Upper Back Pain



             


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Back pain, joint pain, knee pain, arthritis and a host of other pain ailments you never have to suffer again

"The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern than the destruction of millions of our fellow beings." William Hazlitt [1778-1830. British Essayist]

If "The smallest pain in our little finger gives us more concern..." then what happens when we have back, knee or joint pain?

Did you know that

  • 80% of Americans will battle with back pain at some point in their lives?
  • 7 million people are treated for back pain every year?
  • 2 million new cases of back pain are opened every year?
  • $100 billion is being spent annually in medical bills, disability and lost productivity at work?

Pain and Pain Relief is of utmost concern for most of us that are in constant pain.

Why are we in Pain?

Before we can answer this question, we need to understand how the body interprets and handles pain. The pain impulse begins at the point of an injury for example a cut, burn, pinched nerve, bruised muscle etc.

Once the impulse starts, it triggers a number of bio-chemicals to be released at the site of the injury. Some of these bio-chemicals are histamine, bradykinin, prostaglandin, and Substance P. Each of these has one or more effects on the body. And many of these bio-chemicals are inflammatory -- that is they cause the injury site to swell up.

Inflammation is actually a defense mechanism for the body. Inflammation serves to bathe the injury in healing fluids and acts as a cushion to protect against further injury. However. if the inflammation is prolonged or out of control, it can cause destruction. This is what occurs in arthritis where the inflammation actually destroys the joints. Also, inflammation can serve to compound problems by actually causing pain itself.

This explains how an injury causes the body to release a number of biochemicals that can cause inflammation. Another action of these biochemicals, though, is to stimulate the nerve fibers of pain, the C fibers. (The body actually has three types of nerve fibers: A fibers. B fibers and C fibers. The main fibers which transmit the pain impulse are the C fibers.) Histamine, bradykinin, prostaglandins and the other bio-chemicals are actually the stimuli that cause the pain impulse to begin.

Types of Pain Relief

At the site of an injury, whether the problem is pain or inflammation, the pain impulse can be interrupted by:

  • Decreasing the levels of the "pain" bio-chemicals or
  • by blocking the nerves of pain - the C fibers.

With that in mind, it would make sense to use a painkiller that can do both of these. Aspirin and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and Motrin decrease the prostaglandins. This can result in decreased pain and inflammation, especially if the prostaglandins are the main causes.

However, aspirin and NSAIDS do not directly affect the other pain chemicals and do not affect the pain nerve, the C fiber.

Narcotics, such as Darvon or codeine, have no known effect on either the "pain" bio-chemicals or the pain nerves. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) also has no significant effect on these at usual doses. And in fact, the way acetaminophen works is not actually known.

But we also know we can interrupt the pain impulse away from the injury site, at the spinal cord. If our pain killer could also decrease the release of (or deplete the C fiber of) Substance P, the pain impulse would be blocked at the spinal cord level. Aspirin and NSAIDS have no known effect at this site. Narcotics and tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptylene or Elavil, on the other hand, actually can block the release of Substance P and stop transmission at the spinal cord level, but once again have no value in decreasing the levels of the bio-chemicals of pain.

This new totally natural remedy does it all by providing the relief you need without using drugs and other traditional methods of pain relief:

  • Decreases the levels of the "pain" bio-chemicals.
  • Blocks the release of Substance P, thus slowing down the transmission of the pain impulse along the nerves of pain, the C fibers.
  • And slows down transmission of pain along the spinal cord.

ReducedBackPain.us offers an affordable, all natural and highly effective product that sells all over the world.

This product is an all-in-one solution, also called the "Chiropractor in the bottle" that

  • reduces pain and swelling
  • Lessens the pain of arthritis
  • helps with bruises that hurt
  • fights muscle fatigue
  • works against sciatica and neuralgia
  • Makes cuts and scrapes feel better instantly
  • Provides soothing warmth and pain relief in just seconds.

Get your all natural highly potent pain relief product today at http://www.reducedbackpain.us/

Jaynne Nichols is a WebMaster and lives in Nevada. She teaches webdesign, and creates webpages. Jaynne is a former SkiPatroller and thus very interested in health. You can read more about her current product at http://www.reducedbackpain.us

jn@dexlen.com

 

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Golfer' Back Exercise Can Eliminate Back Pain

Golfer' back exercise is a key part of any golf-specific exercise routine.

A closer look at the golf swing will show clearly that it heavily depends on and indeed leans on the back. Actually a perfect golf swing is really all about using the spine as an axis to allow the correct swing plane. The spine is at the very center and core of the golf swing.

The facts of the matter are that a golfer with a back problem will always face an uphill and maybe impossible task when it comes to improving on their game. The back will always come in the way of any efforts at improvement.

This is where golfer' back exercise come in. They can be extremely useful in helping solve this nagging problem amongst the many golfers who suffer from this problem which can be both very painful and frustrating.

There are cases where the back problem started even before the golfer started playing golf and there are other cases where it starts shortly after they start frequenting a golf course. There are even cases where the problem is greatly aggravated by golf. Chances of getting an improvement on your game from all three different scenarios with the help of golfer back exercises are very high.

Many golfer' back exercise involve stretching exercises some of which I have covered in previous articles. Interestingly enough, I have witnessed some of these stretch exercises helping some golfers with chronic back pain problems.

