March 11, 2008
News and tidbits to enrich your health and your life.
Healthy Living Newsletter, Issue #1: Massage, Getting Rid of Junk Mail Catalogs, and F.A.C.T. Vision Testing.
March 11, 2008
Welcome, and thanks for subscribing to Lacey Massage Therapy's Healthy Living Newsletter.
Please feel free to forward this to your friends. If this was forwarded to you, you can sign up for your own copy here.
If you have any comments, feedback, or ideas, feel free to send them to me. You can use my contact form here.
Thanks, and enjoy! Becky
Massage relaxes, promotes healing.
Revered through the ages.Throughout human history, massage was used for everything from stiff, painful muscles to chronic disease. In China, medical texts refer to it as early as 3000 B.C.
Today massage therapy is being used by a wide range of people as a pain reliever, antidote to stress, and enhancer of athletic performance. A survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association showed that 25 million more Americans received massage in the year 2006 than they did in 1996.
Doctors are referring patients for massage as well. Andrew Weil, MD and author of Spontaneous Healing said, “[Massage] works on the premise ... that the body can heal itself if given a chance. Massage nurtures the body’s talent for healing by triggering and supporting the body’s own healing response.”
Recent research has shown that massage lowers blood pressure, increases circulation, relaxes muscles and improves range of motion. What’s more, it reduces the effects of stress and can ease the impulse to tighten in response to pain. Because of these results, many people are finding that massage helps them heal faster from injuries and disease.
Studies also demonstrate that the benefits of regular massage tend to accumulate, easing long-term tension, conditioning tissues to help prevent injury, and enhancing your ability to breathe more deeply and relax more fully.
Looking for ways to reduce some of the junk mail that you get?
One option is http://www.catalogchoice.org, a website that helps you to stop receiving catalogs that you don't want, or didn't request.
I've gone there and was able to get removed from the mailing list of 6 catalogs so far. This is a free service that has teamed up with merchants who are willing to honor our request.
If the company that sent you the catalog is not listed, you can leave the name, and they will contact them for you.
This is one quick, easy way to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail, and possibly help the environment in the process.
I was on a mission today. It seems that I get a piece of junk mail from Qwest almost every day, and phone calls almost once a week. So on the call today, I asked how to opt-out of their phone calls and mailings.
For those interested, the number to call to be removed from Qwest phone calls and mailings is: 1-800-471-0338. It can take up to 30 days for all the mail and calls to stop, but at least I'm on the list now!
Maybe I can even save a tree or two in the process.....
The following article is from David Overton, PA-C. His contact information is at the end of the article.
F.A.C.T. Vision Testing
The eyes are the windows to metabolism, circulation, nutritional status, internal problems and the brain. This means common vision problems are related to treatable metabolic, circulation, internal and brain problems as well as nutritional deficiencies. A classic example is accumulated environmental toxins (chemicals or metals such as lead, arsenic or mercury) depleting nutrients and affecting internal organs and vision. Toxins are well documented to damage vision. Another classic toxic reaction is abnormal insulin or glucose damage to metabolism, circulation, kidneys and the brain which all contributes to declining vision, cataracts, macular degeneration, retinopathy and diabetic blindness. Certain drugs (anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen) can damage vision. Some immune problems and infections can damage vision.
For example, I lost blue color vision around age 30, which is commonly due to toxin accumulation. This occurred after multiple mercury fillings were implanted and I moved into a new home that was not properly ventilated first. In addition, my vision was declining every year until age 41, when pre diabetes was diagnosed. After treating pre diabetes, I no longer need stronger glasses every year.
Several years ago, I developed flashing lights in my vision, which indicated toxin accumulation, confirmed with lab tests and improved with certain supplements.
Recently, after a severe sinus infection, flashing lights in my vision recurred and did not improve with my usual supplements. My F.A.C.T. was abnormal and I started different supplements. The flashing lights resolved quickly and my F.A.C.T. results improved dramatically, indicating I am improving and preserving my vision. “Flushing” out the toxins improved my immune system and helped me get over the sinus infection.
I plan to prevent declining vision and the cataracts and diabetic retinopathy my brother, father and mother developed by repeating my F.A.C.T. until normal and then annually.
The F.A.C.T. vision test stands for Functional Acuity Contrast Test and is designed to help identify vision loss from a variety of conditions, many of which are not detected by the tests (i.e. 20/20 vision charts). The F.A.C.T. is best understood in appointments when performed. It checks for low, medium or high frequency vision loss or damage. Abnormal results can be treated holistically and then rechecked to make sure the treatment is working to preserve or improve vision.
F.A.C.T. tests are particularly useful for commercial drivers, those who drive a lot and elderly individuals who need to clearly see road signs to decrease risk for accidents.
Early vision loss can also be due to neurological, refractive, pathological and other problems. Abnormal F.A.C.T. results provide clues to treatments or the need for further vision evaluations. Schedule your F.A.C.T. in our office if you are concerned about your vision.
David Overton, PA-C works at Natural Medicines and Family Practice providing integrated conventional and alternative care under the supervision of Dr. Richard Faiola, MD, ABFM
Natural Medicines and Family Practice 1315 Ruddell Rd. SE Lacey, WA 360-357-8054