Yodle Local Articles » Personal Care

Medicaid Fraud Lawyer: Good Thing Gone Bad?

Kyle Donley — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:40:37 +0000

It’s pretty crucial that you hire a Medicaid fraud attorney if you’ve received a notice accusing you of Medicaid fraud.

Medicaid fraud seems to be occurring a lot more now than ever. And not just on the recipient’s behalf either, as more and more cases of provider fraud are being investigated. So if you find yourself on either side of Medicaid fraud allegations, do yourself a favor and hire a Medicaid fraud attorney.

What is it?

A Medicaid fraud lawyer is an attorney that specializes in specific state laws as they pertain to Medicaid, which is the government program that provides medical aid to the poor. Of course, a noble program like Medicaid is vulnerable to those that will take advantage of either the services or the government funding (we’re talking about your tax dollars, folks). That being said, possible offenders can exist on both sides, as recipients and providers will sometimes bend the rules to their favor.

But what constitutes as Medicaid fraud? Though it may vary from state to state, common examples of Medicaid recipient fraud (those receiving medical aid) are: stating false facts on your Medicaid application form; loaning Medicaid to another person; forging or altering a prescription; using more than one Medicaid card; and reselling items you’ve received through Medicaid.

On the other side of the coin is Medicaid provider fraud, which targets fraudulent acts on behalf of individuals or companies receiving funds from the Medicaid program. In other words, providers would include doctors, dentists, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, clinics, counselors, and personal care or homemaker chore companies. Common examples of Medicaid provider fraud would be: billing for services that were never provided; duplicate billing (billing Medicaid, as well as private insurance); providing unnecessary services; upcoding (billing for a comprehensive visit when only a simple office visit took place); and providing false cost reports.

The Health Department’s Office of Medicaid Management employs watchdogs and investigators who will keep an eye out for fraudulent behavior as well as review recipient use of Medicaid benefits. In some cases, recipient fraud may be transferred over from the Health Department to other government authorities, such as Criminal Court. Of course, any average citizen can qualify as a Medicaid fraud whistleblower. In fact, some states offer cash incentives for such information.

Who needs it?

First and foremost, the Health Department’s Office of Medicaid Management is comprised of good, hardworking people (remember, they’re always watching us). But some of their leads and information can be inaccurate from time to time. Therefore, along with those that are guilty of Medicaid fraud, are those that are completely innocent though they have been charged with accusations suggesting foul play. Furthermore, there are those that have made unintentional mistakes that unfortunately constitute as Medicaid fraud. Whatever your case may be, if you have been charged with Medicaid fraud (recipient or provider), you should hire a lawyer specializing in Medicaid fraud immediately because conviction could result in the souring of a person’s career, livelihood, and reputation.

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Deep Tissue Massage: Is It Worth the Potential Pain?

Kyle Donley — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:21:07 +0000

While massages are generally associated with relaxation, deep tissue massage remains the counterpoint, as therapists throw off the kid’s gloves and work your body like an unmolded slab of dough. Though a small amount of pain or soreness may arise after a session of deep tissue massage, it’s a good way to release tension in the long run.

What is it?

Deep tissue massage is a style of massage that hones in on relieving tension from muscles located under the surface of top muscles.

Deep tissue massage is a style of massage that hones in on relieving tension from muscles located under the surface of top muscles, as well as tension from fascia, or connective body tissue. The massage therapist uses a variety of different techniques (which may involve using their elbows, fingers, or in some cases wooden props) to loosen the hard-to-reach muscles and relieve a great amount of tension, ultimately with the goal of realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.

When adhesions (bands of rigid tissue) form in muscles, tendons, or ligaments, they can be very painful, limiting movement and blocking circulation. Deep tissue massage counters these adhesions through direct deep pressure applied against the grain of the sore muscles in question. Typically, deep tissue massage is defined by its slow strokes, which is to say it is by no means a quick process. In fact, it is recommended that deep tissue massage be administered on a regular basis to correct long term muscle tension and prevent injury.

Who needs it?

Deep tissue massage is generally suited for a specific problem that the patient is having, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, recovery from an injury, osteoarthritis pain, or muscle spasms. It is also great for stiff necks, lower back tightness, and sore shoulders. In fact, a session can comprise of a therapist working solely on one particular problem area.

It’s a fairly intensive procedure, so don’t go thinking you’ll be sipping on wheat-grass smoothies while wearing neat little robes and slippers. This is not to suggest that a patient has to be in physical pain in order to have a deep tissue massage, as it is beneficial to one’s overall health, especially the limberness of their muscles. It’s just easier to justify the intense, sometimes painful massaging when you have an ailment that needs immediate attention. Those who are involved in heavy physical activity, athletes for one, or those that are in consistent pain will find the most to gain from multiple sessions of deep tissue massage.

Benefits

Although you may experience some discomfort or pain either during or after a deep tissue massage, it is beneficial to your health in the long run. Luckily, any stiffness or soreness that occurs will generally subside in a day or so and then naturally, your body should feel better than ever, considering all the deep-seated tension being released from your core muscles.

In fact, once you’re used to the intensive techniques of deep tissue massage, you’ll most likely find it pleasurable and relaxing. Overall, it’s a very healthy workout for the muscles, as it releases toxins, prevents inflammation, and helps blood and oxygen circulate in more proper fashion.

Risks

Aside from the initial pain or discomfort, there are not too many risks to deep tissue massage, unless your skin is equal to the strength of a plastic bag. That being said, this type of massage is not generally recommended for people immediately after surgery, pregnant women, or on anyone with infectious skin diseases, rashes, open wounds, or abdominal hernia. Also, if you are prone to blood clots, you should ask your primary physician before getting a deep tissue massage because there is a risk of blood clots being dislodged during the session.

Lastly, it is not recommended that you eat a large, hearty meal before an appointment (so if your massage therapist’s office is next to an IHOP, think first). It is also generally wise to stay hydrated, especially after the massage to help eliminate toxins from the body.

So if you were thinking about joining a fight club anytime soon, you may want to hold off. Deep tissue massage may be that visceral experience you’ve been searching for. And lucky for you, it’s healthy, it’s legal, and it doesn’t require meeting up with a bunch of guys in a warehouse basement. At least it shouldn’t.

Tags: chronic pain, day spa, deep tissue massage, health and medicine, massage therapist, massage therapy, medical spa, Personal Care

Couples Massage: Double the Price, Double the Sensuality?

Kyle Donley — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:50:23 +0000

If a massage is supposed to release tension and soothe, then what is couples massage supposed to offer? Does it mean double the pleasure, knowing that your loved one is mere feet away from you, enjoying a massage of their own? Maybe. Or maybe the two massages cancel each other out, like a math equation of sorts, leaving the couple in question miserable, lying there in their cashmere robes amongst dozens of lit loganberry candles. It’s really up to the couple to make the most out of it.

What is it?

Couples massage can be a relaxing way to enjoy your spouse's company.

Couples massage refers to a massage session in which a couple (this can range from husband and wife to mom and daughter) experience deep-tissue massage by two different therapists simultaneously. The massage can be performed with either a lighter or stronger hand, depending on your preference, and is generally conducted with the couple laying side by side or face to face, on separate massage tables. Couples massage can also be presented with an heir of sensuality (don’t get it twisted, it’s not like on late night Cinemax, it’s still just a massage) or it can easily strip away the façade of romantic pleasure if you’re getting couples massage with a friend or perhaps a business associate.

However, the main selling point of couples massage is that it’s intended to be romantic, as many spas advertising this type of massage also include pictures of dimly lit rooms with flutes of champagne resting on fine oak. In fact, O Spa in Brooklyn offers several different couples spa packages, all of them with the option of paying twenty dollars extra for a bottle of champagne. This of course will leave you wondering if you’re getting a really good deal on expensive champagne or if you’re, more likely, drinking twenty dollar champagne from Duane Reade. It is also unclear as to how easy it is to drink from a champagne glass while lying completely flat on your stomach.

Obviously, the more money you pay, the more “romantic” it will seem. Some of the larger hotel and resort spas offer couples suites, with amenities ranging from steam showers and whirlpools to fireplaces and bubbles. That’s right, bubbles. Along with the pricier spa packages for couples massage are more obscure massage techniques, such as warmed riverbed stone massage, Red Rose Petals Foot Ritual, Mandarin Oriental Signature body scrub, and Oriental Scalp Massage.

Who needs it?

It’s important to remember that these are simply massages, though with the right amount of coin they can easily spiral out of control into weekend getaways with mud-baths and cucumber facials. So if you and your partner are both fairly comfortable with massage therapy, then it might be a nice way to relax together. That being said, it’s not wise to plan a surprise spa weekend getaway for your husband or wife if he or she (or both of you) are new to massage therapy. You may first want to individually get massages to know if you enjoy them enough and are comfortable enough to enjoy them with someone else.

Though the primary reason of massage is to release tension, especially if you’ve been stressed-out or over-worked, couples massage can sometimes backfire if you’re used to being alone during your massages. For instance, you may find that your husband likes to talk nonstop when he’s getting a massage, whereas you like to space out or even read a book during yours.

If you’re looking for a one-time vacation couples massage retreat, then the spa could be very enjoyable and romantic. However, if you’re more intrigued by the feeling of the massage, it may be worth it to take an instructive class on couples massage, instead of dropping double the amount of money for an individual massage every time you want to experience therapeutic massage with your partner at your side.

Benefits

Couples massage can be a very enlightening experience, especially if you can convince a newcomer to try it. While there is a risk that he or she may not like it, it could be a wife’s dream-come-true to convert her begrudging husband into a spa-goer, which in turn, can be a new relaxing hobby for the newcomer. It can do great things for a strained relationship by bringing couples together in close proximities under extremely soothing circumstances. Just make sure your partner’s on the same page before you book your reservations.

Tags: beauty salon, couples massage, day spa, deep tissue, deep tissue massage, massage, massage therapist, massage therapy, Personal Care

Getting All Hot and Bothered – with Satvik Energy Healing

Sarah Matthews — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:14:51 +0000

For years, New Age therapists have yammered on about the body’s electromagnetic field, and how important it is to maintain an energy flow around your body that is not obstructed or out of balance. Many point to the ancient Chinese Masters, who they believe recognized the necessity of having a free-flowing energy system to retain good health.

Satvik Energy Therapy claims to improve one's energy flow throughout their body.

When this electromagnetic field is blocked, they say, chaos in the body can ensue. This happens when the everyday stress we encounter creates specific “patterns” in our body which obstruct it. People whose basic life force energy is blocked, they maintain, can suffer not only physically, but spiritually and mentally as well.

