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Vanko Trading Inc
2777 Darlington Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
724-359-2289
We are what we eat!
Any condition which limits movement and causes pain in the joints is called Osteoarthritis. It is common knowledge that cartilage (the smooth surface at the head of the bone) and bone health impact on joint health. Inflammation of bone/joint, bone spurs and long-term wear and tear all have a role to play, but importantly, Osteoarthritis is not an inevitable part of ageing but our daily routine, lifestyle and dietary choices do play a crucial role in the development of this disease. Together with a healthy active lifestyle our joints need nutritional support to stay mobile and pain-free. For example, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and provides structure to skin, organs, joints and bones. While anti-oxidants are used to minimize breakdown at the bone surface, and minerals and vitamins such as vitamin D can help to re-build bone. Studies have shown that the perennial Omega 3 fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents and are a reliable alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).
Healthy foods for joint pain relief
Vitamin E: Protects cells from free radical damage, which may help promote joint comfort and has been shown to promote a healthy circulatory system.
Wheat Sprouts: A natural source of antioxidant enzymes with detoxifying properties.
Selenium: Has antioxidant properties to protect cellular health.
Vitamin B12: Powerful blood-building factor and key nutrient for new growth.
Antioxidants: Fruits and vegetables are full of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are small compounds that act like warriors in the body. They seek out and neutralize damaging molecules that can cause inflammation. And, a recent study noted that a lower intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of developing inflammatory arthritis.
Marine (sea food) products: In addition, marine products such as Green Lipped Mussel powder, Fish Oils, Shark Cartilage and Marine Collagen provide many of the nutrients necessary for healthy joints (in various forms). Fatty fish like Solomon and fish oil are specifically important in osteoarthritis. Fish oils can reduce general inflammation, reducing both pain and your long-term risk of arthritis and heart disease. Two to three portions a week give maximum health benefit.
Finally, while there is no real scientific evidence behind this, experiences show that avoidance of certain foods may of be of significant benefit in several people with arthritis. For example, milk and other dairy products, red meat, cereal products, citrus fruits, chocolate, spices, and alcohol have been implicated in the aggravation of symptoms and, therefore, should be consumed in the minimum quantities possible. Cutting out these foods entirely could be a great way to enjoy natural arthritis pain relief without the use of drugs and improve your quality of life.
All in all, like many other severe and chronic illnesses, diet / food has a direct and special connection with arthritis. You should, therefore, make your dietary choices wisely and timely.
After all, we are what we eat!
Although hypnosis as being a fairly controversial subject over the years. Scientific studies have shown that they can help with many problems. One such problem is pain and in particular the applications of it on the back. A variety of hypnotic techniques have been used to help pain in the back, the aim of this post is to explore some of those techniques.
In 1981, a psychologist named Hilgard showed that there was two aspects the pain. First it was the sensory component the second and emotional component. He did this by hypnotizing a group of people and putting them through the called pressure test (which involves immersing arm in freezing water and reporting on pain over a 30 second time period). The people who were hypnotized reported no pain however, when pressured into a returned state of consciousness they almost immediately felt pain again. This lead Hilgard to propose his neo-disassociation which basically stated that hypnosis makes the brain disregard any feelings pain as opposed to drugs which simply log in information pain getting to the brain.
The first self-hypnosis technique which can be used is called auto-genic training. This is perhaps most simple and effective form of hypnosis for back pain; it involves simply putting oneself into a hypnotic trance 2 to 3 times a day. This trance can be achieved using a variety of methods, the first of which is known auto-genic training. This involves an adopting a reclined position, then starting at the feet one needs to relax each body part. This is achieved by thinking thoughts which are relaxing, for example, if you wanted to relax your feet in could say something like “my feet are warm” or “my feet are heavy”. Once this has been done for everybody, you should be completely relaxed; in order to put yourself in a hypnotic trance you just need to count down from five. You should already feel that some pain has been relieved, however you can further reduces pain by thinking positive thoughts for example “my back doesn’t hurt”.
