Alternative Health And Fitness

Stopping the Aging Process With a Good Night's Sleep

2008-07-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

Stopping the Aging Process With a Good Night's Sleep
By: Sherry Harris

You wake up in the middle of the night for what seems like the one hundredth time, head to the bathroom, splash some water on your face, and there they are. For the first time, you notice those dark circles underneath your eyes, and right above them are the complementary eye bags. Feeling like a zombie, you head to the fridge, itching for that snack, bones aching, mind racing. It has finally hit you that you are having trouble sleeping, and it is taking its toll on every part of your poor body.

Over time, bouts of insomnia can take a definite toll on the body. Many times, not getting a good night of sleep for several nights in a row can almost have the same impact on the skin and body as smoking. That is to say, it is an unhealthy behavior that needs immediate attention in order to fall asleep faster, and help the body feel renewed and refreshed.

The ideal amount of sleep that adults, particularly of the Baby Boomers era, should be getting is anywhere from seven to nine hours each night. This is not always possible, of course, as life's responsibilities get in the way, but if you are only getting four or five hours and consistently waking during the night, that is a problem.

If you think that having trouble sleeping does not do anything to expedite the aging process, consider all of the medical reports that have come out over the years, and you may just change your mind. The biggest external problem brought about to the body as a result of sleeplessness would be skin problems. Simply put, if your skin is aging, then you definitely look older, as it begins to lose the collagen and elastin that is produced. A normal and healthy sleep cycle can contribute to these fibers in the skin renewing themselves at a much faster rate. When your body is at rest, they have time to reproduce to ensure your skin looks youthful for a much longer amount of time.

But, in addition to how you look, there is the matter of how you feel, which is a direct result of the internal aging. If you are constantly sleepy during the day, run down, and tend to feel achy in many different places, you are certainly experiencing insomnia. What you may not realize, though, is that this could be taking quite a toll on your internal organs and cells. Since they are constantly working hard as long as you are awake, insomnia can greatly throw off the natural process of rejuvenation, and as a result, your entire body will begin to not just look, but really feel, much older.

So there you have it. It is quite important that, when you finally hit the pillow at night, that you stay there for hours without constantly disrupting your sleep patterns. It is a matter of life, and maintaining the quality life, at that. Now, who would have thought that just lying around could have you looking and feeling so much younger?

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Sherry Harris helps people get a good night sleep with aromatic sleeping mist fragrances. If you are in need of rejuvenation go to www.ScentToSleep.com Why don't you bookmark the article you are reading right now? You know you will want to find it again soon.

If You Want To Prevent Arthritis, Exercise!

2008-07-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

If You Want To Prevent Arthritis, Exercise!
By: John Hilaire

The causes of arthritis vary, but most researchers agree that one huge factor affecting the likelihood of developing arthritis is exercise and weight. Prevention of arthritis could be as simple as increasing the amount of regular activity you do. Exercise not only prevents arthritis from developing, but it can prevent the further decay of bones already affected by arthritis.

Many people are hesitant about arthritis exercise, however, especially if they already have arthritis. Some think that exercise might worsen their symptoms; however, on the contrary, exercise has been shown to reduce arthritis symptoms. The key to arthritis exercise is knowing what type of exercise to do then, you can begin steps toward prevention!

How Does Exercise Prevent Arthritis?

Exercise is a great way to prevent the development of arthritis. Exercise accomplishes three main goals which can help to prevent arthritis: weight control, strengthening of muscles, and injury prevention.

People who are obese or overweight are more at risk for developing arthritis. This is because excess weight puts additional stress on joints. By losing a little weight, you can reduce your chances of developing the disease by as much as 30%!

Strengthening muscles is another way exercise helps to prevent arthritis. By strengthening your muscles, you are providing greater support for your joints, thus decreasing your risk.

Finally, exercise has been shown to reduce the likelihood of injuries, which is one of the main causes of arthritis. By decreasing your risk of having a bone fracture of a torn ligament, you are also reducing your risk of developing arthritis.

What Type Of Arthritis Exercise Should You Do?

In order to prevent arthritis, the exercise you should focus on is both strength training and aerobic exercise. Strength training, which uses tools such as plastic bands, can help to build muscle and decrease your risk of arthritis development.

Aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, can contribute to weight loss, which can also reduce arthritis risk. While many might think that these activities would only worsen the effects of arthritis, no research has ever supported these conclusions. Water aerobics are a great way to prevent the further effects of arthritis, because it provides aerobic exercise that is low impact.

Other activities, such as range of motion exercises and agility exercises, can help to prevent arthritis by keeping the joints limber.

A Healthy Life Style

While arthritis prevention isn't the only reason you should exercise, it certainly is one of the most important. Remember, exercise is good for you no matter what your condition, so begin reaping the many benefits of exercise today!

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Get all the latest information about natural remedies for arthritis from the only true source at www.naturalremediesforarthritis.org Be sure to check out our Arthritis Herbal Remedies pages.

Flush Salt Water For Natural Body Cleansing

2008-07-19T22:30:00.000-07:00

Flush Salt Water For Natural Body Cleansing
By: Sandra Kim Leong

Flush salt water through your digestive tract to aid in cleansing your body of its accumulated waste, recommends some naturopathic practitioners. Doing this can help you alleviate many of your digestive complaints. When you flush salt water through your clogged system, you can expect to reap benefits in new and positive chances. This is a good alternative to using harsh and commercial medications for treating ailments like constipation.

Since natural salt is a necessary for normal body functioning that can be depleted with physical exertion, many electrolyte balancing sports drinks contain salt. However, sea salt is superior to processed salt as it contains health enhancing minerals. For natural body cleansing, a sea salt laxative draws out impurities from your digestive tract and at the same time, provides your body with necessary minerals that may not be available in your current diet. However, do thread with caution. Sufferers of ulcers, cancer, or digestive illnesses should research this treatment carefully or consult with their doctor before starting the natural body cleansing process.

To flush salt water, combine 2 teaspoons of unrefined sea salt with 2 quarts of warm water. If you find it hard to gulp it down, then add lemon juice to make it more palatable. Each individual may react to the process of flushing the system with a sea salt laxative in a different way. In general, do expect to empty your bowels in a few hours, although this may vary depending on your digestive tract. On your very first attempt, you may find it extremely tough to drink the sea salt solution but do persists in going through the cleanse so that you can get to enjoy its benefits thereafter.

When you flush salt water, you can expect to see benefits from natural body cleansing. In particular, you get to experience an uplift in your moods due to an increase in energy. You may also experience improved respiratory and sinus function. In fact, flush salt water through your systems is often recommended by folk medicine as a treatment for colds or as a natural antihistamine. Other indirect benefits that you may get to enjoy include nicer smelling breath, decrease in body odor and better looking skin.

It is true that you are not alone in terms of suffering from digestive complaints and unaccounted for lethargy which may be the result of improper digestion. Your digestive functions slow down if you continue to consume a diet that is laden with fats, chemicals, and toxins. Hence, flush salt water to give your body a chance to find the comfort and energy that you have been craving for.

