Health and Wellness to You this Holiday Season

I’m not ‘Dreaming’…

Albeit, a little late in the week…here’s my snow story:

December 17^th, 2009

Who’da thunk: forecasting 3 to 5 inches actually STUCK! As did the snow that actually fell. I guess it started around 3pm, just in time for holiday, 5 o’clock traffic! Here’s MY photo of snow in inner-city Las Vegas: 

I had a client today in Henderson, and from where I’m at in Las Vegas, the trip was about a 15-mile trek across town. I knew not to challenge the freeways, as Google Maps on my phone is very reliable when it comes to actual traffic conditions right in my palm. Checking Google Maps is a mainstay for my travel nowadays – it helps me avoid the accidents and places where there are a lot of people and cars not going anywhere! Well, Google Maps showed “red” in all directions on the freeways, so I decided to take the surface streets.

The complications that arose from even attempting to travel on a weather day like today led me to do some thinking outside the Google box. Although Google doesn’t report traffic on surface streets (yet!), I knew that there was a method to their madness in reporting the main highways’ traffic…so, I took that model and applied it to the main surface streets, doing what I could to avoid the very congested main streets.

Although the back streets were not managed by traffic lights, there were some less crowded and in my opinion “safer” areas to go through because of the thinner traffic. I headed through an area that I just knew had to connect to a major street. But, the 4 lane-wide street just dead-ended as I was approaching the freeway that towered above its road-blocked end. Upon turning around, the sky lit up – WOW! I was really impressed that I saw lightning during a snow storm. I thought maybe I was one of the few to witness it…until I was forced back into the heavily-trodden path of a main street where I could manage to turn off again into a safer neighborhood down the road.

It was at this time that I realized: all the lights in the houses, businesses, on the street…oh, and the traffic lights…were out. I think I must have witnessed some sort of massive “short” in the local power generation or relay station. That lightning, I now knew, was not the natural kind found in desert storms – it was human-generated power gone awry!

Oh, yes – I ‘ducked back down the alley” as Paul Simon might have been singing on my stereo, and quickly found a way out of that darkened surface street – and neighborhood I might add.

The entire trip took about an hour – everyone was driving safely and I only saw one, one-car accident on the way. I was happy to arrive…finally!

Hot Stone 101

A common menu item for most spas today, hot stone therapy has its roots in many cultures throughout the ages.  Used for over 2500 years for therapeutic purposes, many types of organic stone have been used to treat areas of the human body for various conditions including sore muscles, poor circulation, and curing acute edematous conditions.

The most common type and source for hot stone massage stones is a La Paz mix of basalt stones from the beaches of Mexico to provide the heated and grounding nature of a Hot Stone Massage treatment.  The therapy incorporates the use of the heat and weight of the stones with the classic Swedish technique to provide a lulling, relaxing stimulation of the two main circulatory systems in the body: the capillary blood vessel and lymphatic systems.

Using long, flowing strokes and pressure that creates a wave-like movement toward the center of the body, the bodyworker will encourage dilation of the blood vessels, including capillaries, and detoxification of individual groups of muscle cells, increasing metabolism of the cells’ waste products and diffusion into the catch-all lymphatic and blood vessel systems.

This process is one that occurs over a suggested 80-minute protocol, addressing every area of the body, including some energetic aspects, like the heart chakra and Hara.  The placement of the Hara stone directly over the abdomen encourages stimulation of the energy stored there, thereby drawing energy in or dissipating excess energy, eventually balancing the Hara, a main source of life-energy.

Each stone has a purpose – a place – that is directly related to its size.  The larger areas of the body use larger stones.  The toe stones are very small and used between the toes and address those reflex areas.  The shape of the stone has a lot to do with its utility:  longer, thinner stones are used for specific work, while rounder, thicker stones are used for long-term placement on larger areas of the body.

In the end, the symphony of heat, pressure, and motion, induces a clarifying and subduing environment for the body that results in a physically detoxifying and spiritually grounding massage.

Traditional Thai massage

An 800-year-old bodywork practice originating in Thailand. Traditional Thai Massage Incorporates therapist-assisted Indian Yoga positions and actively addressing the Chinese philosophy of energy lines - in Thai, named “Sen.” The result of the treatment is an up-lifting and re-centering of the active mind and body. 60, 90, 120 minutes. Purchase. Schedule. See all HIM’s Services.