There are some who have been fortunate enough to have the problem completely disappear while others have gotten a great deal of relief as a result of the golfer' back exercise.

golfer' back exercise can also help golfers who have never experienced any back problems to avoid them altogether. As we have already seen, the golf swing involves so much use of the back that injury to it is quite easy. Especially where the golfer is not involved in any golf exercise program let alone golfer' back exercise. Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf fitness experts in the country, author of the Ultimate Golf Fitness Guide, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf fitness sites. Take a look at his just released golf fitness dvds at http://www.performbettergolf.com

Copyright Mike Pedersen - http://www.performbettergolf.com

"Christmas For One: Mental Health Over the Holidays"Kristin Johnson My dear friend, poet Dessa Byrd Reed, often spends holidays alone as a widow. However, she doesn't see this, as many people often do, as a depressing circumstance. In a November 2000 POETIC VOICES interview, she said, "Because I am single and live alone, I eat out a lot. I love to talk to strangers. That's one of my favorite things. I go out for breakfast and talk to people."

Another talented writer, Leslie Lafayette, dealt with being a childless woman by choice in WHY DON'T YOU HAVE KIDS?: Living a Full Life Without Parenthood. You can bet that because of her choice many people would pity her. She writes the "Alone Again, Naturally" column for the outstanding magazine THE DESERT WOMAN. Observers might conclude she's miserable on the holidays.

Both Leslie and Dessa have full lives and radiate Christmas cheer, not just in December but all year round. While we all need human contact, it's a mistake to conclude that people without the traditional family dinner are all on suicide watch. Anyone who has negotiated where to have Christmas and which family members can come when, not to mention refereed in-law and spouse disputes, knows that the allure of having a table for one at Christmas is powerful.

However, when people aren't alone by choice, Christmas can be lonely. In Michigan, I interviewed a woman, the founder of a divorced and widowed support group, who chose to have Christmas dinner every year for lonely widows, widowers and divorced people, usually from her support group. Her children understood that she needed to start this new tradition in her new life.

Similarly, having children around, even with the relentless gimmes and commercialism, lends a special magic to Christmas, which is why playing Santa appeals to so many.

The holidays can be joyous if you're alone, or they can be difficult. As with so much, your feelings depend on your personality, your circumstances, your childhood, and in many cases on medical or psychological conditions.

Some tips to remember if you're alone or without your support system:

  • Take advantage of counseling services in your community, including from your local church, synagogue, temple or other place of worship.

  • Take time out for spirituality. You might attend services just to experience human contact and community. People are generally nicer at Christmas.

  • Do all the things you wanted to do but couldn't in your former life. Travel. Even in this post-9/11 world, you can visit faraway places. There are many tour groups for singles.

  • Attend art walks, holiday concerts, lectures, and movie screenings alone. Or invite a friend you haven't talked to in a while.

  • Volunteerit's a wonderful way to make friends, stay active, and feel fulfilled.

  • Go out to dinner alone! While women in particular feel uncomfortable, project an air of confidence. You are a strong, vital woman. This doesn't mean that you should go bar-hopping or take risks alone at night. But you have the right to ask for a table for one without feeling as though people are judging you. (Most people are too preoccupied with their own lives to notice.)

  • Gather a circle of friends or people in the same situationjust make sure the evening doesn't turn into a pity party.

  • Don't overdrink, overeat or do drugs. It's just not a good tradition.

  • Bake cookies if you're so inclined. Cookies make wonderful Christmas presents and ways to reconnect with your friends.

You may be tempted to think of yourself as Ebenezer Scrooge. Don't, and boil anyone in his own pudding who calls you "Scrooge." You are honoring Christmas in your own heart and keeping it always. Christmas for one, anyone?


"Did Your Personality Choose Your Career?Angela Butera Dickson We almost all think we are masters of our own fate. While it is true that we all make our own choices there are many things that influence what we choose. Ask yourself: Why do some people choose professions that help only themselves while others of us choose professions that help those in need?

Health and wellness professionals all share the desire to help others. Our work is commendable and very important, but why do we choose the profession we're in?

Professionals in the "caring jobs" share some unique qualities. We're almost always creative, sensitive and nurturing. We also almost all share a willingness help others in every way possible and suffer pangs of guilt if we say "no." Our willingness to help sometimes comes with a price. It leaves us vulnerable to burn out.

"some clients can be draining to even the most enthusiastic wellness professional"

Burnout is often the result of a professional feeling overwhelmed with his or her job responsibilities. Let's face it caring for others can be a burden. Even if you love your job facing unmotivated, clients can be draining to even the most enthusiastic wellness professional. Add to this any inside pressure from trying to make a decent living, dealing with negative attitudes of coworkers or pressure with sales commissions and you're on the road to feeling more negative yourself.

Caregivers tend to burn out more quickly than others because we typically put the needs of those around us first. By the time we are through dealing with the issues of our clients, families and friends we have little left for ourselves.

So how do you deal effectively with those clients who seem to have a "seek out and destroy" personality? Simple, you learn to develop your own "repair and replenish" skills now and make them an important part of your everyday routine.

Make it a point to be more aware of your surroundings. Try to notice the little things that bring joy to your life and take a moment to reflect on them.

Learn to say "no" - not all the time but some time. When someone asks for another piece of your time, a little more of your energy, or is looking for you to commit to their newest project, take the time to know if it's the right choice for you. Make it your personal policy to never give an answer that you haven't had at least 24 hours to think about there's much to be said for the adage of let me sleep on it.

Nurture yourself with a trip to the gym, a visit to a day SPA, tickets to your favorite play or concert. Even a leisurely walk can be a rejuvenating gift.

Talk, talk and then talk some more. Find peer professionals that share similar values and goals and talk about work. Some think it's taboo to talk about work on your days off but in reality it is important to be able to share your feelings and frustration with someone who understands how you feel and their feedback can be very helpful.

Vacations aren't just what other people do. You earn the time too. Take your vacation time all together or in shorter bursts. What ever works for you is fine just take those days and forget about work for awhile.

