Archive

Archive for the ‘Alternative Medicine’ Category

The Secrets of Healing Sciatica

February 24th, 2010

Lower back sciatica is quite painful and originates from your sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. The pain extends from your spine to your hip and posterior area and then down the rear of each leg. While not a separate condition itself, sciatica is symptomatic of yet another problem, such as a herniated disc or another cause. Although lower back sciatica may ease with time, it may not, and the discomfort is usually quite debilitating.

Bed rest is often prescribed for sciatica although it is not clear there is any actual benefit to healing sciatica. However, some patients find the pain is so debilitating that movement is impossible. Bed rest with brief periods of gentle physical activity may be more effective. Some doctors prescribe specific exercises. A good bed with appropriate lumbar support, with a change in sleeping position eases the agony for some people. Lifting the knees, perhaps with a pillow, is immensely helpful.

Certainly follow your physician’s and physical therapist’s suggestions, which can include the following: specific exercises, stretches, cold and heat packs, and taking OTC and prescription pain relievers. However, you may find that there are some additional alternative measures that may help remedy your lower back sciatica, as well.

According to information on sciatica most people will find this problem will naturally go away on its own, with the healing process taking a few days or weeks. Most episodes with sciatica heal within six to twelve weeks.

Physical Therapy proves beneficial to some sufferers. A medical professional should prescribe therapy. A professional physical therapist will avoid exercises that irritate the nerve and bring on attacks. Therapy that strengthens the muscles holding the spine in position promote good posture. Yoga, undertaken carefully, is beneficial for sciatica sufferers. Some yoga positions, such as forward folds or twisting, may exacerbate sciatica. The benefits of yoga include mental and physical balance, and many people find Yoga exercise offers permanent healing for sciatica.

Many times natural home remedies just arent enough to alleviate the pain associated with sciatica. However, many prescription drugs are known to cause unpleasant side effects for the patient. For this reason, many sciatica sufferers turn to Sciatol. Sciatol is a natural dietary supplement that has been specially formulated to support the health of the sciatic nerve, spine, and nervous system. If your sciatica pain cannot be relieved through home remedies, but you do not want the unpleasant side effects of prescription drugs, Sciatol could be the answer to all of your sciatica troubles.

Looking to find info on Proper Sciatica Exercises to Reduce Sciatica Pain, then visit our site to find the best advice on 3 Simple Tests for Back Pain for you.

Aneron Kepasil Alternative Medicine ,

Common Methods of Cleansing Our Chakras

February 20th, 2010

Considering the various environmental, physical and metaphysical influences our chakras are subjected to on a regular basis, it becomes a necessity for us to engage in chakra cleansing. Attaining balance and harmony between the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects of our being requires regular chakra cleansing in order to maintain harmony and continually rebuild our energy systems. The importance of chakra cleansing can not be understated because all phases of our life are interconnected and should work as one for beneficial and energetic living.

Following are some of the common chakra cleansing methods that have been in use for thousands of years.

1. Smudging is an effective method of removing harmful energy obstacles that affect our chakras. White sage is proven to be a highly effective smudging agent.

2. Auric brushing with the hands or the aid of gemstones and crystals is one of the highly effective chakra cleansing technique. Caution must be taken however that the practice should only be performed by a well-practiced individual since there is the possibility of serious damage rather than successful healing due to the inherent powers of the gemstones and crystals employed in the process.

3. A healthy lifestyle, drinking plenty of clean water, tea and fruit juices, plus enough sleep and relaxation are highly recommended in order to maintain strong energy systems.

4. Regular physical workouts and breathing exercises are very important to the maintenance of healthy and strong chakras. Aside from making the heart healthier, regular physical activity and proper breathing also ensures unrestricted blood flow to all parts of the body.

5. Relating with nature can have positive effects on your energy systems.

6. Since each individual colors have different vibrations that affect different elements of a person, you can effectively perform chakra cleansing by looking at real color or simply by visualizing them.

