Like everyone else in the world, I am concerned with protecting myself against COVID-19. As a Holistic Health Practitioner, what immediately jumped to my mind was practicing healthy lifestyle habits that would preserve my current health and boost my body’s immunity system. Under quarantine since March, and working full-time from home, I had the luxury of extra time that had been previously spent on commuting. I made it a point to get out and walk everyday, and preferably when the sun was shining. I remembered my chiropractor instructing me a few years ago to expose as much skin as possible in full sun to enable my body to fight off my cold more quickly.

"Giving Tuesday" is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, "Giving Tuesday" kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Anyone who knows me, knows that Roses are my favorite flowers. I love growing them. I love the way they smell. I love the gigantic variety amongst them. I even have one in my logo. If you've been to my office in La Mesa (or when you visit soon), you'll find a beautiful rose garden in front of the building (pic above). It was a huge confirmation that my office was the right choice for my new business (and yes I do believe the Universe sends us signs).
While I was in Arizona recently, I discovered a new essential oil company, NHR Organic Oils, which has me really excited. NHR is located in England, a place where Aromatherapy has a long and respected place in the healing profession. I also want to complement the AZ store, Zona's Oils, in their excellent sourcing!
I was thrilled to acquire Rose essential oil. I've never had this particular oil before but have always desired it. I got poking around the internet and found this great article "19 Surprising Benefits of Rose Essential Oil." One of it's benefits is fighting depression and relieving anxiety. Used on a regular basis, rose essential oil can encourage positive emotions like joy, happiness, and hope. It seems rose essential oil would benefit many including seniors both on an emotional level while also boosting their immune systems. I look forward to using my new rose oil during therapeutic massage sessions to add some extra umph to the healing outcomes!

Recently I was sharing essential oil information at a health and wellness fair. At my table, I was diffusing Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) essential oil (EO). Aside from the wonderful smell, people were asking me about its uses. I was familiar with EO users talking about its immunity support and had heard stories of cancer patients using it but had no factual data on the subject. So I went to PubMed and looked it up. I found multiple articles, many too technical for my purpose. However, I did find a study done in the UK that used aromasticks in a cancer clinic with very good results:

• 77% (n = 123) of all patients reported deriving at least one benefit from the aromastick.
• In anxious patients, 65% reported feeling more relaxed and 51% felt less stress.
• 47% of nauseous patients said that the aromastick had settled their nausea and
• 55% of those experiencing sleep disturbances felt that aromastick helped them sleep.

Frankincense wasn't the only EO that was used in the clinic. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon (Citrus limon), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) were also used by patients successfully.
So indeed, factual data does exist!

I was with friends recently and we were discussing massage. A few of my friends suffer from fibromyalgia and one commented that the massage experiences weren't always pleasant. In fact one therapist had refused to provide lighter pressure and objected to my friend calling a halt to the massage. That just made me sad (and angry)! Massage therapists ALWAYS need to listen to their clients. No one knows someone else's body better than they do. People's pain tolerance can vary from day-to-day based upon the season, their activities, medications, and many other reasons.
An unfortunate outcome for my friend was the decrease in motivation to seek massage. That's sad because massage greatly benefits those suffering from fibromyalgia in the following ways:

• increased serotonin level
• decreased circulating stress hormones
• decreased levels of substance P
• decreased tender point pain
• improved sleep patterns
• improved overall sense of well-being

So for those who suffer with this condition, I encourage you to give massage a try. For more information, please check out this article on the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association website.

I read a very interesting article today . . . something that I hadn't heard about before. It was an article about research that's been done over several years that proves Vitamin D levels can prevent colds and the flu. In many cases, Vitamin D supplements are as effective or more effective than the flu vaccine. Here's a key excerpt from the article:
"Most recently, a scientific review of 25 randomized controlled trials confirmed that vitamin D supplementation boosts immunity and cuts rates of cold and flu. Overall, the studies included nearly 11,000 individuals from more than a dozen countries."
If this topic has captured your attention, like it did mine, take a look at the article.

In honor of American Heart Month (February), I wanted to share some information that probably isn't common knowledge. Massage is GOOD for your heart in a multitude of ways.

Most folks are familiar with the concept of massage therapy for stress relief. However, did you know it can temporarily reduce blood pressure for up to 72 hours after a massage? It also can significantly reduce pain, anxiety and muscular tension, as well as enhance relaxation and satisfaction after cardiac surgery. Amazing!
​
More and more research is documenting the effectiveness of massage as an alternative health therapy that complements traditional medical treatment. Details about the research I've described above is available here:

• Durability of Effect of Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure
• Effects of Swedish Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Inflammatory Markers in Hypertensive Women
• Massage therapy for cardiac surgery patients--a randomized trial

Massage isn't just for relaxation. Over the last 20 years, an incredible amount of research has been done to validate the health benefits of massage therapy. Two groups of conditions, anxiety and depression, have  indisputable documentation that proves they benefit from massage therapy.

According to the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork:
"Quantitative research reviews show that a series of Massage Therapy (MT) treatments consistently produces sizable reductions of depression in adult recipients. The effects of MT on anxiety are even better understood. Single sessions of MT significantly reduce state anxiety, the momentary emotional experiences of apprehension, tension, and worry in both adults and in children, and multiple sessions of MT, performed over a period of days or weeks, significantly reduce trait anxiety, the normally stable individual tendency to experience anxiety states, to an impressive degree in adults." (1)
​
Did you know anxiety affects about one in eight adults living in the US? The following disorders fall under the heading of anxiety (and this is not an inclusive list):

• Panic attacks
• Agoraphobia
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Trichotillomania
• Posttraumatic stress disorder

 Depression comes in different shapes and sizes, too.

As is true for many health conditions, holistic approaches to treatment of depression and anxiety may yield improved outcomes. I would encourage other practitioners and patients themselves to include massage therapy in their course of treatment given its proven results.
 
 1) Moyer, C. A. "Affective Massage Therapy." International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork 1, no.2 (2008):  3-5.