The Principle of Multiplication in Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness

The Principle of Multiplication in Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness
by Eunice
yunesa@yahoo.com

The principle of multiplication is seen everyday, even in the field of spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness. Sometimes, we Filipinos tend to look at business and earning money as something that is less honorable than other fields. We tend to shy away from asking what we rightfully deserve because of this mentality. So how do we apply the principle of multiplication in the spa, massage therapy and wellness profession or business?
1. We ought to give more than what our spa and massage therapy clients gives us in monetary value. We get paid, but we give more of what they paid us both in quality and in service.
2. We enter the spa, massage therapy and wellness field or industry with an open heart and mind because this will be a platform for more learning and mulitiplication of lessons learned from your experiences and the experience of others.
3. We advertise truthfully, when we say 60 minutes of Swedish massage, it should be 60 minutes or 70 minutes not 50 minutes, not 45 minutes. We give more than what is expected of us not because we are paid for our services but because it's the right thing to do. By doing this, we multiply the number of persons who would like to be our clients and increase client loyalty.
4. We register and comply with state, city and our country's laws and regulations regarding spa, massage therapy and wellness practices even if it's difficult and sometimes expensive to do so. We have to give what is due to "Ceasar" so our country will benefit from our profession and from our business. By this, we multiply the number of people who are law abiding rather than law breakers.
5. We do not fight unfairly with our competitors. We are not copy cats nor do we wage price wars and destroy the quality of our services. We promote and refer competitors if we do not offer the services and multiply the number of goodwill clients coming our way.
6. We are not cheapskates, we give fair compensation and remuneration to our spa and massage therapists so they can live decent lives and will not be pushed to doing something illegal and immoral. In the same way, we multiply the number of people who are willing to give and share to other staff as well.
7. We invest in businesses that promotes health and wellbeing instead of stripping it away. We patronize businesses that will not only give us what we need but will do something good for others, the community and the environment. This creates goodwill and multiply the number of socially responsible business people.

There are thousands of ways in multiplying what God has given us. The parable of the talents gives us an example that it is very Godly to profit.

Matthew 24: 14-30 (and Luke 19:12-28)

14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.


We are the soil, we all bear fruits. Our fruits might be monetary, time we give to others, kindness and gratitude na sinusukli natin sa ating kapwa at marami pang iba. Just last Tuesday, we had a church feeding program for the homeless in Luneta (photos below) and I realized that we are not only on the giving end but we are always on the receiving end. Life is a life of balance: we inhale and we exhale, we give and we take, there is a left and a right, up and down- ano ang puwede nating ibigay sa hindi puwedeng magbigay? We have to multiply whatever good (seed) planted in us, helping and assisting others. So what returns do we give back to others who has done something good to us? or to those who needs our help? ano ang ating sinusukli or itinatanim?

Francis M and A Closer Look at Leukemia

Francis Magalona and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with Mixed Lineage

Another very talented and an asset to the Philippine music industry passed away, Francis Magalona or Francis M. Often hailed as “the Pinoy King of Rap” and “Master Rapper”. Nakaka-lungkot at nakakapang-lumo.

His battle with leukemia kept me digging and asking information on how this may/could affect us all. Although I am a medical technologist and we have a subject called hematology or haematology. This includes the study of blood diseases. I need to refresh myself again with the disease and its intricate details.

Ano ba ang leukemia? Leukemia is a form of cancer na yung ating katawan ay nag pro-produce ng napaka-raming white blood cells. Ano ba ang ginagawa ng white blood cells sa ating katawan? Blood contains three types of cells: red blood cells, white blood cells (soldiers ng ating katawan), and platelets. Each type of cell has a special function in the body. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. White blood cells fight invading organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. Platelets are involved in the process of blood clotting. So pag dumami ang ating white blood cells ibig sabihin meron tayong infection sa katawan na kailangan sugpuin nitong mga soldiers na ito. Pero kung sumobra naman ang dami ng white blood cells at nakaka disrupt sa pag produce ng red blood cells- dito na nagkakaroon ng imbalance.
Napaka raming type ng leukemia. They are divided into two general types: acute and chronic. An acute condition comes on fairly quickly. A chronic disorder develops more slowly over time. Yung kay Francis M ay Myelogenous Leukemia with Mixed Lineage. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of the white blood cells, characterized by the rapid proliferation (o pagdami) ng abnormal cells which accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal red blood cells. AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and its incidence increases with age.

Generally, leukemia is caused by the overproduction of white blood cells. (Ito ay may dalawang epekto sa ating katawan) This has two effects on the body. First, the white blood cells may not mature properly as they develop. They may lack the ability to kill foreign bodies in the bloodstream. This defect seriously damages the immune system and the body loses its ability to fight off infections.
Second, so many white blood cells may form that they pack the bone marrow until there is not enough room for red blood cells and platelets to develop. Without red blood cells, the body's cells do not get enough oxygen, and the condition known as anemia (ito yung low ang count ng red blood cell sa katawan natin) develops.

Ang leukemia ay may generalized na mga sintomas, ito ay ang fatigue (madaling mapagod), shortness of breath (hirap sa pag hinga), easy bruising (madaling magka-pasa) and bleeding (pagdurugo), and increased risk of infection. May mga risk factors for AML pero yung specific cause of AML remains unclear. As an acute leukemia, AML progresses rapidly and is typically fatal within weeks or months if left untreated.

No one knows what causes leukemia. Researchers have strong suspicions about four possible causes, however. They are radiation, chemicals, viruses, and genetic factors.

Radiation. The term "radiation" refers to various forms of energy, such as X rays and ultraviolet (UV) light found in sunlight. Radiation can tear chemicals apart, thus damaging or destroying cells. Some researchers believe that exposure to radiation can cause some forms of leukemia.