One way to unblock it, they say, is through Satvik Energy Healing, which aims to concentrate on the causes of illness, not the symptoms. The word Satvik comes from the Sanskrit and means “perfect balance”. Using this therapy will not only unblock the energy flow within the body and let it waft unencumbered, it’s claimed, but will also strengthen the immune system and trigger the body’s natural healing process to work better and maintain the correction in future.

In fact, Satvik Energy Healing is not only worthwhile for people who are feeling a bit off-kilter, but can also be beneficial for those who have suffered an accident, undergone relatively recent surgery or are going through a difficult emotional patch, proponents say. They believe it can also help with certain medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, irritable bowl syndrome, arthritis, migraine, asthma and eczema.

Or can it?

Typical Treatment

If you have the chance to actually watch a Satvik Energy Healing session take place, do it. It appears to be perhaps the most bogus, or at least one of the most bogus “therapies” that has come to light in recent years. Saying that, it is not that far removed from its more widely known and infinitely more respected cousin, Reiki.

With Satvik Therapy, a patient will have a brief chat with the therapist and tell him or her all about himself, including a detailed medical history as well as an outline of their current state of mind. Remaining fully clothed at all times, the client will then be asked to stand up, lie down or sit, depending on which part of the body is to be concentrated on at the time.

The therapist will then assess the strength of the energy flowing around the person, as well as the patterns the energy will make. They will encourage the energy to flow better by what appears to be a series of quite humorous hand waving, gesticulation and often quite active arm movement. In theory, while this takes place the patient will feel specific sensations – both warm and cold – meaning that a balance correction is occurring.

“During the treatment clients may have a variety of feelings such as hot or cold, tingling and pulling sensations,” the Inspirational Friends website writes. “This is a sign that an energy release and realignment is taking place.”

Satvik Therapist Training

You may wonder how a Satvik Energy therapist is trained to perform such a remarkable undertaking. Ian Dale, Satvik Energy Sound Healer, explains all on his own website. “The ability to sense and work with energy fields is a natural ability that we all possess. In order to access this ability, Satvik Therapists are taught and commit to doing specific exercises and meditations on a daily basis,” he writes.

“Over a period of time, the therapist ís sensitivity to energy increases and eventually they are able to feel not only their own energy field but those of other people as well.” He recommends that patients who undergo a treatment of four sessions will feel the results for six weeks, during which time repeat treatments are not needed. He adds that animals respond well to Satvik Energy Healing too. “Great success has been achieved with horses, dogs and cats”, he writes, even conditions that failed to respond to conventional treatment. He gives discounts to children and animals.

Therapists are also trained to open their heart centers and allow “love to flow” to enable a “profound energetic exchange to occur between the therapist and the client.”, according to The Satvik Training School in Somerset, UK. Therapists undergoing training are encouraged to release and process their own emotional blockages, and to understand the “silent emotional interaction” that takes place between therapist and client. They are also taught that no two clients are the same, and that no two therapists work in exactly the same way either.

Is It a Scam?

Satvik Energy Healing may or may not work for you, but it is a completely non-invasive type of therapy that cannot harm, as long as it is not done in place of conventional medicine, but alongside it. Whether you will get anything out of it depends on your own constitution, natural level of skepticism and wallet, as well as your state of mind actually receiving the treatment.

There is no doubt that some people will benefit from paying hundreds of dollars to undergo a series of Satvik Energy treatments. Many individuals benefit from different types of caring, loving therapies that concentrate on the individual as a whole, and makes him or her feel special and singled out for positive attention.

“The therapy sessions were comfortable and relaxing and I felt reassured by Sue’s kind and insightful treatment. I felt the therapy has restored much physical and emotional energy and has given me the impetus to begin to care for myself in a positive way,” says patient Cheryl, writing on the satvikenergytherapy.com website.

“Meeting Sally and receiving Satvick [sic] energy treatment from her has changed my whole mental, physical and emotional being. I felt in a safe place within her caring energy treatment. I felt like I’d been wrapped in a cloud, secure and loved. I came away feeling elated and exhilarated from her treatment and highly recommend it to every one,” writes a woman identified only as Maggie.

Who knows – it may work for you! Then again, it may not…

Tags: benefits, day spa, health, Health & Medicine, medical spa, medicine, new age, new age medicine, Personal Care, risks, Satvik Energy Healing, Satvik Energy Therapy, satvik energy treatment

Male Body Waxing And Hair Removal

Kyle Donley — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:29:17 +0000

Do you remember the innocent times when body waxing was strictly for women and male strippers? Well, those days are over as men from all across the world are raising the cosmetic bar, removing body hair (which was once considered attractive a la Burt Reynolds) one rip at a time. And we’re not just talking about the chest and back, but the whole package. For skin so smooth, male body waxing could be a bumpy ride for you gents out there.

What is it?

Steve Carrell gettin' his male-body-wax on in the movie 40 Year Old Virgin.

Male body waxing is really no different than standard waxing. The procedure aims to remove unwanted hair by spreading a thin layer of wax onto the desired area and then applying a cloth over the wax which is to be ripped off rather quickly (like a band-aid) against the direction of the hair growth. Ultimately, the wax pulls out the hair (beginning from the roots) as well as dead skin cells. Sugaring is a similar procedure, except sugar paste (generally a mixture of sugar, lemon, and water) is substituted for the wax.

The idea behind waxing is that after repeated sessions, the hair being waxed will gradually thin out because the roots are weakened. This doesn’t mean that the area will be permanently hairless but it will take longer for hair to grow back and the hair that does grow back will generally be less thick than before.

