Fix Mildew on House Plants

As you can see my starter plants have started to grow some mildew on the outside of the pots. I made a spray with 4 drops of chamomile and 1oz of filtered water and sprayed all the effected pots. Chamomile is a great anti-fungal herb and eradicated the mildew within an hour. It also works with chamomile tea. If the mildew is growing in the soil of the house plants, just make a cup of tea, allow the water to cool to room temperature, add to a spray bottle and spray the effected areas. Another way is to add the tea to your water can and dilute it, water the plants as normal. Allow your plants to completely dry out before the next water, of course this could depend on the plant so check into care for your specific plants.

Lymphatic Drainage, What's That?

I get many clients that would benefit from Lymphatic Drainage Massage. There are very few people who know what this technique is and what it can do for them. Many doctors and primary care physicians also do not know what Lymphatic Drainage is (LDM). The reason it is so important for care providers to be educated in LDM is because many of their patients would likely benefit from this massage technique. Lymphatic Drainage by: Leandra Jackson, LDMT What is the Lymphatic system and what does it do? The lymph system consists of lymph vessels, nodes, nodules, tonsils, lymph tissue, lymphocytes, lymph fluid the spleen and thymus. It is connected to and dependent on the blood circulation system although distinctly different systems. The lymph system, is a network throughout the body to channel fluid out of tissues, nodes and large lymph vessels which connect with the cardiovascular system to channel fluid into the blood. Two levels of lymph are superficial and deep. The superficial level drain the skin and lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts. The deep flow drain muscles and internal organs. The lymphatic system is designed to destroy microorganisms that may be dangerous to the body. More potential exposure to these dangers are in the respiratory and digestive tracts. Immune reactions can occur anywhere in the body, but the lymph nodes and the spleen(the node of the blood) are where most action takes place. The lymph fluid consists of water, electrolytes, and proteins. By bathing the interstitial fluids throughout the body the lymph fluid carries out toxins and cellular waste to keep us healthy. The fluid moves with contraction similar to the abdominal peristalsis, and is the most important factor to lymph flow. Lymph circulation depends on muscular contraction, movement, pressure changes, spontaneous contraction of lymph vessels, and such external factors as massage and gravity. Edema is a sign that lymph circulation has decreased or stopped in that area. The lymphatic system has several important functions. Helping balance fluids, distribute immune cells to maintain health and defend against disease. It also rids tissues of excess proteins and toxins and carries digested fat from the intestines to blood vessels. Repairing damaged and injured tissues and can regenerate and even develop new nodes in areas of chronic infection. Lymphatic Drainage Massage (LDM) is a gentle, rhythmic style of massage that mimics the action of the lymphatic system. Using precise rhythm and pressure to increase the lymph flow by up to 30 times.. By increasing the flow with a relaxing, rhythmic lymph massage you increase the benefits of the lymph system. Also the areas of dysfunctional nodes or vessels can be healed and revived leaving the body healthier then it was before. Do not receive LDM if there is an infection in the body so not to spread it. If there is a diagnosis of Lymphodema consult your physician before LDM. Some other benefits are helping with sinus conditions, digestion problems and a sluggish immune system, to name just a few.

Arbonne Spa Experience

Today was very exciting, I received my first shipment of Arbonne skin care products. You see, I have been searching for going on 4 years for the perfect products to use in my massage/spa practice. There are many great lines of lotions and massage products out there and it is important that a massage therapist finds that perfect one for them and their practice.

A friend from a networking group gave me a trial week with a product called Arbonne. From daily moisturizers to anti-aging, from supplements to hair products. I have even tried the baby line for skin care on my baby, it really helped with some dry skin he had.

Well, needless to say I absolutely fell in love with the skin care products. I am very excited to begin integration of the Sea Source Detox Spa line from Arbonne into the spa program here.

The Sea Source products that I tried at home were every bit the experience that you would receive at the most lovely spa. With the aromas of the sea, key botanicals to soften, detox, and hydrate the skin. This antioxidant rich, nourishing, exfoliating and re-mineralizing line of products is an essential part of taking care of our skin and bodies.

Many think of spa treatments as a luxury or being pampered. Well it has so many health benefits you would be pleasantly surprised. For instance the products in the Sea Source line have many of their own. Like it helps maintain digestive health, improved liver function that detoxifies metabolic waste.

The skin allows things into our bodies at a cellular level and when those things are key botanicals from the earth I can guarantee that you will feel better, look better and be better.

I am so excited to begin using these products in my practice and I hope you are as excited to receive the spa treatments as we are to give them.

Keep an eye out on new information about this product line integration.
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Massage Therapy, A One-Stop-Shop?

Is the nearest massage therapy office a one-stop-shop?

Massage therapy is one of the best avenues for people that need to work out "the kinks" and though we would like to think that a massage therapy session is going to fix all our aches and pains that's just to good to be true. There are ways to help prolong the effects of a good massage though and that begins with you.

After a massage, self care is the next most important step to stay feeling good as long as possible. For those extra sore areas ice is recommended, also alternating heat and ice 15-20 minutes each keeps the swelling and aches away. Taking time for your self by stretching up to 3 times daily is imperative to staying loose. Some might think stretching takes to much time but it really only take a couple minutes especially if you do it throughout the day. It keeps you energized, feeling good and ready for what life has to offer. A regular exercises routine will keep you strong and fit and less likely to injure your self.

