Natural Medicine And Aromatherapy

There is a lot of misunderstanding about exactly what natural medicine is. Is homeopathy worthwhile? Is it a con? What does it actually do? In this article I’d like to describe the concepts of natural medicine, and maybe clear up some of the confusion around it.

Natural medicine is purely the use of traditional practices, natural methods, and herbal medicines, to cure illness. Most cultures in the world have a long history of natural medicine. Many types of healing treatments, such as alternative medicine, fall under the term natural medicine.

A number of herbal medicines have been present for thousands of years in Chinese and Indian culture. Natural medicines tend to be cheap and risk free, in stark contrast to many modern manufactured drugs, and have few if any side effects.

Since the creation of the ever present penicillin, traditional natural medicine have dropped out of favour or been forgotten. However, alternative medicines like acupuncture are making a comback. More and more doctors are beginning to realise their benefits, and many scientific studies are being conducted to measure their effectiveness against modern drug therapy.

With more people becoming aware of the vast amount of chemicals we put into our bodies - either from medicine or food - natural medicine is surely becoming a more acceptable treatment in our modern culture.

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Posted on September 28th, 2008 by Acupuncture Swami
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Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture used to be a little known medical treatment only known in the east. Today it is a well known treatment in both eastern and western societies. It is gaining popularity among the medical profession as a healing art with little to no negative side effects. Acupuncture can be used to prevent or aid in healing of illness, for reduction of pain, and can be used in conjunction with other forms of medicine and treatment.

Acupuncture helps the body by stimulating essential nervous energy and increase blood flow and lymph flow within the body.
The acupuncture practice in its early forms began of more than 2,000 years ago. It’s one of the oldest forms of medicine.

In interest and safety it would be a good idea to find a licensed practitioner of this medicine. Like in most of forms of medicine, there are risks involved. However, there are no negative side effects noted thus far. Acupuncture is becoming more and more popular is in western society.

Acupuncture

It is rumored that before acupuncture was discovered by observing how lame animals and war horses recovered after certain parts of their bodies were punctured or injured. Therefore, acupunctures’ main role is to stimulate healing, fast recovery, and increasing the strength of the body’s immune system.

Acupuncture is basically a treatment where a trained professional sticks very slender needles into particular points in the body along predetermined pressure point paths. The treatment can be applied by either insertion of needles by hand, or with machines.
The needles are made of non toxic metal and they are sterilized. The packages come in single use applications for the sole use of a trained and authorized medical physicist.

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The needles are rarely inserted past the lower epidermis, or skin tissue and the area is thoroughly disinfected beforehand. It is very rare for the treatments to go wrong and the needles to puncture organs or cause infections.

Medical specialists in this field may include doctors who already have degrees in other medical treatments or ones that hold only a degree in this particular field. Those who seem to be increasingly interested in adding this form of treatment along with their own degree include chiropractors, naturopathy doctors, holistic medical doctors, anesthesiologists, physicians, neurologists, just to name a few.

The doctor should require a health screening and health check up prior to your treatment. They also need to know your present health history, symptoms and illnesses, as well as medications and allergies.

Acupuncture works to stimulate the nervous system, through direct puncture of the nerve and surrounding tissues. It is a relatively painless procedure and many claim that they actually don’t even feel anything at all. It works by stimulating blood flow, nerve function, lymphatic drainage, and release of hormones. It is also claimed to alter the brain chemistry over time by stimulating positive changes within the body.

It does all of this through nerve stimulation. Once neurotransmitters are stimulated and engaged with the aid of the needles, then the blood pressure, body temperature, and blood flow stabilize and normalize.

The therapy seems to work miraculously and its effects are increased by massage therapy. Those who have been treated report a significant reduction of symptoms and an overall increase in health. Others claim that they are completely symptoms free.

Acupuncture has been approved and is generally used for treatment of diseases, disabilities, chemotherapy effects, vomiting, nausea, allergies, pain relief, carpal tunnel syndrome stroke rehabilitation, PMS, tennis elbow, myofacial pain, headaches, arthritis, asthma, low back pain, digestive issues, weight loss, weight gain, and to stimulate healing after injuries.

The effects are reported to be long lasting and even permanent. The results vary with the individual more so that with the particular treatment. The duration and intensity of treatments is based on the doctor, the patient, and the goal of the treatment. One of the most lasting effects of the treatment is the feeling of calmness and relaxation that comes over the patient during and after treatment.

It is something like sedation without the effects of dizziness and vomiting. Acupuncture works wonders both in conjunction with other treatments or for conditions which no other treatments may have been successful.

