• Discoloration
• Gaps
• Low Bite Pressure (caused by short or uneven teeth)
• Tooth Decay

If you have any of these dental issues you may be a good candidate for bonding.

How Does Bonding Work?

After inspecting the tooth in question, your dentist will select a color for the composite resin (the material used in bonding) that most closely matches your tooth. He or she will then roughen the outer layer of your tooth, removing a minimal amount of tooth enamel, and apply a strong adhesive that will help the resin stick. Next your dentist will apply the resin and shape it to fill in any cracks or gaps or change the contours of your tooth. Afterwards, a dental laser is used to “bond” the material to your tooth. A local anesthetic is generally only required when tooth decay or nerve damage is involved.

How Long Does Bonding Take?

Dental bonding can be performed in a single visit, unless you’re having several teeth bonded. The procedure usually takes between an hour and two. If you’re having your teeth lengthened, it might take a few days for you to get accustomed to the way they feel.

How Long Does Bonding Last?

The composite resin used in bonding typically lasts 7 to 10 years before it needs to be repaired or replaced.

How Much Does Dental Bonding Cost?

Dental Bonding generally costs between $100 and $700 per tooth, and the cost can vary depending on the extent of work required and the skill level of the dentist.

Is Bonding Covered By My Dental Insurance?

Insurers will usually cover some or most of the cost of bonding, especially when its purpose is reconstructive rather than cosmetic.

Dental Bridges

Having one or more missing teeth can have a serious effect not only on your smile, but also on your dental health.  Specifically, missing teeth can cause:

• A shift in the alignment of your teeth
• Increased risk of periodontal disease
• Increased risk of tooth decay
• Loss of adjacent teeth
• Speech disorders
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)

What Are Dental Bridges?

Like dental implants, dental bridges are used to replace missing teeth, except dental bridges gain extra support from being attached to surrounding teeth. Bridges are most commonly used on the front teeth, provided that the gums and surrounding teeth are in decent shape.

What Are the Benefits of Bridges?

Like many cosmetic dental procedures, placing bridges also serves a restorative purpose. A dental bridge will improve your ability to chew and speak as well as your smile. In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, dental bridges were shown to dramatically reduce the risk of losing teeth that are adjacent to a missing tooth. In addition, dental bridges can help keep your jaw maintain its natural structure and keep from changing shape.

What Types of Bridges Are There?

Cantilever bridges are used to replace a tooth that does not have supporting teeth on both sides of the affected area.
Maryland bonded bridges include artificial teeth and gums, and are held in place by a metal frame.

Traditional bridges are the most common, and literally bridge the gap of an empty tooth space by securing a false tooth using crowns on the teeth on either side.

How Are Dental Bridges Placed?

The procedure of installing a dental bridge is typically completed in two visits. First, your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge. If you are, your teeth will need to be prepared by reshaping or reconstructing any badly decayed or damaged areas. Afterwards, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, which is then sent off to a lab where it is cast into a mold, and give you a temporary bridge to wear. On your second visit, this mold will be fitted to your teeth, and any necessary corrections or adjustments will be made on that same visit.

How Long Do Dental Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can last from 8 to 15 years and even longer if you maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly.

How Much Do Bridges Cost?

Depending on various factors such as the experience and skill level of the dentist and the type of bridge being fitted, dental bridges can cost anywhere from $250 to $2500 a tooth.

Are Bridges Covered By My Dental Insurance?

Dental bridges are typically partially covered by insurers.

Dental Crowns

What Are Dental Crowns?

Sometimes referred to as caps, crowns are custom designed casings for damaged teeth. As opposed to other cosmetic and restorative procedures such as bonding, crowns cover the entire tooth, which is why they’re sometimes called caps. Dental crowns are used to:

• Cover a deformed or discolored tooth
• Improve your ability to chew foods
• Restore a tooth’s size and shape
• Shield a damaged, decayed or cracked tooth
• Support another dental structure such as a dental bridge or large filling

Crowns do not require any maintenance aside from standard oral hygiene practice – brushing and flossing. Even though the tooth is covered, it is still susceptible to decay from within.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

Generally, placing a crown requires two visits to the dentist. During the first visit, he or she will inspect the tooth and decide whether a crown is your best option and then whether the tooth in question is damaged enough to require a root canal. Next your dentist will determine whether the tooth needs to be filed down or built up in order to fit a crown and perform the necessary procedure.

