JWWashington

omen’s ournal

A Lifestyle MagazineCOMPLIMENTARY

August - September 2015

The Power of whY....

Why you need former General Dynamics Executive

Eric MccaMEy to help your business

GocookVegan Great

Recipes

Sinclair Prosser Retirement &

Elder Law

NOcc Golf &

Tasting Event

wjwomen.com2

Why? Companies ig-nore the question at their own peril.As CEO and Manag-

ing Partner of BITG: (the Business Insight and Transformation Group), Eric McCamey and his team rescue distressed projects and organizations so they can begin generating value again after experiencing losses from project overruns, poor cash flow, and inadequate supporting business tools and processes. Whether on a personal level or in his analysis of an organiza-tion’s financial position, he is obsessed with the question, “Why?”

McCamey has worked at the VP and Senior Director levels for big-name Government contractors such as SAIC and General Dynamics; he has seen how most companies—even big ones—tend to get lost in what happened and who is to blame rath-er than on why it happened and how it can be fixed. Because of this, most “solutions” tend to fall short and put the proverbial “Band-Aid” on a fes-tering wound. BITG doesn’t hand out Band-Aids—they help clients make the right strategic and tactical changes to their businesses to achieve results.

BITG doesn’t work with every-one. The firm seeks companies ready to embrace the truth of where they really are, and that have the courage to change. “We respectfully work with companies that are willing to stop say-ing, ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’ or ‘that’s just the way it is,’” says Mc-Camey. “There is always a solution and it usually involves the willingness to do something radically different that addresses the root cause of a problem.”

Albert Einstein once said, “Insan-ity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different re-sults.” We all understand these things

to be true, but sometimes it takes someone from outside of ourselves (or our company) to help us see the areas where we are practicing person-al or corporate insanity. A consultant who tells you what you want to hear, just to keep your business, is useless. A consultant who respectfully, but honestly, tells you what you need to hear and helps you develop achiev-able solutions is worth his rate many times over. In this respect, a good consultant is like a good friend who respects you enough not to lie to you.

Prior to starting BITG, McCamey was the Senior Director of Finance for an organization that produced well over a billion in revenue each year. When he came to the company, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO, a met-ric that measures how fast a business turns earned revenues into cash) was between 66 and 68 days on a regular basis. This means that from the time labor was posted to the accounting system and revenue was recognized, it took close to 70 days (on average) to get invoices to the customer, get them approved and paid.

Once again, McCamey was driv-en by the question, “Why?” The DSO target for the organization was set at 66 days. It was accepted as the norm. This is a very high number when the Government is generally agreeable to paying in 30 days (sometimes 45 days) on most contracts. When he suggested that they could operate with a DSO in the high 40s or low 50s it was thought to be impossible and dis-missed. However, by implementing a simple Microsoft SharePoint-based invoice workflow and approval sys-

tem that showed where invoices were in the processes, he was able to:

1. Bring visibility to the process showing that high-dollar-val-ue invoices were not being reviewed and approved for release in a timely manner.

2. Show that poor project cost controls were causing a con-stant stream of labor and cost corrections – forcing invoice re-work.

3. Identify where cash flow was being adversely affected by non-contractual customer

BUSINESS

The Power of “whY”

August - September 2015 3

invoicing expectations and added requirements.

In some cases, there were unfavor-able payment terms in the contract, but in most cases there were Net-30 terms that were generally met due to the influence of the Prompt Payment Act. The high DSO was driven pri-marily by internal process issues.

Other companies (even big ones that do hundreds of millions of dol-lars in sales) have similar issues as ev-idenced by the fact that most of their Accounts Receivables are in an “un-billed” status—meaning that invoices are not going out for one reason or the other for another 30+ days on aver-age. This is understandable to a degree on fixed price milestone-driven con-tracts, but services-based companies should not have the lion’s share of their Accounts Receivables in an “unbilled” status for longer than 2 weeks at most.

Almost immediately after im-plementing these tools and process-es, the organization started moving towards a steady state of DSO in the high 40s or low 50s. What seemed like the impossible was made possible through a commitment to the ques-tion “Why” and believing that change was achievable.

