The lymphatic system

Lymph Drainage Therapy may:

• Reduce edema (swelling).
• Relieve chronic (not acute) inflammation in conditions such as eczema and allergies.
• Stimulate immune response.
• Help in tissue regeneration (after surgery, from burns, etc.
• Detoxify the body.
• Relieve chronic pain.
• Provide deep relaxation, which is beneficial for conditions such as insomnia, depression, excessive stress, loss of vitality and hypertonic muscles.
• Reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Reduce cellulite and adipose tissues.

Original art by Suzanne Eller

Recently, our local North Carolina Retired School Personnel chapter welcomed attorney Caroline Farmer from the NC Department of Justice to speak on protecting ourselves from identity theft.

• Put a "security freeze" on your credit reports. This freeze prevents criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It doesn't affect your own credit, and if you have to change account numbers for any reason, you are able to do so without unfreezing the account since the new number is linked to your old legitimate number and personal information. However, you won't be able to open a new credit card or line of credit without "thawing" the account, which must be done with all three credit bureaus individually and takes at least 15 minutes each to go into effect, but you can get a code that allows a specific lender to run the check without lifting the freeze. The DOJ website has online forms that take only a few minutes to complete. You must have the pin number that they give to to thaw the freeze, so don't lose it. I just did it, and it was easy. Make sure you freeze your minor child's report as well if there is one in his/her name.
• Never carry your SS# in your wallet. Likewise, don't carry your PIN numbers or passwords in your wallet, smart phone or appointment book.
• Shred your old documents, receipts and mail such as credit offers. You can sign up on the DOJ website for alerts about shred-a-thons in the area. (By the way, hosting a shred-a-thon is a great community project for your club or group. Be sure to let the DOJ know about it.) It is also worth it to invest in a personal shredder. Get one that shreds crosswise.
• Monitor you credit card statements for unusual charges or missing statements. Call the bank immediately if there is a charge you don't recognize.
• Cover your hand when you use your debit card PIN, or better yet, use a credit card for transactions. If you are in a restaurant, pay in cash or at the register rather than letting the wait staff take your card. This is where card numbers often get stolen through hand held scanners; then the numbers are sold on the Internet. Make copies of the front and back of your cards, and destroy old cards.
• Track your credit reports. By law, you are entitled to a free credit report each year from each of the three credit reporting companies. To make the best use of your free reports, request one from a different company every four months.
• Protect your information online and on the phone. Keep your anti-virus and spyware software up-to-date (you need both). Never send your personal information to someone who solicits you by email or phone call. Financial institutions do not ask for this information through email. Don't click links even if the email looks legitimate. Instead, go directly to the bank's website or call them using a number in your statement. If you are shopping online, look for the lock icon beside the address bar to make sure the site is secure, and read the website's privacy policy. Victims of Internet crime can also file a report at the DOJ and at www.ic3.gov, which is affiliated with the FBI.

These are just some of the ways Farmer talked about protecting oneself from identity theft. Caroline Farmer is available to speak to groups and organizations at no charge if the group is large enough to justify the expense of her travel from Raleigh. You can contact her at the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Health Benefits of Massage
Why massage should be a regular part of your healthcare regimen
 

• Improves circulation, thus helping the red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
• Stimulates the lymphatic system so that it carries wastes, cellular debris and pathogens away from the cells and out of the body.
• Increases the activity of white blood cells that attack and kill infections and pathogens and improves antibody production.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Increases the production of synovial fluid in the joints.
• Turns off the 'fight of flight" response (sympathetic nervous system)and turns on the "rest and digest" response (parasympathetic nervous system).
• Relieves muscle strains and cramps and improves range-of-motion.
• Speeds healing by improving tissue regeneration and reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Relieves depression by reducing stress hormones and improving serotonin production. Reducing stress hormones (cortisol) also helps with weight loss.
• Relieves chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, migraine, etc.