Every doctor can tell you their names — the patients who change their diet, begin exercising, and lose 40, 50, even 100 pounds. Along the way, those patients also lose something else: medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. And their back pain and arthritis stop bothering them. They go from taking a half dozen medications to taking none.
The reason that doctors can tell you their names is that every physician has one or two such success stories — but only one or two. Many people are overweight, and most cannot lose it. The medical consequences include not just the diseases mentioned above, but also heart attacks, heart failure, cancers, and stroke.
Sad to say, surgery is the only proven treatment that leads to long-term “significant” weight loss. Not surprisingly, as the Baby Boomers age and gain weight, and as the operations themselves get more sophisticated, the number of operations performed has gone up about fivefold in the last years.
And an ever-increasing number of hospitals are now advertising their weight-loss centers, driven in part because these operations can help the hospitals fill beds and stay afloat financially.
Thus, the questions facing many people are, should they should have surgery, and, if so, where?
The current U.S. guidelines suggest that surgery be considered for people with a body mass index of 40 or more. If you have existing obesity-associated conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea, then a body mass index of 35 can be used as the threshold for considering surgery.
Just as the risks of having such a high BMI are considerable, the health benefits of dramatic weight loss for very overweight people can be huge. In a study of the New England Journal of Medicine, Swedish researchers described long-term follow-up on a large group of patients with obesity. At the 10-year follow-up, the weight of patients who had undergone surgery was 16% lower, while weight had increased 2% in comparable patients who did not have an operation. More than one-third of patients who had undergone surgery had recovered from diabetes, which is usually a lifelong condition. A wide variety of other health measures had also improved dramatically.
The problem is that the risks of obesity surgery are also considerable. In the Swedish study, significant complications occurred to 13% of those who had surgery, and the mortality rate was 0.25%. These rates are actually better than those at many hospitals — presumably because centers that are more experienced with these operations have better outcomes.
If you decide to undergo surgery for obesity, you should strongly consider choosing a surgeon and a hospital that meet the criteria recently developed by the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction. These guidelines recommend that the procedures be performed by surgeons who do 50 to 100 cases or more per year and at hospitals where more than 100 cases are performed annually. There should also be designated teams at the hospital (anesthesia, operating room) focused on weight-loss surgery, and round-the-clock attending physicians on-site to cover patients who have these operations.
The bottom line: First, do your best to avoid obesity, and to help those in your family do the same. Try to lose weight in the old-fashioned ways. But if you are very overweight, surgery can be a solution. The risks of surgery are not trivial, however, and you should do your best to pick a surgeon and a hospital that minimize the chances that you will have complications.
During your fight to avoid obesity, some alternative medicine therapy may help you, for example, acupuncture is proven to be able to reduce stress and anxiety, factors that increase impulsive eating, visit AB Acupuncture for more information about how acupuncture works.
I figure there are three kinds of herbs: those that are helpful, those that are hype, and those that are hyped a lot but happen to be helpful as well. Ginkgo biloba, in my opinion, falls into the third category although I’m not sure that what it’s hyped for is exactly what it’s helpful for.
My first questions are, “how can it do that?” and “shouldn’t we all be taking it?”. The advertising is fairly vague as to how it is supposed to work so, naturally, I had to look elsewhere for the answers. I think that once you understand how the herb works, it’s a lot easier to decide when to use it and for what purposes. The most available research on Ginkgo biloba indicates that it is helpful only in those conditions in which impaired circulation is a factor. Substances in Ginkgo biloba inhibit Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) in the blood and therefore make blood less sticky. Slippery blood flows better through arteries that might be partially clogged with cholesterol deposits. There also seems to be a regulatory effect on the muscle tone of blood vessels by the herb so that the blood has more room in which to flow. It makes sense that if something gets more circulation, it will work better. In claudication (a condition involving poor circulation to the legs), Ginkgo biloba was found to significantly improve the pain-free walking distance in those sufferers who took it. Similarly, memory loss due to poor blood flow to the brain might improve through the use of Ginkgo. In fact, there are clinical studies on dementia patients which showed modest improvement in memory in those who took Ginkgo. The problem is, not all dementia is related to poor circulation. So, if my brain is slow but the circulation to my brain is fine, will Ginkgo help me? Only if you believe that football players who wear those silly breathing strips on their noses really perform better than those who don’t. Seriously, though, I think Ginkgo biloba has a valid place in the treatment of circulatory disorders. Patients with claudication, impotence, memory loss, or other manifestations of microvascular (small vessel) disease stand a good chance of seeing improvement with Ginkgo at a far more reasonable price than the pharmaceutical drugs we have available today. The recommended dose of Ginkgo is 120 milligrams daily, usually taken in divided doses. Look for standardized Ginkgo biloba extract with at least 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides. It comes in several forms and is available at your local pharmacy. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking Ginkgo biloba. There is some evidence that it can contribute to bleeding complications if taken with other medications or herbs that also “thin” the blood. And if you’re interested in learning more about the curative effects of eastern medicine and treatments, consider booking an acupuncture appointment with AB Acupuncture. Acupressure points in the neck and shoulder area affect the circulation of Qi, or life force, throughout the body. Ancient texts say where the Qi goes, the blood, or circulation, follows. When we are under stress, we tend to hold energy in the neck and shoulders, either through focus on mental activity or through the unconscious protective muscular tightening that "covers the neck." You can work these specific points through self-acupressure or book an appointment with an experienced acupuncturist. You can work most of the important acupoints in this area by simply searching them out with your fingers. As you press into these areas, you are looking, feeling, asking for the most tender or tense areas to reveal themselves. When you find them, squeeze or press gently but firmly in the area until you feel a change in the sensitivity, then move on. To begin, it is best to lie on the floor or lean your head against the back of a chair or sofa though you can do these techniques in almost any position. Close your eyes, take a deep relaxing breath and use your thumbs to press gently and firmly into the muscles all along the base of the skull. Begin behind the ears and move toward the spine, exploring the area with your fingers. Still breathing deeply, return to the most tense or sensitive points, press and hold until you feel the muscle soften or the tension ease. Now find the most tense places in the back of the neck by rubbing across the muscles, one hand on either side of the spine, beginning under the skull and moving down to the shoulder. Find the most tense places there. Continuing to breathe