While the back and chest remain the most popular areas for male waxing, more and more men are requesting full bikini waxes, as well as butt (also known as ass) waxing, and in some cases, full body waxing. And have no fear, men who are bashful about going to waxing salons. Now estheticians (professional waxers) make house calls. There’s also the prospect of using do-it-yourself waxing kits, though it may be best to get some professional assistance, especially if you’re going for the whole Brazilian wax deal.

Who needs it?

The only person who really needs male body waxing is Robin Williams (that man acts and looks like an animal). But for the rest of us, it’s purely a matter of personal aesthetics. While the tradition of body waxing has held sway for professional male body builders, swimmers, and cyclists, it’s becoming a more popular trend with men everywhere because some simply feel they look more attractive sans body hair. Some do it for vanity, some do it for their ladies, and still others do it (the bikini wax, that is) because they claim it makes their “junk” look bigger. Ultimately, if you are bothered by your unibrow, hairy back or chest, happy trail, or hairy toes and knuckles, you may want to give body waxing a try.

Benefits

Waxing is widely considered the best long-lasting approach to hair removal. It typically takes 3 to 8 weeks for the hair to grow back, which is significantly longer than the rate at which hair re-grows when shaved or when depilatory creams are used. Moreover, when the hair does grow back it is softer and thinner. This is mostly due to the fact that waxing removes hair from the root whereas shaving and creams eliminate hair from the surface, causing hair to grow back faster and leave stubble or bumps.

Risks

While male body waxing is by no means a life-threatening procedure, there are some downsides that should be mentioned. First of all, it is painful (we’ve all seen The 40-Year Old Virgin) so it’s recommended that you take an Advil before any waxing occurs to combat any pain that you experience during the treatment. It is also recommended that you cease shaving (for at least ten days) in the area you plan to get waxed; failure to do so could cause the procedure to hurt much more than it would with longer hairs.

There’s also some risk involved with the do-it-yourself waxing kits, especially for men considering doing their own bikini wax. Without the proper credentials, waxing of this kind of magnitude can result in bruising, torn blood vessels, and worst of all, you can actually rip your penis. Clearly, nobody wants that. Unfortunately, the alternative is to make an appointment with a licensed esthetician, which is generally pretty expensive. But it’s your call, ripped penis or empty wallet.

Tags: body hair removal men, day spa, hair removal, male body wax, male hair removal, male wax, Male waxing, medical spa, Personal Care

Benefits of Baby Yoga

Sarah Matthews — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:36:20 +0000

Many brand-new mothers look for a gentle exercise class that will not only help them ease their post-pregnancy bodies back into shape, but will also improve their posture and flexibility while giving them back some pre-baby physical confidence. But finding quality childcare while they waltz off to the gym for an hour or two is not always feasible – either practically or financially.

Baby yoga classes are a fun way for both baby and parent to interact.

Wouldn’t it be great to find a class where both mother and baby are welcome, one that actually encourages the child to participate and thus facilitates parent-child bonding at the same time? Well, mother and baby yoga classes are designed to do just that. In fact, studies have shown that the more a tiny baby is touched, the more secure and loved he or she feels. And the more a woman gets back to her pre-baby shape after giving birth, the better she feels as well.

Baby yoga, therefore, can be a win-win situation for everyone. But if the thought of attending any class that begins with the words “Mommy and Me” makes you want to retch, look away now. However, if you have the stomach for a Mommy and Me baby yoga class – and most new moms have big tummies indeed – then this could be the perfect exercise course for you.

Baby Yoga Basics

Forcing two-month-old Arabella or tiny Tristan to do complicated yoga poses might put you off, so think again. Baby yoga is designed with both child and mom in mind, and aims to have both perform safe, gentle exercises that are calming, relaxing and stress-free. Neither parent nor child has to do anything that is too difficult or beyond their abilities: the goal is to go at a gentle, soothing pace, with lots of breaks for feeding, sleeping or screaming.

Classes concentrate on breathing, meditation, stretching and achieving basic yoga postures, which are designed to give new moms inner balance and help them build up their strength after they have given birth. Often the muscles used in childbirth are the ones concentrated on the most, such as the pelvic floor area, the shoulders and the upper back.

The idea is to prepare women for more intense yoga classes once their children are a bit older – and to help the baby not only sleep and eat better, but to feel better overall. Holding your child as you perform the yoga exercises will help the time go by quicker – and helping him or her to do some basic postures, such as the knees to chest pose, can make them feel more comfortable and calm as well.

What to Expect

Baby yoga classes usually take babies from age six to eight weeks until they begin to crawl, depending on the class. Very young infants are usually incorporated into the exercises themselves, with the adults holding them or exercising over them. The key is to follow your baby’s lead: often smaller babies sleep while the mother exercises; when they get a bit older they can actually begin to participate.

Yoga is good for new mothers for a variety of reasons. It not only increases flexibility, movement and the heart rate, all of which are important for shedding that pesky baby weight, but it also restores the alignment of the body, helping to put muscles, tendons and ligaments back into place following the previous nine months of pregnancy. Finally, it helps reduce stress, which any new mother knows is an integral part of new motherhood.

Yoga followers say that even tiny children can perform basic yoga postures (see above), which can help them sleep better, digest their food better and be happier overall. “Physically, one short yoga session is the equivalent of being carried and touched all day. At the end of the day your baby will sleep more deeply and healthfully,” the It’s a Mom’s World website proclaims.

