Healthy Job Spotlight: Neuromuscular Therapist

As you know the "Healthy Job Spotlight" focuses on health related jobs that are not the "common" jobs one would think about when considering a career in the health field. Today's spotlight shines on the Neuromuscular Therapists of the world.

What exactly is Neuromuscular Therapy? Buckland Massage & Neuromuscular Center defines Neuromuscular Therapy as a specialized form of manual therapy. The therapist is trained and educated in the physiology of the nervous system and its effect on both the skeletal and muscular systems. In a nutshell, a Neuromuscular Therapist (NMT) is a specialized Massage Therapist that works on your muscles restoring balance to the central nervous system.

If you're interested in Neuromuscular Therapy and wonder where to go as far as education is concerned, visit the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). If you're in the Atlanta area one school to definitely check into is the Academy of Somatic Healing Arts (ASHA School of Massage). Not only will you get a certification in Neuromuscular Therapy, you'll also receive certifications in Clinical Sports Massage and Massage Therapy (for no additional cost at that).

Everyday Home Spa

There are many posts out in the net world that give pointers on how to bring the spa experience home and/or how to create your own at home spa. Most of these posts center around creating ambiance and an atmosphere of relaxation rather than an actual room transformation. If you're an avid reader of this blog you've probably already guessed that since I like to be a little different, this post is all about transforming a room (in this case the bathroom) into an affordable spa retreat all your own.

So why did I choose the bathroom? Well, many of us spend quite a bit of time here. This is one room where privacy is almost guaranteed. Notice I said almost. This is also one of the top answers when asked "where do you relax at home".

Making changes to your bathroom/soon to be home spa retreat doesn't have to be an expensive project. The first thing you'll want to do is change your lighting and add a dimmer switch while you're at it. Don't be afraid to do something with recessed lighting or track lighting. You may even want to think about contemporary, "not usually found in the bathroom" light fixtures.

So what's next now that you've made the lighting switch? Well now you can concentrate on the one area that's sure to get the most use...the tub. An easy, inexpensive way to create the ultra relaxation experience in your tub is to purchase a bath spa along with a spa showerhead. Add a cushy bench or chair, bath soaks, natural wax candles or aromatherapy oil diffusers. Don't forget to complete your getaway with your favorite soothing music, a nice leafy plant or two and decadent dark chocolate treats (remember dark chocolate is good for you).

Photo courtesy of Spa Finder, Inc

Is Colon Cleansing Necessary?

Colon Health is one subject that has been getting more and more attention over the last few years. It seems as if every natural health guru worth their salt has stated at one time or another that you should colon cleanse. I've seen recommendations from 7 days upwards to 4 months. Personally, I couldn't get down with a 4 month colon cleanse. Especially since part of the colon's duty (no pun intended) is to maintain your body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Improper or prolonged colon cleansing can have you become dehydrated. Why substitute one potential health problem for another that's completely avoidable?

Is colon cleansing for you? First, let me state that I am in no way giving medical advice. I'm only putting information out there for you to dissect and discuss with your health provider. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, should you cleanse? Well, there are pros and cons. Many traditional physicians say that colon cleansing is not necessary, although they do recommend that you may want to cleanse when preparing for a colon exam. They don't feel it's necessary because the colon already eliminates waste on its own. Advocates for colon cleansing feel that while the colon does a decent job of eliminating this waste, it may need assistance because of our diets over the years. They feel that since many of the foods we eat now are not as "natural" as they could be, this introduces more foreign bodies and parasites into our digestive systems. This may not give the colon an opportunity to catch all the waste that we're trying to eliminate and can cause it to become backed up. A clogged colon is full of toxins and as you know...toxins are the prime cause of certain illnesses and ailments. I've even heard of people who have lost weight, along with stubborn pot bellies as a result of cleansing.