deeply, press and hold. Moving down, cross one arm over the chest and squeeze all along the big muscle (trapezius) across the top of the opposite shoulder. Again, use your fingers to feel for the tensest or most sensitive point and breathing deeply, press and hold until you feel a release. Repeat on the opposite side. Now drop both arms to your sides, breathe, and imagine your skull is as heavy as a bowling ball, and is completely cradled by the surface on which it rests. Remind your neck and shoulder muscles that the head is supported for the moment so they can take a break and let go!! If you are returning to activity, imagine your head as light as a balloon, move your neck and shoulders, and lift off! Holding two points at the same time enhances the body wisdom of allowing flow of Qi between the points, which we experience as relaxation. The method is usually to hold a point in a tense area: a "local point", with another point along the same flow which influences movement of Qi: a "distal point." Or you may begin by holding the same local points on both the left and right sides and adding distal points to help more blocked locals release. Working on yourself, you may hold the local point with the hand on the same side of the body and hold the distal point with the opposite hand. There are several important points in the JSD #21 area. (See chart) You may just use your fingers to find the most sensitive point and hold it with a "joker": a point that may be held with many locals, or you may try holding the distal for the specific point that you think you have found. Holding two points at the same time enhances the body wisdom of allowing flow of Qi between the points, which we experience as relaxation. The method is usually to hold a point in a tense area: a "local point", with another point along the same flow which influences movement of Qi: a "distal point." Or you may begin by holding the same local points on both the left and right sides and adding distal points to help more blocked locals release. Working on yourself, you may hold the local point with the hand on the same side of the body and hold the distal point with the opposite hand. There are several important points in the JSD #21 area. (See chart) You may just use your fingers to find the most sensitive point and hold it with a "joker": a point that may be held with many locals, or you may try holding the distal for the specific point that you think you have found. See also Point Locations on charts below (NOTE: A "Tsun" is the width of the second knuckle of the thumb) #1 - In the hollow 1 tsun above the eyebrow, up from the pupil of the. #2 - Below the cheekbone, directly down from the pupil of the eye and pressing up towards the
cheekbone. #19 - In a hollow above the inner tip of the shoulder blade (scapula), 1 tsun lower than and inside
of #20. #20 - On the trapezius muscle directly up from the nipple line. #21 - Below #22, outside the junction of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae. #21: LI: At the level of the Adam's apple, in the body of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. #21: BL Inside and down from #22 about a tsun each direction. #21: SI: Behind and slightly lower than the #21:LI, in the "stringy" muscles of the neck. #21: TW: At the level of the chin, on the back edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. #22 - Between the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, just below the skull (occipital
bone). Press toward the opposite #1. #23 - On the back of the shoulder joint, about 1 tsun below the bony ridge (acromion) and
pressing up towards it. #24 - At the lower end of the deltoid muscle, pressing directly in towards the upper arm bone
(humerus). #26 - 2 tsun above the outer arm wrist crease, between the bones of the forearm (radius and
ulna) , where a little muscular knot can often be felt. #35 - ("hoku") - In the webbing between the thumb and index finger, at the end of the crease
formed when they are pressed together. Press toward the index finger bone. FORBIDDEN FOR
PREGNANT WOMEN. #37 - Just inside and above the inner corner (canthus) of the eye. Press toward the bridge of the
nose. "EAR LOBE Point" - Behind the earlobe, between the jaw and the base of the skull, pressing
toward the jaw. "Jaw" Point - In the masseter muscle, which forms a bulge when the teeth are clamped shut,
and a hollow when they are parted. "NOSTRIL Point" - At the side of the nose, on the bottom edge of the cheekbone. "TRAGUS Point" - In front of the tragus (flap of cartilage) of the ear. Crohn's disease is a long-term (chronic) condition in which inflammation causes injury to the intestines. It typically begins in young adulthood, most often between ages 15 and 40. No one knows for sure what triggers the initial intestinal inflammation at the start of Crohn's disease. Many experts think that a virus or a bacterial infection might start the process by activating the immune system and that the body's immune system stays active and creates inflammation in the intestine even after the infection goes away. Family members may share genes that make Crohn's disease more likely to develop if the right trigger occurs. Ten percent to 25% of people who have Crohn's disease have at least one relative with Crohn's disease or a similar disease called ulcerative colitis. Crohnύs disease is more common in people of Jewish heritage, relative to non-Jews. Once Crohn's disease begins, it can cause lifelong symptoms that come and go. The inside lining and deeper layers of the intestine wall become inflamed. The lining of the intestine becomes irritated and can thicken or wear away in spots. This creates ulcers, cracks, and fissures. Inflammation can allow an abscess (a pocket of pus) to develop. A unique complication of Crohn's disease is called a “fistula”. A fistula is an abnormal connection between organs in the digestive tract, usually a connection between one piece of the intestine and another. A fistula can be created after inflammation becomes severe. To understand how a fistula is created, consider the way the intestine attempts to heal. Between attacks of inflammation, the intestine recoats itself with a new lining. When the inflammation has been severe, the intestine can lose its ability to distinguish the inside of one piece of intestine from the outside of another piece. As a result, it can mistakenly build a lining along the edges of an ulcer that has worn through the whole wall of the intestine, forming a fistula. The section of the small intestine called the ileum (in the right lower abdomen) is especially prone to damage from Crohn's disease. However, ulcers and inflammation can occur in all areas of the digestive tract, from the mouth all the way to the rectum. A few other parts of the body, such as the eyes and joints, also can be affected in people with Crohn's disease. Some people with Crohn's disease have only occasional cramps, or diarrhea that is so mild they do not seek medical attention. However, most people who have Crohn's disease experience long stretches of time with no symptoms interrupted by bursts of symptoms, called an exacerbation, when inflammation returns. During an exacerbation, or during the initial appearance of Crohn's disease, you might experience the following symptoms: It may require months for your doctor to diagnose Crohn's disease with certainty. Your doctor will look for evidence of intestinal inflammation and try to distinguish it from other causes of intestinal problems, such as infection or ulcerative colitis, a related disease that also causes intestinal inflammation. If you have Crohn's disease, your symptoms and the results of various tests will fit a pattern over time that is best explained by this condition. Tests that can indicate inflammation and show evidence of Crohn's disease include: Crohn's disease is a lifelong condition, but it is not continuously active. Following a flare-up, symptoms can stay with you for weeks or months. Often these flare-ups are separated by months or years of good health without any symptoms. There is no way to prevent Crohn's disease, but you can keep the condition from taking a heavy toll on your body by maintaining a well-balanced, nutritious diet. By storing up vitamins and nutrients between episodes or flare-ups, you can decrease