By contributor and massage therapist Rachel Neves @ Breathe Body Works of St Johns

Many different modalities of massage therapy can be used in preventative and maintenance care for chronic health and pain issues. One of the simplest, but most profound positive effects of massage is its effect on the nervous system. It helps to activate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system. This is often referred to as the “rest-and-digest” side, and plays a huge role in
healing. Any reduction of stress and increase in production of Seratonin and other healthy brain chemicals promotes the healing process, so of course massage is an obvious treatment. You may also take into account the powerful healing ability of human touch and interaction. Then there are the mechanical benefits of massage; moving blood, chemical waste products and lymphatic fluid, and stimulating natural nerve and muscle function. (i.e. encouraging perastalsis for IBS sufferers) Acupressure, shiatsu, reflexology, swedish massage, craniosacral, myofascial release, and more are all therapies that have resulted in improved daily life and better long term prognosis of many chronic illnesses. Sometimes, with severe illnesses such as Cancer, Hepatitis, and IBS, a patient’s sensitivity level may be so high that they are unable to receive more aggressive forms of manual therapy, and in those cases, lymphatic drainage massage can be an excellent choice. What is it and how can it be beneficial?

Come read the whole aricle under News & Research, you will love it!
 
 
By clicking here you can support us in the fight for clean air.  

We are going out and doing it again folks, come either support our ride by joining in it, or send in your donations for clean air, better lungs or just better living.

It's time to get our ride on! May 19, 2012
http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR/Bike/ALAMP_Mountain_Pacific?px=4756710&pg=personal&fr_id=5060
 
 
Guess what, it’s time to start thinking about support events in 2012, what are your plans? Not sure, or even if you already know, consider riding or supporting the Reach the Beach ride this year. 

What is it? Reach the Beach is put on by the American Lung Association for clean air and healthy lungs. If you’ve ever had someone with lung cancer or lung disease, this is the event you can return support for. There will be 3,000 bike riders that will take to the streets and hills in support of this event. We ride from Portland to the finish line at the Pacific Ocean. The ride is fully supported with breaks every 15 miles and a fat meal at the end.

Reach the Beach is an inspiring, healthy way to spend the day together and conquer your personal fitness goals. You can even give the ride as a gift for someone that is a supporter themselves. The gift certificate you receive covers the entry fee and the fundraising minimum. The great thing about the ride is that the cost of the ride is covered by those who support you. It’s easy, sign up and then go hit your boss, local businesses, friends and relatives to support your ride. You don’t even have to handle any money, donations for your ride can be made right on-line. All proceeds go to the American Lung Association and support of this event.

Why support this event? Lung disease - including asthma, emphysema and lung cancer - is the third leading cause of death in America. Over the last decade, the death rate from lung disease has been growing faster than the death rate from almost any other killer. Since 1915, the American Lung Association in Oregon has been fighting lung disease through education, community service, advocacy, and research. We are working to help those who suffer from lung disease today, and to stop the spread of lung disease tomorrow.

Start time: 7:00-8:00 a.m.
Starting location: Conestoga Middle School
12250 Conestoga Drive, Beaverton, OR

Finishline
Pelican Pub and Cape Kiwanda
33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive

To succeed, we need your support. Please join the American Lung Association's mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. You can do this by
participating in Reach the Beach or donating in a rider's name. Thank you for joining the fight against lung disease.
 
 
IMMUNE SUPPORT
The immune system is a series of biological processes within the body that protect against disease by indentifying and killing pathogens. A major part of the immune system are the white blood cells, which form the first line of defense in the immune system by creating  barrier” that hunts down and kills foreign particles in the body. With a compromised immune system, especially drops in white blood cell counts, can lead to infections and disease. Likewise, a “boost” to the immune system would indicate that the body was better suited to fight off infections and diseases naturally.

A recent independent clinical study which met the “Gold Standard” on Lily of the Desert formulas with Aloesorb™ showed a 16% increase in white blood cell counts over the placebo group. White blood cells are a key part of the body’s immune system, and by increasing the amount of white blood cells, the body is better suited to fight off infections and diseases naturally.