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Sandra Kim Leong writes about the importance of improving bowel health. She recommends adopting a detox diet to help relieve digestive diseases. For free research, please sign up to her newsletter at www.Detox-Cleansing-Diet.com.

Baby Boomers

2008-07-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

Baby Boomers: 5 Reasons that Sleep Aids Do Not Stack up to Alternative Medicine
By: Sherry Harris

Below are five reasons why sleep aids don't stack up to alternative medicine.

Sleeping Pills are Highly Addictive
It seems like such an easy fix to a simple problem. There are so many choices that line the aisles of your favorite local drug stores. I mean, you can purchase them over the counter, after all, so how harmful can they be, right? Wrong. Doctors have been cautioning patients against the overuse of common sleeping aids for years, mainly because they can seem like an easy way out. Instead of trying to work through your problem of restlessness at night, popping two pills and calling it a night seems like a fast and painless solution.

Warm Milk Can Cause Stomach Aches
Many people are lactose intolerant these days. And even for those that are not, drinking milk at bedtime could prove quite uncomfortable throughout the night. Sure, it seems soothing, and it may coat the stomach, helping you drift off into slumber. But, expect to wake during the night once the after-effects set in. Your tummy is not given enough time to process the milk during the night, and your body is trying to rest, not digest, anything you put in it at nighttime.

Electric Bills Will Certainly Keep You Up
If you are one of those people that needs the radio or the television on at night in order to carry you off into dreamland, be advised that you are in for more restlessness in the future. Not only will the noise be highly disruptive to your dreams and your overall sleeping experience, but these appliances cost a lot of energy and money to keep them going when you are not awake. If you thought you were having trouble sleeping now, imagine how you will feel the next time an expensive bill is sitting in your mailbox.

Hypnosis
Those who suffer from insomnia often seek hypnotherapy as a means of aiding in the sleeping process. While some people have actually benefited from this method, countless others have found that it either does not work, or works a little too well. Mind control can be a very dangerous thing, and finding a highly trained professional can often be tricky. Plus, being hypnotized into sleeping seems unnatural, and will leave you feeling even groggier in the morning. It is not worth the cost for all the side effects.

Liquor Is Quicker But Dangerous
At one point, we get fed up with our insomnia, and end up turning to the bottle to help us sleep much faster. A glass of wine, a shot of brandy, a few beers are all known to make us sleepy after awhile. In moderation, these are not necessarily bad, but when this becomes a nightly ritual, there is certainly a problem. Also, the body has to work extra hard to ensure that the waste is removed, causing the mind to stay drowsy but the rest of you to continue going internally, leaving you exhausted the next day.

Consider scented aromatherapy. It has the power to transform our emotions, and heal our bodies. It certainly won't cost as much as those pills and bills. And there is no addiction or subconscious tampering involved.

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Sherry Harris helps people get a good night sleep with aromatic sleeping mist fragrances. If you are having difficulty sleeping a few nights a week, visit www.ScentToSleep.com. Why don't you bookmark the article you are reading right now? You know you will want to find it again soon.

How to Use Acupressure

2008-07-19T22:27:00.000-07:00

How to Use Acupressure- 3 Points That Could Save Your Life!
By: vanessa simpkins

Imagine witnessing someone you love and care about, experience a heart attack right in front of your eyes! What would you do? Obviously call 911 but in the mean time bite their fingers.

Yap, you heard correctly, biting down on the inside edges of the pinky finger's nail triggers a kind of restart action on the heart. It could save your life or someone you care about! I said "bite" not "bleed". A gentle but firm bite is all that is required to stimulate the response needed. This point is located on the heart meridian called HT9.

Acupressure is a time, tested and truly amazing alternative technique using firm but gently pressure on key points along the energy meridians. Using this technique can help you relieve stress and muscle tension, boost your immune system, release endorphins that alleviate pain and much much more!

Acupressure is gaining a lot of popularity these days. Oprah even featured a show with Dr. Oz an accredited author and alternative health practitioner. You can catch that show by visiting www.oprah.com and typing in "Dr.Oz". So how can acupressure save your life? Let's move on to the next life saving point.

Suppose someone faints at work. No problem. Try this next point located at the top of the head on the skull. Feel around until you find a little dip, exactly where the soft spot on a baby's head is located. Give that point some good pressure with your thumb, even using you finger nail to give it a pinch has proven effective. This will bring energy back "up" in the body. This point is more commonly used by acupuncturists to prevent varicose veins, prevent miscarriage and to stop a bleeding. The point is located on the Governor Vessel called GV21.

What if you are experiencing an excruciating headache and you can't get your hands on any Tylenol. No problem. Simply squeeze the fleshy part or web on your hand in between the thumb and the first finger. Called the "eye of the tiger" and "belly of the fish" these two points help to bring energy down in the body. Be it tension, anxiety or too much thinking and especially headaches, this point can do wonders for you. Hold each point together until the pain subsides. Acupuncturists often use this point to help birth a baby and so should not be used by pregnant women.

Before you go whizzing off to the drug store consider using alternative therapies like acupressure instead. It could save you time, and long waiting lines at the doctor's office. Just recently I went into a clinic for a referral to see a doctor. The waiting time was 4hrs!!! Unbelievable. I left, there's no way I was going to spend my day off in a stuffed clinic.

More and more people are turning to alternative therapies, and for good reasons. Many people are being sliced and diced by doctors. I just recently had a healthy 23yr old woman on my table tell me her doctor removed her gall bladder due to a gall stone! Common, it's crazy! Another woman had her uterus removed due to Fibroids. It just amazed me. With so many natural alternatives out there why people are still going through with painful surgeries.

Check out your options, and most importantly be well informed. Always work with practitioners you feel good about. Always follow your gut or intuition when choosing your best treatment option. I hope you have enjoyed this article and will remember what you now know about acupressure that can save your life!

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Vanessa Simpkins is an acupressure practitioner who specializes in teaching others how to stay healthy using natural alternative therapies. If you want to get in touch with Vanessa or learn more about acupressure please visit:Free Information On Women's Alternative Health

Other Health Providers Use Chinese Medicine

2008-07-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

Breakthrough Technology Helps Chiropractors and Other Health Providers Use Chinese Medicine
By: Patrick Porter

Every day thousands of people head to their chiropractor's office for an adjustment. They have a variety of complaints and ailments and the chiropractor is there to assist them in feeling better. But what if chiropractic could be combined with other alternative therapies to assist these patients to obtain optimum health and wellness?

That's the question that chief medical officer of Intemedica, John Diamond, is answering. Dr. Diamond, a physician trained as a pathologist, got into alternative healing almost twenty years ago as a result of his own health crises. "As far as I'm concerned, complementary and alternative medicine takes care of 80% of health issues in the general population."

Diamond believes the medical field is about to undergo an amazing transformation in the way it operates and delivers healing to patients. He believes primary care physicians will become obsolete by the year 2015 and in their place will spring alternative healing concepts such as chiropractors, Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and naturopaths. This is in reaction to the insurance crises going on in our country today. "The way medicine is going right now we're moving away from the disease model. We're moving to what we call the stress and coping model." Diamond believes that alternative and natural healing methods will best complement these changing models.