complications from poor nutrition, such as weight loss or anemia. Your doctor will monitor your blood for complications of poor nutrient absorption. Crohn's disease can cause a higher risk of colon cancer, particularly if it affects a large portion of the colon or rectum. It is important to have your colon checked regularly for early signs of cancer or for changes that can precede a new cancer. If you have had Crohn's disease affecting the colon or rectum for eight years or more, it is time for you to start getting regular testing to look for cancer. One good strategy is to have a colonoscopy exam every one to two years once you start regular testing. Medications are very effective at improving the symptoms of Crohn's disease. Most of the drugs work by preventing inflammation in the intestines. The medication commonly used first is a group of anti-inflammatory drugs called aminosalicylates. They are chemically related to aspirin and suppress inflammation in the intestine and joints. They are given either by mouth (pills) or by rectum, as an enema. Some drugs in this group include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Canasa, Rowasa), and olsalazine (Dipentum). Certain antibiotic drugs, particularly metronidazole (Flagyl) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro), help by decreasing the bacterial growth in irritated areas of the bowel. They may have a side benefit of decreasing inflammation, too. If you still have diarrhea, but there is no infection, antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Lomotil) may be helpful. Other more powerful anti-inflammatory drugs may be helpful, but they can also suppress your immune system so that you have an increased risk of infections. For this reason, they are not often used on a long-term basis. These drugs include prednisone (Deltasone, Prednisolone, Orasone) and methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), budesonide (Entocort), azathioprine (Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), and methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Folex). A new drug, infliximab (Remicade) has been used in recent years for severe Crohn's disease, particularly when a fistula has formed that does not respond to other treatments. This medication blocks the effect of a chemical called "tumor necrosis factor" that may be responsible for causing inflammation in the intestine. Surgery is another possible treatment. In general, surgery to remove a section of the bowel is recommended only if a person has bowel obstruction, persistent symptoms despite medical therapy, or a non-healing fistula. Up to 50 percent of people who have Crohn's disease will end up having at least one operation during the course of their disease. New or changing symptoms often mean that additional treatment is needed to keep Crohn's disease under control. For this reason, people who have Crohn's disease should be in frequent contact with a doctor. One serious complication, bowel obstruction, causes vomiting or severe abdominal pain and requires emergency treatment. This occurs when the inside of the intestine becomes narrowed so that the digestive contents cannot pass through. Other symptoms that require a doctor's immediate attention are fever (which could indicate infection), heavy bleeding from the rectum, or black paste-like stools (this is how blood looks after traveling a long distance through the intestine). Crohn's disease can affect people very differently. Many people have only mild symptoms and do not require continuous treatment with medication. Others require multiple medications and develop complications. Crohn's disease improves with treatment and is not a fatal illness, but it cannot be cured. Crohn's requires people to pay special attention to their health needs and to seek frequent medical care, but it does not prevent most people from having normal jobs and productive family lives. As is the case for any chronic illness, it can be helpful for a newly diagnosed person to seek advice from a support group of other people with the disease. It is important for everyone at risk of type 2 diabetes to understand the causes of the disorder because it is by treating the causes early - and effectively - that we can prevent or minimize the severity of the complications associated with this disease. Below you will find answers to some of the questions frequently asked by people learning about diabetes. We hope this information helps you better understand what diabetes is. Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a condition characterized by high levels of blood glucose (the simple sugar that "fuels" the cells of the human body). Diabetes develops when the body can't produce or effectively use a hormone called insulin that helps to remove excess glucose from the blood. The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, which is caused by the body's failure to make enough insulin or to be able to use it properly. The second most common type of diabetes is type 1 diabetes, which happens when the body can no longer make this vital hormone. Type 1 diabetes develops when the body can no longer make insulin, the hormone that helps to remove excess glucose (the simple sugar that "fuels" the cells of the human body) from the blood. People with type 1 diabetes must be treated with injections of supplemental insulin. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10-15% of all diabetes and occurs most frequently in children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes, which occurs mainly in adults, is much more common than type 1 diabetes and accounts for roughly 85-95% of all cases diagnosed. Patients with type 2 cannot produce or effectively use a hormone called insulin that helps to remove excess glucose from the blood. Type 2 diabetes has different causes and can develop and go undetected for years in people at risk. Decades can pass before it begins to show any signs, which is why type 2 diabetes is usually detected first in the middle-aged or elderly, long after damage to the body has already started. It’s worth noting that diabetes and obesity are conditions that commonly come hand-in-hand. Consider seeking diagnosis and treatment at IES Medical Group if you would like to undergo a procedure to assist in weight loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 135 million people worldwide are affected by type 2 diabetes, and it is probable that even more will have developed this condition by the year 2025 -- from 200 to 300 million1. Diabetes type 2 is symptomatic only when blood glucose levels are above normal. Common symptoms of high blood sugar in diabetes include being very thirsty, frequent urination, weight loss, lethargy, blurred vision, and recurrent infections. On the other hand, many people do not have any symptoms at all and therefore early detection is very important. The main sign of diabetes is too much glucose in your blood, something your doctor can detect. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and age accelerate the development of the disease in susceptible individuals. The factors that determine whether an individual develops type 2 diabetes or not are mainly genetic (i.e., in the family). What is Insulin? The primary "tool" used by the body to keep blood sugar levels under control is a hormone called Insulin. Insulin is made by special cells (called beta cells) found in the pancreas. When a person who does not have diabetes eats something, the body releases insulin to the pancreas as part of the process that converts food into fuel. Insulin helps cells in various organs to take in the glucose (sugar) that they need as fuel and also helps remove high levels of glucose from the bloodstream. In this way, post mealtime glucose spikes (high blood sugar levels after meals) are turned into normal blood sugar levels. Someone who cannot make insulin or one who cannot make proper, effective use of the insulin produced, ends up "starving" the cells of insulin and leaving blood sugar levels higher than they should be. End stage dementia is the last of the three stages of dementia. The challenges of this stage are dramatically different for the earlier stages. Many family caregivers are exhausted and often burned out from providing care at home when they get to this level of care.
