You Are a Genius at Vision - You Are a Vision Virtuoso - Just Open Your Eyes

Your creativity puts you in the company of geniuses. Your creativity is so effortless that you are unaware of the complexity of your actions, yet it far outstrips the ability of the nimblest supercomputers. To unleash your superpowers all you need to do is open your eyes. This is not the fantasy of a deranged person but the reasoned conclusion of researchers in the field of cognitive science. What you see when you open your eyes is not a mindless process of stimulus and response as was the understanding of behaviorists for so many years, but a sophisticated cognitive process that constructs the reality before you, the complexities of which we are just beginning to unravel. Your eyes are not a camera that unthinkingly records the scene before it when you click a button. In a fraction of a second your visual intelligence can decode scenes of subtlety and complexity. You can look at a person and in a blink of the eye form an impression not only of his outward appearance, but also of his character and personality. You can gaze at a painting by a master and be moved in wordless, inexpressible wonder. You can drive a car at 88 ft per second (60 miles an hour) and guide it with precision so as not to endanger your life or that of another. All of this we take for granted although it is of utmost complexity.

You are a vision virtuoso. This most likely has not always been evident to you nor has it always been appreciated by others. An early researcher at MIT so undervalued vision that he assigned it as a summer research project to a grad student as a preliminary exercize for a more challenging incursion into human and artificial intelligence. Now, several decades later and counting, literally thousands of researchers have built careers around the study of vision. Two of them (Hubel and Wiesel) won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1981 for their discoveries of vision development.

We are all familiar with vision illusions which seemingly trick our eyes into seeing things that are impossible. (See link at bottom for vision illusions) This suggests that vision fabricates, but that sometimes it fabricates without tethering itself to reality. Perhaps when our eyes are presented with an image that is ambiguous it is forced to come up with an interpretation that is the most likely under the circumstances. But our vision is governed by consistent principles. And this is the nature of visual intelligence, to construct, and to construct by means of elegant principles.

Without exception, everything you see you formulate with your visual intelligence - motion, shape, position, color, shading, texture, identity - and out of those elements you create the entire visual scene and its meaning. In 1851 the German physicist and physiologist Herman von Helmholtz revolutionalized the field of ophthalmology with his version of the ophthalmoscope. (Unbeknownst to Helmholzt, Charles Babbage invented the first ophthalmoscope 4 years earlier and gave it to a physician for testing, but it was soon misplaced and forgotten. Modern ophthalmoscopes are used during every eye examination by optometrists and ophthalmologists and are used to examine the retina and structures at the back of the eye.) But Helmholtz's endeavors were increasingly focused (pun intended) on the physiology of the senses and culminated in theories on color vision, depth perception and motion perception.

Helmholtz wrote, "The psychic activities that lead us to infer that there in front of us at a certain place there is a certain object of a certain character, are generally not conscious activities, but unconscious ones. In their result they are equivalent to a conclusion,... it may be permissible to speak of the psychic acts of ordinary perception as unconscious conclusions, thereby making a distinction of some sort between them and the common so-called conscious conclusions."

An eye-opening fact about vision is that children are skilled at vision before they are even able to walk. Before their first birthday they see a three dimensional world and can navigate through it quite adeptly, can recognize objects and grasp them skillfully with their hands. They are not taught how to see. Their parents do not sit down with them, after they have breast-fed or had their bottle, and explain to them how to determine shape, size, color and movement and how to use their two eyes together to judge depth. Indeed, the parents do not know how they do so themselves. And yet, every normal child, without being taught, creates a visual world similar to every other child - and solves the fundamental challenge of vision. The fundamental challenge of vision is that the image formed in the eye is subject to countless possible interpretations.

The fact that this is possible is because the principles of vision are a genetically determined part of the cognitive structure of the child. So children universally learn complex vision rules not because they are smart, not because they are taught, not because they are useful to them, but because they can't help it. It is their nature.

But occasionally there are roadblocks that interfere with normal vision development. Just as speech sometimes develops abnormally and requires the expertise of a speech-language therapist some children have a delayed or abnormal development of their vision skills which can interfere with their ability to do well in school or to excel in sports.

Specialists in vision therapy for children with delayed or abnormal development of visual skills are called developmental (or behavioral) optometrists. They are concerned with how well the child's vision functions. They are also specialists in the field of lazy, crossed or wandering eyes.

Five vision skills that can be improved by visual therapy are:

1. Binocularity - the ability to use the two eyes together efficiently and comfortably. It is essential for normal stereopsis (3-D vision)
2. Oculomotility- smooth and efficient eye tracking, essential for hand-eye coordination and skill at sports. ("Keep your eyes on the ball")
3. Accommodation/Convergence - the ability to refocus your eyes from far-to-near and near-to-far. It is critical for efficient reading.
4. Vision Perception - the skills needed to understand the world that you are "seeing" as described in the text above.
5. Visual-Motor integration - vision is integral to our movement. Without good vision, movement is impeded. Without good movement, vision is impeded. The two are conjoined.

Some symptoms that are the result of poor visual skills:

1. Headaches while reading or writing
2. Words run together or blur when reading
3. Loses place when reading
4. Reads below grade level
5. Head tilts or closes eye when reading
6. Difficulty understanding what is read
7. Hard to write in a straight line
8. Holds book very close
9. Burning, itching, watery eyes
10. Daydreams
11. Doesn't finish tasks on time

Click here for a link to vision illusions

Dr. David Littlefield

www.littlefieldoptometry.com

Dr. David Littlefield is a 4th generation optometrist in Leawood, KS in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He is interested in the development of vision and in enhancing the vision skills of children and adults.

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The Case of the Defective Hunting Rifle Scope and an Unexpected DevelopmentThe Case of the Defective Hunting Rifle Scope and an Unexpected Development

Mark loved to hunt every fall. He would get up early, brave the elements, and he and his buddies would go hunting as soon as deer season began.

But this season he noticed that his scope no longer worked. It must have become damaged over the winter and he would need a new one. His buddies had a successful hunt, but he came home empty- handed. But at least they all had a good time with their camaraderie and good natured fun. He couldn't wait until he got a new sighting scope and then installed it on his rifle and eagerly went hunting the next weekend. Much to his surprise he still was unable to see well out of his scope. Finally it dawned on him. Maybe it was his eye that was the problem and not the scope.

He made an appointment with me to have his eyes examined. He had been a childhood friend of mine, but it had been more than 30 years since I had seen him socially and I had never seen him professionally. In fact he had never had his eyes examined, other than for his driver's license, and he had never had trouble getting his license. (Incidentally, the drivers' license test is not an "eye examination"; it is merely a screening test checking the most basic of visual abilities.)

When he was in his early 40's he could no longer see very well at near, but "magnifying glasses" from Walmart worked just fine. His wife urged him to get his eyes examined, but he reasoned, "why should I get my eyes examined when I have no trouble with my eyes and I just need my magnifiers to see small print?"

Mark's reasoning is typical, but wrong. It would be like waiting until you had a heart attack before you saw a doctor "because your heart was beating just fine." The fact that we have two eyes is a blessing as well as a curse. In Mark's case his vision was deteriorating in his right eye, the eye that he used while sighting through the hunting scope. But in normal conditions he was relying upon the vision of his left eye and not aware of the poor vision of his right eye. This happens more often than you would think.

I often see people who are seeing poorly out of one eye but who are totally unaware of it until their eye examination. But even more frightening, I often see individuals that have normal visual acuity, that is they still have 20/20 vision, but a comprehensive eye exam reveals that they have an eye condition that needs treatment immediately - or at least preventative measures - to enable them to retain their vision. Just as your doctor might say, "your coronary arteries are 80% blocked and you need coronary bypass surgery" or "you need to take medication that will help you avoid a heart attack" eye doctors also recommend measures to help you preserve your vision. (I'm not talking about a new, stronger pair of eyeglasses.)

Mark's problem turned out to be macular degeneration in both eyes, but much more advanced in the right than in the left. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in older adults (60 an older) and seems to be increasing exponentially. The macula is the most central part of the retina (the part of the retina that images focus most sharply upon) and is essential for normal, 20/20 vision. A person with macular degeneration will eventually notice that when he looks directly at an object it is blurry, but peripheral vision still remains normal. This is terribly disabling because it will eventually prevent one from driving or reading or recognizing faces.

