Eyestrain & Tension Headache Relief

When I was a proofreader at a publishing house, I would frequently get eyestrain or tension headaches. It didn't matter if I was bending over my desk or scanning the computer screen...when the pain hit, it hit. I would swallow all the over-the-counter stuff my stomach could stand, take a walk, change my posture, drink some water...you get the idea. But as you can guess, it did not get rid of the pain. At one point, the pain was so bad, that I contemplated quitting!

And then I came across a book that talked about pressure points on the body. You work the points to relieve stress, tension and pain. And no side effects. Intrigued, I read on...

To relieve eyestrain and tension headaches, massage all the fingers of both hands, front and back for several minutes.

Well, I did. While it felt good, it didn't relieve my eyestrain or my headache. But it did take the edge off of the pain. I thought that I hadn't massaged my fingers long enough. As I kept working, I noticed that the webs between my fingers were painfully tender. As I massaged the tender skin between my pinky and the ring fingers, I noticed my eyestrain and tension headache going away.

The next time I had an eyestrain and tension headache, I worked the webs between my fingers only. And surprisingly, the eyestrain and headache lifted within a few minutes. In the months that followed, I continued to massage between my fingers whenever I had eyestrain or felt a headache coming on. I shared this tip with my fellow proofreaders and soon everyone on all three shifts were using this technique.

So, I would like to amend the following suggestion:

To relieve eyestrain or tension headaches, do massage the fingers on both hands (for relaxation) and make sure to work the webs between the fingers. If the webs between the fingers are painful or extremely thick and tender, work lightly and diligently until the pain and tenderness are gone. Don't neglect the rest of the hand, either. A good massage of the entire hand can feel great. You'll be relaxed and best of all, pain free!

"Those bites are from WHAT--BED BUGS!"

As I was thinking of a good topic to blog about, a colleague of mine sent me a great email. It was so good, in fact, I asked permission to re-post it. She told me to "blog away!" So, here in its entirety, complete with NATURAL REMEDIES to get rid of those pesky critters, is "Bed Bugs."

Bed Bugs

By Yvonne Salcido M.H.

Renee Waters ND

I love animals just like most of you but bed bugs are not my favorite of the animal kingdom. There has been much coverage the last few months on bed bugs in the media. Several states are having significant problems having an economic impact on the citizens and local government. Yet this problem is not new. People have been sleeping with bed bugs for centuries. Hence the saying "sleep tight don't let the bed bugs bite". Shortly after World War II, the pest in America and Western countries was virtually annihilated with toxic chemicals such as DDT. They continued to flourish in less developed nations. Reported infestations in the U. S. have increased 500% since the 1990's. All 50 states have reported infestations and this is not a lower income problem, bug bugs don't know the difference between anyone's tax bracket they just need a host. Many five star hotels, theaters, and upper end retail stores have had to shut their doors to deal with extermination.

So why are they back? We have created an environment for them to flourish! Many people travel the globe; more than any generation before us. Detection and prevention are critical--you must know what to look for. You can't fight an enemy you don't even know is lurking about. Here are a few guidelines and home remedies that could help in the battle with these pesky pests.

Are they Dangerous?

Bed Bugs feed on our blood causing:

Inflammation

Itchiness

Infection

Mental health issues (if you have an infestation in your home, it can make you crazy)

No evidence of transmitting disease? (This is according to doctors, but bed bugs DO carry 24 different pathogens. I wonder?)

Prevention:

Bed Bugs like clutter and crevices, so CLEAN UP & DE-CLUTTER

Vacuum often

Use Hot Water to clean clothes (as heat and freezing kills)

Dry clothes in the dryer (again, heat kills)

Place sheets that cover mattress completely (you can get plastic covers that cover entire mattress and pillows)

When traveling be careful where you put your suitcase; it's best to put in the closet

Detection:

Blood Stains (from bites, itching);

Black spots that look almost like mold on mattress, sheets, or furniture;

Bite patterns of three (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); they can be mistaken for mosquito bites;

Look like lentil or apple seeds, are reddish brown (very close to an jalapeño seed in size);

Prefer humans (but will take any mammal, typically mice or birds).

They do have electronic monitoring devices and trapping devices available now.

There are 5 different stages of molting (go to www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/index.html to view the different stages)

Elimination:

To eliminate bed bugs you can use heat or freeze methods. You can find many companies that use these methods. To eliminate by heat they bring in huge heaters seal up the house and basically cook the inside of your home. The freeze method uses Cryonite this is liquid carbon dioxide, in minus degrees. This is food safe no chemicals!! The EPA warns against companies using pesticides that are not to be used indoors. Of course we don't ever want to use toxic chemicals. Bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide (that is what we breathe out, and larger amounts while sleeping).

