A lipstick - or two or three. A book. A phone. A snack and a water bottle. Maybe even a change of clothes. On a daily basis, many women carry this and more in their handbags. Bags are getting bigger, and they're just as jam packed as ever. Carrying all this weight on one shoulder is leading to stiff necks, shoulder pain, and even headaches. Increasingly, massage therapists, chiropractors and doctors are being called upon to treat the symptoms of women who have been carrying around too much too long. If you're among those who need to downsize, consider doing a bit of math: the American Chiropractic Association (www.amerchiro.org) suggests that your bag contain no more than 10 percent of your body weight. Alternating shoulders and carrying a backpack, worn on both shoulders, are other options to reduce muscle and joint pain.

Body Talk
Body Sense Magazine
Spring/Summer 2007

The huge success in the past few years of the Blackberry and other personal digital assistant (PDA) devices has led to a new injury. Margot Miller, a physical therapist and president of the American Physical Therapy Association's Occupational Health Special Interest Group, indicates that Blackberry thumb is "a catch-all phase for repetitive stress injury, causing pain and/or numbness in the thumbs and joints of the hand." Swelling, hand throbbing, and tendonitis are among the symptoms associated with using the thumb for composition of emails and prolonged instant messaging. While stretching and ice help alleviate the condition for some, massage works for others. Be sure to let your massage therapist know if you're suffering from any of these tech related symptoms.

Body Talk
Body Sense Magazine
Spring/Summer 2007

With all the talk of the flu season coming, not to mention the Swine Flu, I thought that this might be something worth posting.

The multitude of soap types available to consumers today- brawny deodorant soap, delicate floral luxury soaps, handcrafted and cut soaps, liquid soaps, vegan soaps and even caffeinated soap- can transform this utilitarian cleanser from sink-top necessity to a sensual treat, a home accessory, or a thoughtful gift. No matter the shape, scent, formula or price, soaps clean the skin by removing dirt, soil, and germs from the surface and preventing the spread of diseases. The key in this cleaning process, however, isn't entirely in the soap's formula but in the friction used while washing.

The recent proliferation of products on the market can be confusing. Which one is the best? Why? Understanding soap basics will protect you from the spread of infections. A few common questions are answered below to demystify this simple process of sanitation.

Does the type of soap I use matter?
No and yes. From the standpoint of cleanliness, the amount of time you spend lathering up and washing is more important than the type of soap being used. A recent article in the Harvard Health Letter (Jan 2007) summarized that washing hands with plain old soap and water for thirty seconds leads to a drop in bacterial counts by close to 99.9 percent; most of us, though, wash for only five seconds.
From the standpoint of sensitivities to the ingredients, yes, soap matters. Common additives include moisturizers (useful for those with particularly dry skin) and fragrances (which, while invigorating or soothing to some, are inappropriate for young children or individuals prone to allergic reactions). Other chemicals, like triclosan, the active ingredient in most liquid soaps, helps kill germs, but have also been known to lead to bacterial resistance.

Do hand sanitizers clean in the same way as soap?
No. According to the Soap and Detergent Association ( www.cleaning101.com), sanitizers, which are often alcohol-based, clean the skin by killing germs on the surface, but they don't actually remove dirt. These gels and wipes are often very convenient and are available in pocket size or single-use packaging, making them particularly useful when soap and water are not available. Sanitizers destroy bacteria and some viruses, but as with other cleansers, it is imperative that all the hands' surfaces ( between the fingers, the fingertips, thumbs, front and back of hands. and under nails) are covered with the substance. More than one squirt from the bottle will usually be necessary to truly sanitize your hands.

Why is drying my hands necessary?
Dry hands are less likely to spread germs than wet hands. While alcohol-based sanitizers air dry quickly, it takes a few extra moments to dry thoroughly after washing with soap and water. Be sure to reach for a clean towel or spend some quality time with your hands under a dryer.

By Jenny Good
Body Wisdom
Body Sense Magazine
Autumn/Winter 2007