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Tired Of Aching Varicose Veins?
Learn About Effective Non-Surgical treatment options
By Staff Writer
If you are one of the 20 to 25 million people in the United States afflicted with the painful, discolored and unsightly varicose veins, rest assured that there are now minimally invasive, safe, effective and affordable treatments for you.
Genetics, prolonged standing, pregnancy, excess weight and inadequate exercise are all contributing factors to the appearance
of varicose veins, Conservative treatments like compression stockings, leg elevation and exercise may offer only temporary relief and do not address the root cause of vein disease - venous reflux, a condition wherein leaky valves in the veins of the leg cause blood to flow backwards and downwards, rather than towards the heart.
There are several treatment options available that are effective in eliminating your varicosities. Laser Vein Treatment can be used in superficial/small "spider" veins to medium sized veins, whereas Sclerotherapy-injection of specific chemical solutions to shut down veins, can be used on the deeper "feeder" vessels that often fuel the growth of these smaller "spider veins". For larger and bulging varicosities, treatment options include Microphlebectomy-surgical removal of diseased veins through needle hole incisions, and Foam Sclerotherapy- originally a European, technique for treating larger veins, that has gained considerable popularity in the U.S. as a non-surgical alternative to Micro-phlebectomy.
All of these techniques, however, do not address the damaged Great Saphenous vein. This vein is the largest superficial vein of the leg and is often the origin of visible surface varicosities and as such should be treated first. Until a few years ago the only treatment option for this condition was the traditional stripping or complete removal of the Great Saphenous vein, a procedure that is associated with significant downsides including hospitalization, scarring, general anesthesia, a long recovery time, bruising, post-operative pain and nerve damage.
There is now a minimally invasive outpatient alternative to the traditional stripping procedure known as the VNUS Closure® procedure. This elegant, FDA approved outpatient procedure offers a more optimal recovery time and cosmetic outcome than stripping, while treating the core issue of the Great Saphenous vein dysfunction.
During the VNUS Closure® procedure, the leaky Great Saphenous vein is shut using a small catheter and radiofrequency heat energy. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood flow is diverted to healthy veins. The VNUS Closure® procedure offers patients distinct benefits - it is office based, done under local anesthesia and takes about an hour. There is usually minimal to no bruising, pain or scarring. Patients are able to walk immediately and typically return to work after one day. Independent scientific studies published to date show that five years after the VNUS Closure® procedure, about 92-95% of the treated veins remain closed and free from reflux - a long term outcome as good as surgical stripping, with an excellent safety profile. Typically within 1-2 days of the VNUS Closure® procedure, patients report improvement in their symptoms.
The only test to find out whether reflux in your larger communicating leg veins is the cause of your superficial vein disease is the Duplex Ultrasound exam. This test accurately describes the anatomy and the flow patterns of the venous network of the legs. Dr. Raffi Dishakjian - a 13year board-certified doctor and member of the American College of Phlebology- offers the full spectrum of vein diagnosis and care including Duplex Ultrasound exam and the VNUS Closure® procedure at Nu Vela Esthetica, the premiere vein care center in the north San Fernando Valley.
Call 818-832-4500 for a free consultation.
www.nuvelaesthetica.com
Mobile Spas to Die For!
Diamonds and Strawberries! Oh My!
By Jen Kay
For those who can't relax long enough to relax, Spa on Location may be your only hope. If your stock answer to the question of self-indulgent luxury is "I don't have the time", you may have to cook up another excuse. There is a new sector of the spa industry that understands the needs of their most time-pressed clients. This is an increasingly common situation with scores of women running their own businesses, often stretching the work clock to its limit, relegating luxury to some undetermined point in the distant future.
Although many spas of note are located just outside of Los Angeles, the drive through downtown, or the 405 guarantees a less than Zen journey to any oasis in the quasi-desert. Instead, technology and demand has prompted a few exclusive (and clever) spas to offer mobile services. Save the gas money and pony up for an extra service instead, perhaps "The Dream Girl Massage" which uses a million dollars in diamonds as part of the ultimate-in-excess spa experience.
As is the case with Spa on Location, these professionals offer paradise encased in the form of a thirty six foot RV. Set up a party from two to a thousand guests, with all the beauty essentials arriving at the location of your choice in the Spa on Location "Mobile Oasis" RV. Standard services for the basic spa party include mini-pedicures and chair massages performed by licensed massage therapists.
Hand chosen by founder Maria Aparis these massage therapists have specialties ranging from sports therapy to facial massage. Maria is quite an effervescent and savvy one woman show. She's got her hands in everything from personally training new massage therapists to handling the PR, developing new business plans, and coordinating company expansion. No wonder she owns a company specializing in mobile spa relaxation treatments. Surely, she is her own best customer.
Such luxury would be the perfect wedding present on the big day for any bride-to-be, as services offered include eyelash extensions, spray tanning, make-up, hair styling, and of course, a bevy of other services to boot. The RV features a "Zen Room", complete with running fountains, plush bathrobes, and aromatically therapeutic scents. Calming herbal teas with the slightest naughty touch of freshly chocolate covered strawberries are served by Spa on Location technicians.
Facials, manicures, pedicures, tanning, facials and waxing are actually on the low end of the extravagance spectrum in this case. Spa on Location is most noted for their "Dream Girl Massage", which lays one million dollars in diamonds along the spine, while a skilled (and trusted!) technician utilizes them in stone therapy to help loosen and relax the muscles. This is a specialty by order service that has sparked a good deal of media attention.
Spa on Location partners with Heart on Fire Diamonds, who literally secure the precious diamonds en route with extra security and an armored Brinks truck. S.O.L. has recently brought this extravagance back on the menu, albeit with a slightly less conspicuous entourage. Currently, they have no plans to include the "Aspiring Girl" Cubic Zirconia Massage that would more likely appeal to change purse of the rest of us non-Hollywood starlet types.
Notable clients include the cast of Desperate Housewives, who generally favor the Swedish massage, according to founder Aparis. N.F.L. athletes trust Spa on Location for their licensed sports therapy and deep tissue massages. The approach is very individualized, tending to the specific needs of each client. Maria's friendly and relaxed demeanor is a contrast to others who traverse high society circles, and she ensures that those who work for her company share the same ethic.
Maria Aparis has earned a reputation as being a stickler for detail, clearly a necessary skill when catering to those who always have the option of going somewhere else. As the premier prep spa for the Oscars and the Victoria' Secret Fashion Show, Spa on Location has fostered loyalty from the most beautiful women in the world. Luckily, the feeling of Hollywood royalty is surprisingly affordable, and rolls in front of your house, painting your envious neighbors the most delightful shade of green.