Reflexology Session

Reflexology is a method of addressing congestion in the systems of the body by affecting the reflexes in the feet and hands. The session may include the use of essential oils that assist in detoxifying and clearing the body and systems, depending on your goals for the session. Perfect as an enhancement (an additional 30 minutes) to a Signature Massage or as a complete session. 60 or 90 minutes. Purchase. Schedule. See all HIM’s Services.

Signature Massage

A therapeutic massage that is developed specifically for you, based on your needs at the time of session. Utilizes a variety of modalities, including: Reflexology, Trigger Point therapy, Shiatsu, Russian Sports massage, Structural Integration, and Acupressure. 60, 90, 120 minutes. Purchase. Schedule. See all HIM’s Services.

Models from Abroad Strike Again!

In my experience, which does not include losing thousands of dollars like other MTs around the U.S. but right up to that “point of no return,” the following email has not the scent of an Italian model, but rather that of a rat.

I have 8 unique attempts at fraud in my file - unique in their origin, but very common in their M.O. The following email is another attempt. Some key elements of this type of email fraud that I’ve found evident in every fraudulent email are:

• Non-Domestic - best characterized by the email domain that is not .com, .net, .us, .biz, .info, .org, .gov (or other “dot” that you recognize more often), and also characterized by the broken English writing & unofficial “official” statements [like the "confidentiality" statement at the end of this email],
• Model - the model him/herself or their agent (friend, manager, travel agent) is not necessarily a model, but is someone travelling from abroad to Nevada,
• “U.S.” is where they are traveling to - a specific address is never stated as to where they will be staying so you can go to them to do your massage, and they most likely will agree to come to you,
• Referral - they will mention that they got your name from someone else that knows of you, but your name will never be used in the email (unless you give it to them),
• Introduction & Correspondence emails are different - the introduction email is a template filled in with basic information they have about the state you’re in; the city and your name remain unknown and unacknowledged by the writer (unless you give it to them).

Here’s the Email:

From: marcetocca@tiscali.it [mailto:marcetocca@tiscali.it]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:04 PM
Subject: Massage Inquiry

Hello,
How are you today? My name is Mrs Marcella Fedelle, i live and work here in italy, i am 36yrs old. I have been doing massage since 1989. I do a deep relaxation massage in which the muscles relax without pain, I also do energy massage that helps people feel great when I am done. I am certified to do pregnancy massage .I have lots of happy clients here in italy , I have a client Miss Alessandra Amato A Model here in italy ,She will be coming to the U.S in three weeks time for a modeling job and she will be residing in Nevada temporarily until the neccesary arrangement for her job has been made before she leaves,she will be needing massage therapy 1hr session three times a week for one month

Miss Amato asked me to come with her to the US but i told her i would not be able to go with her to the US as i have a course i will be going for in a week time and the course will last for three months.So i promised to help her get a good practitioner in your Area.

I have been looking for a massage therapist for over two weeks till i met an old friend Mrs Jessica Claire at the Cosmetic Surgery And Beauty Conference that was held over the weekend in Milano. I spoke with her about my client and was referred to you. She gave me your referral.

Pls tell me a little more about yourself,how long have you been a massage therapist?and would you be able to provide her massage therapy?

I will also need you to get back to me with the amount you charge per session and also let me know if she can pay you via Us Certified Cashiers Check

Pls send your reply to my personal email address ( __________@yahoo.it ) because i do check it frequently.

Thank you very much and do have a nice day..

Marcella Fedelle
Via Cusani, 26

20123 Milano ,
Italy

———————————–CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:——————————————————The information contained in this email is privileged and confidential, and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any disclosure,copying,distribution, electronic storage or use of this communication is prohibited. If you receive this communication in error, please notify us immediately by email, attaching the original message, and delete the original message from your computer and any network to which your

Telefona e naviga senza limiti con Tiscali Voce 8 Mega a soli € 15 al mese per i primi 12 mesi. In seguito paghi € 29,90 al mese. Attiva entro il 6/11/08!

_______________________________________________________________

The idea and the M.O. is for you to agree to perform a series of massages, “costing” them $500+, usually in the thousands. You will give them a bill prior to meeting them, and they agree to send you a certified or cashier’s check. You get the check, never performing the services, and they ask you to deposit it, because… due to the mistaken travel arrangements with the agent, you’ve been overpaid through the check that has been cut and it on its way to you. They want you to deposit the check and send the difference to someone else. To incent you, you can keep a couple hundred “extra” (in addition to your bill) for your trouble.

Unfortunately, the official-looking check you deposited 30 days ago will be returned to your bank and you will owe the bank the amount of money for which the fraudulent check was written. You will have written a “good” check and mailed it to the travel agent for the thousands in difference on the “official” check, that same check will have cleared your account, and you will have never seen your “client” because they postponed their trip. You will probably never get to do your massage with them.

