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Saturday, July 20th, 2013

Many people look at the cost of massage therapy and gasp. Most of the world views it as a luxury for those with disposable income. You are asking yourself, is massage therapy worth it? But, you’ve been feeling an awful lot of pain lately and you need to get rid of it.

Is Massage Therapy Worth It?

The first thing you need to do is find out just how much massage therapy is going to cost you. An hour of therapy will run you anywhere from $60 to $120. So, you should look at how much money you spend during a week. See if you can spare $60. Perhaps you have to stay home and rent a movie over the weekend instead of going out.

If you have health insurance, then you might be in luck. Many health insurance providers cover the cost of massage therapy at no charge to you. Other companies will cover some of the cost, but it still might make the trip worth it. You may live in a state that mandates coverage for massage therapy. You’ll just have to go to the doctor and get a prescription. If you are really in pain then a prescription won’t be difficult to get. Or you really might luck out and go to a doctor with a massage therapist on staff whose work will be covered by health insurance.

Find Out For Yourself If Massage Therapy Is Worth It

If you are not covered by insurance, then you may want to know how effective massage therapy is. If it is effective, then you may know the answer to the question, “Is massage therapy worth it.” It can be very effective if the pain is in your muscles. If you have tight muscles, massage therapy will loosen the muscles and increase blood flow. This will flush toxins and help arrange your spine and hips back into place. Massage therapy is a great way to ease musculoskeletal pain.

If you would like to speak with a massage therapist near you, just use TalkLocal. We will connect you with the right, local professionals in just minutes, so you can get the help you need, when you need it.

Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

How To Transfer Contacts Between iPhone and Blackberry

Saturday, July 20th, 2013

In this day and age, most people would think that transferring contacts between the iPhone 5 and Blackberry would be an easy task. Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as you would think it is. We’re here to make the job easier for you, but the quickest and least difficult way to do this is by finding a professional to do this for you. Refer to the bottom paragraph for more information.

How To Transfer Contacts Between iPhone and Blackberry

1. Start by going to http://www.google.com/sync/index.html via your Blackberry internet browser.

2. Install the application provided, start it up, and log in to your Google Apps or Gmail account. Once that’s done, you’ll be at the usual welcome screen with the option to sync your data.

3. Hit the sync button and give Google Sync a few minutes to transfer all of your data into your Google account. You can verify that all information was sent correctly by going to https://www.google.com/contacts/, which shows you all contacts that were sent from your device.

4. Now it’s time to pick up that iPhone 5 and transfer the contacts. Using Microsoft Exchange, we’re going to sync the data from Google Sync with your iPhone.

5. Browse to the “Mail, Contacts, Calendars” category within the options menu from your iPhone 5.

6. Choose “Add Account” and pick Microsoft Exchange. You’ll then be asked to enter an email address and a password. Use your Google information and hit the “Next” button. Fill out the following details:

Email: (Google Email Address)

Server: m.google.com

Domain: (Leave Blank)

Username: (Google Email Address)

Password: (Google Password)

7. When asked for what you would like to sync, be sure to click Contacts. You can also sync calendars and Google Apps messages, but that’s not what our objective is.

There you have it. Should you decide to continue using both devices, your contacts should now be synced. Otherwise, this is a one time deal and you’ll be all set.

Need More Help?

Transferring contacts between the Blackberry and iPhone can be a difficult task for some and time consuming for others. I so, find a professional computer repair technician who can do it for you. Just use TalkLocal to be connected with at least three professionals in your area within minutes.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Wall Colors To Hide Stains

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Parents with toddlers know how common it can be for a wall to end up with crayon drawings, permanent marker lines, and chalk portraits on their walls. Responsible adults too, may make a mistake and end up with a stained wall. At first glance, these wall stains may not seem difficult to remove, but after trying to paint over permanent marker, a person may find it infuriating to see the same markings bleed through one fresh layer of paint after another. Fortunately, there are several strategies to cover over these pesky stains, including using certain wall colors to hide stains.

Rich Wall Colors For Easy Wall Stain Cover-Up

Using wall colors to hide stains might be the easiest fix. A parent with a child who loves to draw could find himself or herself repainting a wall several times a month, and for that reason, a one coat color — reds, blues, and chocolate browns being perfect example — will save a painter-parent time and money. Most stains do not bleed through darker colors — not noticeably anyway — and these colors should not need multiple coats to blend into the surrounding wall.

