Staying In-Touch Newsletter (Healthy news from Dan & Roxie)

11. Everyone has their time in the "barrel": To listen to people talk, you would think that they were the only ones with problems. The truth is that everyone has circumstances which they go through that are not pleasant. Illness, financial difficulty, and death affect most people at different stages of their lives. Resist the temptation to think that you are special in this regard. When negative circumstances arise, move forward knowing others are succeeding in dealing with similar issues.

12. Plan your life and live your plan: I love the analogy to taking a trip across country without a road map. This is something that most would never consider doing. Yet almost all will approach their life without a forethought to where they would like to go. In fact, people spend more time planning their vacations than they do to plan their lives. Studies have shown that individuals who set down goals with a written plan for their achievement attain a far greater degree of success than those who fail to do so.

13. Failure is our best teacher: Failure is a tough thing to go through. However, it can be our most beneficial experience. Successful people all seem to have had their share of failures. It is the lessons from these situation which makes them so valuable. Take the time to analyze why things turned out how they did and resolve not to make the same mistake. This is where life prepares us for the next challenge.

14. Most people are willing to help:We feel we need to do it all on our own. This stems from the belief that most people don't care. The truth is that most people are willing to help wherever they can. People, at their basic core, are nice. They want to contribute. It makes us feel good to help another. Rid yourself of the desire to do it all on your own and ask others for help. You will be surprised at the warm response you get.

15. The starting point is irrelevant:There are hundreds of stories of people who started from the worst circumstances only to achieve greatness. Individuals who blame their surroundings for their lack of success are using this as a crutch. There are opportunities in all areas of life for those who are willing to go after them. It is where you are going that is important, not where you start from.

16. Everything starts as a thought: There is nothing that mankind has made in this world that did not start as an idea in someone's head. Everyday, we each have ideas which are mostly dismissed. Capturing one of those ideas can change how the world operates. Also, having the right mindset will do more to ensure our success than any other attribute. Pay attention to what takes place within your own head.

17. We all have more talents than we can uncover: Everyone on this planet is created with an incredible amount of ability. Yet we often believe that we "can't do anything right". This is negative conditioning allowed to ruin our lives. There is an unbelievable skill within you at this present moment. Beginning to say "yes" to opportunities in life will uncover what those talents are. Often we do not realize what we are capable of until we are forced into a tough situation.

18. Everything is perspective: Even though you will swear it to be the truth, it is really only your perspective. Our viewpoint is usually what determines how we process things. Is the glass half full or half empty? Both answers are correct, depending on your perspective. Remember this whenever you are determined to make yourself right and someone else wrong.

19. Tap into your true self: Some call it passion, others life purpose. Whatever the term, there is something in life that only you can perform. Spend some time seeking out what it is. All greatness comes from this place. Do not worry about the financial compensation. People who tap into their true essence while releasing their talents on the world are well paid. Find out what it is and follow it.

20. You can make a huge difference: There is no limit to the impact that you can have. Many of the greatest figures in history were from the humblest of beginnings. They were average people who took extraordinary action when called upon. You can do the same thing. The ideas that you have right now can impact thousands, if not, millions of lives. Begin to accept this as your reality.

Here is the list of ideas which I feel will lead anyone to success. See how many you can implement into your life on a daily basis. People who have done so report an incredible increase in their success, happiness, productivity, and freedom.
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Dennis Harting is one of the leading authorities on success, motivation, and overcoming procrastination. For the past 15 years he has studied some of the most comprehensive techniques used in personal development. All his programs can be found at http://www.yourrichlifeinc.com. He is also responsible for starting one of the most powerful free forums dealing with success on the Internet. Successful individuals can share their ideas while learning from others at http://www.freesuccessforum.com.

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May 2010

A Healing Touch Massage

More than just a name... it's a promise!

Dan O'Clair & Roxie Reimer

480-215-9471 or 602-568-1531

PO Box 3070

Apache Junction, AZ 85119

www.ahealingtouchmassage.com

Providing in-home therapeutic massage to the metropolitan Phoenix area since 2003.

Call for your appointment today
or book online at www.ahealingtouchmassage.com!

We've been having a fantastic Spring and hope that you have too. As long as the weather holds like this we are still offering pool-side massage, but hurry, it's Arizona and the weather is bound to warm up!

The last week-end in April we had the opportunity to travel to the Seattle area to assist our good friend David Morin with his Medical Massage Therapy workshop. Thirty-seven massage therapists attended this important training on Pain and Dysfunction of the Lower Extremity.

I renewed friendships with therapists I met last Fall when I assisted David and we made many new friends too. Since my aunt and uncle live in Seattle, we arranged to spend a couple days with them since we were already "in the area." We had a great time. Roxie had her first ferry ride (I told her since it was a large boat on salt water we could check it off the bucket list as our cruise, but she didn't think that was funny.) and we got to visit Pike Place Market and the original Starbucks.