The macula is vulnerable to damage because bright light is focused upon it, and for the same reason that sunlight can damage skin it can damage the macula. The macula is highly metabolically active which means it generates many free radicals in the process of seeing which makes it more susceptible to damage than most other tissues of the body.

We can't stay indoors at all times to protect our eyes and we certainly can't stop using our eyes so what can we do to prevent damage? There are several ways of helping prevent damage to our eyes from macular degeneration.

The first way is akin to using sunscreen to protect your skin. A hat should be worn when outdoors to shade your eyes and a quality pair of sunglasses with UV protection. Sunglasses should be worn year round, not just in the summer, and even on hazy days. The UV radiation from the sun generates free radicals that damage the DNA of the cells in the retina and the macula. (Incidentally, UV radiation also increases the incidence of cataracts.)

The second way of protecting your eyes from macular degeneration is by eating kale and sardines several times a week. If you ate kale (or green, leafy vegetables like kale and spinach) and sardines (or cold water fatty fish like sardines and salmon and herring) you would have plenty of nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin and the omega 3 oils EPA and DHA in your normal diet. But, you probably don't, do you? Fortunately, there are supplements that will give you these essential nutrients that help protect your eyes from macular degeneration. Many people take supplements that include lutein and omega 3, but at far lower doses than is necessary.

The omega 3 oils are concentrated more in your eye and brain than in any other organs of your body because they are so critical to their proper functioning. Lutein and zeaxanthin are called macular pigments because they absorb harmful UV rays, preventing them from damaging the fragile cells of the macula. They are about 1000 times more concentrated in the macula than any other part of the body and also act as antioxidants, neutralizing the harmful by-products of metabolism.

We took photographs of Mark's retinas which showed multiple drusen. The first signs of degeneration are called drusen and are fatty deposits that accumulate between the retinal pigment epithelium and the retina. The number and size of the drusen help us determine the severity of the macular degeneration. We also did a test called OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) that gives us a view of the retinal and macula in cross section. The OCT is an amazing instrument that allows us to image the retina and the thin macula (only 1/100th of an inch thick) to a detail of a 5,000th of an inch and visualize the many layers of the retina to determine the extent of damage. This is important information because it enables us to differentiate between wet macular degeneration, which can be treated, and dry macular degeneration which cannot. It is also useful to see changes in the retina caused by diabetes, the other major cause of blindness up to the age of 60, and other diseases of the retina.

I sent Mark to a retinal specialist (who treats diseased of the retina and the vitreous) who decided that treatment would not be beneficial. A treatment that has proven successful for wet macular degeneration - although it cannot restore totally normal vision - is called Lucentis (or Avastin). It is injected into the eye and helps control the bleeding that is the hallmark of wet macular degeneration. This treatment usually has to be done multiple times in order to control neo-vascularization - the growth of new, fragile blood vessels in the retina that tend to bleed.

Most people take their vision for granted, the most precious of all senses. Surveys show that, next to life itself, the loss of vision is the most to be feared. Yet, sadly, many people like Mark pay little attention to their vision until it is too late. At the very least, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega 3 fish oils can be thought of as a good insurance policy. And if you smoke, we now know that it is a major contributor to macular degeneration.

www.littlefieldoptometry

Dr. David Littlefield is a 4th generation optometrist that practices in Leawood, KS in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He is especially interested in helping prevent the development of eye diseases by taking a nutritional and preventative approach. Macular degeneration can be largely prevented - or at least slowed down in its debilitating effects - by proper eyewear (sunglasses) and hats that shade the face and eyes and by nutrients including lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega 3 oils. But prevention must start early, before the disease causes an obvious loss of vision. As the saying goes, "close the barn doors before the horses escape."

http://www.littlefieldoptometry.com

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Cataract Surgery: An Ideal Option to Improve Eyesight

A cataract is nothing but a layer that develops on the crystalline lens of your eyes making it difficult for you to see. It is important that you get yourself treated immediately so as to cure yourself of this insecurity and eventually regain your vision. With the help of many inventions of technology, in the present day, there are different surgeries available. Cataract surgery is one of them wherein the cataracts are fairly treated. This surgery is a good value for the money you spend as eventually you will get your vision back and can lead a normal lifestyle.

If you have a bad vision, cataract surgery is the ideal option. As you age, cataracts tend to grow in one eye or at times both the eyes. These are cloudy layers which can be found on the lens of your eyes and this blurs your vision. It is imperative that you catch the initial signs of cataract such as hazy visions, sensitivity to sunlight, incapacity to differentiate colors, bad night vision, etc. These symptoms are quite dangerous to your eyes if not treated on time and can eventually lead you to blindness. If you think that you are suffering from these difficulties, then you may be required to undergo laser eye surgery.

You can browse the internet to find many professionals who are experts in this field. However, it is important that you undergo a medical test to find out whether you are the right candidate for the surgical process. You will have to fix an appointment with the professional to undergo these tests which will decide your candidacy for the cataract surgery. Undergoing this surgery can help to correct your vision by getting rid of the cataract from the eye. A skilled ophthalmologist can treat you during the laser eye surgery with the use of an optical laser.

The professional ophthalmologist will insert an intraocular lens as it will help to improve your eyesight. The time taken for the surgery for completion is one day and you will recover in a short span of time as well. You will be required to use eye drops for a few days after the eye correction surgery so as to combat bacterial infection. The ophthalmologist will advise you to take a few days off from your busy schedule and give preference to curing your eyesight. You can be assured that by following all the guidelines, you will not suffer from any side-effects and you can regain vision.

After undergoing the cataract surgery, you will be able to see clearly after two to three days. It is important that you take some precautions so that the cataracts do not appear again. Other than this type of surgery, you can also opt for LASIK or advanced PRK. The type of surgery you need to undergo will be recommended by the professional. You can face the surgery without having any apprehensions as they are safe. These surgeries are definitely a boon for you as there will be no more inconveniences. Choose the services of a professional ophthalmologist and you will not be disappointed.

Toby M Madras is the author of this article on Advanced Prk. Find more information on Laser Eye Correction here.

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Prevention and Cure for Dark Under Eye Circles

There is nothing more that can change your look than having tired looking, gloomy eyes. If you always find yourself flinching whenever you look in the mirror because of your zombie-look due to the dark circles under your eyes, then it's time to take action. Unless Halloween is just around the corner and you are planning to sport that look, then there is no excuse for you to let those dark circles stay.

There are different causes of dark under eye circles. One is genetics. Dark circles are very common among families with fair skin. Genetics is a very formidable enemy but it is not something you cannot find a way around with. Since this is a problem you've been born with, the best treatment for you is the use of eye cream products. An eye cream for dark circles is laden with ingredients that can help change the pigmentation of your skin.

Another reason for dark under eye circles is accumulated blood which leaked through the fragile capillaries around our eye area. Again, one way to treat this problem is to use an eye cream. This time though, it is best to look for an eye cream that can help dissolve the clotted blood on the area and not change the pigmentation of the skin.

Then again, prevention is always better than cure so it is wise to adapt healthy habits to prevent the development of this problem or to stop it from getting severe. One tip is to develop a good sleeping habit. Having eight hours of sleep every night is important because it gives our eyes and the skin around it to rest. Because the capillaries around our eyes are very sensitive, overexerting our eyes like staying up for long hours at night or reading when there is not enough light can cause the capillaries to burst and blood to leak and clot under our eye area.

You can also take vitamin K which helps in repairing damaged blood vessels and encourages circulation of blood. In addition to this, this vitamin also helps in reducing the possibilities of having eye puffiness. Vitamin K is often found on fruits like avocados, kiwis, and leafy green vegetables.

You should also add foods rich in vitamin A in your diet which also helps in repairing damaged skin tissues. Foods like liver, carrots, green vegetables, mangoes, cantaloupe, peaches, and pumpkins are examples.

Mark A. Robbins is a health and beauty expert. He has authored several books which have been used as reference in some schools. One of the most loved chapters in one of his books is about eye cream products.

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What Are the Symptoms to Be Watched for to Determine If You Are Suffering From Depression?

"I'm depressed." Does this statement sound familiar to you?

