Alternative medicines

Archive for November, 2008

A body-mind-spirit harmony is what yoga means, and to achieve this means a lot more than just meditation. In Sanskrit, the word means union. It has the distinction of being the oldest personal development technique known. This age old science and philosophy treats the person by looking at him as a whole so there is the physical, the mental and the spiritual that comes up for making better and strengthening.

A Yogi is a male Yoga practitioner and Yogini is a female practitioner. In Indian philosophy, there are six orthodox systems and this system is one of them, being a practice that ensures health for the body and the mind. This is not just a case is of sitting in a lotus position and chanting in unity but is a huge subject and if you understand it can become a research for your entire life.

Back problems and others arising from bad posture can be cured by yoga and it also reduces stress. People who have cancer practice this in addition to other therapies as it makes them feel good. Before the first meal in the morning is the best time to practice this discipline.

Some of the styles of this discipline are listed below: Raja Yoga: This literally means kingly yoga and is one of the four main paths of yoga. The practice of this yoga is meditation and methods that help in controlling the body, mind, energy and the senses. Kundalini Yoga is not stressful and is a safe method which brings about immediate results by practicing kriyas or special exercises. Hatha Yoga – This is a good system made up of postures called asanas and combining breathing control called pranayama. This is the foundation for all modern posture based types of yoga. Sahaja Yoga is another very unique meditation method that is based on the actual experience of self realization which can occur within each and every human being. Moksha Hot Yoga – This is another form of yoga performed in a heated room, combining the foundation of traditional yoga with the precision of therapeutic yoga.

Yoga is excellent for the young and old alike. Today even children are encouraged to do yoga. It is very popular and it is good for health. The reason for the popularity of yoga is that it is not something that is not performed on you but it is something that you perform. Women are encouraged to perform it as it is one of the best activities that you can do during the time that you are pregnant. It is very gentle on the body which will help your to build up flexibility and endurance. Yoga is becoming popular among soldiers who are keen in working on their stamina, mental focus and flexibility as per Fit Yoga and the Associated Press. The crux of the matter is that this is not just a physical exercise routine but a discipline that provides an overall sense of wellness and inner harmony.

Arthritis is an autoimmune debility that results in an aching swelling of the joints. RA is a systemic disease, most commonly affecting extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the muscles, heart, blood vessels, lungs and skin. RA might also cause swelling of the tissue around the joints, as well as causing symptoms to other organs in the body. RA is two to three times more common in a women than in a man, and generally will start affecting someone between the ages of 20 and 50. But RA can also burdon small children and adults older than age 50.

About 60% of RA patients are unable to work 10 years after the onset of their disease. arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting over two million people in the United States. The disease is three times more likely to become a problem in women as in men. It plaguesAstrikes people of all ethnicities equally. The disease can cripple any joint, but the most typical joints are in the hands and/or feet. The disease produces swelling, pain,redness or a hot (or warm) sensation in the lining of a joint, the part where 2 or more bones actually touch. Of the world’s population, about one percent of people are believed to have the disease, but this percentage does vary among different groups of people.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the typical kind of arthritis that commonly comes with older age. Rheumatoid arthritis will affect body parts as well as joints, like your eyes, mouth and lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune affliction, which means arthritis results from your immune system threatening your body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects the lesser joints, like those of the feet, hands, knees, elbows, wrists and ankles.

The disease may start gradually or with a acute, severe assault with flu-like symptoms. It’s imperrative to remember that RA’s symptoms are different from person to person. In some people the disease will be mild with periods of activity, or joint inflammation with inactivity. Along with painful, inflamed joints, the disease can cause inflammation in other organs and body tissues. In 20% of cases, lumps called rheumatoid nodules appear under the skin, commonly over bony areas.

