Golden State Management Corp. in Lake Forest plans 25 to 30 locations of Modern Acupuncture in OC over the next three years, part of a commitment of 65 sites that includes San Diego County and the Inland Empire.

Owner Chad Meisinger is a marketer and franchising veteran; hes a regional developer with the franchiser, ACU Development LLC in Scottsdale, Ariz., which means he can open sites or re-sell franchises to others.

Bought the rights last month, he said. In OC Im going to open them myself. Im not going to re-sell them.

The other areas will get a mix of his own sites and those by other operators.

Im looking for guys who can take five to 10 of these and really roll this out.

Meisinger and broker Brian Dwan of Triple R Group in Los Angeles are scouting 12 to 18 sites so far, mainly in newer, high-traffic centers with an anchor tenant identified with health and wellness, such as Whole Foods.

I hope to be negotiating leases by the end of July, and as fast as they can be negotiated well start.

He described a Modern Acupuncture location as spa-like, with mood lighting, relaxing music very peaceful.

Modern Acupunctures franchise fee is $29,500 and royalty and advertising fees are about 9% of gross sales. It costs about $195,000 to $350,000 to open a location.

Meisinger paid $479,000 for development rights to 65 locations, in addition to whatever franchise fees are due as sites open.

ACU launched in August; franchise documents show no locations opened as of year-end 2016 and 10 planned in six states by the end of 2017. The company wants 150 franchised locations systemwide over the next three years.

Its granted about 350 regional developer and franchise licenses so far.

Company founders have worked with the Massage Envy massage therapy studios system and The Joint chiropractic chain.

All three chains are franchised wellness concepts and membership-based, similar to a gym or fitness center model but applied to specific health niches.

Theres a whole lot of cross-pollination with franchisees in other chainsEuropean Wax Center, Amazing Lash Studio, Orangetheory Fitnesssigning on for acupuncture as well.

Meisingers marketing work focuses on customer acquisition for retail clients and he was a franchisee for The Joint, which went public in November 2014 and traded recently at about a $49 million market cap.

Excerpt from:

Acupuncture Franchise Signs OC Developer - Orange County Business Journal

You know how they say, youre only as old as you feel? But what if you feel old, tired, and run down - especially first thing in the morning? That cant be good.

Morning fatigue can ruin your entire day. The good news is that you dont have to live like that. There are simple ways to boost your energy and get you back on track. With a few simple changes, every day, you can banish morning fatigue from your life and live the way you were born to with vibrancy and energy!

Here are eight tips from associate clinical psychologist, Justine East to refill your tank, fight fatigue and win, morning, noon and night.

1. Get more exercise and improve your diet. Exercising each day will help you feel more energised and improve your sleep quality. Eat more balanced meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. 2. Try doing something relaxing before bed and create a bedtime routine. You can meditate, do yoga poses, deep breathing exercises, listen to relaxing music or draw. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, to help your body know what hours you should be tired and resting, for more consistent sleep. 3. Create a worry period and keep a worry journal. Select a time and place for worrying every day, but early enough so it wont make you anxious just before going to bed. During this period you can focus on anything that's of worry, and keep the rest of the day a worry-free zone. If you tend to wake up in the night because of worry, write down your thoughts in a worry journal to address later. The worry journal will help you become more knowledgeable about how people or situations impact you, so you can address them appropriately. 4. Ask if you can solve the problem. Mulling issues distracts you from your emotions, but problem-solving requires assessing a situation, making specific steps to deal with it, and executing the plan. Also, question your anxious thoughts. For example, what proof do you have that this thought is true? Is there a healthier, more realistic way to view the situation? 5. Put all electronics with lights away, and try another bedtime activity, like reading, and try to make your bedroom more comfortable by trying various things, e.g., keeping your room dark. Try to do work or other activities outside of the bedroom and only do bedroom activities in the bedroom so your body knows that sleep is what occurs there. 6. Refrain from drinking coffee too late in the day, so its out of your system by bedtime. 7. Try not to smoke too close to bedtime. Drink a lot of water, eat healthy, and refrain from overindulging. Consider getting therapy to quit the habit. 8. Visit a medical doctor if you think you may have a sleep disorder or you have developed other symptoms that could be affecting your sleep, like chronic pain. Also, visit a psychologist if you think emotional problems are impacting your sleep.

