Specialized Fitness Resources, a company dedicated to fitness, athletic, and specialty surfaces, will provide the gym flooring at the Summer Crush Games on August 28th 2011. The Summer Crush Games is a one-day event hosted for male and female CrossFit athletes.

Specialized Fitness Resources will install diamond-shaped textured powermats for the Summer Crush Games event. The installation of specialized sports surfacing creates extra protection from dropped free-weights or kettlebells, which is essential at events testing the fitness capabilities of CrossFit competitors. Gym flooring is crucial for preventing damage to existing floors.

The Summer Crush Games is a well-known event for the south Florida CrossFit community. CrossFit is a constantly varied, high intensity program used to train powerlifters, bodybuilders, sprinters, and gymnasts, among others. CrossFit training intends to optimize physical capacity for such individuals; it also caters to police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes. The Summer Crush Games include four divisions: Scaled Male, Scaled Female, Male Rx, and Female Rx. Male and female divisions consist of the top athletes within the CrossFit community; the top teams will participate in the Team Division.

With over 28 years of experience in the rubber industry, Specialized Fitness Resources produces gym flooring for a range of environments, including weight rooms, locker rooms, garages, and day-care centers. It has installed at-home gym flooring for celebrities such as Shaq and Sylvester Stallone. Most of the products are eco-friendly, and differ in thickness, size, and color.

At the conclusion of Summer Crush Games, all of the gym flooring used will be sold at a high discount. Ozzie Lopez, CEO of Specialized Fitness Resources, said, ?We pride ourselves on eco-friendly products and making a positive impact on the environment.? Specialized Fitness Resources supports the recycling program Nike Grind, in which Nike tennis shoes are made into granules used for new flooring, including artificial turf.

The company?s sports surfacing is useful for many fitness-related environments, from popular sporting events such as the Summer Crush Games to playgrounds to yoga studios. For a variety of choices and services, visit http://www.specializedweb.com. Specialized Fitness Resources can also be located on Facebook and on Twitter @SpecializedMIA.

About Specialized Fitness Resources:

Founded in 2007 by Ozzie Lopez, Specialized Fitness Resources is a leader in fitness, athletic, and specialty flooring. It provides eco-friendly sports surfacing for a variety of athletic activities in public facilities and at home. Specialized Fitness Resources has outfitted dozens of CrossFit affiliated centers, police and fire departments, military branches, university fitness centers, and celebrity home gyms.

Contact:

Ozzie Lopez

info(at)specializedweb(dot)com

305-752-0451

###

Related Fitness Press Releases

The Fitness Board is a brand new fitness-minded online community that is seemingly destined for greatness. Growing fast through word of mouth alone, athletes from all walks of life have already signed up. Bodybuilders, power lifters, endurance athletes, medical professionals and every day “gym rats” are participating with very high expectations.

Because the Fitness Board is a community driven website, members are assured straightforward, trustworthy, honest fitness advice. And although Fitness is the general theme, FitnessBoard.NET is not just about building muscle and losing fat. The discussion subjects range from “supplement reviews” and “anabolic steroids”, to “religion and spirituality” and “Ask a medical expert”. But, probably the most popular discussion of all is the General Everyday Life forum where the subjects are endless.

More than just talk, FitnessBoard.NET also has an interactive video game arcade, recipes, a database of bodybuilding fitness articles and the ever so popular member photo gallery where members can rate each others’ pictures.

The Fitness Board is about community, friendship, sharing, and personal growth with other fitness minded people. It’s about being a part of something new, something great and something positive. “The members at FitnessBoard.Net are what really make this community rock and roll?” says Everett Harcourt, the Fitness Board site administrator. “I am just fortunate to have the opportunity to provide this service to such a great group of people!”

FitnessBoard invites and encourages any fitness minded adult to come take part in the discussion. They are committed to growing with their members and will be adding new and exciting features as the site continues to find success and popularity.

If you would like more information about the Fitness Board please, join the discussion forum at http://www.fitnessboard.net

###

Find More Fitness Press Releases

Just in time for summer, Fit Approach (http://www.fitapproach.com), a new online fitness community that inspires and encourages people to live a healthy and fit life, launches today. Find fitness tips and tricks, healthy recipes, and stories that will get you moving and bikini body ready in no time.