Relief for arthritis has improved in recent years. Corticosteroids which are medications, such as prednisone and methylprednisolone (Medrol), decrease inflammation and pain, and retard joint damage. Medications used to control arthritis come under two categories: those that are used to relieve symptoms, and those that have the possibility to change the course of the debility. Exercise is also an imperative piece of any treatment program. Immunosuppressants medicines act to tame your immune system, which is sporadic in arthritis. A few of the commonly used immunosuppressants include cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), leflunomide (Arava) and azathioprine (Imuran).

These arthritis relievers might have potentially severe side effects like an increased possibility of infection. Rituximab-Rituximab reduces the number of B cells in your body, and B cells are part of the cause of inflammation.

Anti depressants are commonly used also. The most common of these that are used for RA pain and sleeping problems are trazodone (Desyrel), amitriptyline, and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor).

RA Alleviating Tips

You can try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), ibuprofen (Motrin and others), and many others. NSAIDs are a kind of drug that decreases swelling and pain.

A variety of anti-cytokine medications are now being used to treat agonizing disease states such as RA.

Joint replacement surgery might be required for severely affected joints, such as knee replacement.

Manmade drugs such as Cortisteroids can be taken. These are drugs that closely resemble cortisone which is a natural hormone produced by the body.

Some light exercise might be beneficial for increasing the blood circulation to the joints.

Contemporary consumers are a bit more social conscience than they have been in the past. Whether the gas and energy crisis or the hole in the ozone layer is the catalyst, more and more people are looking for eco friendly products.

Today, unlike the merely functional farm grown products of old, today’s green products have to be both environmentally friendly and perform just as well as mainstream products.

There used to be a time when lets say, an organic shampoo may not have produced the same results of regular on-the self varieties found in popular stores. No longer the case, you can use an all natural grooming product and still have luscious, soft and shiny hair!

Locating a shampoo that is truly organic however, is the real challenge.

Defining organic As most of us know, the Food and Drug Administration handles most over the counter merchandise, however, organic skin care items are often overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This makes the rules of engagement a bit different and some companies are taking advantage.

For instance, a manufacturer who uses only two natural ingredients can state that their product is “organic”, even if 90 percent of it is synthetically altered by chemicals.

Emerging regulations that safeguard the interests of customers are slowly turning this tide. Until this happens, be sure to do some investigative sleuthing of your own. Read the labels on the back of the organic shampoo-if you are uncertain about a particular ingredient, look it up.

Truly organic shampoo will be free of chemical pesticides that have been shown to be harmful to health. Organic products use all natural pesticides, like citrus and are fertilized with substances lacking irritants.

You can research the maker of any product online or call the company itself and ask about their process.

Dangers of non-organic shampoos and products Most people are blissfully unaware of the fact that common personal grooming items, like shampoos and soaps, are chock full carcinogenic chemicals. While manufacturers promise that these substances occur in small dose that are harmless to human beings, one has to wonder about the long term effects of prolonged use.

The harsh reality is that the any product that is transdermally applied ( i.e. placed on and absorbed by the skin) is more thoroughly ingested than when it is swallowed. This means that deadly synthetic ingredients can wreak havoc on your system far faster by being rubbed into the skin.

This makes it especially crucial to identity any potentially lethal ingredients in your shampoo-or better yet, one should avoid synthetic products at all costs.

Organic Shampoo: Good for the environment and the skin Because organic shampoos have unadulterated natural ingredients like aloe vera, hemp, honey or citrus, they are often very good for the skin. Makers of true eco friendly shampoos have learned how to create excellent products that are preservative free but maintain a shelf life due to creative green engineering.

Once again, this fact is beneficial because it lessens the chance of exposure to compounds that would cause harm to the skin or health.

How to find Organic shampoos

Many health food and holistic goods stores carry natural skin care products, but as more and more consumers scream for environmentally safe goods, manufacturers are creating them and placing them within easy reach of mainstream stores.

Online homeopathic and green living websites also offer organic shampoo at bargain basement prices.

Do your homework and make sure that the product you choose is primarily herbal in makeup and/or organically grown. In this way, you’ll be assured that you have a shampoo that performs as promised while protecting your skin and your family’s health.