Dr. Diamond, working with other individuals, has come up with a new and fascinating way to utilize this stress and coping model with what he calls GSR biofeedback, a process similar to electro acupuncture. By simply placing a hand in an electrical cradle, the machine interrogates the patient's body and provides a wealth of information about where the stresses are occurring in the body. Connected to a computer program, information is also compiled regarding which specific formulas of Chinese herbs would best be suited to help the patient with whatever their specific needs are and all in about three and a half minutes.

How can chiropractors utilize this technology in their offices and how can it help them not only increase value for their patients but also increase their bottom line? According to Diamond it's simple. "We have a whole system that is very easily put into anybody's office with minimal outlay," says Diamond.

Once doctors have this equipment and stock in their offices, it takes only about thirty minutes to learn how to use it. All it takes is the ability to point and click the mouse. All updates to the software are done via the internet, as well as anything that's added to the program.

But can this program really add value to the chiropractic practice? Do alternative healing methods really work? According to Diamond the answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Any staff member, such as a chiropractic assistant, can operate the equipment, which leaves the chiropractor free to do adjustments. Also, Diamond has had independent data taken on the effectiveness of his healing methods and found that out of 100,000 patient visits over the last eighteen years, the average efficacy of his formulas was 86% - some formulas were as high as 97%. He's also found that with the minimum outlay of investment, the average practice can see anywhere between $5-8000 a month in extra income while providing added value for their patients.

Concerning any negative side effects, Diamond also has found there are fairly few. With sensitive patients the Chinese herbs can cause gastric irritation and in some patients there may be a problem with over detoxification, but these negatives are easily resolved. Says Diamond, "Traditional Chinese medicine is easily adapted to our physiology because it's plant based. Anything plant based we're very used to responding to. It's not really an issue."

Says Diamond, "Right now 50 million of the U.S. population is without any kind of health care. You have to keep yourself healthy to survive in this stressful and toxic world."

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You can hear Dr. Patrick Porter's complete interview by going to Listen To The Podcast. Dr. Porter's chiropractic support program can be viewed at Find Out About The NXTLynk

Effective Herbal Treatments for Menopause

2008-07-19T22:24:00.000-07:00

By: Scott Meyers

People today are becoming increasingly aware of how effective herbal remedies can be for various medical conditions from migraines to skin conditions. Many women have found that using an herbal remedy to deal with their menopause symptoms are a better choice than the prescription drugs a physician might offer. Women have many different choices when it comes to herbal remedies. The key is learning which ones work best and which ones provide the best relief for your personal set of symptoms.

Menopause symptoms are caused when the ovaries slow their production of various hormones including estrogen. These hormone fluctuations can wreak havoc with a woman's body. Women may experience hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings. Women may even experience exhaustion. It can be so difficult to contain these symptoms without allowing them to cause stress in the life.

Prescription drugs can provide some relief from these symptoms; however, there are some drawbacks to using prescriptions. Some have serious side effects that can be worse than the symptoms themselves. For example, some of the prescriptions available for hot flashes cause itchy rashes all over the body. Other prescriptions have long term health effects including devastating diseases like cancer. Treating your symptoms with a safe, natural herbal remedy is often the best way to handle menopause.

As you begin the search for the right remedy, you might be a bit surprised and overwhelmed at the number of products on the market. Choosing the right product for you can be a difficult task. There are several people you might want to talk to as you start your search.

First, consult your gynecologist. They will be able to tell you which herbal remedies are safe for you and which are not. Moreover, they can let you know which methods are working for their other patients and which have proven to be completely ineffective.

In addition to your doctor, you might talk to an herbal store consultant. They talk to a number of women who are dealing with the same symptoms that you are. As a result, they can guide you in the right direction.

One of the most popular herbs to deal with menopause symptoms is Black Cohos. This herb helps with a number of different menopause symptoms including night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety. This herb has been extensively studied, and the studies have all pointed to its effectiveness.

Pasque Flower has also proven to be a great herbal remedy to deal with menopause symptoms by offering the same effect a mild sedative might have.

An herb combination called MellowPause might also help your symptoms. It has a soy base, and it combines the power of Black Cohosh and Pasque flower to help you fight insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings.

Menocore is another herbal combination that will help with the same symptoms. It contains a number of different natural herbal products.

One final product that might relieve your symptoms is Triatone. The ingredients list on this includes Black Cohos, Chasleberry, Dong Quai, Isoflavones, and Licorice Root. This product not only relieves many of your symptoms, but it also helps to give you a good sense of well being.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies or Menopause.

Benefits Of Music Therapy

2008-07-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

By: Kevin Sinclair

Music therapy uses music to promote positive changes in the wellbeing of an individual. These positive changes may be manifested in changes in physical development, social and interpersonal development, emotional or spiritual wellbeing or cognitive abilities.

The therapeutic benefits of music have been known and harnessed since ancient times. However, music therapy in modern times dates back to the World Wars when music was used in hospitals in the rehabilitation and recovery of soldiers who had suffered physical or emotional trauma. The University of Kansas was the first University in the United States to offer a degree program in music therapy in 1944.

Early exponents of music therapy in the 1950's to 1970's included the French cellist Juliet Alvin and Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins. The Nordoff-Robbins approach is still used in many countries around the world including the USA, UK, Australia, Germany and South Africa.

So, how does music therapy work?

Music is universal and connects across language barriers. Most people can respond to music in some way regardless of illness or disability.

Music has an inherent ability to generate an emotional response in the listener. It stimulates a relaxation response which can therefore lead to physiological changes in the body. Music is known to reduce stress thereby producing related benefits such as lower blood pressure, improved respiration, reduced heart rate, better cardiac performance and reduced tension in muscles.

Music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain and this stimulation has been shown to help in development of language and speech functions. It promotes socialization and development of communication, self expression and motor skills. Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder have been found to respond very positively to music and many of them display high levels of musical skill.

Music encourages verbal as well as non verbal communication and promotes social interaction and relatedness. It's a valuable outlet for self expression and creativity. It has also been successfully used in pain management by providing a distraction from the painful stimulus as well as a means of relaxation and stress alleviation.

Children with developmental and learning difficulties,children and adults with autism spectrum disorder or special needs as well as the elderly and dementia sufferers have all been shown to benefit from music therapy. Although the benefits of music therapy have been accepted intuitively and based on anecdotal evidence it wasn't till recently that quantitative evidence of its efficacy started to emerge.

In a recent study conducted by the University of Miami School of Medicine blood samples of a group of male Alzheimer's patients who were treated with music therapy were found to have significantly elevated levels of melatonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine which are chemicals which act on the brain to control mood, depression, aggression and sleep. The benefits of the therapy were still evident even six weeks after cessation of the therapy and in the case of melatonin the effects persisted even longer.

