Regarding that Superbowl Ad.
February 9th, 2010
I didn’t see GoDaddy’s ad during the Superbowl, but heard the fallout from it afterwards. This article captures my feelings about it very well.
However, massage therapists have been made fun of for a long time and mis-represented wrongfully for many years. We have worked hard and diligently to gain respect as health care professionals.
Do you see ads with a physical therapist seductively dancing around their client?
Ever see a commercial with a surgeon flinging off their clothes?
My point is that while it may be cute to some, perhaps, it is not suitable for the industry to be represented by any company or TV show in such an unprofessional manner.
via Careers in Massage: Representing the Massage Industry.
I would only add that by perpetuating an unprofessional stereotype, ads like this put me and my colleagues at risk for assault from clients who wrongfully believe that we offer “extra” services.
Feeling fat may be worse for you than being fat | Reuters
December 28th, 2009
“The obesity ‘epidemic’ might have a lot more to do with our collective preoccupation with obesity than obesity itself,” the study’s lead author, Dr. Peter Muennig of Columbia University in New York City, told Reuters Health. “We still need to focus on healthy diet and exercise as public health officials, but we need to take fatness out of the equation. Were we to stop looking at body fat as a problem, the problem may well disappear.”
via Feeling fat may be worse for you than being fat | Reuters.
My Favorite Vegetable Recipe: Brussels Sprouts!
November 23rd, 2009
Most of us hated Brussels sprouts as a kid. And I still find them mushy and bitter whenever they’re cooked in any wet method. Dry-roasting, however, brings out their sweetness and gives them a crunchy texture.
And speaking of cold and flu season, Brussels sprouts are great immune-boosting food. They contain many disease-fighting phytochemicals, and are an excellent source of vitamin C. And they’re pretty! Here’s a shot from a recent harvest on the farm where I worked this summer.
This is more of a method than a specific recipe. Feel free to add fresh herbs, nuts, or whatever tasty additions you’d like. I also like this method for most fall and winter vegetables.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Rinse sprouts, and slice in half from end to end, through the stem, removing any dead or tough outer leaves. Add sprouts to a large bowl.
Drizzle a small amount of regular olive oil over sprouts, tossing and stirring to coat. You could add fresh herbs at this point if you’d like.
Distribute sprouts on a baking sheet, cut side up. Sprinkle coarse salt over sprouts.
Roast for 30-45 minutes, removing when sprouts are browned and crispy. Serve hot! Just like veggie popcorn.
Chiropractic, Massage and Physical Therapy as CFS or Fibromyalgia Treatment
September 29th, 2009
Found a good article today on why massage and other manual therapy treatments can be great for those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or anyone with “central sensitization” – when the entire nervous system reacts to a stimulus.
Fibromyalgia Treatment – Chiropractic, Massage and Physical Therapy as CFS or Fibromyalgia Treatment.
… but your massage therapist has to know what she’s doing! “No pain, no gain” will just not be effective, because this will cause the nervous system to overreact.
If you suspect you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, or you have a diagnosis, gentle massage might be just the right solution to keep you functioning.
Now Offering Half-Hour Sessions
August 26th, 2009
I’ve added half-hour sessions to my online scheduler, for $30. When you come in for a short session like this, you’ll have to “pick a body part” – I’m intending this offering to be for folks suffering from chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain, not for folks seeking a relaxation-style massage.
But that half-hour time slot may be just what you need to keep you up and moving. It’s also an economical way to keep yourself healthy! Book online today.
Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles – USATODAY.com
August 4th, 2009
“Half of those taking antidepressants used them for back pain, nerve pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties or other problems, the study says.”
These folks could be getting massage instead!
via Number of Americans taking antidepressants doubles – USATODAY.com.
The Case for Working With Your Hands – NYTimes.com
May 27th, 2009
This article lays out many of the reasons I left the knowledge-worker world to become a massage therapist.
The Case for Working With Your Hands – NYTimes.com.
Ultimately it is enlightened self-interest, then, not a harangue about humility or public-spiritedness, that will compel us to take a fresh look at the trades. The good life comes in a variety of forms. This variety has become difficult to see; our field of aspiration has narrowed into certain channels. But the current perplexity in the economy seems to be softening our gaze. Our peripheral vision is perhaps recovering, allowing us to consider the full range of lives worth choosing. For anyone who feels ill suited by disposition to spend his days sitting in an office, the question of what a good job looks like is now wide open.