7. Listening to music also heals our energy system. Music is an effective chakra cleansing technique and can be used to activate our chakras, which in turn activate the entire endocrine system.

8. We should not tire of pursuing learning situations. In fact, it is highly recommended to continually pursue learning and intellectual challenges to keep us on our toes and keep our energy points active.

9. Allocating a few minutes daily for reflection on the days events is also a powerful chakra cleansing method. Spending some time alone and giving serious thought to our daily happenings and situation gives us a clearer perspective and awareness of everything that affects us and our environment.

10. Self love is also important as you can never love somebody if you do not love your own self first. Besides, feeling in love releases certain chemicals that are good for our body and in the same way, anger also releases a different set of chemicals. It is our task to maintain a certain balance between the two to improve our energy systems.

11. Becoming conscious of our emotions and responsibly expressing them to others is also fundamental to chakra cleansing and maintenance. Repressed thoughts and feelings create energy jams that can seriously affect our health and well being.

12. Be creative in everything that you do even if it is not related to the arts. Enjoy your tasks and perform them in a jovial manner and they would not be a drudgery.

13. Coming to terms with our past and having an appreciation of its meaning can provide us a deep understanding of our objective as a human being.

14. Honesty and truthfulness in all areas of our lives keeps us healthy and gives us vibrant energy. Values anchored on respect, trust, decency, honesty and truthfulness help make us a productive and responsible member of the society.

15. Prayer is a fundamental element of our health and energy systems. It is a way to connect with a Higher Being who can help us attain emotional balance and stability. Prayers can put our minds at ease and interested to everything that surrounds us.

All the above chakra cleansing methods are of great consequence. It is not obligatory to employ them all at the same time but it is suggested to use these techniques in conjunction with one another. Start off with two or three and gradually add the others as you progress. Keep in mind that chakra cleansing is not achieved overnight; it is a lifetime process but very rewarding.

The author Anne-Marie Laureaut is a writer for the popular chakra-balance.com site. To understand how chakra cleansing can drastically improve your life and to get 29 Free chakra meditation affirmations, hypnosis and special sound frequency audios.

Anne-Marie Laureaut Alternative Medicine , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Down Aging With These 10 Simple Steps

October 19th, 2009

Aging is a complex process that involves many areas of your body. It’s unlikely that any one product or pill could cure all of the ailments of aging. However, there are things you can do that not only will help you age more slowly but will improve your quality of life. Your best bet for a long and healthy life is to:

1. Eat a varied and healthy diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. Fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins all play a part in keeping your body functioning at its best. Drink lots of fluids to maintain healthy skin and flush out waste. Eating right will help you maintain a healthy weight.

2. Exercise. Exercise every day. Exercise bikes and trend mills are better than weight lifting. Exercising will help you maintain a healthy weight and will give you a better emotional outlook on life.

3. Seeking prompt medical care when you’re ill or injured. Listen to your body and take care of any little problems before they become big problems. Get screened for diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

4. Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Professionals agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation of the skin.

5. Do not smoke. You need to quit smoking if you do. Smoking is very damaging to the body. This is why people who smoke generally tend to look older. Smoking also causes cancer and heart disease.

6. Manage stress. Stress is a part of everyday life. Develop ways to help you cope and adjust to situations in your life that may cause you stress. The situation isn’t the problemits how you react to it.

7. Look for ways to improve overall well-being and enthusiasm for life. Be curios and creative which will encourage you to learn new things. You can also use humor and laughter to help you age well and live long.

8. Keep strong relationships. Maintaining close ties to your family and friends are crucial to healthy aging.

9. Less worry. Worrying zaps energy from your life. Do not worry as much. If a situation is causing you fear, try to change the situation so you experience less fear.

10. Drink green tea and anything with antioxidants. Antioxidants are in vegetables, fruits, and fish also. Your body produces its own antioxidants but as you age, that production drops which is why you should take antioxidant supplements.

Doing these ten things will help you live a healthier life and to age slower. Be wary of any products that claim to slow down or reverse aging. When in doubt, ask your doctor.