The second technique is known as autosuggestion. There has been some controversy as to whether this technique is actually a form of hypnosis. Regardless of whether it is or not it has been shown to help back pain. Like auto-genic training this method involves no equipment such as audio recordings. This is done by simply repeating a positive phrase after you wake up, and before you go to sleep. For example, in this case it would be “my back does not hurt”. Repeating this over and over for each day will help to reduce the emotional aspects of the pain experienced in your back.
Finally, last hypnotic technique which can be used to help back pain is the use of audio recordings. These are specifically pre-recorded pieces of material which are tailored to the specific notice of the user, for example there are some which are specifically designed to help people quit smoking. Although they can be used any point in the day, they are most effective whilst the user is sleeping. This is because this is because the psychological walls between the conscious and subconscious are lower during sleep, hence, the recordings on able to better influence the subconscious. Although the user would have to and take in order to carry out this type of hypnosis, it requires no training to master so is a good choice for anybody who doesn’t have much free time.
To conclude, while there are many hypnotic techniques which are able to help treat back pain, these are the main three. As they are the most effective and simple to understand.
About the author: this post was written by Rob Jenkins from how to learn hypnosis
Try a sound machine to relax over at the BHI Store.
Back pain can be a debilitating condition. Once you’ve exhausted modern medical treatments, and are fed up with popping pain pills, you may consider resorting to alternative means. There are in fact many effective alternative treatments for your back’s health. Give some of the following methodologies a try to relieve your back pain.
1. Acupuncture. Working along acupuncture points (meridians), acupuncturists place painless needles in your skin. Where the needles are placed is based on your pain and thousands of years of trial and error. For instance, back pain is often relieved with needles in your under elbow and hand. If you’re not interested in getting punctured try acupressure. Acupressure works on the same meridians without the needles.
2. Yoga. Who can argue with a good stretch? Yoga strengthens your back against further injury and stretches it to relieve pain. If you believe in Chi, these motions also allow your energy to move more freely through your body.
3. Chiropractic. Another form of alternative back pain therapy. Chiropractors manipulate and “adjust” your back to relieve pain. There are many skeptics of this treatment, however, most advocates simply refer to the relief the treatment allows and shy away from the vitalistic claims of early chiropractors.
4. Cupping. This Chinese therapy involves putting a flame in a glass cup to create a vacuum and then applying the cup to points on your back. The vacuum creates suction pulling your skin into the cup and increasing your circulation, which encourages the healing process. The actual therapy is doesn’t hurt much but leaves red rashes where the cups were applied.
5. Rolfing. A sometimes painful procedure, rolfing is the manipulation of soft body tissue. For your back, this means folding yourself into yogo-like positions to be massaged by a rolfing specialist. It is not a proven methodology, however, participants are often relieved afterwards (perhaps because it is over).
6. Prolotherapy. This therapy involves injecting sugar solutions into your ligaments and tendons. The idea is that this will promote the growth of connective tissue and healing. Some studies show that this is not an effective method by itself, yet there are some positive results for this method in conjunction with massage or other techniques.
7. Alexander technique. So simply it might work. This technique, also used to improve vocal capability, involves methods of improving your posture. Poor posture is of course a proven cause of some back pain, so it follows that this technique has proven validity.
What is most important is that these therapies are effective in treating your pain. Give these techniques a shot to see what works for you.
You can also try an inversion table or a Thumper massager over at the BHI Store.
Last week the Teeter Hang Ups Teeter Fit-100 Inversion Table was released to a handful of select retailers, including Better Health Innovations. I had some hands-on time with the new table when it was unveiled at the Health+Fitness Business Expo last month in Las Vegas. I also spent quite a bit of time with the folks from Teeter, including their founder, Roger Teeter. In this post, I will walk you through the new Fit-100 inversion table and describe how it compares with other tables in the Teeter Hang Ups line. I also cover other (non-Teeter) tables at the Fit-100′s price point.