Afterward, an impression is made of the tooth in question and is sent off to a lab to be turned into a crown. If the crown is porcelain, your dentist will also select a color for it that best matches your other teeth. In the meantime, you will receive a temporary crown to wear for the 2 to 3 weeks until the permanent crown is ready. The permanent crown will be fitted during your second visit, after which your dentist will make any necessary adjustments. A recent technology allows dentists to create the crown on-site, in which case only a single visit is required. If you’re interested in an expedited crown placement, ask your dentist if his or her office is equipped with CAD/CAM technology (computer aided design/manufacturing technology).

What Types of Crowns Are There?

• Porcelain-fused-to-metal
• Resin
• Ceramic (all porcelain)
• Metal, e.g. gold, nickel

Whereas metal crowns last a long time and require very little of the tooth to be filed down, all-porcelain or ceramic crowns are the better aesthetic choice since they can be color-matched. In addition, porcelain crowns are a good option for people with metal allergies. Resin crowns are cheaper than metal or porcelain crowns but tend to wear and tear faster.

How Much Do Crowns Cost?

Depending on the type of crown you’re having installed and the skill level of your dentist, crowns can cost from $500 to $3000 per tooth, with porcelain crowns typically costing more due to the greater amount of time and skill required to place them.

Are Crowns Covered By My Dental Insurance?

Insurers generally do not cover the cost of dental crowns or will pay for a small portion of the cost, unless the crown is needed for a clear medical reason. However, crowns can be financed either through your dentist or an outside company such as Care Credit or DentalFeePlan.

Inlays/Onlays

What Are Inlays and Onlays?

A minimally invasive dental technology for repairing tooth decay and other damage, inlays and onlays are customized fillings that are made in a lab for a better fit, as opposed to traditional fillings, which are fitted in a single visit. The main difference between inlays and onlays is that:

• Inlays are performed when the tooth damage is mainly confined to the tip, or cusp, of the tooth.
• And onlays are performed when the tooth decay or structural damage is deeper or more widespread.

How Are Inlays and Onlays fitted?

Inlays and onlays are performed by removing any damage or decay sustained by the tooth with a drill. The area is first numbed with a local anesthetic. Afterwards an impression of the tooth is created and sent to a lab to be turned into a cast. While the cast is being made, your dentist will provide you with a temporary restoration, and your custom-made inlay or onlay will be ready to be fitted in about 2 to 3 weeks.

What Are Inlays and Onlays Made of?

Inlays and onlays can be made of gold, a malleable material which has a reputation for lasting a long time – up to 30 years.
Porcelain and composite resin are increasingly popular options since they can be color matched and are generally considered more visually appealing.

Pros:

• Unlike traditional fillings, inlays and onlays actually reinforce the structure of the tooth and strengthen its chewing power by up to 75%.
• Unlike crowns, inlays and onlays don’t require you to replace a large part of your tooth.
• There is a minimal level of risk involved in this procedure.
• Inlays and onlays require less tooth reduction than standard fillings or crowns.
• New advances in inlay and onlay technology have made it possible to create a cast and perform the procedure in one visit.

Cons:

• A small number of people can have an allergic reaction to either the local anesthetic or the material used in the inlay/onlay.

How Long Do Inlays and Onlays Take to Fit?

Inlays and onlays can be fitted in two visits of about an hour each.

How Much do Inlays and Onlays Cost?

Depending on the skill level of your dentist, the quality of the material and the size of the inlay or onlay, it will generally cost between $600 and $1200 a tooth.

Are Inlays and Onlays Covered by my Insurance?

The full or partial cost of inlays and onlays is usually covered by dental insurance since they have a restorative purpose in addition to a cosmetic one, that is, inlays and onlays are used primarily to correct damaged teeth, which also has the effect of making them look cleaner and healthier.

Veneers

What are Veneers?

One of the most popular and effective developments in cosmetic dentistry, veneers are thin, custom made casings that cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers are used to correct uneven teeth, worn enamel, discoloration, chipped teeth and irregular spacing, and can last over 20 years. In some cases, veneers can serve a restorative purpose and can protect a damaged tooth from further harm.