As for the frequency of massage therapy that is recommended for you is up to you and at the recommendation of your therapist. I see many people once a week because they need it or they just love massage enough not to get it once a week. I also see people once a month for a maintenance massage. A monthly maintenance massage is highly recommended to help facilitate the body in optimal health.

Why stay in pain?

"Pain lets you know you are alive" that is a bunch of bull! How many times are you going to take a pain pill for the symptom before you actually do something to help the cause?

Just yesterday I was talking to a client. They mentioned that a friend of theirs has had multiple back surgeries, chronic pain, and muscular dysfunction through out the body.  All this has resulted in arthritis and a very difficult life to live with limited range of motion, pain every day, and I am guessing a bad attitude about it all.  I know that would give me a bad attitude.

This friend has only gone to doctors that either prescribe medication, surgery, or do not know what to do. Simply put, he is at a loss and has to live with it.  He has never tried alternative medicine or even some self care exercises that were suggested to him.  Why? you got me.

I do understand that there is a certain generation of people out there that think alternative medicine is a bunch of quacks that don't know what their talking about.  Seriously people, it is time to get over it!!

I use western medicine, don't get me wrong. It certainly has it's benefits.  But how many times are you going to go to the doctor for the same problem that they can not help with?  How long will you live with the pain? 

There is a saying out there "Pain lets you know that you're alive", that is a bunch of bull. To me not being in pain is being more alive then being in pain. A pain free life allows you to do way more activities then a painful life would.

If you are one of these people that just won't bend on receiving alternative medicine than I suggest you give me a call, ask all the questions you want, check out testimonies, do some research.  You might just change your mind, and live a better and healthier life in the process, would that be so bad?
http://www.leandrastouchtherapy.massagetherapy.com/?p=leandras-testimonials

This Needs to Change

In this link it tells us the statistics about how many men and women have or have not received massage and how the numbers have changed in the past year.
http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9862&catid=1&title=More-U.S.-Women-than-Men-Receive-Massage-Therapy

Since 2009 the numbers have decreased, this needs to change.  Why? because our society has been doing pretty good these last 10 or so years about adding Complimentary Alternative Medicine into their lives, and now the numbers are dropping?! I do realize that we are in an economic downfall, and trust me we all feel the burn, but there are ways around that so we can still receive massage and stay healthy.

First of all, by receiving massage therapy on a regular basis (this could mean weekly or monthly depending on the person) we are only setting our selves up to be healthier.  This could mean less doctor visits because you are sick less. A gradual decrease in medications (consult doctor) for certain ailments such as high blood pressure, muscle relaxers, pain management treatments and many more. Less sick days from work, increased energy, over all feeling better, and the list goes on and on. All of these things either help you not spend so much money or help you make more money. Overall people need to receive more massage to be able to take advantage of these benefits.

How do I get around high massage prices from crappy massage therapists?
First; a referral from a friend is always good. Your friend doesn't want you to think less of them because they sent you to a crappy, expensive therapist, so they will send you to a good, competitive one.

Second; If the therapist has a website or information you can read, be sure you look at it. There should be testimonies, information on massage, prices, benefits and more. Something you can begin to relate to from your own life.

Third; If you call the therapist to ask questions, they should call you back with in 24 hours. They should be knowledgeable and passionate about what they do and also very eager to help you with your problems.

and Lastly;  Take advantage of the therapists client appreciation program and their newsletter (if they have one) this will give you discounts, exclusive offers for you, family and friends.

So there are so many reasons to take advantage of massage therapy. Doctors tell us to take this medication because the good things out way the bad side effects. Well in this case that is most definitely true. There are way more benefits then side effects to massage therapy. And if there is a type of massage that someone should not receive (like Hot Stone massage for pregnant women) there is always another technique to use (like prenatal massage).

Taking Care of Your Feet

We tend to take out feet for granted. All day their stuck in shoes, walked on, ran on, not used enough cause we're sitting at a desk all day. We depend on them to get us from here to there. Then one day or at the end/beginning of every day they hurt and we wonder why, asking ourselves, "Man my feet hurt, I wonder why?" or "I wish I could stay off my feet more, they sure do hurt."

Well everyone it is time to take better care of our feet, no one likes to get taken for granted.

Here are four at home ways to take care of those puppies and they will thank you by lasting much longer. The more pain you feel in your feet the more often you should do these exercises.

1) Take a gulf ball and roll it under your foot for about 10 minutes (one foot at a time).

• Don't think you don't have time, because everyone takes time during their day to wind down. So while your sitting in your chair, watching T.V. do the exercise.
• The golf ball helps break up adhesion's in the feet and lengthen the tissues. This helps blood flow and release toxins that build up in our feet due to gravity.
• Be sure to drink plenty of water to flush your system of any toxin release.

2) Freeze a 20oz water bottle and roll it under a socked foot for 10-20 minutes.

• This can be done daily depending on the severity of foot pain. The more pain the more ice.
• Our feet can get swollen easily and in turn can be painful, stiff and sore. Ice reduces swelling, and the rolling of the bottle helps lengthen the tissues under the feet.

3) If your feet are painful and stiff in the mornings or after a rest then stretch them. This can be done several times a day.

• Grab the sides of the feet and pull them towards the shin, one at a time. Massage the bottom a little before walking this will help them to warm up and be less painful.

4) Another good stretch is to hang your heals off the edge of a step as if to do a calf raise.

• This stretches the calf and the tissue under the feet and should be done several times a day.

Getting massage is another great way to help with chronic foot pain. I hope these tips help you, they helped me greatly when I suffered from Plantar Faciitis.