Music therapy is gaining wider acceptance in the general medical community and has certainly stood the test of time. Music therapists can now be found practicing in a variety of institutions dealing with mental health, developmental and early intervention programs, correctional institutions and special education programs to name but a few. Many are having success where traditional treatment methods have failed.

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Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of My-Personal-Growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.

What To Know Before Choosing An Acupuncture School

2008-07-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

What To Know Before Choosing An Acupuncture School
By:

As acupuncture has become more popular over the years, governments have recognized it as a valuable form of medicine and seek to regulate it. Once you become informed about acupuncture schools you'll be able to find the right program or school for you and start down the path to a rewarding career as an acupuncturist. Starting out, one needs to learn how and where you can earn a certificate or degree in acupuncture and what it's like to work in the field of acupuncture.

Acupuncture school education and training requirements can total from 2500 to 4000 credit hours. You want to opt for a school whose program emphasizes courses in traditional Chinese medicine; acupuncture is just one part of traditional Chinese medicine. You can call each school you're considering and ask to speak to a recruiting counselor to find out the student-to-teacher ratio so you can get smaller classes.

States like California have many acupuncture schools to choose from, while Wisconsin, for example, has only one school; some states have none at all. Choose an acupuncture school that offers an extensive library of materials focused on traditional Chinese medicine. There are just a few acupuncture schools that teach practitioners the five-element Oriental medicine approach to acupuncture, which is often used in conjunction with traditional Western medical practices.

Keep in mind that depending on the school, students may be required to study herbal medicine or may be offered herbal courses as electives. Check with your school - it's important that you have a wide selection of study resources available to you so you can have all the literature that is essential for a broad learning experience. For naturopathy schools that offer acupuncture programs see online the list of accredited Natural Medicine Colleges in North America.

One good textbook to review in advance of your decision is: "The Foundations of Chinese Medicine" a comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists. Maciocia, 528pp., 96 Illustrated, Harcourt, 1989. Internships in acupuncture take place in acupuncture clinics or clinical settings, usually in the third year. Acupuncture benefits are particularly effective at relieving or treating chronic muscle pain, stress, and PMS just to name a few symptoms.

Talk to the financial aid counselors at the acupuncture school or college you are considering and see if they have any suggestions for scholarships, grants or loans. Acupuncture scholarships may be available; check this out as soon as you make the decision to enroll in a program - don't wait. Economic burden may be lessened with financial aid in the form of federal student loans.

If you visit an acupuncture practitioner to learn more before you commit to acupuncture as a career, make sure to choose a practitioner who is licensed by a recognized national acupuncture organization. Consider contacting your local organizations and health organizations to see if they know of any scholarships available. Note that each state and each discipline has its own strict rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed.

And once you're licensed or practicing acupuncture as a student in training, never attempt to use acupuncture to treat potentially life-threatening symptoms such as extreme shortness of breath or chest pain; refer these patients to their doctor. Make sure to learn about your state's licensing requirements for acupuncturists and necessity of acupuncture schools before you do anything else. Our advanced medicine today has proven the effectiveness of many treatments that have been practiced in other countries for many centuries; as a result, more and more insurance companies are covering alternative treatments like acupuncture.

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For more information on choosing the best acupuncture schools and finding the best acupuncture school financing go to www.AcupunctureSchoolsTips.com a nurse's website specializing in acupuncture schools tips, help, facts, free resources, including information on acupuncture schools list

What Everyone Ought To Know About Alcoholism Recovery

2008-07-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

What Everyone Ought To Know About Alcoholism Recovery
By: Kausik Dutta

Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions in the present-day world. Once an alcoholic has identified him or herself as such, then it’s time that they reach out for help for their addiction. In many cases, the alcoholic’s family or friends have to take the first step in getting the addicted person into a recovery state. Sometimes an intervention is staged, where the alcoholic is given an ultimatum: go to rehab or get out of our lives. Other times, simply speaking concern to the alcoholic can snap them back to reality and make them realize that their addiction has progressed into a disease and is affecting others.

Once an alcoholic is ready to seek help for his or her addiction, he or she must choose how to stop drinking. One of the more popular ways to rehabilitate an alcoholic is by implementing detoxification. Detox is going “cold turkey;” this is when an alcoholic abruptly stops drinking alcohol. Also, this cold turkey approach is used in conjunction with different drugs which are used to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Detox happens in a rehabilitation center setting; this is where a detox may be the most effective, as rehab centers are fully stocked with the drugs and staff needed to help an addict get off of his or her drug.

Detox can happen in many different ways, depending upon the degree of addiction present in the alcoholic. Drug treatment centers use detoxification to help to treat the physical effects of prolonged alcohol use, but it doesn’t treat the actual disease of alcoholism. At a drug treatment center, detox commonly takes about a week to complete; after this time, the patient will not experience the extreme physical withdrawal symptoms. After a patient is finished with detox, relapse may occur, especially if the recovering alcoholic receives no further addiction treatment.

One further treatment that many alcoholics participate in at rehab centers and elsewhere is group therapy or psychotherapy to help combat the mental ailing that often accompanies rehab from alcohol. These group therapy meetings will also give the recovering alcoholic the tools that he or she needs to combat his or her addiction and prevent relapse. The most popular group therapy is Alcoholics Anonymous, but there are many other support groups to aide in addiction recovery.

However an alcoholic gets addiction help, it’s important that he or she follow their rehabilitation through to the end. There is help out there for the addicted to come clean; it’s just a matter of him or her finding it.

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Addiction.com is a well-liked source for those influenced by addiction to seek help. Addicted.com offers extensive information regarding drug treatment centers to help you get back on your feet.

Understanding the Benefits of the Art of Reflexology

2008-07-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

Understanding the Benefits of the Art of Reflexology
By: Scott Meyers

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a natural healing art. It is seeks to be safe in its practice and its intentions. It is natural because it works with the natural functions of the body and can be beneficial to a person's well being.

The purpose of reflexology is to reduce the emotional, physical and psychological stress and tension felt in the body. When the body is relaxed, reflexology can revitalize and rejuvenate the body's functions. Reflexology can also be used to facilitate becoming more aware of one's body. It is seen as a healing art because it combines self-awareness with therapeutic relaxation in order to gain optimal bodily function.

Reflexology, and the relaxed state that it brings to those who experience it, has been associated with gaining deeper sleep, as well as relief from different aches and pains. It also provides relief from headaches and sinus congestion. Reflexology is not a cure-all, but a therapy to go along with your other medical care.

The usual place that reflexology is performed on is a person's feet. It is believed by those who practice this art, that there are areas of the feet, hand and even the ears that correspond to other body parts and when a reflexology therapist applies pressure or massage to certain areas they stimulate the corresponding body part area, which will remove blockages that exist in the "energy area" of that body part.

This is not a diagnostic art. Reflexology cannot cure all medical conditions in the body. One should consult a doctor if there is a more serious ailment. Practitioners of the art of reflexology believe that the therapy they do restores imbalances of the "life energy" or what is referred to as "Qi" of the body.