Sometimes a nurturing personality can open the door for our own wellness to suffer and it is up to each person to find the tools that help to keep them on track and healthy. By learning to say no, nurturing yourself, becoming more aware of your surroundings, talking to a trusted peer and taking a break when you can, you'll be able to find a healthy balance in your professional and personal life leading to greater business success and satisfaction.

* Registered US Copyright, Angela Butera Dickson, 2004


"Eight Steps to Taking Control of Every Situation in Your Life!"Terry Rich Hartley, Ph.D. Like it or not, we are all gladiators. We go to sleep and wake up in a social arena from which there is no escape. Challenge upon challenge confronts us, walls restrain us, and a mob of spectators mocks, sneers, or cheers us. Each and every day brings new battles whether we want them or not and whether we're up to them or not. Life forces us to face one skirmish after another - no choice in the matter.

What we can choose, though, is which kind of gladiator to be, victor or victim.

Being a victim in this social arena translates into having bad relationships.

Most people are victims - victims of their own perceptions.

That's because people don't develop and listen to their own unique, authentic self. Rather they allow their mental spectators - those little tyrants rattling around in their heads - to tell them second by second how to fight their battles, what they can and cannot do. These tyrants applaud and they hiss, they encourage and they discourage.

These mental spectators are the memories of the judgments of real-life people. For example, it's the memory of your aunt saying, "I hope you marry someone rich, because you're not going far on brains." It's the echo of your father growling, "You've got a back problem - no spine."

And their influence over your relationships can't be overestimated.

Millions of people accept the judgments of their mental spectators as the truth and, therefore, the mediocre results that come from believing those judgments.

With so many people living this way, the question becomes, is this the way I have to live? Fortunately, the answer is not unless you want to.

Once you identify your mental spectators - and your interactions with them - you can move beyond victim and assume the role of victor.

What it takes are eight steps for getting command, eight steps you can apply to most any situation you want altered. You can positively influence your relationships, your employment options, any aspect of your life.

Let's look at the steps.

1. Define What Ails You.


Ask, what's my problem? Am I a jealous weasel, troubled that others have what I want? Am I ticked off most of the time? Am I sad and whiney? Anxiety ridden? Moody? All of the above? Without this step, you're doomed. It will take personal courage, but you won't get results without identifying what ails you.

2. Discover the Effects.


Ask, how are my problems affecting my life? Am I a lousy parent, a friendless dork, a backstabber, a slut, a drunk, a junkie? Am I none of the above, but someone who is less than I could be? This step requires absolute self-honesty, but the truth will help set you free.

3. Seek the Source.


Ask, from where are my problems coming? Who are my real and my mental spectators? What do my mental spectators look like, say, and do? Exactly who or what is keeping me from taking command of my life? This could be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. You will look into the abyss and see who is looking back.

4. Identify Your Role.


Ask, how am I contributing to my problems? What is my responsibility in all this? Did I decide to be a garbage disposal? Do I beat myself to death trying to please others? Do I expect things of myself that are unfair? Do I treat myself as a friend or an enemy? Do I allow my mental spectators to drive me to distraction, depression, anger, anxiety? Recognizing your role in your own problems is a positive - but scary - step toward knowing yourself and gaining personal command.

5. State Your Desires.


Ask, what do I specifically want to do about my problems? Do I want to be a doormat, a slut, a drunk, a friendless geek? Or do I want to rule my mental spectators? Do I want to stand up to a spectator, real or imagined, who puts me down? Do I want to take command of my education, my bank account, my relationships? Until you can actually list your desires in the order of their importance, you will be a victim. However, once you do this, you are on your way to being a victor.

6. Seek Options.


Ask, what are my options, and in what order should I place them? What is the first option I should concentrate on? The second one? The third? If you have a soul-sucking hangover most mornings, you might opt to give up your booze buddies for some real friends. Secondly, take the money you normally spend at bars and deposit it in a college fund for yourself or your kids. If, instead, you're a workaholic and you want to spend more time with your kids, then DO IT. Very few people on their deathbed have said, "If I could live life all over again, I'd spend more of it at work and less with people I love." Choices are involved here, but by weighing options and alternatives, and then making personal choices, you are taking command. Do this and you'll begin to gain real power.

7. Learn Winning Techniques.


Ask, how do I rule my real and my mental spectators? Must I collapse in a heap when they point thumbs down? How can I learn to take charge on every level and get a grip on my life? There is no "magic" involved, but you might feel as if there is. Unlike a vanquished gladiator falling at the whim of spectators, you decide your own course.

8. Master Your Relationships.


Ask, what more can I do to master my relationships by strengthening myself and my perceptions? How do I take command right now in developing my own identification and self-worth? Congratulations! You're working on the one person in the entire world you can work on - YOU! And any improvements in yourself can't help but enrich your relationships with other people and the world around you.

Although this is only a brief overview of each of the eight steps for jump-starting your relationships and taking control of your life, you'd be amazed at how significant the effects of a few minor adjustments in perception can be.


"How do I date beautiful women, even celebrities?" my idiot client askedJohn Alanis Are you a guy who's interested not only in dating beautiful women, even celebrities, but would like to get beautiful women to approach YOU first? Can it really be done? The answer is an unqualified "yes" IF you know what to say and do, and what to avoid saying and doing.

Most guys have no clue about the day to day life of stunningly beautiful women. They have no idea how many times a DAY these beautiful women are approached by guys whose obvious interest is to "sex them up." And for celebrities, it's even worse. Day in, and day out they hear the same thing: "oh you're such beautiful women do you have boyfriends can I take you out" and on and on and on. Beautiful women simply become numb to guys asking them these questions, and tune them out.

