It’s a Fascia Blaster, Okay

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Have Mercy, Y’all, It’s a Fascia Blaster

On a recent Instagram story, I posted a picture of my medicine cabinet. In the lower right hand corner, there was an unidentifiable white object. We got more than 100 messages inquiring if I accidentally just posted a picture of a vibrator. Um. . .no. That is a Fascia Blaster. I mean, if your vibrator has claws on it, you are a brave woman.

What is a Fascia?

Fascia is a shealth of connective tissue that encases bone, muscle, and joints. It is primarily made of collagen.  Fascia not only provides stability, but also attaches, and separates muscles from internal organs. Depending on which definition you choose to follow, you have 2-3 layers of fascia.

  1. Superficial fascia: located in the skin. More flexible to allow for deposition of fat tissue as we gain weight.
  2. Visceral fascia: holds organs in the abdomen in place. Tone is balanced to allow for organs to function while staying in place.
  3. Deep fascia: dense, fibrous connective tissue that wraps individual muscles.

Compared to muscle, fascia is tougher to stretch and move because the function is to hold organs and structures in tact.

But, when fascia is too tight. . .

Pain may result, especially chronic back pain. Muscles and joints may become stiff, and, according to some, may increase the appearance of cellulite. There is the added issue that fascia is difficult to stretch. Yin yoga and myofascial release massage focus on the stretching and releasing fascia tissue, but it is a slow, often painful process.

So what is the Fascia Blaster?

The Fascia Blaster is an FDA approved Class I medical device, considered to be low risk for human use.

It claims to:

  1. Lessen the look of cellulite
  2. Reduce pain
  3. Accelerate muscle recovery
  4. Improve blood flow
  5. Increase flexibility

I have three different versions of the fascia blaster: The Original, a plastic tube with four claws attached. The Mini2, a shorter version with two claws and two pointed ends. And, the Nugget, a small version to get to those tough-to-reach spots. There is also a Face Blaster version that I don’t have and haven’t tried.

How do you use it?

The original and the mini versions can be used on the arms, legs, stomach, buttocks, and back. and really over the whole body.  The Nugget is used for pin pointing stubborn areas, and I most commonly use it on my feet.

To use the original and mini Fascia Blaster, you first apply oil, otherwise you can’t get the slide. And that is painful. No to that.  Then quickly rub the Fascia Blaster in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions atop the desired area.  Do not use in a circular motion. Rub briskly for 1-5 minutes, as tolerated, until you get reddening in the area. The redness is a sign of fresh blood in the area. Do not rub any area for more than 10 minutes. You can use gentle surface pressure to start, and eventually, as tolerated, you can press to the deeper layers of fascia.

To use The Nugget, we use the Stab and Wiggle technique.  I wear a lot of high heels, and I was a ballet dancer, my toes cramp and pull in weird ways.  The Nugget’s pointed ends can be “stabbed” in between the toes and then “wiggled” to release deep muscle tension. I also use this device on my hands to release cramped bits of my thumb from typing all day many days.

What should I look out for?

Be aware that bruising is a known and expected side effect in a lot of people, especially when you first start. Rotate areas is bruising occurs and do not press too hard.

Do not use the Fascia Blaster on top of varicose veins, is you are on blood thinning medicines, have a history of blood clots (DVTs). Do not use the Fascia Blaster while pregnant. Some women ignore this advice. It is imperative to not use it atop a pregnant belly.

But does it work?

I absolutely love the Fascia Blaster. Of course, individual results may vary, but I consistently hear from people that they too love the results of this device. While cellulite was never a huge deal for me, muscle tension, muscle recoil following stretching, and muscle fatigue were. I typically use the blaster after yoga to help loosen muscles that seem hopelessly tight no matter how much I stretch. Love this product for the “American Flags” on the backs of the arms too. There is a visible difference in my triceps and the fatty area under the arm pit.  As a woman who has always been a bit self conscious about her upper arms, this product is a confidence boost.

Have you used the Fascia Blaster? Love it, or Hate it? Comment below with your experience!

Ready to try it? Grab you Original, Mini2, Nugget, Face Blaster, or Quick Start Kit here today.

More on the Blog!

Because caffeine in coffee also thought to lessen the appearance of cellulite, I love to take a warm bath before using the Fascia Blaster and prep my skin with a Coffee Body Scrub.

