If you suspect that asbestos might be in your home, try to remain calm. Most materials containing asbestos will not give off contaminants as long as they are in good condition.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral fiber that is mined from the Earth. Asbestos has been used for various purposes for hundreds of years. Its strength, malleability and fire-resistant properties have made asbestos a viable resource that has been used for various purposes in a variety of manufactured goods including, roofing shingles, some types of paper products, car and truck clutches, brakes, gaskets and transmission components, heat-resistant fabrics, ceiling and floor tiles, and certain types of packaging.

Many people are surprised to learn that asbestos was used by the Persians and ancient Greeks thousands of years ago. However, widespread use of the mineral did not come about until just after the beginning of the industrial revolution. During this period, asbestos began making its way to many facets of production. Anywhere fire-resistant material was required, asbestos became the logical choice. By the middle of the 1900s, asbestos was being used in concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement, flooring, roofing materials, drywall, and, above all else, insulation.

Many had become aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure by the early 1900s when minors of the mineral began suffering health problems and early death. However, it would take decades before concerns over diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis forces manufacturing and construction industries to reduce or eliminate the use of the mineral.

Who Needs Asbestos Testing?

Those who work in the construction industry are at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure. However, average homeowners can also find themselves exposed to asbestos if their homes were built prior to the 1980s. Although asbestos is no longer used in home construction, it can still be found in a variety of places within older homes including insulation, some types of roofing and flooring shingles, some kinds of textured paints, some older stoves, boilers and furnace ducts.

Risks Associated With Asbestos

Inhalation of asbestos fibers is linked directly to lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because asbestos fibers are too small to be seen with the naked eye, it is difficult to detect contamination without a professional evaluation.

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After a few hours of painless bonding, your teeth can be as good as new. Teeth bonding provide healthier and more glamorous-looking teeth.

You avoid smiling when the camera comes around. Mostly you give closed lip half grin smiles where you can’t tell if you are really happy or even somewhat mad. Perhaps you have a chipped tooth. Maybe your teeth are a bit uneven and not as perfect as you think they should be. Whatever the case may be, something is pushing you not to show those pearly whites.

Besides teeth whitening for cosmetic-related dentist visits, another popular procedure is bonding of the teeth. The teeth bonding works not only to fix chipped or cracked teeth but to also help fix discolored teeth and fill in silver fillings. Teeth bonding may be an option for those who wish to have a straighter, more perfect smile.

Unfortunately, teeth bonding may not be for everyone. An instance where a tooth bonding is not right is if major dental work needs to completed. As with any medical or dental procedure, a patient should discuss options with his physician and dental provider.

What is Teeth Bonding?

Teeth bonding is a technique where the dentist takes a composite resin which he then literally bonds to your teeth, helping diminish flaws. The composite resin chosen matches the normal tooth color as close as possible. The natural tooth which the dentist will bond the resin to is then roughened. He roughens the tooth so that the resin attaches itself and remains properly.

The resin is then attached to the natural tooth in a soft pasty form. The dentist works at sculpting and smoothing over the resin so that it looks natural with your teeth. The newly bonded tooth is then hardened by a special light and then the tooth is polished.

Depending on the severity of the crack, chip or misalignment, the bonding can usually be performed in one visit. Consultation with your dentist will help with figuring out a timeline as to when the bonding will be finished.

Usually nothing needs to be done beforehand by the client. Unless the resin is being used to help fill a decayed tooth, anesthesia is normally not used during the bonding of teeth.

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Bonding?

A good candidate for teeth bonding would be someone who is looking to change his dental appearance due to:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Misalignment
• Discoloration
• Replacement of silver fillings
• Receding of gums
• Spaces in gums
• Tooth decay

Bonding of the teeth should be used for minor abnormalities of the teeth. It’s not recommended that this procedure be used for major dental work or overly decayed teeth.

It is recommended that smokers do not get bonding as the teeth will discolor. The resin used to bond the teeth is porous and will stain easily from the smoking. The patient should not only be in good physical health but should also be in good psychological health. Someone thinking about getting their teeth bonded should consult with a dentist.

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What Is It?

Gastric bypass is the procedure of making the stomach smaller. A small pouch is created at the top of the stomach with staples or a plastic band. The path of digestion is then routed around the small intestine, bypassing that part of the stomach. The creation of the smaller stomach makes it difficult to consume more than a small amount of food and calories. People that have had the surgery feel full faster than if they were just monitoring their food intake.