Natural digestive health is an essential part of your overall wellness. Your natural digestive health functions are tightly woven with your body functions and very complicated. Fortunately, understanding all the ins and outs of these functions isn’t necessary for you to control digestive health problems and prevent them from occurring.

Many natural and herbal methods exist to keep our digestive system completely healthy and normal. They are perfectly natural and common ways to achieve colon cleansing. I’ll start by sharing a few. The following list includes natural and easy approaches to improving your digestive health.

* Drink More Water: This is easy. Since water is what our body uses to carry out natural digestive health and break down your food, you need to drink plenty of water. Water is also what removes all the toxic materials from your body; both from your bowels and your blood. Keep it simple, one 8-ounce glass every hour at work will keep you well hydrated and support your natural digestive health.

* Intestinal tract maintenance – Another easy thing to accomplish by getting enough fiber. You must have fiber to be able to absorb water rapidly. The result is prevention constipation and diarrhea through rapid waste removal. An abundance of fiber filled foods exist, but if you simply can’t seem to get them in your diet, then take a fiber supplement in the form of a pill or a powder for your drinks. This ensures you get the 25 to 30 grams required for preventing digestive problems.

* Eliminate the bad fats – Good fats come from sources like fish oils. They are essential for reducing joint swelling and maintaining and strong heart. They help maintain natural digestive health by removing excess acid from you body.

* Don’t forget protein: Protein is a must for continual colon cleansing. The digestive juices in your stomach require protein. Don’t let anyone tell you different. The proteins can come from plants or animals. Plants are easier to digest. If your not getting enough, then get a protein drink supplement, or keep a stash of high protein snacks.

* Try Raw Vegetable Juices: Maybe you don’t like raw vegetables or even cooked or steamed vegetables. You might find raw vegetable juices to be a very good way to get the nutritional content needed from vegetables. Raw vegetables also provide the required digestive enzymes to break down other foods such as meats. Remember, food cooked above 112 degrees Fahrenheit have had all the enzymes destroyed. You may want to take a natural vegetable supplement along with a digestive plant enzyme supplement if you simply cannot get the required portions of raw vegetables.

* Include Probiotics In Your Diet: Believe it or not, bacteria is essential to your natural digestive health. The healthy ones you need are called probiotics. They provide digestive cleansing, prevent diarrhea, improve immune functions, and a host of other benefits. You should have live cultures for best natural digestive health. There are probiotic supplements and they can be found in fermented food, yogurt, buttermilk, and other foods.

* Take a High Quality Multivitamin: Vitamins are essential to proper function of your digestive health system. Remove the cheap ones, they mostly are not absorbed by your body. The casing and material binding them together can’t be broken down in digestion. Get a good quality multivitamin from the top producers.

* Use Natural Cleanses – Aloe drinks and similar supplements are great for improving your natural digestive health. These type drinks assist your body in its natural self-cleansing ability. Use aloe drinks, and stay away from colonics. Cleanse your colon naturally.

These simple, and common methods are available to everyone, everyday for colon cleansing and ending digestive problems. Today is the day to take control of your natural digestive health

The largest and the strongest tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon in the distal posterior calf. Typical patients with Achilles tendon rupture are men in good health from 30-50 years old and who have not suffered major injuries or any kind of difficulty with the leg before. Rupture occurs typically in people who have not been recently active and who may indulge in infrequent physical activity such as playing weekend sport, players known as “weekend warriors”.

The two large calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and the soleus, each have a tendon and these converge and form the Achilles tendon about 15 centimetres above the calcaneum. Tendons transmit forces from muscles to bones and to do this they have high resilience and sufficient stiffness, good tensile strength and allow 4 percent stretch before damage. Damage and rupture to the fibres can occur when the stretch reaches 8 percent. Most of the tendon rupture and degeneration occurs where the blood supply is poorest, about 2-6 centimetres up from the heel bone.