Applicable Primer Paints For Tougher Stains

However, permanent marker smudges bleed through paint, so using wall colors to hide stains is not an option. For staining products like permanent marker or oil-based foods, such as peanut butter, a stain-covering primer is the best option. One half-gallon of stain neutralizing primer should last, even parents of the most artistic children, several years.

Beware of Faded Paint

By applying a neutralizing primer, the markings below are sealed and returned to a simple paint adhering surface. After the primer has dried, a coat of fresh, matching paint will blend into the wall without notice. Painters should be cautious about how much sun and exposure to elements the wall in question endures, as most paints fade from sunlight, scrubbing, and humidity over time. A wall that has not had a fresh coat of paint in more than one year will likely have subtly changed color, and the original hue will stand out sharply against it.

Find A Professional Near You

Painters beware: stains can be tricky to address, but with careful attention to detail, most jobs are not too difficult. Or, for the toughest work, consult TalkLocal to be connected within minutes to the right professionals in your area.

Posted in Painters, talklocal | No Comments »

Where To Buy Kinesio Tape

Friday, July 19th, 2013

If you’ve been watching any sports recently, you’ve undoubtedly seen the colorful tapes that have become the rage as of late with elite athletes. And if you’ve continued to do more research, you’ve most likely found that they’re using kinesio tape, a new modern taping technique pioneered by the chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase. It’s becoming so popular that many personal trainers around the world are picking it up as well to try out this recent taping craze. Fortunately, if you want to know where to buy kinesio tape to try out this technique yourself, there are multiple locations and sites which sell this useful training tool.

Online Retailers

The easiest place to find kinesio tape is undoubtedly online. Many online drug stores and medical supply stores will have the tape in stock and easily available to ship to your home. Furthermore, many of the larger retailers such as Amazon will most likely stock the kinesiology tape. Simply search for it online and you’ll undoubtedly find a retailer that works for you!

Sporting Good Stores

You may not have the time to wait for shipping and the long process of online shopping. Fortunately, most sporting good stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or the Sport’s Authority, now have started carrying kinesio tape. If you can’t find it in-store, be sure to ask the customer service representative about the tape, and they most likely will be able to find kinesiology tape for you locally.

From your personal trainer

While you should always tape with the consent of your personal trainer, you may be able to purchase kinesiology tape from your personal trainer if you ask them. This is the least preferred method since it will most likely be the most expensive route you can take, but it may be the most convenient method of acquiring kinesiology tape for yourself.

Find Someone Who Knows How To Use Kinesio Tape

Once you acquire the kinesiology tape, make sure that you apply the tape correctly and under the supervision of a certified kinesiology taping expert so that you can get the greatest benefit possible. TalkLocal can connect you with a high-quality, local personal trainer trained in kinesiology taping in just minutes!

Posted in Personal Trainers | No Comments »

Network Cable Unplugged Error

Friday, July 19th, 2013

If you are having problems with your network connectivity, you will probably see a network cable unplugged error message. This pop-up may come up on your screen once every few days or once every few minutes depending on how severe the problem is. There are several possible causes for this problem, and it happens most commonly when an Ethernet adapter is trying to make a network connection.

Possible Solutions For Network Cable Unplugged Error Message

– Disable the Ethernet network adapter if you are already running a WiFi home network with computers that have built-in Ethernet adapters. On Windows, double-click the small Network Cable Unplugged error window and click disable.

– Check each end of the Ethernet cable and make sure they are plugged in all the way and not loose.

– Replace the Ethernet cable with another one.

– Update the network adapter driver software from the appropriate manufacturer’s site.

– Replace the Ethernet network adapter by removing and reinserting the existing adapter to make sure that the card is connected properly. If the card is damaged in any way, replace it with a different card.

Need Professional Help?

This can be a very annoying error if you don’t know what is causing it, but with just a little troubleshooting you can fix the problem yourself. If the issue persists after trying all of these methods, then just come to TalkLocal. We will connect you with up to three, high-quality computer repair technicians in your area in just minutes. Don’t bother searching for help. We’ll find the right professional for you.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Dryer Vent Installation

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Dryers employ forced heat in order to dry your clothes, which means that there must be an exhaust system of some kind. If the moist heat from the drying clothes can’t escape, the dryer’s contents would just stay hot and wet. This is where a dryer vent comes into play. A properly functioning vent is especially important on a gas-powered dryer due to of the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that comes conveniently packaged with your dryer. It must be purchased and installed separately. Here’s how to install a dryer vent.