What Does the Procedure Involve?

After a thorough examination of your teeth, which may include X-rays and taking impressions, your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from your teeth. He or she will then create an impression and send it off to a laboratory to create the veneer. While the mold is being created, your dentist may provide you with temporary veneers. Finally, the veneer’s size and color are given one last adjustment before they are cemented to your tooth on your second visit.

What Are the Advantages of Veneers?

Veneers can give your teeth a more natural, aesthetically pleasing appearance and are stain resistant and soft on gums.  In some cases, veneers can serve a restorative purpose and protect a damaged tooth from further harm.

What Are the Risks of Veneers?

In rare instances, veneers can chip or crack, in which case they would have to be replaced. Since enamel is removed in the procedure, the process is not reversible, and you may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods for the same reason. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you may be asked to wear a mouthguard when you go to bed. Many people who grind their teeth in their sleep don’t even know it, but your dentist will be able to tell you if you do from the wear marks on your teeth.

Types of Veneers

• Porcelain
• Resin Composite
• Lumineers

Since porcelain veneers are more resistant to stains and chipping, they are generally more expensive. Lumineers are a particularly popular type of porcelain veneers that do not require your teeth to be shaved and can even be placed over crown or bridgework. A custom-made set of Lumineers can be installed in 2-3 visits and is proven to last over 20 years.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

Depending on the experience of your dentist and the material or brand being used, veneers can cost from $500 to $2000 a tooth. Porcelain veneers are generally the most expensive and longest lasting. Lumineers can cost from $700 to $1200 per tooth.

Will My Insurance Cover Veneers?

As this procedure is elective and primarily cosmetic, most dental insurers will not cover veneers. However, veneers can be financed either through your dentist or an outside company such as Care Credit or DentalFeePlan.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the counsel and expertise of a medical professional. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your dentist.

Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist | Boston Cosmetic Dentist | Charlotte Cosmetic Dentist | Chicago Cosmetic Dentist | Dallas Cosmetic Dentist | Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist | Miami Cosmetic Dentist | Minneapolis Cosmetic Dentist | New York Cosmetic Dentist | Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist | Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist | San Francisco Cosmetic Dentist | Seattle Cosmetic Dentist | Washington, DC Cosmetic Dentist | See More Cities

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Derived from the botulinum toxin type A, Botox is a brand name for a highly purified and diluted preparation of botulinum used in numerous medical and cosmetic applications. It is also sold under the names Dysport and Myobloc. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles.

Botox: Fountain of Youth or Poison in Your Face?

While the botulinum toxic itself is highly poisonous and even deadly, the same toxin in smaller doses can be used to safely treat a variety of conditions. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles, but is also has numerous medical applications.

Botox was first used in medicine to treat strabismus, a condition in which a person’s eyes do not align normally, and blepahrospasm, or uncontrolled blinking. Today, Botox is the most commonly performed cosmetic operation in America, with over four and a half million people getting the treatment in 2007.

Does Botox Work?

Botox does work to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, but this effect is temporary and has a host of risks attached, including paralysis of the wrong muscles and changes in facial expressions. So is Botox a fountain of youth or just poison injected into your face? Like so many things in life, the answer isn’t black and white, and while this answer many not satisfy some readers, both are true to a certain extent.

What Is Botox Used For?

Cosmetically, Botox is only FDA approved for use in smoothing out wrinkles in the forehead between the eyebrows, reducing crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines. Additionally, Botox is used to treat various medical conditions, including:

• Achalasia – an esophageal disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing
• Blepharospasm – involuntary blinking
• Cervical Dystonia – a neurological disorder that causes the muscles around the neck and shoulder to contract uncontrollably
• Hyperhidrosis – abnormal underarm sweating
• Strabismus – crossed eyes

Studies of the use of Botox in treating other ailments such as migraines and prostate problems are ongoing.

How Does Botox Work?