Achilles tendon tears occur mostly in the left leg where the poor blood supply is, perhaps because most people are right handed and push off more with their left leg. Common injuries are on sudden foot push off, an unexpected forcing up of the ankle and an upward force on the ankle when pushed down. Direct trauma and general degeneration of the tendon without trauma can also occur. People at risk include those exerting themselves when they are unfit, relatively older people, steroid users and those who exert themselves in extreme ways.

Achilles tendon forces in running can be very high and have been measured at six to eight times bodyweight. The patient typically reports a sudden snap or blow to the rear of the lower calf, a sudden strong pain, an ability to walk but not to run or climb stairs. On examination there may be a swollen or bruised calf, a palpable gap in the tendon and an inability to stand on tiptoe. A history of treatment with steroids, previous tendon rupture or an unusually high activity level (e.g. weekend warrior) can also be important findings.

Doctors choose conservative or surgical management, operation having a higher risk of complications and conservative treatment a higher risk of re-rupture. Non-operative treatment is suitable for sedentary people, diabetics, older people and those with medical problems or poor skin integrity. Impaired blood supply, diabetes and other illnesses make wound breakdown, tendon separation and infections more likely. A calf or thigh length plaster may be used with the ankle flexed down, moving it up regularly over six to ten weeks. The patient is allowed to weight bear and given an orthotic as the tendon heals.

Open or percutaneous surgery can be used and after the operation the leg is plastered with the ankle in plantar flexion or put into a brace. The ankle angle is adjusted upwards regularly week by week as healing goes forward until after 4 to 6 weeks the brace can be removed. Surgical repair is more successful due to lower rates of repeated rupture, quicker return to activity, greater strength and better endurance when compared to non-operative treatment. Research indicates that immobilizing the tendon for shorter periods is more successful.

The physiotherapy rehabilitation starts with ankle range of movement exercises without body weight loading, encouraging a good walking pattern and a heel raise to reduce the upward force on the tendon in gait. Static cycling and swimming are good starting activities, moving onto weight bearing exercises, muscle strengthening and onto more vigorous activities such as jogging, jumping and balance practice. Normal activity may be resumed by four months from surgery but this varies.

Achilles tendon rupture usually turns out with good or excellent results with most athletes getting back to their chosen sports. Surgical management has a re-rupture rate of 0-5 percent and conservative treatment up to 40 percent, so patient education by the physio in training and stretching performance and the best choice of footwear is important for the long term.

We have all been there: we go to the doctor with an aching back, she gives us a diagnosis, and writes out a prescription for some pain killers, along with some medical advice of what we can and cannot do. We take the pills, follow the advice, and the problem goes away. Or does it? Two months later, we pick up a heavy suitcase and injure our back once again – and start the vicious cycle of doctor-pills-advice all over again.

Treating a physical problem is always an uphill struggle – that is, unless you eradicate the problem completely. This is where osteopaths come in: they don’t just treat the symptoms of an ailment, they cure the cause of the problem. That is the fundamental difference between your local GP and an osteopath – while a doctor just examines individual symptoms, an osteopath will look at the ‘total person,’ or the body in its entirety. There are various other factors that distinguish osteopathic doctors from medical doctors:

1. Osteopaths are specialists in how the body works. Where medical doctors have a general overview of a large number of diseases, osteopaths are specifically trained in the musculoskeletal system. They therefore have a greater understand of how one system within the body influences the other, giving them a diagnostic as well as therapeutic advantage over GPs.

2. Osteopaths are uniquely capable of using Osteopathic Manipulative Training (OMT) to diagnose an illness within the body. In involves the manipulation of certain muscles with the hands to encourage the blood to flow to necessary regions of the body, which gives the body a much more natural opportunity of healing itself.

3. An Osteopath not only uses their hands to diagnose a problem, but also to treat to the predicament. While a medical doctor would prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to treat the symptoms at face value, an osteopath would work to free the muscle tensions, which not only stimulates circulation, but encourages the body’s own forces to eradicate the problem, preventing it from re-emerging in the future.