Here are some herbs that repel bed bugs: Black Walnut, Eucalyptus, Garlic, Lavender, Black Cohosh, Cayenne, Mint, Lavender, Guyabano, Thyme, Neem.

Traveling:
Be prepared make an herbal sachet that repels bed bugs. Take 4 leave two in your suitcase (so you don't take pests home). Then place one under your bed and one on your bed. Eat plenty of garlic while traveling it will keep you from getting food poisoning and repel other creatures you wouldn't want to bring home.

Herbal Sachet: (use cut herbs) this not only has bed bug repelling herbs, but will be pleasantly aromatic - 3 parts Black Walnut, 3 parts Thyme, 2 parts Sweet Flag, 1 part Lavender, 1 part Mint.

I make my own bug sprays—if anyone would like a bug repellant just e-mail me. Also check out this website for great deals on Natures Fresh Herbal products for home and office use. www.mynsp.com/thecountrydoctor

Mama Z's is the place to be!

I was lucky...yes, very lucky. It turns out one Saturday I stopped in to Mama Z's Bakery & Java Hut and attended a Partylite/Pampered Chef party. I was able to order much-needed beeswax tealights (unscented) and a couple of cute kitchen gadgets.

As it turns out, Mama Z's offers many more such events. There is a Tupperware party scheduled, as well as a sewing class--making mittens.

Clubs use the shop: quilters and scrapbook/Stampin' Up have monthly get-togethers. If your group is in need of a place to gather, check out Mama Z's.

Okay...okay, I know I need to talk about the FOOD and DRINKS. Forgive me, it has been so long since I've been to a party. I'm a little giddy.

At the party, we munched on the mouth-watering chocolate-drizzled cheesecake! Since the party, I've stopped in to purchase donuts (LOVE the chocolate icing and sprinkles!) and the bestest-tasting chai tea. A scratch bakery and a fresh java hut--offering delectable and reasonably-priced items in the midst of fast food and gas station crud. No matter how many times I complain to the local 'golden arches'(you know who you are), my vanilla cappuccino always tastes like it is made with "burned" coffee. Ick! Why settle for burnt when you can have fresh, tasty drinks at a better price?

And guess what? Starting in a few weeks, Mama Z's will be adding salads and soups to their menu made with fresh, organic and locally-grown ingredients. Purchasing your healthy meal is a very "green" way to sustain and support a local business. I hope that they will be able to add sandwiches...

Whether you are in search of pies for Thanksgiving, birthday & wedding cakes, cupcakes or freshly-baked wheat and sunflower bread, Mama Z's has something for you. Donuts, cookies, and the drinks--MMM-mmm!

Want to learn more? Well, you're in luck! Mama Z's Bakery & Java Hut has a website: www.mzsbakery.com. You can also "like" them on Facebook: Just search for Mama-Zs-Bakery.

Want to place an order or book your group? Just call 715-942-0286.

Heck, why not just stop in? It's easy to find, right on the main drag in King: Mama Z's Bakery & Java Hut, N2826 Cty. Hwy. QQ in King, WI (next to Chef Chu's).

Or if you are in a hurry--they DO have a drive-up window!

And maybe you'll see me, chatting with the owners as they make my large chai tea...or a tasty vanilla cappuccino. Yum!

Food...ick! First musings on Food

Out of curiosity, I rented Food, Inc. from Netflix. I had caught a few minutes of the author/movie producer being interviewed by Oprah. I had no idea that once I popped that DVD in the player, I would join Alice down the rabbit hole.

I grew up on a farm, surrounded by animals and crops. Mom even had a large garden. I thought I knew where my food came from (from the fork to the grocery store to the farm...). I was shocked to see the cattle holding pens...animals deep in mud waiting to go to the processing plant. Some animals so sick they couldn't stand being rolled down the lane with a forklift.

Sounds funny, huh? Have you ever seen, let alone tried to knock down a 1,200 lbs. holstein? Top of the line in dairy cattle, these girls are made to produce milk in large quantities. Their enormous stature and girth make them excellent producers, but they are fragile creatures. A slip and fall that injures a foot could prove disastrous to a heavy cow that can't regain its feet. Standing knee deep in mud can lead to foot disease that takes the cow off her feet. Breech births and birthing overly large calves can also be harmful. And then there's mastitis. Did I mention that I grew up on a farm?

Anyway, back to my original thought...what if you were 1,200 lbs. and you fell down...how would you get back on your feet? How would you like it if the EMS worker decided it was easier to roll you to the Emergency Room with a forklift? Not so funny now, is it?

And why these acres and acres and acres and acres of crazy pens? All because a certain restaurant chain (which will remain nameless) can have hamburgers that taste the same, no matter if you buy one in Milwaukee or London.

