Welcome Shades of Summer!

The season has finally arrived for sandals and snow cones, bathing suits and beaches, but with it comes the danger of basking in the sun's rays. Tanning beds have been on popular demand for some time now, providing men and women with warm, glowing color year round but at what cost? Skin cancer has also been on the rise among young girls who frequent tanning salons and melanoma is the worst possible kind, which just happens to be the leading cause of death from skin disease.

Risks include but are not limited to the following:

• Living in sunny climates/high altitudes
• Long-term exposure to high levels of strong sunlight
  
• One or more blistering sunburns during childhood
• Use of tanning devices

The American Cancer Society recommends for people ages 20-40, professional skin examinations every 3 years. For those over 40 years of age, recommendations for an exam rise to every year. Self exams are encouraged in detection and self help in prevention lies below:

• UV rays are the strongest in midday and can be harmful in as short a time as 15 minutes. Play it safe and avoid exposure from 10am to 3pm.
• There's shade and there's shades. Hats with wide brims provide more effective coverage and sunglasses with UV A&B protection can help you avoid cataracts in the future.
• Stay away from tanning beds. I think the point has been made.
• Sunscreen should have an SPF of 15 or higher and be reapplied every 2 hours if outside.

Here's an interesting fact: As few as five sunburns will increase one's risk for skin cancer.
How many have you had?

Chronic Pain the Crippler

Chronic pain. A common debilitator among men and women across the nation and studies suggest over the next few decades, percentages may reach epidemic proportions.

Enter Low Level Laser Therapy treatment, which has shown to help with tissue repair and aid in pain relief. Research is well under way with clinical trials correlating LLLT's role in reducing inflammation, nerve conduction of painful stimuli, and muscle fatigue. In fact, a recent article was published regarding the treatment of neck pain with LLLT. The results below seem promising, though perhaps, not as long lasting as most chronic sufferers would like.

"LLLT reduced pain immediately following treatment in acute neck pain and up to 22 weeks after completion of treatment in patients with chronic neck pain."

The good news is that LLLT doesn't stop there, it's light reaches a bit further still. Not only does laser therapy benefit those with neck discomfort, it also helps with patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, tendinopathy, and joint disorders. Benefits for those with low back pain are still materializing, along with the placement of laser over nerves vs. joints for greatest effect.

Imagine. Laser therapy helping to blind the cancer from seeing its way through the body of a patient, making them more functional and independent in everyday activities the rest of us take for granted.

It could happen.

New Moms on the Block Beat the Baby Blues

Here's an interesting fact...
If you were to enter the world wide web interstate, take the Google exit and then turn onto 'Postnatal' Street in your search bar, you would find the first address listed is Postnatal Depression.

Also known as postpartum depression, this clinical illness has shown to affect anywhere from 5 to 25% of mothers in the world. Quite a range, right? Well, for some odd reason, prevalence rates are more prevalently unclear and inconsistent than anything. Go figure.

Interestingly enough, men are not exempt from experiencing depression following a childbirth in the family. Granted, the percentage of male population is significantly lower when juxtaposed with the female population, but it's still comforting to know we have some 'feelings' in common. Most men are forced to resort to GPS signals when it comes to understanding women and their constant companion of 'emotion'. Likewise, women need a roadmap to read men too, especially for those in search of their male counterpart's 'emotions', which most likely, are hidden in the garage.
I have a few friends on the brink of motherhood and others who have already passed the border into Babyland, so I've been thinking about the changes they're facing both mentally and physically. New moms have an added stressor of the unknown coupled with the inundation of information to peruse on perfecting motherhood. I thought maybe they'd appreciate a watered down version of material. Factual material.
Parents are most susceptible to suffer depression during the first few months following delivery. For those who enjoy self-diagnosis, here are some possible symptoms to look for:

• Sadness


• Fatigue


• Insomnia


• Anxiety


• Appetite Changes


• Reduced libido

Does that list seem daunting to you? Well, be encouraged by a study recently performed at the University of Melbourne, which included just over 160 postnatal participants who were divided into two groups. The first set of participants were given a specialized exercise program to follow under the guidance of a physiotherapist, in addition to parenting education; whereas the second cluster was given solely written education material. Yawn.