4. While medical doctors work to treat the immediate symptoms of an illness, osteopaths look at the history of the disease. If a patient were to have a knee injury, for example, a GP would most commonly acquire a patient’s medical history through means of laboratory procedures, such as blood tests, or other psychical examinations. Osteopaths work differently: they obtain a patient’s history by questioning whether the patient experienced excessive stiffness in the joints in the past, whether increased activity further aggravates the knee, and whether the pain varies based on the position in which the knee is placed. By obtaining the history in this manner, osteopathic doctors aim to find the source of the problem, and ensue to eradicate its cause.

The benefits of osteopathy are therefore numerous, but do they override the advantages of visiting your local GP? That is for you to decide. Depending on the nature of your ailment, you might even want to see both. The primary question you have to ask yourself whether your physical problem is a reoccurring one, and whether you want to treat the symptoms, or cure the disease.

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is not confined to golfers, but occurs in many sportsmen and women, with racquet sports the most common causes. Other sports where golfer’s elbow occurs are in bowlers in cricket, archers and weightlifters. This and the more common tennis elbow are tendinopathies, overuse syndromes where there is no significant inflammation but a pathological alteration in the body of the tendon at the painful site.

The muscles which flex and rotate the forearm originate over the medial epicondyle, the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow, with the tendon anchored into the bone by the tendinous insertion. The pain occurs close to this and may be due to a degenerative process occurring in the tendon, as little inflammation has been noted in these cases.

High stresses occur in the cocking phase of a throw and during the subsequent acceleration, and in the golf swing from high backswing down to near the ball strike. Golfers are more likely to have their dominant hand affected and tennis players who use heavy topspin in their forehands are also more at risk.

Golfer’s elbow is the most common cause of pain over the inside of the elbow and less common than tennis elbow. Twice as many men are affected as women, with people being affected initially mostly in their twenties to their forties. Golfer’s elbow presents in the dominant hand in 60% of occurrences, with 30% of sufferers reporting a sudden and painful onset, the remainder having a slow onset.

Patients complain of aching pain over the front of the inner epicondyle, worse with repeated wrist flexion and better with rest. Pain can occur in the shoulder, elbow, forearm or hand, with weakness in the lower arm and hand also. The physiotherapist will examine the bony areas and joints of the elbow, check the muscles and their tendinous insertions. The physio palpates the ulnar nerve in the groove behind the elbow, called the “funny bone” when it’s hit. The nerve can give pins and needles or weakness in the forearm and a neurological examination excludes other causes of pain or weakness.

Conservative, non-surgical, treatment is the mainstay of management. This includes physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, wrist splints and steroid injections. Patient education is important and activity modification is the first line of treatment, reducing the frequency of aggravating episodes. Altering the mechanics of the golf swing or other activity is vital if the area is to be allowed to settle. The patient avoids certain activities with the affected muscles and avoids leaning on the elbow.

In the acute phase of golfer’s elbow the physiotherapist’s aim is to reduce any pain and inflammation using ice treatment, stretching gently, deep frictions, ultrasound and anti-inflammatory medication. Progression into the sub acute phase changes treatment to increasing flexibility, strength and returning to normal activities in a paced manner. Counterforce forearm bracing can help realign the tendon stresses, or a wrist brace can give the muscles a rest. For a chronic syndrome the treatment is similar with reducing splint use and returning to sporting activities.

Doctors inject corticosteroid medication into the sites of chronic golfer’s elbow but this treatment appears to be more useful in the earlier, acute cases. Other therapies, such as shockwave or laser, have been used but do not seem to be effective. Once physio has been attempted for some time without improvement then a surgical approach may be considered, cutting out the abnormal tissue from the tendon. The ulnar nerve can be transposed around to the front of the joint from its position in the groove posteriorly.

Advice from a professional instructor is well worthwhile as they can instruct on technique of the golf swing, aerobic fitness, muscle strength work and flexibility. Warming up prior to activity and stretching afterwards, with good sporting technique and sound choice of equipment are the basic requirements. Monitoring of patients by the physiotherapist, especially if they are sports people, may be essential to avoid overdoing and training or performing through pain.