The food eaten also bypasses the small intestine where most nutrients and calories are absorbed. This enables someone to eat a smaller than usual serving and absorb fewer calories.

The procedure is done in a hospital and is an inpatient surgery. The full recovery time can range anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks. Initially, patients need to be monitored closely by health professionals. There will be frequent follow-up visits at a certified medical facility or a private physician’s office if returning to the hospital is not an option. Patients will also be counseled on how to treat their altered body, how to supplement their decreased diet with vitamins and minerals and how to cope with their surgery and the aftermath emotionally.

Who Needs It?

Adults age 18 to 65 that are severely overweight and considered obese are eligible for the procedure. A doctor will typically speak with them concerning their lifestyle and whether or not gastric bypass is an option for them. People whose body mass index (BMI) is over 40 make good candidates for the procedure. Those who have tried more traditional methods of weight loss and failed in their endeavor often find that gastric bypass is their only option. They may have developed debilitating or threatening conditions related to their weight and the gastric bypass will save their life.

A person should have been obese for at least five years prior to considering the surgery. They must be relatively healthy and not suffer from untreated depression or any other major psychological disorders. It is also important that they not have ongoing problems with alcohol because untreated alcoholism will lead to severe problems once the surgery is complete.

Benefits

The main benefit of gastric bypass surgery is that it allows someone to lose weight relatively quickly. Those having the surgery typically drop about one third of their excess body weight over the course of one year. They may continue to lose for up to four years. The procedure helps them to learn proper eating habits, and reduce their serving sizes by force. Due to negative reactions to certain foods, people will also be able to train themselves to avoid highly processed and refined foods. While it is best to manage an eating plan without forcibly altering your body, gastric bypass patients have been unable to do so. The surgery may mean the difference between life and death for them, and it will most certainly effect their quality of life for the better.

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Although most carbon monoxide poisonings can be prevented with a little common sense, occasionally, malfunctioning appliances can create dangers.

Each year, hundreds of Americans are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, thousands more must be hospitalized due to advanced exposure. If you’re concerned about the potential risks carbon monoxide poses to you and your family, you need to learn the proper ways to prevent excessive exposure by shoring up potential problem areas.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an extremely poisonous odorless, colorless gas. Because it is flammable, carbon monoxide maintains a high fuel value in certain industries. In the past, carbon monoxide was used for certain types of home cooking, heating and lighting. However, these days, carbon monoxide is mainly used in manufacturing and other processes of industry.

Who Needs Carbon Monoxide Protection?

Carbon monoxide is generated after the oxidation of certain carbon containing compounds. That is to say: when things burn, carbon monoxide is produced. The main sources of carbon monoxide in a home include, gas burning ovens, stoves, water-heaters, furnaces, kerosene space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves. The general rule is: if it plugs into the wall, carbon monoxide is not likely to be produced. If it runs on any sort of fuel, whether it be gas, kerosene, wood, paper or oil; you can bet that at least some carbon monoxide will be expelled into the air. Although everything that burns fuel creates carbon monoxide, toxicity generally occurs due to human error or when older or poorly manufactured appliances malfunction.

What Are The Risks Associated With Carbon Monoxide?

Put simply: carbon monoxide kills. Since it cannot be detected by human senses, many fail to realize their home is filling with the toxic gas until it is too late. At low levels, carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, headaches, disorientation, fatigue and nausea. Often these symptoms are mistaken for influenza or rare infections or disorders. If you or a member of your family has been suffering from unexplained, debilitating, disease-like symptoms, you should have your home tested for carbon monoxide leaks. Often, patients are run through a gamut of unnecessary tests that fail to yield any sort of diagnosis, only to discover later that the cause of their symptoms was repeated carbon monoxide inhalation.

What Are The Benefits Of Carbon Monoxide Protection?

Most cases of carbon monoxide poisonings are due to human error. When it comes to carbon monoxide, proper safety etiquette and ventilation are the key. The following provides tips for avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Make sure to select appliances that release exhaust outdoors if possible.
• Make sure items that produce carbon monoxide are properly installed, and maintained according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
• If you must use fuel-burning items indoors, open a window to ensure adequate ventilation.
• Never use gasoline in an attempt to heat your home.
• If you idle your car in the garage, make sure to open the door first. Many people are surprised to learn how quickly carbon monoxide can build up in an enclosed garage.
• Never use a gas or charcoal grill indoors.
• Ensure that your chimney and flue are in good condition and functioning properly.
• Kerosene and gas space heaters are especially dangerous if used improperly. Never sleep in an enclosed room or tent while one of these heaters is running.
• Products that use gasoline-powered engines like lawnmowers, snowblowers, generators, weed trimmers and chain saws should never be started in enclosed places. This includes tool sheds, enclosed basements or garages.