“Developmentally, your baby’s internal organs will be stimulated, improving the function of the nervous and digestive systems. Psychologically, the baby learns to cope better with stress and enhances the mother-child bond which increases communication between them.

“Yoga is a perfect way to spend quality time with your baby. Babies’ in-born love and physical need for movement and touch are combined naturally in the practice of yoga movements, positions and stretches. The pace is slow and concentrated, which is perfect for the baby’s ability to integrate and absorb. Go yoga – and have fun with your baby!”

What to Bring

To get the most of your yoga session, make sure you have the following on hand:

Yoga mat. Real yoga mats are best and they are fairy cheap – get one at a good sporting goods store.
Comfortable clothes for you and your baby. This is not a time to dress up little Tiffany Marie to show off to all the other moms, nor is it the right place to squeeze yourself into tight-fitting Spandex workout gear that you last fit into way back in 1988. Wear something that you can move around in – without worrying if it will split!
Drinks for both you and the baby. Don’t ruin the moment by allowing you or Junior to get dehydrated. Make sure you have food – or a breast – on hand as well if Junior is likely to need a feed during the yoga session.
Baby massage items. Baby yoga classes often incorporate a bit of baby massage into the class. You will need a cloth or blanket to lie the baby on and some massage oil – olive oil works best.
Diapers. Unless your little genius is toilet-trained by six months, take a few more with than you normally would. If you expose Junior to the open air during a massage, he may wet himself – and you don’t want to be caught short.
Blankets. Sometimes babies fall asleep during yoga, which gives their mothers time to have a work-out without any interference. Make sure you bring either a blanket or something equally comfortable to lie your baby down on should he or she actually fall asleep. Don’t waste the moment!

Baby yoga benefits both mother and child, with exercises designed to help the adult become more flexible and better balanced, while helping the baby digest food easier and sleep better. The classes also help new moms bond better with their babies, feel more confident as a mother and even make new friends. Be warned: your little one might like the experience so much that you’ll soon find yourself signing up for toddler yoga next…

Tags: baby yoga, child care, health and medicine, parenting, Personal Care, yoga, yoga classes

Knowing Your Asana from Your Ashtanga: The Basics of Yoga

Sarah Matthews — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:09:01 +0000

People practice yoga for all sorts of reasons: to stay fit and trim, to achieve a sense of inner calm and well-being, to gain increased flexibility and coordination, and to improve their posture. But to the uninitiated, the practice of yoga remains a mystery. What exactly is yoga – and why do we care?

Yoga can benefit the mind, body and soul.

The word “yoga” means union in Sanskrit, and it aims to create a basic union behind mind, body and spirit. This is achieved through a combination of flexibility and strength, which usually is carried out by a striving to create and perfect a series of yoga poses, known as asanas, or postures exercises.

While creating the same exercises day after day may sound repetitive and mind-numbingly dull – at least to the uninitiated – to adherents of yoga the case is exactly the opposite. In theory, at least, people bring a varied and different approach to the postures each time they do them, often with the help of a teacher, or guru, who teaches and guides them along the way.

In addition, chanting, meditation and breathing exercises are taught concurrently alongside the postures, so people should feel varied benefits which affect them both inside and out. But as yoga can be tricky and is physically very demanding, many people give up at the onset. Others, however, try it a few times and become converts for life.

Types of Yoga

The practice of yoga is a varied one, which is why there are so many types of yoga being taught and practiced all over the world. Many people have heard of Hatha yoga, which is actually an all-encompassing word for all types of yoga. Other actual types, in alphabetical order, include:

Ashtanga yoga. Literally means “eight-limbed yoga”, as the path of internal purification contains eight spiritual practices which followers are advised to follow. They are: moral codes; self-purification and study; posture; breath control; sense control; concentration; meditation and contemplation. There are strict sets of poses which should, in an ideal world, be followed to the letter. This type of yoga is both athletic and requires a strict sense of order and is also referred to as “power yoga”.
Bhakti yoga. Achieves calm by visualizing, thinking about and feeling a Divine Being. Sometimes referred to as the Yoga of Love or Yoga of God. Requires one to want their own oneness to become a “twoness” with a higher power.
Bikram yoga. Started by Bikram Choudhury, this type of “Hot Yoga” is practiced only in a very warm room. It is though that the heat helps flush nasty toxins from the body and thus assists in making the limbs more flexible. Helps you sweat out your problems as well as become stronger and more coordinated.
Iyengar yoga. This type of yoga concentrates on the use of props (no, not that kind) to achieve yoga poses. Wooden belts, blocks, ropes etc help those practicing Iyengar yoga achieve the various asanas, or poses, and thus help their body, and eventually their mind, become stronger.
Mantra yoga. People practice yoga techniques coupled with the repetition of certain monosyllabic sounds, or mantras, such as “um”, “oh” and “ah”. The idea is that once a person chants a specific sound endlessly, it will enter their consciousness until the subconscious is revealed. A bit tricky, that one…
Raja yoga. Helps increase meditation techniques by directing your life force towards the object upon which you are meditating. Translates as a “kingly” type of yoga.
Viniyoga. Incorporates regular breathing techniques to help practitioners practice yoga poses that are suited to them as individuals. Gives credence to the idea that as we grow and develop so must our yoga techniques, the way in which we achieve specific poses, and the poses themselves.