The word "depressed" became the generic term used by people in the society referring to their feelings when they are upset or sad. However, the symptoms of depression are more serious than merely feeling blue. In fact, depression can intensely impair the daily functions of an individual affecting the physical, emotional and mental aspect of the person. Worst of all, depression is indeed fatal.

The following questions may serve as guide to determine whether you are really suffering from depression. An affirmative answer to every question is equivalent to one positive symptom of depression.

Have you unintentionally lose or gain at least 5% of your weight?

A depressed individual may experience alteration in his/her eating pattern. The person may immensely lose appetite. Thus, a sudden decrease in his/her body weight would be evident. Otherwise, a depressed person may overeat as well. Overeating becomes his/her coping mechanism towards stressful situations.

Are you experiencing insomnia or hypersomnia?

Difficulty of sleeping or insomnia is one of the symptoms of depression. Usually, a depressed person over thinks about the stressful situation or event, keeping him/her awake throughout sleeping hours. On the other hand, depression might also make the person over sleep during waking hours. This serves as the person's escape from facing the distress he/she is experiencing.

Are you always feeling tired or fatigued?

People suffering from depression always feel tired or fatigued in any activities including those which they previously enjoy. They have lack of motivation or energy to socialize and even perform their favourite leisure pursuit.

Are you feeling worthless or excessively guilty about something?

Depressed persons generally feel that they are insignificant to others. They feel worthless and useless. They feel guilty about all the misfortunes in life they are experiencing. They keep on blaming themselves for everything.

Are you having difficulty concentrating, making decisions or remembering details?

Depression usually makes a person preoccupied with the distressing situation. As a result, the person would experience impairment in decision-making and remembering details. In like manner, a depressed person loses focus on whatever he/she does.

Are you having suicidal thoughts?

Having suicidal thoughts is the most dangerous aspect of depression. If this symptom would not be cleared out from the system of the depressed person, there is a very high percentage that the person might end up committing suicide.

If your answer is yes to at least more than one of the questions above, you might really be experiencing depression. To top it all, you must be suffering from the symptoms about two weeks or more to confirm that you are really depressed.

However, the most authorized person to diagnose depression are professionals on the medical field or mental health experts. Therefore, depression is not an illness anyone can just claim any moment when someone is experiencing the symptoms discussed earlier. On the other hand, every person troubled by the aforementioned symptoms must really seek for medical attention. Besides, there is nothing erroneous with being cautious about one's health.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Depression Medication and Symptoms of Depression.

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Depression And Anxiety Suffered For The First Time In Middle-Age Where There Is No External Reason

John could not fathom what was wrong. He and his wife were comfortably well off and had got the house as they wanted it. He had always been a confident person. Outwardly in their lives nothing much had changed.

But, now for the first time he was getting low moods and experiencing unease with no obvious reasons. These feelings were sapping his self-esteem. He found himself voicing self-doubt and uncertainty about where he was going in life; questioning his lifestyle, his career and even his marriage. He felt he had been drifting along no longer with any sense of direction. He had lost touch with the ambitions that he had once had.

Life may have become less hectic. But this had meant there had been opportunity for him to hear his inner self telling him things he did not want to hear; that being pre-occupied with paying the mortgage, keeping senior managers happy and cutting the lawn at home plus all the other work he had done on the house, was not really what life is truly about. He needed to let go of the old and do things differently.

The process of self-discovery is not uncommon especially in middle age when there is less pre-occupation with the normal hurdles of early adulthood. Anyone might also become exposed to their own complacency, noticing an attitude of smugness and self-satisfaction that previously lay hidden, appreciating the mixed motives often behind what they do. They start to notice a real self lurking within the persona they had been living.

John started to see that some of the things he had done had stemmed from a self-centred orientation whilst in his own eyes he had been acting in a worthwhile way. He was beginning to grasp the extent he had been living in a fool's paradise. No wonder his confidence was reducing and sense of contentment becoming elusive.

I believe the inner crisis is there for a reason. It is prompting an honest self-appraisal of what we are deep down.

"Count your rectitude as foolishness, know your cleverness to be stupidity"
(Lao Tse Tao Teb King, xiv. Taoist tradition)

Despite a spiritual awakening, we can resist new insight and turn back to the darkness that once enveloped us. Often the outward appearance of everything we encounter continues to seduce us. This can show in smug self-justification of established patterns of behaviour as if a radical response to the inner crisis were not needed.

We might find ourselves thinking, `No matter what the current economic climate, I'm too astute and knowledgeable a person to go under.' Or `No matter what my weakness for sexual excitement might be I'm too good and worthy a provider, and family carer to be rejected by my partner.'

But, if instead we were honest with ourselves, would we no longer need to make up excuses? If we are genuine with others is it not less draining than constantly trying to hide our true selves from them?

My belief is that only by an authentic relationship with others, with whatever notion of God we hold, and with ourselves, can we hope to stop self-deception.
In line with this spiritual philosophy, those of us with a deep trust in a higher truth about life and the provision of a spiritual destiny, are never likely to lose hope, whatever in life threatens us. The spirit of truth and love lives on. However, such faith does lead to consequences. For there can be no new birth without some pain - there is no letting go of former things without some pain of loss.

"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
(John 3:3)

Copyright 2011 Stephen Russell-Lacy

As a clinical psychologist, Stephen Russell-Lacy has specialised in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy, working for many years with adults suffering distress and disturbance.

He edits Spiritual Questions a free eZine that explores links between spiritual philosophy and the comments and questions of spiritual seekers. At Spiritual Questions you can share your views and find out more about making sense of life.

His book Heart, Head and Hands draws links between the psycho-spiritual teachings of the eighteenth century spiritual philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg and current ideas in therapy and psychology.

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Treatment For Depression - How To Detect And Remedy Your Depression

Any man, woman, or child may feel down occasionally, but an unhappy mood that lasts for many days may indicate depression. Specifically, a generalized feeling of unhappiness or apathy that lasts for a minimum of two successive weeks and that is accompanied by disrupted daily activities likely indicates a major depressive episode. Unlike purely physical ailments, depression may be viewed as a negative or embarrassing trait, but being depressed should not be equated with having a weak personality. This is a highly treatable condition, and treatment for depression may be tailored to help you manage your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

While there is much debate in the medical community as to what causes depression, changes in brain structure and chemical action are widely considered as primary causes. Why people have so many diverse reactions to such brain alterations, however, may be due to many things, such as:

• Traumatic events
• Substance abuse
• Seasonal changes
• Medications
• Hormonal changes

Losing a job or a spouse and the stress that often results from these traumatic events may trigger changes in the brain and therefore depressive episodes. Alternatively, depression may be linked to prescribed or even natural medications, alcohol or drug abuse, or the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause. Some people are strongly affected by the lack of sunlight during winter months, and may experience depression during this time of the year as well.

Major depression profoundly affects daily life, and the symptoms may be emotional or physical. A general lack of interest in ordinarily pleasurable or routine activities often results, and this cycle may lead to feeling guilty and unworthy of the positive aspects of life. Decreased energy, reduced appetite, physical ailments, and sleeping excessively may all be indicators of depression.

Diagnosing depression accurately greatly depends upon obtaining a thorough account from the patient. Any pertinent medical history, such as having a sibling or parent who has similar issues should be communicated as well. Women are much more likely to be diagnosed as being depressed, but men and children experiencing depressive episodes may also benefit from one or a combination of the following treatment options:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Talk therapy
• Exercise
• Light therapy
• Herbal supplements
• Pet therapy
• Surgical procedures
• Brain stimulation
• Social support

There are many antidepressant drugs that may positively influence brain chemicals, including norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are intimately linked to sleep and cognitive functioning as well as to feelings of depression, and the right prescription drug may play a large role in combating depressing feelings. Accordingly, the right drug or combination of prescription drugs along with talk therapy often curtails moderate or mild cases of depression. Such interpersonal therapy may help depressed individuals overcome feelings of loneliness, understand and rebuild relationships, and give them a new-found reason for reconnecting with others. While some patients continue with longer term therapy, several months of talk therapy may be sufficient for others.

