Alternative medicines

Posts Tagged ‘health and fitness’

Everyone gets the occasional headache, but some headaches get so bad they won’t go away. While drugs treat the symptoms, they often ignore the underlying cause of the problem.

The worst headaches can be slow to respond to the intended effect of the medications. The stronger medications can have negative and long-lasting effects to the rest of your body when used for extended periods. They is why many people finally decide to look to other, more natural (and safer) solutions for their problem such as chiropractic.

Some Types of Headaches

When treating any type of health condition, the first and most important step is to understand what is causing the problem. Since there are many different kinds of headaches, some are more effectively treated by chiropractic than others. Headaches are often caused by

-changes in constriction of the vascular system

-tension in the muscles

-sinus congestion

These headaches can refer or radiate pain all over your head and they can feel like they’re centered in many different locations, but it is most important to realize that chiropractic seems to work best in the types of headaches that are based around muscle tension and changes to vascular flow. Sinus headaches have also had success, but they are likely to have a more complicated cause.

The three main types of headaches most often found in chiropractic offices are:

-migraine headaches

-tension headaches

-cervicogenic headaches (from the neck)

This last category sounds a bit daunting but cervicogenic simply means a headache that is caused by referred pain that actually originates within the bone or muscles of the neck.

Tension Headaches

If we become stressed, scared, or angry, your body will respond with increased muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. This reaction is called the fight or flight response, and it is the normal response to stress. If we are stressed often (as most of us are) and we can neither run or fight, the muscle tension becomes a habit.

This can lead to some imbalances in the way we hold our body, which in turn leads to more muscle tension and pain. Chiropractic treatment can relax these muscles and realign the spine’s structure to put and end to the vicious cycle of pain. Those seeking chiropractic care for tension headaches can often see a marked improvement in just a few treatments as the nerves become less irritated and the muscles begin to relax.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are caused by changes in vascular flow, which can be brought about b a variety of factors such as changes in the weather, hormonal changes, stress, even different smells or foods — just to name a few. These headaches do not always start as pain, but may begin with nausea or visual auras. The headache can be strong or weak, but most migraine sufferers experience very painful headaches.

Recent studies have shown chiropractic treatment may play a significant role in reducing the number of migraines a person has. By careful manipulation of the neck and spine, chiropractic adjustments may be able to reduce nerve irritation in the spine, thus preventing radiating or referred pain, and improve vascular flow.

Treatment

Chiropractic care centers around manipulation of the spine and neck to improve blood flow and posture. To reduce the headaches, the chiropractor will perform spinal adjustments using his hands, but may also include massage, trigger point therapy, or other types of complementary treatments to address the problem. The doctor of chiropractic will probably also include some home care recommendations such as stretching exercises and posture education to help keep things balanced between visits.

Really, what does it matter? Who cares what the ingredients of natural skin care products are as long as the products work? I saw that exact comment on a skincare website recently.

I dont care whats in it as long as it works.

Firstly lets talk about why so many people are now turning to natural skin care products. The reasons seem to be twofold as far as I can tell.

1. That there is a slow realization amongst consumers of skincare products that there really are naturally occurring substances that are extremely good for your skin.

Theres now no doubt about that. In the past I have talked about Phytessence Wakame for example. This is a seaweed found in Japan that has extraordinary properties that are excellent for skin health, and this is one of the major reasons why Japanese women have such good skin. They eat the important ingredient.

Here’s another example. Shea Butter. This is the oil found in the nut of the Shea tree, a tree found in Africa. It has wonderful natural moisturizing properties. And there’s lots more examples of naturally occurring substances that are as good or much better for your skin than the ingredients found in big brand skin care products.

2. There is also a growing realization that the big brand name products often contain dangerous ingredients. That is often the case where there is a chemical ingredient that can be used in a product that is way cheaper than a more natural, more expensive, alternative.

I have also written extensively about the dangerous ingredients that can be found in skin care products and cosmetics, (and some so called natural skin care products too).

So if you consider these 2 reasons for the big movement towards more natural skin care products it does seem to us that the ingredients that are found in your products ARE important.