Fit Approach is a supportive community of athletes, athlete wannabes, nutritionists, amateur chefs, and fitness enthusiasts who want to empower people everywhere to lead a healthy and fit life. Fit Approach provides a welcoming environment for people to share their stories and relate to one another on a variety of topics including fitness, food, beauty, relationships and self-esteem.

?We believe that fitness should be a lifestyle rather than a routine,? says Jamie Walker, Co-Founder and President of Fit Approach. ?We built Fit Approach to help people make better decisions about their health, and to talk about it in an open, earnest, and supportive way.?

If you are interested in contributing to Fit Approach, please contact info@fitapproach.com, or visit the website for more information.

About Fit Approach:

Fit Approach is an online fitness community made up of athletes, athlete wannabes, nutritionists, amateur chefs, and fitness enthusiasts that aims to empower people everywhere to lead healthier lives. Fit Approach was founded in 2010 and is based in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit the website at http://www.fitapproach.com.

###

By massaging your friend or living partner and let him or her do the same to you, you will both get emotionally closer to each other, and both get several health benefits. Massaging will benefit the mental state of the person you work on, the muscular condition, the blood circulation and the lymph drainage. However, what you want to achieve, will determine the exact technique you use.

MASSAGING ACROSS THE MUSCLE FIBRES

This type of massage is very good for relaxing tense muscles and  a stressed mind.

You perform this massage by rubbing or gripping across the direction of the muscle fibres or across tendons. You take one area after the other. You begin by massaging each area lightly, superficially and slowly to warm up, and then proceed by massaging deeper, firmer and more swiftly.

According to the size and conditions of the area you treat, you can use different types of manipulation. You can use a couple of fingers at a small area, or to reach deep into a tense point  You can rub with all your finger tips or with the palm of your hand at greater areas. To get a harder effect, you can use your finger knuckles.

MASSAGING ALONG THE MUSCLE FIBRES

This type of massage will give the following effects: Stiffness will be reduced or cured, and the muscles will gain in mobility. The muscles will get better blood supply and drainage. The muscles will get a better drainage of tissue fluids into the lymph system, and thereby swollen muscles will normalize. These effects will in turn make tired muscles faster regain good condition.

By this massage you stroke along the direction of the muscle fibres, and always in the direction of the blood stream towards the heart.

Also now you take one area after the other, but try to reach the whole length of a muscle or muscle group at each stroke. Also by this massage, you begin massaging at each area lightly, superficially and slowly to warm up, and then proceed by massaging deeper, firmer and somewhat faster.

Also by this longitudinal massage, you can press down and stroke with your finger tips, with all your fingers, or grip around a muscle or muscle group with your fingers.

MASSAGE WITH AN ELECTRIC DEVICE

Most electric massage devices are vibrating up and down. This vibration mostly gives the same effect as the massage across the muscle fibres. If you also stroke with the device head along the muscle in the direction of the blood stream towards the heart, you will simultaneously also achieve the effects of longitudinal massage.

COMBINING THE MASSAGE WITH STRETCHING

The effects of the massage can be increased by also stretching the limbs and body parts of the person you work on. Stretch in the natural movement directions of the limb or body parts until you reach some resistance. Do not stretch hard to go beyond the resistance point. However, by holding the limb some time at the resistance point will often cause the limb to relax, and then you can go some way further.

HOW HARD SHOULD YOU PERFROM THE MASSAGE?

Tired and stiff muscles are often tender and aching. Working at a tender point will always cause some temporal pain. However, if you use the right degree of firmness, the effect of the massage should cause an immediate release of pain and tenderness when you have finished working at a point.  You should never work so hard that the pain is felt nearly unbearable, or so hard that pain remains after the massage is finished. If you do so, you can hurt or aggravate already existing tissue damage.

To achieve the right firmness you should monitor the reactions of the person you work at and listen to his comments. You should also never perform a massage on an area with a distinct inflammation or a distinct injury.