BITG has CFO/COO advisory solutions for Government contract-ing firms that are ready for change: Finance and Accounting | Business Systems and Processes | Project Man-agement

Take the first steps towards changing the status quo by calling BITG today at (301) 658-BITG or email info@bitgconsuting.com. Men-tion this article and receive a full day initial consultation and recommenda-tions report for $820 – a 50% discount off the normal day rate.

• Iftheyourorganizationwouldlikeseethesamecashflowre-sultsmentionedinthisarticle,besuretoaskabouttheAccel-erate™ Cash Flow Transfor-mation solution.

Also, BITG will be partnering with Access National Bank and Nym-bus Federal on October 14th 2015 at the Tower Club in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia at the Small2Mid Accelerator training event. At this event, C-level only participants from emerging Gov-ernment contracting companies will learn how to get access to the capital needed to grow, how to focus the use of their capital in business develop-ment, and how to execute operations and projects for profit and liquidity. For early registration information, please contact Linh Phu at Lphu@Ac-cessNationalBank.com.■

Footnote: BITG and Nymbus Federal will soon merge to form Nymbus Corporation. Nymbus will provide solutions and advi-sory services that increase profits, revenues and improve performance for emerging and mid-tier Government Contractors.

BUSINESSBUSINESS

Eric Mccamey, cEO of BiTGFor info call 703-574-8181

wjwomen.com4

COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY

Excessive inflammation is a major cause of dis-ease. It is linked to diabetes, cancer, heart dis-ease, arthritis and even the aging process. This makes reducing inflammation one of the most

important ways to promote good health. Turmeric is a su-perfood. Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is related to ginger and is found in curry powder. It is one of the most ex-tensively researched medicinal spices. It protects the liver from toxins and is effective in killing numerous bacteria and yeasts. It is also and exceptional anti-inflammatory. Studies indicate that one of the most important constit-uents in turmeric is the yellow pigment, curcumin. It blocks several inflammatory chemicals reducing inflam-mation throughout the body.■

a suPerfood SPicEThaT

FiGhTS iNFlaMMaTiON

August - September 2015 5

COMMUNITYVegan eggPlanT currY

1/3 cup eggplant2 garlic cloves1/3 cup water1 tsp ginger

2 tbsp curry powder2 tbsp soy sauce or 1 tsp sea salt

2 tbsp sesame oil1 onion, chopped

4 medium potatoes, chopped2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup pineapple, crushed or chunks1 cup coconut milk

2 tbsp sweet peppers1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

rice

PineappleTake a Vegan or

Vegetarian Cooking Class

It’s Fun!

301-887-7901www.gocookvegan.com

register@gocookvegan.com

GoCooKVEGAN

wjwomen.com6

auG - sepT 2015

PUBliShErButterfly Media Inc.

DirEcTOr OF cOMMUNiTy rElaTiONSWendy Ward

GraPhic DESiGNErFina Florez

8181 Professional Place, landover, MD 20785To advertise, please call 1-866-517-5049

With over 32 years of experience, The Women’s Journal is a brand you can trust. It is a primary resource for women. Each edition is published bi-monthly and distributed free of charge. You can find a copy of the journal where savvy women shop. The journal also has subscribers that pay to have the journal delivered to their home or business.

W Jomen’s ournal

August - September 2015 7

wjwomen.com8

Summer is Almost Here!

-We have appointments available for Sports Physicals & School Physicals /

Immunizations-Spanish and Amharic speaking staff

-Most major insurances and Medicaid accepted

-Same day appointments available-Prenatal consultations FREE

-We do ear-piercings

Healthcare for Infants, Children and Adolescents7505 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 302, Takoma Park, MD 20912

Phone 301-434-8800 ● Website: www.ped-care.org ● Email : pedcare4kids@gmail.comHours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-6:30pm and Saturday 9:00am-12noon (by appointment only)

Dr. Ndidi Agholor is a caring and dedicated pediatrician whose top priority is the well-being of her patients. She is committed to providing quality healthcare for all her patients from birth to age 21.

Dr. Agholor has worked in the Maryland/DC area for over a decade. She graduated from Howard University College of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center. She is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Agholor enjoys caring for children of all ages, participating in community activities and promoting healthy lifestyle choices for her patients and their families.