The consumer wants ingredients that are safe to use and work well. This movement towards all natural alternatives is driven by what is in the products. The ingredients are what concern people.

Give us safe and effective products any day.

But sadly not even all natural skin care products contain safe and effective ingredients.

But there is a way to work out which products are safe and effective and I’m pleased to say that there are some very good, effective and safe natural skin care products that are well worth using.

The company that makes the best natural skin care products lists all the ingredients on it;s website and has also signed the Compact For Safe Cosmetics.

That is pretty persuasive. Find out who they are on my website.

Diabetes is chronic disease that occurs commonly among the population. It either manifest itself due to your poor diet or inherited from your parents. Learn which herb you can use to treat it naturally without using conventional drugs, which may have some undesirable side effects.

One of the best treatments for diabetes is the bitter gourd. For diabetics, it is highly recommended that it be taken frequently as part of their diet. In the morning, before having any breakfast, the bitter gourd juice should be taken. You can use bitter gourd in its powdered form if the bitter taste of the juice is too strong for you. You can use the powder in your food to help disguise its bitterness. As a boost to the bitter gourd, you can include the use of the Indian gooseberry. It is has very high levels of vitamin C, which is great in controlling diabetes. The mixture of the two will create a strong remedy to help control diabetes and also feed the pancreas to allow the secretion of insulin.

If infusions are more your thing, butea leaves are good at helping to reduce or control your blood sugar level. Take the leaves and boil them. Drink the water either hot or cold. Other than butea leaves, you can use mango leaves. The leaves can be used in its dried or powder form. Taken daily, it has been known to treat and improve the diabetes condition.

Chewing on ten curry leaves will help with the treatment of diabetes. Aside from treating diabetes, the curry leaves are able to help in weight loss. Curry leaves can be used in cooking and making of salads. It is known to be especially helpful in dealing with hereditary diabetes.

The fenugreek seeds can be taken many ways. If you prefer, you can take the seeds raw at night or more conventionally in your drink. Either leave the seeds in the water overnight and drink the next morning or add the powder to milk. You could also use the fenugreek seeds to cook. Taken daily and you will be able to see the results.

The wonderful smelling cinnamon is a boon to herbal treatments as it has many benefits besides being able to control blood sugar levels. It is able to promote appetite and smooths digestion. The best way to take it is with a teaspoon of honey at night. It is also a special spice to add to the cooking of food and vegetables.

The herbs mentioned earlier are effective in treating diabetes, but there are still other herbs that are just as effective in treating diabetes. It would take more than a single article to list all of the herbs and the other benefits you can achieve from using these natural treatments.

Whatever the herb you choose to use, it is advisable that you consult your family physician before trying any of these herbal remedies. Although, they are all natural treatments, they may have interactions with some medication. This is to ensure that we achieve the results we are looking for safely and effectively.

Do you know what organic skin care products are? Or are you a little confused?

What is organic skin care? How do you find the best organic skin care? How do you find the safest organic skin care brand? What is the safest organic moisturizer?

There is a growing interest in organic skin care and many women search words just like these in their favorite search engines every day.

There is no definition of organic skin care, and no easy way to really find out what it is.

If you search the dictionary for organic you’ll find something like:

characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms.

In other words, they came from something living.

That helps, but not a lot really.

As an example do organic skin care products only come from sources like farms that are “certified organic”? If so what about ingredients from products grown in other countries? What are their certification standards?

So what happens where an ingredient is used from a non farm source? There are excellent skin care products using a particular Japanese seaweed. The sea isn’t “certified organic” is it?

But surely anything that comes from the sea is clean? No sadly there are many contaminants in the sea in certain places.

So can you see the problem here? There isn’t a definition of what organic skin care products really are. And you can’t know if what you see marketed as organic really is. What is an “organic moisturizer” for example?

And all the same problems apply to “natural” skin care products.

So lets think laterally. What is someone who is searching for “organic skin care products’ really looking for?

What she wants is a product that is safe to use and works well. Because sadly consumers are learning that many big name skin care products and cosmetics and much more contain ingredients that may be dangerous to your health and your skin. Like lead, and mercury.