Physical activity is often another valid avenue for dealing with moderate or mild depression, as exercise typically results in a release in endorphins in the brain. Accordingly, these released endorphins increase the threshold for pain and improve mood as well. Engaging in twenty to thirty minutes of exercise a few days a week may increase energy levels, reduce stressful feelings, improve sleep habits, and raise self-esteem in depressed patients. Light therapy may produce similar effects for those suffering from seasonal depression as well.

Although often considered less reliable than the aforementioned treatments, herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort may help curtail mild cases of depression. The unconditional love and companionship that pets often provide, however, often gives depressed individuals a beneficial and positive focus. While more risky, certain surgical procedures such as brain implants and treatments including vagus nerve and skull stimulation may be indicated for patients with depression levels that are particularly resistant to other forms of treatment. Perhaps the best way to ensure good mental health is to stay connected to the positive influences around you, as a lack of social support is a major component of depression. Working with competent medical professionals, finding the right combination of therapy, and keeping a positive outlook helps the majority of patients effectively work through their depression.

Depression is a condition that affects millions and finding the right treatment for depression is crucial. You can find out all the necessary information about depression on our site: http://treatmentfordepression.cc.

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How An Exercise Routine Works Naturally To Offset Depression

Depression is a widespread illness that affects tens of millions of people worldwide. The severity can range from apathy or mild sadness to suicidal thoughts, but any form of depression severely reduces the sufferer's quality of life. There are a variety of treatments available for depression, including antidepressant drugs, psychiatry and hospitalization for severe cases. However, one of the simplest and most effective is developing a fitness and exercise routine.

It has long been known that exercise has many positive health benefits, and that physical health is tied closely to mental health. A poor diet has been shown to lead to depression and an inability to focus, for example. However, the importance of exercise in treating depression goes beyond that. Even mild exercise produces endorphins, which are chemicals that produce an analgesic, or pain-reducing, effect.

Since depression is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as aches and fatigue, this alone is a helpful treatment. Endorphins also produce a euphoric feeling that is often described as a "runner's high." This feeling can take a long time to wear off and has been shown to improve the mood of the patient.

The use of exercise in the treatment of depression has been studied a great deal in recent years, and the results are astonishing. Many people with so-called treatment resistant depression, or depression that does not respond to drugs or conventional therapies, see great results from the addition of an exercise routine and the medical community is beginning to take notice.

However, there are some problems with exercise as a treatment. The biggest one is that a major symptom of depression is a lack of motivation, so it can be very difficult for patients to make themselves exercise. Psychologists have long known that this is a major drawback in prescribing exercise to depressed patients, despite the significant benefits of the treatment.

Another problem is that not all forms of exercise have equal benefits, and whatever exercise is done must be fairly strenuous. A nice stroll around the block is better than sitting at home of course, but as an actual treatment the body must be pushed in order to produce those beneficial endorphins and hormonal releases.

The optimal type of exercise to help with depression is something that's called burst training. This is where you do a group of exercises with short bursts of all out effort, followed by brief recovery periods. The "surges" or "bursts" with these exercise routines help to stimulate the central nervous system and adrenal glands.

It can be difficult for the average person to develop a suitable fitness routine on their own, especially when suffering from feelings of apathy or anxiety that often accompany depression. Additional health problems may also make this difficult.

Both of these problems can be worked around by hiring a certified personal trainer. A good personal trainer will be aware of the patient's limitations and help them develop an exercise routine that works around those while still achieving maximum fitness levels.

In addition, a personal trainer will motivate the patient and monitor their exercise. This process still depends on the patient following instructions and sticking to the routine, but that is true of all depression treatments. The additional motivation given by the trainer can help hold the patient accountable.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about adding exercise to your treatment program and consult with a certified personal trainer about the best way to begin.

Shane Doll CPT, CSCS is a certified Charleston personal trainer, fat loss expert, speaker and founder of Shaping Concepts Personal Training Studios. As a specialist in burst training for body transformation and weight loss he provides nutrition and fitness coaching along with e-books, videos, and other resources on his website: http://www.shapingconcepts.com. If you would like to learn more about burst training you can download the FREE e-book "The Essentials Of Burst Training Workout Program Design" from the website.

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Medicare Coverage and Mental Health - Depression in Seniors Soon Covered by Medicare Insurance

Medicare Hopes to Increase Coverage for Depression

Depression is a very real issue for seniors (and other Americans) all over the country. However, in many seniors the disease has gone undetected, because even with Medicare, preventative measures were not covered for mental health needs. Seniors with depression, especially white, older males, have a much higher chance of being diagnosed, because patients typically present physical, tangible complaints rather than symptoms of their mood.

Already, some Medicare beneficiaries are being treated for depression, although those who are, encounter very high out-of-pocket expenses. Those with Medicare Supplemental Plans (or Medigap Insurance) were able to handle more of the costs, but those without supplemental insurance often went without treatment.

Medicare hopes to rectify that situation with new policies that focus on early detection and preventative measures as opposed to just treatment after the disease has already taken hold:

"Medicare always has covered treatment of mental illness. But starting Jan. 1, 2012, the program also will cover preventive screenings for depression and, in a separate policy proposal, alcohol misuse." (from American Medical News)

It's impossible to ignore the growing number of seniors dealing with depression. It's also foolish to think that all those who are dealing with depression are receiving the proper treatment:

"'Among persons older than 65 years, one in six suffers from depression,' and the condition is higher in those with co-morbidities including cancer, arthritis, stroke, chronic lung disease and cardiovascular disease, and when stressful events are more frequent." (from Health Leaders Media)

Another study has linked insomnia to depression, and while it is usually of symptom of depression, doctors have found that it can also be a risk factor for depression onset and reoccurring depression.

Also, depression amongst seniors tend to last longer than the general population suffering from depression. Depression has also been known to double the risk of cardiac diseases in seniors, and has been linked to the increased percentage of deaths from illness. Often times depression can reduce the ambition, or even ability to rehabilitate from a sickness or injury.

The hope is that adding Medicare coverage for screenings and early-detection practices, the number of undiagnosed seniors will decrease and that those suffering from depression will receive the help they need.

Medicare Coverage Can Only Get Better with Your Help

If you have questions about Medicare or Medicare supplement insurance coverage for mental health issues, you should be able to speak with a Medigap provider or other professional in the field who can lay out exactly what the coverage is and what the costs are.

Healthcare continues to be a major topic of discussion on Capitol Hill, across the 24-hour news channels, and in homes all over the country. Unfortunately, a lot of these conversations and debates turn into political attacks, and some of the basic concerns get lost in the mix. Concerns like, "Does Medicare provide the coverage I need right now, or do I need to look into Medigap coverage?"

As the focus of the Medicare debate remains, for the most part, in the future tense, we try our best to focus on the here and now (at least from time to time). The fact is that as of right now, Medicare coverage doesn't provide the full range of care that some seniors need. In fact, according to a recent report "about 1 in 6 Medicare beneficiaries purchased [Medigap policies] in 2008. (from Philly Burbs and Partnership to Protect Medigap)

Not everyone (seniors or otherwise) has the same healthcare needs or is in the same economic situation. However, everyone has the right to get all of the information on all of the options out there. As talks about the future of Medicare heat up as we approach the next Presidential election, don't lose sight of the present state of Medicare. Does it offer you all of the coverage you need? What options could Medigap coverage provide? Does Medigap coverage make financial sense for my specific situation? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself and an expert in the field, even if the politicians and pundits aren't asking them.

BTodd is a Medicare supplement professional dedicated to helping people on Medicare access quality healthcare. He is the president of Medigap360, which offers rate and Medicare Supplement plan comparisons of Medicare supplement insurance. His belief is that all seniors and those with disabilities should have complete access to our healthcare system without restriction and without insurance companies standing between them and their doctors.
If you would like to learn more about supplemental insurance for Medicare then please visit medigap360 or call 888-875-4463.

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Depression and the Two Most Common Treatment Options

As the Baby Boomer generation approaches old age, more and more of them are trying to figure out what they can do to in order to continue enjoying a good life. Although many of them realized long ago that their health directly correlates to their happiness, finding time to exercise may not always have been a priority.

Now that many of them are retired, they are taking a new look at things that can positively impact their lives. However, having realizations and acting on them are two different things. Since so many baby boomers love instant gratification, asking them to take the necessary time-consuming steps to improve their health can be quite a challenge.

