SpaFindersTop Trends for 2010

I'm particularly interested to see the Top Spa Trends for 2010 as identified by SpaFinders as it coincides with some my observations that were expressed in previous articles and speaking engagments. I also tend to have a slightly different take on some of the points made.

Top 10 Global Spa Trends to Watch in 2010
1) The New “P” Word Goodbye, pampering. Hello, prevention. Well, not so fast. It’s more like, move over, pampering; hello, prevention. Against the backdrop of a global healthcare crisis, prevention is poised to be the new “it” word of the spa industry in 2010 and beyond. But rather than replacing established industry concepts like pampering and wellness, it’s a sharp (and smart) refocusing of the conversation. Pampering, after all, speaks to the stress-reduction, relaxation goal of most spa-goers, and that in itself is preventive.
My take: Stress reduction is of critical importance in today's world. The majority of spa consumers want to feel they can justify the expense of a treatment -- and "healing spa treatments" fit the bill.

2) Year of the Hammam With spa-goers increasingly seeking authenticity, tradition, and that magical spa experience that also offers true results, the Middle Eastern hammam (hamam in Turkey) represents one of the hottest trends for 2010, albeit with a distinctly modern expression. This is the year in which people who have never heard the term hammam will learn its meaning, and those already familiar with it will discover new places to experience it.
My take: Certainly SpaFinders identification of hammam as a hot trend will increase awareness worldwide of this unique spa offering. I think the trend should be broadened to include Turkey's thermal spa experiences since both are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Having the 2010 Global Spa Summit hosted in Instanbul in 2010 should be helpful in promoting Turkey's spas.


3) Not “Going to,” But “Belonging to” a Spa No longer a place where you infrequently “go” for the occasional treatment, spas are being creatively re-imagined as places of “belonging”—not only through the big rise in membership programs, but also in the diverse ways spas are being recast as social or communal hubs—contributing the additional, although unspoken, benefit of emotional health.

4) The Online Spa 2010 will be a watershed year for the spa industry’s virtual presence. Consumers are already online searching for spas, booking treatments, joining online weight loss and coaching groups, and embracing social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. (Some even play the online Sally Spa game.) But there’s more to come.
Get ready for gaming while you exercise, for having health information (like your blood pressure and heart rate) automatically uploaded for access online by your spa or doctor, and for spas to use yield management software that—much like the airlines—enables price variation, so spas can offer a less expensive massage on weekday mornings, compared to Saturday afternoons. And in early 2010, you’ll be able to stroll down any street in the U.S. and check your iPhone to pinpoint the spa nearest you, thanks to the upcoming SpaFinder App.
5) The Hybrid Spa The modern spa is increasingly a “hyphenated” affair, with spas incorporating far more fitness, fitness centers incorporating more spa, hospitals incorporating spa elements, and spas bringing in more medical doctors and specialists. The era of the spa/fitness/integrated-health-center/hospital/spiritual-retreat/wellness-center/beauty-clinic is on a serious upswing. It’s one integrated human body, after all, and the “pure” spa is on the decline, while the hybrid spa is busy inventing new you-name-it plugged-in hybrid models.

6) The Price Is (Still) Right2009’s headline spa story was the industry’s aggressive response to the global recession and the near-universal focus on deals, deals, and more deals. While there’s (cautious) consensus that the economy is in recovery mode, there’s great news for consumers in 2010: The spa bargains will continue apace, not only straight discounting, but also more innovative incentives smartly designed by spas to drive incremental revenue and retain loyal customers. And keep an eye out for savvy new spas combining less expensive treatments and facilities with a touch of glamour, hitting a sweet spot between nice and price.
My take: Add value and give the customer what they want. Help the customer solve their problem by providing solutions in terms of programming while keeping in mind customer needs in terms of time constraints and bugets. It seems obvious but one wellness destination launched a programexcluding meals and overnight accommodations thus limiting themselves to a local market only.

7) Wellness Tourism WowsWe’re familiar with people seeking spas for wellness—and also with “medical tourism,” crossing borders for medical procedures (often plastic surgery, dentistry, knee replacements, etc.). Well, make room for “wellness tourism,” a new term describing travel across borders for preventive services, diagnostics, spa and well-being vacations, even stem cell banking. The concept not only dramatically broadens the appeal of the medical tourism model (which has suffered from its narrow association with plastic surgery), it’s increasingly poised to become the way we define our time away from home and work in the future.
My take: Hallelujah Susie. Well said. Luxury hotel management companies would do well to recongize wellness tourism as an industry that is here to stay and dedicate resources to develop and implement global packaging that resonate with customer demands in terms of programming and pricing.