Since carbon monoxide cannot be detected by the senses, many are killed while they sleep. By far, the most efficient way you can protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to invest in a wall-mounted carbon monoxide detector. These products are relatively inexpensive and are highly effective at waking even the heaviest of sleepers.

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The range of destinations and moods for helicopter trips make them a good choice for anybody looking to share something new with friends or loved ones—strangers, too!

A stretch limousine pulls up to your hotel curb, and the driver beckons. Your well-dressed party of six is whisked off to a world of glittering lights, heights, champagne and photo ops. Is it Oscar night? A gallery opening? Obama’s inauguration? No; it’s better than that. It’s your own private helicopter tour of Las Vegas, Miami, or exotic Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Wherever you want to savor an elegant night out or a fresh perspective that can only happen in mid-air, jet helicopter charters can take you there.

Exotic Helicopter Packages Mesmerize Travelers and Locals

What can a 12-minute flight possibly add to a Las Vegas vacation? Everything. A view from the air can rock your world, adding the kind of dimension that knocked the socks off Christopher Columbus about 500 years ago. (Imagine if he’d had a ’copter.) Day flights fill the sightseeing hours, and night tours start or end the evening with a bang. No matter which locale you choose, most helicopter packages offer transportation to and from your hotel, short or long air cruises, and extras or surprises to highlight the trip.

Las Vegas is a popular site for helicopter tours, with three major attractions nearby. A flyover of the Strip at night is a chic adrenaline rush, full of glitz and the feel of money as a cityful of bettors risk it all down below. Day trips to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam offer scenery that can be seen in no other way than from the window of a helicopter—and you’ll see it all in extreme comfort. The big charter companies boast million-dollar machines equipped with air conditioning, two-way radios for passengers, and comfy seating with great views.

Miami flights make you feel like you’re in the movies, and cruises from Dubai to the Rub’ al Khali desert and the Persian Gulf are not to be missed for those visiting the UAE. Helicopter charters are available from local flight operators through tour agencies online. Locals, try an aerial tour of your own city for a whole new appreciation of your backyard.

Who Flies When

The range of destinations and moods for helicopter trips make them a good choice for anybody looking to share something new with friends or loved ones—strangers, too! There’s something about hovering over a natural wonder that brings people together. Solo tourists shouldn’t hesitate to book a seat on a group tour that is open to the public. You never know who you might meet up there. When you all share a 4,000-foot drop to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, you become fast friends.

Travelers who find themselves in places surrounded by eye-popping vistas, like Vegas or Miami or Dubai, should take advantage of a bird’s-eye view. If you’re there for a special reason, all the better. Heli-tours make fun or elegant outings for wedding parties. Corporate helicopter excursions are a great way to break the ice and bond with colleagues.

There’s not much debate over how much fun it is to take a helicopter ride. Reviews from tourists (at least, the ones who aren’t phobic) are always enthusiastic, Tour packages are available in many price ranges, so who flies when may just be a matter of first come, first served.

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Body contouring includes a variety of procedures all designed to reshape the body through the use of the latest technology. There are several methods people can choose from depending upon whether they want to remove extra fat or extra skin.

Body contouring is a term often used to describe the changing of the body through medical procedures. Originally, body sculpting was an option for people that had just undergone a dramatic weight loss. The extra skin and mis-shapen form that significant weight loss leaves a person with can sometimes make them even more self conscious than the excess weight did. This loose, sagging skin can create hygiene problems and is prone to chafing, rashes and infection. New procedures now exist that do not involve surgery. Doctors consider body contouring a less invasive method than traditional plastic surgery. Because the procedure is non-surgical, it allows a patient to transform their body shape, size, and look without cutting the skin.

What Is It?

Body contouring includes a variety of procedures all designed to reshape the body through the use of the latest technology. There are several methods people can choose from depending upon whether they want to remove extra fat or extra skin. Liposuction and other means of sculpting the body are often the final step after gastric bypass surgery, which causes people to lose a significant amount of weight.There are a number of different procedures from which a person can choose.

Lipotherapy rids the body of fat and cellulite. The procedure involves a solution injected in the fatty tissue just under the skin. The solution dissolves fat, which the body then absorbs naturally through the metabolism. Another method of ridding the body of cellulite and fat is Ionithermie. It is an advanced method of detoxifying the body and lessening the appearance of cellulite.

