Source: WikipediaWhy Acupuncture is a Great Alternative Therapy

Whether you want to believe it or not, there are literally millions of people located all around the world that engage in the practice of the alternative therapy of acupuncture each and every day. There are many reasons to practicing this alternative therapy that the Chinese instituted, too, but the best reason of all is that it actually has been found to work. On the same side of the coin, though, there are many reasons why acupuncture is a great alternative therapy to deal with. Here are some of the arguments for why acupuncture is so great throughout the whole world:

The Mystery of Acupuncture

One of the reasons that many people consider acupuncture therapy to be such a great and revolutionary therapy is because of the mystery behind the whole concept. Let’s face it: the idea that ancient civilizations in the Far East used this type of therapy to be able to cure the sick, help with many different illnesses across the board, and use it as a trade item is just downright weird and mysterious. Furthermore, why would the civilization who started it all want to take this alternative therapy to other lands, including the United States? There could have been great profits by allowing only the Chinese to experience the benefits of acupuncture, but now everyone throughout the world is able to experience them. Indeed, the mystery behind some of the questions and origins of acupuncture therapy truly contribute to how amazing and great the therapy of acupuncture really is. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

Tags: acupuncture, Alternative Medicine, alternative therapy, arthritis, health, illnesses

I think that many people that have not tried acupuncture, me included are most concerned about the needles. I have always heard that acupuncture needles do not hurt at all but if you are getting poked with 100 or so needles it must get painful at some point right?

Anyway there is a form of acupuncture called laser acupuncture, not sure if this would be less painful or more but it is an interesting idea and something to look into if the fear is just a fear of needles

What is Laser Acupuncture?

In the United States there is currently an obsession with research that needs to go into the study of acupuncture in order to realize just how beneficial the process can be. However, even before the full benefits of acupuncture could be realized within the United States the whole process of the therapy is about to change. Even though this change has not been real widespread, one of the major changes within the acupuncture world is the fact that lasers have now been added to the already overly-complicated technique of acupuncture. There are many reasons why lasers have been added to the process and some of those reasons will be focused on within this article. But the fact of the matter remains that the whole face of acupuncture has changed, but whether it has been for the better or for the worse still remains to be seen. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture needles, acupuncture therapy, laser, laser beam, laser therapy, lasers, United States

Many different illnesses are able to be treated using the procedure of acupuncture and one of those illnesses that is able to be easily treated is Depression. Even though Depression is a mental illness and not a physical ailment, the whole process of acupuncture is able to cure almost any mental disorder that the Chinese used back in ancient civilizations to cure.

There is no doubt, also, that ancient Chinese individuals and society did suffer from the horrible affects that some people call Depression. Of course, Depression has lots of other names and there are actually many other mental illnesses that should be able to be treated with acupuncture.

Aside from Depression, though, many types of anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with a whole plethora of other mental illnesses, need to be treated with this revolutionary medicine that has been available in China for the past thousand of years but has just been introduced to the United States in recent decades. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture therapist, acupuncture therapy, ailments, anxiety disorders, China, chinese individuals, depression, Far East, mental disorder, mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, traumatic stress disorder, United States

I know that many people are trying to quit smoking right now and now that we are in the second weekend of the new year they are really struggling to keep away from the cigarettes. I wanted to let you know that I understand how tough things are but the end is in sight and you will not have that urge anymore. Here are a couple things that bother a lot of people and get them thinking that smoking is not so bad. If you need a little more help then please go to the quit smoking reviews page

Weight gain after quitting smoking

One of the concerns that many people have when quitting smoking is the possibility of gaining weight.

It is actually one of the reasons why many people refuse to quit and why others will start smoking again when they see that they are starting to gain unwanted pounds. Most people will notice some weight gain when they quit smoking and on average the increase in weight will be approximately five pounds.

There are however many ways to make sure that you won’t put on weight and these are healthy lifestyle choices such as the correct food and good exercise. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acupuncture, chemicals, cigarettes, correct food, counseling, energy, energy levels, fitness levels, food, gaining weight, healthy lifestyle, hypnosis, lifestyle changes, lifestyle choices, new years day, nicotine, nicotine acts, quitting smoking, stopping smoking, withdrawal symptoms

Aromatherapy has become a standard alternative medicine that many people use and believe to work. I know very little about Aromatherapy except for the simple fact that in the shower I find that the different smells of our different soaps make me react differently emotionally. Aromatherapy is very esoteric and new age but I still wanted to learn more so I went hunting for some Aromatherapy info and found it. Jeffrey Meier wrote the following article that presents lots of the background on Aromatherapy as well as a lot of the uses.

There is a rumor going around that there are certain oils that not only leave you feeling fresh and light, but also have certain healing properties. Have you heard that rumor? Yes? I have too, which prompted me to want to find out more. In my research, I was led down a path toward aromatherapy. Do you want to know more? Let’s explore together!

According to my research, aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses essential oils and other scented plant compounds in order to positively affect a person’s mood or health. On the technical side, the reason that the essential oils are different than other herbal products is because of the distillation process which recovers the lighter “phytomolecules.” Trust me; I don’t know what they’re talking about either. However, what I do know is that many praise its benefits and highly recommend it, so my research took me in the direction of learning what different types are available, and why they are so helpful.