Since our return we have been staying very busy seeing many of you for massage. Father's Day is coming up soon (June 20) and we have two Father's Day massage specials; "Dad's Lazy Day Massage" and "Dad's Week-end Warrior Massage." Both massages are available to call and schedule now. They are also available as gift certificates to be given to Dad so he can schedule at his convenience.

We're looking forward to your call to schedule your next massage.

"Ahhh come on, you know you should... yes you deserve it; that's it... reach for the phone..."

The Amazing Cucumber

The New York Times as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series highlights creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems. I received this via email from a friend and thought I'd pass it on.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one
cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon put down the caffeinated soda and pick
up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a
cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The
chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent
undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or
to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber
slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?
Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you
don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber
over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage facial or visit to the
spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water,
the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling
water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless
steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE!

Of course we love to hear your voice on the phone when you call for an appointment but we realize that sometimes late at night you think, "I really need to schedule a massage." You look at the clock and realize it's 2:00 AM and you decide it's a little late (or early) to give us a call. But you know that tomorrow your day is so full you'll never get around to calling to make an appointment... so what do you do? No, you don't forget about it! You go to your computer and pull up ahealingtouchmassage. Click on the "booknow" icon and you can schedule your own appointments 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The easy to follow process takes just a few minutes to complete and we are instantly (not in the middle of the night but when we get up) notified of your appointment. Online appointments must be booked a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

5 Minutes with Nature Can Boost Mental Health

LiveScience

Just 5 minutes being active in a park, in the woods or even in your backyard can boost mental health, a new study finds.

Many studies have shown that spending active time in the great outdoors is good for the mind. Humans have a deep-seated need for contact with nature, which researchers theorize provides relaxing down time for a brain that is otherwise overtaxed by modern pressures.

But how much time is required?

Researchers studied data on 1,252 people drawn from 10 separate studies in the UK. They analyzed activities such as walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming. The largest positive effect on self-esteem came from a five-minute dose, they conclude.

"For the first time in the scientific literature, we have been able to show dose-response relationships for the positive effects of nature on human mental health," said University of Essex researcher Jules Pretty.

Other scientists have suggested that, in general, humans should play more, tapping into need for lightheartedness that goes back to our caveman days.

In the new study, the greatest health changes occurred in the young and the mentally-ill, although people of all ages and social groups benefited. All natural environments were beneficial, including parks in urban settings. Green areas with water were even more beneficial, the scientists said.

"We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise," said co-researcher Jo Barton.

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The findings are detailed in American Chemical Society journal

Environmental Science & Technology.

Approaches to Knee Pain Relief

by Eddie Tobey

You use your knees every time you walk, run, or move your lower body at all. Knee pain, therefore, dramatically affects the daily life of sufferers, who must use their knees throughout the day. Knee pain is second only to back pain among American adult pain sufferers. Knee trouble is most often caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage that surrounds the two bones that comprise the knee joint wears away, sometimes causing painful bone-on-bone contact.

There are many treatment options for knee pain. Under the care of a doctor, sufferers can select the most appropriate course of treatment to provide optimum knee pain relief. Over-the-counter and prescription medications including acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin reduce pain, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation as well as knee joint pain. At-home remedies like ice packs and capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, often have a similar effect.

Natural supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine have become popular alternatives to traditional medicines in recent years because they present fewer risks of side effects. Both are naturally occurring substances in the body. The former aids in building joint cartilage, while the latter fights against degeneration of cartilage. Studies have proven their effectiveness in alleviating osteoarthritic joint pain, but have yet to demonstrate that these supplements actually reverse the effects of cartilage degeneration that have already taken place.

Modifying knee activity with physical aids such as padding, crutches, and splints, and even simple rest take the pressure off of the knee and provide temporary knee pain relief while the joint recovers from injury. Conversely, specific exercises, stretching, and low-impact aerobic activities such as biking, walking and swimming increase joint strength and flexibility, promoting healing and reducing the risk of further injury.

For severe knee injuries that have not responded to the aforementioned treatments, surgery remains an option. There are several common knee surgeries, which range from exploratory arthroscopic surgery, which orthopedic physicians use to diagnose the exact source of knee pain so that they can determine which behaviors and activities need to be modified, all the way to a total knee replacement. Whichever course of treatment a patient decides upon, it is important to work alongside a physician to ensure proper care.

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This is general health information. It should not replace consultation with your doctor. Please check with your doctor or other health care professional before taking any new supplements.

Until next month...yours for better health,

A Healing Touch Massage