When a bitter wind bites at our toes, when exhaustion threatens to overwhelm us, and when eight out of ten faces we see are obscured by hankies, we all know what time it is: winter is on the way.

Winter has a way of getting to us with all the nasty that it brings with it: exhaustion, cold, illness, depression not exactly something to look forward to. In order to counter that, we have scavenged the globe for the most useful tips on how to prevent those coughs and sniffles this winter, ranging from dietary tips to advice on how to spend your free time. Here are some words of wisdom from some of our most valued experts:

Your Nutritionist says: Consume carbs, carbs, carbs! Forget Atkins, forget low-carb diets, your body needs carbohydrates in order to keep itself warm throughout the winter. Don’t overdo it, of course – keep in mind that everything is best consumed in moderation. What is essential to a healthy diet is to eat quality foods (whole foods, starch, protein, veggies) in the right quantities.

Your GP says: Build up your defences in as many ways as you can. One of the ways you can do this is by getting the flu jab. Modern medicine is a wonderful way of tacking long-existing illnesses. Other ways to boost your immune system are to take vitamin tablets and to get plenty of rest. A few extra hours of sleep a night will also increase your chances of staying healthy, doing miracles for your mind as well as your body. Also get some extra nutrients in addition to your daily meals, such as Zinc, Iron, and Vitamin C, will help strengthen your defences against the inevitable flues and sniffles that come knocking at your door at this time of year.

Your Osteopath says: Acupressure and acupuncture are well-used ancient practices which will enhance your sense of well being. They help spread and balance the energy within your body so you feel more centred and revitalised. A good deep-tissue massage can also achieve this sense of balance. By loosening up your stiff joints and sore muscles, a massage stimulates blood flow which enables you to feel fresh and more energetic. In order to treat external illness, we have to start by tackling the disease from within – only then can we treat the problem, not just the symptoms.

Your Psychologist says: Relax. Take a break from your daily stresses and go on holiday to Spain or the French Alps this winter – anywhere that is tranquil, sunny, and offers the opportunity to get some exercise. Many people suffer from seasonal depression at this time of year, which is largely due to the absence of sunlight. You won’t believe how much sunlight influences your physical and emotional wellbeing, so make sure you get plenty this winter.

Our experts have done their bit, now do yours. Now that you are armed with some of these useful health tips, go and face this winter head-on and emerge from the cold with a smile.

There are very few foods in the world that can claim to be superfoods. Superfoods must have many more aids besides just providing enough calories and some nutrition. However, there are some foods that are able to be elevated to superfood status because of the incredible benefits they can deliver.

Acai berry is one of these foods. With its ability to do everything from quicker weight loss to fighting off disease, acai berry can provide you with better health without any effort. What makes Pure Acai Berry such an incredible food is the fact that its nutritional content is as close to perfect as possible. First of all, it is absolutely filled with antioxidants. Click here to find more information about Benefits Of Acai Berry.

As you probably know, antioxidants are necessary for slowing down the effects of aging and for fighting disease. The berry also has monounsaturated fats, which are the healthy type also found in olive oil. Fiber and phytosterols are also part of the package, as is a well balanced amino acid complex. In all, this food is a very complete way of getting energy, nutrition, and antioxidants all in one package.

Because of its extremely complete nutritional content, the acai berry has the potential to provide tons of benefits for your body. Among the most popular reasons for people to use the product are to increase energy, maintain better health, and to lose weight.

You can expect to have more energy when you use the acai berry because of its combination of carbohydrates and fats and its high concentration of antioxidants. All of these things combined make it a very good source of energy and a great way to increase your stamina during the day. Because you are likely to feel and be healthier while taking it, this will also increase your energy.

The antioxidant levels of this berry are more than five times as high as in blueberries and other such foods. This makes them very powerful in terms of fighting aging and bodily damage. Many people rely on this berry to fight off the free radicals that can be implicated in everything from cancer to wrinkles. Antioxidants have the amazing power to neutralize free radicals, which can help you feel younger and healthier than ever before. By using foods with high levels of antioxidants, you can experience great health and fend off the damaging effects of pollution, UV light, aging and more.