Learn more about antioxidant teas at tazo assorted tea sampler 24 tea bags.

Jim Banard Alternative Medicine , ,

How To Eliminate Hemorrhoids For Good With A Simple Natural Cure

October 7th, 2009
by Russ Hurst

Millions of people suffer needlessly from hemorrhoids every year. Because it is a subject that is difficult to talk about even with close friends and family, it can be difficult to find some information that can help get rid of them.

For most people, the obvious solution is to go to the doctor. And doctors do what doctors are trained to do. Prescribe medication, or even worse, suggest some kind of surgical procedure.

Of course, most times, surgery and drugs is the way to go. You wouldn’t want to forego surgery or drugs with serious medical conditions like heart disease, or a compound fracture.

But what about hemorrhoids? Is surgery or drugs the best option? By treating only the symptoms, and ignoring the underlying cause, are you really solving the problem, or just temporarily masking it?

Unfortunately, most people that have undergone hemorrhoids surgery have also discovered that in almost half of the cases, the hemorrhoids have a nasty habit of returning. This tends to happen when you don’t address the underlying cause. Not to mention the expense, pain, and time it takes for surgery and recovery.

Is there a better way? The good news is that for hemorrhoids, there is. A much better way. When people suffering from hemorrhoids realize that there is an abundance of natural cures that will not only cure their hemorrhoids quickly and safely, but that they are almost always much cheaper than surgery and drugs, they are incredibly pleased.

If you have them now, and want to get rid of them for good, you’re in luck. Here is one cure that helps in the vast majority of cases, and may very well work for you.

Most, if not all, of Americans are lacking in dietary fiber. Because dietary fiber won’t get you six pack abs or increase your sex appeal, it doesn’t get much press. But when you do get enough fiber in your diet, you will not need to strain or push when producing a bowel movement. And all this straining and pushing is what causes hemorrhoids in many cases.

Sadly, many people only add fiber to their diet after they’ve had the surgery, and even then many don’t make the effort. In those cases, the problem is bound to come back again.

The easiest way to add fiber to your diet is through psyllium fiber. This is a powder that you mix water or juice once a day. This will produce some magnificent bowel movements, and will have you back to normal in no time.

Of course, this is just one of many natural and easy cures for hemorrhoids that treats the cause, rather than the symptom. And all without drugs, surgery, or in many cases, a visit to your doctor.

About the Author:

Russ Hurst Alternative Medicine , , , , , , , ,

Getting A Colon Cleaning At Home

October 6th, 2009
by Jamie Springer

If you’re looking for a great way to rid your body of toxins and the impure elements that are in your body, there are many ways that you can go about removing them from your system. Some are more pleasant than others and some are easier to deal with than others. If you’re interested in a colon cleaning, you can get rid of years of backed up sludge that can adversely affect your system.

When you feel sluggish, have no energy to do the things you enjoy and don’t know why, it could be the build up of toxins in your body. They can deplete the vitamins and good things that you ingest. It’s like removing all of the good things that go into your system and leaving only the bad part. That can’t do anything positive for you.

For many decades, the Europeans have known that cleaning your colon helps improve your overall health. Natural healing methods that have been incorporated in the lifestyles of vegans and holistic health specialists have long been proven effective.

You can either go to a specialist to have your colon cleansed, or with today’s breakthrough medications, you can do it, yourself. Many people prefer to have someone else handle the matter, feeling like it is not something that they can handle on their own. The process can be done in an outpatient facility, on your own schedule.

You can take bowel prep at home and then use a product that is specifically created to clean your colon. If you choose to, you can take care of your entire colon cleaning, in the comfort of your own home.

Go to your local health food store and ask the representative working to help you select a bowel prep and colon cleansing agent. Then go home and find the right program for you, online.

About the Author:

Jamie Springer Alternative Medicine , , , , , ,

Natural Herbal Tea

October 5th, 2009
by Stephen Kiteris

Loose leaf tea can be helpful for many ailments such as IBD, depression, headaches, anxiety, stress to name a few. As well as enhancing your vitality and strengthening your immune system. Make it your ritual to sit, relax, put your feet up, and enjoy a pot of herbal tea. I have listed below some popular herbs and their benefits.