Popular Yoga Postures

Here are some of the very basic yoga postures, suitable for beginners:

Cat. Basic stretch on all fours designed ideally to stretch out the spine. Get down on hands and knees, then lift back and arch gently like an angry or surprised cat. Some practitioners advise hissing loudly like a cat as well, to get full benefit from this pose (yeah, right!).
Cobra. Lie on floor on stomach then raise up and place hands on floor, near the shoulders. Inhale then raise yourself from the floor, raising your chest with your back arched (don’t lift belly-button from floor). Exhale as you lower yourself to the floor and repeat as many as seven times.
Upward Facing Dog. Much like the Cobra (above) but your arms remain straight while your stomach is lifted from the floor. Stretches many parts of the body, including the lungs, back and abdomen. Is thought to help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Cow. Start by getting into position on your hands and knees. Gently push your stomach toward the floor, while you try to arch your tailbone and chin upwards in the direction of the ceiling.

Yoga for Children and Moms-to-Be

Yoga for kids is not about losing weight, it’s about becoming more flexible and more centered. Kids these days often feel unduly stressed, with an overload of homework and after-school activities and pressure to perform well at exams. Practicing yoga on a regular basis can help them not only get in better physical shape, but also help them to relax their minds and learn how to concentrate and focus.

Expectant mothers can also benefit from practicing yoga, under the advice of a qualified instructor. Studies have shown that women who routinely practice yoga while they are pregnant have faster births that are significantly easier than those who don’t. Practicing yoga while pregnant is also a great way for many women to connect with their babies and take time out to concentrate on themselves.

Proponents of yoga says this age-old practice can benefit virtually everyone, from small children up to people of the geriatric set. It can help individuals not only become more aware of their bodies and minds, but also increase their flexibility and coordination and make them feel happier and healthier. It also reduces tension and stress, and boosts our energy levels. Now that can’t be a bad thing.

Tags: basics of yoga, emotional health, health, health and medicine, mental health, Personal Care, physical health, types of yoga, yoga

Touch Me, Baby, One More Time: The Benefits of Newborn Massage

Sarah Matthews — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:48:46 +0000

Everyone likes to feel loved – babies perhaps most of all. Amazingly, scientists believe that even newborns sense when they are loved, and that this is most easily communicated through touch. So what better way to give your baby that lovin’ feeling than through massage?

Babies love to feel loved, and what better way to express that love than with a massage?

Studies have shown that baby massage can help babies to relax and sleep better, and perhaps even boost their immune systems. It also can be instrumental in aiding proper digestion by helping to disperse wind and ease colic. A massage through the gums can help babies who are suffering the pain of teething, while a face massage has been shown to help unblock a stuffy nose.

More importantly, baby massage can be key to forming a strong parental bond. Babies who have regular physical contact seem to thrive better overall, and massage is a great way to give new parents confidence and newfound competence in caring for a baby. In fact, baby massage is often prescribed for mothers who suffer from post-natal depression. And scientific research has concluded that premature babies who underwent regular, gentle massage gained more weight and became more alert and active.

Baby Massage Classes

As long as you do it in a safe, loving manner, there is no real right or wrong way to massage a baby. However, many parents feel more comfortable giving a massage – especially to a newborn – if they have been taught by a professional.

Baby massage classes not only provide the basics in giving your baby a massage, but also a great way to meet other parents and participate in an activity that can bring you and your baby closer together. It also is a fantastic way for first-time parents to feel more comfortable when handling their child, and realize that babies don’t break as easily as they might think.

Most massage classes last for about an hour, and usually end with a coffee break (for the parents, that is). Adults are taught how to massage their child in detail, and which kind of techniques are best suited to ease specific complaints (some classes are geared toward premature infants, or babies with disabilities). Types of massage oils (see below) are also discussed, and in some classes baby reflexology and baby yoga are also on the menu.

Do-It-Yourself Massage

If you want to give your baby a massage at home, it’s easy and virtually free. The key to a happy massage is to follow your little one’s lead, and to stop if he or she appears unhappy or unwell. Follow these simple steps to get maximum effect:

Find a time when the baby is happy and relaxed. It’s no use planning a massage when your little cherub is hungry, exhausted or screaming his or her head off. It’s best when they wake up from a nap or are in a good mood before a feed.
Choose a quiet, warm place – it’s recommended that the room is roughly 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t schedule a massage in a cold kitchen, or when there are screaming toddlers around. The goal is to make baby feel happy and secure. Get it?
Prepare a massage mat. A blanket or towel will do, but make sure it won’t be ruined by the the massage oil you choose – or the baby. You know what they’re like once their diapers come off…
Clean and warm your hands. Avoid using a heavily perfumed soap or hand lotion.
Begin the massage. Undress your baby – you can leave their diaper on if desired – and them on their back. Start with small, soft strokes on their head, then move to the chest. Start in the middle with little strokes, moving outward. You can do the tummy, the back, even the hands and feet. You’ll quickly learn what the baby likes and dislikes, so let them guide you.

Top Tips

Follow these top tips to make the experience as relaxing as possible – for both of you:

Don’t give your baby a massage when he has a full tummy. Some babies also balk at the idea when they need a feed, although some enjoy a massage followed by a breastfeed.
Many people like lying the baby on a mat or blanket on the floor. But if back pain is a consideration, you can put him or her on the floor, a sofa or even a table. Just make sure they don’t roll off!
Playing peaceful music in the background, or even calming nursery rhymes, can help the baby to relax, and also be a signal that the massage is about to begin.
Natural oils are best to use with baby massage – so you don’t need to buy baby oil. Many parents like plain old olive oil, although vegetable oil with a touch of lemon or other flavors will do. Don’t use almond oil unless you are sure your child has no nut allergies, and steer clear of certain essential oils, which aren’t good for small babies. And avoid putting oil on the baby’s face or neck.
Newborns are often happy with a short massage lasting five minutes or less, while the older the baby gets the longer the massage can be. Follow your baby’s lead and stop if they seem bored, disinterested or distressed.