8) Scary and Silly Spa Stories Drive Evidence, Science, and StandardsThe fallout from heavily publicized spa horror stories—and the recession-driven consumer insistence on no-gimmick treatments with real, measurable benefits—will quicken a rising industry trend: the demand for evidence-based therapies, stricter industry standards, and greater transparency/resources to help spa-goers separate the wheat from the chaff. As spas move into the health and wellness sectors, facts, evidence, and science that support industry approaches will move front and center, even at the cost of a few diamond facials.

9) Diversity at a Tipping PointFor years analysts have discussed how the spa industry has been attracting new demographics (men, teens, seniors, new ethnic groups). But in 2010 diversity has reached a tipping point: It has fully arrived, and it’s here to stay. Spa-going has become so mainstream that the face of the spa-goer will now continue to reflect the wider global population. Every spa region has its unique “diversity story,” and around the globe far more men, younger and older generations, and ethnic groups are hitting the spa. And spas are taking note, with offerings that cater to these diverse groups’ needs and wants. Set to explode: In the U.S. alone, where approximately 78 million baby boomers are poised to enter their 60s, watch for “silver spa-ing” to really take off.
My take: Babyboomers make great customers. Right on Susie for this assessment.

10) StillnessThe modern human experience is an unprecedented amount of sensory overload, noise, and media stimulation. We’re wired to the gills, spending nearly all waking hours in front of TV and computer screens—bombarded, texting, tweeting, clattering away—now even on airplanes. With the spa as one of the last remaining sanctuaries of silence and serenity, look for the industry to put a new emphasis on stillness, on slowness, on silence. From totally silent massages/treatments or using white noise and subtle nature sounds instead of music; to silent walks, hikes, and dinners at Red Mountain or Rancho La Puerta; to Six Senses Spas’ focus on a “Slow Life” approach; to an upswing in meditation offerings and programs, spas will help clients move from busy-ness and overload to quiet, to stillness. “Sounds” awfully good.
My take: This ties back to stress reduction and the first trend. Stillness is another word for meditation and meditation takes many forms whether it is a walking meditation such as hiking or the labryinth, active meditation such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong or visual meditation such as guided imagery. I agree with Susie's identification of this general trend however disagree on the silence part - sound meditation such as chanting or the sound of a gong has been used for thousands of years to reconnect to a different form of consciousness.

World Medical Tourism & Global Health Congress

I'm really pleased to have been a part of the 2nd annual Congress event organized by the Medical Tourism Association. While last year I moderated the spa panel, this year I moderated a panel on Integrative Medicine.

Below is a partial reprint from the MTA blog
The Medical Tourism Association’s 2nd annual World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress (http://www.medicaltourismcongress.com/) was held in Los Angeles this past week and achieved great success. Over the course of three days, the annual global conference featured approximately 1,500 attendees from the public sector and private sector, health insurance companies, employers and insurance agents attended the conference largely due to work of MTA. It also featured over 160 speakers and 120 exhibitors and sponsors.
Over 60 countries participated in the conference which focused on the high quality of care and the investment in healthcare throughout the world. The conference also featured Ministers’ Roundtable where Ministers of Health and Tourism addressed the opportunities and challenges of the industry in their respective countries.

In praise of pets (Otherwise known as pet therapy)

Have you heard of Nubs and his owner? This is the true tale (tail) of the relationship between a dog and a man.



Or have you read Eckardt Tolle's recent book "The Guardians of Being?"

Recommend it.

Newly Launched Blog on the Kurotel Longevity Center

There are several exciting things happening related to my visit to the Kurotel Longevity Center.

Les Nouvelle Esthetique & Spa chose my article submission as a highlight to their September issue which is fantastic. The article focuses on the Kurotel's newly launched day spa concept called the Kur Water Station which is actually a seperate yet complimentary business line to the hotel's wellness offering. Watch for it on (http://www.lneonline.com/)

I'm really pleased to launch my blog called "Camille at the Kurotel" in advance of the article. (http://camilleathekurotel.blogspot.com/)

Fun to put together, the blog offers insight into first-hand impressions of my wellness stay. It serves as a wonderful reminder to me that Kurotel was a catalyst for improving my personal lifestyle choices -- and I hope it inspires reader to examine theirs and to take the next step in advancing their own wellness goals.