The everyday facial expressions we all make, from happy to sad and everywhere in between, cause our skin to lose resilience. Cosmetic Botox injections work by blocking signals that are constantly firing from your nerves to your muscles. This causes a controlled weakening of the specific muscle targeted, and when the muscle doesn’t contract, wrinkles don’t show up as much. Noticeable improvements are usually seen within the first month after treatment.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

Botox is delivered to the muscle via a fine needle and causes little discomfort. The procedure only takes about ten minutes and requires no anesthesia. If you’re uncomfortable with needles, an icepack or anesthetic cream will do the trick.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Prepare for Botox?

Botox treatment methods vary from clinic to clinic. Some doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for one week prior to treatment and avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior. This helps reduce the risk of bruising after injections.

Can Botox Be Used on Other Wrinkles?

No. Botox is only approved by the FDA for use between the eyebrows.

Will Botox affect my ability to make expressions?

You will still be able to make all the facial expressions you always could after Botox injections, just without the wrinkles between your brows showing. Only the muscle that has been injected with Botox is paralyzed. Problems making facial expressions arise when the wrong muscles are paralyzed, and this typically occurs when Botox is administered by someone who’s unqualified. The FDA strongly advises against attending Botox parties for this reason.

When Will I See the Effects of Botox?

Noticeable reduction of wrinkles will be seen within 2-3 days, and the full effects of Botox takes up to week to show.

How Long Does Botox Last?

The effects of a Botox injection last for approximately 4 – 6 months, and the wrinkles will return as the muscle starts to function normally again. Over time, the wrinkles will look smoother even without Botox, as the muscles are being conditioned to relax.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox?

The most common side effect of Botox is mild short-term bruising, which is caused by the mode of treatment rather than by the drug. When Botox is administered by a qualified medical professional side effects are quite rare but may include:

• Allergic Reaction
• Botulism – this illness is characterized by widespread paralysis and is rare when Botox is used correctly
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Paralysis of incorrect muscles
• Sagging eyelids
• Stomachache

How Much Does Botox Cost?

Depending on various factors such as the experience of the doctor performing the treatment and location of the clinic, Botox typically costs from $200 to $800 per treatment.

Will My Health Insurance Pay for Botox?

Most insurers will not cover Botox for cosmetic use.

Am I A Good Candidate For Botox?

Because the procedure, which requires a short series of injections over the span of a few minutes, is a fairly simple one, most people find they are good candidates for Botox. Botox is FDA approved for use on people between the ages of 18 and 65.

• Do not use Botox if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not use Botox if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• If you have a neurological or muscular disorder, tell your doctor during your consultation session.
• If you have any allergies, tell your doctor during your consultation session.

If you have any concerns about taking Botox treatments, be sure to bring them up to your doctor. Being informed about the process is the best way to feel comfortable about your decision. In addition, you may want to ask your doctor for references and look at some of his or her before-and-after pictures to get an idea of what to expect.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the counsel and expertise of a medical professional. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your doctor.

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The Short Answer:
So is chiropractic a legitimate medical science? Does it work?? The short answer is yes, chiropractic can be an effective, and cost-effective, way to treat certain ailments, as long as you’re being treated by a qualified chiropractor.

The Long Answer:
According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), “chiropractic treatment is both safe and effective” for certain musculoskeletal ailments, including neck pain, headaches, and in particular, back pain. In a study reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, patients with chronic lower back pain who went to see chiropractors had quadruple the satisfaction scores of those who were treated by family physicians.

Although chiropractic is becoming more and more accepted in mainstream medicine, it remains a controversial topic. Medical doctors consider chiropractors to be practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Care (CAM), a label chiropractors reject. One of the main reasons chiropractic is so controversial is that some of its practitioners, most notably its founder, D.D. Palmer, believed that all illnesses can be cured through chiropractic treatment. Unfortunately, the science on this just doesn’t pan out. If you come across a chiropractor making similar claims, such as having the ability to treat diabetes solely through chiropractic care, run the other way! According to the National Institute of Health, “the effects of chiropractic treatment on nonspinal conditions, such as high blood pressure or ear infections, have not been scientifically proven.”

Is it Safe?
For the most part, the answer is yes, but any risks depend on the specific type of chiropractic treatment used. For example, side effects from chiropractic adjustments can include temporary headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in parts of the body that were treated. The likelihood of serious complications, such as stroke, appears to be extremely low and related to the type of adjustment performed and the part of the body treated. The risk of complications increases in cervical-spine or neck manipulations and affects 1 out of every 500,000 people.

