Mystic Moon Wellness

creating wellness for your transformations

Roger's Posts

Massage & Reiki for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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Do you suffer from the winter blues?  Me too!  This time of year many people experience many different symptoms:  trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, lack of energy, lack of interest in things you normally like, overeating, craving sweets and carbohydrates, depression, irritability, anti-social tendencies and a weakened immune system.  The thought to curl up in a ball and wait for spring often occurs to me!  Commonly referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), many of these symptoms can be due to an imbalance in the body as exposure to sunlight decreases, affecting hormonal changes in the body.  Not to mention the holidays can also be really tough for a million different reasons!

Unfortunately, most of us lead very busy lives that don’t allow much time for hibernation.  So what can we do instead?  Try getting regular Massage or Reiki treatments!  One thing I love about these types of treatments is they don’t require much effort on my part.  Once the appointment is made, I just need to show up and climb onto a table. From that point on, I can relax and let the therapist do all the work.

What are the Benefits?  Massage releases endorphins, which creates a euphoric feeling and fights depression.  It also lowers the recipient’s blood pressure, improves circulation, positively stimulates the nerve endings, removes toxins and improves energy and concentration. (Massage is also beneficial in relieving back pain, headaches, PMS, respiratory issues and boosting the immune system – and many other things).  The Mayo Clinic mentions massage as an alternative mind-body therapy that may help relieve symptoms of SAD.  (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20021047 ).  The National University of Health Services also promotes massage as an effective treatment (http://www.nuhs.edu/news/2015/1/massage-can-help-those-with-seasonal-affective-disorder-(sad)/ ).

Reiki is known to help reduce pain, alleviate anxiety and calm depression symptoms. It reduces our feelings of stress and it produces a deep feeling of calm by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.   In a study, according to the US National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health, Reiki significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety both immediately after treatment and 5 weeks post-treatment.  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3660126/ For further reading on the topic, Psych Central offers this in depth article with several references:  http://psychcentral.com/lib/reiki-healing-and-mental-health-what-the-research-shows/

How often should I get Massage or Reiki?  The positive effects of massage treatments can be felt immediately, but for long-term effects it is advised to receive between two and four treatments a month during fall and winter seasons.  You will experience less intense symptoms and will regain a more positive and healthy perspective on life. Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t able to have the recommended number of treatments.  Do what works for your budget and schedule.  Doing some is better than none at all.  To help with costs, Green Lotus offers a 3 pack of sessions which reduces the per session price.

Some other things we can do to prevent the winter blues are:  eat a balanced, healthy diet, drink plenty of water, have a regular exercise routine, and be sure to get our faces in the sun whenever it decides to show up (in moderation, of course)!

Namaste and Be Well!

Q&A: Can I use my Insurance HSA, FSA for Massage?

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In order for Massage Therapy to be considered a qualified medical expense, it MUST be used primarily to ease or prevent a physical or mental ailment.  Examples of this may be (but not limited to): pain management, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, back pain, stress, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome.  Here’s the fine print:  IRS publication 502, under the heading “What are Medical Expenses” says: “…Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They don’t include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation”.  Then, under the heading “What Medical Expenses Are Includible?”, and under the heading of “Therapy” it says “You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for therapy received as medical treatment.”  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf ).

If you are suffering from an ailment and believe the treatment may fall under the above category, the first thing you MUST do is schedule an appointment with your Doctor.  Let him/her know you have an HSA or FSA and let him/her know you would like to use your funds for massage for treatment or prevention of your ailment and ask for a prescription.  The prescription, from your Doctor, must include three things:

  • Reason: Why do you need massage therapy? (Example:  To relieve or reduce_______ (your ailment).
  • Frequency: How frequent do you need treatment? (Example:  One session every two weeks)
  • Duration: How long should you receive treatment?  (Example:  6 months, or a year)

Bring your prescription with you to Green Lotus so we can make a copy to have on file.  When we have this on file, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, it is not necessary to charge sales tax (when the massage is for preventing or alleviating a physical or mental defect or illness and a prescription is shown).  (http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/law_policy/revenue_notices/RN_07-06.pdf ).  Of course, be sure to keep this prescription in your files with your other tax documents.

Please note:  If you are using a debit card that is directly tied to your HSA or FSA account, you may not include tips.  Tips may be paid with cash, check or another card.

This time of year you may be deciding how much money to set aside in your HSA or FSA account for next year.  Remember to include the cost of your Therapeutic Massage visits in your total amount if you have a qualifying medical condition.

Disclaimer:  This article is for information only.  It does not guarantee coverage of Therapeutic Massage for your HSA/FSA.  Please consult with your HSA/FSA professional to confirm eligibility.  Green Lotus will provide receipts upon request, but will not turn receipts in to Insurance, HSA or FSA or take any responsibility for eligibility of services.

Peace, Love and Honest Food

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I love to cook and love to eat good food!

So, here’s my thing – I don’t really follow any specific diet that’s out there. I don’t like rules so I try not to have too many unless I can bend them.

I’ve changed my world around and threw out sugar, processed food and beverages including my once beloved Diet Coke. I challenged myself to find real, honest food that tastes good – and I made the change to a whole food, plant based lifestyle.  I didn’t find much in the big box grocery stores or at most restaurants I visited, so I decided to make it my quest to find or create recipes I can make at home.

Some would say whole food, plant based sounds like a vegan – yeah, it’s pretty close to that. But like I said, I don’t want to use that “title”since it comes with too many rules – and I know I’ll end up bending the rules and getting slammed for not following them correctly. I’m just a guy that’s all about keeping peace, loving life and eating honest food. That’s it. Plain and simple. In fact I like it so much that I got an Associates degree in Holistic Nutrition and Hypnotherapy and I’m working on a certification in plant based nutrition now.  I’m currently a Holistic Healer and think it’s cool when I can help someone feel better and help them keep doing the things they love.

I also recently refurbished a 1920’s house and am pretty proud of my work and all I’ve learned in the process.

This blog is about our journey and is a place I can share the cool recipes and insight about nutrition and life that I learn.