Baby massage not only makes your little one feel happy and loved, it can also be instrumental in helping a mom – or dad – bond with their child. It also gives both adult and child time to relax and take time out from the hassles and cares of everyday life. For parents with older children and little time to spare, it can become a special one-on-one time that can make a real difference in years to come.

For anyone who has had a massage, it’s easy to see why a baby would enjoy one as well. But keep in mind that baby massage is as much for the parent as the child. Babies can sense when a parent is unhappy or stressed, and this can have an effect on them. Regular massage, up to three times a week, can help keep those stressful times at bay.

Tags: baby massage, child care, day spa, health, health and medicine, infant massage, massage, massage therapy, medicine, parenting, Personal Care

Getting Stoned: Hot Stone Therapy for Health

Sarah Matthews — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:38:58 +0000

In the bad old days of the Soviet Union, citizens who suffered with minor often weather-related health problems such as runny noses, headaches and sore throats were often diagnosed with poor circulation. Sometimes the prescribed cure was to have a family of live leeches stuck on their backs, to draw the blood to the surface and suck out impurities. Other times, the cure was hot stone therapy.

Hot stone therapy is offered by many day spas as a relaxing treatment.

Like leeches, hot stone therapy existed to clear out the lymphatic circulation and help improve circulation throughout the body. The stones were often heated in a sauna and placed on the (victim’s) back in a fairly haphazard fashion, sometimes leaving marks that took weeks to heal. In rare cases, the marks never disappeared at all.

These days, Western hot stone therapy has evolved into a popular, New Age type of massage, with the hot stones placed along the back’s chakra, or energy points. The idea is the same: to improve circulation while also helping aid relaxation and give renewed energy. Often, the recipient listens to New Age music or the sound of gently flowing water to make the whole experience even more surreal. Does it work? Probably not.

Why Get Stoned?

People get stoned because they want to flush out bad toxins, get their juices flowing and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful treatment that will reduce inflammation and increase their energy levels. Other reasons people choose to indulge in a hot stone treatment are because the recipients a) are curious, b) need some personal attention and relaxation, c) like to try out new massages, d) believe in “Native American healing”, e) are stupid, or f) are all of the above.

The stones used are usually made from a smooth, black volcanic rock called basalt, and are heated to very high temperatures. They normally are vigorously cleaned and sterilized between every treatment – or they should be. The massage begins when the stones are placed either one by one or all together on chakras along the spine, as the client lies topless on his or her tummy. The therapist usually massages the client gently using the smooth stones themselves, often implementing traditional Swedish massage techniques. He or she might also leave heated stones on specific parts of the body to bring about additional relaxation, such as in the palms of the hands.

Skeptics may laugh at this therapy, but believers stress that as hot stones have been used for centuries by various healers, they must be good. We know that heating pads can work to help relieve muscular tension and promote healing, so why not natural stones? Similarly, they argue, the use of cold stone therapy can be important in causing the contraction of blood vessels, thus increasing the lymph flow around the body of different types of waste material. So what if a packet of frozen peas would do the trick just as well – and for a lot cheaper?

Proponents of hot stone therapy say it can help alleviate the following:

Back pain
Muscular pains, aches and strains
Insomnia
Fibromyalgia
Multiple Sclerosis
Various arthritic complaints
Depression or anxiety

Hot Stone Facials

Like the name suggest, this technique involves massaging usually the face and neck with hot stones, although sometimes the arms and hands are massaged as well. Is it thought that the massage combined with the stones can improve the health as well as the appearance of the face, as it helps the nervous system by improving circulation of both the blood and lymph, thus helping the cells restore themselves. In some cases, such as with the Elemis Colling Hot Stone Body-Facial, the face is massaged using cooling masks and gels, then hot stones are placed on pressure points to achieve better relaxation.

Hot Stone Pedicures

If you thought an unusual pedicure meant having black or blue polish applied to your toenails instead of bright red, think again. A hot stone pedicure using warm, flat stones from wet riverbeds as well as aromatic mints (no, really) to give your tootsies the massage they have always dreamt of. Could be a thoughtful gift for the person who has everything – including smelly feet. Some canny therapists invite their clients to take part in a sweetly scented “jellybath” beforehand to relax their feet (and presumably get rid of any offensive odor).

LaStone Therapy

Bizarre as it may sound, this therapy uses a special combination of stones of different temperatures to achieve a relaxing effect on the body. It uses 18 frozen stones, 54 hot stones and one stone of room temperature. Why? Who knows!

This “ancient” therapy was developed by one Ms Mary Nelson long, long ago, way back in 1993. She had a Native American spirit guide, who began talking to her and telling her all about getting stoned. She developed a technique that begins with Swedish massage and ends up with hot and cold stones – and one stone of room temperature, don’t forget – being placed all over your back and the palms of your hand.

Interestingly, only certified LaStone Therapy therapists are qualified to carry out this specific type of massage – presumably ones who pay the aforementioned Ms Nelson for training that leads to certification. Even more interesting, these qualified therapists never refer to the stones they use as “stones”. Oh no. They are to be referred to as “Stone Clan People,” due to the special healing properties in which each stones is invested. Cute!