Nonetheless, many baby boomers now appreciate that focusing on improving their health is one of the things they will have to do in order to maintain a healthy mind as well as a healthy body.

Numerous studies have indicated that emotional stability can be better achieved through regular exercise. Consequently, it is not surprising that many senior citizens who seemingly couldn't find the time to exercise earlier in their lives, are now finding that exercise actually helps to ease feelings of depression and anxiety.

It is generally believed that in order to achieve optimum health, seniors should focus on three different types of exercise: cardio, endurance, and strength.

These three types of exercise target different needs and they should all be included in any workout program.

Incorporating cardiovascular exercises into a workout promotes heart health, while endurance exercises are believed to increase the flow of blood throughout your body. If this is true then these types of exercises may help to protect you from cardiac injury should you have a heart attack.

Strength exercises have been known to increase metabolism and muscle mass. Both are factors that can help you to maintain a healthy weight (one of the challenges that many seniors face.)

If you add balance and stretching exercises to your routine, you will enjoy all the benefits that a complete workout can provide.

Amazingly, exercise not only has a positive effect on your joints, muscles and bones, but literally provides a workout for your brain as well.

People who regularly exercise find that their memory gets better, as does their mental acuity.

Any way you cut it, senior exercise is meant to make you feel happy and positive. Who knows? It might even make you smarter.

Of course, at any age, you should always consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. The best of intentions can still cause unexpected injury or pain and even the healthiest of people can find misfortune.

That's one of the reasons that so many seniors, as well as younger people, buy Family Life Insurance at http://www.onedollarglobeinsurance.com/familylifeinsurance.htm

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How Seniors Can Alleviate Depression With Exercise

Depression is a mental illness that has a positive meaning, even though it can become a dangerous neurosis without treatment. You receive free psychotherapy from the wise unconscious mind that produces our dreams.

Carl Jung discovered that all dreams are produced by the unconscious mind, which possesses undoubtable wisdom and works like a natural doctor. By translating your dreams according to the scientific method of dream interpretation you can understand the unconscious messages in your dreams.

I help you with this task because I managed to transform Jung's obscure and time consuming method into a very clear and fast method of instant translation from images into words.

The basic depression symptoms are:

* Unbearable sadness

* Constant pain in your heart

* Lack of energy and courage

* Incapacity to deal with life challenges

When you are depressed you don't want to live. You feel that there is no meaning on continuing your battle in life.

The positive side of this sad situation is that you understand the truth about your reality:

* You live in a horrible world where you cannot feel safe

* You made many mistakes in the past

* Your life is empty

* You cannot change many things or influence others

* You are merely an insignificant and impotent creature in the vast universe

Therefore, you understand your limitations.

You must really feel very sad for living the way you do. If you are depressed, you are having a normal reaction. You are in fact healthy because you are sensitive; you are not indifferent to what is bad.

However, depression is very close to mental illnesses and it usually becomes a mental illness because it has many negative sides. Depression is usually caused by:

* A big failure

* A big loss

* A big deception

If you are in such situation, you can easily lose your mind. You need urgent treatment. Depression can become a serious mental illness like psychosis or schizophrenia.

Even though the vision you have when you are depressed really is depressing, you must have the courage to continue your journey in life. The horrible reality you see is not everything. There is also a good side in your existence, besides everything that is bad.

You are intelligent, you are sensitive, and you have many talents. Thus, you can do many things to improve your life.

You can:

* Acquire sound mental health

* Increase your intelligence

* Correct what is wrong

* Begin a new life

* Meet interesting people

* Go to interesting places

* Have an interesting life

* Discover new alternatives

* Cultivate goodness in your heart and automatically forgive all human sins

* Find peace

* Discover happiness

* Help the world find peace with your work and your example

You only have to be a good student and learn how to translate the meaning of dreams according to my dynamic simplification of Carl Jung's method of dream interpretation.

If you are a good student you can learn the basics only by reading my free articles. I give you free lessons of dream interpretation because only if you'll verify how enlightening the scientific dream translations are, will you trust this knowledge. You must verify that the accurate dream translations really help you solve your problems in order to evaluate the power of dreams.

There are too many impostors who pretend to interpret dreams, while they merely give you their personal opinion about the meaning of the dream images. They didn't study the meaning of all the symbols found in the human history like Carl Jung did. They don't know the dream language.

I have to prove you my statements into practice. I also have the moral obligation to prevent suicide attempts without payment. Therefore, you can learn the basic meaning of dreams entirely free of charge if you'll study my free articles.

Christina Sponias continued Carl Jung's research into the human psyche, discovering the cure for all mental illnesses, and simplifying the scientific method of dream interpretation that teaches you how to exactly translate the meaning of your dreams, so that you can find health, wisdom and happiness.
Learn more at: http://www.scientificdreaminterpretation.com
Click Here to download a Free Sample of the eBook Dream Interpretation as a Science (86 pages!).

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Top 8 Behavioral Methods for Managing Depression

Do you want to avoid using psychotropic medications to address your symptoms of depression? Here are some behavioral methods you can use to combat the symptoms.

1. Exercise daily - The best thing you can do to behaviorally manage symptoms of depression is exercise 20 minutes every day. Exercise releases endorphins in your brain that fight depressed mood. It does not have to be a rigorous workout. You just need to get your heart rate up. That can be accomplished by walking briskly, jogging, etc. You can start off slow (always check with your physician before beginning an exercise program) and work your way up to the 20 minutes.


2. Diet - Eating healthy is important too. Many people over or under eat when they feel depressed. Either way, it is not good for you. Our bodies need food to keep energy levels up. Remembering the importance of good nutrition is key to managing symptoms of depression. If you are unsure what types of food are good for you, make an appointment with a nutritionist or dietician.


3. Sleep well - Sleeping too much or not enough can increase symptoms of depression. If you are experiencing insomnia, try some relaxation exercises to help you get to sleep. If you are sleeping more than 8 hours a day, you are getting too much rest. Instead of staying in bed, get up and attempt to stay as close to your normal routine as possible. If you need to sleep during the day, limit yourself to a nap of one hour or less.


4. Mediation - Meditation is an extremely healthy way to turn off your thinking and allow your body to heal and grow. If you are experiencing negative thoughts, this technique can give you a reprieve.


5. Thought Stopping - Turn those negative thoughts off! Every time you catch yourself thinking negatively, tell yourself to stop. Then, see if you can challenge yourself to think more realistically about the situation.


6. Don't Isolate - One of the worst things you can do is shut down and stay away from your supports. Utilize those people that you are connected to. Talk to them daily to remind yourself that you have people in your life that care.


7. Keep a Gratitude List - Each day find one thing you are grateful for. It doesn't have to be anything monumental. It can be something simple like noticing a beautiful sunset. Write one thing down every day and start the next day reading the entire list.


8. Self-Sooth - There are many things you can do that release endorphins and make you feel good. Some examples include listening to uplifting music, watching a comedy, reading a book you enjoy, and petting an animal. Anything that makes you feel happy normally can be a benefit when you are feeling down.

If you practice the above techniques you will notice that your symptoms begin to fade, and you will be feeling better. Keep in mind that if symptoms persist for more than two weeks or if you are having suicidal thoughts, you need to contact a professional.

Shannon Rice, LCSW-R

http://wellnesstherapycenter.yolasite.com

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice with over 20 years of experience treating mood disorders, addiction issues, trauma, and relationship issues. Many people are able to improve their symptoms with a little guidance and a lot of effort. I prefer to utilize behavioral methods to manage these issues and only opt for medications when absolutely necessary.

Visit my website at the above link to see my full profile.

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Self Help for Depression - Simple Solution For A Serious Mental Health Concern

Life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs with events such as death, divorce, disaster, disease, distress, and disgrace being unavoidable stitches intricately woven into the fabric of our lives. And let's face it, even if you are lucky enough to avoid these events you are eventually going to die. What all this means is that expecting to live life absent of sharp episodes of grief, sadness, and despair in not realistic and ultimately all of us will likely experience a bout of depression requiring either professional help, self help, or possibly both.

Today 130 million people woke up feeling depressed. Some will end up on anti-depressant medications (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil), others will ignore the problem for an average of 7 years, and still others will seek self help for depression. I am assuming if you are reading this article you or someone you know are ready to join, or gather information about, the last group. So with that in mind let's get started.

Self Help for Depression - General Ideas

First you might want to reduce your exposure to caffeine since it a known fact that caffeine makes depression worse. This isn't saying that you should quit drinking your morning feel good cup of coffee or soda. It simply means you should opt for the varieties containing less, or better yet no, caffeine. Second don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke since smokers have a significantly higher risk of depression than non-smokers primarily due to nicotine's ability to destabilize mood.

In the realm of self help for depression there is no shortage of ideas with the most often suggested being exercise. Interesting enough, at least according to an article published in Professional, Psychology: Research and Practice it makes little difference what type of exercise. Both aerobic (walking, hiking, biking, running) and non-aerobic (such as strength training) were shown to be equally effective.

The reason exercise is so effective is that it causes the body to release additional serotonin, which in turn provides temporary relief from negative thoughts, increases self-esteem, and reduces stress levels. My own person formula is a 50 minute hike 3 days a week whereas the famous natural health specialist Andrew Weil suggests a brisk, 45 minute walk at least 5 times a week. Hope to see you on the trails!

Self Help for Depression - Herbs and Supplements

There is no shortage of herbs thought to do wonders for depression. This list includes rosemary, cinnamon, chamomile, sage, thyme, basil, black hellebore, basil, clove, ginger, oat straw, passion flower, and St. John's wort.

Many of the above can be used in the kitchen to add a little extra zip to your recipes. Cooking with depression busting herbs is an easy inexpensive way to combine feel good depression fighting foods with uplifting herbs. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids found in abundance in salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring may ease depression. So put on your chef hat and mix and match your way to a happier and healthier state of mind.

Without a doubt the most powerful self help for depression herb is St. John's wort. While not so great for cooking it is the basis for many different herbal depression remedies with my favorite being those containing St. John's wort and passion flower. One study consisting of 23 randomized trials, published in the British Medical Journal, concluded that St. John's wort was as effective as standard antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression.

One last thing worth mentioning in our journey through self help for depression. A deficiency in certain B vitamins may cause depression. This assumption is based on statistical evidence revealing that 35 percent of those with depression are deficient in folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Robert D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living with over 10 years experience in the field. To discover more about self help for depression along with information about safe and effective herbal and homeopathic depression remedies Click Here

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Pedicure Chairs and Pedicure Spas Cater To Customers Bringing Them Back Time After Time

If you own a salon or spa business a pedicure chair, pedicure chairs, pedicure spa and pedicure spas is an investment that returns your initial expenses quickly. However, before making that investment you need to do your homework so you get the type of equipment that you want. It is difficult to find many retail outlets that handle the chairs, so do research online to learn everything you need to know.

The best way to determine what you want is to visit as many spas and salons as possible. Sit in the chairs and keep notes about what you like and dislike about specific models, which ones are the most comfortable, the space needed to set them, and what features will increase the number of clients for your specific type of clientele.

Organize your list and decide how much money you can spend. Get online and research equipment with your specific desires. The type of business you own has a lot to do with the type of spa chair you need. Small individual businesses tend to purchase the lower cost models while luxury spas invest in chairs with the most elaborate features.

The space available for spa chairs and the number of chairs you plan to purchase is a determining factor. Safety is an important feature that many people do not think about until they have already bought and used the chair. All selections should be easily accessible for any type of customer, including overweight and disabled with few obstacles in the way to trip them up.

Many models have swivel seats, swing out and swing up arms. The way in which water in the foot bath circulates and drains is vital to safety. Water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and one incident of infection could cost you your business, so make sure you get the safest version available. People love luxury so the more features a unit has the more business it will draw in.

The chair itself must be comfortable, so consider purchasing one with extra padding. Spa chairs are available that have massaging features with rollers, discs and vibrators that mimic human hands for total relaxation during a pedicure. Some come with remote controls that are used by the guest or the tech.

The standard chair has piping that goes to the foot sink while another type has no piping. Those with pipes carry a higher risk of bacteria because there are more places for it to hide. Follow the manufacturers suggested cleaning instructions to avoid any bacterial problems. Non-piped selections are easier to clean and carry a lower bacteria risk because water cannot hide in pipes.

Non-piped chairs are quieter making the spa experience more enjoyable. Simple chairs are available that are designed with only seating and a foot bath. One luxurious model is egg shaped and has an automatic built in massage, cup holders, magazine racks, jet stream foot massages with controlled heat, an IPOD dock station and speakers. Others come equipped with mood lighting, full body reclining backrests and other lavish options.

If you own a salon or spa business a pedicure chair pedicure spa and pedicure spas is an investment that returns your initial expenses quickly. However visit www.pedicurechairspastore.com, a wholesale dealer in pedicure chairs.

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Pedicure Chairs and Pedicure Spas Cater To Customers Bringing Them Back Time After Time

Are you looking to buy a quality used or refurbished hot tub? Ideally, you want to buy a used spa that will not give you problems. The ideal previously owned spa would be a refurbished model. Why buy a reconditioned, refurbished spa?

An ideal refurbished spa:

• Would be a common, brand name unit (for future purchase of replacement parts, filters, and supplies)
• Would go through a check list;
• Would be sanitized;
• Would have questionable parts replaced;
• Would come with a warranty;
• Would have a contact person for follow up concerns or issues.

What about used spas on Craigslist.com?

There are many spas on Craigslist.com right now. The prices are very attractive (some for only $500.00). But what people don't realize is that most are bad quality spas (brands such as Life Spa, Life Spring, Advance Spas, Lazy-boy Spas, Coleman, Warm Springs, etc.). You will buy the spa for $500.00 and think you got a great deal. But beware! Then comes the hidden expenses:

• $250 to get the spa delivered;
• You need a new cover ($350 for a cheap one);
• Pump seal is leaking ($150);
• All the pillows need to be replaced (at least $125);
• Usually one or more of the jets are shot ($250 or more to replace several bad hot tub jets).

You now have over $1,900 in that unit that was a great deal for $500.00- and that is if everything else works-which is normally not the case. Remember: there is a reason people are giving them away, which leads to the next concern:

Why are they selling their used spa?

• Are they moving?
• Are the payments too much to handle?
• Are they upgrading to a new hot tub?
• Has the hot tub been a headache?

There is a reason people are giving away their used spas in private sales-they bought a cheap spa, it has been a headache, and now they want it gone. You will hardly ever find a brand name spa such as Master Spa, Hot Spring Spa, Sundance Spa, Jacuzzi, Marquis, or Dimension One on Craigslist.com for under $2,000 in good condition. If you do, buy it!

The ideal situation for a previously owned purchase would be that the previous owner was unable to make the payments, and it was repossessed. This is usually the best case scenario to be happy with your pre-owned purchase.

If you are looking for quality hot tubs. La Costa Pool and Spa in San Marcos, California ( http://www.LaCostaPoolandSpa.com ) has used hot tub spas starting at $1,495, and top brand Cal Spa hot tubs starting at $3,495. Come see our models of new spas and certified pre-owned hot tubs in our showroom, or call us at 760-591-7665.

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The Many Beautiful and Natural Benefits of Visiting a Day Spa

It seems as if every day in modern society is filled with one stress after another. When you spend time at your city day spa, you can get away from it all and let yourself be a little pampered. In addition to the many excellent, non-invasive, natural beauty treatments offered at your local day spa, you will enjoy being treated like a queen for a day with fluffy towels and robes, all natural cosmetics, and a friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff whose job it is to help you feel great!

Massage is a wonderful way to relax and release tension in the muscles and the mind. It is also excellent for the central nervous system and for improving blood circulation. A weekly visit to a day spa for a professional massage will help rid your system of waste and toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system. If you have been experiencing aches and pains, or if you are recovering from an illness, you will feel 100% better after a relaxing, professional massage at your city day spa.

Hydrotherapy is the therapy of water, and it is a fantastic way to release excess energy and refresh your body and mind. Whether you choose swimming, relaxing in a Jacuzzi, taking the steam or all three, you are sure to emerge feeling completely renewed.

