The technique of Swedish massage uses five basic strokes: sliding or gliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, cross fiber and rhythmic shaking. Research shows it is helpful for individuals who have poor circulation. By flushing the tissues of the lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic wastes building up during an injury, circulation to the area is increased without increasing the load on the heart.

Stress
Swedish massage helps stimulate the skin and nervous system and reduces both emotional and physical stress. In fact, some psychologists suggest a regular program of Swedish massage for stress management.

Effleurage
This type of massage uses a sliding or gliding technique. While doing this technique the masseuse uses long, sweeping strokes covering more than one area. Although it makes one feel like your muscles are being broken down the purpose is to connect one part of the body to the others and is always done in a direction toward the heart.

Relaxation
The therapist makes the muscles relax by using friction to warm up the area being treated. Where other massage techniques may use warm stones or heated towels the Swedish massage therapist makes use of a friction technique by rubbing the palms of her hands vigorously on the surface of the skin or by rubbing her palms together and then laying them on the skin.

Petrissage
The act of kneading and squeezing the muscles of the body is known as petrissage. This technique does not target or focus on any particular part but allows for deeper and more penetrating affects.

Tapottement
Sometimes called rhythmic tapping,these strokes aim to energize the area of the body that is being treated. This technique is done by chopping the area with the sides of the hands or hitting it rhythmically with a fisted hand depending upon the desired results and the strength of the masseuse.

Traction
Usually in the last part of her routine,the therapist stretches muscles that are already relaxed and warmed up. This involves pulling at arms and legs and, interestingly, sometimes at the head.

Vibration
This is the last technique a Swedish massage therapists will use. It is used to shake the area that is being treated and is done by moving the heel of the hand and sometimes the fingers forward and backward across the skin to loosen up muscles in a particular area.

Some of these techniques may be tried at home to relax and calm yourself.  Just take care never to massage over areas that are injured, bruised, infected or have an open wound.

Special Treats for After your Massage:

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Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter. If you have tired, achy legs check this out!

Prolonged sitting or straining during bowel movements can weaken leg veins and cause hemorrhoids. If you suffer from vein problems due to the effects of constipation, making these small changes in your diet can make a huge difference in preventing and eliminating varicose veins.

Eating Fibre:

Consuming at least 30 grams of fiber a day from whole foods will put you on the right path to feeling and looking great by reducing constipation and increasing energy levels.

Consuming plenty of steamed vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, carrots, turnips and cauliflower as well as whole grains, especially buckwheat and millet, oats, barley, beans, peas, lentils, baked potato with the skin on, brown rice and whole wheat will give you plenty of fibre. Raisins, figs and dates are excellent for good regulation.

Fruit Fasting:

Some people recommend a juice fast for four or five days once every month to cleanse the system. Others recommend going on an all-fruit diet for about a week each month. If you’re not used to fasting or it sounds to difficult for you, try eating melons, citrus fruits or fresh, unpeeled apples between meals. They are great for cleaning out intestines.

If you do a fruit or juice fast, it is best to introduce new foods gradually. Start with raw vegetable salads dressed in olive oil and lemon juice, steamed vegetables and fish – all easily digestible. Then add whole grains, seeds, nuts and other fresh fruits to your diet.

Foods that worsen varicose vein symptoms

Starchy, hard to digest foods such as peeled white potatoes and white bread should be avoided. They are constipating and they slow down digestion and circulation.

It is best to avoid refined foods, salt, fried foods, alcoholic drinks, coffee, strong tea, white flour products, white sugar and ice cream. All of these foods can be constipating if your system is sluggish.

Whenever possible cut down on red meat and restrict fatty animal protein in your diet to prevent worsening vein symptoms and slowing down your digestion.

Making these simple changes to your diet will go a long way in relieving constipation and thus reduce the strain and pressure that contributes to tired, aching legs and swollen leg veins. By changing to a high-fibre diet, leg vein circulation will improve and your leg energy will increase. Before long, you will notice that your legs have regained their former vitality and strength.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

If you’re fearful of what the consequences may be for your health, take heart – Calendula’s powerful healing therapy continues to be a primary choice for many varicose vein sufferers who prefer natural alternatives over invasive surgical procedures. 

Calendula (in its extract form) is made from a species of marigold flower called Pot Marigold.   Its Latin name is Calendula Officinalis and its flower petals are used as a powerful healing agent for a variety of ailments. It can heal external lacerations, abrasions and skin blemishes, rashes, wounds, chapped lips, diaper rash, gum and tooth infections, hemorrhoids, sore throats and tonsillitis. 