Now, that's not to say these beautiful women don't want to meet men because they do. Many of them desperately. But beautiful women like a guy who'll say something different to them, something unusual, something that will create attraction in them. And most of all beautiful women crave a man who "defines authority" for them, one who is not intimidated by their looks (or fame). Let me give you an example.

I'm in the business of teaching other guys how to get desirable, beautiful women to approach them first for a date, no matter their looks, age or income (see www.womenapproachyou.com). And while I rarely take clients, occasionally I'll make a mistake and let someone talk me into helping them.

A few weeks ago I was working with a guy who was desperately in need of help. Like I always do, I asked him, "What specifically do you want in beautiful women? What don't you want? And most importantly, what's your ideal experience with a woman?" Most of guys, of course, have no specific answers to these questionsand if you don't know what you're looking for, it's extremely difficult to achieve any measure of successwhether with beautiful women or in any area of your life.

This guy, amazingly enough, didn't pause with his answer: "I'd like to sex Paris Hiltonand other beautiful women" he leered. I was a bit taken abackapparently I don't speak the "new lingo." "Sex Paris Hilton," I said. "What the heck does that mean, sex Paris Hilton?"

"It means I'd like to get with her you know, sex her up, sex Paris Hiltonor a woman like her." Ah-ha. "So your goal is to share a few adventures with celebrities, or beautiful women who look like celebrities?" He nodded eagerly"I'll settle for a look-alike," he said, "but what do I say, what do I do to get beautiful women to even speak to me?"

Here's what I told him in regards to beautiful women: first off, get all thoughts of lust out of your head. If you want to spend time with beautiful women, you need to get to know them as people first.

Here's what to do: when you see a beautiful woman (or beautiful women) you want to approach, look her in the eye, and smile slightly, using your "naughty little boy smile." Your intent is to make her smile back at you, while you continue to hold her gaze, and smile wider and "naughtier." Look for something unusual about her that few other guys would notice, and bring it to her attention. For example:

"You look like a well-conditioned athlete what are you training for?"

"Hmmm, that's a most unusual tattoo what made you decide to get that particular one?"

"That's a very professional looking business suit what's the occasion for dressing so professionally?"

"You have a great energy, much like my friends in the martial arts what kind of physical training do you do to have such a great energy or is it just natural?"

Or if all else fails, "What are smiling about remembering something that makes you grin?"

The key is to notice something about her environment, and ask her an open ended question letting her know you're sincerely curious about her. Don't tell her, "you're a beautiful woman and I like beautiful women." She's heard that. You want to give her an opportunity to talk about herself, something few guys ever do. They're trying to impress her, instead of shutting up, listening and letting her impress herself about you.

By doing this, you let her know you're interested in her as a person (as opposed to a sweaty piece of meat), that you appreciate her beauty (and beautiful women) but you're not intimidated or especially impressed by it, and that you need to hear more before you let her into your life. When you do this, you will stand out from the crowd that asks her the same questions over and over and overand she'll be more than happy to pick YOU up! (for more great tips, see www.womenapproachyou.com)


"Is Your Career Your Calling or Just a 9 to 5?"Yasmeen Abdur-Rahman Do you remember your parents asking you what you want to be when you grow up? By the time I was in the 9th grade, my mother started asking me that same question until I graduated from high school. At that time I wasn't 100% sure what career path I would take, but I had several ideas.

Your calling is that passion that you have deep inside the career that defines your purpose in life. Someone once told me if you find a job that you love you'll never have to work a day in your life. Some of us work in careers for so long that we are numb on the inside and outside. We go from appointment to appointment and our days are so mundane. We hardly get any enjoyment out of what we do because it is just another 9 to 5. Have you recently said, I could do this job with my eyes closed?'

People who choose a career, instead of their calling, wake up disappointed that they have to go to work. They hate facing another day. If you find your calling and pursue it, life will become an adventure and not just another 9 to 5.

Ponder over these statements:

  • Your passion directs you to your calling.

  • A calling is who you are.

  • A career is what you do.

  • A calling is 24-7-365.

  • A career is a 9 to 5.

  • A calling is what you would do for free.

  • A career is what they have to pay you to do.

  • A calling cannot be measured with money or fame.

In conclusion, take a few moments to ponder over what is going on in your life today and figure out if it compensates towards your calling. Listen to your mind, body and soul. Don't worry about what others will think or even if they will agree to whatever calling you move towards. Live your life as if tomorrow is your last day on Earth. Enjoy today because tomorrow isn't definite.


"Pretend Interest" and Apathy... What To Do About Them!Sue and Chuck DeFiore According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary "apathy is defined as the following: lack of emotion; lack of interest; indifference".

Wow, that's pretty depressing. However, look around you. Don't many of you work with people with this attitude. I don't, because I run my own business. However, I can remember when I worked for others and how many of the people I worked with fit this description. At that time, I couldn't understand how they could be that way. While I left corporate America, for my own separate set of reasons, apathy was certainly not one of them.

Unfortunately in the business that Chuck and I run we also see too much apathy. Of course, we get people who show what I like to call "pretend interest". They figure if they pretend an interest in something else, maybe no one will notice their apathetic behavior.

The individuals who pretend an interest in creative real estate will call us, and want us to guarantee that they will succeed (without any effort I might add). NOTE: NO ONE CAN GUARANTEE YOUR SUCCESS BUT YOU. Or they will want to know how quick they can make a million dollars (again, without doing any work). Or, how do I know it will work for me, in my area. As far as their area, creative real estate works in most areas. However, will it work for them, that I can't answer. They have to decide if they are going to work at it or not, they have to put the effort out. I put effort out every day and get rewarded for it. I realize, however, "if there is no effort, there is no reward". For these individuals, because they are so apathetic about everything, of course it won't work. They don't want to work. They are too indifferent.

If you find yourself with the above characteristics, and want to make a change do the following. Find something you have an interest in, that you are not indifferent to, and watch your emotions soar. I am not telling you to quit your job, unless you really want to or need to. Look at your job in a different light or look for something you would like to do, and research it. Find out how you can start it in your spare time, or part time, and build it up so you can get out of where you are. Once you do that you'll have a new purpose for yourself. Put all of yourself into it, heart and soul.

Don't let apathy make you say, "I'm not good at anything", "I don't know what I want to do", etc. These kind of statements are just perpetuating your apathetic behavior.

If it is not your job that is making you apathetic, take a good hard look at yourself, and be honest so you can find out what it is and do something about it. Sometimes it is as easy as finding a new hobby, or doing something special for yourself - dinner, a movie, walking, whatever, will make an enormous difference. If that doesn't help, go talk to someone on a professional level, but do something to remove the apathetic behavior, and I don't mean by using "pretend interest".

As Nike is so fond of saying, "Just Do It!"

Copyright 2003 DeFiore Enterprises


"Ready, Fire, Aim"Jeff Earlywine Does the sub-title to this edition of Footprints and Monuments sound familiar? It does to me in a very real way. When I was a teenager my dad and I loved to go hunting. We would hunt whatever animal happened to be in season at the time, and anything else that moved. Especially snakes, but that is another story.

On one hunting trip my dad and I were about thirty yards from each other waiting for a particular kind of bird to fly over. I was ready. My gun was loaded. My mind was focused. I was going to "out shoot" my dad on this trip. Well, as I was sitting in my "ready" position I accidentally pulled the gun's trigger. Boom! As my shotgun let off a great blast I realized that my gun was pointing just a few feet from where my dad was sitting. Obviously, I fired before I aimed and almost killed my father in the process.

I see something similar in people's personal and professional lives all the time. Many get themselves ready with advanced education, power thoughts, and influential friends, but they fire before they aim. Aiming is a planning process that takes time and must be done before you can fire your way into a successful life, organization, or relationship.

You may ask, "I know how to get ready, and how to fire, but how do I take aim and then fire?" Or, "Is this just another goal setting exercise?" No, this is actually an exercise in life planning. In order to take aim your must know where you want to go, and what your passion is.

I have listed several questions below that will spark the creative part of your mind and help you establish your aim so that you will be able to achieve the kind of life, organization, and relationships you want.

Life Planning with accurate AIM:

  • Where do you want your life, organization, and relationships to be in five, ten, or twenty years? One way to answer this is to draw a picture. This picture will give you purpose, passion, and energy. It will also keep a visual in your mind as to what you are aiming at.

  • What standards of excellence, consistent growth, and specific review of progress do you need to set?

  • Do you have someone in your life to hold you accountable so you don't fire before you are ready or before you have taken aim?

  • A good system is better than a good friend when comes to life planning, therefore, what is on your to-do list today that will help you become more like your picture tomorrow?


"Success In An Ever Changing World"Jeff Earlywine February 2003

Footprints and Monuments

"Success In An Ever Changing World"

By Jeff Earlywine

Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I don't mean the time of the year when the flowers bloom and the days get longer. What I am referring to is the sound of roaring engines and the waving of green and checkered flags. That's right, it's racing season!

Which brings me to my point; success in racing is always found in the ability to make the right changes at the right time. In racing, the person responsible for calling the right changes at the right time is [interesting enough] the crew chief. This crew chief position is much like an organization's CEO, president, team leader, manager, boss, you. All these people strive for success, and the smart ones know when to make the right changes.

ENSURING IT'S A TEAM EFFORT

The best crew chiefs have as their top attribute the ability to get every member of their team pulling in the same direction. If a team has even one guy steadily complaining that the driver can't get the job done, or the rear tire changer is performing poorly, or the jack man is just too slow, it's trouble for the team and any crew chief who expects to succeed must put a quick end to this sort of thing.

ONE LEADER MULTIPLE WAYS

A good crew chief also has to have a very good working knowledge of the racecar. He has to be a little bit innovative as well. He must have the mentality that allows him to feel that even though something has been done one way for years, it might be worth trying a different approach if the old one no longer produces results. The best crew chiefs are those that are open and receptive to change.

A racing team is going to assume the personality of its crew chief. People on a racing team must want to work for a crew chief because they not only like him as a person, they like the way he handles things. A crew chief must inspire confidence. He can do that through hard work and dedication two things that will certainly rub off on those other members of the team.

TALKING THE SAME LANGUAGE

Communication between crew chief and a driver is vital. Being a crew chief not only means setting up the race cars but it also means being able to talk a driver through a race. Crew chiefs have to really understand the inflection in the comments made over the radio by their drivers during a race to really understand how the racecar is running. For instance, when a driver answers "pretty good" to the question of how a car is running, it's the way in which he inflects those words that gives a good crew chief the understanding of whether the adjustments needed on the car are a half round or maybe two rounds. It's only over time that this communication between driver and crew chief gets refined to where there's no doubt over what's being said.

Are you a "crew chief" in your organization? Has success been determined by the changes you have made? The following is something that you may have heard, but it is something basic that we need to keep in mind when making changes.

  • If you make the wrong change at the wrong time you have failure

  • If you make the right change at the wrong time you have resistance

  • If you make the wrong change at the right time you have low performance

  • If you make the right change at the right time you have success


"What Can I Do To Improve My Job-Interviewing Skills?"Paul Shearstone Whether you're a student job seeker or a polished and proven executive, the first thing you must come to terms with is, "Regardless of the position you seek, you are now in sales!" The product you are selling is YOU! The interview is your opportunity to differentiate yourself in the eyes of your customer [the interviewer] when compared to your competitors [other job applicants].

Successful companies today are focused on building what's known as, corporate "Unique Value-Add Propositions." Simply put, a unique value proposition is designed to differentiate companies / products and services, by making a decision to do business with you, an easy one. This is accomplished by means of removing the risk in customer's minds through obvious value-add.

So before you go into an interview, ask yourself, "What is my unique Value-add for this company? What can I say, do, or show, that will separate me from all other candidates?" And, "How convincing am I?"

There is no secret that in many cases today, the most qualified, are not always the ones hired. Sadly, many qualified individuals lose out on opportunities expressly due to their inability to distinguish themselves [in the interview] by showing unique value-add. You may then ask, "How does one construct a value-add interview?" The process is surprisingly simple.

#1: As quickly as you can, write down all the words that describe your unique strengths that relate to the position to which you're applying. [Note: Five words are not enough. Try for at least fifteen / you may also ask others for their input].

#2: As quickly as you can, write down all the words that describe your potential weaknesses as they relate to the position to which you're applying.

#3: Turn each word into a sentence or statement. It does not have to be complicated. For example, if one of your strength-words was, "experience" you could simply say, "I am experienced." [Note: Do the same for your weaknesses list as well].

#4: Take each sentence / statement, and turn them into a question. "I am experienced" becomes, "Why am I experienced?"

To answer the question, "Why am I experienced?" automatically brings to light your real Value-Add. From a selling point of view, being experienced' may be true, but it is only, however, a fact. "How specifically, am I experienced, and, How it will therefore benefit the new company," is the real Risk-Removing, Unique-Value-Add-Information needed to showcase your talents.

Knowing the answers, ahead of time, to questions like, "Why is [this] a potential weakness for me - for this position?" is equally integral to the success of any interview.

Remember that in business, The degree to which you cannot provide a unique Value-Add Proposition is in direct proportion to the degree you hurt yourself, your company and your industry. In any job interview, You are the company. The product you're selling is YOU!

For more detailed information on Interviewing Skills, visit [www.success150.com]. On the Speaker Profile' page, there is a hot-link to "The Art of the Interview" There you can order [$5 Admin-Fee] an E-Book that guarantees better interviewing results. It details the specific types of questions trained interviewers will ask and the reasons why they ask them. The do's and don'ts of a good rsum's as well as ways to better prepare mentally for an interview. All in a comprehensive easy to read format.

*Just Released: The Art of the Interview on CD ROM [Narrated by Paul Shearstone] Please send $19.95 usd + $5 S&H to:

Paul Shearstone


c/o Success 150 Group Inc


7305 Woodbine Ave, Suite 458


Markham Ontario Canada


L3R 3V7


(P)Refer to Grow Your BusinessMiami Phillips (Although this article is geared towards small business owners, the information is just as applicable to a similar personal situation, only the action is slightly different.)

Here is the scenario. You have begun your day at work. Your day is planned ahead, with the big challenges first. You want to finish these up, get them out of the way and take a little time off this afternoon for yourself. You deserve and need it to stay your best for your family, yourself and your customers.

Just as you get into your first task of the morning, the phone rings. "I need help right now!" It's Joe Blow, your most troublesome customer (friend).

For the last six months, Joe has been coming to you with his problems (never challenges or opportunities) expecting you to drop everything and help him. From the very beginning you realized it was probably a mistake to have taken Joe on as a customer. No matter how much you charge Joe for your services, Joe will never be satisfied, and you will never make a profit.

Joe, and customers like him, seem to have an innate ability to attract problems as honey does bees. Of course he blames everyone else, waits until the last minute, and calls you to bail him out.

What do you do?

Don't. By fulfilling Joe's needs for instant gratification, and allowing him to create a habit of calling you instead of installing disciplines of his own you are hurting not only him, but you as well.

Don't bail him out. Be honest with him, and yourself. Refer him to someone who can help him if necessary. Try this: "Joe, although I appreciate your business, in my opinion my company is not serving you in the manner you require, and this is not a good fit for both of us. With your permission, I am going to refer you to a company that I believe will be a much better match for your needs."

You should have a list of at least 100 people of every profession to whom you refer business and expect them to return the favor. You haven't done that? Refer Joe to an organizational, or business coach. Refer him to a competitor. Let them have him. You get rid of him and saddle them at the same time! Seriously though, you need to keep your priorities in line and in focus. Customers like Joe, no matter how well they pay, are seldom profitable when you factor in time, actual costs and energy consumed.

Focus on the customers or clients you want to attract, and make sure you have room in your business when they do show up. They always do.

Your Coach and online friend,

Miami

Miami Phillips


Helping others find their path - and stay on it.


www.creativemasterminds.com

Quotation of the Week

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.

W. Clement Stone


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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Backpain And Accidents In The Work

Kim Standerline

Four out of five people today suffer from back problems. and you know something, I haven't yet met that 5th person.

Back pain in the UK is the biggest cause of sickness from work, so why are we not more proactive about it? (It's costing us billions),

I would suggest the figures are similar in other westernised countries.

In the UK especially it's a constant battle. Many firms don't give even basic manual handling training despite the fact it's been a legal requirement for many years.

What about your workplace, what type of job do you do, What kind of training have you received to help you do it safely?

In the end, it doesn't matter what you do because I can nearly guarantee that whatever it is, somehow your posture, the way you sit, stand and work doesn't help your back. (And I'm not even thinking of the weights you're lifting constantly)

I wonder whether you are sitting reading this and you have pain in your back caused by your employment, are you off sick, maybe even semi or permanently disabled. Are your finances suffering as a result,

(Back pain causes so many problems doesn't it)?

So, what can you do about it?

Easy, be proactive for a start!

The really sad part of many accidents in the workplace relating to back pain (besides poor training) is sheer carelessness on the part of workers.

Come on, admit it, if you do have equipment supplied, can you be bothered to use it, or does it takes too long. (Gosh How many times have I heard that excuse).

Just stop and think before you do something dangerous. Because it may take a few extra seconds to mechanise that job, but will it make the difference between working safely and healthily for many more years, or sitting at home in permanent disability.

Think About it...

Kim Standerline is a Back Care Advisor working for a large hospital Trust in the UK. She is passionate about good backcare, and can be found at www.backpain-free.com and www.nursing-hints.com

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Emergency Measures For Back Pain

If you get an acute episode of back pain, the following advice should help you in the short term, however if your pain persists for more than a few days, it's imperative you seek medical advice.

Chronic pain is often pain not treated appropriately at the acute stage. (Please don't let yourself get to the chronic pain stage just for the sake of not asking for medical help quickly enough)...

Don't lie in bed unless the pain is so bad, you don't have any other choice. Even then, keep the bed rest to a minimum. Ok I'm mean, but bed rest for back problems can often make them worse. So try and keep moving as much as you can.

Use pain killing gel or simple pain killers or anti inflammatories such as paracetamol or Ibuprofen. (Check with your pharmacist for something suitable, and please be careful if you're pregnant, asthmatic or suffering indigestion)...

Applying an icepack to the affected area is a super idea. It soothes the pain, and helps reduce inflammation. (A bag of frozen peas is a useful alternative).

If more of a chronic pain, a warm shower or bath will help as will a hot water bottle. Always remember though to make sure your hot water bottle (or frozen peas etc) are covered with a towel or something, (Don't want you getting burns).

Other measures

It's imperative you get a diagnosis for any type of back pain. Often when people visit a doctor or specialist, it's found (after investigations) that although your spine is moaning and complaining, there isn't anything serious underlying the pain, however there are some "red flag" symptoms you ignore at your peril...

Pain after a major injury

Pain that never disappears, or gets worse

Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in your legs. You would need to see your doctor urgently if this was progressive, situated around your bum or affecting both your legs...

Difficulty in passing urine or opening your bowels. (Again cause to see your doctor immediately).

Pain and or numbness down the back of the leg to your foot. (May be indicative of sciatica).

Back pain which is associated with pain in your tummy or chest.

Backache plus weight loss, sweating episodes or general feelings of being unwell.

Backache during or after any treatment received for cancer.

And finally

To avoid obvious causes of back pain,

Check your bed...

Is it properly supporting your back? (Please don't tell me you have back problems, and you're sleeping on a health bed), they are far too hard. Your bed needs to be comfortable and supportive.

Driving
Ensure you can reach the steering wheel as well as the foot pedals, gear stick etc comfortably.

At home
Use non slip mats in the bathroom, Avoid bending to do any household tasks (Squat), Ensure work surfaces are waist height. Sit down to peel the veg...

Ensure your ironing board is at waist height, and do just small amounts frequently. Ensure the iron is not too heavy for you.

Kneel when making the beds or cleaning the bath, squat when emptying/loading the washer/dryer etc. Be extra careful (Again squat), if you have a very low oven...

Keep frequently used items in cupboards at waist height, and less frequently used in the harder to reach cupboards.

Using these tips will help to keep your back healthy and pain free

Kim is a Back Care Advisor working in the UK for a large hospital Trust. She is passionate about Back Care, and can be found at www.backpain-free.com and www.nursing-hints.com.

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Back Pain And The Office Worker

Back Pain and Facts

At least 120 million working days are lost every year because of people's back problems.

Back Pain and Facts

At least 120 million working days are lost every year because of people's back problems.

10% of all major back injuries take place whilst handling, lifting or carrying.

Nearly two thirds of adults mostly in their 20's and 50's, experience back problems.

Back Pain is the single greatest cause for time off work through ill health.

Every person complaining of back pain, and any related condition, takes an average of 13 days off work.
(Shocking huh)

Unfortunately, you won't find a magic wand to cure your back problems, but you will find that you can improve or prevent a lot of problems by adopting back-friendly work habits.

Manual Handling

If you think about it, we all manually handle throughout every day of our lives, but have you ever stopped to think just how you go about it...

Do you bend from the waist (naughty),
Do you twist without moving your feet,
Do you slouch in your office chair,

How do you pick boxes, or your screaming toddler up from the floor?

If you sat down and thought about the weight you lift during a normal day, you would probably die from shock because it probably run into tons... Ha, is there any wonder you have those aches and pains?

If you must lift something...

Bend your knees rather than your back,
Keep your feet wide apart to provide stability (This is really important)
Carry objects close to your body
Bend again at the knees to put the object down
When carrying loads, try and lighten them, i.e. try and break them down into lighter smaller loads and store them in areas which are easily accessible.

How do you rate when working in an office?

Make sure your chair is comfortable and adjusted for you, (not everyone else)

Sit so your pelvis is upright
Try and ensure your thighs are at a 110 degree angle to your trunk

Ensure the lumbar support of your chair fits the small of your back so it maintains the natural S shape of your spine

Ensure the armrests of the chair touch your forearms, when your shoulders and elbows are relaxed at your side (This helps to avoid strain in your neck and upper limbs)

Ensure the seat depth allows your bottom to be at the back of the seat with a two finger gap between the front edge of the seat and behind the knees. (Ensures adequate thigh support whilst allowing movement without obstruction).

Make full use of the chair movement especially when reaching for items such as the phone

Don't slouch
Alter your position frequently when using a keyboard
Move if you are uncomfortable. (It's surprising how many people don't)

Change your posture frequently to give your muscles a break
Take frequent breaks from your desk (And no it's not an excuse for a cigarette break)

Keep your mouse and telephone as close as possible (Allowing you to remain relaxed and in a natural position at your desk)

Ensure your monitor is square on so you don't have to turn your head to look at it. (Document holders are handy)

Ensure your screen is at arms length away from your face so the top of the screen is horizontal to your eye line.

The next time you are at work again, open your eyes, and just see how much damage your office job is doing to your back...You just might be shocked.

Kim is a Back Care Advisor working in the UK for a large hospital Trust. She's passionate about back Care, and can be found at www.backpain-free.com and www.nursing-hints.com.

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Massage Chairs Offer Relief from Obesity Related Back Pain

According to the American Obesity Society 64.5 percent of Americans over twenty years old are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese. These figures represent the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States which is costing billions of dollars in additional health care expenses. Each year, increasing numbers Americans are finding themselves classified as clinically obese and are suffering from one or more of over thirty obesity related diseases. Premier Massage Chairs .org www.premiermassagechairs.org offers natural solutions for a variety of obesity related health problems.

The most serious obesity related health complications are coronary heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Another, less discussed obesity related health complication, is back pain. Increased occurrence of back pain in obese people is caused by the added strain on the spine from excess body weight. The body is designed to function under healthy weight conditions combined with regular exercise. Obesity however creates stressful conditions that the spine is unable to adapt too. Added weight causes the spine to increase its natural curve causing the pelvis to tip forward. This compensation decreases the structural stability of the spine causing overall back health to decline.

Some of the more common obesity related spinal problems are osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid Arthritis. Osteoporosis decreases bone density, increasing the likelihood of painful and disabling fractures. The risk of osteoporosis is increased with lack of exercise and a poor diet. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are caused by unnatural pressure placed on the joints from excess body weight. Massage chairs are an excellent means for relieving this pressure and improving over all back health www.premiermassagechairs.org/education.html.

The most effective way to help relieve obesity related back problems is to lose weight. Even loosing just ten or fifteen pounds can greatly improve spinal health. Massage therapy is another useful way to reduce back pain. Massage stimulates blood circulation, increasing the flow of healing nutrients to the joints and muscles, as well as helping the body flush pain causing lactic acids and other toxins from sore muscles.

Electric massage chairs are an affordable way to receive the pain relieving benefits of massage therapy. Visit the Premier Massage Chairs website www.premiermassagechairs.org to see our full line of shiatsu massage chairs www.premiermassagechairs.org/our-massage-chairs.html. Premier Health Products produces the highest quality massage chairs on the market including the most advanced chair to date, the PHP-2026 www.premiermassagechairs.org/massage-chair-php-2026.html. Premier Massage Chairs www.premiermassagechairs.org also offers the NASA engineered Premier Health Products PHP-2022 Zero Gravity Massage Chair www.premiermassagechairs.org/massage-chair-php-2022.html. This chair is designed to evenly distribute the bodys weight for reduced spine pressure and better circulation. Both of these chairs deliver professional quality massages for under a dollar per use and are an excellent way to relieve back pain caused by obesity.

For more information please contact us at 1-800-608-5488/premiermassagechairs.org

Distributors of the highest quality massage chairs on the market.

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Closer Look at Lower Back Pain Relief

As many as 8 out of 10 adults will experience back pain in their lifetime, and most of them will feel it in their lower back.  When we consider that our lower back bears the brunt of our body weight, and that our back is made up of many vertebrae, a few discs to absorb shock, several major nerves and joints that allow for movement of the spine, stacked on top of each other, this statistic begins to make more sense.

Back pain is either acute, appearing quickly and intensely after an accident or injury and lasting only a short while, or chronic, recurrent pain that can come seemingly out of nowhere.  The direct causes of chronic back pain are rarely obvious simple movements, arthritis, bad posture, obesity, and internal disorders can all cause our backs to ache. 

It is important to try to pinpoint the cause so you can get the most appropriate type of treatment for your low back pain.  Doctors often recommend medications for lower back pain relief.  Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines can ease lower back pain, and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), which include aspirin and ibuprofen, can significantly reduce inflammation as well as back pain.  Acetaminophen, available in many over-the-counter medicines, acts as an analgesic and is often used to treat acute pain.  Occasionally doctors prescribe opioids or muscle relaxants for severe pain, although these can be habit-forming.  Once common, doctors prescribe back surgery less often nowadays, which usually involves implanting one of several medical devices to stabilize and fuse the spine.

The medical community is now questioning the efficacy of bed rest, once thought to be essential for healing and lower back pain relief.  Medical studies seem to prove just the opposite that exercise is the real healer.  Specific exercises strengthen back muscles, increase flexibility and tone, and pump fluid into back discs, alleviating soreness caused by disc dehydration.  Getting up and moving or performing physical therapy can relieve back pain.

Many sufferers say they have experienced lower back pain relief through acupuncture, an ancient Chinese treatment in which needles are placed in specific points on the body.  Chiropractic, whose practitioners realign the vertebrae of the spine to correct imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, provides relief for others.  Whichever type of treatment one chooses, it is important to remember that there are many causes of lower back pain, and no one treatment will work for everyone.

Pain Relief provides detailed information on arthritis, back, joint, lower back, natural, chronic, neck, sciatica, knee, fibromyalgia, and muscle pain relief. For more information go to Pain Relief and/or visit its sister site at  Acid Reflux Web for related information.

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