When you enjoy hydrotherapy, it has a very positive effect on the blood vessels, relieves muscle stiffness and aches, and stimulates the natural production of endorphins, which relieve pain and help you feel contented and happy. Hydrotherapy is as effective as muscle relaxants, if not more so, and it's so much better for you! An application of natural face cream while enjoying a steam bath is a great natural beauty treatment!

Visiting a day spa is like a mini-vacation. Taking a day to enjoy a steam bath, a massage, and other non-invasive beauty treatments really sets your mind at ease and releases stress and tension while leaving you feeling refreshed and pampered thanks to careful, professional, natural health and beauty treatments.

Many day spas also offer phytotherapy, which is the use of all-natural herbal and plant-based preparations to help balance hormone levels without the unpleasant and often dangerous side effects of prescription medications. The use of just the right combination of natural plant extracts can help heal and restore the natural hormonal balance of women in menopause or those experiencing hormone imbalances for some other reason. Gentle, safe and natural phytotherapy can, and should, be used both for prevention and as a gentle, natural treatment for hormone related difficulties.

After a day at the spa, you will go home feeling rested, relaxed and beautiful. You'll be ready for a quiet - perhaps romantic - evening and a good night of deep and restful sleep. If you usually use medication for sleep, you will probably be able to forego it after a day at the spa. If you visit your day spa regularly, you may be able to forego it altogether. The combination of massage, hydrotherapy, and simple relaxation will work wonders to help you relax and feel calmer. If you have been troubled by headaches or other tension related illnesses, you are very likely to see a reduction in them when you visit your day spa often.

Many day spas offer a health and fitness program that helps you get into the habit of regular, light exercise and healthful eating. The professionals at your day spa can provide you with good information and support to help you shape up and lose weight pleasantly without dangerous drugs.

When you visit your city day spa on a regular basis, you will enjoy a great variety of benefits. The holistic natural treatments you receive will renew your body, mind and spirit and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the challenges of your everyday life beautifully and naturally!

John G Jones is an SEO and Internet Marketing consultant who supports many businesses such as this Spa, Centre de Bien-Etre Le Weekend in Lausanne to gain greater visibility on the internet to attract more customers. A city day spa is a great place to relax, unwind and experience natural cosmetic treatments which alleviate the stress of modern society.

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Carpal Tunnel Exercises - Quick and Effective Treatment Without Surgery

One of the most unfortunate scenarios is when people have to deal with the ongoing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Some of the most common symptoms include weakness, wrist pain, numbness, and stiff finger joints. As if these weren't unfortunate enough, these symptoms even tend to occur during a time when one is supposed to be resting - at night!

Though many are already familiar with the wrist pain that is involved with this, not a lot of these people understand how the condition even occurred in the first place. The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is when the wrist gets injured due to repetitive strain.

The median nerve, the one that is responsible in transmitting feelings to one's wrists and hands, gets can get compressed and this is when carpal tunnel occurs. This brings about different degrees of pain and discomfort.

Here are some of the most common carpal tunnel treatments that patients can use in order to ease the inflammation and pain on their wrists and arms:

• Massage
• Ice therapy
• Anti-inflammatory prescription drugs
• Joint support gloves

Gentle Massages
Patients who suffer can find relief in gentle massages. These should be focused on the base of the hand so that it wouldn't be painful for the patient. The one performing the massage should be an expert - never attempt to do this on your own as this is a task for two professional hands!

A lot of times, the patient can feel significant relief when a massage has been done on the ailing wrists. Two to three times a week should do it.

The Use of Ice
Ice therapy can also be used by patients who are seeking alleviation from the pains. Simply use an ice pack on the inside part of the patient's wrist for about ten minutes. This should effectively relieve major symptoms. Imagine being free from pain for up to two hours! This is because ice can calm the inflamed areas and this also relieves the nerve's compression.

Learning about natural treatments is now easy. Just check out the review for the Natural Carpal Tunnel Treatments book on our website and you should have more knowledge about stopping painful symptoms soon.

Prescribed Medication
The most basic treatments could be non-habit forming drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Any anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by your physician should be good enough.

Joint Support Gloves
Gentle compression gloves are useful to patients who suffer from carpal tunnel because these keep the wearer's body heat, helping in relieving joint and muscle pain. Don't let carpal tunnel disturb your day-to-day activities, it's time to find support gloves that suit your budget.

Here's a highly recommended way to treat carpal tunnel - all natural methods. Before you even consider surgery or any type of medication, make sure that you've checked all the natural treatments that can be made available to you.

These are just a few Carpal Tunnel Treatments to help you out. Visit our website http://www.carpaltunnelsyndromeexercise.com for more Carpal Tunnel Treatments.

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Suffer From Wrist Pain? Give These Simple Carpal Tunnel Treatments a Try!

Have you been experiencing some tingling and numbing sensation in your hand? Has it been happening often lately while you are at work or at home? Do you feel that the tingling and numbness are worse at night?

If it is an experience that is continuously happening to you, it is likely that you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This is a painful disease that affects the palm and most of the fingers of the hand.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? It is a compression neuropathy that happens when the median nerve gets compressed as it passes the wrist (in the carpal tunnel). The palm of the hand, the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring fingers are involved.

Carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway within the wrist. It is through here which the median nerve and nine flexor tendons of the hand pass. The median nerve is commonly compressed in the carpal tunnel of the wrist.

The median nerve is one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus (which branches from the spinal nerve). It is a nerve running down the arm to the hand. It controls muscle movement in the forearm and hand and conveys sensation from part of the hand.

A muscle gets attached to a bone by a flexible, thick cord of strong tissue called a tendon. The muscles in the forearm are responsible for finger movements. The small bones of the thumb and the fingers are attached to the long tendons which extend trough the wrist from the muscles of the forearm.

The tendons (extensor tendons) that straighten the fingers are located on top of the hand. The tendons (flexor tendons) that bend the fingers are located on the palm side of the hand. When the muscles in the forearm contract, these flexor tendons pull on the small bones of the digits bending them.

When any one of these flexor tendons becomes inflamed, more narrowing of the carpal canal happens and the median nerve gets compressed. This results in the numbness and tingling in the hand.

At night, people tend to sleep with their wrists bent. This position causes the intense numbness that can wake one from sleep. A wrist brace worn especially at night is advised, to keep the wrist from bending while one is asleep.

The symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome gradually increase overtime if it is not being managed properly. If this continues, the afflicted person eventually has to cope with significant pain, and poor hand grip is the consequence resulting in frequent dropping of objects from the hand.

The persistent numbness and tingling of the hand are signs that should not be ignored. The afflicted person has to consult with the doctor.

You can find out more about quick pain relief for carpal tunnel, when you visit the site for the best carpal tunnel treatment to eliminate your carpal tunnel pain for good!

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Noninvasive Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Noninvasive treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome should always be considered before submitting to invasive surgery. I know the pain can be real, excruciating and can affect the usefulness of our hand and wrist. We want to eliminate the pain asap.

We are told the the carpal tunnel operation is a simple procedure that can be done before lunch. As with so many things it is difficult to determine how good or how well the surgery solves the problem.

One set of data tells me that 77% of carpal tunnel surgery is successful and 23% have complications. Does successful mean just cessation of pain or does it mean cessation of pain and restored dexterity of the hand and wrist.

Another set of data on the results of carpal tunnel surgery states that 23% of ct surgery is successful in that the pain is gone and there is full use of the hand and wrist. That also means the 77% have continuing problems and may never obtain full use of the hand and wrist.

My point in the above information is that we should exhaust all noninvasive treatments first before considering surgery. Some noninvasive considerations are:

* Maintain good posture. The median nerve that is responsible for the hand and wrist pain starts at the base of the neck and runs through the shoulder, down the arm and to the hand. Proper posture will eliminate pinching the nerve as it travels to the hand.

* Seek out a diet plan that will insure that your body gets the nourishment it requires. Investigate the trace minerals and micros nutrients known to be beneficial. There has been a lot said about vitamin B and nerve healing. Vitamin B6 is said to work well. Beware that large doses of vitamin B6 can have side effects.

There are natural inflammation aids and muscle relaxers available that may provide lasting relief. The added benefit of using natural or herbal supplements is that they don't carry the side effects the manufactured drugs do.