I welcome your feedback - and if you have any questions about Kurotel I would be happy to answer them.

Fam Tour at the Rancho Bernardo Inn

I just returned from a 24 hour jaunt to the Rancho Bernardo Inn and wanted to immediately share my observations while they are still fresh in my mind.

Invited as a guest to experience some of the new spa services and $25 million-dollar renovation, I was given the red carpet treatment from the spa and El Bizcocho - their fine dining restaurant. (For a full description of my experience at El Bizcocho go to http://camilleinla.blogspot.com/)

The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is a luxury resort spa featuring treatment casitas, water features, sunning lounges and stunning pool accessible only to spa clients. Michelle S., Spa Director and I met last year after I had written an article on the California Wildfires and featured the General Manager, Spa Manager and a massage therapist from Rancho Bernardo Inn and their incredible response to their guests, staff and community during this natural disaster. (http://www.globalspaandwellness.com/pdf/Wildfires_MNB_MA_08.pdf

Michelle graciously extend a full afternoon of spa treatments of some of the new services they recently rolled out including an orange body scrub, a shea butter body wrap, massage and margarita pedicure. We sat for an hour outside exchanging ideas and information about spa trends and promotions. The Spa's "Made to Order" services offer unique blends of fresh ingredients to tempt the senses and providing a relaxing yet rejuvinating experience. I love the recipe cards for "Spa to Go" which include a recipe for a scrub that you can make at home and an accompanying edible recipe. For example, make a cranberry scrub and a delicious orange cranberry bread to nosh on!

As for my room, it was spacious, comfortable and elegantly decorated with a modern twist on Spanish Colonial overlooking the golf course. It was great to sit in my bathrobe, drink coffee, hear the birds chirping away as golfers played. All of the rooms have been completely refurbished rooms with 42” flat-screen TVs, wireless internet, private patios, upgraded linens and luxury bath amentities.

Photography as a Healing Art

Art has a healing effect not only on the person viewing the art but also for the artist. Photography is one medium that can transport a person through time, geography and an emotional landscape of memories.

For many years I have been drawn to nature and capturing all its beauty and grandeur through photograpy. It inspires me. It is life affirming both in the act of observing the details of life that most are too busy to see and in being able to "stop time" by capturing its image sharing the experience with others.

Last year, I participated in my first art show and my photography was also on display at an upscale spa in Los Angeles. I have donated my art to non profits. Please contact me if you are a non profit such as a family resource center, skilled nursing facility, hospital, wellness center etc and I would be delighted to work with you.

BAGNI DI PISA Natural Spa Resort

I'm starting to plan my visit to Italy and am delighted to have the opportunity to tour and learn more about the services as the Bagni di Pisa Natural Spa Resort.

Bagni di Pisa Natural Spa Resort is of particular interest to me for two reasons - one professional and the other is personal. I have written several articles on thermal spas and spoke on "The Importance of Thermal Spas in the Turkey and the Middle East" as a guest speaker in Turkey last October. I was also the moderator "The Synergy Between Spas and Medical Tourism" session in San Francisco last year at the Medical Tourism Association Congress. On a more personal note, my parents lived in Italy for many years while my father attended medical school at the University of Bologna and my grandfather traveled from the US to Italy many times to enjoy the healing thermal waters of Italy.

I will be traveling with family members of all ages and we are all excited about our spa visit! The menu is quite extensive (27 pages) and can be downloaded from www.bagnidipisa.com

Veterans of War Find Peace and Healing through SCUBA

ABC ran a piece tonight on a SCUBA program for disabled veterans. The program takes place at St. John's in the Carribean and it struck a cord with me. The healing power of water provides relief from pain and physicial limitations. It also is soothing and peaceful, providing benefit to both mind and body. I had blogged about aqua therapy in my other blog http://camilleinla.blogspot.com/.

I first discovered the benefits of water when my father suffered a debilitating spinal cord injury. Twenty years later, with my own back injury, I discovered being in the water can be the best medicine. "Palliative care" is how a nurse described it - but it is much more than that. I was asked recently, what helps relieve pain and without over analzying - I scribbled, "swimming."

