Are Nail Technicians Massage Therapist?

Your sitting in your local nail salon about to have a little "me time", when you glance over and see a hand written sign posted:

CHAIR MASSAGE 10 min. $10.00

                                20 min. $20.00

BACK MASSAGE   30 min. $30.00

REFLEXOLOGY       $1.00 per min. 

Your about to have your eyebrows waxed, your nails done, "Why not", you think to yourself, "One stop shopping and besides my neck and shoulders are killing me!" 

Let me ask you this question, would you go to a massage therapist for a manicure and pedicure? Obviously the answer would be, NO, not unless you know they were trained to do one. The idea that we do not bother to question the owner or the technician about their background in this case, is always amazing to me. 

Nail technicians are not trained in the Profession of Massage Therapy. Yet many sit on that massage chair every week, allowing someone that is unlicensed to practice massage therapy, to touch their body. Granted the salons knowingly conduct the farce everyday, and sometimes unbeknowest to the customer.

What's the big deal?
It  is ILLEGAL. 

New York State requires therapist applying for licensure to complete 1,000 hours of classroom eduction and hands on training. 1,000 hours, and in addition sit a state examination. It is now also required for massage therapist to complete mandatory continuing education work to maintain their license. Additionally, many places that hire therapist require Professionals have CPR certification and carry their own liability insurance.

It's just a rub down, there can't be that much in training.

Course work covered in any accredited massage school program covers the following course work:

Anatomy and Physiology 

Biology

Kinesology

Ethics

Infection Control Procedure

Pathology

Neurology

Myology

First Aid and CPR
Draping procedure 
and massage techniques such as 
Shiatsu
Chair Massage
Prenatal Massage
Sports Massage
Classic Swedish
Neuromuscular massage (not all programs)
Medical massage

You can Read more by following the link to the office of Professional Services of the NYS Education department. 

OK then, want about the hand and foot massage I get during my manicure and pedicure? 

Within the scope of practice, a light lotion massage is part of a manicure or pedicure service, as the state would classify for beautification, this also applies to barbers. But would you go to your local barber and get a massage? I don't think so. This does not qualify them to do chair massage, back massage or Swedish massage.

How do you know if in fact your local nail salon has indeed hired a licensed therapist?

Just as your local nail salon post their business license, and license as a nail technician at the front of the store,  licensed massage therapist are required to display their certificate which shows both their license number and certificate number the same way.

You place your well being at risk any time you opt for one of these chair massages and it is ILLEGAL.  

TRUE STORY:

I had a recent case where a new client came in and shared that on occasion she opted for a chair massage at a well known local nail salon. "Everyone there is always nice." she said. She was so knotted up from working on her computer day in and day out her shoulders seemed like bricks she said.

The harder the massage the better, right? Well, during her ten minute massage, the young nail tech doing the massage, kept running the bony part of her elbow very close to and  sometimes on top of her spine. It seemed, ok, she thought at the time, but did not stop the girl thinking she knew what she was doing and she was already in alot of discomfort. So this had to be good for her. So she believed.

The client said the next two or three days after the chair massage at the salon, she felt worse than when she went in. It was horrible.

A trained therapist would know how to execute the right pressure and utilize the right technique in order to bring about the desired results. If there were to be any discomfort after the session, because there had to be friction massage applied for instance, the client would be told that and how to address it.

It is simple, buyer... BEWARE. If you take time to read how many calories are on a package before you consume it; It should stand to reason you take a moment to check this little detail out for yourself too.


Frances Dunston, LMT
lic# 27 021443

    

Creamy Romaine Salad
Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes Ingredients:

• 2 medium heads romaine lettuce, outer leaves discarded
• 1 bunch young dandelion greens, if available
• 1 medium tomato cut into eighths
• Dressing
• 3 TBS chopped fresh basil
• 3 medium cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 TBS prepared Dijon mustard
• 1 TBS honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 4 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 4 oz silken tofu
• 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• *a little water to thin if needed

Directions:

1. Blend all dressing ingredients in blender adding olive oil a little at a time at end.
2. Chop, rinse, and dry romaine lettuce and dandelion greens. If you have a salad spinner it is best. If not, pat rinsed greens with paper towels so dressing doesn't get diluted.
3. Toss greens with tomato and desired amount of dressing.