Visit link:

8 Ways to Fight Morning Fatigue - Jamaica Gleaner

The Strawberry Festival is a relaxing evening of music, fresh fruit and community visiting that serves as the annual fundraising event for the Darby Fire Department on July 15.

Fire Chief Chad Harrell said the Strawberry Festival has been happening since 1940.

It is a tradition but we are having a lot of changes this year because Firp (Redman) left, Harrell said. He has been our bluegrass musician for 20 years.

This year the new band is Tin Cup from Connor.

Another change is that the Strawberry Festival usually coincides with Logger Days which is on the following weekend this year.

The Strawberry Festival always happens on the third Saturday in July, Harrell said. Logger Days changed their date but we chose to keep our tradition.

The Strawberry Festival is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the city park, across from Mr. Ts Convenience Store.

Well be selling strawberry shortcake, Harrell said. This year we are not buying strawberries at the store but are using caterer Connie Gallagher, owner of the Darby Mercantile, so everything will be fresh, homemade and local.

Harrell said all firefighters will attend the Strawberry Festival.

Hopefully, having Connie do the catering frees up the firefighters so they can be more social during the event, he said. It seems they are too busy during the event usually and we want them to be able to mingle.

There will not be fire trucks at the festival due to tight parking.

We just ordered a new truck and we were hoping it would be here for the event but it is just not ready yet, Harrell said.

A big draw to the Strawberry Festival is the raffle.

People can purchase raffle tickets at the Bitterroot Community Federal Credit Union, Darby Espresso or at the event.

We try to get all our donations from local vendors, Harrell said. We have Jimmy Harrison from the Double H Custom Hat Company. He donates a certificate for a custom hat.

The Stitch-n-Time quilting group in Darby donated a large quilt that is traditional with a modern edge. It was designed by Meredith Johnson and Brooke Adams and long arm quilted by Carole Vining.

Quilter Paula Nelson said the quilt is a log cabin pattern to celebrate Darbys history in the timber industry.

We are celebrating Darbys history in the timber industry - the beautiful forest as well as the logging, recreation and log home industry, Nelson said. We offered it to the Fire Department in remembrance of firefighter Mike Stark who passed away recently and who valued quilts and got our group making quilts for them a few years ago.

The quilt is on display around Darby and will be at the Strawberry Festival.

It is absolutely beautiful, Harrell said. It is definitely one of the main raffle prizes. It will be moving around town so everyone gets a chance to look at it.

Another key prize is a deacons bench from Jerry Hinman Woodworking.

Hes a retired firefighter who has done that for years and years, Harrell said.

Farmers State Bank donated a $500 gift certificate and the Bitterroot Community Federal Credit Union donated a $200 gift certificate.

Harrell encouraged the community to attend the Strawberry Festival.

Its a good way to meet volunteer fire fighters who volunteer their time and energy and support the community, he said. Enjoy fresh strawberries and a great event.

See the article here:

Darby Strawberry Festival; This year marks 77 years of the beloved annual event - Ravalli Republic

An official switch-on event on Friday morning marked the introduction of four new DAB digital radio transmitters for Leicestershire.

Together they will reach 250,000 listeners throughout the area, a fact which was celebrated at a special event at Brownlow Primary School in Melton Mowbray.

Cat James, presenter of drivetime on Gem 106, Tom Watts and Claire Chambers of Capital East Midlands drivetime with Tom & Claire, and Helen McCarthy of BBC Radio Leicester, pressed the big green digital radio switch at 9am to signify the launch of the fourth and final digital transmitter, which has boosted local DAB coverage in Melton Mowbray, in front of pupils and staff from Brownlow Primary School.

The expansion of coverage means that many listeners can now receive ten further radio stations BBC Radio Leicester, Capital East Midlands, Gem 106, Heart East Midlands, Smooth East Midlands, Gold, Chill, LRB Digital, Sabras and Sanskar Radio on DAB digital radio for the first time.