Although this is an art form that is not based in scientific fact, it has been time-tested. There is evidence that as far back as the times of the ancient Egyptians demonstrating that reflexology was practiced. One has to wonder at something that has held the interest of many individuals over many, many centuries.

There has been case studies conducted that list the following benefits to reflexology:

That client's feel relaxed, comforted and a sense of well-being during treatment

While undergoing reflexology treatment clients often experience a tingling or tiredness and may even fall asleep. These are all explained as "what is expected to happen when there is a clearing away of the blockage areas from the body allowing the release of energy.

Clients report feeling reduced stress levels, feeling deeply relaxed, they have improved circulations and a more energized outlook on life and a renewed energy.

In reflexology circles it is said that if the client experiences sinus congestion, nausea or headache that these are symptoms of the process of the body getting rid of the toxins it had been harboring. These feelings should last no longer than 24 hours from treatment time. To experience this is actually a good thing as it means that the therapy has been successful.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Reflexology.

Herbs for Heart Care

2008-07-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

By: Scott Meyers

Herbs are often used to help lower and control blood pressure levels in high-risk individuals. A variety of herbs can be taken as herbal supplements made into a tea or even added as ingredients to a soup. This article will take a closer look at the effect of herbs on lowering blood pressure.

To begin our look at blood pressure, we start with coenzyme Q10 (which is also referred to as Co Q10). A study that looked at 59 males who were taking medication for high blood pressure yielded the result that 120 mg of coenzyme Q10 on a daily basis taken for a period of eight weeks was able to reduce high blood pressure by approximately 9 percent. This was compared to a placebo group, which had no benefit on their cholesterol level. In order to be of benefit to an individual, a typical dose of Co Q10 is 30 to 100 mg of the herb three times per day. Although it is generally safe to take, Co Q10 is believed to interact negatively with the drug Coumadin (warfarin), and is therefore contraindicated for patients on this or other blood thinners.

Garlic is also an herb that is particularly helpful in reducing blood pressure. Garlic (allium sativum) has been shown to have several beneficial effects on the circulatory system, including normalizing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Garlic can reduce inflammation, which is thought to be a major cause of 'sudden,' or
'silent' heart attacks. It is also a good preventative of strokes. Studies have shown that garlic can start its protective effects in a short period of time. One clove of garlic a day is recommended for best health benefits. You can easily add garlic to salad, soups, casseroles and other recipes. If you have not acquired a taste for garlic, consider taking a garlic capsule.

Other herbs that are excellent for decreasing blood pressure include valerian, kudzu and celery. Each of these contains a substance called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that helps to maintain normal levels of blood pressure.

The herb valerian (valeriana officinalis) is composed of a substance known as valerenic acid that serves to inhibit a particular enzyme that breaks GABA down in the body. Consuming valerian helps to reduce blood pressure and maintain higher levels of GABA in the system. Valerian is also an herb that is commonly prescribed by herbal practitioners to patients for sleep difficulties. It acts as a sedative, which in turn also brings about a reduction of blood pressure.

Kudzu (pueraria lobata) is a "weedy vine" that Chinese herbalists have long been recommending to patients to help maintain normal blood pressure. The chemical pueraria is believed to have over 100 times the antioxidant capabilities of vitamin C and it is known to help fight cancer and heart disease as well.

Our last herbs blood pressure is celery. Celery (apium graveolens) is a well-known remedy in Chinese traditional medicine for lowering blood pressure levels. Celery is a very versatile vegetable that can be eater alone or used in a variety of recipes. It is believed that consuming four celery stalks per day can have a positive impact on blood pressure.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

First Aid Remedies with the Yarrow Plant

2008-07-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

By: Scott Meyers

The yarrow plant is one of the most highly valued plants for treating the common cold and influenza.

The plant's Latin name is Achillea millefolium, which is derived from the famous Greek hero Achilles. It is believed that the plant was used during the Trojan wars, where it was used to treat war wounds. Yarrow also has a curious folk name: "nosebleed." This folk nickname is a testimony to its traditional use as a first aid herb. Yarrow has been used in the past as an emergency styptic to stop bleeding. These days, yarrow is mostly used to treat colds and flu's, but it is also used to treat problems with the circulatory, digestive and urinary system. You can usually find yarrow growing in meadows.

Most traditional herbalists describe yarrow as alternately dry, sweet, astringent and sometimes slightly bitter in taste. The constituents of the yarrow plant included salicylic acid, volatile oils (including proazulenes), isovalerianic acid, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, bitters, asparagin, and coumarins. The action of the plant is described astringent, relaxing, a promoter of sweat, a blood vessel relaxant, febrifuge, and restorative for the menstrual system. The essential oil of yarrow is described as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antiallergenic.

Several parts of the yarrow plant are used to create herbal remedies. These include the plant's stems parts, its leaves, its essential oil, and its flowers. The leaves of the plant are believed to contain properties that encourage clotting. The leaves are also used fresh as an herbal remedy to combat nose bleeding. However, if yarrow leaves are used to treat nosebleeds, they must not be inserted into the nostril directly as this can make a nosebleed worse. The leaves of the yarrow plant can be harvested throughout the growing season.

The essential oils of the yarrow plant are also used to make herbal remedies. The oils are extracted from the yarrow plant by steam distillation of the flowers. The essential oils of the plant are generally used as an anti-inflammatory or in chest rubs that can be applied when a person is suffering from a cold or influenza. Extracts from the yarrow plant have been used to make an effective mosquito repellent.

The flowers of the yarrow plant can also be used to make herbal remedies. For instance, the flowers have been shown to be rich in chemicals that can be converted by steam into antiallergenic compounds. These chemicals can be used to treat various allergic problems, including mucus problems and hay fever. Traditional herbalists harvest the flower during the summer and fall.

There are many applications for the yarrow plant. Its flowers can be used to infuse and drink as a hot tea that helps treat common ailments of the upper respiratory system, including excessive phlegm. The aerial parts of the yarrow plant can also be used to reduce fevers when it is prepared in a hot tea. You can also use yarrow in a chest rub to treat chest colds, influenza, or to relieve severe congestion.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

What You Need to Know About Herbal Supplements

2008-07-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Herbs for Health: What You Need to Know About Herbal Supplements
By: Susie Cortright

We all know how the right herb can add new life to a recipe. And medical research indicates that some herbs may have the same effect on us.

The popular herbal potions of today promise better sleep, less fatigue, reduced anxiety, even help in the battle against depression. And the herbal answers to these ailments are nothing new.

History of Herbal Supplements
Herbal medicine is rooted in ancient traditions. Texts dating back to 2500 BC speak of the ability of herbal remedies to restore harmony to an imbalanced, unhealthy body.

Garlic and juniper have been common medicines for about 4,000 years. Research suggests that Egyptians in the era of Ramses III used poppy extracts to calm children.

It wasn't until the 1700s that herbalists sought to identify the individual chemicals in the plants. Once separated from the plant itself, these compounds took on new properties. In the last 150 years, these compounds have been used to create pharmaceutical drugs.