Dryer Vent Installation

1. Choose your supplies carefully. Most dryers will accept a four-inch vent duct, which should never be made of flexible materials. Their inability to support their own weight can cause them to accumulate lint, which presents a serious fire hazard. Furthermore, any blockage of airflow can allow toxic carbon monoxide to build up in your home. The ducting you choose should be made exclusively of sheet metal. You’ll also need foil duct tape, a hole bit, power drill, caulking gun, and a tape measure.

2. Assuming you’ve already measured the shortest route to a ventilation area, you’ll need to cut a hole in the wall to make way for the vent. This is the most tedious part of dryer vent installation. Drill a pilot hole and go outside to confirm its position. If all looks well, use a power drill equipped with a four and one-quarter inch hole bit.

3. After the hole has been drilled, fit the vent cap into it, then fasten it into place using rust-resistant screws. When that’s finished, go inside and squeeze the ductwork into the back of the vent. Use a high-quality caulk to seal around the edges of the vent.

4. Depending on the location of your dryer and the construction of the room it’s in, you may need to install support for the ductwork. Stainless steel straps are best suited to this. Similarly, you should also use your foil duct tape to secure the piping joints together.

Need More Help?

Because some of the steps of dryer vent installation can be difficult, and because doing something wrong presents a danger, you might prefer to hire a professional to do this job. Fortunately, TalkLocal will connect you with an experienced, local appliance repair technician who can do the job right.

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

Hot Tub Skirting

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Hot tub skirting is the decorative material which surrounds a hot tub. Skirting serves as a decorative enclosure of the hot tub, as well as a mask for the plumbing contained underneath. Skirting comes in either a wood or a polymer finish, and it comes in many different colors.

Wooden Hot Tub Skirting

Wooden skirting usually is made out of cedar, but other popular woods are redwood and mahogany. All types of wooden skirting need maintenance, especially the skirting for outdoor hot tubs that are in climates which expose the hot tub to severe weather.

Wood skirting maintenance involves staining the wood every year. Some of the woods also require sanding. While these tasks can be performed at home, handyman service providers have the skills and tools required to sand and re-stain the wood quickly and easily. Do not let the wood fade and rot, because it is much easier to keep up the annual maintenance than to replace hot tub skirting. If this does happen, there are handyman service providers who can repair or replace the full skirting.

Non-Wooden Hot Tub Skirting

Skirting made out of plastic, polymer, or foam has become popular because these newer materials are virtually maintenance-free. All hot tub skirts eventually succumb to weather’s wear and tear, but by keeping up with the annual maintenance, they will last much longer than if no maintenance was performed.

Polystyrene hot tub skirting is prone to fading if exposed to sunlight year after year. The non-wood skirting types require less maintenance than wood. A skirt made out of foam will need to be touched up with paint occasionally. Painting maintenance can also be performed by a trained professional.

Need Professional Help

By using TalkLocal, you can easily and quickly find reputable handyman workers in your area. Simply tell us what you need, where you are located, and when you would like an appointment, and Seva Call will make the calls for you. Within minutes you will be connected with the right professional.

Tags: hot tub, hot tub skirting, Jacuzzi, pool
Posted in Handyman | No Comments »

How To Paint Water Damaged Ceilings

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

Normally, repainting your ceiling isn’t a big deal. However, if it has suffered from previous water damage, then a relatively simple paint job can become tedious in a hurry. Unless you take the correct steps, that big, ugly stain on your ceiling will just keep showing up, even if you paint over it a dozen times. Fortunately, you don’t need to replace your entire ceiling to keep that from happening. Here’s how to paint water damaged ceilings.

How To Paint Water Damaged Ceilings

1. Before starting, move any furniture out of the way to avoid soiling it. If an object is too large or heavy to move, cover it with a drop cloth or an old sheet.

2. Inspect the ceiling. If the leak was serious, the drywall may be coming loose from the joists. Test the area by gently pushing up on the stain. If it’s loose, use drywall screws to fasten the panel back onto the joist.