Pure Acai Berry can also help you with your weight loss goals as it has the ability to help your body burn fat more efficiently and to increase your metabolism. In addition, because it can help your body work more efficiently in general, you can expect losing weight to be easier.

For instance, the ability of the berry to increase your stamina will make it easier for you to exercise, and the berries perfect amino acid complex will allow your muscles to function better during exercise. The berry even provides digestive support so that you can use your food more efficiently. The benefits of the acai berry are hard to beat and it is a great addition to any diet. Since it is not a local crop, the best way to get the benefits of this berry is in the supplement form offered by Pure Acai Berry.

Since this is the most concentrated and purest way of getting the incredible benefits of this berry, you will be able to see the benefits of this berry much sooner. Begin now and you can even get a Free Trial of Pure Acai Berry to see the benefits for yourself! Click on Benefits Of Acai Berry to find out more.

Clean out your system with an Acupressure massage. Acupressure massage is based on the ancient Chinese medical arts of acupuncture, but without the needles. Acupressure is accomplished by putting medium pressure on particular trigger points throughout the body. This type of massage therapy activates the body’s energy to increase the effectiveness of the immune system and restore balance within the body. Now technology is being used to locate and stimulate your body’s acupressure points in the premier massage chair brands of today.

Did you know that your body has over 300 acupressure points? These trigger points connect to major organs throughout the body. Sometimes these trigger points can become blocked leading to decreases in energy and lower levels of efficiency for your body. The ancient Chinese studied these points thoroughly and correlated the use of pressure to enhancing energy flow in the body. Western medicine is now catching up and has created maps of the body showing these relationships. Acupressure works by applying pressure to targeted points which help to restore energy flow and regain harmony in the body.

Acupressure massage is performed using kneading, tapping and vibration massage techniques. These massage techniques are used throughout the body in conjunction with stimulating the acupressure points. Delivering the acupressure massage is achieved by making rapid circular motions with medium pressure on particular trigger points. The trigger points are then stimulated in conjunction with massaging the body to release blocked energy. The energy flow is restored and the body returns to a normal balance.

If you are like most people, then you know your body can just get out of balance. We all deal with stress in different ways, but stress seems to be a constant. As it builds up, we need to relieve it. Built up stress causes muscle stiffness and the built up of toxins in the body. Both of these conditions cause the body to be out of balance. Acupressure massage benefits the body by helping to relieve the built up of stress, muscle aches and pain and reduce toxins levels. This helps to get the body back in balance.

The technology that is being incorporated into the best massage chairs is simply amazing. Advanced mechanical systems coupled to sophisticated software has produced wonderfully effective massage therapies. These massage recliners have sensors to scan your back. Their software programs create a digital map of your back and locate your individual trigger points. The software then targets these points and the mechanical systems provide kneading, chopping, vibration and firm pressure. These effective systems provide thorough and invigorating relief for your whole back and body.

The extremities of the body can now be effectively massaged with the massage chairs of today. These chairs have integrated air massage systems which use compressed air. The compressed air is delivered with a built in air compressor. The air compressor activates air bags which are specifically designed for a given muscle group. These air bags can be placed to massage the buttocks, thighs, arms, hands, calves and feet. They design them in an array of shapes and sizes to produce effective massage therapy for the targeted area.

New studies of acupressure massage are showing that it can help alleviate headaches, insomnia, dizziness, digestive disorders, constipation and in some cases even motion sickness. We are just beginning to understand the power of acupressure which has been known for centuries in China. Modern technology is being employed in the best massage chair recliners to deliver more effective acupressure massage treatments. The true effectiveness of acupressure massage is when it is done on a frequent basis. Remember stress accumulates daily, so the stress must also be released periodically. Massage chairs are the most cost effective and convenient way of receiving the benefits of acupressure massage.