Month: March 2019

Posted on

4 Ways to CBD Oil Could Help You

CBD oil is derived from the Hemp plant and is legal in all fifty states.

Cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, is the It-Medicine of the moment.

A few years ago, hardly anyone knew about CBD oil. Today, there’s a huge demand for it. Millions of people are taking CBD oil as a health supplement.

Here are four uses for CBD oil that may change your life:

Relieve Stress

Stress and anxiety are two sides of the same coin. Both result in excessive tension, with stress being related to a specific reason and anxiety, a chronic condition without a direct cause. They both increase cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by your body, which can wreak havoc on your body. Using CBD oil to reduce stress can result in fewer health issues caused by high cortisol levels.

Improve Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is a crucial element to a healthy life, but many people experience sleep disruptions, with up to 35% of Americans experiencing mild insomnia. Users of CDB oil report deeper, more peaceful, and improved sleep.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation of the joints, such as knees, can lead to chronic pain. CBD oil use has been linked to a reduction in both inflammation and the pain it causes. Using all-natural CBD is a safer, non-addictive way to manage pain (e.g., not needing opioids can only be a good thing!).

Beautification

While most of the major benefits of CBD are medical, it’s also used in a variety of beauty products, ranging from bath salts to lip balm. CBD improves the condition of your skin, and its antioxidant properties may combat the effects of aging.

Get Me Some of That

Miracles Massage includes CBD in one version of its body butter, and some of our clients swear by regular use as an all-natural way to rejuvenate their skin. Ask us about CBD-infused products at your next appointment or contact us today for more information.

Posted on

5 Ways to Relieve Pain Naturally

You may have heard that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued strong warnings about regularly using non-aspirin non-steroidal painkillers, like Aleve, Advil, and Motrin. Apparently, these increase your chance for heart problems or strokes. So, how can you reduce pain naturally?

One: Acupuncture

Acupuncture, which uses tiny needles inserted into your skin to target your body’s trigger points, corrects imbalances in your body’s natural energy flow. Acupuncture has been proven to aid the body’s healing process and reduce both chronic and acute pain.

Two: CBD Products

Cannabidiol (CBD) products such as topical CBD creams are gaining popularity for those seeking safe alternatives for pain relief. Extracted from hemp,  CBD isolate can be added to creams to alleviate aches and pains.

Three: Yoga

 Practicing Yoga offers natural pain relief by maintaining flexibility in muscles, joints, and other soft tissues through regular range-of-motion movements and poses. It’s also an effective stress-reliever!

Four: Meditation

Meditation is an effective way to reduce and relieve chronic pain. Even practicing meditation for only ten minutes a day can decrease stress levels and induce a feeling of calmness in addition to alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Five: Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a great alternative to pain relief medications (are you really surprised by this?). Massage releases the muscle tension that restricts blood flow and causes many headaches, neck pain, and backaches. Massage therapy has been proven to relieve muscle tightness but also reduces pain from many chronic conditions because endorphins and toxins are released through massage.

Schedule Your All-Natural Pain Relief Session Today

Schedule your appointment today and let’s increase the quality of your life!

Posted on

Are Your Cleaning Supplies Toxic?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard lately of so many people succumbing to the flu or this nasty stomach bug that’s been floating around. I’ve always been diligent about handwashing and keeping my therapy space clear of germs. As I scrubbed down the bathroom the other day, I got to thinking about how many of us use chemically-laden cleaning supplies—and the impact it has on our health.

When cleaning, our bodies absorb chemicals in two ways: by us breathing them in and by absorbing them through our skin.

Two Kinds of Chemicals to Avoid

  • Antimicrobial chemicals: Inherently toxic, antimicrobial chemicals are designed to kill living microbes.  While they effectively kill germs on surfaces, there is no evidence that killing germs (particularly in a household setting) is actually effective at keeping your family any healthier—and overusing can lead to a weaker immune system.
  • Products that include “Danger” on their labels: Products like oven and drain cleaners often contain label language stating “Danger” or “Warning” due to their potential for causing serious skin burns and permanent eye damage. Inhalation of fumes from these products can also lead to respiratory irritation and breathing problems.