Mesotherapy uses multiple injections of a cocktail of fat reducing chemicals. It uses pharmaceutical and homeopathic medications, vitamins, plant extracts, and other ingredients to dissolve fat.

Those wanting the effects of a facelift without the risk and long recovery period may want to try Thermage. This procedure uses radio frequency to tighten facial skin around the eyes. It is sometimes called ThermaLift, Thermal Lifting, Therma Plasty, and Thermoplastic. The face is numbed prior to the procedure and pain medication may be prescribed after.

Who Needs It?

Those who are searching for the effects of liposuction or a facelift without the long receovery period or the invasive surgery of those procedures may want to consider body contouring. When researching the procedure, be sure to spend a great deal of time determining which medical spa will work best for you. Experts agree that the skill of the clinician determines how successful the procedure will be. Someone that has access to a talented body contouring facility should consider the procedure.

In addition to a shortened recovery time and access to quality care, body contouring offers someone with lowered self esteem a chance to recreate their look. The procedure does not require as serious and risky a committment as plastic surgury, so it is a great way to significantly freshen one’s look. Keep in mind it is still a medical procedure, but because it is non-invasive, a lot of people may be more willing to try it.

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Generally, the Fotofacial procedure itself lasts around 20 minutes and does not require any anesthesia whatsoever.

What is a Fotofacial?

A Fotofacial is a new cosmetic treatment an increasing number of dermatologists are using to rejuvenate the faces of aging patients. Unlike more traditional facials—which involve painful extractions—Fotofacials work with the use of an intense pulsed light (IPL), which shoots high intensity pulses of light into the deepest parts of the skin even while leaving the layers closest to the surface untouched.

Unlike laser resurfacing, which uses a narrow band of light that is too harsh for many skin types, Fotofacials do not damage the surface of the skin and are the perfect option for patients suffering from delicate or sensitive skin issues. Patients should seek a consultation with their dermatologist to ensure a Fotofacial is the best form of treatment before undergoing the procedure, since different individuals may react differently to the intense pulsed light.

Generally, the Fotofacial procedure itself lasts around 20 minutes and does not require any anesthesia whatsoever. Nearly all patients are able to resume their full activities immediately after completion of the treatment, making Fotofacials a popular option for anyone looking for a lunchtime touch up.

Who are the best candidates for Fotofacials?

Although Fotofacials can be the ideal solution for a number of people with various cosmetic facial issues, it works best on patients with moderate sun damage who are tired of the appearance of aging skin. In addition, the best candidates for the procedure are generally those looking for a technique that requires little to no downtime, since that is one of the biggest advantages the Fotofacial can offer patients over other facial rejuvenation techniques.

Other common symptoms that Fotofacial candidates commonly asked to have fixed include redness of the cheek or facial flushing. It should be noted, however, that patients suffering from these conditions should consider undergoing a complete medical evaluation prior to have a Fotofacial done, since redness and flushing can be symptoms of other health-related problems that no cosmetic treatment will be able to fix.

Finally, Fotofacial candidates should have realistic expectations as to the outcome of the procedure. Anyone with illusions of grandeur who believes the lunchtime facial will drastically change the overall look of their face should think twice before undergoing the procedure, since they are likely to be disappointed when the results do not meet their lofty expectations.

What are the benefits of Fotofacials?

For patients experiencing irregular pigmentation, sun damage, wrinkles, enlarged poors, or a number of other facial flaws that are seen as signs of aging, Fotofacials can have the effect of restoring youthfulness to the face. Not only can candidates expect to see a decrease in overall facial redness, but many will also see a marked decrease in wrinkles and pore size as well.

Of course, full effects of the treatment will not be seen immediately by most patients, who should expect to see gradual improvements over time once the procedure is completed. For an even better look, many Fotofacial patients choose to have the procedure done again, since it is recommended that patients undergo five treatments within a three week period for the most dramatic results.

In addition, the procedure can be used to treat more serious cosmetic conditions as well, such as rosacea, in many patients. In fact, a number of patients suffering from rosacea have been able to cease using their breakout medication entirely thanks to the positive effects of the Fotofacial treatment.

What risks are involved?

Despite the positive effects a Fotofacial can have on patients, there are also a number of risks that are involved in the procedure. Possible side effects of the Fotofacial include bruising, blistering, scabbing, and changes in the skin’s pigmentation. Generally, these side effects will disappear within a matter of days. Should they persist for longer, however, patients should contact their dermatologist or primary care doctor to rule out infection or other medical condition caused by the intense pulse light.

With that said, however, patients should feel comfortable knowing that the risks involved in Fotofacials are much less than many other cosmetic rejuvenation techniques, since there is no skin removal, abrasive technique, or harsh chemicals used during the procedure.

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 health care provider.

If you are considering laser hair removal, check out the following links to find laser hair removal specialists in your area:

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With dental spas, gone are the days of scary dentists haunting your nightmares.

Despite the recent surge in popularity, dental spas have actually been around for more than 30 years, when dentists first began looking into ways to make a trip to their office a more pleasant experience. Since then, the dental spa industry has gotten a boost from the abundance of new cosmetic procedures that bring patients into the office more frequently and for longer periods of time.

What is a dental spa?

Dental spas are licensed dental facilities where patients can undergo a variety of dental procedures in a more relaxing atmosphere than the standard dentist’s office. To do this, dental spas utilize a number of age-old techniques meant to sooth patients, many of which are also used in popular day spas.

In large cities and small towns, dental spas are commonly found in hospitals, health clubs, and resort or hotel settings, as well as medical parks and shopping centers. Patients visiting a dental spa for the first time can expect to find a soothing, calming atmosphere, commonly decorated with soft colors and candlelight, similar to a day spa environment.

Among the services offered at a dental spa that may not be offered at a standard dentist’s office: Patients are welcome to experience complimentary massages and reflexology while undergoing stressful dental procedures, and may also occasionally be offered the chance to relax in vibrating chairs, watch movies, or listen to music during the exams as well—all with the goal of putting the patient in as relaxed a state as possible.

In addition, many dental spas offer a wider variety of cosmetic dental procedures than those offered in other medical offices. These include teeth whitening, veneers, enamel shaping, contouring, and bonding, along with the more standard dental procedures such as cleanings and cavity fillings.

Who should consider going to a dental spa?

Patients with a fear of the dentist are considered excellent candidates for dentistry spas, where they can expect to receive the same quality of care with less fear-inducing stress. Beyond those with an overwhelming fear of dentists, however, dental spas are an excellent option for just about anyone needing dental care. Because these offices offer virtually every service a person could need—from basic teeth cleaning to more advanced root canals and other procedures—just about anyone can consider visiting one.

What are the benefits of dental spas?

Dental spas can turn an otherwise anxious experience into a relaxing time.

Thousands of would-be dental patients forego visits to the dentist each year due to an overwhelming fear of the dentist’s chair. Thanks to the emergence of dental spas, however, many of these people are finally able to get themselves in to see a doctor, albeit in a calming environment where they feel relaxed and safe.

As an additional way to calm patient’s anxieties, many dental spas offer pharmaceutical sedation methods not available in other practices. Although they should be used sparingly, these methods are an obvious benefit to anyone who has experienced the terror of sitting through a grueling dental procedure for hours on end with only mild anesthetic.

In addition, dentists report that certain procedures and oral operations can actually be more dangerous on patients who are tensed up, which is why examining patients who are relaxed is actually beneficial for the dentistry professional as well.

Are there are risks to visiting a dental spa?

Although dental spas have many followers, they have many detractors as well. As such, dental spas are not recognized by the American Dental Association—which governs dentistry practices across the country—even though they are recognized by the International Medical Spa Association. A number of licensed dentists have spoken out against dental spas, and worry that patients may be seeking out dental procedures that are unnecessary and potentially harmful.

To combat this, patients interested in visiting a dental spa for the first time would be well advised to seek out information about the specific spa they are visiting beforehand. This includes ensuring that the dental practitioner is licensed, that the spa itself is licensed, and finding out what past patients have to say about the practice. In addition, prospective patients can contact the Better Business Bureau to ensure that no complaints have been filed against the salon before booking their first appointment.

Are you looking for a dental spa near you? Check out the links below!
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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…

Are you looking for someone to improve your energy flow? Check out the day spas below!
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Apitherapy, coming from the Latin word for bee, focuses on the medical use of various bee products to cure a myriad of health problems.

Apitherapy, coming from the Latin word for bee, focuses on the medical use of various bee products to cure a myriad of health problems, raising from fibromyalgia to multiple sclerosis and even sexual dysfunction. It is also widely thought to help alleviate symptoms related to arthritis, as bee venom in particular is used as an anti-inflammatory.