STINGING NETTLE As well as its high content of potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron sodium, nettle herbal tea has been used widely to treat many blood disorders. With its anti – inflammatory agents, stinging nettle loose leaf tea is one of the most popular herbs used today.

THYME Thyme herbal tea has been used to treat many ailments such as whooping cough. pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. It is also used to fight infections whether they are fungal, viral or bacterial. As well as tea Thyme can be used as an ointment or a mouthwash, because of its antiseptic qualities.

LADY’S MANTLE Lady’s mantle loose leaf herbal tea is a great herb for strengthening the uterus in women who are likely to miscarry. It also can be useful in controlling heavy menstrual bleeding. As a herbal loose leaf tea it is a tonic to the womb and associated tissues so that problems with painful or heavy periods and the changes associated with menopause are alleviated.

HOREHOUND Horehound loose leaf herbal tea can be used to treat many ailments. Used externally horehound may be used to treat skin conditions. Taken internally horehound soothes a cough and is good for many bronchial problems. Horehound also promotes sweating, which helps to reduce fever. It also stimulates the flow and secretion of bile from the gallbladder, therefore aiding digestion.

PEPPERMINT The leaves and stem of the peppermint herb have a high oil content therefore this part of the plant is used medicinally. Peppermint is used for many ailments including motion sickness, nausea, heart burn, cold or influenza, tension headaches and flatulence. Peppermint aids the flow of digestive juices, and can be beneficial to aid bowel problems such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

About the Author:

Stephen Kiteris Alternative Medicine , , , , ,

The Natural Way Herbal Tea

October 4th, 2009
by Stephen Kiteris

Herbal tea can enhance your vitality as well as being helpful with many ailments such as anxiety, stress, headaches and depression. Spoil yourself with a cup of aromatic, flavorsome herbal tea. Listed are some popular herbs and there benefits

STINGING NETTLE Stinging nettle is used as an excellent blood cleanser. It also has anti – inflammatory agents. It is used widely throughout the world and because of its high content of calcium, magnesium, iron sodium, potassium and vitamins it is recommended as a blood cleanser and is used too treat many blood disorders.

THYME Because of Thymes antiseptic qualities, this herb has been used for all kinds of infections whether it be bacterial, fungal or viral. The most popular use of Thyme is as a tea or a mouthwash for treating ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and pneumonia.

LADY’S MANTLE Lady’s mantle loose leaf herbal tea is a great herb for strengthening the uterus in women who are likely to miscarry. It also can be useful in controlling heavy menstrual bleeding. As a herbal loose leaf tea it is a tonic to the womb and associated tissues so that problems with painful or heavy periods and the changes associated with menopause are alleviated.

HOREHOUND Horehound herbal tea can be used to treat many ailments. Used externally horehound can be used to manage a range of skin conditions. Internally taken horehound soothes a cough and is beneficial for bronchial problems. Horehound also promotes sweating, which in turn can be helpful to reduce fever. As well as stimulating the flow and secretion of bile from the gallbladder, thereby aiding digestion.

PEPPERMINT The stem and leaves of the peppermint herb have a high oil content which is why this part of the plant is used medicinally. Peppermint is used for many ailments including nausea, motion sickness, heart burn, influenza or cold., tension headaches and flatulence. Peppermint herb helps the flow of digestive juices, and is used to aid bowel problems such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

About the Author:

Stephen Kiteris Alternative Medicine , , , , ,

Alternative Medicine For Management Of Natural Pain

October 3rd, 2009
by Richard Ealom

Constant Pain conditions are a growing problem in the USA. And while the discussion still rages about whether or not chronic pain should be managed as an unattached condition or merely a symptom of a different problem it is clear that pain management has become a thriving part of the healthcare industry.