More about Acupuncture

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Posted on September 26th, 2008 by Acupuncture Swami
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Holistic Medicine – 5 main branches

Definitely you have heard of Holistic Medicine. For certainty, a friend of yours has experienced an alternative treatment. Probably, you have tried to benefit from a complementary therapy too. Perhaps, you know few holistic treatments. But, I am convinced that you do not know all the branches of Holistic Medicine. According to web references there are over of 30 main types of Holistic Medicine. In this article we will introduce you to 5 main Holistic therapies.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that is been practiced for thousands of years. Needles are inserted into human body (usually wrists, ankles, feet, back and abdomen) at more than 350 points. The procedure lasts for approximately 20 minutes while the patient rests and then the needles are removed. Practitioners manipulate and twirl the needles with special techniques, stimulating the energy flows and promoting healing and pain relief.

Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use primarily of essential oils and secondary of other aromatic natural substances such as vegetable (base) oils and scented products such as candles and soaps, in order to complementarily heal various diseases and vitalize body, spirit and mind. Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic method. There is historical evidence that in all major cultures of antiquity (Egypt, Greece, Persia, Roman), physicians deal with herbs, aromatic plants and floral water in purpose to invigorate, cure, stimulate and relax contributing to a better health and well being.

Homeopathy. Homeopathy is a relatively new Holistic Medicine based on the idea, that a natural substance that can produce sick symptoms in a healthy person, can have therapeutic effect in a sick person who suffers from the same symptoms. The term Homeopathy derives from a Greek compound word which means similar-suffering and was introduced by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Nevertheless, the homeopathetic approach to health was first described by Hippocrates 2,500 years ago. Homeopathy treatment is safe for patients as long as the next 2 rules are followed: 1. Remedies should be given in infinitesimal doses, so that unwanted side-effects could not be dangerous. 2. Remedies should be specific to each patient, because illness is specific to the individual.

Meditation. There are many different, even opposing definition of Meditation. The most usual description says that “Meditation is a state of just being without any interference from the body or mind”. Free of thoughts, feelings and actions, the meditator has the ability to concentrate on the present moment of quiescence, to understand human mind’s nature and to help the awareness of every single aspect of life. Free from any distraction to the mind, the meditator, emphasizes mental activity and achieves personal development. There are many types of Meditation according to their focus and many of them are related to Eastern Religions.

Reflexology. Reflexology is a therapeutic method of healing and pain relieving by pressuring particular reflex areas in hands and feet. Thousands of nerves end in these areas and link to glands, parts and organs of human body. Therefore, reflexologists by pressing on the reflex areas, induced human body to self-correct, to prevent illness, and generally to reinforce itself reaching holistic health.

George Kakaris is a freelance writer living in an island of Greece. He is very interested in natural health and alternative active life style and owner of an information site about Aromatherapy Essential Oils and their uses for Natural Healing

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Posted on September 21st, 2008 by Acupuncture Swami
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Pain Management Through Enzyme Therapy and Acupuncture

The American Pain Foundation (APF) has called pain a national healthcare crisis. More than 50 million Americans are suffering from chronic pain and another 25 million are dealing with acute pain.

Chronic pain can include back pain, arthritis, muscle strain, carpel tunnel syndrome, and pain from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. Acute pain can be caused by injury from sports (such as sprained ankles) or trauma from accidents.

More and more research has shown that inflammation is usually a component of pain. The signs of inflammation are swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the affected area.

I find an increase of success rate in the treatment and management of both chronic and acute pain by using a combination of acupuncture and systemic proteolytic enzyme therapy.

In Chinese medicine, pain is considered to be caused by blocked energy channels. When channels are blocked, the energy cannot flow and pain is the result. Acupuncture stimulates the natural flow of energy by unblocking these channels to decrease pain and restore balance in the body.

The use of systemic enzyme therapy with both acute and chronic pain has also proved to be successful in my practice. The use of specific enzymes can break down proteins in the body that can cause scar tissue and inflammation. These enzymes are made of a combination of plant-derived proteolytic enzymes that are effective in reducing swelling and inflammation, thus reducing pain.

Systemic enzyme therapy is a healthier alternative to drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen and prescribed medications. Because enzymes are natural substances that are used to promote chemical reactions in the body, the body processes them naturally. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to have ill effects on the liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.

A crucial component to the effectiveness of enzyme therapy is the timing of the medication. Because the desired effect of the enzyme is systemic and not digestive, the enzyme must not be taken with food. The medication must be taken one hour before or
after eating to obtain its full systemic effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain.

A note of caution: blood thinners such as coumadin are contraindicated with the use of systemic enzyme therapy. That is why it is always important to keep your health care providers informed of all medications and dietary supplements you are taking. (See my article on “Herbal Remedies: What Every Consumer Should Know.”)

Systemic enzyme therapy can be obtained only from a licensed medical practitioner and the patient should be monitored and assessed regularly for changes in appropriate dosage.

Dr. Tina Marcantel is a naturopathic physician in Mesa, Arizona. Before entering medical school
she was a registered nurse. Dr. Marcantel has over twenty-five years of experience in the
health care field including diabetes management, women’s health, weight loss, and mental health.
She practices holistic, integrative patient care. For more information please visit her site at href="http://www.drmarcantel.com">drmarcantel.com

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Posted on September 21st, 2008 by Acupuncture Swami
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