Herbs Today
Today, herbal supplements comprise an industry all their own. According to a recent poll, about 60 million adults take herbal supplements. Proponents say they can help with everything from chronic illnesses to more mundane complaints, such as insomnia,, headaches, fatigue, even the common cold.

The category "herb" includes any plant with culinary or medicinal value. That includes the botanicals we associate with contemporary pharmaceuticals, as well as the herbal supplements we purchase, and, of course, the herbs we use to enhance the flavor of our food, such as garlic and sage. Today, the practice of a western herbalist primarily draws on 150 to 200 plants.

Because herbs are promoted as all natural, alternative medicines, consumers tend to think of them more as vitamins than as actual drugs. But experts say these botanical remedies are just as, or more, potent, than their pharmaceutical counterparts, so it is important to exercise caution.

Herbal supplements do not have to meet the same federal regulations that other drugs do. That means potency, purity, and safety are not necessarily consistent from brand to brand. It is important to talk with your doctor before starting to take any supplement.

Maggie Greenwood Robinson, PhD., author of Kava: The Ultimate Guide to Nature's Anti Stress Herb, recommends buying herbal supplements only from a well known and trusted manufacturer.

"Herbal products vary in potency due to a number of factors, one of which is the original plant itself," she says. "It may have more or less of the active ingredients than other members of the crop. The extraction process varies, too, and may affect potency. A consumer interested in purchasing herbal supplements should do so on the basis of manufacturer reputation."

Cautions
According to the International Food Information Council, the FDA has listed the following herbal supplements as "risky": Chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, dieter's tea with senna, aloe, rhubarb root, buckthorn, cascara, caster oil, penny royal, and sassafras.

Greenwood Robinson says some of us should stay away from herbs altogether. "Anyone who is pregnant or nursing should avoid herbs. If there are herbs in the home, they should be kept out of the reach of children, just as you would keep medicines out of reach," she says. And she does not recommend herbal remedies for children.

Mothers trying to conceive should avoid echinacea purpura, St. John's wort, and gingko biloba. Recent research indicates a possible connection between these herbals and infertility.

Ask your doctor for information on dosages for herbal supplements, as well as possible interactions with other drugs. If the manufacturer is a trusted one, follow the recommended dosages on the label, and do not exceed them.

If the supplement you choose provides a dosage range on the label, always begin with the smallest dose, and stop taking the supplement immediately if you sense any sort of allergic reaction, which can range from hives to difficulty breathing.

Common Herbs and Their Uses

Cellasene
"For health and beauty," Greenwood Robinson says, "the big news in herbal supplements is a category I call cellulite control supplements."

Greenwood Robinson discusses the merits of this herb in her book, The Cellulite Breakthrough. Cellasene, Greenwood Robinson says, contains a mixture of herbs with multiple benefits, one of which is to improve "microcirculation" in the network of tiny vessels in the body. Poor microcirculation is thought to contribute to the development and progression of cellulite.

Echinacea
"Sipping a cup of Echinacea tea may put cold symptoms on the run, or even shorten the course of a cold," Greenwood Robinson says. Research shows that the herb is effective in stimulating the immune system for its fight against viruses and bacteria." Echinacea is potent, and many experts don't recommend it for prolonged use (and some researchers caution against taking Echinacea for more than 10 days.)

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
Hailed as a beauty herb, this supplement claims to help you grow healthy skin, hair, and nails. Other studies show it can help alleviate premenstrual syndrome.

Garlic
Long hailed as a natural antibiotic, garlic can stimulate the immune system, so it is a popular supplement among those wishing to ward of colds and bronchitis. Research suggests garlic may help prevent bacterial or fungal infections, including yeast infections.

Garcinia cambogia
Also known as HCA (hydroxycitric acid), this supplement is found predominately in a particular Southeast Asian fruit. The extract is similar to citric acid, and it is often used for dieting and appetite suppression.

Ginger
Like garlic, ginger is a culinary herb as well as a medicinal herb, so it is considered extremely safe. Experts say this herb, grown primarily in India, China, and Mexico, may help everything from chemotherapy suffering to painful menstruation. But it ius best known as an aid for digestion. "It is a near cure for nausea and works quite fast," Greenwood Robinson says. "It is also an excellent anti inflammatory herb that is effective in treating various types of headaches, as well as joint pain."

Gingko biloba
This is one of the most prescribed herbals in Europe. Its popularity has surged in the United States, as well. Experts say it improves blood circulation throughout the body. This enhanced circulation in the brain aids concentration and memory.

Ginseng
Both varieties of ginseng (Panax and Siberian ginseng) have a solid reputation for energy enhancement. This herb can be taken on a daily basis, but be careful. Possible side effects include breast tenderness and high blood pressure.

HTP (hydroxytryptophan)
HTP is a popular supplement in the United States for its ability to reduce anxiety, depression and insomnia. Some experts say this herb might help control obesity, too.

Kava
Kava Kava is also prescribed for everyday anxiety, as well as for painful menstrual cramps. Experts say it can help with insomnia, too.

St. John's Wort
The flower of this plant blooms around St. John's day, and when you squeeze the flowers, out comes a red pigment, which is associated with the blood of St. John the Baptist. In the United States, this herb is best known for its ability to improve mood and diminish anxiety, and it is often prescribed in Germany for anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.

Reminder: This article is a compilation of recent research on herbal supplements. If you think herbals are right for you, discuss the matter with your physician.

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Susie Cortright is the founder of Susies-Coupons.com and Momscape.com, where you can win free gift certificates for top online stores. Get current Vitamin Shoppe coupons too.

Is Ginseng an Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients?

2008-07-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

Is Ginseng an Alternative Medicine for Cancer Patients?
By: Scott Meyers

Ginseng is a popular herbal supplement that has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. In the west it has been used to increase energy and boost the immune system. Ginseng is made from the roots of several plant species including Asian and American ginseng. Modern medicine has found it difficult to discover the results of using ginseng. Studies are inconclusive and may be because of the wide variety of quality of the ginseng products. Chinese have touted the benefits of ginseng for various ailments and continue to use this herb regularly.

In a recent study from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, 1455 Chinese women treated for breast cancer were followed for six years. They found that women who had already been using ginseng were less likely to die of breast cancer. Those women who started taking ginseng after their cancer diagnosis reported they were able to be more active and they had a better emotional health during treatment. The women who were taking ginseng were using an American ginseng product or white ginseng root that was unprocessed. They also received regular cancer treatment such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Although the benefits of ginseng have been difficult to prove, the 1065 women who survived breast cancer, sixty-three percent used ginseng after their diagnosis. It is difficult to assess if ginseng was responsible for these remarkable numbers because it is impossible to separate the effects of ginseng from other alternative medicines that some of the women used. Laboratory studies do show the ingredients of ginseng do slow down tumor cell growth.

Women who have breast cancer should talk to their doctor about any benefits that ginseng would give them. You should always consult your health care professional before adding any alternative medicine to your breast cancer treatment. The herb may also have side effect or could interact with other medications your doctor has prescribed. It is not recommended that you use ginseng instead of conventional cancer treatments. The findings of increased survival rate still need to be proved in more clinical studies.

