Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72312
DO YOU HAVE SOME WISDOM YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL PEERS? WRITE TO ME AT KARRIE@ABMP.COM. Avoiding Arthritis As the number one source of pain for older Americans, arthritis is a life challenge we'll all be dealing with—whether personally or professionally— at some point in our lives. Dr. Jason Theodosakis, author of The Arthritis Cure (St. Martin's Press, 2003), told CBS News recently that we can start addressing the inevitable in our thirties and forties, long before pain has actually arrived. Following are his suggestions for what you or your clients can do to keep the pain at bay. SHED THE POUNDS AND/OR STAY FIT. Every extra pound of weight adds burden to the joints, but also upsets the delicate balance between buildup and breakdown of cartilage. AVOID HIGH-IMPACT EXERCISE. Swimming, yoga, Pilates, walking, low-impact biking, and weight lifting are all less stressful sorts of exercise. BE MINDFUL OF BIOMECHANICS. This is especially important for massage therapists and bodyworkers; even more so for those providing outcall service and hoisting tables in and out of their car. Minimize strain on your body as much as possible. ATTEND TO INJURIES QUICKLY. If you can't avoid them, then at least make sure you address an injury before the body starts compensating, further affecting body mechanics. CONSIDER A SUPPLEMENT FOR NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT. Theodosakis said glucosamine and chondroiten help avoid cartilage deterioration. For women, especially, check your daily calcium intake and make sure it's meeting current recommendations. NIH Gives More Money to Study St. John's Wort, Echinacea The National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave $4.4 million to the Iowa Center for Research on Botanical Dietary Supplements at Iowa State University in Ames to study echinacea and St. John's wort over the next three years, noting that although the public has long purported the value of these herbal supplements for their immunity, mental health support, and anti-inflammation benefits, there isn't much research to stand behind them. What researchers have found so far is that certain species of these herbs work better than others. And, in both herbs, researchers said compounds such as polyphenols contribute to their antiviral properties. "This suggests that we're not going to find a single compound or even a subset of compounds that are responsible for health benefits," says Diane Birt, director of the research center. "A complex chemical profile is contributing to the health effects, so it's more likely that we're moving toward improving these supplements, rather than identifying chemicals for use as drugs." Nothing like keeping it real. Chalk one up for botanic integrity. Don't Flush It Have you ever thrown old medicines down the drain or flushed them into oblivion? According to the American Pharmacist Association (APhA), that could be reason for concern as more and more water supplies are showing up with pharmaceuticals that cannot be removed by standard sewage treatment systems. Scientists began sounding the alarm for just such an effect in the 1980s, when throughout Europe and the United States, aspirin, nicotine, caffeine, and by-products of soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products began showing up in water tested near wastewater treatment plants. Since then, the number of chemicals and pharmaceuticals found in water samples has been steadily increasing, and now everything from antibiotics to growth hormones is showing up in water supplies and groundwater tables. While water treatment plants can remove many of these chemicals, the United States does not implement the technologies that are most effective at doing so. Those technologies include advanced oxidation, membrane filtration, and nanofiltration. The least effective method, and most commonly used here, is chlorination. So what should you do with old meds needing discarding? According to the APhA, crush solid pills or dissolve them in water and mix with kitty litter or similar textured kitchen waste—like coffee grounds. Put them in a sealed plastic bag before placing in the trash. This also reduces the risk of poisoning for children, pets, and wildlife. Better yet, check for local and state collection programs or hazardous materials facilities. Some pharmacies will even host days where the public can return meds needing to be destroyed. Mother Nature might certainly need a break— but she doesn't need your Valium. massagetherapy.com—for you and your clients 103