Scuba was great for awhile but I found the tanks and weight belt to be too cumbersome and heavy - snorkeling is a better choice for me - more freedom to move about.

Traveling During Swine Flu

There was only one man wearing a mask on the flight from Sao Paulo to Miami. Swine Flu is the topic of conversation among my colleagues and friends who are traveling around the world. An announcement was made on all my flights regarding identifying yourself onboard if you have symptoms of the flu. Know the symptoms, take precautions and take action as needed.

Time to Say Good-bye

Andrea Bocelli's song "Time to Say Good-bye" is playing in my head as a I prepare to depart from the idyllic Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa. It is apropos to have such a beautiful and bitterwseet song. The last 24 hours I have been avoiding the inevitable - making every effort to savor the experience and be in the present.

With little time left, I am going to sit and enjoy the sunshine from my patio, listen to the bubbling fountain below, take in the fresh air and sit in my bathrobe.

Swine Flu - Update from the MTA, precautions and insights for travellers

I received a bulletin from the Medical Tourism Association and below is part of their coverage of the Swine Flu. While I have been in Brazil, I have not read a paper or watched TV so this update was interesting. Concern about the flu has reached all corners of the world. A physician friend of mine in Tunisia is on business travel to Algeria and her family is concerned for her health such as mine was before I embarked on international travel.

One never knows what to expect practicing good hygience and knowing the symptoms and being prepared in terms of knowing about local hospitals, purchasing travel insurance and having tamaflu in hand helps to expect the best and prepare for the worst.

Steps to Stay Healthy
Stay informed.Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.

As of 11:00 AM ET on April 29, 2009, CDC has confirmed 91 human cases of swine flu in 10 states and 1 death:
Arizona: 1
California: 14
Indiana: 1
Kansas: 2
Massachusetts: 2
Michigan: 2
Nevada: 1
New York: 51
Ohio: 1
Texas: 16 (1 death)

Beyond Expectations at the Kurotel Longevity Center in Brazil

Day 5 and I have a moment to report on my experience at the Kurotel Longevity Center in Brazil, as I sit from my balcony suite overlooking their signature Kneipp water walk path. Below is the sound of a bubbling fountain and the fall air is crisp today.

"This experience is beyond my expectation," stated a guest I met yesterday. I could not agree more. Kurotel, for those of you who are not familiar, is a medically-based wellness destination in the south of Brazil that is in a class all of its own.

From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed in a way in which I felt exceptionally special. The amount of detail that goes into planning each guest's customized stay is exceptional. Greeted the moment I entered the property, Kurotel's International representative, Adrianne Kinzel explained that she would be available to see to every need during my stay. She had mapped out an afternoon schedule based on my estimated time of arrival. However, there was a delay from on my TAM arilines flight so I was already running late to my first appointment and didn't even know it!

Although I had traveled nearly 25 hours and was exhausted, I took one look at the schedule and was duly impressed with the breadth and scope of the afternoon activities. Because of the long trip, Adriane graciously offered to reschedule any (or all) of the 5 appointments but I could not dream of altering a program that beckoned me to immerse myself immediately in Kurotel.

I have kept a travelogue of sorts, send to my family and friends each night and have relished each response and the continuing email conversations about Kurotel. I look forward to sharing more on this blog. However, my afternoon schedule commences now ...so more later.

Traveling During the Swine Flu Outbreak

Just a week before a trip to Brazil, news started to emerge about Swine Flu. Within days, swine flu was on every news channel, every paper and media channel. I hadn't given it much thought until attending a disaster planning symposium sponsored by the Los Angeles Deptartment of Health. There was much adoo about Swine flu. A professional in disaster planning said she wouldn't travel anywhere if she didn't have to. Another suggested buying a mask and wearing it all the way from L.A. to my final destination in Brazil. Another asked if I hadn't gotten tamaflu as a precaution...which, admittedly I hadn't thought of.

After carefully following the travel nurses recommendations about vaccinations for yellow fever, typoid fever, Hep A, and boosters for measles and tetanus - Swine flu threatened a safe trip. My primary care physician was wonderful and after explaining my concern, he prescribed tamaflu. Little did I know how difficult it would be to obtain. There was a run on it. But thankfully, I was referred topharmacy and $50 later - had tamaflu in hand. I read that the US only has enough tamaflu for 16% of its population and many other countries fared less well statistically.