Those who have benefited from ginseng as an addition to their cancer therapy strongly suggest that further clinical trials should be done. These studies will find out if ginseng used with conventional breast cancer treatment will increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients.

Ginseng does have an effect on the patient's sense of well being, giving them a more positive attitude and a feeling of good emotional health. If you are already taking ginseng, it may be a benefit for you to continue to take the herb. If you are not taking it, consult with your doctor to see if it will benefit you. If you decide to take ginseng as a supplement to your cancer treatment, be sure your doctor is aware of all medications you are on. It may cause drug interactions that can do more harm than good from using ginseng. As with any new medicine or alternative treatment, always get all the information you can about new products or methods of treatments.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

Aromatherapy: The Alternative Medicine

2008-07-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

By: Mayoor Patel

Most of us stand in need of some sort of relaxation that will balance out the stresses of the day. Our bodies are often in need of natural healing stimulants, just as our minds often need some external element that will help us to regain some of the equilibrium we lose due to the rush of daily life. It is here we can turn to a solution that has been with us for centuries, one that will help us step away from the rapid pace we keep and steal a few precious moments to recharge both body and spirit. This solution is known as aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is classified as a traditional or alternative medicine. As the name implies, the practice or treatment procedure requires the use of scents and fragrances to change the mood or health of a person. Although aromatherapy has long been associated with essential oils, people do not know that it is not limited to one particular type of oil but uses other types of extracted oil as well. Essential oils are the oils extracted from plants and is done by a distillation process or by using a mixture of a number of solvents. Employing different sources and variations of extraction produces different types of aromatherapy oil. Aside from essential oils, there are also extracted oils called absolutes that are obtained from flowers. There is also a particular type of oil acquired from plants that kills microbes. Likewise, by-products from the distillation process are also used as aromatherapy oils.

A typical aromatherapy session will include a direct application of oil onto the skin, from head to toe. The same oil is heated on a special aromatherapy clay pot to diffuse the fragrance into the air. Applying essential oils on the skin were found to be soothing and can help relieve pain while its scent can relax the nerves and create a euphoric state of calmness. It is usually administered using known massage techniques.

Through the years, the actual effect of aromatherapy on people has been the subject of debate. Though there is no denying of the fact that it really helps in improving the mood and health of a person, there have been incidents recorded that some people have an allergic reaction to essential oils used in a therapy session. Just to be sure, therapy practitioners ask their clients first regarding their allergies before starting an aromatherapy session.

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Mayoor Patel is the writer for the website bath.wares-are.us. Please visit for information on all things concerned with Aromatherapy

Does Cold Laser Therapy Really Work to Quit Smoking?

2008-07-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Does Cold Laser Therapy Really Work to Quit Smoking?
By: Kalon Prensky

While popular in Europe and Canada for over 22 years, laser smoking cessation treatments have only gained popularity in the US for about 5 years.

Clinical trial studies are currently being conducted in the US, with several cold laser manufacturers. One manufacturer has submitted substantial clinical trial records to the FDA for possible clearance. If approved, it will be the first laser in the US to be cleared as a quit smoking laser, making it an approved medical device.

It is now relatively easy to become smoke free with just one or sometimes two, fast, painless and non-invasive cold laser treatments. Some cold laser clinics are boasting an 85+ percent success rate for smoking cessation. Even with an apparent lack of fully accepted, FDA approved data, tens of thousands of smokers have given their two thumbs up to this method of treatment for over two decades.

With over 46 million smokers in the US, there is no doubt that people will be lining up in groves once these quit smoking laser treatments become mainstream. Lighting up while driving, after eating, after sex, and when stressed, nervous or bored, has a calming effect that smokers expect and enjoy. Thanks to a rush of endorphins such as dopamine and serotonin, smoking can make you feel good, however due to nicotine it can be highly addictive.

The Curse & "Cure" of the Nicotine Addiction.
The addictive components of smoking cigarettes are tri-fold: physical, mental and emotional. The cold laser treatment addresses the physical addiction most effectively, through its stimulation of the secretion of endorphins. It also exhibits a balancing and calming effect on the body and mind, which lingers sometimes for weeks. The most effective laser addiction treatment clinics offer support and incorporate a rounded program, which also addresses the mental and emotional components of smoking, including relationship to foods, caffeine, alcohol and costs associated with smoking vs. saving.

The highly addictive act of smoking cigarettes bombards the body with over 6000 chemicals, tars, odors, carcinogens and toxins that contribute to it being an extremely high health risk. The facts are in and the results show that cigarettes are the cause of over 1,200 deaths daily in the US, or 438,000 deaths annually. To prevent or avoid disease and premature death, quitting smoking is the #1 best decision one can make.

Smoking Cessation Options:
The options for helping to quit smoking include, pills, patches, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, counseling and cold laser therapy. All of these methods will work to some degree, however growing evidence suggests that cold laser therapy offers an impressive 85% success rate. The suggestion that laser smoking cessation therapy lacks supportive scientific data has been shot down by the thousands of satisfied, now ex-smokers.

Many people who were two or three pack a day smokers for 20-40 years report that they were able to easily quit smoking after just one laser treatment. Laser smoking cessation has been used at a steadily increasing rate throughout the world for over 22 years. Perhaps the tobacco companies are playing a role in preventing such an effective method from becoming mainstream in the US. After all, who has the most to lose by it being easy to quit smoking?

The Smoking Cessation Process with Cold Laser Therapy.
To quit smoking with cold laser therapy is easy. Here is how it is done. You find a certified cold laser clinic, pay an agreed upon fee of generally $195 to $400, and fill out an informed consent form that shows that you are participating in a clinical trial study.

An Investigational Review Board (IRB) keeps track of many clinical trial studies. It's the studies, which are what will eventually make it possible for the FDA to finally start approving laser therapy for quitting smoking, as a medical device for mainstream use. It's only a matter of time before using lasers for smoking cessation will be commonplace worldwide.

Now back to the treatment room. Just sit back in a comfortable chair and relax as a trained laser clinician treats key acupuncture points of the ear, face, hands and wrists. The treatment is completely painless and the laser is extremely safe, often referred to as a cold laser because it produces a specific laser beam at an intensity that will never heat or damage tissue.

The procedure is quite calming and only takes about 30 minutes to perform. The points used are based on the 5000 year-old practice of Chinese acupuncture, however when treated with the correct type of laser, gives smoking cessation results in often one or two treatments rather than 6-10 treatments with needles.

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For over 24 years Kalon Prensky has been a writer, educator and health advocate. He specializes in teaching about Cold Laser Supplies and Health Products for smoking cessation, healing, pain, ion, oxygen, air and water. Copyright 2007

Does Disease Increase Disorganization

2008-07-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

Does Disease Increase Disorganization (Entropy) in the Body?
By: Bruce Forciea

All of life has one fundamental thing in common. In fact this one commonality is one of the most important things that separate the living from the non-living. This one thing is that life becomes more organized over time. This idea sounds simple but has far-reaching ramifications. Life began here on Earth as a series of chemical reactions that eventually evolved to bacteria and one-celled beings. Billions of years later evolution produced the most complex biological beings on the planet; humans. This evolution from the simple to the complex will continue for eons to come. It is a fundamental process of life.