Creams made with Calendula can reduce the inflammation associated with varicose veins and can regenerate weak, damaged veins and spider veins. because it is a powerful circulation enhancer.  It prevents the tendency for legs and ankles to swell due to pressure or exertion. There is no need to suffer needlessly with unattractive bulging and discolored varicose veins, spider veins or tired legs.  Natural alternatives are available at a price you can afford and are popular and easy to use. 

Specially formulated creams containing Calendula help varicose and spider veins fade and flatten and legs look smoother.   If you have very bad ulcerated varicose veins you can make a poultice with this Calendula cream by placing a spoonful of the cream on a bandage and leaving it on the vein overnight to heal.  Before long you will notice the healing effect and pain relief.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

It is possible to meet all your body’s nutritional needs by eating only fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes. Because there is no meat in the diet, vegetarian diets usually have less fats and cholesterol, although there will be some. It will, however, take some planning to ensure your teenager includes a variety of foods to get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need. By learning more about the vegetarian lifestyle, you will be able to guide your teen into making wise food choices.

Standard diets are based upon a food pyramid and it is possible to find a vegetarian food pyramid as well. If you’re concerned your teen may be missing vital nutrients, you may want to speak with a registered dietician to learn how your teen can compensate by eating other foods rich in those nutrients.

If your teen decides to become a vegetarian after having eaten meat all their life, they may find it’s not as easy as they thought. To be able to enjoy many of the same flavors, your teen can try meatless products made from soy. Protein is needed to keep bones, muscles, and organs healthy. Your teen can eat legumes, lentils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and soy products.

Everyone knows calcium is needed to build teeth and bones. Calcium can be found in dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, turnip, or collard greens.

In order to make red blood cells and help prevent anemia, it is important to have vitamin B-12 which is usually found in meat, milk, cheese and eggs. Some fortified soy products and enriched cereals provide this vitamin, but your teen may need to take a supplement to ensure they get enough of this vital vitamin.

Another component needed to make red blood cells is iron. Most people know liver is a good source; however, if your teen doesn’t like or isn’t eating meat they may not have enough iron in their system. Dark, leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are good choices as are dried beans and peas, lentils, and dried fruit. Be sure your teen eats or drinks foods rich in vitamin C so they can properly absorb the iron. Citrus fruits or juice, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries may be chosen.

Minerals, as well as vitamins, are needed to maintain good health. Zinc is important for cell division and for the body to form proteins. Your teen may want to eat whole grain breads, nuts, wheat germ, or soy products to ensure they get enough zinc.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea that your teenager may not get enough vitamins and minerals to maintain good health.  Vegetarian diets can be lacking some nutrients, but by eating a wide variety of foods and taking a multi-vitamin supplement, they should be fine. If you do become concerned, make an appointment with your teen’s doctor or a registered dietician to give you additional information on how to keep your vegetarian teen healthy.

What do you need to know about belly fat? Well, for men, extra abdominal fat occurs as you age. In women, during child-bearing years, fat accumulates in the hips, thighs and also in the abdomen. For them too, extra belly fat is a concern.

With men, belly fat is usually a result of lifestyle and age. As a person ages, they lose muscle unless something is done to preserve it. After the age of forty, muscle is lost at a faster rate. What replaces that muscle is usually fat. Our lives grow more sedentary and the pounds begin to pack on.

One way to tell if you have too much belly fat (besides your pants) is to take a measurement of your waist-to-hip ratio. Your waist measurement should not be larger than your hip measurement. Your waist measurement is taken at the level of your abdomen above the hipbone. Even without the hip measurement, a waist measurement above forty inches is a sign that you may need to lose a few pounds to come back into a proper waist-to-hip ratio. 

When you have extra belly fat you are at greater risk for certain conditions like:

* Diabetes (Type 2)
* Heart disease
* Stroke
* High blood cholesterol
* High blood pressure
* Sleep apnea
* Cancer

These conditions can be treated with proper diet and exercise. Foods which are lower in fat and higher in fiber are more filling. Insoluble fiber helps to clean out your digestive system and takes a bit of fat from your food along with it. Fiber is also instrumental in lowering your blood cholesterol levels.

Stroke is caused when a blood clot or piece of plaque breaks loose and travels to the brain. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains can increase your levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Good cholesterol helps to prevent dangerous plaques from forming in your blood vessels in the first place.

Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing during the cycle of sleep. Your airway closes off several times during the night. People with sleep apnea often snore a lot as a means of keeping their airway open. Returning to a healthy weight often resolves the situation.

Men who are more likely to gain weight around the middle can have several conditions arising from carrying too much belly fat, but they can be dealt with successfully once the weight is lost.