After a long flight, there is nothing like being greeting by a representative wearing a mask handing out warning flyers in English, Spanish and Portuguese. In fact, all the customs folks were wearing masks. There were a few folks that wore mask in the flight from Miami to Sao Paulo but I didn't see any masks being worn 8 hours into the flight. I did see lots of folks with their hand sanitizers. I am happy to report - I have no flu like symptoms and my travel plans have gone according to plan. So far.

Medical Student Receives William Carlos Williams Poetry Award

As I was researching Centers for Integrative Medicine, I found myself hitting a few links out of curiosity. I double-clicked on the University of Vermont website (as an East Coaster) and happily, I discovered the headline "Medical Student Receives William Carlos Williams Poetry Award" posted to the homepage.

As a relative of William Carlos Williams, and one in the healthcare field, it gives me great pleasure to see that his work continues to be an inspiration to medical students and others around the world. My grandparents were both physicians (unusual back then for a female) and were cousins of William Carlos Williams oversaw his practice while he was in Europe writing.

Kudos to Ms. Wlodarski. I like her message. In this day and age we should all be so bold.
All bets are in. And I've got all my moneyon myself, Because someone should."

Release Date: 03-13-2009

The Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) Human Values in Medicine Program has announced that second-year University of Vermont medical student Jennifer Wlodarski has received an Honorable Mention in the 27th annual William Carlos Williams Poetry Competition for her poem "Slow Horse".

Open to medical students attending schools of medicine or osteopathy in the United States and Canada, the competition is named in memory of William Carlos Williams, a physician-poet born in 1883 who practiced medicine in his hometown of Rutherford, N.J., while writing and publishing poetry with peers including Ezra Pound. Poems in the competition, which were judged on the basis of craftsmanship, originality and content, must be original, unpublished (except for college publications) and have not won a contest at time of submission. English department faculty at NEOUCOM's consortium universities served as initial judges, with final judging by Richard M. Berlin, M.D., psychiatrist and poet from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The editors of the Journal of Medical Humanities reviewed the winning poems, which are considered for possible publication.

Slow Horse
Come back and outlast,
Likethe slow horse.
All bets are in.
And I've got allmy moneyon myself,
Because someone should.
— Jennifer Wlodarski

2009 Trends for Spas in India

While attending the Medical Tourism Association's Congress event last September, it was very clear that India is a powerhouse in the industry with its confluence of high-tech medicine, traditional healing and an abundance of tourist attractions.

India possesses an abundance of Englisih speaking, highly skilled labor, an exotic culture and time-tested healing practices that make it massively appealing to Westerners. Interestingly enough, India was at the forefront of providing ease of access and entry into the country by virtue of the medical visas - many other other countries, such as Turkey, have taken note. By fully optimizing the interest in India's traditional healing, the country is ripe for spa growth and the cross over of health tourism where medical and spa visits converge. This caught the eye of SpaFinder.

Below are excerpts from the SpaFinder blog. (I've edited the material down for easier readability)

The spa industry in India currently boasts over 2,300 spas, generating revenue representing approximately USD $384 million annually. Initiatives are underway to train spa personnel to meet the growing demand for these 2300+ spas, and for the hundreds more that are likely to establish themselves in the next five to ten years. While the Indian spa market is still a modest sliver of the overall $60-billion-plus core global spa economy, India is poised to attract significantly more western tourists (particularly on the medical/wellness travel front)…as well as continue to develop its own vibrant, indigenous spa market at a heady pace. With over 700 spas predicted to open doors in the next 2-4 years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing fast.

Emerging trends in the booming Indian spa market in 2009:

Ayurveda Represent Serious Business: Yoga, one of the most profitable wellness modalities in the word, is a lifestyle for millions of people who are enthusiastic about traveling to the spiritual and cultural source: India. Spas in India will continue to expand their Ayurvedic menus, for both overseas clientele who want to experience authentic Ayurvedic therapies--as well as for locals already familiar with the benefits, or who wish to adopt their own Indian healing traditions. As state tourism departments promote and package Ayurveda, look for new legislation mandating scientific methods and quality control, trained therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and license certifications.

Alternative Healing: Alternative healing has always been a traditional part of the Indian cultural milieu. Spas will strive to offer holistic, organic elements in treatments, as well as emphasize mind-body-spirit connections and advocate eventual lifestyle changes.