There are thousands of systems in our bodies that work to maintain their biological complexity and keep us alive. These systems are commonly called homeostatic mechanisms. They work to maintain a narrow range of values of many substances. They also work to keep all of the systems in our bodies working together sustaining our complex bodies. For example, blood pressure is regulated by a myriad of systems that maintain just the right amount of fluid in our blood, the right amount of constriction of our arteries and the right heart rate. All of these systems work in harmony to support our lives. If something goes wrong with one system the others attempt to correct the problem. If the problem is severe enough the entire system fails and jeopardizes the body's health.

If perfect homeostasis means perfect health, then anything interfering with this perfection would cause a movement away from organization or complexity toward disorganization. The system no longer works in harmony with the body but now wreaks havoc with the delicate balance of health. A prime example of this is cancer cells. Cancerous cells mutate and divide wildly, spreading their disorganization locally at first, then throughout the rest of the body. This disorganization flies in the face of homeostasis. It goes against the fundamental process of life.

In fact when we die our bodies join the rest of the universe and become more disorganized. At death our bodies first reach a state of equilibrium and then begin their path toward greater disorganization by decaying. The once perfectly balanced being now slowly dissipates molecule by molecule until all of its atoms become reabsorbed into the earth.

So what then is the essence of the stuff that sustains us? What is it that supports all of these homeostatic mechanisms? The answer to this question is a complex one and encompasses concepts of matter, energy and information. One day we will understand this not in terms of matter or energy but something even more fundamental. We will see that at the core of life is the exchange of units of information. Information is what sustains every system in our bodies, information is what keeps disorganization at bay.

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Dr. Bruce Forciea is an author, educator and chiropractor. His new book "Unlocking the Healing Code" presents a new paradigm for healing. His site: contains more information, free newsletter, free guided imagery download and New Age music downloads.

Cure to the Common Cold

2008-07-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

Echinacea the Cure to the Common Cold and More
By: Scott Meyers

We can say that the Echinacea flower is listed among the best known and most efficient herbal remedies of our days. It has been used by Native Americans for curing such physical problems as colds, fevers, snakebites or even stubborn wounds.

Echinacea was adopted by the settlers from the natives and became well known to them as cold and influenza medication. Moreover, it became quite popular with the Eclectics of the 19th century. During the last decades, Echinacea became widely spread and well known as a plant that possesses certain efficient antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic properties.

This plant has been used even in AIDS medicines. Even though the most commonly cultivated flower is purple E purpurea, E angustifolia is thought to possess stronger curing virtues and gets used more often by the herbalists and naturopaths.

The character of Echinacea has alternately been described as cool, dry, and strongly pungent. Its main ingredients consist of volatile oils, glycosides, antibiotic polyacetylenes, amides, and inulin. Herbal practitioners value Echinacea for its antibiotic, immune stimulant, antiallergenic, and lymphatic refreshing virtues.

Besides the aerial parts of the Echinacea plant that can be used in herbal tonics, its roots can be used as well. Echinacea roots are usually used for making anti infection or inflammation tinctures and powders. In traditional herbal medicine, Echinacea is commonly used for treating such severe medical problems as kidney infections or for less grave conditions, such as influenza, respiratory infections, etc. Moreover, Echinacea flowers can be used for producing quite efficient capsule antibiotics.

Herbal medicine has found many virtues of the Echinacea plant. People have learned to make Echinacea concoctions, which can considerably intensify the healing process of patients with infections or flues. Patients with influenza, chills or other infection conditions are recommended to take 5 ml doses of Echinacea tincture once every few hours.

The Echinacea plant works well in combination with other herbal remedies, such as buchu and couch grass. Applied together with these plants it can show great results in curing various chronic conditions, such as kidney infection. Mixed with cleavers Echinacea can be use for curing and treating of mononucleosis. This plant is even capable of aiding out people with food poisoning and snakebite conditions.

The patients with wounds can greatly benefit from applying Echinacea flower essences to their injuries by washing their wounds with these essences several times a day. The plant can be used as well for sore throat gurgling. If powdered, it can be applied on the infected or injured skin. It has been efficiently used by patients with weeping boils, infected eczema, and other skin infections.

Most patients take Echinacea plant medicines in a form of capsules, as it is recommended by herbalists and naturopaths. This cure can be taken by patients with acute infections, colds, influenza, urinary tract infections, and kidney infections up to 3 times a day by capsule.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

Relaxation And Pain Relief

2008-07-19T22:07:00.000-07:00

Natural Choices For Relaxation And Pain Relief
By: Kevin Sinclair

It seems more and more people are turning to natural healing methods for relief from aches and pains these days. Besides relieving the aches and pains, these methods can help release stress and return a sense of balance to the person who craves a break from a hectic lifestyle. There are hundreds of variations of these natural healing methods, or bodywork styles.

These methods don't involve any surgery, prescription drugs or invasive procedures as are routinely practiced by medical professionals and so can be considered natural. This is a type of treatment offered by skilled body workers who combine their healing techniques with the natural healing powers of the body to bring about wholeness.

Of course, it is definitely recommended that anyone with any severe or chronic pain or concern should consult with a licensed medical professional even if they choose to seek help with a natural healing method as well.

One of the better-known and more popular natural healing methods is massage therapy. There are as many forms of massage therapy as there are practitioners. Although many communities require that massage therapists attend formal training and be licensed, there is a lot of room for individuality in the practice.

Massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. This is rubbing, kneading, pressing, and touching the skin of the client using various strokes, patterns and levels of pressure to impact the tissue below. Massage impacts the nervous system, the lymph system, circulation, digestion, muscles - you name it.

To be clear, the variety of massage available is not only due to differences in the therapists' styles, since there are many established techniques and schools. Swedish is probably the most fundamental in the west, while others include sports massage, neuromuscular, and trigger point, to name just a few.

Shiatsu Massage is Japanese in origin, although it has its roots in Chinese medicine. Shiatsu involves putting pressure on various points on the body, following the meridian pathways, to release any blocks in the system and so allow the chi to flow freely. This will then restore balance and health to the body. These therapists mostly use their thumbs in their work, but also use their fingers, palms, and even their feet when appropriate.

Although the experience of Swedish and Shiatsu massage is very different, the effects can be very similar. A Shiatsu massage can lead to feelings of deep relaxation and balance while also affecting the body's systems in healing ways.

In addition to massage, there are many other bodywork techniques. Many are hands on, involving actual touch of the body like massage. Other styles work just within the energy field of the body, and do not involve actual physical touch at all. Then there are some, like Healing Touch, that offer a combination.

Whatever the ailment someone might experience, whether it is physical, emotional, or mental, there is a natural bodywork method that could assist in the healing process. Trying out a few of the techniques to find out which styles you like the best can be a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

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Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of my-personal-growth.com, a site that provides information and articles for self improvement and personal growth and development.