The caregiving skills needed are dramatically different than the previous stages. At this stage of the disease, the former personality or the person that once was is no longer there. The mental capacities have remarkably deteriorated. The majority of brain cells in all areas of the brain have disintegrated. The death of these brain cells has a profound negative effect on the body and its organs.
Most problems in the early stages of the disease were mental, especially in terms of memory. Now, at end-stage dementia, it will be the physical decline that will take most of the caregivers' time. Negative and disruptive behaviors will decrease or be eliminated. At this stage, the body and mind are deteriorating and starting to fail. The individual affected by dementia can no longer control many bodily functions and requires total care.
The mental and emotional characteristics that were once the focus on care will now take a back seat. The challenges of providing physical care are now the priority. By this time, many family members decide placement outside the home is necessary.
Some family members feel that they want to continue to provide the care at home. Studies show that there is a better quality of care provided in the home setting. While it is possible to provide home care for someone at this late stage of dementia, it is really important that family caregivers understand that they will need added support. This support may come from family members, home health providers, and palliative and hospice care services.
More on caregivers and the challenges of dealing with end-stage dementia at home
Late-stage dementia symptoms and problems can be a real challenge for caregivers. Arming yourself with knowledge about what to expect during any of the dementia stages will bring you some comfort and help you provide better care.
Individuals at this stage become startled easily by noises or even a person entering the room. Take time to introduce yourself every time you approach them and let them know who you are.
Maintaining weight is difficult at this stage. Swallowing difficulties may arise and there is an increase in the possibility of aspiration pneumonia. It is a good time to have a swallowing and feeding evaluation preformed to become educated on feeding techniques to decrease the potential for this to occur. This is a time when getting them to eat anything for the calories are important. Often time, sweet things such as custards, puddings, and ice cream are good choices.
There are new behaviors that may appear, such as holding onto something and not letting go of it. Unless this object will cause them harm, do not try and remove it. They lose the ability to control movements and may even develop habits of patting something repeatedly.
Many individuals develop a sensitivity to touch and may respond when touched by moaning or crying out loud. The response is an exaggerated response that they no longer have control over.
Skin care at his stage is very important, as there is a decrease in nutrition, fluid intake, and activity. At the end-stage of dementia, the individual is mostly confined to bed, so complications such as infections, pneumonia, and pressure sores can occur.
Support services such as non-medical home health care and palliative and hospice services are needed at this time. Many questions if hospice will hasten death. It does not. Hospice will allow you to provide the best quality of care and make them as comfortable as possible. These services support the caregivers as they come to the end of their caregiving journey.
The challenges of providing care to those with end-stage dementia at home are possible to overcome. It is also important for a family caregiver to realize that they are not a failure if a placement is necessary. The most important thing is that the individual with dementia receives the best care. It is difficult for many family caregivers to change from their full-time caregiving role to that of an advocate. Many caregivers fail to realize advocating for quality care is just as important as being able to provide the care.
If you have elderly people in your family who have trouble doing everyday tasks like showering, then Fawssit can help provide their showering products which are easy to use and secure.
End stage dementia is the last of the three stages of dementia. The challenges of this stage are dramatically different for the earlier stages. Many family caregivers are exhausted and often burned out from providing care at home when they get to this level of care.
