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/
Saturday, February 7, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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
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
Saturday, January 31, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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:
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.
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
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
...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
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
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