Is Laughter the "Best" Medicine?

There's plenty to suggest that laughter really "is" the best medicine. A daily laugh....spontaneous is best...will

• drive carbon dioxide out of the body and replace it with oxygen rich air that refreshes youy physically and mentally.
• produce anti inflammatory agents that fight back pain and arthritis.
• encourage your muscles to relax.
• exercise facial muscles to prevent sagging.
• exercise muscles all over the body, from top to toe.
• reduce levels of serum cortisol, the stress hormone.
• boost your immune system responses.
• boost the production of "feel good" endorphins.

"So", laughing "si" very good for your health. do it "every" day.
Cheers...Jeff

Pelvic Alignment

A not so recent workshop reinforced the notion that the pelvis "is" indeed the structural "engine room" of the body and in effect does affect what happens elsewhere in the muscular skeletal system.

It therefore stands to reason that if the "foundation" of a building or structure is out of alignment then problems will occur. General tell tale signs like uneven illiac crests and/or one shoulder up and the other down will indicate a pelvic misalignment.

In cases of structural dysfunction I generally refer on to my chiropractor (see Health and Wellbeing) on my website ( www.metamassage.com.au)

Next time you stand in front of a mirror please have a look to check how level your shoulders, chest and hips are. If you can "see' unevenness then it's like that you have pelvic misalignment whcih can be fixed.

Cheers...Jeff

Reading the Ingredients

Before you apply an external to your skin eg sunscreen lotion, cosmetics or say a moisturiser do you take the time to suss out the ingredients in the product you are about to use or do you just subscribe to the theory that..."Hey! What I don't know about won't hurt me." If you are someone who "does" subscribe to that theory then you may well be taking risks with your health.

As most of us know the skin is an organ and yes...it does absorb. For example, research has shown that ingredients in sunscreen lotion have shown up in both blood and urine tests. Some will say, "Yes but I use an expensive brand of sunscreen lotion!" That may well be but just how "user friendly" is it? True...just a few applications may have little effect but the body does have a way of "accumulating" and if there are toxic ingredients in the formula you are using then you may well be putting yourself at risk in the long term.

One way of checking the "safety" of ingredients in externals (lotions, cosmetics etc) or for that matter additives in foods and what's in household products is via a very handy little book called the Chemical Maze...Bill Statham...available at most health food stores. This is a book with a very appropriate title. Please...don't take ingredients in products for granted. It will be worth your while to check before using a product. You only have "one" body and prudence demands that it's much, much better to be safe than sorry.

Yours in health...Jeff

Emu Oil

For whatever reason most massage therapists will favour a particular carrier oil. Mine is emu oil which to me has no equal as a carrier oil. Apparently it is the carrier oil which is used by AIS massage therapists use on the athletes in their program no doubt for it's wonderful anti inflammatory qualities. I also usually infuse the oil with Lavender (essential oil)...which is both anti bacterial and is also an anti spasmodic. Emu oil can also be taken internally via gel capsules. As well as the Omega 3 fatty acids that is found in fish oil, emu oil "also" has Omegas 6 and 9 as well. Results for those who take the caps are very encouraging. For more information I can highly recommend you give Emu Oil guru Stephen Schmidt (Redcliffe, Brisbane PH (07) 32838777 a call.

Cheers in Health...Jeff

A Long Stretch?

A suitable daily stretching routine will do wonders not just for your muscular skeletal system but will also be beneficial for your overall health. Tight muscles inhibit joint mobility and can cause all sorts of structural problems. We live in a demanding world these days and with all the stresses and pressures of daily living, muscles tighten and if left unchecked go into spasm promoting all sorts of "unwellness" conditions eg tension headaches...stiff and sore backs etc.

Never stretch beyond pain and a stretch should last for at least 30 seconds..the longer the better. if you are having muscular or joint problems then I strongly recommend you visit your physio or chiropractor for assessment and stretching recommendations. Otherwise if you Google stretching for health then you will find a vast array of information which may be suitable for you.

Cheers in Health...Jeff

Walking

" The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise and of all the exercises..WALKING is the best"...Thomas Jefferson.

Walking will:

• burn off excess fat tissue
• tone up sagging muscles
• improve posture
• lower blood pressure
• help in maintaining correct weight
• reduce levels of anxiety and stress
• improve fitness and self esteem
• improve circualtion and decrease risk of cardio vascular disease

Walking first up 'every' morning will also help mobilise your joints and help you to get rid of foul air which accumulates while you are sleeping. It's also a great precursor to the "main" meal of the day...breakfast. Walk "every" day if you can...morning and afternoon! Cheers...Jeff

Massage

When was the last time you had a really good stress busting massage?