After a period of 8 weeks, re-assessment of psychological well-being, depressive sx, and physical activity in the first group demonstrated notable improvements when compared to the second group. The positive benefits lasted at least 4 weeks following clinical trial in primary group and "The number of women identified as 'at risk' for postnatal depression pre-intervention was reduced by 50% in the Mother and Baby group by the end of the intervention."

A great website to check out for more information is http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Open House at a Glance...

Our 'Open House' here at Back to Basics welcomed a delightful assortment of women from every age and stage in life across our threshold!

Simply put, the outcome was unparalleled.

Thank you all, patients and friends for coming out to visit. I've heard the food, the chair massage, the pedicures and manicures were all exceptionally well done! What a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of having or being a mother. Moms have played their hand as the role of a therapist to each of us and bandaged our emotional, social, and physical needs. From scraped knees to school bullies, mom's have donned their capes time and time again to act as our 'super' heroes.

So, to every lady behind the mask, I salute you. Not only for your sacrificial love, but your loyalty and fierce devotion. You truly are a credit to your race.

Cruise for the Cause

So in my search for the perfect picture to post, I stumbled across ships bearing an eery likeness to the Titanic vessel (not comforting), while other boats sported fish tails protruding from the end. (Even worse. Can we say Moby Dick, anyone?)

I love the image of a serene coastline in blues and greens, where clear skies and crystal waters sit hand in hand. Sharks are strangely absent while schools of fish live their lives in endless summer, drifting along at a leisurely pace, waiting for the next serving of a tourist's frosted flake.

Does this scene sound familiar?

My husband and I will be taking a cruise out of New York soon to celebrate our one year anniversary. It's hard to believe the rate at which time passes, and what better place to muse on the past 365 days of marriage than in Bermuda? We all need 'time' for respite and reflection. To find a source of relaxation in pink sand massaging the feet with every step is an added bonus.

There is a time for everything. A time to be thankful for every past moment, to learn from every mistake made, and to bask in the present stillness of one another's company. This is our time.

Still, I'll be missing my family here at Back to Basics and wondering how each patient of mine is faring. It's amazing how entwined our lives can become when immersed in a great field. I love what I do. Absolutely love it! The feeling of enabling another person to feel pampered, even if it's only for 15 minutes in a treatment room. The cause is clear. Restore health and wellness in the patient.

The same is true when it comes to vacation days.

Even for a therapist.

Open House!

Mothers, Grandmothers, Daughters and All!!!

We will be opening our doors to the general public on May the 6th from 11am-3pm, so be sure to mark your calendars! Refreshments are complimentary and manicures, pedicures, facials, and chair massage will also be offered just to show our appreciation to you!

Vendors include the following: Nutritionist, Wellness Instructors, and Bra-fitting Specialists.

Our address: 1015 First Street SW, Suite 2
Roanoke, VA 24016

Hope to see you there!

Safety First when Sledding

Our massage therapist here at Back to Basics plays the part of an invaluable multi-tasker, who is able to juggle patients, hot packs, and clients without breaking a sweat. When it comes to recreational activities practiced outside clinical work, however, the chance of her breaking a neck or an ankle is quite a different story.

After a recent fall of fresh snow, Kelly, like so many others, hit the hills. Unfortunately, during a final run down one very slippery slope, her tube shot out from beneath her and left her tumbling high and 'not-so-dry' head over feet. The image captured on the left was taken prior to an EMT escort into the emergency room. Blood spattered across the opaque snow is just visible at the bottom of the picture. Amazingly enough, she did not need stitches and is now showing signs of a full recovery. Though stiff muscles can be stubborn counterparts when it comes to healing, believe you me. As I type, one of our therapists is upstairs working out Kelly's kinks that won't leave without a fight.

The snow keeps coming, keeps falling, and keeps some at home now, with the stark knowledge of what such beauty can do to the body. For those who still plan to brave the elements in the remnants of this winter, be reminded...safety first ensures you're still here to greet the spring.

• Sled after donning helmets, gloves, and insulated boots
  
• Hills with gentle slopes and room for runoffs are ideal. Icy, hard-packed hills are not
• Choose hills devoid of trees, signs, fences, rocks or other ingredients to injuries
• Slide down in a sitting position--always feet first, NEVER head first
• Make sure the way is completely clear before you start
• When sledding, take care to keep your arms, legs, scarves, and any other loose ends tied up