Oils of Ancient Scripture: Proverbs Perfume

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Unsure of How to Use Your Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit?

While prepping a new presentation on the Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit, I came across this verse for the perfect perfume. I call it Proverbs Perfume. Okay, it’s a linen spray, but Proverbs Linen Spray just doesn’t have that ring to it. Plus it goes with the Bible verse. This is one way to use the essential oils in your Oils of Ancient Scripture Kit in a quick and easy DIY.

So Here’s the Verse

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 

Proverbs 7:17

When I first posted this online, people told me that there was only one downside to this verse. It was written about a prostitute luring men into her bed when her husband was out of town. I bet she was busy to say the least. ‘Cause this aroma is amazing.

A Word About the Ingredients

It has a base of witch hazel and water. The witch hazel helps to keep the essential oils in solution with the water, because oil and water don’t mix well. If you don’t have witch hazel on hand, you can also substitute vodka. Just be sure to keep out of reach of children.

Sandalwood has a deep woodsy aroma, and it was used on the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. Myrrh is a stacte oil, meaning it helps to hold other oils in solution with one another. Cinnamon has a bold, spicy aroma and it was used in the Holy Anointing Oil.  It is also mentioned as a part of the merchandise at Babylon.

Make your Own Proverbs Perfume

Ingredients

1/2 cup witch hazel

1/2 cup water

6 drops each Myrrh, Sandalwood, and Cinnamon essential oils

Instructions

  1. In a glass bottle, stir the water and witch hazel together.
  2. Then add essential oils.
  3. Shake gently before each use, and spray on linen as desired.
  4. This mixture will keep at room temperature for several months.

Come over and and download the slides to teach your own Oils of Ancient Scripture meeting!

Some Essential Oils Increase Risk of Sunburn

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Yes, Some Essential Oils Increase Risk of Sunburn

With summer right around the corner,  many essential oil users wonder how to protect their skin from harsh summer rays.  We should all be using the Mineral Sunscreen Lotion and LavaDerm After Sun Lotion to protect our skin.  Let’s remember that certain essential oils increase risk of sunburn.  It is important that we include precautions in our seasonal teachings.

What is Phototoxicity?

Phototoxicity is a type of allergic reaction where a chemical substance increases the sensitivity to the ultraviolet (UV) light. Furanocoumarins (FCs) found in some essential oils squeeze between base pairs in DNA.  When exposed to UV light, the FCs form covalent bonds with DNA.  This crosslinks the DNA.  Crosslinking causes an inflammatory response: redness of the skin, sunburn, and, in severe cases, blistering.  Unlike regular sunburn, phototoxicity reactions are sometimes delayed for several days. The change in the color of skin may last for weeks.

Which Essential Oils Cause Phototoxicity?

Some essential oils that increase the risk of sunburn are: bergamot, fig leaf, grapefruit, lemon (expressed, not distilled), lime (expressed, not distilled), orange, mandarin, rue, angelica, and cumin.   Clementine, combava, skimmia, angelica absolute, celery leaf, celery seed absolute, cumin seed absolute, khella, lovage, and parsnip have a lower risk of phototoxicity. Lemon leaf, mandarin, sweet orange, satsuma, tangerine, tangelo, and yuzu are not phototoxic.

How Often Does Phototoxicity Happen?

Phototoxicity is very common with certain essential oils.

Who is at Risk of Phototoxicity?

People with albinism are the most at risk population.   On the other hand, people who have a suntan have a lower risk of phototoxicity. It takes more essential oil to cause the same reactions in people with dark brown or black skin compared to fair, sallow, or light brown skin. Eye color, age, sex or ability to tan makes no difference in the risk of phototoxicity.

What about Ingesting Essential Oils?

Many essential oils that cause phototoxicity are ingestible citrus essential oils. Does ingestion also increase the risk of sunburn? The risk of  skin sensitivity is highest when essential oils are applied to the skin. However, ingesting essential oils brings the same set of FCs, and it is possible that ingesting citrus essential oils can also increase the risk of sunburn.

That said, the half life of essential oils (how long the chemical constituents last in the blood following ingestion or application) is very short. When you have a glass on lemon water in the morning, the FCs are eliminated within hours. Because of this, sipping citrus essential oils through the day may increase the risk of sunburn more than one glass in the morning. Makes sense–the higher the dose, the bigger the risk.

Bottom Line

Whether skiing in the winter or beaching in the summer, be sure to teach that some essential oils increase risk of sunburn.

Want more education on essential oil chemistry and how it impacts your day to day life? .

Water Filter Options: Berkey? Aquagear?

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Confession: I have Two Water Filters in my Home

I couldn’t decided which water filter to go with: the old school, reliable, well-known Berkey or the new kid on the block Aquagear.

Couple of Things I Wanted

A filter that:

  1. Removes fluorine, trihalomethanes, chlorine, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium.
  2. Reduces filter waste by lasting a long time.
  3. Looks pretty on the counter top.

Water filters work in a very simple manner: a carbon filter absorbs toxins, minerals, and contaminants. But finding one that met all three of these criteria was not easy, especially because I was specifically looking for flourine to be removed.

Two Brands Came Up: Berkey and Aquagear. I got them both, and here is my comparison and the pros and cons.

Removes fluoride, trihalomethanes, chlorine, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium.

Both Berkey and Aquagear do this, but Berkey takes a specialty filter that has to be purchased separately from the standard carbon filter. Both work really well and the water comes out tasting clean, crisp, and smooth.

I choose to avoid fluoride because of the risk of fluoridosis in the bones. Trihalomethanes are endocrine disruptors, and no one needs more of that. Chlorine tastes gross, and, through a variety of chemical reactions, forms additional harmful by-products like trihalomethanes and chloroform. Lead also tastes gross aside from it being toxic to the brain, especially in young children. Mercury is toxic to almost every organ system, especially the kidneys. Chromium, in large quantities, may be carcinogenic. Definitely wanted these out of my water.

Reduced filter waste by lasting a long time.

As a former user of Brita filters, one of the things I hated was how often the (very bulky) filters had to be changed. I hated how much space the extra filters took up in my cupboard. So I definitely wanted a filter option that lasted a really long time. Both Berkey and Aquagear have filters that last months instead of weeks. Downside to Brita: there is no timer to gauge how long you have been using a given filter. You have to write it down and keep track. Booooooo.

Pretty on the Counter Top

I do not refrigerate water. Ever. In Chinese medicine, cold water is thought to rob energy from your spleen, slow down digestion, and heat the body. Yes, heat the body. This is because your body has to use energy to warm the water to body temperature before it starts to process it. If you want to cool off in the summer, drink teas and water as hot as you can palate it. This induces sweating and acts as a very effective cooling mechanism. I digress. I don’t refrigerate water, so I wanted a water filter that looks cool on the counter top. In my opinion, Berkey is the clear winner here. That shiny stainless steel makes me smile.

In My Search, I Came Across a Few Other Differences

  1. Berkey is cumbersome, Aquagear is lightweight. Living in NYC with limited counter and overhead space the Berkey is tough to use.
  2. When I first posted about Berkey on social media, a lot of people commented that they had a dream to own one. Yes, there is definitely a status piece of the puzzle with Berkey. And with the status comes a price. Berkey is more expensive than Aquagear.
  3. Aquagear’s marketing is better. Their website is way easier to use. And prettier. The mission and vision of the company is clear. I want to hang out with them.
  4. Berkey’s customer care is no bueno. Confession: I was too enthusiastic about asking for a Berkey and got two of them for Christmas. Called Berkey to get instructions on how to return a filter without a receipt, as the filter was a gift. They were so little help it was ridiculous. It was almost like I felt guilty for being too excited about their products. They wouldn’t give me a straight answer on how to return the product. I eventually just gave the extra one away just to be finished with the hassle. Update: Berkey actually reached out to me after reading this post and let me know of sweeping changes they are making to their customer care team and I applaud them for recognizing a problem and aiming to fix it.
  5. While I didn’t intentionally look for a water filter with purpose, Aquagear does have a partnership with Thirst Relief and every purchase of one water filter provides six months worth of clean water to someone in need. Bonus.

One Downside of Heavy Duty Filtration

Whenever you use a high powered carbon water filter capable of removing fluoride, lead, chromium, and other bad stuff you are also removing a lot of trace minerals that are beneficial to the body. Be sure that you are eating tons of nutritious food and taking multiple vitamin alongside your clean water.

Which water filter do you use?

Berkey? Aquagear? Brita? Comment below and let me know your opinion!