How to sit at a desk Part I

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Acupuncture & Allergy Relief

growing = pollen

The most common symptoms of allergies are the runny nose (rhinitis), sneezing and itching eyes. These symptoms may be seasonal when certain grasses, flowers, trees or molds shed pollen or spores (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis or SAR). Some individuals are plagued with these symptoms nearly continuously regardless of the season. These people may be sensitive to dust, animal dander or other common materials. How it Works! The twelve regular and eight extra meridians help to maintain a balance of Yin (substances which nourish the body such as blood and body fluid) and Yang (related to activity and function) within the body. However, if a particular energy pathway is obstructed, its corresponding organ's function will also be affected and the body's yin and yang will become unbalanced. This imbalance will ultimately affect the functioning of the body as a whole. Acupuncture works by removing energy blockages in the meridians and regulating the overall flow of energy so that the body can return to a state of balance and health. Self help for allergies  No "Icy" food, like ice water, cold beer and ice cream.  No greasy, spicy and deep-fried food -Keep Body warm -Exercise, yoga, swimming -For temporary relief of nasal congestion and itching...  A few common acupoints can be massaged for a few minutes several times a day with the fingertips: Yintang (located right between the eyebrows), Yinxiang or LI 20 (located on the nasolabial groove adjacent to the nostrils), and finally Hegu or LI4, (located on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger).

Why Try Acupuncture

-Acupuncture may help to increase the volume of blood flow, and regulate the immunological function of the human body, thus giving therapeutic effects for allergic rhinitis. -Acupuncture involves the use of hair-fine needles to stimulate specific points on the body along the meridians. Acupuncture works by removing energy blockages in the meridians and regulating the overall flow of energy so that the body can return to a state of balance and health. - In the case of allergic rhinitis, the blockage of energy is situated in the lung meridian, for which the nose is considered an extension. Under normal conditions, the lungs can control respiration and ensure that one breathes freely through the nose and with an acute sense of smell. In Chinese Medicine, the lungs are also responsible for dispersing energy throughout the body and for preventing pathogenic factors from invading the body.  The ideal time to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis using acupuncture is at least one month before symptoms normally begin.   Seasonal Symptomsneed 3 treatments, once a week, 3 weeks in total. Sinus Self Help  springs bounty Self Help Tips  For Acute Symptoms: Use herbal or natural antibiotics in a spray form after steaming the nasal passages in a hot shower or over a pot of hot essential oil infused  steam.  Common antiviral and antibiotic essential oils to use in the steam are eucalyptus, menthol, lavender, wintergreen and cloves.  Put 2-3 drops in a pot of hot water and lean over it while covering your head with a towel.  Steam for up to 20 minutes to loosen mucous material and clear the nasal passages.  Once passages are clear spray your herbal antibiotic into nose to work further into the sinus cavities. Ayurvedic healing practices uses an application of Ghee (clarified butter) into the nasal passage to combat infection and inflammation. Relief of Chronic Symptoms: For long term sinus infections using a nasal wash a few times a day over a prolonged period of time will eliminate built up mucous and sinus blockages.  Continuing to do this for a week or two after your breathing is clear will help to avoid recurrence. Use a drug store bulb syringe to flush the nasal passages with a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1/2 tsp. salt and pinch of baking soda.  Hold one nostril closed while squeezing the solution up the other nostril.  The flush will come out of the mouth.  You can also purchase a kit called Neil Med from the drug store which has the container and cleansing mix in sachets.  Either way this nasal wash is based on the same principles as the Ayurvediic Netie Pot but possibly more user friendly. Other things you can do are: - Avoid dairy and wheat as they are mucous forming - avoid any known allergens - Use herbal formulas that contain Thyme and Fenugreek to clean out mucous. - do everything you can to improve your digestion.  Taking enzymes is one example.

Aromatherapy Review

Forward: I studied at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, back in those days we were into blending carrier oils mostly sweet almond and sesame. With these we would create therapeutic blends adding and testing a variety of essential oils.  In the 80's and early 90's aromatherapy was hip and fun to work with. Our clients appreciated them. CCMH at the time provided pure coconut oil to work with but we would purchase "the good stuff" from other sources.  We had the attitude then that coconut oil was the poor cousin to other more expensive massage oils and we wanted the best for our massage clients.  Fast forward to 2000+ now we have an ever increasing population of folks with allergies and sensitivities to scents and smells and some with very severe reactions including asthma.  Most massage therapists no longer use scented oil blends and coconut oil often unscented is enjoying a comeback especially organic coconut oil has become trendy to use.  Many RMT's use no oil or very little depending on their approach to body work and massage lotions have replaced oils as a non allergenic massage medium.