Hot baths do warrant a word of caution before we continue here.  Check the temperature carefully. While we say “hot bath” the water would feel better if it was warm to the touch but not scalding. It is hard to relax when you are sustaining third-degree burns.

Also, if you suffer from any condition where hot baths are contraindicated, don’t attempt them. This goes for pregnancy as well as if you have circulatory issues. You don’t want to faint and fall as you get out of the tub, because this can cause serious injury.

With that said, let’s return to the benefits of a hot bath. It is not just the water alone but what you add to it that can help with such conditions as:

* Anxiety and stress
* Colds and sinus issues
* Sore, aching muscles
* Dry, itchy skin

The steam coming off of the water acts like a humidifier. If you close your bathroom door and let the room fill up with steam as you run the bath, you are on your way to a soothing experience.

For stress and anxiety there are certain herbs that have been used for centuries as calming agents. Take lavender, for example. It is known to soothe the mind and in turn, relieve stress in the body.  Using lavender oils and bath salts in your water will help your stress to ebb away. Your problems won’t disappear but you will be better able to handle them.

Using eucalyptus will help with that pesky cold you feel coming on. Again, the humidifier effect of the water and the eucalyptus can help to open nasal passages for freer breathing.

Your body can build up toxins from simple daily life. Soaking in a bath with Epsom salts can help to leech these toxins out of your system. Hot water helps to dilate blood vessels for better blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Muscles benefit from this because they are able to relax which aids in recovery from soreness.

Using bath oils helps to moisturize your skin. In the winter, this is especially important as skin tends to be on the dry side.  If you have dry skin, you won’t need to soak as long in the water, but soothing oils will nourish your skin as you bathe.

Ready to soak your cares away? A hot bath may be just what the doctor ordered.  Besides the candles and soft music, try a few bath salts, scented oils and herbs to heal whatever might ail you.

Special Treats for After your Bath:

Would you like to repair cells and fight the free radical damage to your skin? Venus Naturals makes a 100% all-natural intensive cream with Rosa Mosqueta from the Andes Mountains in Chile. It reduces and eliminates stretch marks and brown age spots on photo-aged or sun-damaged skin.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter. If you have tired, achy legs check this out!

If you are among the many people that are looking for natural therapies to relieve pain and pressure in your legs due to varicose and spider veins, these five natural ways can help you. Invasive surgical procedures are no longer a popular solution in most cases.

Alternative herbal treatments for this condition are becoming more popular and, in some cases, are a better choice because they rejuvenate veins, reduce pain, and provide a more permanent solution than surgery. Honest plastic surgeons recommend using alternative methods such as natural creams before resorting to surgery.

Five Natural ways that you can prevent and even get rid of varicose veins:

- increase blood circulation in the legs – exercise such as walking, cycling and running moves blood up the legs by strengthening leg muscles. These types of exercise not only keep the condition from worsening but they improve blood flow which reduces your leg pain and also prevents leg pain cramps.

- reduce weight bearing – start by losing excess weight, handling less heavy articles and reducing activities that put excessive strain on your legs.

- wear varicose vein stockings – supports the veins with a steady pressure that helps prevent your legs from aching and swelling because they help to increase leg circulation. Stockings can help increase energy and reduce pain while you’re wearing them but are not a permanent cure. When they come off, the spider and varicose veins will still be there.

- eat a diet rich in fibre – include fruits, berries, fresh vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Their fibre strengthens leg vein walls, reduces pressure on veins and prevents constipation. Reducing high-fat animal protein in your diet as well as heavy, starchy foods and drinking plenty water will help stop varicose veins from forming.

- use circulation enhancers – check for therapeutic grade essential oils and natural herbs in leg veins products. The herbal extract Calendula is known to compensate for circulation deficiencies. This herbal extract is known for its anti-inflammatory and regenerative capabilities. Gingko biloba and Horse chestnut are used to reduce varicose veins pain and swelling. These herbs heal damaged tissue and are very beneficial for leg vein health.

It is preferred to use these herbs externally in a cream or lotion rather than internally to get quick and dependable results. According to the Mayo Clinic, “using these powerful herbs can significantly reduce pain and vein size and may actually be as effective a treatment as compression stockings.”

By following these five natural ways to remedy varicose veins, you are using the best therapy for varicose veins that not only prevents them from getting worse but may also reduce and eliminate them completely without any surgery. You can also prevent new ones from forming in the future.

If you continue to follow these steps throughout your life, you can get rid of varicose veins permanently.