Over the last 18 months local DAB coverage has increased from 63% of households to 82% across the county and an additional 250,000 people have been brought in to coverage. There have been four new transmitters in total, with the final one launching in Waltham, near Melton Mowbray.

In the photo:

Cat James, Gem 106 Ellie Codling, Smooth East Midlands James Lloyd, Capital East Midlands Tom Watts and Claire Chambers of Capital East Midlands drivetime show Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK Damien Turrell, Headteacher, Brownlow Primary School Helen McCarthy, BBC Radio Leicester Children from Brownlow Primary School

Here are the quotes on the event:

Damien Turrell, Headteacher, Brownlow Primary, said: The pupils have loved meeting our local radio presenters and finding out more about digital radio. Were delighted to have hosted such an exciting occasion on behalf of the county at our school and to have welcomed Leicestershires local stations.

Sophie Shardlow, Editor, BBC Radio Leicester, said: BBC Radio Leicester has been a part of life in the county for 50 years and its great news that now even more listeners can tune in to our hugely popular presenters, delivering the local news, sport, music and conversation that they love on DAB digital radio.

Dick Stone, Managing Editor, Capital East Midlands, said: Were delighted that the increase in DAB digital radio coverage allows us to bring the UKs biggest commercial radio brands Capital, Heart and Smooth as well as Gold to more people in Leicestershire. Its great news for listeners and for Global.

Ali Forshaw, Regional Managing Director, Smooth Radio East Midlands, said: Its fantastic to see that the people of Leicestershire can now enjoy Smooth Radio East Midlands on DAB digital radio. We know that our listeners love our mix of relaxing music combined with local programming at the times they want it most. They can now tune in to DAB digital radio for our popular presenters, Gareth Evans at Breakfast and Emma Caldwell at Drive.

James Brownlow, Content Director, Gem 106, said: It is brilliant that 250,000 listeners in Leicestershire will be able to hear Gems original entertainment and variety of music on DAB. Gem is the only commercial radio station in the East Midlands that both produces and broadcasts its shows and music 24/7 from right here in the region, so it feels right the listeners in the area get to enjoy Gem in fantastic clear digital quality.

Cat James, Presenter, Gem 106, added: Gem is very much a part of the Leicestershire community and I get to enjoy that when on-air playing them music they love and getting them home with a smile each weekday. To allow the people of Leicestershire to be able to hear a variety of music they wont get anywhere else in lovely, clear brilliant, digital audio is the very least this great audience deserve.

Ford Ennals, CEO Digital Radio UK, said: Today we are celebrating the transformation of the coverage of local stations on DAB digital radio across the county. Its great news that a further 250,000 listeners across Leicestershire will now be able to hear these much-loved stations, which play such an important role in serving the local community, on digital radio.

Richard Johnston, Head of Commercial Radio, Arqiva, said: Arqiva has been extremely busy over the last year building hundreds of additional national and local DAB transmitters across the UK to bring DAB digital radio into millions more homes and thousands of miles of the road network. We are proud of our role in delivering the infrastructure needed for a vibrant digital radio market and are delighted to complete the expansion of local DAB coverage in Leicestershire, enabling over 250,000 more people to receive their local stations on DAB.

See more here:

New transmitters turned on in Leicestershire - Radio Today

Fort McClary Park Music Fest July 8

There'll be a Music Fest from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 to benefit the Fort McClary Park in Kittery and End 68 Hours of Hunger. Presented by the Friends of Fort McClary and the group Shades O' Grass, the festival will feature all kinds of acoustic music. Admission is $7 per person and donations above and beyond that will be graciously accepted. Bring lawn chairs and your own picnic or choose from the onsite food concession available. Musicians and musical acts are invited to perform also. Call(603) 757-4382, (207) 438-6087 or email shadesofgrass@hotmail.com.Fort McClary Park is located on Route 103 three miles from Kittery Traffic Circle on the left, approximately mile past the fort entrance, which is on the right. For more information, call (207) 703-3629 or visit http://www.fortmcclary.org.