Methods of diagnosis which determine the nature of the humoral imbalance. The basics of diagnosis comprise three parts: visual observation, palpation, and inquiry. Accordingly, the first part concerns observation and has two moments, which symbolize the diagnosis of humoral imbalance by an examination of the patient's tongue and urine. Observation of the tongue is concerned under an imbalance of wind, the tongue appears reddish dry and coarse. Under an imbalance of bile, the tongue appears covered with a dense film of light-yellow mucus; and with an imbalance of phlegm, it appears pale, thick, smooth, and moist. The latter part concerning urinalysis or uroscopy consists of the examination of the external characteristics of urine affected by an imbalance of the three humors. In the case of an imbalance of wind, the urine resembles water which is slightly bluish in color and thin, and it produces large bubbles when stirred. If there is an imbalance of bile, the urine has an orange color, much vapor, and an odor that is both fetid and strong. If there is an imbalance of phlegm, the urine is whitish, with a slight odor and vapor. The next step is pulse palpation, which has three moments. The pulse of a patient who has an imbalance of wind is inflated, and, when pressurized, empty and sometimes incapable of beating. If the patient has an imbalance of bile, the pulse is rapid and strong, and when pressurized it continues to beat and resembles the twisted tail of a horse. If there is an imbalance of phlegm the pulse is submerged, faint, weak, and slow. The last part of the diagnosis indicates the procedures for identifying the secondary causes of humoural diseases, along with their symptoms and remedy. In each case, therefore the primary cause of disease - humoral imbalance, is complicated by activating or secondary causes of diet and conduct. The basics of the methods of treatment are conduct, diet, medication, and external therapy. Conduct which is recommended in cases of disease caused by an imbalance of wind indicates that the patient should stay in a warm location in the convivial company of pleasant friends. Those appropriate for diseases caused by an imbalance of bile indicate the opposite, namely that the patient should stay in cool locations and relax quietly. Lastly, in cases of diseases caused by an imbalance of phlegm, the patient should engage in energetic activities and keep warm. The food recommendations, which refer to the tastes, potencies, tranquilizing effects, and cathartic effects of various medications, are classified according to the three humoural diseases. The tastes and potencies of medications recommended for diseases caused by an imbalance of wind indicate that the taste should be sweet, sour, or salty and the potency of an oily, heavy, or gentle nature. Those recommended for diseases caused by an imbalance of bile indicate that the taste should be sweet, bitter or astringent and the potency of a cool thin or dull nature. Similarly, in cases of diseases caused by an imbalance of phlegm, the taste should be pungent sour or astringent, and the potency of a sharp, harsh, or light nature. As far as the classification of medications as tranquilizing agents namely: broth, medicinal butter decoctions, powders, pills, and tres-sam medicinal powders. Patients afflicted by diseases of wind are prescribed broths which may be prepared from bones, from the "four essences" of meat, butter, molasses, and wine, or from an extract of boiled sheep's head. Alternatively, they may be prescribed medicinal butter whose main ingredients are respectively nutmeg, garlic, three varieties of myrobalan fruit, five varieties of root plant including hog fennel and asparagus, or of black aconite which is revered as the "great medicine" (sman-chen). Patients afflicted by diseases caused by an imbalance of bile are prescribed decoctions based on elecampane, moonseed, gentian, or the three varieties of myrobalan fruit or powders made of camphor, white sandal-wood, saffron, and bamboo pith. Then patients with an imbalance of phlegm are to be prescribed pills composed of yellow aconite and mineral salts or medicinal powders composed of pomegranate, rhododendron, slaked lime burnt salts, and calcite ash. In addition to these medications which are described as having a tranquilizing effect, there are three types of cathartic procedures, namely enemata, purgatives, and emetics which are recommended respectively for diseases caused by wind, bile, and phlegm. Enemata may be prepared to purify and cleanse ailments' of wind alone or in combination with either bile or phlegm. Purgatives which also include ablutions, vigorous massage, and compress may be general or specific in their purpose, and strong or mild in their action. Emetics may also be strong or mild. This comprises three methods, also corresponding to the three humoural diseases. An imbalance of wind suggests that the therapeutic methods of massage and Mongolian moxibustion should be applied. The latter is a small hot compress made of felt which has been immersed in cumin seed oil. For imbalances of bile, the therapy should include induced perspiration, bloodletting, and bathing in cold waterfalls or natural springs, and finally, for imbalances of phlegm, the preferred techniques are compress and moxibustion. For the influence of spirits, there are innumerable disorders brought about by certain contributory factors or conditions relating to harmful influences or spirits. The 360 female spirit influences are connected with desire and attachment and give rise to Wind. The 360 male spirit influences are connected with anger and hatred and give rise to disorders from Bile. The 360 demons klu or water-dwelling spirits) and Sa-bdag (specific spirits that govern or haunt particular places) are connected with ignorance and give rise to Phlegm disorders. If they happen to be disturbed, all these spirits can cause harm, and people would have to consult a lama or tantric practitioner for divination. Through their help, the spirits would be expelled through religious rituals and ceremonies.
You can also consider acupuncture for a variety of different ailments. Visit AB Acupuncture to learn more about this form of Eastern treatment and even book an appointment. • To proceed without understanding therapeutic principles is like shooting an arrow in the dark. • The physician, who has not yet determined the details of heat and cold in clinical situations should proceed cautiously like a creeping cat. • The physician, who has made a firm diagnosis should proceed only as if hoisting a silken banner on the mountain. The physician, who has a correct diagnosis, but must first treat various impeding secondary symptoms, should proceed as if goading an untamed horse along. • The physician treating the patient of another doctor whose medication has been insufficient, excessive or counter-indicative, should proceed unerringly, like a gull catching a fish. • The physician should treat the most serious diseases with all available means as if meeting a deadly enemy on a narrow path. • The physician should treat minor diseases gradually as if scaling the rungs of the ladder. • The physician should treat diseases caused by single humor in isolation so that other humors are not harmed, like a hero vanquishing an enemy. • The physician should treat combined humoural diseases with equanimity, like a chieftain reconciling a dispute. • In brief, heavy treatment should be administered for a serious disease to the heavy load carried by a hybrid cow. • Light treatment should be administered for minor ailments similar to the lesser load carried by a sheep. • In this way, everyone will discern the nature of the disease as clearly as a silken banner on a mountain - top. If you’ve ever had a sudden and unexpected bout of low back pain, you realize how debilitating it can be. The intensity of the spasms, the startling onset that came seemingly out of nowhere and the incredible pain are sometimes more than a person can bear. At its worst, an acute attack of lower back pain leaves the victim completely and totally incapacitated. As a chiropractor, I see these cases