The Spa-Savvy Indian Male: The urban Indian male increasingly wants to look good and feel good: and now seeks wellness treatments—like Champissage (head massage) and full-body massage on a regular basis—as well as grooming treatments and products.

Love of Luxury: The affluent Indian consumer loves brands. To cater to the brand-conscious consumer, local Indian spas will increasingly establish themselves as multi-city spa brands and local spa products will expand globally.

Medical Tourists: India will continue to be a hot spot for medical tourists that seek travel services that incorporate diverse wellness packages, including those that couple medical procedures with spa indulgences, ayurvedic treatments or cultural immersion experiences. India occupies a unique and enviable position with a globally recognized and well-respected medical establishment generating English-speaking, highly qualified doctors.

Aesthetic Treatments: Look for an uptick in medical spas, dental spas and cosmetic clinics that cater to both locals and traveling medical tourists.

The Spa Tween-Teen Year: Spas and cosmetic clinics will continue to roll out specific treatments for pre-teens and teens by offering acne-treatment facials, teen-focused massages, mother-daughter specials, glitter manicures etc.

Bollywood: Look for more Bollywood stars to inculcate the importance of spa-going in their own lives. The spa-going behavior of Hollywood celebrities has significantly helped publicize the benefits of spas in the West…so expect the same impact on the industry from Bollywood stars.

Culture, Myth, History Catch Spa Fancy: Spas of India are fashionably designed around Indian history, astrology and values dedicated to indigenous culture, myth, materials and design. Some spas provide regionally-specific treatments --others have introduced regionally-specific building materials like marble or stone—while others feature ‘leharia’ folk art patterns; Indian love swings and Rajput water gardens, ‘Madhubani’ paintings or Mughal landscaping and architecture.

For the full length article go to http://blog.spafinder.com/

108 Bows - Health and Spirituality

I admit one evening I was channel surfing and came upon a show on the Korean channel that appeared to be a documentary about "108 Bows". Fortunately, there were sub-titles. In essence, what I derived from the show was the bowing is good for your physical health by building up the abdominal wall, strengthing the body, and increasing circulation. (Thermal imaging and other diagnostic measurements were used on test subjects. ) Bowing also appeared to have emotional benefits of increased concentration, mental clarity, and creating an overall feeling of calmness and well-being. Test subjects included high school students diagnosed with ADD who had been unmovitated, uncooperative and unruly.

The bowing itself has a certain form, rhythm and focuses on breathing technique. (See:http://www.kwanumzen.com/practice/bowing.html)
From another website: The way you do bowing in temples is touching five points of your body to the floor. They are: both knees, both elbows, and the forehead. "108 bows for exercise is just the thing for us. It's exercise for the whole body, low intensity breathing exercise, and it's exercise which is suitable for treating and preventing adult diseases. It takes only 15 minutes to do 108 bows, but the effect is great. http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/life/essay_view.asp?cat_seq=25&content_seq=420&priest_seq=0&page=1


For those skeptical of this practice, because it is either foreign or seems irrelevant in today's fast-paced, highly technologically based society, almost every race and religion has their own practice of bowing. More on this subject through wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowing_(social)

The National Institute of Health, through their department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, has a series of online courses that physicians, nurses or lay-people may access. Classes are 1 hour in length ( CME & CEU credit given after successful completion) and touch upon Mind & Body, The Role: of Accupuncture, Prayer, Meditation, Chiropractic, Herbalism and a variety of other topics. There is also a library of clinical trials regarding CAM. Go to: http://www.nih.gov/

Top Internet Searched Surgeries

While most savvy consumers searching for medical information on the Internet, they also seeking healthcare providers to treat their particular illness. As you probably already know, the Internet is one of the major marketing vehicles to medical tourism and I found it interesting that AOL has collected and summarized these consumer patterns in an article.

Some medical tourism businesses that are looking to expand their offering, might find this interesting while others may have already secured and distilled more complex data pertinent to their focused area of expansion.

Take it for what it is worth, at a glance, it is still interesting information.