Serves 4 Printer Friendly Version of Creamy Romaine Salad
In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Creamy Romaine Salad


Today's recipe is courtesy of www.http://whfoods.org

Coping With the Symptoms of Menopause

Walking into this new phase of life, you wonder if you are alone in what your feeling. Am I falling apart, going crazy, ridden with some mystery disease that my doctor's can't seem to recognize yet? What is it? Well friends it is our other girl friend down the end - pre-menopause and her sister menopause.
 
Not all women experience menopause in the same way. For some, menopause can bring on an array of uncomfortable symptoms. Others may experience few discomforts and are happy to no longer have periods.

In an effort to let you know you do not stand alone in this new phase of your womanhood, I have pulled some interesting finding together to help you ease your suffering. 

Relieving hot flashes

• Identify and avoid your hot flash "triggers." Common triggers include stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, heat and cigarette smoke.
• Keep the bedroom cool. Use fans during the day. Wear light layers of clothing.
• Try deep, slow abdominal breathing (6 to 8 breaths per minute). Practice deep breathing for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening and at the onset of hot flashes.
• Exercise daily. Walking, swimming, dancing and bicycling are good choices.
• Try taking vitamin E supplements (400 international units [IUs] twice a day) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) at bedtime. Note: Do not take ibuprofen and aspirin together.
• Consider adding soy protein (40 to 60 mg) to your diet daily.

Relieving insomnia

• Keep the bedroom cool to prevent night sweats.
• Avoid using sleeping pills.
• Exercise daily.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol at night.
• Take a warm bath or shower at bedtime.
• Eat cereal and milk products at bedtime or during the night. (Avoid products that contain caffeine.)

Coping with mood swings, fears, and depression (including suicidal thoughts)

• Find a self-calming skill to practice, such as yoga, meditation or slow, deep breathing.
• Engage in a creative outlet that fosters a sense of achievement.
• Stay connected with your family and community; nurture your friendships. It is especially important to connect with other female friends and share what you are experiencing. It does bring a sense of comfort.
• Other symptoms some women experience in poor memory over muzzy thinking. A feeling of being stuck and not being able to focus on tasks. Supplementation and diet can help ease this.

Relieving painful intercourse

• Try using a vaginal water-based moisturizing lotion or lubricant during intercourse.

Preventing osteoporosis

On the side of medical advice received we need to consider supplementation.

• Calcium can slow bone loss and may decrease fractures. Consume 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day. Good sources of calcium are calcium supplements such as Tums; fruit juices and breads; low-fat dairy products; green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach greens; almonds; and soy milk.
• Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and stimulates bone formation. Consume 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D3 a day.
• Eat foods low in sodium, low in animal protein and low in caffeine.
• Bone mass is built before menopause as a result of exercise, diet, and genetics. Exercises that increase bone mass make the muscles work against gravity. Walking and muscle-building exercises may reduce bone loss and fractures and improve balance.

Preventing heart disease

• Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains such as quinoa.  Limit salt, cholesterol, and fat, especially animal fat.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise over the course of each day. Many activities increase the heart rate, including gardening, walking, dancing, and aerobic exercises. The activity period does not need to be continuous.
• Don't smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Follow your health care provider's instructions for controlling high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol.
• Take one baby aspirin daily, if approved by your physician if over age 65. Note: Do not take ibuprofen and aspirin together.

