American Spa Magazine Features the Aromatic Facial

Guinot’s Aromatic Facial is featured in the October 2011 issue of American Spa Magazine. The Aromatic Facial offered at Seasons – The Spa is an all natural facial using essential oils and plant extracts. Great even during pregnancy, this “green facial” provides the “glow” without the chemicals that your body doesn’t need during this important time.

The treatment takes relaxation to a new level with the use of gentle effleurage movements and one of five Aromatic Essential Oils-Balance, Energy, Nourishing, Serenity, and Vitality-that is chosen based on the client’s particular skin type. A pressure-point massage ensures that the skin absorbs the rich plant actives, which help to hydrate, balance, and energize the skin. A custom-blended peel-offmask, also rich with plant concentrates, helps calm the skin and leave it glowing.

For more information about the Aromatic Facial, contact our Spa Concierge at 318.255.1155.

Wishing You Joy This Holiday Season!

Is The Flu Shot As Good As Gold?

Ah, fall! The crisp, cool mornings, the return of football, and the sweeping changes of color found throughout the landscape. Fall is a welcome change after the long, hot Louisiana summer. With all of the wonderful changes that fall brings, there are a few unwelcome visitors. Just as we move past the summer heat, fall ushers in the cold and flu season.

Recently, I overhead a good friend of mine say that the flu vaccine is “as good as gold” and that as far as results, “the proof is in the pudding.” Not long after that, I saw an ad campaign for the flu vaccine with the tagline: “the value of wellness.”

So, I have to pose this question. With the upcoming cold and flu season, what is the best way to protect my family? How should I treat or even prevent the flu? Is the flu vaccine “as good as gold” and is the “proof” really “in the pudding?”

Today is the era of evidence-based medicine.  So, to answer these questions let’s see what the evidence shows.

Is the flu vaccine “as good as gold?”

The answer is no. While not surprising to me, I’m sure this comes as a surprise to you!  Let me show you the evidence.

A Cochrane analysis, “Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults,” published in 2010 looked at over 70,000 adults ages 16-65 from 1966 to 2010. The objective was defined as: “identify, retrieve and assess all studies evaluating the effects of vaccines against influenza in healthy adults.”

The results may surprise you.

• Flu vaccine was found to be a very poor match (1%). Each year, the 3-strain flu vaccine is created in attempt to match the up coming viral strains.
• Flu vaccine only had a modest effect on reducing flu symptoms and days missed.
• No evidence was found that the flu vaccine affects complications. Complications were defined as pneumonia, hospitalization, and TRANSMISSION.

In my opinion, if you are a healthy adult, the flu vaccine is a waste of your time. But don’t worry; there are many scientifically proven preventive and therapeutic treatments available.  The problem is most are labeled “natural” or “alternative” so you may not have heard of their benefits.

Vitamin D

Hippocrates said, “Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly should proceed thus: in the first place to consider the seasons of the year.” Vitamin D levels show an inverse relationship to the cold/flu incidence.

 Cannell JJ et al., in “Epidemic influenza and vitamin D,” showed that vitamin D levels reach their lowest levels during the winter months, often dropping by 24%. Below in “Epidemic influenza and vitamin D”, 2,000 IU daily versus 800 IU and placebo was shown to significantly reduce the incident of the cold/flu.

In addition to being preventative, vitamin D is active against ongoing infection. A recent study in the Journal of Virology, revealed that vitamin D has anti-viral properties. Because of its function in the innate immune system, vitamin D, a proven anti-viral, was suggested to be a primary method of treatment.

Probiotics

That’s right, a healthy gut equals a healthy immune system. In children with recurrent otitis media, 24 weeks of probiotics versus placebo was shown to reduce recurrent respiratory infections. Another study, revealed reduced otitis media recurrence in children given probiotics. Still another study revealed a reduction in fever, rhinorrhea, cough, days of antibiotics, and missed school days in children given probiotics daily for 6 months versus placebo.

How?  The current thought is that bacteria and viruses use a “biofilm” protective layer. This protects the virus or bacteria against the body’s immune attacks. This also appears to protect the offending virus/bacteria against administered therapies.

The importance of the gut to the immune system shouldn’t surprise us. It is estimated that 70% of the immune system is concentrated in the gastrointestinal system. In fact, we know that the route of delivery predicts the gut flora. Other events, including maternal steroids, antibiotics, and breast-feeding, can also alter the risk. Collectively, these early events can increase obesity risk.

Vitamin C

What do guinea pigs and people have in common? Their bodies don’t make vitamin C. That’s right, we humans, don’t make vitamin C. So, the only way our bodies get vitamin C is through our diet. Just like vitamin D, the majority of us don’t take in enough Vitamin C.

No therapies will have all positive studies, but therapy using vitamin C has a large body of evidence supporting its use against the common cold and flu. Vitamin C therapy came to prominence with Linus Pauling in the 1970’s. Linus Pauling was an advocate for Vitamin C therapy as an anti-viral therapy in the treatment of the common cold and flu. In his 1970 study, the incidence of colds were reduced by 45% and the duration of the colds were reduced by 63%. High dose IV vitamin C therapy has been shown to reduce the symptoms of the common cold and flu by 85% in a study of 715 people by Gorton and Jarvis. A study by Straten and Josling, showed that vitamin C reduced the incidence and the duration of cold symptoms. A large Cochrane review, showed a reduction of the severity and duration of cold symptoms with vitamin C therapy.

Furthermore, vitamin C has been shown to have many positive immunomodulatory effects. A study by Wintergerst, Magginini, and Hornig discussed many of the positive immune effects of vitamin C. And Harri Hemila in 2006, discussed the effects of vitamin C and the large body of evidence that show the positive effects it has on the immune system. The immune enhancement effects of vitamin C should be evident over the long-term. A study out of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006 showed no change in severity or incidence of the common cold, BUT a 66% decrease in 3 or more colds over a 5-year period was seen; revealing just the long-term positive immune enhancing effect we were looking for. So the benefits are extensive, reaching beyond a therapy for the common cold and flu.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy goes back to the eighteenth century with Samuel Hahnemann, MD. In fact, it probably goes back even further. Hippocrates (400 BC) was quoted as saying, “through the like, disease is produced and through the application of the like, it is cured.” Homeopathy works by helping the body to heal itself first, before the powerful interventions of today’s therapies. These powerful interventions come with powerful side effects. The healing medical model of homeopathy fits the Hippocratic oath well, “First, do no harm.”

Homeopathy has been shown to be an effective addition in the treatment and prevention of the cold and flu. Homeopathy was shown to reduce the infection rate of cold and flu viruses by 20-40%. Long waits to see the doctor are very common in Europe and one study showed that homeopathy effectively reduces URI symptoms in children versus a waiting-list control. Finally, in a head-to-head study, homeopathy was shown to be more effective and had lower complication rates than antibiotics in children with recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis.

So how do we stay well?  

One thing is certain, wellness doesn’t come from the flu vaccine. Working with your body and allowing what God created to work as it was intended provides true wellness. Your body wants to protect and heal you. Why not give it a chance, first? No one therapy can provide 100% protection against the common cold and flu. However, these four recommendations, vitamin D, probiotics, vitamin C and homeopathy, have been shown through scientific evidence, to be worthy preventive and therapeutic tools for the upcoming cold and flu season.

 

 

Seasons Welcomes New Family Member: Ryder Brooks Walpole

Seasons Marketing Coordinator, Blair Walpole and husband, J., welcomed healthy baby boy Ryder Brooks Walpole on Friday, August 19th, 2011 at 6:29 p.m. Ryder was 20 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. and 10 ounces.

“Ryder is our little miracle,” says Walpole. “Our lives have been turned upside-down; he has stolen our hearts.” Since his long-awaited arrival, he has attended all 3 Louisiana Tech home football games. He is certainly following his parents footsteps as one of the youngest Louisiana Tech fans! “We look forward to every stage of his life; he surprises us everyday with something new! Being a parent is one of the greatest gifts.”

Seasons Welcomes Newest Family Member: John Mark Jeffords

Seasons Marketing Coordinator, Sarah Jeffords and her husband, Mark, welcomed healthy baby boy John Mark Jeffords on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 at 5:55 p.m. John Mark was 21.5 inches long and weighed 8 lbs. and 3 ounces.

Louisiana Tech alumni, Sarah and Mark have already taken John Mark on his first trip to Louisiana Tech Campus and plan to take him to football games this fall. “We couldn’t be more in love with this little guy. He is an absolute joy!” said Sarah. “We look forward to watching him grow”.

 

 

 

Guinot Featured in Lucky Magazine

In the August issue of Lucky Magazine, “Lost” actress Marsha Thomason talks about her love for Guinot’s Hydradermie facial and Lotion Hydra Fraicheur Toner. At Seasons – The Spa, we also love Guinot and are proud to carry the full line of Guinot products and provide several Guinot body and facial treatments.

The Hydradermie facial is a spectacular treatment  that provides visible, lasting results. This fully customized facial deep cleans, purifies, soothes, reduces inflammation, hydrates, nourishes, and reduces signs of aging. The Hydradermie facial is known as the “star” of facial treatments and as TV star Marsha Thomason mentioned, having the Hydradermie facial on a regular basis will provide you with the best results. 75 minutes, $75.

Available at Seasons – The Spa, Lotion Hydra Fraicheur completes the cleansing process by toning and refreshing the skin with rose extracts, glycols, and vitamin B5.  ”It is the perfect complement to Guinot’s Lait Hydra Fraicheur Cleansing Milk and is great for all skin types. My clients love the fresh smell and the lasting, clean feeling!” said Seasons Aesthicican, Lisa Best.

You don’t have to be a celebrity to have access to great products and treatments. Seasons – The Spa offers complementary consultations with our Skin Care Specialists to help you find the Guinot product that is best for your skincare needs. Be treated like a star, reserve your appointment for the Hydradermie Facial today!

Seasons Welcomes Newest Family Member

Congratulations to Customer Relations Specialist, Heather Busby and her husband Derek. On July 7th 2011, they welcomed healthy baby boy, Bryce Rylan into the world. Bryce was born in West Monroe, LA at 5:30 pm, weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 21 inches long. The Busby family are over the moon with excitement with the new addition to their family!

Handle with Care: 7 Steps to Cure Medical Debt

 

Best of the Best

It’s that time of year again. Northeast Louisiana will cast its vote for Best of the Best.

Each year, Delta Style Magazine asks local readers to to cast their votes for “Best of the Delta,” culminating in a list of the Top 3 in each category available. In 2010, Seasons – The Spa was honored to be named “Best of the Delta” in the category of Medi-Spa by the readers of Delta Style Magazine. And now we turn our attention to 2011.

This year, Seasons  is nominated in three categories including Best Medi-Spa, Best Day Spa, and Best Massage Therapist – Bethany Cox. We are so very grateful to our clients and friends for the nomination in each of those categories. That means you’ve already voted us in the Top 3 in each of those categories.

To cast your vote for Best of the Delta finalists, click here and we’ll link you to the final ballot.

 

New Yoga Classes at Seasons The Spa

 

Flexibility, strength, muscle tone, pain prevention, stress reduction, and improved breathing. Yoga provides all of these benefits and much more! Seasons Wellness Clinic is pleased to offer Yoga classes for all levels, including beginners. Each class will be taught by Ashley Moody, Registered Yoga Instructor. Classes will be held in the Resource Room of Seasons – The Spa Suite 202. Tuesday: 6 pm – 7 pm Thursday: 6 pm – 7 pm Saturday: 10 am – 11 am Private sessions available by appointment $10 per session / $100 for 12 sessions Student Discount: with student ID $8 per session/ $90 for 12 sessions About Ashley Moody: Ashley lives in Ruston with her husband Taylor and their 3 precious daughters. Her education includes a B.A. in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a B.A. in Art Education with a Minor in Education from Converse College. After practicing for several years Ashley decided to share her passion for yoga with others by becoming certified to teach with Yoga Alliance (while pregnant with twins!). If she were granted one wish? Besides world peace and a cure for all things evil, she would really love daily “nap time” for adults! Her mantra? The only thing you have control over is how you react to life. No one can dictate your reactions. To schedule your group or private session, please contact our Spa Concierge at 318.255.1155.

 

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