Ways to say no:

1. “no.”
2. “no, thank you.”
3. “I’m sorry: I don’t take checks.”
4. “I’m sorry: I don’t take checks from people I’ve just met and/or that don’t have a NV ID/DL.”

To read more about this method of email fraud, visit Wikipedia’s page that describes this and most types of fraud: Advanced Fee Fraud

To understand what the Federal Trade Commission is doing about email scams or to report an attempt, please visit their website.

HIPAA On the Horizon

Client safety and confidentiality the intent of HIPAA - improves alternative health care industry

If you’ve ever thought twice about filling out a health questionnaire that your massage or bodywork practitioner has asked you to complete, you are not alone. It is within the scope of a Practitioner to ask questions about your health in order to provide you with the best service possible – safeguarding your state of health, knowing and practicing the contraindications for you and the bodywork you are receiving, and preventing any complications in providing that service. With rising fraud crimes and use of electronic filing systems, it is a valid concern of the Client and Practitioner that information can be misplaced, mishandled, and miscommunicated.

In 2003, the healthcare industry adopted a government standard for getting and keeping your personal health information for purposes of practicing medicine and filing insurance claims. It is named HIPAA: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA has three major purposes:

1. To protect and enhance the rights of consumers by providing them access to their health information and controlling the inappropriate use of that information;
2. To improve the quality of healthcare in the United States by restoring trust in the healthcare system among consumers, healthcare professionals and the multitude of organizations and individuals committed to the delivery of care; and
3. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery by creating a national framework for health privacy protection that builds on efforts by states, health systems, individual organizations and individuals.

Bodyworkers and Clients alike will be satisfied to know that the HIPAA law in place today protects the Protected Health Information (PHI) of the Client in every aspect of the healthcare information-gathering process when insurance claims are filed with companies such as BlueCross and BlueShield.

At this time, compliance is not mandatory for Bodyworkers in the industry of Alternative Healthcare (unless the information is used in an insurance claim situation), but many Information Technology systems are developing in order to accommodate the eventual governmental requirement. If you didn’t know already, currently it is industry-standard to get a written release form from the Client in order for the Practitioner to give or receive health record information from the Client’s doctor.

Look in the near future for your practitioner to have HIPAA information and compliant forms with his or her intake form to assure you that your information is handled with the level of concern and confidentiality it deserves.

Bugs & the Bux: Old Dog Learns New Trick

“Please explain the primary reason you were not highly satisfied with the accuracy of your order.”

Now, doesn’t this seem like a ridiculous or nit-picky question to ask on a customer survey?

To me, it does…here’s why:

I’ve been in customer service my entire life – haranguing people about their experience to a depth that Sigmund Freud would think is intrusive is not a characteristic I appreciate in a company or the person asking for the feedback. Remember the dog in the Bugs Bunny cartoons that always asked Bugs (his prey) “Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?” with the adorable, yet annoying repetition and cadence that got you confused as to whether or not to feel sorry for the dog? I am Bugs Bunny and Starbucks (my long time favorite) is the dog.

Here’s my “ ‘Dat way…” response:

“Highly satisfied would mean that I know the formulated way that the drink is made and that I also know that the barista, tweaked it, changing it to my specific taste, which I’ve never done (because I never was highly satisfied with a particular way a barista made my formulated drink, enough for me to stop and ask them “how did you just make my drink - I am highly satisfied” and then go on to continue to order an iced coffee in the exact same way, outside normal protocol and to my exact taste, in which case I would be “highly” satisfied each time I ordered it in that fashion) and being satisfied is like being pregnant, either you are or you’re not - there are no viable degrees of satisfaction when you are considering accuracy - either it’s accurate or it’s not. If I was served a caramel Frappuccino instead of my iced coffee, the order would be inaccurate and I could be highly dissatisfied with the entire visit, so accuracy and inaccuracy are really not in grades.”

The Bux is willing to give a free Tall drink, though, for their annoyance of completing a 5-minute (that’s a SUPER long time in the online world) online survey. That is what surveys are today for many customers: annoyances. I am rarely annoyed when I am asked to give a reasonable amount of time to feedback AND don’t have to give me email address: this is the case with the recent ploy by the Bux to get their data, called a Survey. By the way, Panda Express gives a free $1.25 entrée when you complete their online survey, too. Those that know me can assume that I like a good survey or two, especially if I think it will help a business that I like a lot or a person that is sincere in asking.