Food as Medicine

• Macafem - herbal hormone balancer  Note: Not to be used with other HRT
• Soy foods. The isoflavones in soy foods help balance hormone levels and have some estrogenic activity. There is ongoing research about the safety and efficacy of isolated soy isoflavone supplements. While the initial results look promising, we currently recommend using natural soy foods rather than supplements. Choose from tofu, soy milk, roasted soy nuts or tempeh.
• Flaxseed. Substances called lignins in flaxseed are important modulators of hormone metabolism. Grind flaxseed daily in a coffee grinder at home and use 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.
• Dong quai. Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is known both in China and the West for its ability to support and maintain the natural balance of female hormones. It does not have estrogenic activity. This is one of the herbs for menopause that should not be taken if a woman is experiencing heavy bleeding.
• Black cohosh (Cumicifuga racemosa). One of the best-studied traditional herbs for menopause, black cohosh is used to help alleviate some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Black cohosh seems to work by supporting and maintaining hormonal levels, which may lessen the severity of hot flashes. Many women report that the herb works well but it isn't effective for everyone. While any therapy that influences hormonal actions should be a concern, black cohosh does not appear to have estrogenic activity and thus may be safe for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer.
• Vitamin E. A daily dose of 400 IUs of natural vitamin E an antioxidant (as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) along with C can help alleviate symptoms of hot flashes in some menopausal women. 
• B vitamins. This group of water-soluble vitamins may help women deal with the stress of menopausal symptoms.
• Evening primrose oil or black currant oil. These are sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that can help influence prostaglandin synthesis and help moderate menopausal symptoms.
• Again a health diet of whole grains such as  , fruit and veggies helps. 
• Curb you sweet tooth with Agave syrup, stevia or Truvia (trade name)

Peri-menopause and the final stage menopause is just another transition in life. We can walk gracefully into it. Working with ourselves in a loving fashion can make all the difference in the world with how you see your world and how the world sees you.

What is a groin pull?
A groin pull is an injury to the muscles of the inner thigh. The groin muscles, called the "adductor muscle" group, consists of six muscles that span the distance from the inner pelvis to the inner part of the femur (thigh bone). These muscles pull the legs together, and also help with other movements of the hip joint. The adductor muscles are important to many types of athletes including sprinters, swimmers, soccer players, and football players.
What happens to the muscle with a groin pull?
A groin pull is an injury to the adductor muscles called a muscle strain. When a muscle is strained, the muscle is stretched too far. Less severe strains pull the muscle beyond their normal excursion. More severe strains tear the muscle fibers, and can even cause a complete tear of the muscle. Most commonly, groin pulls are minor tears of some muscle fibers, but the bulk of the muscle tissue remains intact.
What are the symptoms of a groin pull?
An acute groin pull can be quite painful, depending on the severity of the injury. Groin pulls are usually graded as follows:

• Grade I Groin Strain: Mild discomfort, often no disability. Usually does not limit activity.
• Grade II Groin Strain: Moderate discomfort, can limit ability to perform activities such as running and jumping. May have moderate swelling and bruising associated.
• Grade III Groin Strain: Severe injury that can cause pain with walking. Often patients complain of muscle spasm, swelling, and significant bruising.

Groin pulls are often seen in athletics who participate in sports such as ice hockey and soccer. The injury appears to be related to factors including hip muscle strength, preseason conditioning, and previous injury. Because of this, proper conditioning is of utmost importance to prevent the occurrence of a groin strain injury. Athletes, especially hockey and soccer players, should incorporate adductor strengthening, pelvic stabilization, and core strengthening exercises into their workouts to prevent the occurrence of a pulled groin. What other problems can cause similar symptoms?
A pulled groin is usually a clear diagnosis. Most athletes know what the injury is before they seek medical attention. However, other conditions can mimic the symptoms of a groin strain.
One condition that was previously not well recognized is called a sports hernia. Sports hernias have been found in patients who were diagnosed with chronic groin strains. The sports hernia is a condition similar to a regular inguinal hernia, and is due to a weakening of the muscles that form the abdominal wall. The symptoms of a sports hernia are often nearly identical to those of a groin strain. For more information:

• Sports hernias
• Inguinal hernias   

 Other conditions that may mimic the symptoms of a groin strain include osteitis pubis (inflammation of the pubic bone), hip joint problems (including early arthritis, labral tears, and other conditions), and low back problems (pinched nerves). When do I need to see a doctor for a groin pull?
If you have symptoms of a severe groin pull, you should be evaluated for proper treatment. Some signs of a severe groin strain include:

• Difficulty walking
• Pain while sitting or at rest
• Pain at night

Severe groin pulls should be evaluated because in some very rare situations of complete muscle rupture, surgery may be necessary to reattach the torn ends of the muscle. This is rarely needed, even in patients with Grade III groin strain injuries, as these patients can usually undergo successful non-operative treatment. If you are unsure if you have a groin pull or the symptoms do not quickly resolve, then you should be seen by your doctor. As described above, other conditions can be confused with a groin pull, and these should be considered if your symptoms do not resolve. Once a strain is diagnosed, you can begin treatment for your groin pull.
Treatment of a groin pull is usually guided by the severity of the injury. Resting a groin pull is the key to successful treatment. As a general rule of thumb, if you have a groin pull, you can do activities that don't aggravate your injury. You should rest until you are pain free to allow the injured muscle to heal. Resting inadequately may prolong your recovery.
The following are the common treatments used for groin strains:

• Rest
  It is important to rest following the injury to allowed the injured muscle to properly heal. Allow pain to guide your level of activity; this means that activities which cause symptoms should be avoided.
• Stretching
  Gentle stretching is helpful, but it should not be painful. Stretching excessively can be harmful and slow the healing process.
  • Adductor stretches
• Ice the Injury
  Apply ice to the injured area in the acute phase (first 48 hours after injury), and then after activities. Ice will help calm the inflammatory response and stimulate blood flow to the area.
• Heat Applications
  Before activities, gentle heating can help loosen the muscle. Apply a heat pack to the groin prior to stretching or exercising. As a general rule of thumb, remember to heat before, and ice after.
  • Know when to ice and when to heat an injury
• Anti-inflammatory Medications
  Oral anti-inflammatory medications (such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Motrin) can help relieve symptoms of pain and also calm the inflammation.
• Physical Therapy
  Physical therapists can be helpful in guiding treatment that may speed your recovery. Some people find modalities such as ultrasound, therapeutic massage, and specific exercises particularly helpful. You should see your physician to determine if these would be appropriate for your condition.

What can be done to prevent groin strains?
New research is shedding light on factors that can be helpful in preventing groin injuries. Competitive athletes who participate in soccer, ice hockey, or similar sports that are prone to groin injuries should focus some energy on groin injury prevention. Exactly what exercises and stretches are most important in still being worked out, but some suggestions for groin injury prevention include:

• Adductor stretching
• Hip adductor and abductor strengthening
• Pelvic stabilization exercises
• Core stability, including abdominal and lumbar strengthening

Together, these exercises and stretches can help control the movements of the hip and pelvis, and hopefully prevent many groin strains. _Sources:

Pulled Hamstring / Hamstring Strain

What is a pulled hamstring / hamstring strain?

The hamstring muscle is a group of large, powerful muscles that span the back of the thigh, from the lower pelvis to the back of the shin bone. The hamstring is the important muscle that functions to extend the hip joint and flex the knee joint.
The hamstring is used in many sporting activities, as well as normal daily activities. Sports that commonly cause a hamstring injury are sprinting sports that involve sudden accelerations. These include track and field, soccer, and basketball.

A hamstring injury can also occur as a result of a direct blow to the muscle, such as being kicked in the back of the thigh, or falling on the back of the thigh. Hamstring contusions are different from pulled hamstrings, although they may cause similar symptoms.

What is a pulled hamstring?