In fact, BVT, or bee venom therapy, which has been used in China for centuries, is now becoming increasingly popular as a controversial form of pain relief in the United States – providing you don’t have an allergy to bees. That’s because it’s though to promote cortisol production in the body through a protein called melitten. Cortisol, released naturally by our adrenal glands, is a natural inflammatory which reduces both inflammation and pain.

At the present time there have been no clinical trials carried out in humans to see if BVT actually works, although there have been limited positive results with rats in trials related to rheumatoid arthritis (imagine a big a honeybee must appear to a rodent!). However, there is some anecdotal evidence – especially among patients with multiple sclerosis – to support its efficacy.

The US medical establishment, however, largely considers BVT to be nothing more than quackery – and many alternative practitioners do as well. “BVT, apart from simple anecdotal evidence, has no research to support its use in osteoarthritis either, especially given the wide variety of clinically proven traditional Western and alternative therapies available,” says the Alternative Therapies for Osteoarthritis website.

“Given the serious risks of anaphylaxis, including death, BVT should be avoided.” It recommends that people who avoid its advice should have a bee-sting kit and EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) close to hand if they try this therapy.

How It Works

BVT is administered in a rather straightforward fashion: the patient gets bee venom injected directly into his or her body by either using a needle, inserting the bee’s stinger into their flesh, or letting a live bee sting them. A licensed doctor must administer the injections, but anyone – ranging from a bee venom therapist to your Great Uncle Freddie – can carry out the other treatments.

Usually, the patient receives anywhere from two to five stings each session, although for certain conditions people receive 20 stings at one time or more. The bees will usually be contained in a special jar, box or hive, and will be placed directly on the area that needs to be treated.

Alternatively, you can buy a box of bees yourself from an apitherapist, or bee farmer, and let them sting you. All you need is a pair of special tweezers and the guts to place a bee on your flesh and let it do its duty. Apitherapists compare this type of DIY apitherapy as being akin to diabetics administering their own insulin shots: the more you do it, the better you get at it. It is recommended to wait from three to five minutes before removing the stinger.

Other Apitherapy Products

Many other bee products are readily available, which are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. As always, it is important to check for allergies before trying any of them. People who are allergic to bees, suffer from asthma or have a compromised immune system should avoid bee products altogether…

Honey. Manuka honey in particular is thought to have many health benefits. Claims to help everything from healing leg and stomach ulcers to staving off infections. Gets its name as it is made by bees who feed uniquely off the flowers of the manuka plant. Interestingly, a similar honey is made by honeybees in Australia who feed off the jellybush plant.

Propolis. This is a tree resin which those clever bees make to seal up their hives, together with beeswax. In humans, it’s not used to seal anything up – it’s used because of its antibiotic properties (the propolis also helps keep infection from invading the hive). It can purportedly help shorten the duration of a cold and boost the immune system in general – and even stave off gum disease and dental cavities!

Beeswax. Glands on the underbelly of worker bees make this wax, used to build their honeycomb. Is used today to make candles and – surprisingly – as a skin softener, dating back to Roman times.

Royal Jelly. Ever wonder how this got its name? Well, probably because it’s fit for royalty. Although this gelatinous substance is secreted from the glands of worker bees, it’s then fed to the bee larvae. Those that thrive and have the possibility of becoming the Queen continue to get it – thus the conclusion that the jelly has magical qualities. If you ingest it, you’ll also have some purported royal health benefits – Queen bees are bigger, live longer and are even more fertile than those boring old drones. So there!

Bee Pollen. High in protein and certain vitamins and minerals which are not found in our everyday diets, bee pollen is said to help improve memory, stamina, athletic and sexual performance and concentration. No scientific evidence can back this up, however. What cannot be disputed is that bee pollen can be expensive and cause contact dermatitis.

Safety First

Even if you have tested negative for allergies, you should always have a bee-sting allergy kit and EpiPen on hand before beginning any bee venom treatment. You should also have the people who will be administering the treatment tested as well, in case a rogue bee gets to work on someone other than the patient. In rare cases bee venom can cause a person to go into anaphylactic shock, which can cause respiratory problems and even death.

Even some people with no bee allergy should avoid any type of BVT whatsoever, such as pregnant women, people with tuberculosis or other infections, diabetics and those with heart conditions. Before beginning BVT, you should always check with your primary health care provider, and be allergy-tested as well. Only use a qualified practitioner, and  investigate other options first. Remember, once stung, twice shy…

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