She has special interests in Newborn/Infant Care, Behavioral Disorders, Asthma Management, Nutrition, Adolescent/Teenage Health, Preventative/Well Child Care.

August - September 2015 9

The second the school bell rings signaling that school’s out for summer, it seems that children immediately forget every-

thing they’ve studied over the past nine months. When they return to school in the fall, playing catch up takes time.

Studies show that this brain drain can result in as much as a few months’ worth of learning lost over the summer. The achievement gap widens in the fall as students struggle to “relearn” what they knew the spring prior.

“Typically, teachers spend the first week to the first two months of the school year trying to bring student knowledge up to a specific level in or-der to advance their learning,” says Debra Hill, associate professor in the College of Education at Argosy Univer-sity, Chicago and immediate past presi-dent of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. “This is found most commonly in math, where review can last through the first full se-mester in some grade levels.”So when all your kids want is down time, how do you keep their minds tuned up?

While proactive summer learning can certainly improve a child’s reten-

tion rate, the way that they learn in the summer may be different from how they learn while in the classroom. “Learn-ing is an ongoing, lifelong activity,” says Hill. “A mental break for your kids in the summer should occur not based on learning, but based on the activities stu-dents engage in related to learning. Sum-mer should be about more reading for fun, exploration, communication and application of what they have learned.

“Since students do not often prac-tice by doing or by teaching others, it would follow that the application of what they have learned in school through hands-on activities in the sum-mer will assist in retention in the fall,” says Hill. “Handson experiences, con-versations and physical activity will help kids continue to be mentally active.” Providing students with opportunities to participate in activities they consider fun will not lessen the learning.

“The more you can keep your stu-dents accessing previously learned knowledge in a new and practical way, the more it is likely to get implanted and permanently ingrained in their brains,” says Kevin Yeoman, an instructor in the Game Art & Design program at The Art Institute of Fort Worth.

Family meals, trips to the store, col-lecting shells on the beach, heading to sports camp and almost any other ac-tivity can have a learning component if parents engage in conversation with their kids about the activity. “Learning a new skill, or about a new place, or a dif-ferent way of doing something, or meet-ing new people are ways of studying.

There will not be a test, yet the new information contributes to the overall mental growth of the individual,” says Hill.

“Keep your students actively engaged in the world,” says Yeoman. “The more they can apply their book knowledge to new experiences and activities they enjoy, the more learning will take place.

“You don’t want to create a resis-tance to learning by forcing your child

into the same types of activities they do during the year,” says Yeoman. “In-stead, take the lessons they’ve learned in school and apply them to everyday situations. Whether it’s having your child map out the route to the grocery store or use basic geometry to create a sandcastle, you’re providing them the opportunity to apply their book knowl-edge in a new way.”

And that can even hold true with video games. “There are excellent tech-nology tools such as video games and online projects that are educational and engaging,” says Hill. “The key is balance and not encouraging kids to focus most of their time on their electronic toys.

“Ask kids what they like and want to do,” suggests Hill. “As an adult, exam-ine what learning can take place when your child gets to select the activities they participate in. Talk to your kids, ask questions, provide problems to be solved, give them opportunities to ex-plore and model what it’s like to be a life-long learner.”

HEALTH & WELLNESS

reduce Brain Drain in your Kids Over Summer

Dr. Corder at-tended medicalschool at HowardUniversity Collegeof Medicine andgraduatedin1977.He is board certi-fied by the Ameri-

canAcademyofPediatrics.Dr.CorderwasformallytheChiefHealthOfficerforPrinceGeorge’s County and themedicalDirectorofseveralhealthplans.Dr.CorderhasbeeninPediatricpractice forover35years.Dr.Corder,hiswifeDr.MarilynCorderadtheirdaughterAdrienneCorderstartedtheCord-erPoundersYouthFitnessprogramandtheFamilyFitnessCenter.

Bowie, MD • (301) 805-2229 / Cheverly, MD • (301) 341-7494

Children’s Medical Center: Washington, DC • (202) 291-0147

Dr.Corderhasanewbookcomingoutandisavailableforspeakingengagements

visitwww.4corders.com

wjwomen.com10

At its current rate breast can-cer is growing rapidly, but it doesn’t need to. According to Dr. Mercola, “Cancer is a

manmade disease that did not exist be-fore poor diet and pollution appeared.” Breast cancer is caused by xenoestrogens, poor nutrition, environmental pollution, stressful negative emotions, synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, chronic inflammation and acidity in the body, which leads to toxic-ity and the perfect breading ground for viruses. So now that we know what causes cancer, we know how to prevent it.