A pulled hamstring, also called a hamstring strain, is a tear of the hamstring muscle fibers. In less severe hamstring strains, Grade I injuries, the tearing is microscopic. The muscle fibers are essentially stretched too far, and some bleeding occurs within the muscle. In very severe hamstring strains, severe Grade III injuries, the hamstring muscle can completely rupture, and may require surgery to repair the torn ends of the muscle.

Muscle strains and tears most commonly occur because of what is called an "eccentric contraction." When this occurs, the muscle is trying to contract while another force (the ground, another player, etc.) is forcing the muscle in the opposite direction. This creates tremendous force on the muscle, and if the force is strong enough, it will tear the muscle fibers.

What are the symptoms of a pulled hamstring?

The symptoms of a pulled hamstring depend on the severity of the injury. The hamstring injury is usually sudden and painful. Other common symptoms include:

• Bruising: Small tears within the muscle cause bleeding and subsequent bruising. The bruise begins in the back of the thigh, and as time passes the bruise will pass down below the knee and often into the foot.
• Swelling: The accumulation of blood from the hamstring injury causes swelling of the thigh. This can make further muscle contraction difficult and painful. Wearing a compressive bandage can help control the swelling.
• Spasm: Muscle spasm is a common and painful symptom of a hamstring injury. Because of the trauma to the muscle, signals of contraction are confused, and the muscle may be stimulated. If severe, muscle relaxants can help with spasms.
• Difficulty Contracting: Flexing the knee is often painful after a pulled hamstring, and can even prevent the patient from walking normally. If you are unable to contract the hamstring, the muscle may be completely ruptured.

What is the treatment of a pulled hamstring?

The immediate treatment of any muscle injury consists of the RICE protocol - rest, ice,compression, and elevation (never apply ice directly to the skin). This is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Resting may be the common sense approach, but it is one that is often ignored by competitive athletes. This is unwise, since it does not take much to turn a grade one strain into a grade two, or a grade two strain into a grade three. As a general rule, grade one hamstring strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks and grade two injuries for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture, the muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months. Regardless of the level of the injury the treatment in the first five days is the same. The hamstring should be rested in an elevated position with an ice pack applied for twenty minutes every two hours, if practical (never apply ice directly to the skin). A compression bandage should be applied to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After the first five days have been spent resting, more active rehabilitation can be started. Crutches may be necessary if walking is painful or if spasms are severe. If the pain is significant, or if the symptoms do not steadily resolve, medical evaluation should be obtained.

Grade 1

Sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.

Grade 2

With a grade two hamstring strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury. It is confirmed by pain on stretch and contraction of the muscle.

Grade 3

A grade three hamstring strain is a severe injury. There is an immediate burning or stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain. The muscle is completely torn and there may be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression where the tear is. After a few days with grade two and three injuries a large bruise may appear below the injury site caused by the bleeding within the tissues.

Courtesy of sportlink.co.uk

 Refreshing Carrot Juice Recipe

Ingredients:

8 Large Fresh Cleaned Carrots

1/2 Inch Of Fresh Ginger

2 Large Fresh Granny Smith Green Apples

1 Large Fresh Mint Sprig (Optional Garnish)

Information:

Serving Size 1

211 Calories Per Serving

0 Grams Of Fat

Preparation Instructions:

To begin this wonderful apple ginger carrot juice recipe, you will first want to take out your juicer. If your juicer has been stored away for a long period of time, be sure to inspect it for dust, and then sterilize it where necessary. Next take your eight carrots, and thoroughly wash and rinse them under cool running tap water. Moving forward, you will next want to wash and rinse your apples, and then quarter them with a sharp kitchen knife. Repeating the previous task, you will finally want to wash and rinse the small piece of ginger. You can use a larger piece of ginger if you want to, but any more than a half inch will really create an extremely strong ginger flavor. Now that your produce is ready, place a tall glass under the juice spout, and slowly begin feeding in all of your fresh ingredients. Depending on how moist your carrots and apples are, you may want to adjust your proportions accordingly. Once your juice is finished, give it a quick stir to

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