A Cautionary Tale

Please note that not only must the stones be properly cleaned between each treatment (see above), but that the therapist administering the treatment must have proper training. This is not only for you to receive maximum benefit, but also so you will not get burned.

“Basically, we have had a disproportionate number of claims from hot stone massage,” writes Kate Armitage, executive director and vice president of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, in an article published in the April/May ‘07 edition of Massage & Bodywork magazine. “These claims have all been burns – some worse than others – but some have been third-degree burns.”

So if you want to try getting stoned yourself, make sure you only visit a qualified therapist at a licensed med spa with a sparkling reputation. And even though there are literally hundreds of companies on the Internet that sell massage stones, don’t try this at home – unless you fancy some permanent scarring on your back, hands or face!

Tags: day spa, health and medicine, hot stone therapy, medical spa, new age massage, Personal Care, relaxation

Hopi Ear Candling: Beneficial or Bogus?

Sarah Matthews — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:08:05 +0000

For years we have been taught never to stick anything up our ears, with the exception of Q-tips. Then along comes an alternative therapy called Hopi Ear Candling, which tells us we’ll receive marvelous health benefits by inserting cylindrical wax cones up them. Funny thing is, the therapy does not involve actual candles, nor does it come from the Hopi Indians. So what is it?

Hopi ear candling is a bizarre practice that claims to have a variety of benefits, though no hard evidence backs up these claims.

Known as ear candling, ear coning or thermo-auricular (hot ear) therapy, this bizarre and rather unappealing technique promises to draw out irritating surplus wax and other ear debris (eeeew) from our ears, while at the same time affecting our energy levels throughout the entire body, and therefore having an impact on other body parts.

It involves the use hollow tubes of fabric, which are soaked in warm beeswax before they are allowed to cool. They resemble candles because of their shape and waxy coating, but actually have a textile hidden inside. A practitioner sticks one up your ear, then lights the end, keeping the flame at least four inches away from the ear opening. As it burns the suction forms enables it to draw out the impurities, and leaves the subject feeling clean, relaxed and refreshed.

Or does it?

Purported Benefits of Ear Candling

People who advocate the use of ear candling say it has myriad health benefits, as well as providing relaxation and a sense of serenity and tranquility to the recipient. They include:

Treatment of rhinitis, also known as a chronic runny nose
Treatment of sinusitis, or inflammation of sinus and nasal passages
Tinnitus, or ringing noise in the ear for no apparent reason
Getting rid of migraines or headaches
Ridding the ear of excess wax and other debris
Stopping earache and hayfever
Is good to alleviate travel sickness (!)

Please note that you should not try this alternative therapy if you have grommets in your ears, any type of aural tumor, any ear inflammation or infection or are allergic to any of the ingredients or a pyromaniac. The wax is often mixed with herbs and oils, so ask what the “candle” actually contains before you agree to have any treatment carried out.

Lack of Research

There is not enough research on the use of ear candling, although one study has said that the residue on the candles is not ear wax, but the material deposited by the end of the wax cone. A study by the Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic has backed up this statement, concluding that therapy has the same effect in removing was when burnt without having first being inserted in the ear.

Similarly, the American Family Physician wrote a paper on ear candling in 2007, reporting that it should “be avoided” completely. “In theory, the combination of heat and suction is supposed to remove earwax. However, in one trial, ear candles neither created suction nor removed wax and actually led to occlusion with candle wax in persons who previously had clean ear canals,” the report said.

“Primary care physicians may see complications from ear candling including candle wax occlusion, local burns, and tympanic membrane perforation,” it concluded.

It is interesting to note that there have been two noted cases of people inadvertently lighting their houses on fire when attempting ear candling at home. In one instance, the subject died.

Hopi Disclaimer

Despite the hype, the Hopi people have vigorously denied that ear candling is a practice that originated with them – and, in fact, have deplored any association with its practice whatsoever. “The Hopi Cultural Preservation Office is not aware of Hopi people ever practicing ‘Ear Candeling’,” writes Leigh J. Kuwanwisiwma, Director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office.

“This therapy should not be called ‘Hopi Ear Candeling.’ The history of Ear Candeling should not refer to being used by the Hopi Tribe. Use of this false information with reference to Hopi should be stopped.”

Despite this claim, many practitioners still advertise that ear candling is a long-held and venerated Hopi practice. “The making of the candles is a complex process and all genuine Hopi candles are made in the traditional manner,” one website claims. “The candles are still made today on the basis of the old traditional formula originating from the Hopi Indians,” says another.

“The Hopi, the oldest Pueblo people who are very spiritual and have a wealth of knowledge in medicine, brought their wisdom of ear candling to Europe” writes a third. “There is evidence of ear candling in wall murals in the Grand Canyon.” It is interesting to note that the “candles” depicted in the murals have since been identified as feathers.

Ear candling is not recommended by the American medical establishment as a serious technique for any sort of healing, and it is even believed to be dangerous. In fact, it is illegal in the States to market ear candles with claims they can diagnose, treat or cure any disease whatsoever. And they are illegal in Canada, except for their purported “entertainment” value.

Saying that, people who have undergone candling by people trained in safe candling have found the entire experience to be interesting and relaxing. But you might just want to save your energy and buy a box of Q-tips instead. They’re a lot safer – and a lot cheaper too!

Tags: benefits, day spa, ear therapy, health and medicine, hopi ear candling, medical spa, Personal Care, procedure, risks, treatment

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