For those of you who are seriously considering whether colon cleansing is for you, Colon Cleansing Zone is a good resource. This site is full of information and resources to assist you with making the cleansing decision. Enjoy!

More Than Music To My Ears

I am overjoyed at the moment! Why? My post, 7 Ways Music Enhances Your Health, is included in the current issue of Carnival of Healing found this month on the Wisdom of Healing Blog. There's loads of information in this issue including how changing your speech habits can increase your personal power, herbal support for ovarian cysts, home remedies for colds and more! I'm honored to be included in such an excellent collection of healing and wellness posts. YAY!!!

Revive, Refresh, Renew...For Less

It's Spa Week time! Get out your date books and mark this year's calendar for the week of April 16-22. Some of the most posh, glitzy day spas are offering services at an ultra low price. Cities like New York, Atlanta, Boston, Portland, Toronto and many more have decided to join in with C&R Media and offer an affordable means of relaxation and rejuvenation to the masses.

Gone are the days when going to the spa was a luxury. It's now seen as a necessity, especially with the large percentage of those suffering from "on the job" stress. Not only that, but alternative and complementary medicine is gaining more acceptance. Today, more and more people are seeking massage, reiki and acupuncture as a method of healing. What better way to introduce (or reintroduce) the healing benefits of spa services into your life than catching them when the top obstacle of the services being too expensive has been removed? Exactly! There's no time like Spa Week!

Go ahead, don't be afraid, check out the website along with the participating cities. If you're in the Atlanta area, as I am, be sure to visit the sites of the participating spas. I've checked them all and the services look awesome! I'm especially excited about Nseya Salon & Spa. Their target market is the Black community and Lord knows we need all the pampering we can get!

Ready, Set, Go....it's SPA TIME!!!

7 Ways Music Enhances Your Health

Ahhh...the wonderful sound of music. I've always been a lover of music. There's just something about the rhythm and beat that touches me deeply. Whenever I feel down or need a bit of motivation, I immediately hit the tunes. Miraculously, I feel better or inspired before the first 16 bars are over. While the idea of musical healing dates back to the writings of Aristotle and Plato, the actual discipline began around World War II (American Music Therapy Association). Today, Music Therapists are in great demand as practitioners of alternative medicine. Who would have guessed that by turning to music, I've been treating myself with a form of music therapy all these years?

Just what can music do for you? Here are 7 Ways Music Enhances Your Health:

Exercise Motivation: Remember the Nike+ iPod post and being able to set a "power song"? There's something to it after all. Music gets you moving, particularly if you're listening to something fast paced and heavy on the drums. Just think about cardio music. Makes you want to get up and get active doesn't it? And 1, and 2, and 3, and 4...

Stress Relief: Music can be a vital component in stress relief. How? The rhythm of the music you choose acts as a facilitator for the activities you engage in to unwind and de-stress.

Pain Alleviation: Pain is often translated by the tightening of the muscles in your body. The pulses in music break this muscle tension, allowing you to relax and have a feeling of calm wash over you.

Lifts Depression: A song has the ability to put you in a good mood. Not only does it have the ability to incite happy memories, it can also get you moving which is said to release endorphins (the body's natural "happy pill").

Rest/Relaxation: Soft flowing music, sounds of the ocean and other calm inciting rhythms does wonders for rest and relaxation. Music releases tension and gets you loose. So get comfortable, press play and be transported...

Enhanced Camaraderie: As a great communicator, music has a way of bringing people together. How many times have you felt closer to someone because you share a love of music, or have the same favorite song?

Increased Brain Activity: Playing music has long been one of the therapies used in treating comatose and Alzheimer's patients. The Mozart Effect (a music based theory) is said to increase intelligence. Even music lessons are said to increase one's spatial reasoning ability.

Overall, the effects of music are felt in many areas of our lives. Just about every life experience can be put to music and have "its feelings" conveyed. Music is an essential part of who we are. I'd dare to say that our being itself is music, right down to the beating of our hearts.