Below are the Top Searched Surgeries on AOL Search:
1. Eyelid surgery
2. Lap band surgery
3. Gastric bypass surgery
4. Cataract surgery
5. Bariatric surgery
6. Lasik surgery
7. Tummy tuck surgery
8. Knee surgery
9. Gall bladder surgery
10. Prostate surgery

The Pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella

Years ago my mother visited and brough me back "Aqua di Colonia" in a stout rectangular glass bottle with an embossed gold label. The distinctive packaging harkened back to a much earlier time and having majored in history and art history for my undergraduate work, I found the monastic pharmacy intriguing. In doing some simple research, I learned that that pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella in Florence Italy was established by the Dominican fathers in 1221. The pharmacy, based on herbalism, developed a wide-range of products from cologne to smelling salts, cleaning agents, candles and so on. The Dominicans used rose water as an anticeptic to clean homes stricken with the plague and interestingly enought, the product is still being sold (but now used as aromotherapy.)

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy expanded to the United States on both coasts - in NY and LA.
I found a very good article courtesy of the Smithsonian with some excerpts below.

...Also among the early creations were tonics reflecting the sensibility of the times: the imaginatively named "Vinegar of the Seven Thieves," for example, was a popular remedy for women suffering from "fainting fits." The vinegar is still available for those in need of a quick pick-me-up. Also available to Florentine ladies was a concoction designed to calm "hysterical women." It, too, is still on the shelves, bearing the innocuous name Santa Maria Novella Water—now recommended for its "antispasmodic properties."

The operation's manufacture of perfumes was apparently key to winning the allegiance of its most famous customer, Catherine de' Medici.The pharmacy created a new fragrance for her, a perfume that became known as acqua della regina, or "water of the queen." In due course, Catherine's patronage proved the making of the place.

The growth of the business was not welcomed by all; unease among some monks that the sweet smell of success might distract from the Christian pieties led to a temporary shutdown of the production of medicines in the early 1600s. But manufacture resumed in 1612, for a run of two and a half centuries. In 1866 the Italian state confiscated all church property. The move could have been the pharmacy's death knell but for the vision of the last monk to act as its director, Damiano Beni. In a deft move, he handed over control of the enterprise to his layman nephew, who eventually bought it from the state. His descendants remain involved in the business today.

As a secular endeavor, the pharmacy could fully exploit the trends of the times. In the 1700s, it had expanded its product line from distilling medicines and perfumes to manufacturing alcohol. In the 19th century, as alcohol-laden patent medicines and tonics became all the rage in the United States, the pharmacy's liqueur, Alkermes—advertised as a way to "revive weary and lazy spirits"—became a top seller.

Today the pharmacy still occupies its historic quarters, but it has expanded into an international concern, with stores in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo. Eight years ago it opened a small factory two miles away, where the monks' ancient techniques have been streamlined, but where much of the manufacturing continues to be done by hand. The factory can turn out 500 bars of soap a day in any one of 25 varieties; each bar is then aged for a month before being chiseled by hand into its final shape.

For the complete article, go to:http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/heaven-scent.html?c=y&page=1

Medical Tourism in Developing Countries

I'm currently reading "Medical Tourism in Developing Countries" by Milica and Karla Bookman, copyrighted 2007 and published by Palgrave MacMillan.

Chapter 2, "Plastic Surgery is not Peanuts: Economic Growth and Dependency" was a bit of a misnomer as plastic surgery is not mentioned for the first 14 pages of the chapter. The remaining 4+ pages does not reference plastic surgery/asthetic procedure trends, outline the most desired procedures, or the most frequented countries for these procedures or any mention of the role of medical spas in medical tourism or an overview of plastic surgeries gone wrong. Botched plastic surgery procedures were graphically represented at the MTA Congress last September with the Plastic Surgery Association raising the point of liability for physicians who assume the risk of correcting such procedures.

A blog post from Senator Jenny Oropeza on Senate Bill 731

A colleague mentioned that she has seen my blog-posting and article I had written on massage therapy regulation on (California )Senator Oropeza's website. I'm very pleased and honored to have Senator Oropeza support my work. I am also pleased that she included my website and a link to the full article entitled, "A Strong Foundation" which was published in the Winter edition of MTJ (The Massage Therapy Journal.)

Below is the link:
http://dist28.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={32DC8082-6C14-44C6-802F-AF3CDD980887}&DE={91B9C620-AD91-4840-90ED-7D2DDE474FE0}



Here's the Fact Sheet posted on Senator Oropeza's website:

SB 731 FACT SHEET

Massage Therapist Certification (Oropeza)

PURPOSE

Effective Jan. 1, 2009, this bill professionalizes and protects the field of “Massage Therapy” by creating a statewide process for certification and licensing. The process would require a specified number of educational and experience hours.