* Investigate the relaxing techniques of Yoga. Relaxing and resting the hand and wrist has always been beneficial. Yoga techniques are recognized as being helpful in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.

* There is not very much information available about using acupuncture or chiropractic for treating carpal tunnel pain. With the training that chiropractors go through they might have some in site on treating the pain.

* There are several books and videos available especially on the internet describing various stretching exercises for relief from the syndrome. Most claim to give some measure of success.

Sometimes you just have to try some new things to see if they work for you. What works for one person may not work for another-so try different treatments.

* Some people have found relief and a cure using message techniques. I'm not talking about a general body message. Massaging the lower arm muscles has produced effective results.

There are reasons we often consider invasive treatments first. Sometimes we don't know any different or we have suffered with this pain long enough and we want a fix. Assuming responsibility for our well being and considering alternative approaches may be a little slow for some of us. No fast acting drugs or quick surgery. Many people have benefited from the noninvasive treatments carpal tunnel syndrome.

For more interesting articles on carpal tunnel syndrome relief visit my blog.
Hand and Wrist Paint

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Your Treatment Options

Are the muscles in your wrists and hands numb, painful or weak? It's possible that you have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a painful and progressive disease. The reason for this is that a nerve that runs from your forearm to your hand, known as the median nerve, is being pinched at the wrist.

There is a narrow passageway of ligament and bones found at the base of the hand called the carpal tunnel. Increased pressure in this tunnel is the cause of the compression of the median nerve. Pressure can rise in the canal because of swelling due to injury or trauma to the wrist, fluid retention, work stress, repeated use of vibrating tools or growth of cysts or tumors.

Compared to men, women are more predisposed to get carpal tunnel syndrome for the reason they have smaller carpal tunnels. Assembly line workers that are in the manufacturing, finishing, sewing, cleaning and meat packing industry are the more likely candidates for developing the condition. Pain in the hand and fingers, tingling sensations of the fingers and numbness in the fingers are known symptoms of the syndrome.

Depending on the patient's preference and the severity of the syndrome, treatment can either be surgical or non-surgical. Medication, exercise and alternative therapies are the non-surgical treatments available. Open carpal tunnel release or endoscopic carpal tunnel release can be chosen for the surgical treatment.

Aspirin and ibuprofen, both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can ease the swelling and pain brought about by carpal tunnel syndrome. Oral diuretics can be taken to remove the excess water in the body that might be the cause of the swelling. Corticosteroids like prednisone, when taken orally or injected, are proven to relieve pressure on the median nerve.

When a patient's symptom has started to subside, strengthening and stretching exercises are a must. But consultation with a physical therapist or an occupational therapist is vital before engaging in nay exercise involving the wrist or any other affected part. Planning and supervision by these health care professionals is needed since they are trained to help people with physical impairments.

Gaining sudden popularity over the years even with unproved effectiveness are alternative therapies. Chiropractic care and acupuncture have been reported to helped patients. But one alternative therapy that has proven to reduce pain and improve grip strength is yoga.

On of the most common surgical procedures in the United States is carpal tunnel release. Only if you have been experiencing symptoms for six months will you be allowed to undergo the procedure. Local anesthesia is used in splitting a cluster of tissue around the wrist to remove the compression on the median nerve.

Open release surgery and endoscopic release surgery are the two types of open tunnel release. The traditional way of doing the procedure is open release surgery, with incisions up to 2 inches in length. On the other hand, endoscopic release surgery only needs short incisions in order to insert a small camera for visualization.

There is nothing to fear about carpal tunnel syndrome. There are plenty of treatments to choose from that makes it easy to cure. Go ahead and pick the treatment that you think well suits you.

You can find out more about quick carpal tunnel relief, when you visit the site for the best carpal tunnel treatment to eliminate your pain for good!

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Causes and Natural Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Trigger Finger Syndrome has become quite prevalent the past several years. I'd even go as far as saying that it has ultimately reached epidemic proportions that are similar to those statistics relative to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the late 1980's and early 1990's. With such a high incident rate and a low number of effective alternatives for treatment, an effective, non-invasive solution to this ever-increasing problem is greatly desired.

If you are suffering from Trigger Finger, or know some that is, this article will point you in the right direction, helping you to recognize that the non-invasive treatment methods can effectively take the place of the commonly recognized, invasive methods like cortisone injections and surgery that have poor, long-term results.

Methods of Injury -
Trigger Finger is a condition that results from an adhesion or nodule that has formed on the flexor tendon of the finger or thumb due to micro-tears within the tendon, generally caused by direct trauma or overuse. The least common cause of Trigger Finger may be a result of disease which can cause swelling of the tissues. Although all three of these factors can be at the root of the disorder, repetitive motion seems to be the most prevalent cause of Trigger Finger.

- Repetitive Motion / Overuse: Typing, mousing, tooling, manufacturing, assembly.
- Direct Trauma: Jamming the affected finger during a fall or sporting event.
- Disease / Infection: Infections can cause swelling of surrounding tissues, and disease can initiate abnormal growths that may affect the tendon or surrounding area, resulting in diminished space for the tendon to function properly.

Symptoms of Injury -
The symptoms of Trigger Finger syndrome include, but are not limited to; severe pain, an annoying "snapping", jerking", "clicking" of the affected finger as it either snaps downward into a flexed forward (triggered) position into the palm of the hand and becomes stuck, or as it is moved back into an open, extended position.

For those with advanced cases of Trigger Finger, It is usually the return of the finger to the "open", extended position that results in the most pain and discomfort as a result of the adhesion being stuck on the outside of the distal end of the tendon sheath and it releasing and "snapping" back into the extended, straight position. Swelling can be present, along with a sense of reduced circulation and cooling of the affected finger. Symptoms are most always worse upon wakening as the finger is stiff and cold, which can be remedied by running the finger under warm water for about 5-10 minutes.

Cause of Injury -
In most cases, the tendon has been subjected to micro tears in the tissue, thus resulting in an inability to heal properly. This inability to heal appropriately causes a nodule or adhesion to form on the injured tendon as a means to heal itself and become stronger but the end result is a damaged area with a matrix of tissues over it as it rapidly attempted to heal the injury, which results in "over scarring", creating an adhesion that it now too large and therefore cannot glide through the tendon sheath as it was intended to do.

Instead, the adhesion gets caught on either the proximal of distal ends of the sheath and either keeps the finger from flexing, which causes it to "snap" downward into the palm of the hand, or upon trying to extend the finger it "jerks" backward into the extended position, and usually with a good amount of pain, depending upon the severity of the disorder. Some people go for years with just a mild annoyance and others suffer severely with the inability to even use the affected finger.

Typical Treatment of Injury -
There are two basic treatments for Trigger Finger. The First is cortisone, where the affected tendon / tendon sheath are injected to reduce the inflammation, thereby reducing the size of the nodule /adhesion and thus allowing the tendon to glide through the sheath again with ease. The second is surgery, where the tendon sheath is cut, in order to allow the nodule on the affected tendon to move without becoming stuck on either end of the sheath's openings.

Atypical but Successful Treatment of Injury -
The less recognized, but much more successful treatment of Trigger Finger, involves a natural process utilizing passive and active finger and wrist flexor muscle stretches along with active finger and wrist extension exercises that work to stretch and thin the tendon while breaking down the adhesion / nodule on the affected tendon so that it can simply glide through the tendon sheath with ease, without any "catching", "jerking" or "snapping" of the tendon upon flexion or extension of the finger.

So you may wonder; why isn't this non-invasive method used more often if it is so successful? I have to say that either doctors' do not know about it, or they do and are more interested in making the money from the cortisone treatments and/or surgery, whereas they have no ability to make money off the less-invasive modes of therapy utilizing stretch and exercise techniques.

Once of my favorite stretch-exercises to address Trigger Finger are the Flextend method which provides active stretching techniques with simultaneous exercise techniques, thereby correcting Trigger Finger faster than the use of other exercises, training programs and therapeutic processes.

Good luck, and remember, your health is in your hands!

Jeff P. Anliker, LMT, is a therapist and inventor of rehabilitation products that are used by physicians, professional musicians and athletes around the world to prevent and treat disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome trigger finger, cubital tunnel and other repetitive strain injuries.

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