Sculpture exhibit at Discover Portsmouth

Metal, ceramics, wood three renowned Seacoast sculptors working in three materials are the focus of the latest exhibition at Discover Portsmouth. Seacoast Sculpture from Material to Masterwork, which opens July 7 and will run through Oct. 1, unites the career work of master artists Sumner Winebaum, Jane Kaufmann and Michael Stasiuk in the historic Academy Gallery at 10 Middle St., Portsmouth. A companion show in the Balcony Gallery, Sublime Mud! features work by over two dozen members of the New Hampshire Potters Guild. A lecture series accompanies the dual exhibitions, plus special free Saturday morning sculptural workshops for kids and a bonus meet-the-artist Sunday event.The exhibition is free and open to the public. There'll be a Members Opening Gala on Thursday, July 6 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for members of the Portsmouth Historical Society.Enjoy a glass of wine, savor delicious refreshments, and mingle with the artists and art-lovers. Admission is $20 and tickets can be purchased at http://www.portsmouthhistory.org.

Panel discussion at Langdon exhibit

Historic New England presents a panel discussion with featured artists from the current exhibition, "Sea to Shore: Sculpture Inspired by the New England Seacoast" on Thursday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Governor John Langdon House, 143 Pleasant St., Portsmouth. The exhibition will be open for viewing from 5 to 5:30 p.m., and immediately following the program from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The panel will feature sculptors Susan Neet Goodwin, Lindley and Jeff Briggs, and Jeffrey Cooper. Susan Neet Goodwin has traveled extensively and many of her sculptures focus on people from the far corners of the world including Senegal, Australia, and Mexico. In this exhibit, her subjects are closer to home an Eastport Cannery Worker in Maine and a Pastry Chef.Husband and wife Jeff and Lindley Briggs work collaboratively and on their own sculptures. Jeff created the animals for The Greenway Carousel on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway in Boston. Jeffs Lobster on display in the exhibit is a replica of the one that he created for the Carousel. Lindleys "Sirena and Consorts in a Sea of Shells and Colossal Shell Goddess" evoke the beauty of women and our connection to the sea.Jeffrey Coopers interests lie in the healing beauty of the natural world. His sculpture "Fragrant Flow" is also a magnificently carved bench for relaxing and meditating.Admission to the panel presentation is $5. Members of Historic New England and New England Sculptors Association are free. Call 603-436-3205 to register or visit http://www.historicnewengland.org.

Here is the original post:

Go & Do: Fort McClary Music Fest, new Discover Portsmouth exhibit and Langdon sculpture panel - Foster's Daily Democrat

Artist Helen Binns will display her work until July 28.

The Rollin Art Centres current art exhibit features watercolour painter, Helen Binns, and is titled Inspired by Island Life. Binns is inspired by the beauty that surrounds her and this is evident in her artwork. From crabs on the beach to orcas swimming in the ocean, Binns captures these magnificent creatures through soft watercolours. Join us in the gallery on Saturday, July 8 from 1-3 p.m. for refreshments and an opportunity to meet Binns. The exhibit runs until July 28.

CONCERT IN THE GARDEN

Join us this Sunday, July 9 from 1-5 p.m. at The Rollin Art Centre, where we are having a musical fundraiser. Twenty two local musicians, led by Don Bergen, are set to perform. Bring your blankets or grab a table, and be prepared to have a lazy afternoon listening to great music. Hot dogs and chili will be available for sale. Admission is by donation.

ART CAMP MAGICAL KINGDOM

Our summer art programs are catered to children aged seven to 12 years old who are interested in art and expressing their creativity. The July 11, 12 and 14 camp is themed Magical Kingdom. Princes and princesses from all over the kingdom will join us to make crowns, swords, castles and even their own royal crest. Register today for at the Rollin Art Centre. Weekly camps are $50

TEAS ON THE TERRACE

Our next tea on the terrace is Thursday, July 13, from 1-3 p.m. with Dennis Olsen as the musical guest. From his classical guitar recitals, to nightclubs and dance halls playing blues, rock and country, Olsen has been delighting and amazing audiences with his guitar prowess for more than 30 years. Join us for an afternoon of relaxing music and the sweet taste of strawberry shortcake. Tickets are only $12. Call today to reserve your tickets. Seating is limited.