BACKGROUND

Prior to Jan. 1, 2009, the field of massage was regulated by a patchwork of local city and county regulations and requirements. Many individuals, schooled and certified by their educational facility, who wished to practice massage and travel from one city to another were required to meet multiple city licensing requirements. There was no statewide regulatory framework, no insurance or bonding requirements and no real protection for the clients against injury. Additionally, there was no safety for the practitioner against an unjust view by some individuals who believe massage is an entrance in to the sex field.

This bill created a non-profit regulatory framework paid for and supported by massage therapists to phase in educational and practice requirements in order to receive a certification. The bill eliminated the need for local jurisdictions to develop and enforce their own disparate requirements for the practice of massage.

The bill dealt only with education and certification and did not define scope issues.

Bridging Pampering and Wellness in the World

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques and Spa - a publication for skincare and spa professionals - recently published "The Link Between Spa and Medical Tourism: Bridging Pampering and Wellness all over the World" in the December 2008 issue. I was pleased to write this piece which includes the drivers to both domestic and international health tourism, the convergence in trends in healthcare and tourism and examples of healing traditions from India, Guatemala and Turkey.

Below is an excerpt....

For many spa professionals, medical tourism may sound a bit mysterious but leaving home for care and treatment is dates back thousands of years when Greek pilgrims traveled to the Mediterranean to an area known for its healing powers. Medical tourism includes both international and domestic travel, whether it to an exotic resort halfway around the world or driving to a healthcare facility several hours away.

You may even consider small spa towns to be an early form of medical tourism. For centuries Europeans visited hot springs and thermal spas as treatment for arthritis, bronchitis and other health issues and in the U.S, many traveled by stagecoach seeking the curative relief of hot springs. Resorts grew around these watering holds including Saratoga Springs, NY and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Times have changed but the desire for health will never wane.

Healthcare is a hot topic. Especially with an an estimated 50 million uninsured (Source: U.S. Census) and millions without dental insurance, Americans are looking for options. Many have joined the movement towards “self-care” by implementing healthier lifestyles, seeking alternative medicine and balancing work and life. High deductibles and co-pays and HSAs (health savings accounts) have created patients that have become savvy healthcare consumers. The Internet has become a source for patients to learn more about diagnosis, conditions and treatment options. According to a recent survey , 39% of American consumers revealed they would go abroad for an elective procedure if they could save half the cost and be assured the quality was as good or better. In countries such as India, Thailand and Singapore, often a surgical procedure, which includes airfare and a stay in a resort hotel can cost 10% of comparable services in the U.S.

On the flip side, it is estimated that more than 400,000 medical tourists from South America, Canada and the Middle East will seek care in the United States this year.(Source: Deloitte: Medical Tourism – Consumers in Search of Value). Some come to avoid long waiting times for medical care, while others seek medical services that are not available in their home country while others combine leisure travel with healthcare. The top procedures include cosmetic, cardiac, orthopedic and oncology services.

For a full transcript in PDF please email a request to camille@globalspaandwellness.com

...and Speaking of the Surgeon General

It was announced today that Sanjay Gupta, MD will be the next Surgeon General which makes sense. He is an excellent communicator, is a well-recognized and respected medical correspondent, an accomplished nuerosurgeon.

Here's an excerpt from the CNN website.
Gupta’s passion for inspiring Americans to lead healthier, more active lives also led him to launch "New You Resolution" and later “Fit Nation,” CNN’s multi-platform grassroots initiatives against obesity. Two nationwide “Fit Nation” tours have culminated in special long-form programs that revealed the hazards of obesity in children, “Fat Chance,” and the challenges in eating healthy in a culture and regulatory environment that makes processed food so prevalent in the American diet, “Danger: Poisoned Food.”

Other documentaries have included "Quake Zone," "Killer Flu," "Sleep," “Blood Spilled” and “Rescuing Youssif” which, respectively, addressed concerns about surviving the Pakistani earthquake, avian flu, the dangers of a lack of sleep, the challenges faced by wounded Iraqi veterans and the emotional and physical journey of the recovery of a young Iraqi boy, respectively.

During the 2008 presidential campaign year, Gupta reported extensively on the campaign, including the documentaries “First Patient” and “Fit to Lead” about the toll that the nation’s highest office takes on the health of the commander-in-chief and the health of the presidential candidates

To read more: http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/gupta.sanjay.html