virtually every day, and I do many a house call, for often the patient is simply unable to move. The spasms of acute back pain can literally take the legs out from beneath you. Even a simple task such as turning over in bed becomes near impossible, and the mere thought of getting out of bed causes a cold sweat. These experiences can be frightening, and people do not soon forget just how much pain they suffered during this time or just how paralyzed and afraid they were. Unfortunately, this fear frequently leads to a delay in recovery. Not only does the fear delay recovery but quite often poor advice from a well-meaning but ill-informed physician can cause a protracted and unsatisfying recovery as well. Patients often spend too many days in bed and take too much time off work. They develop an attitude that their back is somehow made of glass and that the slightest wrong move will cause a setback. Physicians tell these people to avoid lifting and sports, and even encourage sometimes unrealistic things like changing occupations and stopping activities that have nothing to do with low back rehabilitation. The experience with pain combined with some frightening expert advice often instills groundless fears that hamper proper recovery. The big problem with bouts of back pain is the all-too-common progression into states of chronic or recurrent pain. Recurrency occurs when a person experiences numerous acute episodes, whereas the term chronic implies long term, low grade pain and disability. In order to discover just how important activity is to getting over back pain, researchers in Seattle set out find a large group of people who had been in pain for eight to ten weeks and who had significantly reduced their activities as a result. They randomly assigned the 240 patients they found who fit these criteria into two groups, one for increased activity and one who would just keep doing what their doctors told them, so-called “usual care.” The activity group had a 90 minute psychology session in which they discussed back pain related fears, the benefits of getting their former lives back in terms of sport, recreation and activity, and how to set treatment goals. This group then had a couple of sessions with physiotherapists who taught stretching, work hardening and other appropriate exercises. Finally this group had another short psychotherapy session to deal with recurrences and the pains of healing and getting moving again. These people were quite typical of lower back pain sufferers; 60% were female and all were middle-aged. As a group, they all had reported moderate to severe reductions in normal activity because of back pain. The results compiled at the end of one year and two years were significant. Please remember that these people had no real treatment--just increased levels of appropriate activity. The activity group experienced a 33% improvement in disability scores, but only a modest advantage in their pain levels. The basic lesson here is that fear of activity often causes prolonged recovery and increases the chance of simple back pain becoming chronic and long term. This notion of less rest and more activity has been around awhile, but sadly most treating medical practitioners are not getting the message. Research has shown that bed rest beyond three days usually makes the problem worse. Not so long ago, it was common to find a person with acute back pain taking to their bed for six weeks, and sometimes on a striker board to boot. These unfortunate souls, while receiving what was considered to be the convention treatment of the day, were never the same again. It is false notions such as these that so frustrates not only active therapists like chiropractors, but also insurance companies and workers' compensation boards. The cost of chronic care and its resultant disability skyrockets when compared to active and appropriate acute care. So if you have back pain, don't be afraid of it. Get up and get moving! You can make it even more effective by adapting a holistic approach to back pain treatment. Besides regular exercise and a healthy diet, consider booking regular acupuncture treatments to help relieve pain all over the body. Asthma is a disease of respiratory airways wherein the process of breathing in a patient becomes obstructed. Sure one must therefore understand the basic anatomy and physiology of the lung in order to tackle asthma better.
The lung is structured in such a way that the main airway trachea branches out into smaller respiratory airways called 'bronchi' which further divide into millions of terminal branches called 'bronchioles'. These can be compared to branches of a tree bulging out of a main trunk. The smallest bronchioles open into air sacs called 'alveoli'. In the alveoli exchange of gases takes place across the blood to purify it. The air anyone breathes passes in-and-out of the lung through network of airways. Normal airways are of sufficient size to allow comfortable passage of the air during breathing. In a patient with asthma the size of airways becomes narrowed thereby making breathing difficult and it results in short supply of oxygen from lungs to blood. Narrowing of bronchial tubes results in a peculiar high-pitched sound while breathing which is known as a wheeze. Muscles of the chest get strained. In an attempt to relieve breathing obstruction patient coughs repeatedly. In the majority of asthmatic patients this narrowing is intermittent. Usually narrowing of airways occurs when a patient comes in contact with substances such as dust and pollen. Such noxious substances are called trigger factors. If you are an asthmatic then your airways are more sensitive or reactive than a normal individual's and so when these airways come in contact with an allergen they get constricted leading to an attack of asthma. The tendency of airway reactivity is inherited i.e. it is transmitted from forefathers. Airway reactivity usually increases with common cold, viral chest infections and exposure to allergens. Once airway reactivity is increased then even trivial trigger factors which normally do not cause asthma may induce attack of asthma. This means that once you come in contact with old dust it leads to increased reactivity of airways and activities such as laughing, coughing, crying (which normally do not cause asthma) may lead to increased asthma that time. Patient becomes crippled to a situation where trigger occupies pivotal factor controlling his life. Every 10th Indian not only knows about asthma but also suffers from it. Although an asthmatic can lead an absolute normal life with modern medication yet many other patients are not able to take proper treatment just because of their unbolt inhibitions. You can help yourself and your physician can help you win your asthma, only if the disease is properly understood. It is known that air passages of an asthmatic patient gets narrowed due to constriction of muscles, collection of thick mucus secretions and swelling. These three constrictive mechanisms are primarily caused by an airway inflammation. This fact was discovered just two decades back. The process of inflammation starts when a body part is hurt, and is seen as swelling. The trigger factors hurt the airways of an asthmatic patient and cause inflammation. It is the root cause for constriction of airways. Inflammation can be seen in airways by observing biopsy samples under a microscope. An airway biopsy done even in an asymptomatic asthmatic patient shows the marked inflammatory structural changes while the airways of non-asthmatics show no inflammation. Asthma manifests itself in various degrees of severity in different patients. Few suffer from it once in a while others may have regular attacks of this. Frequently occurring attacks of asthma in particular patient makes the life more difficult. The main symptoms of asthma are cough, shortness of breath, wheezing sound in breathing. These symptoms are aggravated during the night time. In patients, thick thread like mucous comes out from lungs generally in the morning hours after taking a bed tea. After expectoration of mucus thread, the patient gets much more respite from symptomatic