Look at the labels of the food you are buying in the supermarket. What do the pictures portray? Beautiful scenes of farmland, etc.? I bet you didn't know that the family farm here in Wisconsin is almost extinct. Driven out by industrial "Mega Farms" of giant pole (loafing) sheds, which stink. The WI DNR has set rules in place as to how much "poo" can be hosed onto surrounding farmland without disturbing the local water table. Yeah...hate to tell you...if you have well-water and live close to one of these monstrosities, you probably are drinking liquid poo. All the good stuff they feed the cows: fermented silage, corn, antibiotics, growth hormones, etc. It goes in the mouth and comes out the other end. Great.

Who is to blame? Oh, it gets better. Stay tuned.

Want to know more? I mean, BESIDES my opinion? Rent the DVD; read the book. The cover is a pretty black-and-white holstein cow covered by a bar code. The title remains the same for both: "Food, Inc."

H1N1 Flu vaccinations

From all published reports, the H1N1 vaccination test results are performing exactly as expected. Infants and small children need 2 injections, while older children and adults will require just one.

And just a note, this vaccination is different from the regular flu vaccination that is given yearly.

Feeling leery about getting these shots? It's okay. There are a lot of people that feel the same way. Will getting the shot help me from contracting the flu virus or H1N1? The answer is maybe.

It takes 2 weeks for the H1N1 vaccination to build enough antibodies. If you are exposed before the two weeks or have already contracted it...well, you know the answer to that.

Dr. Oz had several experts from government health organizations on his show last week to talk about the vaccinations and the symptoms for H1N1. For more information, go to http://www.doctoroz.com/. Don't type in "http://www.droz.com unless you want to buy baseball cards.

Our bodies are great at self-healing. Vaccinations are meant to keep us from getting certain diseases or getting life-threatingly sick. Since the discovery of smallpox and polio vaccinations (and many more), life in modern times has gotten better. We live longer. We are healthier.

One of the ways to help yourself is to WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!!!! I remember a nasty memory while working at a publishing house many years ago. I had just returned to work after being out sick for a week with the flu. I was still weak, but ready to go back to work. While coming out of the bathroom stall, I bumped into one of the department secretaries rushing from her stall. She stopped at the sink long enough to fluff her hair and run out the door, back to her department. She had been in her stall when I came in, doing both a number one and two. I was incredibly grossed out. I over-washed my hands, then scrubbed down the door handle with soap and water before I left. When I got back to my desk, I swabbed down my desk, keyboard and phone with alcohol wipes, then finished with a healthy massage of hand sanitizer. My colleagues asked me what was the matter, and of course, I had to tell them! I asked my supervisor, "What could have been so important that she couldn't stop and wash her hands for 10 seconds?"

Did I get sick because of lack of hand washing (and possibly wiping)? She was in a hurry, after all. I don't know. I've been paying attention to health reports and statistics on office sickness and "sick offices." Isn't it like, 80% of all sickness can be prevented from washing your hands? Geez, with statistics like that, isn't it worth a few extra seconds to wipe, wash your hands with soap and water and rinse?

And yes, it is healthy to get sick...sometimes. When you get sick, it usually means your body is out of whack, whether it is due to stress or injury or trauma or disease. Your immune system, those little soldiers which fight off the bad guys, are overwhelmed. They can't be everywhere. So you get sick. Your body responds by sending your immune system in guerrilla troops to overwhelm the virus, and learn from it. Your immune system-soldiers then learn how to combat the virus and create and release anti-virus bombs to take out the invader. They don't stop until the virus is defeated. And you get better. And now you have "antibodies" to keep you from getting the same illness again. Pretty cool, right?

Now, hold up your right hand and repeat after me: "I solemnly swear that I will wash my hands WITH soap and water EVERY time after I use the bathroom." Thank you. You may never know how many lives you have saved from illness. Rx: Follow this example daily, as many times as needed, to maintain your overall health.

Have a healthy day!

To Charge or Not To Charge? That is the Question, Horatio...

Since deciding to re-open my business locally, I have been debating on what to charge for the modalities I am trained in. For Swedish or Relaxation Massage Therapy, prices are based on time...generally, a half-hour runs about $30, an hour $50-$65, etc. It can also depend upon the modality. Practitioners with specialty training, such as CranioSacral Therapy or Lomi Lomi may charge more. Some therapists I have come across in the past would raise their prices after learning a new technique. In the past, this may have worked. Clients would still seek out our services. There were always new and existing clients walking through out office doors. But what about now?

My business started drying up as soon as the gas prices started hitting the $3 mark. My clients in Bloomer would book once a month or once every two months to save money. My clients in Menomonee Falls just stopped re-booking. My prices had remained the same throughout. While the marketing campaign in the Falls wasn't producing much action, I found that my Bloomer business was being sabotaged. My business was being dried up deliberately with gossip. And it wasn't coming from the clients...