2. Water damage can also cause cracks and deviations in texture. In this case, fill in gaps with a high-quality spackle, and allow it to dry for the amount of time recommended on the package. Afterward, sand the area smooth. If you notice mold on the stain, apply a solution of bleach and let it dry.

3. Now you can get down to business. Because even a stain-resistant paint won’t keep water stains from peeking through, you’ll need to buy a oil-based, quick-drying primer, a product that is usually sold in an aerosol can. The oil in the primer seals the stain into the existing paint layer, allowing it to be painted over flawlessly.

4. Apply a water-proof paint that has been color-matched to the existing layer in smooth strokes. As you approach the outer borders of the stain, start using a dabbing motion. This produces a feathered effect that helps the new pain blend into the old. Two coats should be applied.

Need More Help?

While painting over water stains, many homeowners realize the true extent of the water damage. Because this often complicates things, it’s helpful to get an experienced painter to do the work for you. Fortunately, TalkLocal makes it easy to find one in your area. We’ll connect you with the right professionals in just minutes.

Posted in Painters | No Comments »

Displayport Not Working Windows 7

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

A displayport is an amazing tool to have when doing work, making presentations, and completing various other tasks on a computer. But if there is an issue with the display, it is very frustrating and not really that helpful. Upgrading your operating system will cause problems like this, but there is a solution that can get you back to work within minutes.

Why Is Displayport Not Working Windows 7?

Upgrading your operating system from Windows XP, Vista, or any previous version to Windows 7 will cause your displayport to malfunction. This is a common problem for Windows OS users, because the new system is missing some of the drivers that were always included in previous versions of Windows.

Possible Solutions

If your new computer system is missing these devices or drivers, go to your Device Manager and click on Details. Under Properties, look to see if there is anything you can do. If not, try going to the Microsoft site to download the drivers or reinstall the previous version of the operating system.

If the problem does not have to do with the missing drivers, it may be a graphics card issue. Your computer may be in energy saving mode, so the graphics card will disable the displayport. You should switch to a high performance mode, and hopefully, your monitor will start to work.

Another solution to the malfunctioning displayport is to fix the DVI connection. Sometimes the driver and monitor have different version numbers for the port, so you should use a DVI connector for the exact monitor you are using. You will need to save an EDID profile, go into the display driver on the computer, and click on displayport. You can then import the profile into the port’s settings.

Further Assistance

If you cannot seem to fix the problem, you should try to seek professional help. Use TalkLocal to be connected with reliable, local computer technicians within minutes. Simply tell us the problem you are having, along with your availability, and we will do the rest of the work. You will be speaking with the right professionals in just minutes.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Types Of Massage Therapy

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

Whether you’re stressed out from work or sore from the gym, you could probably use a massage. However, before you go seeking a massage therapist, you should know the different types of massage therapy, as some massages will cater to more specific needs and lifestyles. Making an informed choice will ensure you have the best possible experience when getting a massage.

Swedish Massage Therapy

This is most popular type of massage performed today and is widespread throughout the world. This massage primarily focuses on relaxation by using smooth, long strokes and kneading to loosen any tension. It’s normally very gentle and relaxing, so it’s a great first massage to try out!

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massages are based on placing heated stones on specific areas of the body to loosen the muscles. Therapists sometimes will use the hardness of the stone of penetrate into deeper tissues, relieving stress and tension locked in the deeper muscles, while the warmth of the stones relaxes the rest of the body.

Shiatsu or Acupressure therapy

This type of massage originated in Japan and utilizes focused finger pressure to improve energy flow and balance in the body. The thumb, palm, and fingers are used in a rhythmic succession and target specific areas of the body that you think need help. The pressure is firm but extremely relaxing and resolves any soreness in the muscles quickly and effectively.

Deep Tissue Massage

This massage therapy is great for people with chronically painful or tight muscles. If you have posture problems or you are repeatedly straining your neck, shoulders, or back, this is a perfect massage for you. It targets the deep connective tissues and muscles by using slow strokes against the grain of the muscle. You’ll most likely feel sore for a couple days after this massage, but it will be worth it afterward, as your muscles will rejuvenate even faster.

Find A Massage Therapist Near You!

These are just the most common types of massages that almost every massage therapist will offer. There are many more specialized types of massage offered out there, and you should consult with a massage therapist to find the perfect type of massage for you. TalkLocal will connect you with a high-quality, local massage therapist in just minutes, so you can relieve your stress as soon as possible!

Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

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