USE OF MASSAGE OILS

By applying a massage oil or ointment at the area you work at, you ease the massage work and increase the effects of the massage. Your fingers glide more easily upon the skin covering the area. The blood supply of the skin and muscles will be stimulated. You get a sensual and exciting scent on the area and in the air. Ingredients in the oil will ameliorate muscular ache and pain. According to the composition of the massage oil, there will be different stimulating effects upon the muscles, for example faster regeneration of tired or hurt muscle tissue.

MASSAGE FOR MUTUAL PLEASURE

You can use each of the two main techniques, but you let the pleasure of the person you massage decide the technique, the area you massage and the firmness of the massage. Usually gently touching and caressing will be the right manner.

Also your own pleasure shall decide. Do not work so hard that you get tired out yourself, and the person that you give the massage should be willing to repay you by doing the same favour to you.
 

Find More Massage Articles

Article by Sam Benton

Copyright (c) 2007 Sam Benton

On the trail of the fountain of youth.

The traditional view of the fountain of youth is wrapped up in the mystical notion of ancient secrets and rites being passed down through generations of Tibetan monks living a life of blissful solitude somewhere high up in the Himalayas… Unfortunately, this romantic notion has been hijacked by some very persuasive advertising from cosmetic companies who’d have us believe that they’ve discovered the secrets of the fountain of youth, and that the fast track to looking young and youthful is only ever a pill or a potion away.

Don’t get me wrong, I fork out far too much money on lotions and potions myself, so I’m not immune to the power of a good anti wrinkle cream sales pitch. (I’m not sure about the pills though!)

Where I part company with the lotions and potions fraternity though, is that I believe the fountain of youth really does exist, I just happen to have a more abstract view of it.

Certainly lotions and potions have a role to play in terms of moisturising and cleansing, but I’m afraid I can’t quite believe that they have age-reversing properties.

It really is one of life’s great truths that beauty lies within. And the person who appreciates that fact is already on to a winner. If you think you’re beautiful then you are. Having this level of acceptance comes from having a good appreciation of who you are and offers a glimpse at your level of self-esteem.

Unfortunately having high self-esteem is not the norm for the vast majority of us, which leads to quick and comforting fixes such as the aforementioned lotions, potions and pills.

If I really had to offer my own opinion, I’d suggest that the fountain of youth is flowing within us all. Our thoughts lay the foundations of our own self worth and in case you didn’t know it, you can control them. Weed out the negatives and encourage the positives. Eat healthy foods, take regular exercise and look in the mirror and tell yourself you’re beautiful.

Go a step further and give yourself a helping hand. Give yourself a massage. Start with a facial and when your confidence improves, go for a full massage. Massage enhances the skin condition by improving the function of the sebaceous and sweat glands, which keep the skin lubricated, clean, and cool. (and young looking!) In addition, by giving yourself a massage, you will be igniting and releasing naturally occurring wonder drugs called endorphins which induce a wonderful state of euphoria. There are few other therapies that produce such positive and potentially life changing results as massage and massage therapy. Results can be dramatic or subtle, visible or invisible but always beneficial. Your mind and body will feel invigorated and if you do this often enough, your self-esteem and wellbeing will skyrocket.

If there is such a thing as the fountain of youth, then for me, a healthy balanced diet, taking regular exercise and simply liking yourself, amount to drinking from that very fountain. (told you I had an abstract view) Good luck on your quest.

To your continued, outstanding health.

P.S. Don’t be afraid to slap on some so called age-reducing lotion or potion and don’t beat yourself up either, after all, you’re only human.

Massage therapy is an alternative medicine that has been gaining in popularity at a rapid rate. The field of massage therapy has not only grown in size but also in the availability of therapists, massage studios and clinics that offer massage. There is no question that most people would love to get a massage. What people don’t realize about massage is that it not only feels good and relaxes the body, mind and spirit, but it actually is healing to the body, muscles and soft tissues.

