1. Triggers:  Learn the triggers that increase your asthmatic response, and avoid them as much as possible. Triggers include: allergies, smoking, exercise, stress and illness.

1. Diet:  According to Chinese Medicine, certain foods can increase the production of dampness or phlegm in the lungs. Avoid overeating heavy, sweet or greasy food, and moderate dairy intake. Raw and cold food in the fall and winter can bog down your digestion, leading to more dampness.

1. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs: Acupuncture and herbs have been used for centuries to alleviate asthma. Acupuncture improves the immune system, reduces stress, increases lung functioning, reduces allergic reaction and helps to expel mucus and phlegm. Many people experience this last phenomenon while the needles are still in place.

1. Essential Oils: Chamomile:  helps to prevent the release of histamine, and reduces bronchial spasms. Geranium: reduces bronchial spasms. Lavender: reduces bronchial spasms and can be used during an acute attack, although not as a substitute for prescribed medicines. Oils should be significantly diluted in a carrier oil (almond or vegetable) before being applied to the skin.

Although asthma is a serious condition that should be managed with your physician, there are alternative solutions to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Table of Contents

Fibromyalgia: Using Massage to Balance and Relieve Pain
by Anne Welch, Massage Therapist
Topic : Massage

Fibromyalgia makes one feel tired and causes muscle pain and "tender" points. Tender points are
places throughout the body that hurt when touched. Fibromyalgia symtons include: muscle pain/stiffness, fatigue, headaches, IBS, depression, trouble sleeping, problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called "fibro fob."

No one knows the cause of Fibromyalgia. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle aged women, people with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

There is no cure for Fibromyalgia but regular massage therapy can help manage the symptoms.
Although massage therapy treatments vary according to an individuals needs and issues, you can receive a full-body approach that attempts to:

Relieve your pain- using techniques to release painful trigger points and tight muscle tissue.

Improve Flexibility and Motion- massage helps lengthen contract and stuck connective tissue
including those around Fibromyalgia tender points. This plays a big role in reducing pain and fatigue.

Balance Posture and Muscle Tone- this is especially important since abnormally tight muscles tend to weaken the muscles which oppose them.

Improve Circulation and Blood Lymph- which keeps all systems strong and able to fight off diseases.

Table of Contents

Update Your Makeup
by Farah Husain, Licensed Esthetician/Makeup Artist
Topic: Makeup

Oftentimes women get the “jitters” when it comes to experimenting with makeup. Many of us have had the experience of entrusting our faces to one of the salesladies at the makeup counter only to leave looking vaguely like a character out of the mid-eighties television show “Dynasty.” I feel your pain.  Being a somewhat unique mix of Caucasian and Middle Eastern, I was subjected to my share of glow-in-the dark makeup applications from very well-intending fellow students when attending beauty school.

I also have many clients who, when questioned about their daily regimen, proudly claim that they don’t where a stitch of makeup. Most are suffering under the misleading belief that makeup, and particularly foundation, is somehow detrimental to their skin. This is actually not the case. I think most women don’t know how far makeup formulations have come since their teenages forays into their mothers makeup kit.

Daily use of a foundation specifically suited to your skin, can have any number of skin saving attributes. Good quality foundation often contain antioxidants, moisturizers, additional sun protection, and any other beneficial ingredients. I generally recommend using an oil-free water based foundation that matches closely with your skin type. Don’t try to get your “tan-on” with your foundation, save that for a bronzer. Also don’t rely on it solely for sun protection. Refer to last season’s newsletter to hear my full rant regarding spf’s. There are so many shades of foundation and levels of coverage, even the most natural beauty can find a nice tinted moisturizer they can put on in a jiff. Another option is just using a concealer on areas that need a little evening out. Used regularaly  foundation creates an additional layer between your skin and harmful environmental factors like pollution, the sun, and other free radicals (the little buggers that damage your elastin and collagen.)

So don’t be shy about having fun with makeup and trying new looks. Makeup really is lovely because it is extremely non-committal. Just a little face wash and the relationship is over. If only everything was so easy.

I’d love to see any of you brave souls for a makeup lesson at Glo. I promise I’ll listen to your preferences and you’ll look like yourself upon departure, only a little bit better rested and radiant!

Table of Contents