DONATE Q POINTS TO ROLLIN ART CENTRE

Looking to help out the Community Arts Council and the Rollin Art Centre? Donate your Q points (Quality Food points) to the Rollin Art Centre to help with special events, food platters, etc.

Just let Quality Foods know you would like to donate your points to the Rollin Art Centre.

CLASSICAL CONCERTs

Classical Concert Series subscriptions, beginning Nov. 26 with A Touch of Brass Quintet, are now available at the Rollin Art Centre and Echo Centre. Subscriptions/tickets are $105 for the series of three concerts. Concerts are on Nov. 26 with A Touch of Brass Quintet, March 10 with Vancouver Chamber Choir and May 19 with Jacob Cordover. New venue and only 200 subscriptions are available.

JANE AUSTEN FEST

The Jane Austen Festival takes place July 15-16 and is a family-friendly event. Challenging once again the Guinness Book of World Records, the Centennial Belles need your help. Tickets at Rollin.

Melissa Martin is the Arts Administrator for the Community Arts Council. Call 250-724-3412.

Read the rest here:

Watercolour exhibit showcases Island life at Rollin - Alberni Valley News

Courtesy The Red Beans & Rice Combo.

There are plenty of terrific ways to explore Pittsburgh on the first Fridays of each month during summer, including Mt. Lebanons First Fridays, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Spanning Washington Rd., the series features live music, all-ages activities and the chance to visit the business districts manyindependent restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

Head there Friday for live music by the rockin Red Beans & Rice Combo.Free to all ages, the concert takes place in Central Square, offering a tranquil grassy area for relaxing, space for the kids to dance and convenient access to the T and surrounding shops.

Featuring Lebo-based illustrators Wayno and Dave Klugalong with acclaimed pianist Tom Roberts, the suave and witty combo will delight crowds with its danceable blend of Nola R&B, barroom ballads and Tin Pan Alley jazz.

Head to Commonwealth Press for apop-up shop featuring childrens products by 2468 KIDS, sweet and salty popcorn snacks and more.

Mark your calendars for August 4 with The Grateful Dead tribute band Fungus, and September 16 for the Uptown Block Party with Radio Tokyo.

Commonwealth Pressmt. lebanonMt. Lebanon First FridaysThe Red Beans & Rice ComboThings to do in PittsburghTom RobertsWashington RoadWayno

View original post here:

Free First Fridays series in Mt. Lebanon features live music and family fun - NEXTpittsburgh

July 06, 2017

Can exposure to relaxing music help in the recovery of patients with heart failure?That is the question Dr Samia Toukhsati, Cardiology Research Fellow at Austin Health, is asking as part of an Australian Academy of Science AustraliaIndia EMCR Fellowship.

Heart failure is a major global public health problem. Up to 60% of patients do not adhere to their prescribed medication, partly due to perceived side effects.

Dr Toukhsatis research aims to reduce the risks associated with poor medication adherence in Indian heart failure patients, through music therapy. The trial builds on recent evidence of a positive effect of music exposure in Indian cardiovascular disease patients. Her co-investigators in the trial are Dr Abraham S Babu and Dr Padmakumar R from Indias Manipal University and Kasturba Medical College and Hospital.

Dr Toukhsati is one of four Australian scientists selected by the Academy from a competitive field of applicants to conduct research in 2017 at some of Indias leading research institutions.

The other Fellowship recipients are:

Academy President, Professor Andrew Holmes, said that the Fellowships are an important component of Australias engagement with global scientific enterprise and serve to strengthen existing ties between researchers in Australia and India, the worlds second-most populous country and an emerging scientific superpower.

These Fellowships support high-performing Australian researchers to work with leading Indian scientists at major institutions. They facilitate greater collaboration between our two countries on science, technology and innovation,said Professor Holmes.

Australian early- and mid-career researchers are invited to apply now for the 201819 AustraliaIndia Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Early- and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Fellowships.

They provide up to $40,500 for Australian researchers to travel to India and work with leading researchers at major Indian science and technology organisations for a period of between three and nine months.Applications close11 September 2017.