Chemicals. Some types of chemicals are known to be carcinogens. A carcinogen is anything that can cause cancer. Chemicals can cause cancer by damaging cells and the substances within them.

Viruses. Some researchers believe that some types of leukemia are viral infections. A virus is a very small organism that can cause a disease. The link between viruses and leukemia is strong in some cases, but it has not been proven.

Genetics. Leukemia tends to occur in some families more commonly than in others. This suggests that at least some forms of leukemia may be hereditary.

The symptoms of leukemia are generally vague. A patient may experience all or some of the following symptoms:
Weakness or chronic fatigue (madaling mapagod)
Fever of unknown origin (walang dahilan na mga lagnat)
Unexplained weight loss (hindi naman nag di-diet pero bigla na lang namamayat)
Frequent bacterial or viral infections
Headaches (pagsakit ng ulo)
Skin rash
Bone pain with no known cause (Masakit ang buto-buto na walang dahilan)
Easy bruising (madaling magkapasa)
Bleeding from gums (pyorrhea) and nose (epistaxis)
Blood in urine (hematuria) or stools (melena or hematochezia)
Enlarged lymph nodes and/or spleen
Fullness in the stomach (feeling busog)

Pag may combination ang isang tao ng ganitong mga sintomas ang first step is to see a doctor. The doctor must then try to find the cause of these symptoms. The doctor first performs tests to rule out other medical conditions. The first specific test for leukemia is likely to be a blood test. A blood test shows the relative amounts of red and white blood cells. An unusually large number of white blood cells might suggest the possibility of leukemia. The first clue to a diagnosis of AML or any type of leukemia is typically an abnormal result on a CBC or complete blood count. While an excess of abnormal white blood cells (leukocytosis ang tawag dito) is a common finding, and leukemic blasts are sometimes seen, AML can also present with isolated decreases in plateslets and red blood cells, or even with a low white blood cell count (leukopenia naman ang tawag dito).

Next pag nakitang may abnormality sa blood count results, mag re request ang doctor ng presumptive diagnosis via examination of the peripheral blood smear when there are circulating leukemic blasts. Ang presumptive diagnosis as the word implies ay presuming lamang hindi pa talaga 100% sure. So to be sure, a definitive or specific diagnosis usually requires an adequate bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. A bone marrow biopsy is conducted with a long, thin needle that is inserted into the marrow of a bone. A bone in the hip or chest is usually chosen for this procedure.

If there is still doubt, an additional test may be performed. This test is a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). In a lumbar puncture, a thin needle is inserted into the space between vertebrae in the patient's spine. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn. Cerebrospinal fluid is a liquid that surrounds the tissues in the brain and spine. The presence of abnormal blood cells indicates that the patient has leukemia.

Papano ba ito ma cu-cure, may cure nga ba? at anong mga options ng isang taong merong leukemia? Treatment of leukemia takes place in two steps. The goal of the first step is to bring the disease into remission. Remission means two things. First, no symptoms of the disease remain. Ibig sabihin walang nararamdamang sintomas ang pasyente. Second, dapat wala ng makitang white blood cells sa bone marrow.

Two forms of treatment are used in this first step: chemotherapy and radiation.
Chemotherapy involves the use of certain chemicals that can kill cancer cells. These chemicals may be given orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through a vein in the arm). Some people ask what would happen if they did not have the treatment. Treatment can be given for different reasons and the potential benefits will vary depending upon the individual situation.The decision about whether to have chemotherapy treatment can be a difficult one and the patient may need to discuss it in detail with your doctor. One of the biggest drawbacks to chemotherapy is that it can also affect healthy cells. So hindi lang cancer cells ang pinapatay niya kung hindi pati na rin ang healthy cells. Temporary side effects include: hair loss, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, susceptibility to infection, loss of appetite, changes in the way food tastes, et marami pang iba.

Many alternative treatments are available that may prove helpful in combating the side effects of traditional cancer therapies. These alternatives, however, should not replace prescribed cancer treatments; rather, they are suggested to work in conjunction with conventional treatment.

Body work therapy such as acupuncture (Chinese therapy involving the use of fine needles), acupressure (Chinese therapy that involves applying pressure to certain points in the body), reflexology, and massage may help calm the patient and reduce stress. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation may relieve nausea and discomfort. An exercise program, designed in consultation with a physician, may help promote physical and mental strength. A well-balanced diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains and low in fats, sugar, and alcohol is suggested for overall well-being.

The prognosis (this term denotes the doctor’s prediction on how a patient will progress, and whether there is a chance of recovery) for various forms of leukemia varies widely. Three important factors are the patient's age and general health, and the time since diagnosis. That is, younger patients who are otherwise in good health have the best chance for survival if their leukemia is diagnosed early.

Prognosis also varies depending on the form of leukemia. In general, patients with chronic forms of the disease tend to live longer than those with acute forms. The average survival rate for patients with chronic leukemia is about nine years. By contrast, only about half of all patients with acute myelogenous leukemia survive five years. For acute lymphocytic leukemia, the survival rate is even less.

Medical progress has greatly improved the prognosis for leukemia over the past thirty years. Surgeons are becoming much more proficient at bone marrow transplantations. As a result, more and more patients face the possibility not only of remission but also a cure.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is more common in men than in women. The difference is even more apparent in older patients. Some have proposed that the increased prevalence of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in men may be related to occupational exposures.

For patients with relapsed AML, the only proven potentially curative therapy is a stem cell transplant, if one has not already been performed.

Until the cause or causes of leukemia are found, there is no way to prevent the disease. Since wala nga talagang pinpointed na cause ng leukemia. It is better if we all take better care of ourselves para mas ma-less yung probability natin to acquire this disease. Lifestyle check is always a good way to start.