And even skin care products labeled organic or natural can have suspect ingredients too.

It’s true. And that’s why so many women worldwide are now looking for more natural or organic skin care lines and cosmetics. But even this doesn’t guarantee safety.

Knowing what women are searching for is useful.

They want “safe” skin care products that work well. So how do we find these?

Firstly start with the Cosmetics Safety Database. There you can search any ingredient in skin care products to see if it is considered risky to health.

And the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics also has a compact that any company can sign that evidences their intent to use only ingredients known to be safe in their products. And if you look you’ll see that the big name companies haven’t signed.

If the company that makes your cosmetics or skin care products hasn’t signed don’t buy.

There’s 2 things you can do to find safe skin care products and cosmetics. Search the ingredients, and search the compact. Find out where to do these searches at my website.

But how do you know if the products work well? Thats another matter entirely. Perfectly safe products may not work well.

The best way we know is to try try the products yourself. See if they work for you. But of course if they dont youve wasted quite a bit of money havent you?

Fortunately the company that makes the worlds finest skin care products offers a money back guarantee so you can try risk free.

And it’s not a coincidence that they make the best products, if their products didn’t work they couldn’t offer a guarantee or they’d go broke giving money back.

There’s a 2 step method of finding skin care products that are both safe, and effective.

If you want to find out how to do these searches then visit my website, where you can also find out which natural skin care products come with a money back guarantee.

When it comes to back pain, people of all ages experience the problem of having lower back pain. This is one of the most common of problems for people and is caused generally by some sort of swelling or inflammation due to poor posture or other cause. Most people don’t know what the underlying cause is, they usually want to find a way that will help them to relieve lower back pain.

You may get lower back pain from jerking the wrong way when playing a sport or lifting heavy objects, you may even have spent many hours at your desk working on a project. There may be any number of reasons that your back may be out. Almost every person everywhere has had instances of lower back pain some time throughout their lives.

When you strain your back or your muscles are exhausted, you may experience some pain in your back. In some cases you may hurt yourself to the point where you are experiencing extreme pain and may not even be able to leave your bed. In this particular case you may want to see a physician. There may be some other problems wrong when you have extreme lower back pain. In the event that you are having some uncomfortable but minor back aches or some tightening of your lower back then you will want to try one of the tips for back pain relief listed here.

You will want to know that many times you will find that the pain you feel in your lower back is due to the fact that you are exhausted, and your muscles need time to relax and to heal themselves. In this situation you will need to take a while and just take a break. This will give you a chance to ease the problems you are having with your back.

In some cases people will turn to using ice as their remedy when they have back problems. For back pain that is caused by swelling , ice packs can help stop the swelling. When you get hurt, swelling happens when the blood rushes in the area of your injury, helping to heal the problem. During this healing process you may feel some pain and discomfort, using ice in this situation helps to decrease the swelling, lets your back heal itself, and will numb the area offering a quick and efficient pain reliever.

Compression is a way of easing back pain, by adding support to your muscles. This will give you what you need to be able to move around when working or doing other activities. Using a bandage on your lower back, may be a way to allow you to continue your work.

If you just want a quick way to relieve lower back pain that you know for certain is minor, you may also want to try acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin to ease the pain from back problems.

Do it yourself chronic back pain relief can be achieved at home and could be the most convenient way of dealing with a problem that affects freedom of movement and maybe even mobility.

Our backs can fail without warning, and it is often something very simple, like picking an iron up at arms length that can lead to that first ominous twinge in the back, followed by later more serious pain as the injury takes root. Quick home remedies can be the answer. Most incidents of chronic back pain are short lived lasting only a few days. Then there is always the old sports trainer’s trick of applying something cold pressed to the wounded area to prevent inflammation and swelling. Nowadays it is recommended that any “cold” treatments should be followed immediately by a warm treatment as this can help to restore the circulation quickly.

