George Grant Therapeutic Massage LLC/newsviews

No Quick Quiz Question this month.

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My personalized gift certificates can be purchased for as many massage sessions as you choose, and are valid for one year (12 months) from the date of purchase.
Gift certificate recipients may also pass their certificate to a relative or friend to redeem if they so wish.
Where justified by special circumstances I will extend the validity of certificates at my complete discretion but I ask recipients to make every effort to redeem them during the year-long period of validity.

Sa'adi Shirazi Persian poet 1213-1293
The Children of Adam are limbs of each other
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time afflicts one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If thou hast no sympathy for the troubles of others
Thou art unworthy to be called by the name of a man.

Studies show benefits of Tai Chi
Two recent studies mentioned in Science Daily concern the benefits of Tai Chi.

The results of research at The George Institute in Sydney, Australia, demonstrate that Tai Chi improves pain and disability in patients suffering arthritis.

The authors state, "The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis."

Another study from Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Massachusetts, USA, gives a cautious Thumbs Up for the Psychological Health improvement associated with tai chi.

Dr. Chenchen Wang, Associate Professor at Tufts, said, "More detailed knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of Tai Chi exercise may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions and further explicate the mechanisms of successful mind-body medicine."

Favorite Super Bowl Quote:
“Football incorporates the two worst elements of American society: violence punctuated by committee meetings.”
- George Will, author, commentator, humorist
“Massage is an excellent remedy for the after effects of either.” - George Grant Certified Massage Therapist.

Not to mention the kinks and knots developed by sitting on the couch for 3 hours watching the game! Moreover, bear in mind that Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is a terrific way to detoxify if you have over-indulged in junk food (and beverages) at the tailgate party!

From The Civility Project

If we agree on nothing else, let's agree on this . . .
"It seems our society has become increasingly divided and polarized. Every week we are treated to scenes of bitter fighting, protests turning to violence and vandalism, name-calling, and personal attacks. Important debates are no longer fought with ideas and words but with shouting and screaming, even throwing things." Click on the banner to find out more and to Take the Civility Pledge.

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Another Alternative Health Directory
The website Asbestos.com has compiled what they claim is the largest and most comprehensive alternative medicine directory on the web. I have been listed on this site under massage therapy.

According to the site,“Massage therapy has been linked to alleviating the pain associated with chemotherapy and constant surgeries that cancer patients undergo. The Mesothelioma Center is an up-to-date resource for all mesothelioma issues ranging from mesothelioma disease to diagnosis options.”

New poll on health care reform, massage therapy, and the public option:
From: Massage Magazine.com posted: 11/13/2009.
"Public option should pay for medically necessary massage therapy according to new poll"
In a newly released poll sponsored by Kala Group, LLC, a day spa franchising company based out of Scottsdale, Arizona 84% of respondents believe medically necessary massage therapy should be paid for in a government run insurance plan.
In this unscientific random poll, participants were asked “Should any public health insurance plan be required to pay for massage therapy when deemed medically necessary by your doctor?”
Those who participated in the poll overwhelmingly agree that the answer is “yes” with 84% voting “yes” while only 10% say “no” with 5% saying “unsure”.
Voice your opinion: Answer the poll question and your opinion will be included in the final results."
The above poll will be left open until health care reform resolved in congress.
--Examiner.com, Scottsdale, Ariz., Nov. 11

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The man who smuggled himself into Auschwitz
I was moved to reposition the quote from Sa'adi Shirazi’s poem to the top of this page on the website after reading this incredibly inspiring BBC story of one man’s courage and compassion in the face of evil. In this time of trouble, war, and violent news of all kinds, I cannot believe that it is random coincidence that the story of this brave man’s acts should be brought to light now, after all these years. Even more amazing is that I found the story not an hour after reading these verses from Isaiah Chapter 30:

ISA 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

ISA 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Let your Kids Play in the Dirt!
Children should be allowed to play in the dirt because being too clean can impair the skin’s ability to heal itself, new research suggests. An article in theLondon Daily Telegraph tells about research at the University of California at San Diego to be published in the online journal Nature Medicine. The team, led by dermatologist Professor Richard Gallo, found that common bacteria called staphylococci, can reduce inflammation after injury, when they are present on the skin's surface.

Kissing is more hygienic than Handshaking!
Just in time for Christmas, the Telegraph reports that Debrett's, the last word on impeccible social etiquette, is advising Christmas party goers to avoid a full festive kiss on the lips under the mistletoe this year to avoid spreading swine flu. However, the article does take a positive note for the holiday season by emphasising that " . . . it’s medically proven that a peck on the cheek is much more hygienic than a handshake. People carry billions more germs on their hands so ‘cheek-to-cheek’ kissing is a healthier greeting by far.”