History
Before we go into the types of aromatherapy, I wanted to look at the history of this great medical tradition. Unlike many other natural medical alternatives, the roots of aromatherapy are grounded in the West. The term was coined by a French chemist named René Maurice Gattefossé who was dedicated to researching the healing properties of essential oils. During one of his chemistry projects, he accidentally set his arm on fire. When he submerged it in the nearest cold liquid he could find, he realized immediately that the pain in his arm was relieved. He looked at the vat and saw the cold liquid was NOx PH232, which is also called lavender oil. And after a few days, he saw that the recovery time for his burn was significantly decreased; in addition, his redness, inflammation, blisters and scarring were almost non-existent, helping him to further realize its healing properties. Not long after, a protégé named Jean Valnet continued Gattefossé’s work by treating wounded soldiers with essential oils during World War II. It was with these two chemists that aromatherapy was born.

How Aromatherapy Works
Aromatherapy is said to work as a preventative measure to treat the body before a disease is able to present itself. There are two reasons alternative medical practitioners say that aromatherapy works. One is that the scent from these special essential oils has a very positive effect on the limbic system (the set of brain structures that support emotion and memory). The other is that essential oils are said to have a direct pharmacological effect on the body. However, studies have yet to prove that the effect is actually true.

The two ways that essential oils are used in aromatherapy are at the scent level and the skin level. As mentioned before, at the scent level, the aromatherapy oils are said to activate the emotional centers of the brain. When taken at the skin level, as found with the burned Gattefossé, the oils have healing properties that speed up recovery time and act as a treatment to kill microbes and fungi; they are also used as massage oils by some. There is also a third way essential oils are used, even though this is not recommended for home use. This third way is to take the oil internally. When this is done (under professional direction and supervision), the oils are said to positively stimulate the immune system.

Uses of Aromatherapy
There are many different types of essential oils that are used in aromatherapy – and they all have different ways of stimulating the body. For example, basil essential oils are used in perfumes as a way to help sharpen concentration, reverse depression and relieve headaches. Bergamot is another essential oil with significant effects, such as clearing both the urinary and digestive tracts, as well as relieving cold sores and the chicken pox. And the more popular tea tree oil is known as an antiseptic and disinfectant. But there are many other essential oils out there. Some include black pepper (surprised?), cloves, lemons, and thyme. But when considering any aromatherapy essential oil treatments, keep in mind that they are all highly concentrated and should therefore be kept away from small children, just like any other medication.

Acceptance and Criticism of Aromatherapy
Some countries, France in particular, consider the use of essential oils to be one of their mainstream forms of medicine and even considered it to be its own branch of medicine like dentistry. In France, they use the essential oils as antiseptics, as well as antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial treatments, and the oils are regulated just as prescription drugs are. In order to decide which essential oil to use, they call upon a technique called the aromatogram, which involves culturing a sample of infected tissue then growing the culture and dividing it among Petri dishes. The dishes are then inoculated with different essential oils to determine which has the greatest effect, and that is how the appropriate oil is chosen.

While the aromatherapy form of alternative medicine is highly respected by some, there are others who don’t believe in the effects of aromatherapy and feel that it is another way to sell a dream to those who are looking for a “quick medical fix.” Those who believe in aromatherapy, however, disregard this sentiment and say that, just like deciding to use the other disregarded alternative forms of medicine, including herbs and minerals, acupuncture and even meditation, it is up to every individual’s interpretation of what works for them that matters. In other words, don’t knock it until you try it.

Aromatherapy is still in the process of being accepted in the Americas, but is becoming more appreciated by those who are tired of internalizing synthetic pharmaceuticals that seem to have tons of side effects and essentially have the potential to do more harm than good. Though it is still in the beginning stages of acceptance, there are plenty of alternative medicine practitioners who are willing to give it a try. It seems that many are noticing that the Earth has an abundant supply of what we need to keep us well. And as this becomes more recognizable, there will be more opportunities to try the unique forms of alternative medicine available, including acupuncture, and of course, aromatherapy.

Tags: acupuncture, Alternative Medicine, Americas, appropriate oil, aromatherapy, aromatherapy essential oil treatments, blisters, burn, chemist, chicken pox, cold sores, depression, essential oils, France, herbal products, inflammation, Jean Valnet, Jeffrey Meier, lavender oil, Massage, medical alternatives, meditation, natural medical, oil, pain in his arm, René Maurice Gattefossé, synthetic pharmaceuticals, Tea tree oil

An Australian study on acupuncture has shown stunning results in the effect of acupuncture in suppressing apptetite and as we know many people have a problem with appetite and that causes them to fail on diets. Why not try to lose weight by suppressing your diet with acupuncture. Most people are scared to try acupuncture for anything because of course no one wants to be poked with needles. From everything that I have heard the needles used in acupuncture do not hurt at all and there is so much history and success with this method of health treatment that we should really be taking this more seriously.