 Massage therapy dates back to the B.C. era to ancient civilizations such as Greek, Roman, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Egyptian and Mesopotamian. Now massage is all over the world. In China massage is considered part of their primary healthcare and is taught in medical schools. Massage therapy was introduced to the U.S. in the 1800’s. However its progression in the American medical scene has been slow and rocky. Throughout the early 1900’s massages influence decreased due to technological advancements in medicine, however massage regained its reputation in the early 60’s and 70’s as professional athletes began to use massage therapy within their health routine. One huge deterrent for massage therapy as an alternative medicine and as a profession was the unsavory characters that used massage therapy to advertise sexual services.

Buying and selling sex or sexual services is illegal in the U.S. and several other countries. Therefore using the cover of massage therapy, massage parlors offer sexual services after the purchase of a massage.  For a while massage had become infamous for this type of service, which damaged its reputation. Overtime, true masseurs slowly but surely regained the reputation of massage therapy as a therapeutic healing treatment.

Now massage is a huge industry with thousands of schools, clinics, and therapeutic work settings as well as licensing and credentialing within each state. Even though massage parlors still exist, their presence remains largely in the seedy hoods and ghettos. Today when you mention massage therapy people don’t think of sexual favors but rather a relaxing and pleasing experience. Massage therapy has recovered its respect as a healing art through manipulation of the body and muscle tissue.

The average person would tell you that massage therapy involves rubbing the body with lotion or cream that is relaxing and feels good. This interpretation of massage, although correct in layman’s terms doesn’t explain what massage therapy is or how it affects the body. Massage therapists manipulate the soft tissues of the body to enhance function, promote relaxation, reduce muscle spasms, pain and inflammation, reduce nerve compression, decrease myofascial trigger points, increase range of motion and joint flexibility, reduce blood pressure, improve posture, calm the nervous system, and improve circulation.

Massage involves manual manipulation of the soft tissue through pressure, tension, motion, and vibration. Based upon specific patient problems will determine the areas that a massage therapist will work on. Techniques can be applied through the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, or feet depending upon the type of massage. As well as determining the specific tissue to target whether it be a muscle, tendon, ligament, skin, joint, connective tissue, lymphatic vessels or organ. There are numerous types of massage techniques. Some of the common massage techniques include Ayurvedic, deep tissue, sports massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, reflexology, medical massage, Swedish massage, stone massage, Thai massage, and shiatsu. In addition to the techniques, there are several different strokes that massage therapist must use such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, mobilization, trigger point therapy, neuro-muscular, manual lymphatic drainage and manual traction.

Although massage is considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), it is becoming increasingly part of the medical world. Massage has a variety of settings including health clubs, health clinics, doctor offices, private offices, nursing homes, sports facilities and hospital settings. Massage therapy is used in conjunction with several other medical professions such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, personal training and sports trainers.

Whatever the reason you get a massage, it is a great therapeutic modality to relieve stress, tension, anxiety, headaches, neck pain, back pain and several other physical or mental problems. If you haven’t experienced a massage yet then its time you had one. Many people include massage in their health regimen because it not only has positive effects on the body but on the mind and spirit as well. As your friends for recommendations of a therapist near you!

http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Massage_Therapy.html

This is a great example of my Core Relaxation Technique. Notice how I work light to medium, to deep for greater comfort and effectiveness. The process of using my weight to brace the spine in order to work deep into the muscle of the spine, front and back. I address the deep layers of muscle including the spinal erectors and even psoas. My weight is distributed accross the pelvis, for a deep compression pumping action of the lymph and blood of the lower organs, iliacus, psoas, glutes, shu points along the rib joints, and the pressure points at the sacrum. The deep portions, especially, the portions which I use my entire weight for compression are absolutely conraindicated for paitients who have severe spinal injuries in the acute stage or for persons with fragile skeletons. The technique is absolutely indicated for those who have large dense muscles, strong bones, and stress in the glutes and lower back. The roots of this technique are from Eastern modalities, such as Thai massage, and are rooted in a depth of knowledge of anatomy Check out my website www.austintherapeuticmassage.com for more from me.

More Massage Articles

Lazy to exercise? You are not alone. But your actual losses if they are kept idle and not exercising. Various studies have emphasized the importance of sports, one for a long life. Check out other healthy benefits can we learn to keep moving.

