Did you know regular therapeutic massages can do more than relieve stress? There have been numerous studies that show the positive effects of massage and the value of making them part of your wellness routine. In fact, both The New York Times and Oprah.com recently wrote articles about a study done by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles that identified significant physical benefits from massage. Mark Rapaport, M.D., chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences … [Read more...] about Massage Benefits Reach Beyond Relaxation
Columnists
Enjoy Life–Drink Fresh Coffee
Through the trials of life and periods where our steps seem to be going backwards, a little something to inspire and prod us ahead cannot be underestimated. Enjoying a good cup of fresh coffee helps remind us to stop…breath…love…and live! Coffee Boost While caffeine alone can boost the mood and energy levels, the heady aroma of freshly roasted beans, the sound, smell, and warmth of just ground coffee and the dripping of the brew all contribute to the senses being … [Read more...] about Enjoy Life–Drink Fresh Coffee
Captain, May I ?
Remember the game we all played as kids, where to make a move, you had to wait for direction and then ask for permission? It seems like a lesson many of us learned well enough to carry into our adulthood and professions. But recently, a friend shared that she and her husband will be following their dream and passion to open a new restaurant in town. And since then, I have been mulling the question of courage. It takes a good deal of courage to go out on your own and leave the security of a … [Read more...] about Captain, May I ?
Rising From the Ground…Building an Energy Star Home
This is the third installment in a series chronicling the steps to building an energy efficient home based on a current project here in Flagstaff. We are building a house for a professor just north of NAU who is prioritizing energy efficiency. The first two articles covered the basics of getting out of the ground. The next few topics will dive deeper into the details. Erecting the walls, floors, and roofs is one of the most exciting times for any building project. You can start to get a sense … [Read more...] about Rising From the Ground…Building an Energy Star Home
Let the Blood Flow – Drug-Eluting Stents
Angioplasty with balloons and stents has saved lives and improved quality of life for millions of people. Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure used to restore blood flow in a narrowed or blocked artery in the heart. The arteries of the heart (the coronary arteries) can become narrowed and blocked due to buildup of a material called plaque on their inner walls. This narrowing reduces the flow of blood through the arteries, causing coronary artery disease, and can lead to heart … [Read more...] about Let the Blood Flow – Drug-Eluting Stents
Massage Can Help Chronic Pain
Chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis, is more widespread than most people know and can often be extremely debilitating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46 million Americans suffer from arthritis. The Fibromyalgia Association estimates that another 10 million suffer from fibromyalgia. These chronic pain conditions often limit normal daily activities, disrupt sleep and trigger psychological distress. Maybe you toss and turn night after night because of a … [Read more...] about Massage Can Help Chronic Pain
Missing Seniors Return Home
About 60 percent of the estimated 5.1 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will wander from home sometime in their life. About 70 percent of the wanderers will do so repeatedly. In fact, about 127,000 critical wandering incidents happen each year, the Alzheimer’s Association reports. It’s a frightening reality, as persons with Alzheimer’s can get lost even in their own neighborhood. And many are unable to ask for help or provide their name or address to those who might offer help. As … [Read more...] about Missing Seniors Return Home
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a series of four muscles and tendons that attach to the upper part of the arm and cover the head of the humerus. These tendons serve to elevate and rotate the shoulder, and tears of the rotator cuff are a common cause of shoulder pain. Cause Most tears are degenerative in nature – the tendon simply “wears out” due primarily to a decrease in blood supply at the attachment point of the tendon as we age. Patients who are especially at risk include those who engage in … [Read more...] about Rotator Cuff Tears
Arizona’s New Smokin’ Deals
Editor's Note: The Arizona Department of Health Services Director Will Humble is refusing to accept applications for dispensaries. He is concerned that Arizona will be subject to lawsuits and he is waiting for a federal court ruling on the issue. In the meantime, Arizona is issuing identification cards to patients who have a doctor's recommendation for use of marijuana. In November 2010, Arizona voters approved Proposition 203, the “Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.” Proposition 203 allows … [Read more...] about Arizona’s New Smokin’ Deals
Preparing for Wildfire Season
Last year, after experiencing one of the snowiest winters on record, we experienced three serious wildfires in our area. The first, Eagle Rock, burned north of Parks for several days in mid-June, eventually burning over 3,000 acres and requiring the commitment of hundreds of firefighters to suppress. Then, even as this fire continued, the Hardy Fire broke out here in town, consuming nearly 300 acres right at the back door, literally, of Little America. Despite forcing the evacuation of many … [Read more...] about Preparing for Wildfire Season