Washing Away Disease - 12/21/2011
With holiday gatherings, New Year celebrations and constant travelling, hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent getting sick and spreading germs. Many illnesses, including the common cold, are spread by not washing hands properly with soap and water. According to statistics from the National Library of Medicine, the common cold accounts for approximately 22 million missed days of school and 20 million absences from work (which includes time away from work to care for sick children).

Tart Cherry Juice Drinkers Gain Sleep Advantage - 12/12/2011
Americans seeking a better night's sleep may need to look no further than tart cherry juice, according to a new study in the European Journal of Nutrition. An international team of researchers found that when adults had two daily glasses of tart cherry juice, they slept 39 minutes longer, on average, and had up to 6 percent increase in overall sleep efficiency (significantly less nonsleep time in bed), compared to when they drank a noncherry, fruit cocktail.

Chronic Pain in Children and Adolescents Becoming More Common - 12/12/2011
Children who suffer from persistent or recurring chronic pain may miss school, withdraw from social activities and are at risk of developing internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety, in response to their pain. In the first comprehensive review of chronic pain in children and adolescents in 20 years, a group of researchers found that more children now are suffering from chronic pain and that girls suffer more frequently from chronic pain than boys.

Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget - 11/21/2011
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a realistic low-cost at-home food plan is about $110 per week for a family of two and $187 per week for a family of four who have kids older than 6 years old. Even with their low-cost figures, some families may wonder in this economy how to make that work, while still striving to eat healthy meals. The good news is there are many things families can do to help keep costs down, yet eat healthy at the same time

Physical Fitness Could Have a Positive Effect on Eye Health - 11/19/2011
Physical activity may be what the doctor orders to help patients reduce their risk of developing glaucoma. According to a recently published scientific paper, higher levels of physical exercise appear to have a long-term beneficial impact on low ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), an important risk factor for glaucoma.

Improved Memory Efficiency Seen After Aerobic Exercise in Fibromyalgia Patients - 11/18/2011
Areas of the brain responsible for pain processing and cognitive performance changed in fibromyalgia patients who exercised following a medication holiday, say researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center. They say the changes indicate brain functioning is more streamlined after an exercise intervention because less of the brain's resources is devoted to processing bothersome fibromyalgia perceptions, such as pain.

Garlic Oil Component May Form Treatment to Protect Heart - 11/17/2011
A component of garlic oil may help release protective compounds to the heart after heart attack, during cardiac surgery or as a treatment for heart failure.

Yoga and Stretching Exercises Beneficial for Chronic Low-Back Pain - 11/14/2011
Yoga classes were found to be more effective than a self-care book for patients with chronic low-back pain at reducing symptoms and improving function, but they were not more effective than stretching classes, according to a study published online first by the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Eating Green Veggies Improves Immune Defenses - 11/12/2011
Researchers reporting online in the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, on Oct. 13 have found another good reason to eat your green vegetables, although it may or may not win any arguments with kids at the dinner table.

Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Add a Decade or More Healthy Years to the Average Lifespan - 11/11/2011
Health prevention strategies to help Canadians achieve their optimal health potential could add a decade or more of healthy years to the average lifespan and save the economy billions of dollars as a result of reduced cardiovascular disease, says noted cardiologist Dr. Clyde Yancy.

Yoga Insurance Plus Partners Offers Gaiam, YOGA Magazine Prizes in January Giveaway - 1/27/2012
Yoga Insurance Plus kicked off the month of January by offering its Facebook fans a chance to win a $100 Gaiam gift certificate as well as a one-year subscription to YOGA Magazine.

CranioCradle Improves Massage Therapy Practices - 1/27/2012
Massage and physical therapists, chiropractors and alternative health care practitioners are reporting improved client outcomes and better business results for their practices when using the CranioCradle by Kiss Life LLC

Midwest's Top Resort Spa Renews Management Agreement with Spa Insight Solutions - 1/26/2012
Spa Shiki, ranked the Midwest's top resort spa in Spa Magazine's winter 2011 issue, recently renewed its management agreement with Spa Insight Solutions, a relationship strategy firm that delivers proprietary solutions specific to the spa industry.

ALLEGRA Learning Solutions Announces Two New Course Offerings - 1/24/2012
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, an approved provider for continuing education by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), has announced two new course offerings: Ethical and Legal Issues in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, as well as Aromatherapy–The Healing Power of Scent.

Massage Envy Announces 40 Millionth Massage - 1/24/2012
Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, has announced it has performed its 40 millionth massage. The recipient of the massage was Jennifer Blecha, a Stafford middle school reading specialist and member at the Massage Envy Spa located at 927 Carl D Silver Parkway in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies is an Approved Provider by the New York State Board of Massage - 1/24/2012
The Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies (IIHS), approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education approved provider (#049478-00) since 1996, has announced it was the first independent home-study continuing education provider to become an approved provider (#0012) by the New York State Board of Massage.

New Book Looks at 'Esalen and the Rise of Spiritual Privilege' - 1/23/2012
Fifty years ago the Esalen Institute near Big Sur, California, opened its doors to people seeking spiritual growth and personal transformation, attracting psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, futurists and movie stars. Today, Esalen marches on with workshops, personal retreats and professional massage classes, all designed to help its visitors find restoration and realize their full potential.

CE Massage Announces New Website - 1/23/2012
CE Massage, a subdivision of My CE National, has announced it will be revamping its website and coming out with a brand new site in spring 2012. This new site will allow massage therapists to complete courses completely online and receive their certificates immediately.

Massage Envy Marks Strong 2011 with 13 Percent Growth of New Clinics - 1/23/2012
Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, has announced the company's success story continued building strength in 2011 with the opening of 87 new clinics--bringing the total number of Massage Envy locations to 742 in 44 states. In addition, since introducing its Massage Envy Spa® concept in late 2007, the company has opened or converted a record 438 spa locations in 39 states.

Nationally Certified Massage Therapists Included Under West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency: Insurance Agency Adjusts Financial Plan to Only Include Certified MTs - 1/20/2012
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is pleased to share the news that Nationally Certified Massage Therapists in West Virginia will continue to have their services covered by the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA).