So here's the scoop on the remaining five areas where germs lurk that you may not have thought of.....
Your car’s dashboard
In tests of 100 vehicles from across the United States, the dashboard was found to be the second-most-common spot for bacteria and mold. (Food spills were number one.) The researchers' rationale: When air — which carries mold spores and bacteria — gets sucked in through the vents, it's often drawn to the dashboard, where it can deposit the spores and germs. Because the dashboard receives the most sun and tends to stay warm, it's prime for growth.
Keep it clean: Regularly swipe the inside of your car with disinfecting wipes. Be more vigilant during allergy season — about 20 million Americans are affected by asthma, which is caused in part by an allergic reaction to mold.
Soap dispensers
Soap that harbors bacteria may sound ironic, but one recent study found that about 25 percent of liquid soap dispensers in public restrooms were contaminated by fecal bacteria. "Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grows as the soap scum builds up," says Gerba. "And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture going on feeding millions of bacteria."
Keep it clean: Be sure to scrub hands thoroughly for 15 to 20 seconds with plenty of hot water — and if you have an alcohol gel disinfectant, use that, too.
Restaurant ketchup bottle
It's the rare eatery that regularly bleaches down condiment containers. And the reality is that many people don't wash their hands before eating, says Reynolds. So while you may be diligent, the guy who poured the ketchup before you may not have been, which means his germs are now on your fries.
Keep it clean: Squirt hand sanitizer on the outside of the bottle or use a disinfectant wipe before you grab it. Holding the bottle with a napkin won't help — they're porous, so microorganisms can walk right through, says Reynolds.
The refrigerator seal
A University of Arizona survey of 160 homes in three U.S. cities found that the seal around the fridge tested positive 83 percent of the time for common molds. The mold can spread every time the refrigerator door opens — exposing anyone who's susceptible to allergies and potentially contaminating the food.
Keep it clean: Wipe fridge seals at least once a week with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.
Your cell phone
You probably put it down any place that's convenient, but consider this: Several studies on cell phones and PDAs found that they carry tons of bacteria, including staph (which can cause skin infections), pseudomonas (eye infections), and salmonella (stomach ailments). Many electronic devices are sheathed in leather or vinyl cases, which provide plenty of creases and crevices for germs to hide.
Keep it clean: Use a disinfecting wipe a few times a week, and be conscious of where you rest personal items.
Chakras
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of massage usually applied on the hands, feet, or ears. It’s a form of treatment rooted in ancient techniques used by various cultures that found correlations between these body parts and the rest of the body. Certain “reflex zones” on the hands, feet, and ears, have been found to have an influence on other portions of the body when stimulated with physical pressure. Though often prescribed as a complement to standard medical care, reflexology massage can be very beneficial to those suffering from migraine, stress, back pain, arthritis, digestive disorders, and sleep disorders.
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Reiki is a form of treatment technique used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. This practice is based around the understanding that life is supported by an unseen, life-force energy (Ki). When this energy is low, one is likely to become ill. Practitioners use this life force energy channeled through their hands to bring about relaxation and healing to the patient. Reiki healing has been widely known to have positive (sometimes miraculous) effects in treating virtually every known illness and is always beneficial to the patient being treated.
Massage Therapies
Alternative Healing Therapies
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a form of treatment that improves overall health by manipulating the muscular-skeletal system and promoting proper nervous system function. It is thought that spinal dysfunction interferes with the nervous system leading to an array of potential health problems. Chiropractors find that a healthy spine is critical to overall well being and maintaining proper alignment is crucial. This is done with a process known as spinal adjustment, and practitioners may also adjust other aspects of the body back into balance.
Acupuncture
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