1. Lowers cholesterol
Age becomes a factor in rising levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL). The best way to keep LDL levels low is to eat foods low in saturated fat. Meanwhile, to improve the levels of HDL do sports. The fact is supported by the Danish research in 2007 on 835 men who regularly exercise. Good cholesterol known to the respondents always high.

2. Lowers triglycerides
Triglycerides are fats in the blood. High triglyceride levels are high risk factors causing heart disease. The same study conducted in Danish experts also show that active men have lower levels of triglycerides.

3. Lowers blood pressure
the study published in 2007 by researchers from the University of Minnesota says the physical activity regularly performed effectively lower blood pressure.

4. Improve memory
the experts’ emphasized exercise, including activities essential for maximum brain function. Exercise can increase the intake of oxygen in the blood and stimulate the production of chemical compounds useful in the brain that sharpen memory.

5. Reduce inflammation
regular exercise effectively reduces the levels of C-reactive protein, which indicates levels of inflammation (inflammation). Why is this important? This is because the deposits of cholesterol that causes plaque in blood vessels can rupture and cause inflammation. The result is a heart attack.

6. Conditions better blood vessels
to respond to the need of oxygen in the body, blood vessels must be flexible or easy to grow. Smoking, cholesterol deposits, and the aging process causes the blood vessels to harden and increase the risk of heart disease. Various studies have shown exercise can help maintain the ability to open blood vessels and contracting according to the physical needs of the body.

7. Reduce the risk of diabetes
The Diabetes Prevention Program found that exercise and weight-loss programs undertaken during the 3 years can reduce the risk of diabetes by 58 percent.

More Healthy Exercise Articles

We in the United States have developed a skewed notion of healthy exercise. We either don’t exercise at all, or we exercise far too much.

The difference between healthy and unhealthy exercise is all about enjoyment. Compulsive exercisers often find no satisfaction in their athletic achievements, and they almost never do it for fun.  Women with eating disorders often report that at least one or both parents are compulsive exercisers whose days are “ruined” if can’t get their five-mile daily run. Exercise addicts will find time at any cost — including cutting school, taking off from work or hiding in the bathroom — to exercise.

Compulsive exercise may be no more than another way to purge. As with all other disordered eating behaviors, the apparent goal is to burn calories and lose weight, but ultimately the exercise provides a temporary sensation of power, control and/or self-respect. It’s a way to cope with stress, forget about underlying issues, escape inner pain and relieve guilt. Compulsive exercise is as dangerous as restricting, purging or using diet pills and laxatives. Combining restriction and/or binging and purging with compulsive exercise can quickly lead to serious illness (kidney failure, heart attack) or death.

Athletes and Eating Disorders

Athletes may engage in compulsive exercise to please coaches and parents and meet the expectations of others. Eating disorders continue to be on the rise among athletes, especially those involved in sports that emphasize thinness such as gymnastics, figure skating, dancing and synchronized swimming. According to a 1992 American College of Sports Medicine study, eating disorders affect 62 percent of female athletes.

An athlete with an eating disorder and an exercise addiction risks serious medical consequences. Any heart murmurs or arrhythmias are naturally aggravated and made worse. Because their nutrition is so poor, they also risk bone damage and loss from osteoporosis. They’re also more prone to stress fractures and other physical injuries than their teammates, and any injuries may take an abnormally long time to heal.

So What is Healthy Exercise?

To maintain cardiovascular health, 2,000-3,500 calories should be burned each week through aerobic exercise, such as running, dancing, cycling and the like. Thirty to 45 minutes a day, five or six days a week is sufficient to acquire these health benefits. Exercise beyond 3,500 calories per week, however, leads to decreased physical benefits and increased risk of injury.

Do I Have an Exercise Addiction?