asthma. Many patients develop asthmatic symptoms on exercising vigorously. For this simple reason, the children afflicted with asthma have difficulty while they play. But this problem can be overcome by a proper exercise training. In asthmatic patient airways get narrowed thereby causing obstruction in supply of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. Deprivation of oxygen is not compatible with life and therefore lungs work faster and harder to overcome airway barrier. Fast movement of air through narrowed airways creates whistling sound called wheezing. Cough starts in attempt to overcome the obstruction. It causes fatigue and distress to asthmatic patient. As the attack of asthma becomes more severe, carbon dioxide levels in blood builds up because it can no longer be eliminated by lungs. Deficiency of oxygen and increase in carbon dioxide levels interfere with normal body functions and cause headache, difficulty in concentration, leading to coma and in fatal cases even death. It seems as if the solution to asthma is to stop breathing. But alas, breathing is required for providing oxygen to body. Oxygen is most vital for life. It is consumed continuously for normal functioning in activities of various organs such as heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, brain, limbs and eyes. Carbon dioxide is liberated as a waste product during these organ activities. Blood ensures a constant oxygen supply and removal of carbon dioxide from these organs. Blood with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide contents from organs, goes to lungs to receive fresh oxygen and removal of waste carbon dioxide. Act of breathing delivers oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the body. Some patients even take regular acupuncture treatment to help improve their normal breathing functions. Visit AB Acupuncture if you would like to experience these benefits for yourself. • Symptoms of asthma can be controlled but tendency of asthma recurrence and the disease (airway inflammation) can not be cured but are preventable. • In 50 percent of patients asthma starts during childhood. Asthma subsides in half of the children while reaching 13-14 years of age. • Tendency to get asthma is inherited. In spite of this, asthma occurs only when one is exposed to trigger factors. • Infection is predominant precipitating factor for asthma in children. Many a times it is termed as bronchitis instead of asthma. • Mental tension can aggravate asthma but can not cause asthma. • Asthma may be fatal if not controlled properly. • Asthma does not make you handicap. Many asthmatics have acclaimed goals in their lives. • Asthma is not a communicable disease. It can not be transmitted from one person to other by any type of physical contact. “A mantra is a powerful word. It vibrates like music does, only not on this plane but on other planes of reality. It creates a powerful force.” – Anonymous Many people ride off mantras as nothing more than a superstitious belief, but for those doubters in the world, evidence has shown there is a power in sound. It can make the impossible, possible. Strength and renewed determination can result from repeating words aloud. Vows, promises, and beliefs gain substance when given a voice. It is often said that the sound of the mantra can aid the believer in achieving enlightenment, lifting him or her toward a higher sense of self. Words are revered means of communication, whether you’re discussing politics with a friend or pouring out your heart in prayer. All throughout history various cultures have believed in the sacred power of words or sounds. The English word “spell”, for example, can mean the simple array of letters to form words, as well as mean the power to manipulate nature to do the speaker’s bidding. “It is believed that if you knew the true names of the gods, then you could call upon them and compel them to do your bidding.” Although it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact date of its emergence, the mantra originated in ancient India, passed down from Vedic texts that constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and scripture. Nearly every mantra in Vedas, Upanishad, and various religious traditions such as the sampradayas, begin with the primordial sound Om or Aum – the words for the beginning and the end, and the first sound said to have caused the creation of the cosmos. ”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” Just as a loud trumpet can call to action or a soft humming can lull to sleep, different sounds can influence the human psyche. It can sooth jar or soothe nerves. Cause us to weep with pain or with joy. Sounds can affect us both physically and mentally. Speaking from personal experience, I was had a teacher who assembled a team of the biggest, bulkiest, most-muscular men in the classroom. Each of these guys could easily star on a football or basketball team and all of them were well known for being capable athletes. Our skinny, nerdy professor then asked them to hold out their arms as an experiment for the class. He then tried his best to push their arms back to their sides, using every ounce of leverage and strength he could possibly muster. He couldn’t, of course. If they had wanted to, any of these young men could pick the professor up and throw him over their shoulders. He was just that small. The class giggled and laughed as he practically threw his weight against the outstretched arms and failed to make them budge an inch. Next, as part of the experiment, he played thirty 30 seconds of hardcore, ear-bleeding death metal “music” at its highest possible volume. I’m not sure where he found the album and still can’t figure out if what he did was permitted by school standards, but it lasted for less than a minute. Everyone sat for several seconds, shell-shocked and horrified. Then, one by one. He pushed down the outstretched arms of his athletic students. No effort. No strain. It was as if the sound had sapped them of their strength. Many of the boys stared at him with wide-eyed wonder. They couldn’t believe that a teacher half their size, who had struggled to make them move so much as an inch only moments before, could push them around so easily. To prove his point, he then played Bach’s Ode to Joy for 30 seconds and repeated the experiment. The effect was immediate – he couldn’t budge them an inch. Although many students left the classroom thinking that the professor was simply trying to hype up his lesson on musical theory, a few students came away with the realization that there truly is strength in sound. Despite recent advances in medical technology, there is a wide call for alternative forms of medicine, and because sound has such a unique effect on the human body, Mantras are quickly gaining popularity. According to Ashley-Farrand, mantras energize prana (a form of life energy that can be transferred between individuals). By reciting a mantra while visualizing healing, many believe that the otherworldly combination of sound and concentration can act as effective remedy for a wide variety of ailments. However, a mantra chanted carelessly without conviction, or chosen thoughtlessly will not achieve the desired result. It is only through faith and strong will that Mantras can achieve one’s goals. Although this may just be a unique twist on the power of positive thinking, mantras have helped countless individuals for thousands of individuals searching for answers and strength – and it may even work for you. Acupuncture is also one of the traditional Chinese medicines that balance the flow of energy or life force. Visit AB Acupuncture to learn more. EAST BAY - Here's a little secret shared by the likes of Madonna, Cher and Gwyneth Paltrow: Facial acupuncture treatments offer one way to keep the steely sharp knife of the plastic surgeon at bay. Acupuncture facelifts are sizzling hot in New York, Los Angeles, London and Miami and continue to grow in popularity, according to Dr. Tim Armstrong of Cutler Mills Acupuncture in Warren, who offers the treatment himself. "I think the time is right for surgery-free facial rejuvenation right here in the East Bay," said