Objective of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Many overweight people are aware that diets can help with weight loss but have difficulty in suppressing their appetite. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points on appetite suppression.

Testing method for acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Sixty overweight subjects, randomly divided into an active and a control group, used the AcuSlim device twice daily for four weeks. The active group attached the AcuSlim to the acupuncture ear points shenmen and stomach, whereas the control group attached the device to their thumb where there are no acupuncture points. The goal of a 2 kg weight loss was set and changes in appetite and weight were reported after four weeks.

Results of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Of those who responded, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. None of the control group lost the required 2 kg, with only 4 subjects losing any weight at all. Both the number of subjects who lost weight and the mean weight loss were significantly higher in the active group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.

So there we have it. This seems to be a great study in showing that acupuncture is indeed a great way to help you perhaps lose weight. Why not book an appointment with the needles and find out if it will work for you.

Tags: active group, acupuncture, acupuncture points, appetite suppression, auricular acupuncture, control group, diets, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, weight_loss

Treatments are aimed at reducing the symptoms of menopause and preventing the development of long-term health problems that can result from reduced estrogen levels. There are several options a doctor can consider when deciding which type of treatment is right for each patient.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT replaces the hormones that a woman’s body no longer makes. The most important hormone used in reducing menopausal symptoms is estrogen, but taking estrogen alone can increase a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). This isn’t a problem in women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), but in women who still have a uterus estrogen is usually combined with another hormone, progestin, to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. But even combination HRT can have serious side effects, and the decision about whether to go on this treatment is one each woman must make for herself after discussing it with her doctor.

Bisphosphonates: These drugs are used to help prevent and treat osteoporosis that may result from reduced hormone levels. While they are not quite as effective as estrogen, they are not hormonal and, therefore, don’t carry the same risks as HRT. However, it is important to remember that every drug carries some risk.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs):

These drugs have some of the benefits of estrogen, including improving bone strength, without some of the risk that estrogen has. However, SERMs tend to cause more hot flashes and may increase the risk of gallstones or blood clots.

Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM):

Some women going through peri menopause may find relief from their symptoms from CAM therapies, including dietary and herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy, and naturopathy. It is important to remember that not all complementary and alternative therapies have been studied scientifically, and some may have negative effects on other conditions you may have. Before you decide to try one of these therapies, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that what you are planning is safe for you.

Helping Yourself

In addition to taking medication, there are ways you can help reduce your symptoms.

To ease hot flashes:

• Dress in layers so you can remove some clothing when you begin to feel warm.

• Avoid foods and beverages known to trigger hot flashes, such as alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, and sugar.
• Practice stress management techniques.
• Exercise to improve your circulation.

To reduce vaginal dryness

• Ask your pharmacist to recommend a vaginal lubricant.

• If over-the-counter products don’t work, talk to your doctor about the prescription products that are available.

To reduce the risk of osteoporosis

• Get enough calcium and vitamin D. If you aren’t sure you are getting enough of these nutrients from the foods you eat, ask your pharmacist about supplements.

• Exercise regularly; weight-bearing exercises (such as walking) are best for strengthening bones.

• Ask your doctor if you should have a bone density test.

• To reduce the ris.k of heart disease:

• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.

• Eat a nutritious, heart -healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in fibre.

• Be active. Check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program to make sure the activity you have chosen is appropriate for your overall physical condition.

If you have any questions about menopause or ways to lessen the symptoms and reduce your risk of developing heart disease or osteoporosis, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tags: acupuncture, alternative therapies, biofeedback, bisphosphonates, cancer, chiropractic, endometrial cancer, estrogen_levels, gallstones, heart disease, homeopathy, Hormone replacement therapy, hormone_progestin, HRT, hysterectomy, massage therapy, menopausal_symptoms, naturopathy, osteoporosis, over-the-counter products, peri_menopause, pharmacist, prescription products, spicy food, Vitamin D

Any decision you make about your health care is important–including deciding whether to use acupuncture. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has developed this fact sheet to provide you with information on acupuncture. It includes frequently asked questions, issues to consider, and a list of sources for further information. Terms that are underlined are defined at the end of this fact sheet.

Key Points
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world.

It is important to inform all of your health care providers about any treatment that you are using or considering, including acupuncture. Ask about the treatment procedures that will be used and their likelihood of success for your condition or disease.

Be an informed consumer and find out what scientific studies have been done on the effectiveness of acupuncture for your health condition.

If you decide to use acupuncture, choose the practitioner with care. Also check with your insurer to see if the services will be covered.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: acupuncture, acupuncture points, Alternative Medicine, Asthma, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chemotherapy, China, Complementary Medicine, complex chronic, cramps, energy, fatigue, fibromyalgia, headache, health care systems, insurance plans, irritable bowel syndrome, James Reston, Japan, Korea, Massage, meditation, meridians, muscle pain, National Center for Complementary, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institute of Health, nausea, negative energy, New York Times, Office of Alternative Medicine, osteoarthritis, pain, physician, placebos, positive energy, reporter, stroke, surgery, tennis elbow, traditional Chinese medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, United States, vomiting, Web search engines