Doing gentle exercise, such as swimming, walking and muscle stretches can be beneficial for chronic back pain relief. It is important that you should try not to let the pain divert you form performing your normal activities, as regular movement can help to stop the problem from immobilizing you. Regular light exercise is always a good idea, even under normal circumstances, but in the case of chronic back pain, it can substantially reduce the healing time.

Exercise is always a good response to chronic back pain. It’s like telling the pain that it’s not going to prevent you from doing what you normally do, that you’re not going to let it win by ruining your usual lifestyle. Chances are that if you do give in to it, that it could entrench itself forever.

There are some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, that can help. Drugs like Ibuprofen are also effective. But you should be careful and use these in the short term only as prolonged use can lead to ulcers or other stomach ailments. They do hide pain, but remember you need to cure the cause. If the cause still persists it warrants further investigation and a change of treatment or medication. It may also be worth considering muscle relaxants to see if they bring any comfort, but their use should be short term only to avoid any dependency occurring There are also things called COX 2 inhibitors that have a history of helping with chronic back pain disorders but beware, they have been linked with causing heart disease, so consult a doctor before taking anything.

Certain complimentary treatments or therapies (such as the Alexander Technique) can help. These programs are a way of teaching you how to use your body muscles and joints correctly, including posture etc, to minimize any undue, unnatural and unnecessary stress being exerted. Also, acupuncture, while not a self help solution, can still be considered “natural” and has shown proven results and has many devotees.

Collagen plays as large role in the health of spinal discs and regular daily doses of up to 2500g of vitamin C, which supports collagen growth, can provide back pain relief. It is often recommended that taking daily doses of Glucosamine Sulphate may facilitate the repair of chronic back pain causes.

Pets: you can love them and hate them simultaneously. One moment they are peeing on your favourite shirt, and the next they give you more TLC than you have ever received in your life. But regardless of what they do or how you feel about them, there are many health advantages to having a pet:

1) Lower stress levels and blood pressure. According to studies conducted at the University of Warwick, interacting with pets (such as stroking them or playing with them) has the tendency to lower a persons blood pressure and relax them. In another study, stockbrokers with high blood pressure readings were asked to adopt a cat or a dog, and those who did were later found to have much lower blood pressure levels in stressful situations that those who did not adopt a pet. Of course, this will not work if you do not like animals or are afraid of them ” then they will probably cause more anxiety than they resolve.

2) Recovery from illness. Pets have been known to help people in astounding ways, but they have the greatest number of success stories with heart attack patients. Various studies show that patients who have suffered from a heart attack tend to live longer if they have a pet at home, and they are also less prone to heart disease than non-pet owners. Pets can also serve as a loyal support system to their bed-ridden owners, providing them with the comfort that results in a quicker recovery.

In extreme cases, such as when a person is in a coma, surgeons have even recommended for a pet to be brought to the patients bedside. While there is no real evidence to support this claim, there have been incidences when the pets presence helped the patient awake from their coma. Dogs, in particular, have also been known to offer relief to Alzheimers and Parkinsons patients.

3) Improves social life. Many domesticated animals are social creatures, and therefore provide much social interaction ” whether it is a cat that curls up and falls a sleep on your lap or a dog that follows you from room to room ” a pet owner is very rarely alone. Pets also serve as great ice-breakers or conversation starters among strangers, both inside and outside the home.

4) Happiness. It is often underestimated how much pets can influence our happiness. In many cases they have helped their owners deal with loss and hardships, even helping them fight depression. Some psychologists have even recommended the use of pets in therapy sessions, as petting a rabbit or playing with a dog raises the serotonin levels in our brain. Being greeted by an energetic dog or purring cat that is excited to see you can be very uplifting if you feel like the life just isnt going your way. This is why pets are also used in elderly homes, to help individuals feel less lonely and isolated.

Regardless of whether you break up with a loved one or lose your job, your pet will love you no matter what; and that, in itself, is an essential quality that human beings cannot live without.

The practice of yoga in Europe and the US is seen as a type of escape from the materialistic and stressful society we live in. Therefore, a yoga class can very well become an oasis of peace and tranquility, an escape from the crazy world we live in. Individuals who because of commitments can’t attend a session, always have the possibility of learning something from a yoga DVD.