Consequently, the use of pharmaceutical drugs for pain restriction has also reached an all time high point. Drugs such as Oxicontin, Vicodin and methadone, are front page news flash in causing Americas latest drug predicament, as a result, the consumption of cocaine and heroin have also reached levels not observed in this nation in 3 decades years.

Due to the economic and scientific phenomena of the pharmaceutical transformation of the twentieth century, thousands of yrs. of knowledge were rapidly dumped. Herbal medicine has safely and effectively treated pain for millennia, and is far safer than the synthesized, processed medications that todays doctors seem to be all too ready to pass out like so much candy.

In the realm of alternative medicine, there are many types of natural pain management that are in actuality, the source of where many of our oh-so-well-liked pharmaceutical drugs come from.

Codeine and morphine are opium derivatives that may be effective but are also highly addictive, and even aspirin is a by-product of willow bark. Many other plants have been used in natural pain management since ancient times, such as lavender and chamomile for slight pain issues and these plants have the added advantage of also helping with the emotional element of pain such as nervousness and difficulty sleeping. Plants like henbane and mandrake are so useful that they are even used very effectively throughout labor to relieve the pain of childbirth.

Some wonderful and powerful herbal medicine can also be found in the spice cabinet. Spices like turmeric, and ginger are 2 of the most powerful anti- inflammatories on earth. These plants are natural COX-2 inhibitors; they are the alternative medicine answer to the popular pharmaceutical drugs Celebrex and Vioxx. In the middle east, India and all over Asia where the diets are heavy in spices like to turmeric, and ginger and cayenne, where life is also far less well-located then our own, people have a far less incidence of arthritis and persistent back pain, and continue to work very labor intensive jobs such as farming and agriculture work even into their nineties.

There has continuously been an accepted school of thinking in allopathic medicine that it is all right to damage one segment of the body to heal another, thus even everyday over the counter NSAID pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can bring about long term injury, acetaminophen to the liver and ibuprofen to the kidneys, in natural pain management many plants, roots, barks, and other herbs not only antistetic in nature but they are in addition anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic as well, and herbal medicine is kinder on the system and is more synergistic with the body allowing for superior assimilation of the necessary constitutes.

So you see that alternative medicine goes further than the usually established ideal of treating merely the symptoms and goes farther to treat many of the fundamental causes as well as some of the other components involved in recurring pain conditions.

More and more of us are turning to herbal healing methods to treat medical troubles while alleviating dangerous side effects posed by chemical pharmaceuticals. These methods have been utilized and confirmed effective, for thousands of yrs.

About the Author:

Richard Ealom Alternative Medicine , , , , , , , ,

Treatment For Hemroids – Common Solutions You Should Know About

September 28th, 2009
by Janette Cashwell

There are various reasons why you may develop hemroids. You may experience them at any stage in your life. For instance, the risk of women developing hemroids during child birth is high due to all the pushing and straining. If you struggle with your bowel movements you also increase your risk.

When it comes to the treatment for hemroids many people will rely on medications that they can purchase over the counter. Yet what some people may not understand is that there are other ways that this medical condition can be treated. Below we take a look at just some of these methods.

1. Over the Counter Medications – These are a very common way of treating hemroids (piles) as they contain certain properties within them that numb the area and reduce the levels of pain that are associated with the swelling. They also shrink the hemroids reducing the irritation they cause and again relieving the pain one feels.

2. Rubber Band Ligation – This surgical procedure can be carried out by your doctor and is designed to remove the hemroids. In order to do this the doctor will place two small rubber bands round the base of each hemroid and causing the flow of blood to them to be restricted. Without blood flowing into them the hemroids eventually die and fall off.

3. Sclerotherapy – With this particular medical procedure the doctor injects chemicals into the area around the hemroids. The chemicals that are used in this method treat the condition that causes the blood vessels feeding the hemroids to constrict, which in return prevents blood from entering them. Rather than the hemroids falling off as with the previously mentioned method (Rubber Band Ligation) instead they shrink.