These red flags that you may be exercising for the wrong reasons are from Disordered Eating, Food Obsessions and Compulsive Exercise by Nancy Clark.

preoccupation with exercise routine or intrusive thoughts about exercise that interfere with your ability to concentrate or focus

finding time at any cost to exercise, like cutting school or taking time off from work

exercise is your social life — you turn down social activities so as not to miss your scheduled workout

feeling overly anxious, guilty or angry if unable to exercise and you can’t tolerate changes or interruptions of your exercise routine exercising alone to avoid having your routine disturbed

exercising is driven primarily by a desire to control your weight, shape and/or body composition food choices are based solely on exercise (you exercise as punishment for eating “bad” foods, to purge calories or you overly restrict what you eat if you can’t exercise) lying about exercise or you always exercise alone

you can’t take rest days or time off from exercise — even if you’re injured or ill.

persistent desire and/or unsuccessful attempts to control or reduce exercise (e.g., can’t take a day off during the week or time off periodically throughout the year)

engaging in non-purposeful or excessive exercise beyond a sensible fitness or training program

how you feel about yourself on a daily basis is based on how much exercise you perform or how hard you work out

amenorrhea (loss of three consecutive menses or failure to begin menstruating by age sixteen) and/or stress fractures

Find More Healthy Exercise Articles

It’s important that children get a lot of exercise. While it is easy to keep them occupied with television, DVDs, video games, and a playroom full of toys, it is not always so easy to get them moving. Varying the types of exercises you want the children to do and treating exercise as play time will help get them up in motion. Make sure that the exercises you choose are age appropriate and that safety is always a priority when exercising.

Here are some healthy and safe exercises for children that any adult can join in on:

Bicycle riding - Whether on a tricycle or a mountain bike, children love to hop on their bikes and take off. Bicycle riding is good cardiovascular exercise and also works several muscle groups.

Keeping it safe: Children should always wear a proper fitting helmet when riding, and young children should ride on sidewalks or bicycle paths, not in the street. Teach older children the rules of the road when they begin to ride on the streets and do not allow them to ride at night without reflectors on their bike and proper reflective clothing.

Dancing - Children love to dance, and it is a great form of exercise. It takes no special equipment, just some music with a great beat. As long as there is a radio or CD player available, it’s easy to get kids moving to the music.

Keeping it safe: There are few things you need to do keep dancing safe. Give children a large enough space to move in so they don’t bump into things and hurt themselves and let them go wild.

Yoga - Here is an exercise that seems very adult to children, and since kids love to feel grown up, they like to do yoga. It is a simple exercise to do in the home and there is no need for any special equipment or clothing. Most libraries will have yoga for kids’ books or DVD’s so it’s not even necessary to spend any money. This is an especially good exercise for kids who have trouble calming down or falling to sleep. A little yoga right before bedtime can calm them down and help them fall asleep more easily while giving them some much needed exercise.

Keeping it safe: Make sure that the children are doing yoga exercises that are specifically designed for kids. Sure, many kids are flexible, but some of the more advanced yoga poses can be harmful for children.

Walking - Another fabulous exercise that almost anyone can do that costs almost nothing. This is a great exercise for children that are struggling with weight problems. For children who are severely overweight and struggle with other exercises, walking can be the perfect solution. They can start out with a short walk around the block and work their way up to longer walks each day as they become more fit.

Keeping it safe: Proper walking shoes with good support should be worn. Also, children should be taught to stick to the sidewalk or a walking path and never to walk in the street. Younger children should always be accompanied by an adult and older children who are ready to go out for a walk by themselves should stick to an agreed upon route.

Playing Ball - Kicking a soccer ball, throwing a Frisbee, taking shots on the basketball court, or running the bases in a kickball game are all forms of exercise. Grab a ball (or Frisbee) and take children in the backyard or to a park for some games that also double as excellent exercise.

Keeping it safe: If you have got children of different ages playing together, keep it well supervised to make sure that the older children don not hurt the younger ones. Also, try to make sure that everyone is getting a fair turn.

Jump Ropes and Hula Hoops - These are great exercises that really get children’s hearts pumping and improve their coordination all at the same time. The cost for equipment is very minimal and these exercises can be done outdoors or indoors if space permits. They are also very fun games and activities involving jump rope and hula hoops that most children enjoy.

Keeping it safe: Keep a safe distance between children as they jump rope or hula-hoop to ensure that they do not bump into each other and get hurt.

