Although you may know Hippocrates as the Father of Medicine, you may not have known he is also the first known spokes person for the modern hot tub. He was the first person we know of to propose that there could be health benefits to the use of water therapy by means of the spa. Hippocrates recommended our lifestyle should include vigorous exercise, and bathing as part of a balanced health program. If he were alive today he would most likely be very comfortable selling memberships to health clubs.

It was this influence of the Greeks that caused the Romans to build thermal baths at mineral and natural hot springs. Used for both the recuperation of the injured and recreation centers. Although the Greeks stressed exercise combined with the bath, the Romans felt that the baths themselves were more important than gymnasiums. The Greek custom of the Greeks partaking of the spa after a strenuous workout, the Romans preferred to skip the workout and focus on the relaxation, medical therapy and social aspects of the bath. I like to think that the reason the Romans lasted as long as they did was because of they placed such importance on the spa.

More than just coming clean, the Romans made the spa experience a part of their society for medical treatment, worship and social gathering. Asclepiades, a Greek physician who worked in Rome, prescribed hydrotherapy for both therapeutic and preventative purposes. Pliny The Elder (23-79AD) and Galen (131-201AD) also attributed balanced health to “Taking the Waters.”. Galen preferred cold water in his treatment of diseases so as Americans we would consider his therapy sessions, “fun impaired.”

From Rome we have three separate types of bath. Baths at home (balnea), Private Baths (balnea privata), and state funded public baths (balnea publica). The aqueducts provided enough water so that every person in Rome could use 1400 liters per day. In its heyday, the Roman bath culture had spa facilities with the capacity to serve thousands of patrons.

This focus of the bath was such an important part of the Roman society that everywhere the legions went they built their own in every land they conquered. Europe has many examples left as a testimony to the value they placed on water treatment.

Eventually the Romans became more focused on the bath for relaxation and pleasure. Not that enjoying yourself is a bad thing. However history has shown that if you don t get out of the spa once in a while to take care of business, you will most likely loose your empire.

For a truly unique spa cover, custom made for your spa check out the SpaCap. Factory direct Spa Covers that won t saturate or break, available in 60 plus colors of Sunbrella fabric. http://www.spacap.com

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Second Opinions - Online Consultations Are They Worthwhile?
By Davis Liu, M.D.

What are the pros and cons of getting a second opinion online through institutions like The Cleveland Clinic and Partners Healthcare (through Harvard)?

Second opinions online or consultations without seeing or examining a patient are probably helpful if someone wants to have the blessing of a major medical institution like Cleveland Clinic. The other advantage is to get advice without traveling to these medical centers. While these second opinions have access to doctors notes, lab results, and imaging studies, these institutions don t usually have their doctors examine the patients. This is the biggest potential problem of these programs.

Let s for example say you wanted to buy a car. If you wanted to buy a car online, could you make an informed decision whether to purchase it based on its description (doctors notes) and pictures (imaging studies)? Would you be able to tell if the engine ran smoothly, the seats were comfortable, or the handling was just right based on the information you received online? For most people, doing the research and having bits of information isn t a substitute for a test drive.

This is no different than having an online consultation. As doctors, one of the first things we learn is to treat the patient and not test results. People are more complex than simply blood tests, MRIs, and CT scans. Often pathology and radiology reports are qualified with the phrase “clinical correlation recommended”. This is the pathologists and radiologists way of telling the doctor who ordered the test to realize that the information they provided is only helpful in the context of the patient. Pathologists and radiologists know their limitations. Their expertise provides only a glimpse of the person and his medical condition. This is the main reason that medical students today still spend much of their time learning how to interview and examine a patient before they learn what tests to order.

If the online opinion was used to reaffirm another second opinion, where a patient was examined by a doctor, then this would be reasonable. It would be very concerning if this second opinion overturned or refuted a previous opinion particularly since the patient wasn t examined. Doctor notes, test results, imaging reports provide only a partial picture of a patient or his condition.

Davis Liu, M.D., is a practicing board-certified family physician. He graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. His book, Stay Healthy, Live Longer, Spend Wisely - Making Intelligent Choices in America s Healthcare System, is available in bookstores. Autographed copies are available direct from the publisher.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Davis_Liu,_M.D.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Second-Opinions—Online-Consultations-Are-They-Worthwhile?&id=841720

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