AIDS - Europe's New Plague
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Fat Magnets, Chitosan, and Soap
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Recovering From Stroke with Acupuncture
Q: I had a stroke 7 years ago. It was due to a blood clot in the brain. I am making a good recovery, but I am curious to know if acupuncture would benefit me. Tim A: Tim, the best time to get acupuncture for stroke is immediately afterwards -...
Thinking for Success - The same method does not work for everyone.
I am always concerned that there are so many books available on the subject of being successful, but unfortunately many of these books are read and then discarded. It is very important that when you purchase a book on any subject that the author is...
To Buy Pain Meds Online, a Dangerous Move
There are a lot of people that are in pain out there today. If you are one of them, you may try to buy pain meds online. This can be for many reasons. Perhaps your doctor won't write you a prescription for your pain meds. Perhaps you can't afford to...
5 Time-Tested Ways to Beat Stress
Most of us can attest to the fact that stress is reaching
epidemic proportions in modern society. Balancing work, family,
health, money, etc. is a challenge that many of us feel ill
equipped to face. Eighty percent of the doctor visits in our
country are stress related. Our quality of life and health is
largely determined by how we adapt and relate to daily
stressors. Here are a few ancient techniques for eliminating
stress, increasing energy, and creating emotional balance. These
are some of the most powerful tools we have for achieving
optimal health and preventing future disease.
1) Meditation: Practiced for thousands of years in many Asian
cultures, meditation has long been recognized as one of the most
powerful tools we have for cultivating peace of mind and
balance. Numerous studies have proven the incredibly positive
effect that meditation has on stress reduction. There are
literally hundreds of meditation techniques taught around the
world. For beginners, the most helpful approach is to start with
basic mindfulness techniques that develop both relaxation and
alertness. Once a basic ground of awareness has been stabilized,
then more advanced meditation practices can be undertaken. If
you need help getting started, please go to
http://www.havinghealthnow.com/meditationcd.html
2) Yoga: This ancient practice has also been utilized by
millions of people throughout history. Yoga is typically
considered a form of meditation that involves putting the body
into a variety of poses in combination with deep breathing to
induce mental clarity, increased energy, and physical strength
and flexibility. The healing benefits of yoga have been
repeatedly documented by a variety of clinical studies. There
are many forms of yoga and it is best to experiment to determine
which form feels the most helpful for your needs.
3) Acupuncture: One of the pillars of traditional Chinese
medicine, acupuncture has been practiced for at least 2,500
years. Perhaps one of the last truly holistic forms of
healthcare remaining on the planet, acupuncture works with the
Qi (life force ) of the body in order to induce a variety
of
therapeutic effects. The safety and efficacy of this practice
are well documented which accounts for its incredible surge in
popularity in the Western world. Acupuncture is considered one
of the most powerful treatment options for stress reduction.
Only seek acupuncture treatment from licensed acupuncturists (
as opposed to chiropractors or MD's who practice acupuncture).
4) Herbal medicine: There are a variety of both Chinese and
Western herbal formulas that have been clinically proven to
reduce stress and create emotional balance. Herbs are much less
concentrated than pharmaceuticals, which is why they have far
less side effects (but can still be as effective). If you are
interested in this treatment option, many acupuncturists can
skillfully prescribe herbal formulas. This is recommended over
buying herbs over the counter with little knowledge of their
intended usage.
5) Nutrition: Eating a diet high in antioxidants, essential
fatty acids, and low glycemic carbohydrates can go a long ways
in healing stress. The standard American diet (high in processed
foods, saturated fat, sugar, and transfats) has been linked to
anxiety, depression, and increased stress in numerous studies.
Change your diet to an organic, whole foods approach and both
your body and mind will reward you beyond measure.
Making these lifestyle changes may not be easy in the initial
phases and it is often helpful to seek out the support of a
health care practitioner to guide you through these transitions.
Once you start feeling the enormous payoff of making such
changes, there truly is no turning back. Your stress will
dissolve, your weight will decrease, and your energy will
skyrocket. Isn't that enough to warrant making a few changes?
About the author:
Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS is a licensed acupuncturist in private
practice in Superior, Colorado and the staff acupuncturist for
the integrative care center at Exempla hospital in Lafayette,
Colorado. Kevin treats a variety of stress-related health
concerns in his practice. For more information, please visit
http://www.havinghealthnow.com