4. Stapling – As with the other two treatments of hemroids we mentioned earlier in this article, this one again prevents blood from being able to flow into the hemroids which is the reason why they swell and become irritating. After the blood supply has been stopped then the hemroids begin to shrink or even fall off. Although this treatment for hemroids is much less painful than the other medical procedures mentioned, there is a greater risk of a person having a prolapsed or a recurrence of the problem.

5. Hemorrhoidectomy – This is the most invasive form of surgical treatment for hemroids as the patient is put to sleep for it to be performed. Although this procedure removes the hemroids immediately there are a number of risks involved. After the operation is completed some people find it difficult to go to the toilet and may suffer from urinary tract infections. Additionally, it may take some time to recover and you may feel quite a considerable amount of pain following the operation.

6. All Natural Treatments – Above we have looked at the common types of treatments that doctors may recommend to patients who suffer from hemroids. However, if you are someone who doesn’t have health insurance or doesn’t want to use over-the-counter medications which usually only offer temporary relief than you may want to consider a natural treatment. The main advantages of using such natural products is that they not only effectively treat the symptoms, but also the root cause of the condition. Meaning you could permanently eliminate hemroids from your life. Plus, there are usually no side effects of using an all natural Treatment for hemroids.

About the Author:

Janette Cashwell Alternative Medicine , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alternative And Complementary Cures For Obesity, Diabetes, And More

September 27th, 2009
by Richard Ealom

Alternative and complementary medicine are of such interest to the medical community that the National Institutes of Health has an entire agency dedicated to technical research into non-mainstream treatments. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative medicine (NCCAM) uses technical research to explore complementary and alternative treatments, including natural remedies and other practices mentioned below.

The term alternative medicine refers to health care practices that are used in place of conventional medication. For example, using a special diet to treat malignancy instead of undergoing radiation or chemotherapy is alternative medicine. Complementary medication is not the same as alternative medication. Complementary medicine is used together with mainstream medicine. Using dietary supplements for diabetes in addition to mainstream medical treatment is an example of complementary medicine.

Complementary and alternative medicine includes a range of medical systems. Eastern cultures have used long-established Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and acupuncture for centuries. Homeopathic medication and naturopathic medication are very recent alternative medical practices.

Mind-body medication utilizes techniques such as meditation, art, mental healing, and dance to enhance the mind’s ability to affect the functioning and healing of the body. Clinical depression may responds well to these techniques.

Food supplements, herbs, and vitamins are natural remedies used in complementary and alternative therapies. For illustration, research shows that leaves and flowers of the hawthorn tree are safe and effective for treating mild heart failure. Flaxseed oil can be used to treat arthritis, while ginger decreases pregnancy-related queasiness and vomiting. NCCAM continues to research the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on heart disease.

Chiropractic, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation involve moving certain parts of the body to re-set alignment, relax the body, and support curing ability. Energy medicine uses invisible energy fields for healing. Reiki, therapeutic touch, and the utilization of electromagnetic fields are examples of energy medicine. Reiki is a 20th century Japanese healing art in which the practitioner places his or her hands just above the body of the individual being treated. In addition to promoting overall health and well being, Reiki can give relief from the side effects of mainstream medical remedies such as radiation and chemotherapy.

NCCAM finances research on complementary and alternative approaches to obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, affecting kids as well as adults. A lot of health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, that had formerly been seen typically in adults have now become normal in kids and adolescents. The complexity of obesity warrants a multi-faceted line of attack to prevention and treatment.

The NCCAM urges people who are utilizing complementary, alternative, and natural cures to tell their MD’s. Doctors need to be aware about other remedies because of potential conflicts with mainstream therapies. For illustration, certain natural remedies interact with prescription medications and may cause unwanted sides effects.

There is another reason to discuss complementary and alternative treatments with doctors. Increasingly, physicians trained in mainstream medication understand the curative power of other approaches. Many are well-informed about complementary and alternative therapies and willing to work with patients who are interested in using natural remedies and cures and other non-conventional avenues of healing.

About the Author:

Richard Ealom Alternative Medicine , , , , , , ,