This table is being launched at $289, but we are currently discounting it to $229. At this price it competes with the other budget Teeter Hang Ups table, the Fitform at $219. Going from a Teeter Fitform up to the Fit-100 for an extra $10 will depend on the features you want (mainly the bed design), but going from the Fit-100 to the $299 EP-550 is a more difficult choice. I’ll cover this in more detail below.
First, a quick bit about Teeter Hang Ups: They have been in the inversion business for more than 30 years, longer than any other inversion table manufacturer. Teeter is the only company that demonstrates their commitment to quality by having their tables independently tested and certified to UL 1647, making them the only company with tables that carry the UL mark. Most notably, inversion products are the only products offered by Teeter Hang Ups, making inversion tables their sole focus. All other inversion tables are from companies who produce all sorts of equipment. In fact, most competing tables are produced by Asian contract manufacturers who make all sorts of products and sold in the US by marketing companies.
The Fit-100 carries the UL Mark, which is impressive for a table at the price. In order to have the UL Mark, an inversion table must be tested by an independent lab to a 400% safety factor and for 30,000 cycles.
The Teeter Fit100 incorporates their new FitFlex inversion table bed. This is a two-piece injection molded bed that provides a rigid and secure feel while flexing enough for the user to move and stretch while on the table at partial inversion. Other tables in the Teeter Hang Ups line have either a one piece molded bed (the Flex Technology bed on the EP series), or a stretched nylon bed, like on the Fitform.
I found the FitFlex bed to be comfortable enough, and it may provide a bit more support than the Flex Technology bed. I prefer this type of inversion table bed over the stretched nylon. In fact, many people find the stretched nylon on other tables to be extremely uncomfortable, especially those with back pain to the point where laying on a hard, flat surface causes lower back pain.
When you look at a table, it is easy to focus on the bed. However, when you are on a table I feel that the ankle clamps to be more important for the inversion experience. A poorly designed ankle clamp will feel insecure and even painful. The ankle clamps on the new table are similar to other Teeter Hang Ups ankle clamps. The foot rest portion rotates in order to adjust for larger or smaller feet, which goes a long way in providing a feeling of security and comfort. For most people, the ankle clamps on the new model will be just fine in terms of comfort and security.
Like all other Teeter inversion tables, the Fit-100 has a very smooth rotation and “controlled lock out” at full inversion. This lock out means that the table bed rotates a little past full inversion so the user can do exercises and stretches while completely vertical. The new table also has stretch handles, which is optional on more expensive models like the EP-550. These handles, located on the top of the A-frame allow the user to reach up while inverted and push with their hands to receive a bit of manual decompression of the back.
Obviously, to get the Fit-100 down to the pricing they wanted, Teeter had to leave out some features found on the next expensive model, the EP-550. Unlike the more expensive models, the main shaft is not chrome plated. The main shaft is the part that the ankle clamps attach to and it moves in and out of the bed frame to adjust for user height. Chrome is an extremely hard finish and resistant to wear caused from moving in and out of the frame. It is still a high quality (black) finish, and will not be a big deal for a users who do not have to move the height adjustment often. We do know several husband-wife users who have to adjust the height when switching between themselves. In this situation, we would recommend a machine with a chrome plated main shaft, such as the EP-550.
Another noticeable feature not on the Fit-100 are corner feet. Again, not a huge thing. I do like the corner feet on the more expensive models as they extend the area the table contacts the floor. Without the corner feet, the Fit100 was plenty stable though.
The new table comes with support material that exceeds what comes with similar priced models. However, it does not come with a DVD, which is kind of odd since the lower priced Fitform does come with a DVD. I think that this may be a feature missed by users. Our recommendation with the EP Series models is to play the DVD on a computer or TV close by while the table is being assembled. We have decided to offer our Inversion Coaching Program free of charge with the Fit-100, which should help make up for the lack of a DVD.