More about the fellowships

Excerpt from:

Young Australian researchers collaborate with emerging scientific superpower - Australian Academy of Science

This Job Made Me Fat! 10 Tips to Manage Your Workplace Stress

PSST, between you and me, have you gained weight since you started working?

I did. It happened when I worked as a fulltime nurse many years ago. I gained 20 pounds, but fortunately I found ways to get rid of the weight. I blamed my weight gain from the chronic stress I was experiencing. Back then, I had to work different shifts with varying work schedules. I developed crazy eating habits. The busier and more overwhelmed I got, the less healthy I ate at work and the more I ate at home. Emotional hunger took over and I ate comfort food to help me feel better about myself and how I did at work. The bottom line, the more I had on my plate at work, the wider my waist line got!

What is emotional hunger? In a nutshell, its eating to comfort the suffering that is experienced within. Unlike physical hunger where the stomach is empty, emotional hunger feeds the feelings of stress or emptiness inside. Regardless of the distress, comfort food or drinks are used to nurse and ease the discomfort. Job stress can lead to weight gain. In fact, research has shown that workplace stress is linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits that lead to smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise.

As a staff nurse, I had no eating pattern because of the nature of my job. I worked day and evening shifts. I worked every other weekend and some holidays. My work shifts ranged from eight to sixteen hours depending on the week. When I worked, I had little time to eat or enjoy my meal. I was constantly on the go and in demand. I found solace in the fact that I could always get a decent meal and snack when I got home no matter how late it was. The heavier I got, the more I took comfort in hiding my growing weight by wearing loose fitting and unstructured scrubs.

Workplace stress is real and escalating. Job demands are high in all industries, not just health care. According to a survey that Career Builder, did amongst 3,031 workers ages 18 and over, 2 out of 5 workers have gained weigh in their current job due to stress. Lets be real, there will be days when we have to shorten our breaks or eat on the run to get a big project done but that doesnt have to be the way to operate all the time.

10 Simple Ways to Manage Weight from Stress

Although stress levels are up, there are many techniques that we can use to help us feel good and look good at work.

Here are 10 simple ways to manage your weight despite workplace stress.

1. Drink the recommended 8-10 glasses of water a day. Hydration is important for our brain and body. Water increases the performance of our brain. Have a water bottle with you in the office.

2. Jot down your big and small wins during the day. This will make you feel good about yourself. This will help you focus on the good things that youve done during the day.

3. Pack your food the night before and plan on high protein snacks. Protein bars and nuts work really well to curb the appetite. Pack more for busy days.

4. Walk as much as you can at work. Take the stairs and park far away from your building. Ask a colleague to be your lunchtime walking buddy.

5. Listen to relaxing music or music that enhances attention at work. This will help keep your stress at bay and make you more productive.

6. Put chewing gum in your mouth instead of high calorie or fattening food. Chewing gum helps with focus.

7. Notice the triggers that make you upset and stressed at work. The more you recognize them the better you can avoid them or prepare yourself ahead of time.

8. Sleep. The more sleep, the merrier you will be. If you can, try taking a 10minute power nap from time to time.

9. Talk with a close friend and vent. Dont let your stress eat away at you. Find someone you can trust.

10. Eat your meals. Although there might be days when a meal is a handful of nuts and a bag of carrots, be grateful and acknowledge them as your meal so that you dont feel deprived and feel you can eat extra portions later on the day.

I hope these suggestions help you keep your cool and your weight under control in the midst of your busy days at work. To learn more about how you or your team can manage your stress, contact me at http://www.HealthandHappinessSpecialist.com to learn how I can help you. Heres to your health, happiness, and success!

The Morning Email

Wake up to the day's most important news.

Excerpt from:

This Job Made Me Fat! - HuffPost

ABINGDON, Va. A new health spa on Main Street in Abingdon offers clients the same healing properties trusted by people centuries ago.

Salt of the Earth is a recreation of salt rooms or caves that exist naturally throughout the world. The modern healing rooms are popping up across the country with spas similar to the Abingdon business no closer than Asheville, North Carolina, according to owner Tonya Page.

Inhaling salt is very beneficial for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, colds, bronchitis and sinus conditions, she said.