So I've been somewhat gun-shy to move in with another group of therapists or practitioners here in Waupaca. I have always wanted to open my own shop and besides see clients, offer classes/workshops and teach Reflexology. Right now I'm working in a location where I can rent space by the hour/day. There are several therapists that share two treatment rooms, so each of us has to be on the ball with our schedules. I hope to be moving to my own spot within 6 months to one year. I don't think I can do much longer than that. If I'm unable to have my own space, I'm afraid that I may just give up Soothing Sessions Bodywork in frustration and go back to the dreaded "J. O. B." I love being a therapist and I love helping people. And clients tell me how much they like my laughter and my belief in them.

And now, back to service fees...

Since the big WI Spring Reflexology Conference, I've been going over a conversation I had with another Reflexologist. She has been seeing clients for nearly twenty years. All she asks is that they pay what they can. When I asked if she ever got taken advantage of by clients, she said yes. But she also added, "When that happened, the next two clients would make up for the deficit. I always had enough coming in to keep my doors open."

Pretty powerful. Can I have that much faith in my "new" clients? Can I believe that once I set my foot on this path that I won't regret it? I am a little afraid...this is unknown territory. But I do want to help people. The services I offer are not luxuries! I am so-o-o sick of Oprah and Suzy Orman telling people to cut back! What is so good about having money in a savings account when you are so doped up on medication that you can't get off the couch? Or are suffering from stress or in pain, but won't seek even chiropractic help because these TV-goddess guru devils have told them anything but paying the mortgage is a luxury. Granted, they were working with people heavily in debt...BUT...people watching these shows put themselves in the hotseat as they watch. They see Suze screech and Oprah shake her head at a guest that gets her hair done once a month. Then they turn to the second guest who has been cutting coupons for the last four months and is feeding her family unhealthy boxed meals, and scold her for getting a monthly manicure. "I take care of my nails in between and have saved so much!" The guest is beaming. Then Suze leans in, putting her hand on the woman's knee and says, "Honey, you'd have $400 more a year if you'd just STOP doing that stuff!" Oprah tssks in agreement. Geez...

Now tell me, when have you EVER seen Oprah or Suze do a show without the hair, nails, makeup and wardrobe done up just right? Do you think that either of them now have anything in their closet and show wardrobes that ISN'T a designer label???? How much money would they save (including their reputations) if they practiced what they preached? Do they do their own manicures and pedicures? Do they buy their makeup at the grocery store? Do they shop for their clothes at Wal-mart, Kmart, or thrift stores? Do they put off getting health check-ups because the out-of-pocket expenses need to go to keeping a roof over their heads or food on the table or gas in the tank or the lights on or clothes on their kids' backs? How do their priorities work? What makes them think that they, at this time in their lives with the wealth they have acquired, still be relate-able to the rest of us? They need to turn the "holier-than-thou" knob down a few turns. Walk a few miles in my shoes, "honey."

I am one of those "luxuries" scolded about. I am an entrepreneur, a self-employed business owner offering my services for a fee. I don't work for free. I am a professional, trained in various modalities. The money I collect for these "luxuries" I offer go back into the local community I live in, as well as the charities I and my family have supported over the years. I try to be as philanthropic as my income allows each year. I save when I can. I pay my bills as best I can. And yes, I do offer the occassional "freebies." But you'll never catch me telling a client that they'll save more money if they stopped paying their bills--don't you consider your VISA a "luxury?" Or to stop paying for their groceries. Suze and Oprah need to take a deep breath and realize how they are coming across...and they need to STOP interfering with small businesses.

Anyway...

As you can see, I have had a lot to mull over. While I want to keep my services affordable, there is a bottom line I need to make to keep my doors open. So I have decided to offer a sliding scale fee.

Wow, so much angst at the moment. As you can tell, I rarely watch Oprah anymore. It's hard to be on her side when she's not on yours. Thanks for letting me rant. I hope you've found it amusingly therapeutic. Until next time!

Here I am...

I'm back. Sorry it's been awhile. I've been busy, closing down two satellite offices and finishing up "busy work" to turn in to the Executive Board after resigning as President of the Reflexology Organization of Wisconsin (R.O.W.).

Now I am focusing on opening an office locally. Since I can't afford my own office space yet, I'm starting out slow. I'm renting room space and working on getting back into the swing of things. A recent injury had sidelined me for a month. And now I am antsy to get back to working on people. I have decided to live a more balanced life. I am balancing my hours better and am also making time for regular exercise and touch therapy for me. I'm hoping that by this time next year, I will have enough $$$ saved to look into renting and re-modeling a space that will work for me...and the school I want to open.

I know, I know. Lots of work to do to prepare. This time I am taking the time to do what needs to be done. I'm not going to just "jump in" and hope for the best.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for listening!