The Benefits of Massage

Friction – using your thumbs perform circular movements along the spine, but making sure not to touch the spine itself.

Tapotement – here you will cup your palms and strike rapidly on the back, going above the shoulder blades and on each side of the spine. Be sure not to hit the spine or shoulder blades directly. This will then be followed with light effleurage as described above.

As with anything else, there may also be risks associated with massage therapy and massage therapy may not be for everyone. Some massage may be dangerous for individuals and it is important to consult your doctor before making an appointment. Some people who may have difficulties are those who may have experienced but not limited to:

Recent heart attack

Those with open wounds or sores

Unhealed fractures

Cancer – avoid pressure in the area of tumor

Severe osteoporosis

Deep vein thrombosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis in area being massaged

Massage that is done correctly by a licensed massage therapist will rarely lead to injuries. It is important to inquire of the massage therapist qualifications because many states now require licensure. Be sure to ask question to put your mind at ease. Massage can relieve pain and stress if done correctly and in an atmosphere of relaxation. 

Swimming pool disinfectants 'can cause asthma, cancer'

 Negative outcomes can occur when disinfection byproducts, critical to prevent outbreaks of infectious disease of recreational pools, form reactions with organic matter in pool water. File Photo: Nagara Gopal

A dip in the pool on a hot summer day might not be as safe as you thought-the application of disinfectants in recreational pools can lead to asthma and bladder cancer, according to a recent University of Illinois study.

Not only is swimming fun, but it’s also a popular form of exercise in many countries.

Thus, disinfection of recreational pools is critical to prevent outbreaks of infectious disease. However, Michael Plewa, University of Illinois professor of genetics, said negative outcomes can occur when disinfection byproducts form reactions with organic matter in pool water.

Pool water represents extreme cases of disinfection that differ from the disinfection of drinking water as pools are continuously exposed to disinfectants.

“All sources of water possess organic matter that comes from decaying leaves, microbes and other dead life forms. In addition to organic matter and disinfectants, pool waters contain sweat, hair, skin, urine, and consumer products such as cosmetics and sunscreens from swimmers,” said Plewa. These consumer products are often nitrogen-rich, causing concern that they may contribute to the generation of nitrogenous disinfection byproducts, Plewa added. When mixed with disinfectants, these products may become chemically modified and converted into more toxic agents. These disinfection byproducts can mutate genes, induce birth defects, accelerate the aging process, cause respiratory ailments, and even induce cancer after long-term exposures.

In this study, collections from public pools and a control sample of tap water were evaluated to identify recreational water conditions that could be harmful to your health.

The study compared different disinfection methods and environmental conditions. Results proved that all disinfected pool samples exhibited more genomic DNA damage than the source tap water, said Plewa.

“Care should be taken in selecting disinfectants to treat recreational pool water. The data suggest that brominating agents should be avoided as disinfectants of recreational pool water. The best method to treat pool waters is a combination of UV treatment with chlorine as compared to chlorination alone,” advised Plewa.

Source: thehindu.com/ health/policy- and-issues/ article528391. ece

Eye Care Tips

With so many of us spending lots of time in front of the computer every day it comes to no surprise that research is showing a rise in visual problems. What can one do?

First, it's important to find out how you can protect your eyes through eye health exams and by making a few minor changes in your computer viewing habits.  


Here are some helpful Eye Care Tips - 
  
Positioning is everything

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort. 

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you. 

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don't forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot. 

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule 

Step I :-

After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes. 

Step II :-

Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-

Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body. 

It's all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we're on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink! 

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine. 

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed. 

Use tea bags 

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness. 

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office

Home Remedies for Hair Loss

One of the best home remedies for treating hair loss is to massage
your scalp with fingers gently. It will also aid in increasing blood
circulation and lend
glow to your hair.

Amla oil serves as an excellent tonic for hair conditioning. Apply
this oil on the scalp and see the wonderful results.. OR for nourishing
your hair, apply
coconut milk all over your scalp and massage it into the hair roots.

Nasal Allergy Treatment

Nasal Allergy Relief

A nasal allergy is a reaction to a substance that is harmful to the body. Allergens that are spread in the air, such as dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander can enter the nose and irritate the inner lining, leading to an allergic reaction.

    

         An individual who suffers from a nasal allergy may experience a runny nose, frequent bouts of sneezing, and red eyes. The nose, eyes, and ears often become itchy, and severe reactions can lead to difficulty breathing as the sinuses and throat become inflamed.

 

Causes of Nasal Allergy:

* Nasal allergies are an exaggerated response of the immune system to usually harmless substances.
* You may inherit a tendency for allergic responses.
* It may take many exposures over a long period of time to develop an allergic response to a particular substance.
* Factors that may contribute to nasal allergies include: exposure to cigarette smoke, being a low birth weight baby, being a bottle fed baby, being born during high pollen seasons.

Nasal Allergy Symptoms:

* Stuffy, congested nose.
* Runny nose.
* Sneezing.
* Itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, ears and/or throat.
* Itchy and/or watery eyes.
* Coughing, caused by mucus running down the back of your throat (post nasal drip).

 

Home Remedies for Nasal Allergy:

1) Make a solution of boiled minced grape fruit and lemon and add to it some honey, and drink it 2-3 times a day. This helps in curing hay fever.
2) To get relief from nasal congestion boil some chamomile and inhale the fumes.
3) Eat a well balanced diet, include a lot of protein, vitamin B and C, this will help you strengthen your immune system.
4) Ginger and garlic are among the best immunity builder so add them in your daily diet.
5) Green tea with honey and thyme tea with a dosage of not more than 1-2 cups also helps in curing the nasal allergy.
6) Avoid smoking cigarette, perfumes and make your home smoke free.
7) Do not let your pet enter your bedroom.
8) Vegetable juices (made of spinach and cabbage) taken on a daily basis for at least 10 days proves very beneficial.
9) Cover your mattress, pillows etc. with plastic to protect it from dust mites and wash your bed covers, curtains and pillow covers in hot water.
10) Practicing yoga is another natural way of curing it as it involves deep breathing. More people have turned to yoga to cure a variety of illness. 

© source from yahoo groups