If you are considering seeing a chiropractor, inform your current health care provider of any treatments you are getting or considering.

When Should I See a Chiropractor?
If you experience unexplained pain or chronic pain (pain that lasts longer than it should) in your joints or muscles, you should see a chiropractor. As a general rule, you should not see a chiropractor if you are not experiencing pain or if you are concerned with an aesthetic flaw, such as abnormal curvature in your neck. Many people do not have a “normal” neck curve, according to Dr. Homola, author of Inside Chiropractic: A Patient’s Guide, and that doesn’t mean they require treatment or that they will develop a problem.

To sum up, chiropractic can be a safe, affordable and effective alternative to conventional medicine for many ailments. However, chiropractic care should ideally be accompanied by medical care to ensure that chiropractic treatment is the best treatment. When you’re being cared for by a chiropractor and an MD, you get the best of both worlds.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care an appropriate health care provider.

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Here are some questions you should ask your prospective carpet cleaner before letting them into your home:

1. What equipment do they use? Reputable cleaners use equipment that utilizes the Hot Water Extraction method, the only technique that’s classified as deep cleaning and the best way to remove soapy or toxic residue. In addition to providing a more thorough clean, a truck-mounted Hot Water Extraction system will send exhaust outside your home instead of recirculating it.
2. Are they certified? While many uncertified carpet cleaners perform good work, certification provides extra assurance that the company knows how to clean carpets effectively and without damaging them. The two most widely recognized certifiers are the RIA (Restoration Industry Association) and the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification).
3. Are they insured and bonded? A company that’s insured is covered for injuries, damage and other liabilities that may occur on your property. The last thing you want is to get stuck with someone else’s bills. Bonding provides a monetary assurance in case the job isn’t performed correctly or to your satisfaction. A company that is neither bonded nor insured isn’t likely to stand behind the quality of its work.
4. Do they guarantee their work? A competent company will have a guarantee on its services. In case you are unhappy with their work, they will usually offer to clean your carpet again before they offer a money back guarantee. Take note of how long their work is guaranteed for, as stains can take up to two weeks to resurface after a cleaning, if they exist.
5. How do they determine pricing? Do they charge by the hour or by the job? If they charge by the project, they are more likely to try to get it over with as soon as possible and make their way to the next job. Most carpet cleaners consider a room that’s over 200 square feet to be two rooms, so if the company determines cost according to rooms, make sure to ask how they measure a room. If the company charges by the hour, they are more likely to do a thorough, if slower, job. If you are unsure about the company’s pricing policy, ask them to come by and give you an estimate, but do not let them pressure you into buying their service on the spot!
6. Do they have references? Carpet Cleaners get asked this question all the time, and any reputable company will have this information on hand. Don’t hesitate to ask.
7. Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? If they are, it is a good sign that the company cares about customer satisfaction. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to inquire the BBB about any grievances filed against them.
8. Will they help you move furniture and vacuum before cleaning? For a more thorough clean, you should move furniture that may be sitting on stains. Many carpet cleaners will perform this service for you free of charge. An absolute must, vacuuming before carpet cleaning helps prevent dirt from embedding into the fabric. If they don’t vacuum first, RUN!
9. Do they use safe products? Some of the more powerful carpet cleaning products are toxic and can pose a hazard to your health if they are not thoroughly cleaned out of the fabric. If you have pets or small children you may want to ask the cleaner to use non-toxic products. (If you vacuum and clean your carpet regularly it will require less powerful cleaning products). Some cleaners also stock eco-friendly products.
10. How long have they been in business? A company that has been in business for a long time probably managed to stay in business by providing quality service. Lower your chances of hiring a fly-by-night company by choosing someone who’s been around for a while.

Finding a good carpet cleaner shouldn’t have to be a chore, but unfortunately it sometimes is. So remember to take your time when choosing a carpet cleaner. Don’t let anyone pressure you into accepting their service before you find out if they meet your criteria. And if you follow these guidelines, you can rest assured that you’ll find a carpet cleaner you can trust.

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