SELF MASSAGE DEVICES

This is for all of you out there who are like most of us; too busy and too cash poor to treat ourselves to massage therapy on a regular basis or at all. That is indeed an unfortunate self denial. However, this particular denial can never guide us to also deny the fact that we can all use the benefits of massage therapy for it is not a mere luxury of the superfluous nature but an inherent need. As a matter of fact, massage therapy is deeply embedded into the fabric of our being and we all instinctively practice it to some extent without ever calling it that.

What do we do when our tummies hurt, when we have headaches, when we stub our toes, when our muscles tighten and cramp and so on and on? We automatically and without contemplation or forethought place our hands to the areas of discomfort to press and rub. Guess what? That is self massage therapy. And self massage therapy is every bit as effective and beneficial as any other kind of massage therapy, and it can be performed at any time and at any place to accommodate our unforgiving schedules and at no cost.

However, there are some parts of our bodies which are difficult to reach and therefore impossible to self massage. There are also times when our own two hands are too fatigued or sore to perform the self massage therapy we need. Furthermore, there may be certain situations that would require our hands to be put to other uses while we wish we could do some massaging. For those reasons, some very intuitive and insightful inventors designed self massage devices which can resolve these issues without depriving us of a good massage.

Massage devices are by no means new concepts as implements have been used on peoples’ bodies for many centuries throughout the world:

* Mesopotamia and Egypt. Some writings indicate that the Mesopotamians and the Egyptians used a variety of objects to manipulate the body and those would date as far back as 3000 B.C.

* China. The oldest massage tool that has been discovered thus far is made out of jade and it was used in the Longshan culture of China during the Shang dynasty and dates back to about 2000 to 1500 B.C. — a massage knuckle.

At approximately the same time, tools carved of wood or animal bones were used to apply pressure to painful points in the body, and needles carved out of wood were used to treat gout.

* Greece and Rome. Stones (jade, marble, basalt and others) were allegedly used either hot or cold by the Greeks and Romans in 175 B.C.

The strigil, rubbing cloths and tapotements made of ebony, wood or bone were also used in the Roman and Greed empires and flagellation (self beating) was practiced with the use of twigs or leafy branches.

* England. The English shaped needle-like instruments to alleviate the symptoms of gout.

An English veteran of the American Revolution, Admiral Henry of Rolvenden, created a large collection of tools to treat his own aches and pain. He drummed his back with a hammer covered with cork and leather; he made a few wood carvings to pound the soles of his feet, he used cattle ribs to loosen the knots along his tendons and to stroke certain parts of his body and he fashioned small bone gadgets to massage the inside of his mouth.

* Pacific Islands. The Polynesians used a thinly curved limb shaped out of the indigenous guava tree called the laau lomi-lomi stick as well as rounded lava rocks called lomi balls. Both these devices tools were used for rubbing, pounding and pressing.

In the 1890s the Health Culture Company of New York introduced an entire line of manual self massage devices and those have been used widely ever since, even more than the electronic devices which began flooding the market in more recent years.

The selection available to you today is extraordinary and the prices are surprisingly low. Among them are rollers, balls, percussion sticks, mats, vibration devices, and much, much more. All you need to do is visit websites such as http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/ProductCart/pc/viewcategories.asp and be amazed.

How to Seek Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident

Were you in a car accident? Did you visit your primary care physician or the hospital? Were you sent home with a prescribed pain reliever? If so, you may have a mild form of whiplash or just a sore body. Yes, pain may subside overtime, but don’t you want immediate relief? Also, don’t you want to know if there is a more serious problem instead of waiting for it to explode at a later date? After a car accident, victims should never take risks. They should schedule an appointment with a licensed chiropractor.

Why should you seek chiropractic care after a car accident? For starters, chiropractors do not just try to hide the problem of pain with medication. They do not use it. Instead, they rely on manual therapy. For pain that will subside overtime, therapeutic massages are best. For spinal or joint injuries, adjustments are best. Whatever the treatment, manual therapy is used. It involves the hands. To make a proper diagnosis after a serious car accident, an MRI, sonogram, or x-ray may be used.

Another reason why you should seek chiropractic care after a car accident is to prevent later complications. Not all injuries result in pain. Some are just minor enough that there is no pain. That does not mean something didn’t happen to the body, your muscles, joints, or spine. Chiropractors will examine the body and they can determine if anything is even slightly wrong or out of place. Treatment will ensure. Primary care physicians tend to wait until pain is a symptom before taking action.

You now know the benefits of seeking chiropractic care after a car accident, so what should you do? Schedule an appointment. You may first want to speak with your car insurance provider or the at-fault driver. Most car insurance claims cover medical treatment sought because of an accident. You do not need to wait. Most insurance providers extend coverage to chiropractic care. They are legally classified as contact physicians by the federal government. All insurance companies should accept the treatment and diagnosis of a chiropractor, if not keep on pushing.

Since you should not wait for approval to see a chiropractor, familiarize yourself with your local options. You can do so by using your local phone book or the internet. When using the internet, perform a standard internet search with the phrase “chiropractor,” and your city and state. You will be linked to the websites of local providers in your area. You can use these to examine rates, get a feel for the professional, and see pictures of their office. Once you find a chiropractor you like, schedule an appointment.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get an immediate appointment. This is because chiropractic care is increasing in popularity; there is a high demand. Some have a waiting list. When making your appointment, state you were in a serious car accident. Some schedulers may be willing to squeeze you in or contact you in the event of a late cancellation.

If seeking care immediately following a car accident, you may need to wait to file a claim. If the chiropractor requires immediate payment, pay or give your health insurance information. The rest can be worked out later. For now, it is important to seek treatment for any pain or discomfort you are feeling. Care should always come first.

Help for Arthritis Sufferers in Hot Tubs

If you’ve ever experienced the pain of arthritis or have had to watch someone you know and love suffer with it you will be pleased to know the Arthritis Foundation highly recommends the healing properties of hot tubs for its afflicted.  People with arthritis have a very difficult time moving and by being submerged in warm water, they are alleviated of some of their discomfort and are even able to get the unimaginable done; they are able to exercise with little discomfort.
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Lose Weight With Yoga

Lose Weight With Yoga

Yoga has been touted to be a relaxation technique
which is able to tone the mind, body and spirit into
working harmoniously. Many yoga teachers and fitness
experts claim that yoga can lead to successful and
lasting weight loss. Read more

Dealing with Stress at the Computer Pt.III

Sitting in front of the computer for extended hours can easily lead to muscular
cramps and soreness. An excellent way to relieve your muscles of excess tension
is to put together a mini yoga routine that you can use when you feel the need
to loosen your muscles. Or if yoga is not your thing, you can search the Web
for a quick five- or ten-minute flexibility routine that has been tailored
toward the office worker. For some of these routines, you can remain in your
chair throughout! Read more

Using Gardening to Get in Shape

Using Gardening to Get in Shape

While gardening is usually thought of as a productive way to grow beautiful plants and obtain tasty fruits and vegetables, few gardeners have ever considered the immense amounts of exercise one can get in the process of gardening. While you can get almost as much muscle (if not more) exercise as you do working out, it is very productive at the same time.

You may wonder how gardening could possibly give as much exercise as working out. Just think about all the various facets of preparing a garden. There are holes to be dug, bags and pots to be carried, and weeds to be pulled. Doing all of these things help to work out almost every group of muscles in your body. Read more

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