Massage and Mesothelioma
Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy is an informative article on massage for cancer patients. The piece contains links to the website Mesothelioma.com, a leading web resource for those affected by mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the lungs and abdomen.This website has a service directory for patients seeking an LMT or clinic offering massage therapy in their area. I am proud to announce that I have recently been listed in this directory.

Massage parlors, masseuses, and rub downs
Here is a link to an article explaining the difference between a Massage Therapist and a Masseuse in 21st century usage. This seems to be a cause for confusion, especially in the media when they are pursuing stories involving scandal, murder, "escort services," and, usually, members of the US congress.

Massage Benefits Women with Breast Cancer
Results of a study at the Touch Research Institutes, Department of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Clinics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine show that women undergoing treatment for breast cancer can benefit significantly from massage therapy.

The dangers of tight bras and deodorants
There are some topics which, as a guy doing massage, I file under the heading of "things I’d like to tell my clients but don’t!" Amelia Mitchell, LMT,a nationally and state certified massage therapist with a private practice in Annapolis Maryland, has an excellent article in her news letter titled Tight Bra Syndrome. I recommend that all my female clients, of any age, take a look at this excellent advice and pass it on to all of their friends.

As Amelia says "This may seem to be just of interest to women. However, as far as I know, many men are quite fond of breasts and the women who have them. So if you are a man reading this and there are breasts in this world that are special to you, please read on."

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Alternative therapies for disabled get funding boost
As reported in a recent press release, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1047 , sponsored by Rep. Nancy Todd and Sen. Williams, which creates a program in Medicaid for spinal cord injury patients to receive alternative therapies such as message therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.

"We know that sometimes the most effective remedies can be the cheapest," Rep. Todd said. "If those with spinal cord injuries can increase their mobility or decrease their pain through chiropractors, massage or even acupuncture, they should be allowed access to those alternatives."

Writing poems helps brain cope with emotional turmoil
The London Daily Telegraph reports that Dr Matthew Lieberman, a neuroscientist at the University of California, in a lecture called Putting Feelings Into Words outlined his findings at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Apparently, writing poems or songs - no matter how bad they are - could be good for mental and physical health. So all that turgid rubbish I wrote in my youth wasn't wasted effort after all!

Can a Massage cause a stroke?
In his Newsweek Magazine question and answer column Dr. Patrick O’Gara, director of clinical cardiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School discusses the possibility of Deep Tissue Massage of the neck causing a stroke. He concludes that it is highly unlikely. For the full article click Here

Fibromyalgia a ‘Real Disease,’ Study Shows
An article in Science Daily, states that using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) researchers in France were able to detect functional abnormalities in certain regions in the brains of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, reinforcing the idea that symptoms of the disorder are related to a dysfunction in those parts of the brain where pain is processed.

For the full article click Here

The Healing hand symbol in my logo is a representation of Universal Healing Energy being channeled through the hands. This is an ancient symbol of protection used by many cultures. It is called the Hand of Fatima by Muslims, the hamsa hand in Arabic (Khamsa is Arabic for 5) and hamesh hand in Hebrew. There is also strong evidence that this symbol predates Judaism, Christianity and Islam and refers to an ancient Middle Eastern Goddess whose hand wards off the Evil Eye. There is usually an image in the center of the hand: eye, spiral and heart designs are common. The Hamsa’s protective energy is said to attract good luck, happiness, riches and good health. Peace activists in the Middle east often wear the Hamsa emblem to symbolize the common origin (scripturally and culturally) of the Jewish and Islamic faiths.

For more information see Wikepedia entry for "Hamsa"

Several people have asked me about my life before becoming a massage therapist, particularly about my time in the British Army; so I have expanded the "about me" page and will add some more tid-bits here from time to time.

This is the badge of an Artificer of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. The Hammer and Tongs device is very ancient, going back to the days of the medieval armorers. It perfectly symbolizes the tiffie’s repair philosophy of "If you can’t pull it out, bash it in." Note that the tongs are mechanically impossible to operate, which about sums up some of the stuff we had to work with.

When I transferred from the Royal Signals to the REME I discovered that the biggest difference in repair procedures was that kluges had to be done using 2-part epoxy instead of electricians tape.

In my massage practice I often improvise, but never use either epoxy or electrical tape. So far I have not applied the tifie’s pull/bash maxim either!

Benefits of Massage

Feels Good!
Relieves fatigue
Alleviates pain
Improves postural alignment
Increases Range-of-Motion
Improves circulation of blood & lymph
Increases relaxation, and reduces stress
Speeds injury recovery & scar tissue healing
Calms the mind
Feels Good!

Albert Einstein
"Up to the 20th century, reality was everything humans could touch, smell, see, and hear. Since the initial publication of the chart of the electromagnetic spectrum, humans have learned that what they can touch, smell, see, and hear is less than one-millionth of reality."