We are led to believe that mammo-grams detect breast cancer but the op-posite is true. Instead, mammograms have a first-time false positive rate of six percent and increase the risk for devel-oping breast cancer through potentially spreading or metastasizing an existing growth. The best method for breast can-cer prevention is breast thermography (infrared), which will detect cancer up to ten years earlier than mammography or physical exam without ionizing radi-ation or mechanical pressure. Further, needle biopsies should also be prevented because they may accidently cause malig-

nant cells to break away from the tumor, increasing the spread of cancer by fifty percent compared to patients receiving lumpectomies. An alternative way to de-tect breast cancer can be done by medical detective dogs through a person’s breath with sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 0.98. Cancer appears in the breath very rapidly and these dogs are best at detect-ing early cancers.

Breast cancer has the potential to go away on its own a fair amount of the time without intervention when the body turns towards a healthy environment. Nutrition is a key factor in preventing cancer. It is vital to eat only organic and eliminate the major factors that lead to chronic inflam-mation such as alcohol, coffee, processed food, food additives, a high carbohydrate diet, charred meat, unfermented soy products, dairy and refined sugar, which allow cancer cells to thrive.

Studies have shown the direct cor-relation between body hydration and toxicity. The more hydrated the body be-comes the less toxins it will allow, and vice versa. Hydrate with three to four liters of natural spring water and Sole water ther-apy per day. Avoid consuming water with chlorine and fluoride, which is running

rapidly in tap water nowadays. Dehydra-tion causes the body to become acidic which is perfect for disease. Water flushes the body of toxins. Aside from water in-take, drink a quart of organic green vege-table juice every day.

Optimize your vitamin D levels with supplementation or low-level sun ex-posure. Maintain a healthy body weight and do regular physical exercise to keep all parts of the body functioning proper-ly. Avoid electromagnetic fields, wearing underwire bras and using antiperspirant containing heavy metals like aluminum. Detox periodically especially the liver, the kidneys and colon. Get the lymphatic sys-tem moving by skin brushing daily and boost your immune system through IV therapies. With these defenses under your belt, breast cancer doesn’t stand a chance.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

PreVenTing BreasT cancer

INDIGO INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CLINIC

Snejana Sharkar, RDN, FNP, ACNP & Dr. Isabel Sharkar, ND

(t) 202.298.9131drsharkar@indigohealthclinic.com

“Breast cancer has the potential to go away on its own a fair amount of the

time.”

August - September 2015 11

BUSINESSBUSINESS

Hollywood actor, Paul Walker, died in 2013 with approxi-mately 32 vehicles. Several years later, there is a lawsuit

filed by his estate to recover missing ve-hicles, or renumeration of their value. A car is an asset that many of us depend on in our daily lives to get to work, take the kids to school and run our errands. We put many efforts into caring for our vehicles, so we want our family to enjoy it after we are gone. Even if one car or a collection, it is important to plan so transfer will occur easily at death. Inso-doing, it is a good idea to review the title of the car, if it has a lien and who will have access to it.

When sitting down to plan your es-tate, your car should be discussed with your estate planning attorney. There are several options in how to leave your vehicle. First, you may choose for your car to be left through a specific bequest in your Will or Trust. You may want to consider who needs a vehicle, where does the person live to whom you want to leave it, and if that individual has the ability to maintain and insure the car. Second, you may choose not to leave it specifically, but direct your Person-al Representative or Trustee to sell the vehicle and distribute the proceeds to an individual or class of family mem-bers. Also, you may give discretion to your fiduciary to donate your vehicle to charity. Estate documents allow for other planning language and should be discussed with your attorney in order to help meet your specific goals.

In some cases, an owner may choose to designate a beneficiary prior to death. In Maryland, the MVA now provides a form that the registered owner on the title can select an individual to receive ownership of the vehicle upon their death. As the designation must be made prior to the death of the individual, the vehicle will not be considered part of the probate estate. Therefore, a Letter

of Administration will not be neces-sary to present at the MVA to complete the transfer. There are certain require-ments and guidelines that must be met to utilize this method and are available through agency publications.