Possible Effects of Regular Usage

  • Eye irritation
  • Skin rash or irritation
  • Asthma or other lung-related illness
  • Poisoning, especially of children

What to Use Instead

  • Look for fragrance-free cleaning products—or products which disclose the ingredients in their fragrances.
  • Use antibacterial cleaners sparingly. Use them only for particular situations with a high chance of spreading infections.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly throughout the day and before eating to prevent the spread of disease instead of disinfecting surfaces. Avoid touching your eyes and nose!
  • Read the labels of the supplies you use. Pay attention to products that use the word “Danger” or “Caution.”  Read instructions carefully on these products. Use protective eyewear and gloves as recommended. Wash your hands thoroughly after use.

Consider All-Natural Alternatives

You can create your own green cleaning supplies using these recipes or use those available through Young Living or doTERRA.

For example, Young Living’s Thieves® essential oil and doTERRA’s On Guard products consist of all-natural ingredients and no harsh chemicals! You can replace dishwashing detergent, hand soap, cleaning supplies, and more!

Thieves® essential oil blend was inspired by the legend of four 15th-century French thieves who formulated and wore a special aromatic combination of clove, rosemary, and other botanicals.

Questions?

If you have questions about how chemicals might be impacting your life, let’s chat.

Posted on

Ground Out Winter Blahs

It’s that time of year when anything goes. One moment, snow falls. Another, we’re outside in short-sleeved shirts. And the mud! Welcome to February on the east coast. As I write this, rain pelts against my window and thoughts of preparing an earthy stew tickles my fancy. Another rainy day—and I’m feeling ungrounded.

This transition time between winter and spring often results in the winter blahs. Rather than fighting your desire to toss on comfy sweat pants and curl up in front of Netflix to binge-watch several seasons of “Jane the Virgin,” consider these indoor grounding alternatives:

Diffuse a Grounding Essential Oil

Young Living, a brand of essential oil I use, has a specific blend called Grounding™. It consists of ylang-ylang, pine, spruce, juniper, white fir, cedarwood, and angelica. Not surprising, most of the ingredients are sourced from trees, whose roots dig deep into the earth. By adding just a couple drops to water in your diffuser, you create a grounding environment. (If you’re interested in purchasing this, or other, essential oil, please contact me.)

When you’re in a family situation or experience lack of focus, where you feel the need to ground, you can use put a couple of drops in your palms, rub them together, and create a tent with your hands over your nose. Breathe in its essence and feel yourself chill out!

Tree of Life by Gustav Klimpt (1862-1918)

Visualize Being Grounded

The term grounding can mean removing an excess electrical charge as well as removing an excess emotional charge. Stand with your feet aligned with your hips, feet parallel to each other, and hands at your side. Close your eyes and visualize tree roots extending from the balls of your feet deep, deep into the earth. They anchor you to the ground. Imagine energy from the earth rising up through your left side, going to the top of your head, and going back down your right side until it’s returned to the earth. Breathe deeply as you do this visualization.

Eat Root Vegetables

Root vegetables grow underground and absorb nutrients from the soil (hence, the importance of a pesticide-free world). This group includes sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, turnips, carrots, onions, and garlic. My favorite way to enjoy root vegetables is to pan roast them with a splash of extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. Another is to make a ratatouille—yum!

Use Grounding Crystals

Crystals come from the earth and help shield us from electromagnetic energies. These crystals some of those known to support grounding: black obsidian, black tourmaline, bloodstone, carnelian, citrine, hematite, jade, and red jasper. Each has its own way of grounding, some through increased focus, others through detoxification, and creating calm, peaceful feelings.

Request Grounding during Massage

When your massage therapist asks how you’re feeling before the start of your massage session, tell you that you’re feeling ungrounded. She’ll explore ways to support you, and offer specific oils during the session to help you become grounded. Schedule your appointment today.