Children who get regular exercise have advantages over those who do not. They have more stamina, fewer health problems, better self-esteem, and an ability to control their weight more easily. So turn off the television, power down the computer, hide the handheld gaming devices, and then encourage children to get more exercise while providing them with a safe and fun environment in which to do so.

Webster’s dictionary defines health as a noun which refers to the general condition of the body or mind. Health is associated with the state of functionality of the body of an organism, especially the human body. There is no general agreement about any definition of health since health itself cannot be measured.

Traditionally, Health has been defined as “the presence or absence of disease”. But with the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO), the definition of health has received a more holistic approach which reflects health in relationship with a variety of factors such as the individual’s physical, social, psychological, and emotional condition; environmental and cultural factors, as well as the creativity and productivity of a person.

WHO’s constitution defines Health as…

“A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

This definition of health has not been amended since 1948.

Other Definitions of Health

Health as an adaptive process…

(1953) The United States President’s Commission on Health Needs of the Nation states “Health is not a condition; it is an adjustment. It is not a state but a process. The process adapts the individual not only to our physical but also our social environments”.

(1951) Talcott Parsons also conceptualized health as an ability to maintain normal roles. Parsons is an American sociologist and creator of the concept “sick role”.

Over the decades, many health professionals and health theorists have provided their own definitions of health. Thus, health becomes an individual perception which can only be achieved through an on-going process of the person’s aspect of the human body, mind, and feelings.

Maintaining Health

Effective strategies are needed in order to achieve and maintain good health. This includes stress management, health care, wellness programs, social activity, hygiene, and observations of daily living.

This can be attained by being able to effectively manage stress through thorough observations of daly living as well as utilizing health care and wellness programs that the government and independent sectors offers. Having a good social relationship with other people also helps promote and maintain health.

Though in some developing countries, people cannot easily maintain good health practices due to lack of government support in terms of health care programs and the lack of financial capacity to avail medical and health insurances.

Public Health

Dr. C.E. Winslow (1920) defines Public Health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals.”

In relation to developing countries, The Public Health Care System attempts to improve and promote the health and welfare of citizens.

The Determinants of Health

There are certain factors which makes people healthy, these factors are called the Determinants of Health. The World Health Organization listed the following determinants:

1. Gender – Males and Females vary in terms of acquiring diseases. For example, Prostate Cancer can only be acquired by men while Ovarian Cancer can only be acquired by women.

2. Personal behavior and coping skills – Persons differ in terms of behavior and coping mechanisms. These differences affects the state of health. For example, the ability to manage stress, eating habits, sleeping habits. etc.

3. Culture. – Beliefs, customs, and traditions could also affect health. For example, the existence of fake healers and quack doctors in certain countries.

4. Health Services. – The accessibility of services provided for the community. For example, third world countries could not avail advanced medical interventions for certain diseases due to lack of technology and facilities.

5. Social Support. – Health support from family, friends, relatives.

6. Education. – Low education equal poor health. For example, unhygienic practices due to lack of knowledge and information.

7. Working Environment. – People who are health-risk in the workplace. For example, factory workers are more prone to acquire lung cancer.

8. Social Status. – With higher income rates, people can easily avail quality medicines and health supplements.

9. Genetics. – Hereditary factors plays a vital role in health. For example, a young woman with a grandma who has cervical cancer is more prone to acquire cervical cancer as well.

10. Physical Environment. – Clean and Fresh Air, Safe water, clean communities plays an important role in maintaing health. For example, a communities with dirty waters are more prone to diseases such as amoebiasis, dengue fever, leptospirosis, etc.

Web References:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/health
http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health

WATCH IN HD// HEALTH – DIE SLOW (2009) FROM THE ALBUM GET COLOR LOVEPUMP UNITED(US)/CITYSLANG(EU)/POP FRENZY(AUS) DIRECTED BY JOHN FAMIGLIETTI CINEMATOGRAPHY BY MATT LLOYD EDITED BY LUKE LYNCH AND JOHN FAMIGLIETTI EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY CHRISTOF ELLINGHAUS AND JAKE FRIEDMANYOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER YOU WILL LOVE EACH OTHER www.facebook.com www.myspace.com www.twitter.com health.bigcartel.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

More Health Articles