The DVDs that are on the market today cover a wide range of topics and styles and address the different needs of people: there is yoga for beginners, yoga for traveling, a complete yoga workout, yoga to help pregnancy, and last but not least even yoga for curing disease.

A yoga DVD can have both good parts and bad ones in it, just remember, watching a video is not the same or as good as getting personal instructions from a teacher. In direct sessions the trainer can point out and correct what you do wrong in a posture and you can ask questions to understand one aspect or another, whereas a DVD mainly lacks the possibility for direct interaction and the benefit resulting from it. Probably this is the reason why the level of a yoga DVD is usually a very basic one, teaching users relaxation, breathing techniques and all sorts of meditations.

It is not unusual to hear about one student or another who got injured while using some yoga DVD instructions to practice an asana. Also, experts don’t really recommend this kind of informational product because of the potential hazards for beginners who are in the early stage of learning. Teachers, yoga interns and trainers are the ones to really take advantage of the information on a yoga DVD, because they have achieved and reached a certain knowledge, which allows them to see the instructions about new yoga postures in a different way.

It is fair to say some trainers use a yoga DVD in their classes as a teaching tool, but the applications per se vary according to the structure of the course and the way the instructor sees fit. If you have less than six months of yoga practice, then it is safer not to rely on a yoga DVD to work out exercises alone.

Even after six months to a year you may still have difficulties when trying to apply one technique or another, therefore do not push your self to hard, and remember that yoga gradual natural development.

It often seems as though Eastern and Western approaches to health are often at odds with one another. This is not always true. More and more osteopaths are now suggesting that clients try a combination of both practices, fusing Western osteopathy with Eastern acupuncture.

Acupuncture is holistic approach to health that has its origins in China, having been refined and developed evolved over 2000 years. It is based on the philosophy that our health relies on the free flow of our bodys energy ” known as Qi ” through a system of channels that lie beneath our skin. The pathways are all connected to the bodys vital organs, so if the flow of Qi is upset in some way (either by physical illness or emotional disturbances), the health and harmony of our body comes out of balance.

Acupuncture therapies are carried out by having very fine needles playing along the energy channels at specific pressure points in the skin. This is done to encourage the flow of energy and get rid of any physical tensions. By placing the needles in specific places the body is forced to tap into its own healing response, helping restore its natural balance.

But what does acupuncture have to do with osteopathy? Acupuncture and osteopathy have very similar philosophies, both view the body and mind as interconnected entities. They both believe a condition can only be cured if you eliminate the root of the problem, rather than merely treating its symptoms, and this is why osteopaths advise patients to do acupuncture in addition to osteopathic treatments.

While some people see acupuncture as simply a way to alleviate pain, it helps heal specific complaints as well as illnesses. Here are some of the problems and conditions that acupuncture can help with:

- High blood pressure and circulatory problems

- Cranial problems, including headaches and migraines

- Respiratory problems. These include asthma, breathlessness, and various others.

- Musculo-skeletal problems, helping to soothe pain in the muscles and joints. Deals with many osteopathic problems such as stiffness in the knees and neck, sciatica, frozen shoulder, and arthritis.

- Allergies

- Insomnia or aiding relaxation

A lot of patients have also expressed that acupuncture has given them gives a better sense of wellbeing ” improving their energy levels, vitality, and overall health.

Many people tend to shy away from acupuncture because they are uncomfortable with the idea of needles. Therapists often reassure their clients that the needles used for acupuncture are very different from the ones used to administer injections: they are a lot small and do not penetrate the body in the same way. While everyone responds to pain in different manners, most do not find the experience painful at all.

Not everyone is convinced that practices such as acupuncture work better than painkillers or sleeping pills. Others are adamant that natural healing processes are the only option. There does not always need to be a choice. If you have suffered from chronic pain or feel constantly overwhelmed by stress, combining East and West may be your best option to feeling healthier, refreshed, and more energetic.

The Aloe Vera plant does not like cold weather so it grows where it warm year around. However, it will thrive if you grow it at home. Some folks like it as a house plant but that is the least of ifs use.