So, the businesses (en masse) asking for these random experiences to be quantified through filled bubbles and taken keystrokes are proving, to me at least, that they are willing, now, to pay for the respondent’s time. I have actually had my time paid for by Starbucks in “free drink” coupons by waiting too long for a drink at both drive-up and lounge windows. And, to get you back in, concerned and great customer service-oriented businesses will give something free to take the chance that you’ll buy something else while you’re there.

But, really: Asking a caffeine addict if they want free caffeine is like asking a crack addict if they want a hit…quite literally. They will come back, because they have no choice. Starbucks is my favorite crack…-aHem-…I mean, coffee shop.

On the Record - CAM Products and the FDA (revised)

This may be something you’re interested in: the adequate protection your health through regulated consumables: now, or in the future.

Last year, I wrote an article that outlined the FDA’s attempt to regulate CAM products, including massage therapy oils/consumables, to the Nth degree, mirroring Sweden’s [Medical Products Agency’s] current regulatory process for products on the shelves in their country.

Haven’t heard any more about it?

Well, here’s a recap of the article I wrote with some ancillary information you may be interested in reading. When you’re done, read on about a new initiative to reform the FDA – and understand how you can help yourself and the country’s regulation of food and drugs.

The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) industry has boomed over the past 10 to 20 years. Thousands of CAM products and services have flooded the market, in which there is also the same demand – and it only grows. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that in May 2004, 36% of Americans, aged 18 or older, used some form of CAM product or service. This number is expected to increase dramatically over the next 10 years and beyond.

There is some concern in the general public, the CAM practitioner community, the bodyworker community, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the growing popularity of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the implications for regulation of the consumable products that are an inherent part of the delivery of the CAM service. The FDA is proposing regulation by law of the industry of CAM by regulating the CAM products that are used by practitioners in the industry.

The FDA Stance. They state that in the interest of the safety of the general public that utilizes the services and products of the CAM practitioners, they are considering restricting use of certain types of products that are produced in circumstances that are not advisable or regulated by the FDA, a governmental agency acting on behalf of the Consumer. Click here http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06d-0480-gld0001.pdf to read their Draft Guidance and reasoning on the subject.

The CAM Practitioner Stance. Most tissue-manipulation and energy bodyworkers use only their hands (and no implements or organic products internally) and external lubricants to manipulate the tissue through the skin of the client. There are other CAM practitioners (like nutritional counselors and holistic doctors) that prescribe nutritional supplements, botanical or essential oils, and dietary aids and foods, under which the FDA would like to categorize, label, and regulate the production of these CAM products. What “CAM products” will become is: difficult to find – less available if laws regulate what can be purchased; more expensive to purchase – because of less competition and the cost to produce the product under FDA regulation; more processed, less organic – because of the proposed pharmaceutical nature and process of the production of CAM products; and, the variety of products will be greatly diminished due to the origin of the products not being approved by the FDA to be legally prescribed or sold for use in CAM practices.

The CAM Client Stance. The general public wants to know what is in the products that are being used on their skin and inside their bodies. They are becoming more aware of the old adage “You are what you eat” and how true it is in regard to what ever a person is exposed or consumes. They have a right to understand and be able to choose the products they are exposed to or consume based on the latest information possible from a consumer group that acts on their behalf. The possible regulation by the FDA may: limit the types and variety of products available to the CAM Client thereby removing a choice, raise the cost of obtaining these products due to the regulatory nature of the production of the CAM products, increase the safety of the products being used on or in the bodies of the CAM Client thereby reducing the physical response to a product that has been untested for safety and effectiveness toward the condition it is meant to address, and possibly change the face of the products that will ever be available to the CAM Client based on the recommendation of their CAM Practitioner.

Your Stance. The FDA is accepting and registering public comment for purposes of survey and public record about their proposal. You have the opportunity to register your opinion for the record, and may do so here: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/comments/COMMENTSMain.CFM?EC_DOCUMENT_ID=1451&. If you are concerned about the CAM products that are on the market today and want to voice your opinion to the FDA, you’ll need to do so by April 30^th, 2007, to be “on the record.”

There is a new movement, on behalf of consumers and the public affected by the current practices of the FDA, to bring to the attention of Congress the deficits the FDA places on the newest markets of drugs and CAM products; “new science.” The American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF) is leading a campaign to reform the FDA, starting with a petition that will be delivered to Congress.

To read what the petition is about and to sign it electronically or print a copy to send to your elected Congressperson, visit the AAHF online.

You are the “one more” signature closer to changing things…

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