Since I began using Invisi-vein with Calendula extract and essential oils, I have noticed the varicose and spider veins in my legs are a lot less noticeable and are flattening out. My legs have more energy and stamina. This product was highlighted in the November, 2006 issue of Canadian Living Magazine by writer Julie Hunter.

Naturopathic practitioners differ from modern medical doctors in that they are interested in more than treating the symptoms a person has. In fact, the naturopath will work toward healing the whole person. This is done by emphasizing preventative measures each individual can do, encouraging the body’s own ability to heal itself, and addressing each person’s responsibility for their own health. This may be done by using nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicine, or changing one’s lifestyle.

Naturopaths are concerned with finding the underlying reason behind the symptoms their patients have. They treat everyone in a family from the youngest baby to the oldest senior and everyone in between. They provide hands-on support in helping their clients learn to live a healthy life while dealing with the craziness of today’s busy schedules.

Like a traditional doctor, naturopaths treat colds, flu, emotional issues, sleep disorders, injuries and so much more. If one of their clients is facing chronic health problems, naturopaths also treat those with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease, allergies, and depression. There’s not much a naturopath won’t try to help with. And, if they’re unfamiliar with a particular ailment, a naturopath will welcome the chance to learn in order to treat their patients.

Naturopaths work with individuals. They will take a complete medical history during their initial visit and will treat each person as the individual they are. Since no two people are alike, there’s no reason to treat people with similar conditions the same. Treatment options are tailored to each person’s needs in order to bring them back to optimal health.

Can naturopathy and traditional medicine coincide with one another? Naturopaths won’t ask you to stop seeing a traditional doctor while they are treating you. In fact, many naturopathic treatments can work in conjunction with what a traditional doctor prescribes. If possible, however, it would be beneficial for both doctors to be aware of the other in case they need to consult with one another concerning your treatment or medications you may be taking.

There may be some conditions that naturopaths  prefer not to deal with, but each naturopath will have to make those determinations based on each patient. If you’re curious whether or not a naturopath can help you, the best way is to find one, make an appointment, and find out for yourself. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Since this drink is 100% vegan it will provide you with a wholefood nutrition with pre and probiotics.
It’s a super healthy chocolaty drink that all members of your family will enjoy.

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Colds and flu are similar in that they’re both respiratory illnesses. They also have some of the same symptoms. While there are similarities, such as both being viral infections, there are also differences. Symptoms from colds generally begin slowly and consist of runny or stuffy noses, wet or productive coughs, mild fatigue, and slight body aches. Flu, on the other hand, makes itself know quickly (often within three to six hours); symptoms include fever, more severe body aches, chills, moderate fatigue, dry or burning cough, severe chest congestion, and headache.

Obviously, preventing a cold is preferable to treating one and you can do much to reduce your chances of catching a cold: washing your hands with hot soapy water, avoiding touching your eyes or nose, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy diet. In fact, adding vitamin and mineral-rich super foods to your daily diet can be your front line to avoiding a cold this season.

Start by incorporating more immune-boosting foods such as garlic, onions, mushrooms, fish, oats, tea, and even Mom’s home-made chicken soup. You could also include vibrant fruits such as blueberries, oranges, raisins, and kiwi fruit. California avocados, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric round out the foods you’d want to add to increase your immune system. Of course, you’d be hard-pressed to find a recipe that incorporated all of these foods at once, and you probably wouldn’t want to.

It’s also important to eat more magnesium-rich foods, and adding them into your diet really isn’t difficult. These would include dried apricots, leafy green vegetables, sesame seeds, black beans, broccoli, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cooked spinach, whole grain cereal, and whole wheat bread. Having enough magnesium is essential for over 325 different biochemical reactions in your body, including producing energy from the foods we eat, enabling muscles to relax, and regulating blood pressure.

When taking magnesium, it is also helpful to increase calcium intake as calcium will enable more of the vitamins and minerals to enter the bones. Calcium-rich foods such as almonds, tofu, plain yogurt, oats, and seafood can easily be used in a daily diet. If you have a cold already, you may want to avoid the obvious calcium food – milk – as it can make post nasal drainage worse.

Try tomatoes, tuna, natural peanut butter, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, citrus fruits, brown rice, oatmeal, flaxseed, black beans, and lentils. These are high in vitamins B6 and B12 which may help you recover from a cold quicker.

There are many people who believe it’s easier to get the vitamins and minerals you need from over-the-counter products. You can do that, but you can also eat some of these super foods to keep colds away this winter. Let’s face reality, super foods taste better than the nutrients which come out of a bottle, so you’ll also be able to enjoy getting and staying healthy during this cold season.