The all-natural, holistic business is attracting clients from as far away as Greeneville, Tennessee.

A couple of years ago, I had a respiratory illness, so Im doing this as a preventive measure, said Karen Sorber, an Abingdon resident who was enjoying a salt therapy session. Its made a huge difference. I get a monthly membership when I come twice each week.

She traveled to Asheville for the salt therapy before the Abingdon business opened in June.

Salt therapy is proving to be a new lure for people who want to improve their health.

I think this town is catching up with other cool little towns in the country because more people are eating farm-fresh foods and going in for whats natural. Salt therapy just goes along with that. I guess you could say Salt of the Earth is getting back to the basics. Were going back to the basics with essential oils, herbs and salt that God put on Earth for us, said Page.

According to the business owner, salt therapy has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that clear toxins in the lungs and skin.

A 45-minute session is equivalent to several days at the beach, she said.

Salt therapy sessions begin at $22.50 for seniors, $15 for children, ages 4 to 17, and $25 for adults. Clients visit once to a few times each week, depending on their needs.

Salt therapy, also called halotherapy, supposedly originated centuries ago. According to Pages research, halotherapy more recently can be traced back to the mid-1800s, when a doctor in Eastern Europe discovered that salt mine workers had healthy respiratory systems, free from lung diseases suffered by those who didnt work in the mines.

The doctor concluded that the natural sodium chloride contained in the air in salt mines helped reduce inflammation in the lungs.

Therapy takes place in a climate-controlled room with a halogenerator machine that disperses a fine aerosol mist of high-grade sodium chloride particles and negative ions into the air.

Our bodies are constantly bombarded by positive ions from the use of cell phones, computers, microwaves, televisions and other electronics. Salt therapy provides negative ions to restore balance, said Page.

Dimly lit therapy rooms have comfortable chairs and relaxing music. Bare feet sink into a floor covered with 2,500 pounds of Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan. Himalayan pink salt bricks cover the walls for dcor and therapeutic purposes.

Its also good for headaches. The first week I opened, a client tried out the salt therapy and left saying her migraine was gone after suffering from it all day, she said.

Another client told me his son slept through the night without coughing after just one salt therapy. A client came in and told me she had been to urgent care for an ear ache. After salt therapy, she couldnt believe how her pain was completely gone.

Page was attracted to salt therapy after a sinus infection nearly landed her in the hospital for surgery a year ago. After she tried salt therapy at a spa in Asheville, she was sold on the holistic treatment.

One session made me feel the best I had felt in months. I knew Id be fine if I could use this treatment more often.

At 53, Page, was looking for a new career. She found and renovated a vacant building in town in March and opened the business three months later.

I think we needed a facility like this here in Abingdon. I dont know anyone who doesnt suffer with sinuses and allergies around here.

In addition to salt therapy, Page incorporated treatments with infrared therapy and red light therapy, both offering the healing power of wavelengths of light.

She said infrared energy increases circulation, reduces inflammation and promotes healing when delivered to injury sites and other painful areas.

Sorber, who visited the business last week, also received an infrared treatment.

I threw my back out lifting something heavy. Four ibuprofen pills didnt touch the pain. I took an infrared therapy, and there is no sign of it now. Im a big believer.

According to Page, red light therapy is a skin care treatment that speeds healing of conditions including acne, rosacea and sun spots. It fades scars and stretch marks, assists in boosting collagen, adds moisture to the skin and can stimulate hair growth over time.

Page is such a believer in the positive benefits of salt therapy, she sells salt products for home use, such as Himalayan salt blocks that can be used as cooking surfaces.

The flavor is amazing. You use so much less salt on your food, she said.

In addition, her business has salt lamps that help improve indoor air quality.

Page also enjoys the benefits of essential oils, many of which she stocks at her business. The oils are concentrated essences derived from different parts of plants. Many of the oils promote relaxation while others have anti-inflammatory properties.

To learn more about Salt of the Earth, visit the Facebook page or call (276) 477-4101 for reservations.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at news@washconews.com.

See original here:

New salt spa in Abingdon offers a natural way to fight colds and allergies - Bristol Herald Courier (press release) (blog)