Teeter beats competing models with warranty (2 years for this table), but the warranty period is less than half that of the Teeter EP series.
The main competitor in this price range to this table are a couple models with the Ironman brand name. Honestly, I am not that familiar with the Ironman brand, but I have tried their tables on several occasions. The last I had heard, they had gone out of business and sold the name to another company. I’m not sure who is making Ironman now, but the tables are still available. A couple years ago Ironman tables had weld failure issues resulting in a recall. Most noticeably in comparison, the Fit-100 has a smoother rotation, more comfortable foot clamps, and is much less complicated. Ironman tables do not carry the UL Mark, so I presume they are not tested to the safety factors of Teeter inversion tables. Also unlike the Teeter models, they do not have the two year warranty or 30 day money back trial period (we extend this to 90 days for any Teeter models sold through our Better Health Innovations site).
Deciding between the Fit-100 and the EP-550 is a bit more tricky. This is a bit like comparing a high-end Toyota to a Lexus. Both are world-class quality, and while you won’t be disappointed with the lower cost option, you won’t get the features of the higher-end model. So, here’s some basic guidance:
If you absolutely can not afford a $299 Teeter EP-550, then go with the Fit100. You won’t be disappointed, and your back will thank you for years.
If you plan on using the table a couple times a day on a regular basis, or if there is more than one person in the household using the table, then try to stretch to a Teeter EP-550.I would feel more comfortable using an EP-series table for heavy regular use, especially with the longer five year warranty period of the EP-550 versus the two year warranty on the Fit-100.
Bottom line: The Fit-100 is a great table, especially for the price.
Remember that purchasing any Teeter Inversion Table through our Better Health Innovations site, you will receive several upgrades our competitors simply can not match, such as our 90 day personal coaching program, 90 day return period, price guarantee, and more.
If you have any questions about the any of the Teeter inversion tables, please give us a call/email. If you would like a to share your questions or experiences, please leave a comment below!
There is a stigma that comes with hypnosis. Many people think of the magic shows where the hypnotist makes someone cluck like a chicken when they hear someone mention hypnosis. There us a huge difference between actual clinical hypnosis and the side show hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis is used to help people over come bad habits and even to help to cure some diseases. Hypnosis puts the person into a sleep like trance in which the hypnotherapist plants suggestions of healing and change. Hypnosis has been used to help cancer patients and it has been used to help people quit smoking too. Those are just a couple of the medical uses of hypnosis.
Along with helping people quit smoking, hypnosis has become a popular weight loss plan. Through weight loss hypnosis people are able to let go of their attachments to food. Because hypnosis can help people let go of addictions and feelings, it works well for drug addictions, alcoholism and more. It can also be used to help people get over past relationships. Hypnosis is also useful for people who suffer from anxiety issues and anger issues. Under hypnosis the hypnotherapist can uncover whatever it is that is causing these issues and help the patient let go.
Hypnosis has been around for ages. Although the type of hypnosis used today was discovered around the 18th century by Franz Anton Mesmer, some form of hypnotism has been in use since ancient Egyptian times. When going for an appointment with a hypnotherapist a person should be prepared to reveal some things they may not expect to talk to people about. Under hypnosis some deep thoughts and feelings can be released. Some people even go in for past life regression hypnotherapy, which is believed to reveal things that happened to people in past lives that they have lived. The hypnotherapist will possibly play some soothing instrumental music in the background. They will speak in a relaxing tone, using a form of guided meditation. This will put the patient in a relaxed state in which they almost appear to be asleep, but are still coherent and speaking.
Another myth about hypnosis, other than the clucking like a chicken, is the fact that after hypnosis a person remembers everything that happened during the session. The hypnotherapist will not and cannot erase memories. In fact, they may help dredge up some lost memories. Many people also find luck using hypnosis cds if they cannot actually get to a therapist.