In planning ahead, it is prudent to advise your Personal Representative or Trustee the location of your keys, or spare key. Also, it is essential to provide current information on who insures your vehicle and whether there are any liens against the vehicle, including judgments, secured notes or other outstanding legal issues. In addition, it is recommended to keep a list of all makes and models of ve-hicles, especially as it is common that an estate may have several vehicles.

In keeping a list with information and the location regarding the vehicles, it may assist your estate to track your assets. Also, it will help your fiduciary plan if there is an outstanding lease, loan or lien on the vehicle to avoid potential issues, unexpected repossession, or loss of value to your estate. In addition, it may help prevent unauthorized usage of your vehicle after your death and possi-bly cause a liability issue for the estate if there is an accident or other mishap. Your estate will usually keep the vehicle parked until proper transfer and distri-bution can occur.

Considering these recommenda-tions should ease the administration of your estate and help your family enjoy the vehicles.■

What happens WithMy Vehicles at My Death?

By attorney Victor a. lembo

SinclairProsserLaw,LLCfocusesitspracticeonestateplanning&administration,includ-ingtheinteractionofretirementplans&el-derlaw.AnestablishedmemberoftheAmer-icanAcademyofEstatePlanningAttorneys&theNationalAcademyofElderLawAttor-neys,ColleenSinclairProsser,NicoleLiving-ston,JonJ.Gasior&VictorA.Lemboofferyearsofknowledge&experienceinmattersassociatedwithprotectingestates&familiesfromissuesarisingfromdeathanddisability.

ANNAPOLISTue., August 4 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Continental BreakfastDoubletree by Hilton Annapolis

210 Holiday CourtBOWIE

Tue., August 4 @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.(Refreshments)

Comfort InnUS 50, US 301 @ MD 3

MILLERSVILLEThurs., August 6 @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

(Refreshments)The Firemark Building

8684 Veterans Hwy., 4th floorPASADENA

Fri., August 7 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

The Reserve at Two Rivers4105 Mountain Road

EDGEWATERSat., August 8 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Continental BreakfastHistoric LondonTown & Gardens Pavilion

839 Londontown Road

WALDoRFWed., Sept 16 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Continental BreakfastHilton Garden Inn Waldorf

10385 o’Donnell PlaceCHESAPEAKE BEACH

Thurs., Sept 17 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

Rod ‘N’ Reel Waterfront4165 Mears Avenue

BOWIEThurs. Sept 17 @ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

(Refreshments)Comfort Inn

US 50, US 301 @ MD 3EDGEWATER

Fri., Sept 18 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Continental Breakfast

Historic London Town & Gardens Pavilion839 Londontown Road

ANNAPOLISSat., Sept 19 @ 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Continental BreakfastDouble Tree Hilton Annapolis

210 Holiday Court

August 2015 SEMINAR SCHEDULE

For more info: 410-573-4818

September 2015

wjwomen.com12

Group rate availability for the Tasting reception Only. call for more information.

Maryland Renaissance Festival August 29 – October 25, 2015History and culture fans from around D.C. step back to the times of the Renaissance at the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival. Held on weekends from August through October, the 2015 Maryland Renaissance Festival takes place at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, MD.

Maryland Seafood Festival, Starts Saturday, September 12- September 13Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Md . Free for kids under 12

Come taste the best crab soups in Maryland featuring Maryland (vegetable), cream and alterna-tive crab soup! http://www.mdseafoodfestival.com/

Washington, D.C.H Street Festival September 19, 12 noon- 7 pm. The annual street festival will showcase the unique qualities of this vibrant community. The event is a part of the revitalization strategy to bring attention to the developing arts and entertainment district spanning 10 blocks of H Street NE. This year’s festival will feature ove 500 artists and performances on 14 stages plus an array of local, regional and international cuisine, shopping, arts exhibits, educational events, seminars and conversations with local entrepreneurs, artists and community organizations.