Many peoples around the world know this green, thick-leaved plant because it has a gel which has been used by many to help with various physical conditions to which humans suffer, for thousands of years.

Helping to heal wounds better is one condition for which the Aloe Vera plant is known. Although its effect on wound healing is not clear. Reputation says that the Aloe Vera gel eases pain and cuts down on inflammation. Thus let us look at what the science says.

In the 1990’s a study was performed showing that healing time of a severe to moderate burn was reduced when it was treated with Aloe Vera gel on a regular basis. In this study the Aloe Vera healing time was compared to the healing time of a similar burn which was covered by a gauze bandage.

But, a different study indicated that Aloe Vera gel treated wounds were slower to heal. Whether or not this gel promotes faster wound healing remains an unknown. Although, there are said to be some promising results coming. Thus, you will have to make your own study of this gel if you get a burn or a wound and wish to use it.

Does the Aloe Vera plant have any more uses?

A substance which is not approved for human use has been extracted from Aloe Vera gel by a commercial laboratory. It is an immunostimulant which is approved for treating a cancer (fibrosacoma) in cats and dogs. Only a veterinarian can use it.

Companies that make cosmetics are always looking for a way to enhance their products. So, Aloe Vera gel has been seized on as an excellent addition to shampoos, lotions, makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soap and sun screen. How effective is the gel when used here? Well, as we all know about cosmetics, its certainly a commercial secret — or at least a mysterious unknown.

Treating dry skin conditions is one of the common uses of Aloe Vera gel. Eyes which have eczema around them often get a gel treatment. In fact, sensitive facial skin is sometimes treated with gel.

An article published in the British Journal of General Practice suggests that Aloe Vera is effective at treating athlete’s foot.

But, there are other uses for Aloe Vera — other than applying it externally in a lotion or cream. This sap has been consumed internally as a juice for a long time.

People suffering from the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis have used Aloe Vera gel as a juice. However, there can be side effects, so consulting with your doctor before doing this is highly recommended.

Well, we now know a bit about Aloe Vera . . . but, how can the gel be extracted from the plant? The gel is not from the root or the fruit. Where, then, do we find it?

The lower leaf of the plant is used for medicinal and other purposes. These leaves are typically green, thick and bulky, If the Aloe Vera leaf is sliced open, a gel can be obtained.

However, be careful. Here is something to be aware of if you want to extract the gel yourself.

There is a yellow substance called Aloe Vera latex, which comes from the inner side of the plant’s skin. It can be highly irritating. Some who have reported negative effects from Aloe Vera may be applying or eating this yellow substance. You must carefully remove all skin and anything yellow before using the gel. The gel must be totally clear, odorless and tasteless.

This gel is also said to be good for clearing up eczema, according to some reports. It has also been applied on herpes infections for possible instant symptomatic relief.

But, in addition to the medical uses, Aloe Vera gel is consumed as a food in many parts of the globe.

In Japan, Aloe Vera is commonly used as an ingredient in yogurt. There are also many Japanese companies which make Aloe Vera based beverages.

In some of the parts of early British India, which is now Pakistan, the plant has been used for centuries as a digestive aid. Consumed after a meal, the dried gel is mixed with seeds of various herbs to make the potion. Sort of an early days Tums, huh?

Pashtuns in India have been using Aloe Vera for centuries to improve physical performance. This effect is due. probably, to the great nutrient content of the gel. People in Rajasthan, India, prepare Aloe Vera as a vegetable combined with fenugreek seeds.

In another state of India, Tamil Nadu, a curry is made using Aloe Vera. It is usually eaten with Indian bread or a serving of rice.

Aloe Vera gel is contained in some popular beverages. SoBe’s Strawberry Drink is one. Smoothies served in Mexico commonly contain Aloe Vera. This gel is an ingredient in a South Korea popular soft drink.

Disclaimer ” Information included here is not meant to diagnose, treat, mitigate or cure any condition or disease. You should consult with your doctor or medical adviser before using. No information given here is approved by any government agency. It is for educational purpose only.