Book Review: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

Book Review: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

by Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT

I was looking for an accessible deep dive on the importance of sleep in my life and this book is it. Packed with easily understood research, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams gave me solid reasons to make changes in my life to ensure I get eight hours of sleep each and every night. Some of the research will hit home to students and parents of young children - sleep is critical for learning and our school and college cultures don't make it easy to prioritize sleep.

We need to look deeper than health articles on the internet and have access to real, solid science when making decisions about our health. Before this book sleeping was a 'should' for me, now it is a must. I highly recommend Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams for those who need a compelling collection of evidence in order to change their behavior. It certainly changed my mind.



More about author Matthew Walker in 'Meet the scientist who dreams of fixing your sleep' published in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/09/14/meet-the-scientist-who-dreams-of-fixing-your-sleep/?tid=ss_tw-bottom&utm_term=.7769c129885b

and watch him here:

What book to read for lymphedema?

Top Book for Lymphedema

Book Reviews for 

Swollen, Bloated and Puffy by Kathleen Lisson

Here are a few reviews for the lymphedema / lymphoedema book 

Swollen, Bloated and Puffy :

Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation 

"We often get overwhelmed with what we should or shouldn't be doing with our lymphatic system. Lymphedema education is a growing trend as the disease is taking the world by storm.

This book has great information about reducing swelling, balancing your lymphatic system, immune system and reducing stress which ALL OF THESE THINGS are not only important to lymphatic patients, but to everyone. Kathleen focuses on a holistic approach for lymphatic care. I personally use this approach in my everyday life.

Kathleen is a Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and a Certified Lymphedema Therapist."

Read the post here: https://www.facebook.com/nflfonline/posts/765054077011626

Lymph Fashion Blog 

"Her guide is a precious jewel for those who are new to managing lymphatic conditions and a great reminder for seasoned veterans! I wish I’d been given this when first diagnosed as a starting point to enable me to learn more about Lymphoedema and how to manage it daily without impacting on my spare time.

Not only does Lisson fill the book with information about Lymphoedema and the lymphatic system, it is full of handy hints and tips to approach conditions from an holistic viewpoint. Better still, she supports this with science and medical research… yes, all noted in her bibliography- great for nerds like me!!

From reading this, I’ve gained so much insight in to what else I could be doing to aid my Lymphoedema"

https://lymphfashion.blog/2017/09/03/swollen-bloated-and-puffy-book-review/

Find Swollen, Bloated and Puffy on Amazon:

Book Review: Quackery by Lydia Kang, M.D. and historian Nate Pedersen

Book Review: Quackery by Lydia Kang, M.D. and historian Nate Pedersen

by Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT

Book Review: Quackery

Internal medicine physician Dr. Lydia Kang, M.D. and historian Nate Pedersen have written Quackery, a clever journey through the history of fraudulent cures. Though many of the ‘cures’ are from past centuries, the inclusion of information on fasting, cleansing and enemas is still timely for many. As an cancer-aware massage therapist, I care for clients with a cancer diagnosis and keep myself up-to-date on what both peer-reviewed research and ‘the Internet’ are touting as revolutionary advances in the treatment of disease. Seeing the information on fasting and cleansing as well as sham cures for cancer, like juicing and enemas, will hopefully let readers desperate for a natural cure put these so-called treatments into perspective. Beyond obvious quackery, the book also shares the true story of ‘snake oil’ as well as the “medieval” sensibilities of drugs we take today, including Insulin, Premarin and Heparin.

Quackery is a well-illustrated, easy to read, trivia-packed guide to many of the outrageous fake medicines peddled as cure-alls throughout human history and will be a well-received gift for the pharmacist, physician, nurse, anesthesiologist, medical student, trivia buff, historian or military history lover in your life.

Quackery will be released on October 17, 2017 and is available for preorder on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Quackery-Brief-History-Worst-Everything/dp/0761189815/

Book Review: Taking Charge of Cancer by Dr. David Palma

Book Review: Taking Charge of Cancer by Dr. David Palma

Taking Charge of Cancer Dr. David Palma

by Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT

As an oncology massage therapist, I want to make sure my clients have all the answers they need and feel like they are a partner in their medical care, not a disease to be treated. I recently read an advance copy of a book that makes the process of being an informed patient easier.  

In this easy to read book, radiation oncologist Dr. David Palma gives advice on how patients with a cancer diagnosis can ensure they are getting the quality medical care they deserve - care that maximizes both survival and quality of life. This book provides guidance on what questions to ask during your initial consultation with a surgeon, medical oncologist or radiation oncologist, detailed step by step information on how to read your medical records, checklists to make sure you understand the most important aspects of treatment, proven tips on how to choose the best surgeon and lists of questions to ask your doctor about your surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Taking Charge of Cancer confirms several things I had been suspicious of with respect to cancer diagnosis and treatment. In the book’s forward, Dr. Anthony Zietman puts it plainly when he states, “physicians prefer to do what they do.” This may mean that a surgeon may recommend surgery and physicians may recommend only treatments that are well covered by health insurance. His wisdom for patients with a cancer diagnosis? “Ask questions, get different opinions, read wisely, and then, after discussion with family and friends, make thoughtful, informed decisions.”

Taking Charge of Cancer can be a valuable resource if you are a patient who wants to take charge of your medical care or a caregiver or trusted friend who will accompany the patient to doctor visits and offer a kind ear to listen and comfort, particularly if your loved one will receive palliative care.

I received an advanced copy of Taking Charge of Cancer for review through NetGalley. It will be released July 1, 2017 an is available to preorder at Amazon: Taking Charge of Cancer: What You Need to Know to Get the Best Treatment

Book Review - Straight Talk about Cosmetic Surgery by Dr. Arthur W. Perry, M.D., F.A.C.S. with a foreword by Dr. Michael F. Roizen, M.D.

Straight Talk about Cosmetic Surgery Book Review

by Kathleen Lisson, CMT, CLT

In San Diego, we have access to plastic surgeons right in our own backyard and cosmetic surgeons from Tijuana to Beverly Hills are both only a short drive away. How can we choose the best surgeon for liposuction, tummy tuck or a facelift?

Straight Talk about Cosmetic Surgery is a classic among cosmetic surgery books for prospective patients, appearing in the Library Journal’s top 23 health books for 2007. Dr. Perry gives clear, logical, no-nonsense advice for how to choose a surgeon as well as overviews of the history and current practice of several different types of surgeries including liposuction, abdominoplasty / tummy tuck, and facelifts. Reading chapter two, The Cosmetic Surgery Consultation got me hooked into reading the entire book because of Dr. Perry’s clear advice on choosing a plastic surgeon and what to look for during the initial consultation.

I highly recommend this book for San Diego residents just starting to research plastic surgeons - the information on how to choose a truly qualified plastic surgeon is invaluable.