AROMATHERAPY has been around since Biblical times. Frankincense, Lotus, Jasmine, Sandlewood and Rose Absolute are scents that can change moods and create an exotic atmosphere.  I jumped at the chance to attend local Casey Mulcaster's "Essential Oils of India" workshop last month. Casey is a Registered Aromatherapist and knows her stuff.  She does her research and in doing so she went to the source, India.  Casey, who owns and operates local Amarna Holistic Centre, attended some factories where steam and other forms of distillation create some of the most precious oils on the planet. 
When you inhale these oils there is swoon potential!  Casey shares her love and respect for the process of extracting such minute quantities of precious oils from vast amounts of raw resources from petals of rose to bark and roots of sandlewood.
During her informative 2 hour workshop Casey presents 5 exotic essentials. Showcasing her Indian absolutes (word for pure essential oil) and allowing her participants to create a blend for themselves. It is exciting to learn the essential benefits for ones organ and visceral health, endocrine system, skin, and even sleep deprivation. If you have a chance do take this course, but hurry because she is only teaching it for a limited time.
CREATING A BLEND: 
With expert guidance and enthusiasm for the creative process Casey leads you to confidently blend your signature potion to include top notes, middle notes and base notes.  This experience was truly like a private wine tasting complete with coffee beans to cleanse the olfactory palate.   I created for myself a blend dominant with the base notes of Sandlewood and Nag Champa which were the most devine scents that had ever crossed paths with my olfactory system...wow!  This blend which I keep near my bedside and rub into my hands to smell as I drift off to sleep has no doubt changed the quality of my slumber hours including how many of them I have in a row before waking!  
If the need to avoid scents for allergy reasons has kept you from enjoying the benefits of aromatherapy consider taking a course with Casey. You will be surpised by what you learn and can share with your clients, family and friends.  When scents are pure and unaltered and you are aware of their medicinal attributes they can be extremely beneficial for everyone and amazing to incorporate into your own self care.   To find out more about essential oils of India and more click here.

PS Stay tuned to our ViVi Shop as we will be carrying a high quality certified organic range of Carrier Oils for Massage and Body Therapy in addition a select collection of essential oils all to feed your skin, body and mind.  Believe us when we say we still want our clients to have only the best...more on oils later.  Roxanne Derkson RMT GCFP

Massage Oils and Linens Do They Mix?

Pure, cold pressed, virgin oil & luxurious 100% cotton massage linens.

What makes one massage therapy treatment better than an another?   After the obvious comparing of credentials and clinical experience, the convenience of booking, getting there...and parking!

  What about the smells we encounter and the sheets we slip our bodies between.  One thing I really appreciate when I go for a massage therapy session is clean linen.  I like the sheets to be clean and the room to feel hygienic without a clinical coldness which inhibits relaxation.  When I experience a rancid oil smell from sheets or the room/office setting it is a real turnoff. 

Keeping massage table linens clean and oil free has been a dilemma for massage therapists the world over.  What common solutions (no pun intended) have been used and how do they measure up in my opinion.
1) Use of harsh chemicals to clean the linens.  Bleach, strong oil dispersant's, and chemical cleaners and detergents in the wash.  My Comment:    Well not environmentally friendly is the obvious one and sometimes there is a residue of these chemicals left in the sheets.  These can trigger allergies and reactions in the sinuses and skin.
2) Use thinner sheets that don't hold the oils like thicker denser linens.  Usually these sheets are poly-cotton and don't have the same quality feel as 100% cotton and flannel sheets.  My Comment:  These sheets are cheaper to purchase and keep clean for the therapist.
3) Use massage lotions with oil dispersant and other chemicals in them to facilitate easier cleaning. My Comment:   Definitely ask , your therapist what they are using on YOUR SKIN?  You should know what the ingredients of massage lotions, cremes and oils are.  After all your skin absorbs this stuff as if you were eating it.
4) Refined oils manufactured to disperse oil and wash out of linen better than unrefined oils.  My Comment:  These are manufactured by larger companies and sold to therapists as professional massage oils.  They are usually rendered, bleached and deodorised to create a more commercial brand product that meets the demands for easier cleaning of linens and no longer carry any natural scent from the nut seed or plant that the oil was derived from.  You can tell these oils have been bleached when there is very little natural color to the oil.  See the oil in the picture above has the natural green color of the avocado oil that has been blended with macadamia and sunflower oils.

5) My Professional Recommendation:  Use pure, cold expellor pressed oils on the skin whenever possible.  Organic oils are the ultimate food for the skin adding essential fatty acids and nutrients to the body as they are massaged into your muscles.  If deeper tissue work is required use balms and butters from shea, olive oil, beeswax and coconut to name a few.  As for the linen use the best quality linens you can afford, use basic cleaning solutions with no added artificial fragrance.  Replace your linens regularly when they become pilled, stained or the oil won't come out.  You can always take your linens to a professional cleaning company to remove the oil residue for you.  They really know how to fold your linen too and it looks great when you get it back. Some cleaners will use professional Green cleaning products.  Check in for my next blog on Massage Oils and Balms.  Thanks for reading Roxanne Derkson RMT GCFP



the MeM day 7 - end of series 1

This was the final day in series 1 of the Massage Exchange Movement. Thanks to everyone for coming out, it was so much fun. We did our draw for a free 1 hour massage, and Sheola was the lucky winner! We taught a couple new techniques to wrap things up.

Bones for Life 1 Teacher Training

Gail French OT, PT, GCFP and BFL Trainer was in town last weekend teaching us Bones for Life 1. She is a dynamic and passionate instructor and has an excellent understanding of the body. We had a great time as we learned 30 different processes on how to improve bone health.