Fall Festivals

August - September 2015 13

aDOPT a SUrViVOr November 2015 is the month the nation pauses to raise awareness about breast cancer, a deadly disease that impacts lives. When cancer strikes it takes a mental toll because victims are faced with the unknown. Most breast cancer survivors learned things that helped them survive from another survivor. The Women’s Journal would like to give those survivors a voice in the journal. We are seeking corporate and individual sponsors to pay or raise $300 to adopt a survivor. The Women’s Journal will feature the survivor and their story in the November issue and provide them with a ticket to our annual All White Pearls Luncheon.

$300 sPonsorshiP

The surViVor gets 1 luncheon ticket, picture profile (50 words) in the selected Journal, and a reservation for the group cover photo.

Sponsor gets corporate logo and well wishes posted on the survivor’s testimonial page

To participate email: wendy@wjwomen.com or call 1(866)517-5049

All White Pearls Luncheon tickets early bird rates $60.00

wjwomen.com14

Paint & Sip & SampleLearn a few basic principals of water

color while sipping sangria and sampling tasty bites

Take home your creation 2 tickets $40

4 tickets $72, Super Value! 10 tickets $150, Host a paint party!

Purchase online at www.gocookvegan.com301-888-7901

August - September 2015 15

The Women’s Journal Newspaper is published bimonthly and is available free of charge, by subscription, display stands in approved private and public establishments and authorized distributors only. Trademark and U.S. Copyright Laws protect The Women’s Journal Newspaper. No part of this paper may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The Women’s Journal Newspaper is not responsible for any editorial comment (other than its own), typographical errors from advertisements submitted as camera ready or any reproductions of advertisements submitted as camera ready. If an advertisement does not meet our standards of acceptance, we may revise or cancel it at any time, whether or not it has been already acknowledged and/or previously published. The advertiser assumes sole responsibility for all statements contained in submitted copy and will protect and indemnify The Women’s Journal Newspaper, its owners, publishers, and employees, against any and all liability, loss or expense arising out of claims for libel, unfair trade names, patents, copyrights and propriety rights, and all violations of the right of privacy or other violations resulting from the publication of this newspaper or its advertising copy. The Publisher shall be under no liability for failure, for any reason, to insert an advertisement. The Publisher shall not be liable by reason of error, omission and/or failure to insert any part of an advertisement. The Publisher will not be liable for delay or failure in performance in publication and/or distribution if all or any portion of an issue is delayed or suspended for any reason. The Publisher will exercise reasonable judgment in these instances and will make adjustments for the advertiser where and when appropriate. The Women’s Journal Newspaper assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material or reproductions made by advertisers.

This newspaper will be published by the 15th of every other month. Representations by The Women’s Journal™ READERSHIP 250,000

it is $38.99 for one year or $50.00 for two years

You can reach us via email at info@wjwomen.com

Mail your check or money order to:8181 Professional Pl., ste 206, landover, Md 20785

Dr. Bruk Taeme of advance Dental care

Creates Beautiful Smiles that Last a Lifetime!

Call today for an Appt.(202)546-0690

Same Day Back to School Exams Available

Zoom Whitening(Not valid with insurance)

OrthodonticsProviding gentle dental

care for Adults & Children

We accept various insurance plans and all Medicaid plans. We accept Group Dental insurance and other

insurance plans

701 K St NE. Washington, D.c. 20002

1-hour massagesession Only $5999

1-hour healthyskin session Only $6999

Introductory

SAVE ON AMASSAGE oR FACIAL

WHEN yOuMENTIoN THE

WoMEN’S JoURNALGift Certificate Available

What is a Massage?

Massage Envy SpaPiKESVillE, MD – 3755 Old court rd., Ste. 0,

Center Crt. (near Giant) • 410-580-0505FEDEral hill/ lOcUST POiNT- 1707 Mchenry row

(near Harris Teeter) • 410-234-3689

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage, but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure.

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:• SwedishMassage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long

strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

• DeepMassage. This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

• SportsMassage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it’s geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.

• Trigger Point Massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

BenefitsofMassageMassage is generally considered part of complementary and

alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:Anxiety ● Digestive disorders ● Fibromyalgia ● Headaches ● Insomnia related to stress ● Myofascial pain syndrome ● Paresthesias and nerve pain ● Soft tissue strains or injuries ● Sports injuries ● Temporomandibular joint pain

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.

Despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you’re trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.