Many Denver massage clinics have assisted people throughout the years in their pain relief, not only by working on them but also through self care education. Lets take a close look at one way each of us can help our own personal battle with muscle pain.

Often times when we are in pain all we can think of is getting out of it, but also many times with this comes a sense of helplessness. You will discover that a high number of Denver massage therapists recognize that several people have a hard time with owning their pain, believing they have any control over making it better. This is where things must change, in order for someone to truly break that pain cycle they must start to take ownership over the pain. This is not an easy task but none the less must be accomplished to live the quality of life that is desired.

It’s similar to an overweight individual wanting to lose weight. We all know that this weight loss never happens until the person takes responsibility for their actions and starts making better choices. Yes, there are others that can help in the process like a personal trainer, much like a Denver massage therapist can help in the pain relief for their clients, but these clients must be making better choices day to day. So this is where the ever feared word of change comes into play, and the best road to permanent change is awareness and acceptance of what it is that needs to be changed in the first place.

So what is this step? This answer – deep breathing! Yes that’s right, you may be thinking to yourself how is this going to help me with my neck pain, back pain, hip pain, or whatever pain it may be. Take a moment to understand what deep “diaphragmatic” breathing will do. This type of breathing is an action of the diaphragm which is a muscle deep within the abdomen.

As children we all come into the world using our diaphragm to breath, one way you can see this is taking notice of a child’s belly, and how it comes outward each and every time they breath in. Think of it like a glass that is being filled up with water, the air being the water, as the air fills the diaphragm it expands causing the stomach to do the same and then flattening back out while breathing out. Most people do not use this muscle hardly at all while breathing which than causes them to stress breath, tightening up in their neck, upper back, and upper trapezius which now leads into headaches and other muscle tightness.

One of the Denver massage locations had a client who’s life was completely changed by this one action. It made her realize that she did have some control over the pain. The combination of deep diaphragmatic breathing techniques and massage gave her the quality of life back that she had not had for many years.

What we do know, is that this is a very powerful technique that will work to different levels depending upon each individual and how serious they take it into consideration, other action steps they may be incorporating along with it, and being truly committed to taking themselves out of the prison of pain.

Understanding that there are always alternatives to self pain relief and taking full ownership of what is going on with your body has given many Denver massage clients the ability to use these techniques to improve their overall health.

By: Zachary Meiu

Few of us ever plan on needing drug or alcohol rehab, and unfortunately, some of end up needing it without the insurance coverage to pay for it.

With a month’s stay at a private rehab running as much as $20 000 or more, few of us have the savings to self finance a stay at rehab; and unfortunately a lot of us have jobs and homes and families, and although we are in need of assistance, we also do not qualify for state of federal treatment funded aid.

Too poor to pay for rehab, and too rich to qualify for governmentally funded treatment; truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.

You may have heard about more affordable programs, but a Google search doesn’t seem to help much, and where can you go to learn more about the options available to you?

There are options

Thankfully, there are more than 2000 free or very affordable drug and alcohol rehabs in operation coast to coast. These non profit or charity programs do not base entry on your financial situation, but on your need for help. You can find a program that’s going to help you.

Private Rehabs with “low Income” Beds

A lot of private facilities will reserve a certain number of treatment beds for those in need of subsidized care. Treatment is unlikely to be free, but the fees are generally based on your income, family size and ability to pay for care, and can be quite affordable.

Because you will receive the same treatment as others in the program who may have paid tens of thousands of dollars, this can be an exceptional situation and you can expect a very high level of care, service and accommodation.

General Non Profit Rehabs

There are hundreds of treatment facilities in America that exist to serve lower income and uninsured participants. These non profit entities offer comprehensive therapy and often in very pleasant environments. While treatment is rarely free, most programs will not turn away those in need, regardless of their ability to pay for services.

The Salvation Army and Gospel Missions

Sometimes overlooked, these programs do not offer luxury, in fact the lodgings tend to be quite Spartan, but for those with nowhere else to turn, either of these organizations offer sanctuary, treatment and hope. Programs tend to be long term, free of charge, and open to all willing to participate in a Faith based program of recovery.

Recovery Housing

Another often overlooked therapeutic environment is sober living housing. A sober living house does not offer the therapeutic intensity of a drug rehab, but they can be very inexpensive, and will offer long term sober residence and a safe and supportive environment for recovery. Most will require that you work and attend AA meetings during your period of residency.

The unfortunate reality is that although a great many facilities do exist, they can be very tough to find. Thankfully though, there are options, and you just need to find them.

You can get better!

By: Christian Shire

Alcohol-free beer is as healthy as its traditional counterpart, as rich in vitamins and minerals, fat free and yes, the perfect substitute for beer when you need to drive. But is that alcohol-free beer real beer or something else tasting similar?

They state alcohol-free beer is alcohol free. This sentence sounds as strange as the following: alcohol-free beer is not really alcohol free. To call beer with a highly reduced percentage of alcohol “alcohol-free” is pretty misleading. Let’s make it clear: alcohol-free beer has an alcohol concentration of 0.05%. This is certainly not enough to make us drunk (juices contain the same amount of alcohol) and makes the so-called alcohol-free beer safe for pregnant women and drivers.

If you are a beer enthusiast you’ll wonder, “why bother?” But when you need to take medicine that interacts with alcohol, you’ll find “fake” beer not so bad. Besides, people actually like the taste of beer and not necessarily the alcohol in it. Beer goes great with steaks and sausages, French fries and other dishes. And finally: Muslims can also have a taste of beer. For these reasons and the ones mentioned below, alcohol-free beer is a great discovery.

So far it is clear: alcohol-free beer is not alcohol-free, but is a safe drink. Now let’s take a look at the other benefits.

We should first state that alcohol-free beer is real beer, although many occasional consumers and beer enthusiasts will argue that. While some alcohol-free beers are made without fermentation and get their taste from natural flavorings, non-alcoholic beer is usually produced in the same way as traditional beer: mixing water, barley malt, hops and yeast. The alcohol is taken out only after the beer is fully brewed. The process, called vacuum evaporation, influences partially the taste of the beer, making it slightly bland. If it’s something you miss when you drink non-alcoholic beer, that’s the alcohol itself. Alcohol-free beer contains the same ingredients as traditional beer, minus 99.95% of the alcohol. And that’s the good part about this drink: it keeps the nutritional values of a normal beer (fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and plenty of B vitamins) and consuming it, even excessively, doesn’t influence our health negatively.

On the contrary: recent studies show that alcohol-free beer may ward off cancer, contributes to the decrease of thrombin and has the same cardiovascular benefits as traditional beer. Drinking non-alcoholic beer helps decrease the components which form blood clots at about the same rate as the moderate consumption of regular beer.

Non-alcoholic beer, as you already found out, contains the same amount of alcohol found naturally in fruit juices and has half the proteins regular beer does. So you don’t need to be afraid about that “beer belly” any longer, just cut out the snacks and you’re done.

And let’s end this “pro alcohol-free beer” debate with the most important benefits: you can drink and drive. You can go in a bar, have nearly the taste of the real stuff, look as if you’re really drinking plain beer and be sociable without getting the effects of alcohol on your brain.

By: Michael Russell

Health insurance fraud represents one of America’s largest taxpayer rip-offs ever, costing Americans literally billions of dollars every year.

Due to rampant deception, scams and abuse in the health care system, consumers are forced to pay the price–literally–through escalating medical costs and rising health insurance premiums.

And government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, designed to help the low-income and elderly, represent two of the biggest losers of all.

Health Insurance Scams

According to the Insurance Information Institute, health providers and facilities such as doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic labs and attorneys routinely attempt to defraud the health insurance system…with devastating results.

How do they do it? In a number of ways, including:

Billing health insurance companies for expensive treatments, tests or equipment patients never had or never received Double- or triple-billing health insurers for the same treatments Giving health care recipients unnecessary, dangerous, or life-threatening treatments Selling low-cost health insurance coverage from fake insurance companies Stealing medical information and using it to bill health insurance companies for phantom treatments

If health insurance fraud knocks on your door, these types of scams may leave you with medical debts, damaged credit ratings, falsified health records, a high level of stress and overpriced health insurance premiums…or the inability to get any health insurance at all.

So what can you do about it?

Report it; then fight back!

What to Watch For

The first step to fighting health insurance fraud is keeping your eyes and ears open for abuse.

Be especially watchful for providers who:

Charge your health insurance company for services you never received or medical procedures you don’t need Give you prescriptions for controlled substances for no justified medical reason Bill your health insurance company for brand-name drugs when you actually get generics Misrepresent cosmetic or other health care procedures not usually covered by health insurance plans as covered

If you notice a health care provider doing any of these things, keep all supporting paperwork handy for reference, and then contact your health insurance company to let them know.

Then, if you’re a Medicare or Medicaid recipient, call the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and report the abuse.

Finally, contact your state department of insurance or the local police.

Fighting Health Insurance Fraud

To keep yourself from falling victim to health insurance fraud, take the following steps to fight back:

* Check with your state insurance department to make sure your health insurance company is licensed in your state.

* Check out your health insurance company for consumer complaints, fraud convictions and bankruptcies through your state department of insurance.

* Keep detailed medical records.

* Carefully review your billing statements.

* Never sign blank insurance claim forms.

* Avoid salespeople offering free health services or advice.

* Protect your medical records and information.

* Make sure you know what your health insurance policy covers–and what it doesn’t.

* Never pay your health insurance premiums in cash.

* Be wary if you’re asked to pay a full year’s premium up front.

* Be on guard against medical providers claiming to be connected with federal programs or the government.

* Beware of health insurance companies offering you coverage at an unreasonably low price.

* Ask your health insurance provider about anything you don’t understand regarding your bills.

Making a Difference

Protect your right to health insurance, lower your premiums and keep your medical information safe. All it takes is a little education, a watchful eye, and the willingness to make a difference!

By: Penny Hagerman

If you are receiving Medicare and/or Medicaid, it can often be difficult to find a doctor, be it a general practitioner or specialist, who will accept your insurance. Unfortunately the payment schedules set up by the government have resulted in many doctors opting out of the system because they simply cannot afford the substantially lower payments for Medicaid/Medicare services as well as afford to pay for the substantially greater paperwork involved in taking such patients.

Sadly, government has had a tendency to reduce reimbursement payments, not increase them, and do not seem to be interested in covering the actual cost of providing services.

Not only that, but private insurers are not longer willing to “subsidize” public patients by paying higher rates, so doctors cannot shift the ever-increasing costs to them.

As a result, at a time when more and more doctors are opting out of the system, those doctors who still take Medicare and Medicaid patients generally limit the number they will serve, so finding a doctor who will take your Medicare or Medicaid insurance is not as easy as simply opening the phone book and making a phone call. Indeed, it probably will take some real time and effort on your part.

There is not, and never has been, any requirement that doctors treat patients insured by Medicare or Medicaid. Therefore, people with Medicare or Medicaid are increasingly turning to federally funded clinics, or even to emergency rooms that cannot, by law, turn them away. Sadly, using emergency rooms for non-emergency health care is unbelievably expensive, making the lower reimbursement Medicare/Medicaid rates not financially wise in the long run.

So, how do you find a doctor that will take new Medicare/Medicaid patients?

Well, first of all, do not expect to find a doctor or, should you find one or a clinic taking Medicare/Medicaid patients, do not plan on getting an appointment quickly. Sadly, that will not happen very often. Indeed, if you need quick care, the emergency room is likely to be your only recourse.

To track down Medicare/Medicaid providers, you can contact your local health department or social service agencies to find out more information and there are a number of Medicare and Medicaid doctor directories online. While they cannot guarantee you an appointment, they do have access to information about current providers.

You can also go to the Medicare website at Medicare.gov or call them at 800-633-4227 (TTY 877-486-2048) to find Medicare providers in your area, although there is no guarantee they will be accepting new patients. It is worth a try, though.

Also, managed care is probably a better bet than private practice. HMOs organized by private insurers have a practical interest in having HMO doctors taking government-insured patients, while Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs) are generally run by hospitals or medical schools, and often only accept Medicaid patients.

By: Jackie Jones

Have you been putting off buying new dentures because the cost of dentures is just more than you can ever seem to afford? It’s not easy finding cheap dentures nowadays, especially if you live in areas where there is less people. You see, it seems that most of the best dental care rates lie within the larger metro areas of cities, such as Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, etc. and the people that live in rural areas get stuck with bigger bills because there aren’t as many dentists and there’s not as much competition as there is in a big city area.

There are still ways that you can save money on new dentures regardless of where you live. One of the best ways to get cheap dentures is by joining a discount dental plan and visiting dentists within the network of that plan. You see, discount plans don’t work like dental insurance. You can be seen for any pre-existing condition, including dentures, for whatever the reason may be. These dentists and specialists have agreed to accept patients for a much lower fee in exchange for being paid in full at the time of the appointment. Let me give you an example.

Here is an example of a discount plan in the Salt Lake City, Utah area, zip code 84110.

The average cost of buying new dentures in the USA is exactly $1252.00 (according to statistics taken in 2005). Of course, this depends on the grade of material used for your new teeth, the area in which you live and more, but this is a good measuring stick to go by. The savings that you will receive by joining this particular discount plan is huge. The cost of a new upper denture with this plan is only $694.00, which instantly saves you $558.00. The cost of joining this plan is just $99.95 annually for an individual or only $149.95 for a family plan.

As an individual you will save $458.05 after paying for your annual membership fee. Also, you’ll be able to save money every time you visit the dentist for the next full year. If you have a family you’ll pay just $50.00 more and your savings will multiply times the number of family members you have. There’ll be no more excuses for not being able to take your kids in for a check-up twice per year as recommended.

So if you’ve been looking for a way to get cheap dentures then you should take a look at a discount dental plan today. You may just be pleasantly surprised at what you find out.

By: Joe Stewart

In Denver, Colorado, several immigrant support groups are petitioning to have the law enforcement in their area ban the usage of system wide fingerprinting to specifically identify illegal aliens in custody. Currently in some areas, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uses a program called Secure Communities to run fingerprints of any individual booked against FBI criminal history records. The prints are also ran against the Department of Homeland Security immigration records to determine if the person is in the country illegally or if they have prior arrest records. At the moment, most law enforcement jurisdictions are not using the program, but a list of areas currently using Secure Communities is available at their website.

Secure Communities uses a modernized identification system to assist with the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. The program deploys biometric identification information sharing and is used to identify illegal aliens in law enforcement custody. According to the website, the program helps ICE transform criminal alien immigration enforcement agency wide, while satisfying a congressional mandate to increase information sharing between federal agencies. ICE lists three areas in which it focuses on:

Identifying aliens in law enforcement custody, through modernized technology, continual data analysis and timely information sharing; Prioritizing enforcement action to apprehend and remove criminal aliens who pose the greatest threat to public safety; and Transforming criminal alien immigration enforcement to efficiently identify, process and remove criminal aliens from the United States.

A basic overview of the program can be found at the ICE website http://www.ice.gov/secure_communities/.

Several law enforcement agencies and even the City Council in Washington, D.C. have refused to use the Secure Communities Program. Some such as an immigrant support group in Colorado believe the program makes crime victims afraid to cooperate with police due to the “fear of being drawn into the immigration regime.” Many believe the system will create a wave of deportations for illegal immigrants. Since 2007, 467 jurisdictions in 26 states are using Secure Communities. Viewing the map of the jurisdictions, shows most southern border state areas are included. According to ICE, the biometric information sharing program has removed more than 30,0000 convicted criminal aliens from the U.S. since 2008.

By: J. R. Cantu

It seems so easy on a makeover show: plain Jane gets a lot of money and expert advice, and winds up with a fantastic haircut, great clothes, and a party to show it all off. But the changes go deeper than what we can see. Participants on these shows often gain insight into their emotions, self-esteem, and reasons for avoiding change.

The same is true with weight loss. Many people are attached to the way they eat and feel change is impossible, just like a 42 year-old woman may cling to a red leather miniskirt against all rational thought. As people go through the process of losing weight, they can learn a lot about why they eat the way they do and why it is so hard to change.

Here are four lessons gleaned from makeover shows that you can apply to transforming your health and losing weight.

1) Look in the mirror. Watching Celebrity Fit Club, you may chuckle at the 40 pounds some hot 80s star has piled on over the years. Take a look in the mirror and compare with old photos. It can be shocking how much your weight has crept up since high school. For your health, you also need basic information like your blood pressure, weight, waist measurement, and cholesterol, which are major determinants of your risk of getting diabetes or heart disease. Don’t be afraid to find out where you stand.

2) Accept change. In What Not to Wear, family and friends give their thoughts about why the participant needs to change the way they look. It can be hard to hear, but listen to your friends, your spouse, and your doctor if they repeatedly tell you to lose weight. The people who care are there to help. If you’re overweight, accept that the time for change is now.

3) Take advice. On Ten Years Younger, participants stand in a glass booth and receive critiques and advice from 100 people walking by. Meeting with a dietician or physician about your weight and healthy eating is a lot less painful than that. It can be hard to take advice, especially when you feel you’re doing everything right. But healthy living is a lifelong process. Learning from trusted experts will improve your health for good.

4) Get the haircut. The hardest part of a makeover for many women is the haircut, but it’s also the one with the most impact. Long, stringy hair, last cut in 1990, seems to be the most painful to lose. Meanwhile, we viewers, who can see how obviously it needs to go, are chanting, “Do it! Get the haircut!” While giving up daily take-out, sugary drinks, and donuts for breakfast may seem unthinkable, those few sacrifices can translate into 10, 20, or 30 pounds lost.

Consider the effect on self-confidence and happiness that can come from changing your hair and clothes. Now think about how profound it could be to change your weight, your health, and your life.

By: Maria T. Anderson

In recent times, the cost of dental care has skyrocketed. This includes all types of dentistry including teeth cleaning, extractions, and dental surgery. For those who live in Denver, CO, there are many options to choose from when paying for routine or emergency dental care. In fact, having a tooth extraction Denver might just be more easily afforded than what some may be aware of.

The flat fee for a tooth extraction in Denver may vary between dental offices. The type of extraction can also cause a difference in the price. A simple extraction may cost between $60-$75, but a wisdom tooth extraction that requires more time and effort could cost much more.

One of the great aspects of having dental services performed in Denver is the variety of payment forms that many dental offices accept. Most dental offices in this area accept several different health insurance plans that will allow patients to only be required to pay a small copay at the time of service. If you have chosen an in-network dental provider for your plan, this copay can be even less.

Many dental offices also provide services to those who have state medicaid or medicare as well. While cosmetic dental work may not be covered by these forms of health care, extractions are covered because they are considered a necessary part of the patients good health. Yearly checkups and teeth cleanings are also normally covered as a preventative measure to avoid bad dental health.

For those who may not have any type of health insurance, dental insurance, or state provided health care plan, most dental offices will offer a payment plan. The total cost will be calculated and can be divided up over a few months to make dental care more easily affordable. This will need to be arranged before services and you may need to pay a percentage of the cost upfront before any dental work is performed.

So, if you live in the Denver area and need to have a tooth extraction or other dental care, do not fear that it is impossible to obtain. By calling each dental office and discussing the types of payment forms they accept, you may find a payment plan that fits your budget nicely. You can compare the prices and options of all dentists in your area so that you can make a well informed decision more easily.

By: Rick Swanson

Labrador rescues in Colorado are frequent, which is both good and bad news. It is good news in that more Labrador rescues means fewer Labs that are left to a cruel fate in animal shelters. It is bad news in that more Labrador rescues means more people have not thought about the responsibility they were incurring when they bought a cute Labrador puppy.

Labrador rescue in Denver alone is responsible for hundreds of Labrador Retrievers going to good homes instead of being left on the streets.

Labrador rescues in Colorado are accomplished in several ways.

* Labs may be rescued from shelters. If a Lab remains in the shelter a certain length of time, and no one chooses to adopt it, Labrador rescue comes to its aid, preventing euthanasia.

* Sometimes, Labrador rescues in Colorado are made, not by going out and getting the dog, but by the dog being delivered to the rescue group. Families that decide they can no longer provide the kind of home the Lab needs donate the dog, hoping it will find a good “forever” home.

* From time to time the Labrador rescue in Denver, Colorado receives Labs that were left behind when their owners died.

Labrador rescues in Denver, Colorado are not very different from those in other cities and states, of course. Many places are rescuing Labrador Retrievers and finding permanent homes for them.

Safe Harbor Lab Rescue

Safe Harbor Lab Rescue is a non-profit organization in Golden, Colorado – a western suburb of Denver. Like so many other Labrador rescue groups, Safe Harbor Lab Rescue is run by volunteers. Their purpose is to care for stray or surrendered Labrador Retrievers until a permanent home can be found for them.

Safe Harbor is in urgent need of foster homes in the Denver-Boulder area to help save the lives of lovable Labs.

Labrador Rescue Stories

Read stories of Labrador rescues, and you will see that these groups provide an important service. Just one story will give the idea.

Labrador rescue saved a 7-year old Lab from life in a small crate. From the time it was a puppy, this dog had been confined to its crate most of the day. It received little attention. It received little exercise. It had grown to be nearly 100 pounds, and had been house-trained, but still it remained in that small crate. Imagine its joy when Labrador rescue got it out of the crate and into a place where it could run and play. With the boundless energy of a Labrador Retriever having been held back for so long, a dog like this appreciates whoever gave it a second chance. Now this particular lovable Lab is just waiting for someone to give it a permanent home similar to the one it has at the Labrador rescue home.

Labrador rescue dogs are not always comfortable when they first go to a permanent home. They remember being in a home before. They may have had a bad experience. Many times, Labrador rescue dogs are afraid of everything in the new home. They hide behind furniture or in closets. They are very adaptable, however, and with patience and lots of love, new owners can turn a Labrador rescue dog into a lovable Lab.

Finding a Labrador Rescue Group

If you think you would like to adopt a Labrador rescue dog or puppy, you can easily find a Labrador rescue group. Use you favorite search engine, and enter the words “Labrador rescue” without quotation marks. If you have trouble finding one near your home, contact one of the others on the Internet and ask for help. They will often know, or can find out, whether there is a Labrador rescue home in your area.

By: Anna Hart