Dr. Armstrong, who adds that the procedure is less invasive and much more affordable than conventional cosmetic surgery. The emperors of China have been lifting their royal droopy eyelids, freshening their eminent complexions and ridding themselves of double chins and sagging jowls since 960 A.D. But what can "acu-lifts" accomplish for us in 2007? According to Dr. Armstrong, acupuncture facelifts: * lift and tone sagging skin; * reduce dark circles and bags under the eyes; * moisturize the skin by increasing local circulation of blood and lymph to the face; * improve muscle tone and dermal contraction; * and eliminate blotches and red spots. According to the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture, of the 300 people who received a full course of treatment, 90 percent said they saw definitive results. How does it work? For thousands of years, the Chinese have been tapping into the 14 major meridians, or energy pathways, that course through our bodies. The pathways are filled with "Qi," or vital energy. A blockage in a meridian causes disharmony and imbalance, such as premature and exaggerated aging. "Acupuncture reduces signs of aging by accessing the life-energy in your body," Dr. Armstrong said. "A one-hour session of acupuncture corrects imbalances, relieve stress and makes you look younger." Someone interested in the treatment would first undergo a comprehensive evaluation of their general health and then 12 twelve treatments that comprise one course. Each treatment is followed by a 35-minute facial using organic facial products. Visible results will be seen after a few treatments, but marked changes can be seen after the sixth to eighth treatment, according to Dr. Armstrong. If the thought of needles makes you nervous, Dr. Armstrong explained that they are as thin as a human hair and very different from those used in doctors' offices. The sensation is similar to a mosquito bite, if felt at all. They are sterile and only used once, he said. To know more about acupuncture, book an appointment at AB Acupuncture! To increase fertility naturally, in terms of philosophy from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), both men and women should take the responsibility instead of blaming either side. This makes sense as many couples would become anxious and moody once they really wanted a baby but just failed though trying to get pregnant for so many times. Mental state can directly affect the chances of getting pregnant. So, as for increasing fertility naturally, the couples need to take the right way to regulate the imbalance of their bodies and state of minds as well, especially in those cases of unexplained infertility. When it comes to how to increase fertility naturally, kidney is the most mentioned visceral organ in TCM. It is no exaggeration to say that, to some extent, it always comes down to tonifying kidney no matter it is to increase male fertility or increase female fertility. Traditionally, as for specific assisted reproductive practice, there are many ways to increase fertility in TCM. However, the common way to increase fertility in men is mainly replenishing vital essence and controlling nocturnal emission with astringent drugs. And the common way to increase fertility in women is mainly regulating menstruation. As old saying goes like, men should cleanse his heart and limit his desires in order to store up sperm while women should calm her heart and stabilize her Qi in order to build blood. From the TCM point of view about reproductive health, physical weakness can result in infertility, or cause birth defects even though after pregnancy. Hence, both men and women should take control of them and improve the pregnancy environment through daily life, rather than just only relying on infertility treatments from fertility clinics and taking fertility medication or fertility supplements. Now I would like to introduce some daily principles. The purpose is mainly to give the chance to experience the basic idea that is advocated by Traditional Chinese medicine, including conforming to the course of nature, harmonizing yinyang, balancing between abstention and lust, and regulating both of mind and body simultaneously etc. Ancient Chinese already knew the fact well that both obesity and thinness could lead to infertility or irregular menstruation. TCM believes that overweight people tend to have heavy phlegm inside the body, which blocks the uterus and causes irregular menstruation. On the contrary, the skinny people tend to have excessive fire inside the body, which consumes body fluid and thus cause shortage of blood and Qi. Now modern research has confirmed that both of obese women and bony women is more likely to have endocrine disorders, which may reduce fertility. Hence, maintaining a normal shape is one important factor that is related to pregnancy. Acupuncture, along with Chinese medicine, can also help improve ovulation in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to some studies. Visit AB Acupuncture to learn more. Due to wanting a baby so badly, women are often full of too much stress and anxiety, which also affect the endocrine system. TCM also believes that emotional factor can directly affect the chances of conceiving. The stimulation from different mood can damage different visceral organ according to TCM theory. For instance, sullenness may injure liver and disrupt its function for releasing, which thus cause chaos of Qi activity and affect the uterus in the end. On the contrary, a tranquil mood can make internal organs work harmonically, which helps blood a Qi run smoothly. With the virtuous circle, sperm and blood can be generated continuously, which finally ensure the possibility of getting pregnant naturally. For women who are ready for pregnancy, presence of mind is required and they should always avoid being moody. Doing some appropriate concentration meditation is a good idea, which definitely can help emotional stability. In order to give a good environment for germ cell to be well developed, a few months prior to conception it is necessary to provide good nutrition by eating high protein and vitamin-rich diet. A balanced diet and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking mean so much as well. In addition, during menstrual period, foods that are warm and hot, easy to digest are more preferable while cold and spicy foods should be avoided. In ancient society productive forces were very low and fertility was a major problem. TCM emphasizes all favorable conditions to choose the best time for getting pregnant. Hence, it needs to adhere to some fertility taboos. • Natural disasters, such as thunderstorms, fog, extreme cold and heat of the weather; • Avoid special occasions, such as Buddha’s Birthday, New Year or a funeral; • Inappropriate places such as temples, kitchens, and graves. TCM believes that having sexual intercourse in the above-mentioned occasions will disrupt the people’s psychological and physical activity, thus reduce the pregnancy rate. In addition, sexual intercourse should not be avoided in the situations of physical fatigue and poor health. If violating the taboo, the health of next generation will be also affected even though the pregnancy success. Acne is a very annoying disease for most of us, especially during adolescence. When our skin are healthy and perform its job well, the follicles would produce sebum, then carry dead skin cells and toxic to the surface of our skin. But when the follicle is clogged up for some reason, then a pimple grows. Most pimples are found on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. Acne is a disease that could not be cured, western physician usually told us. People suffering acne are so disappointed when they heard that truth. Chinese herbal physician may, however, give you the hope to combat it on acne treatment with natural herbal remedies. Acne treatment by natural herbal remedies-Jingfang (classical formulas) According to Traditional China Medicine (TCM) theory, usually acne is considered a disease caused by pathogenic influence of excessive heat, dampness and blood stasis. Today I would like to introduce a trustworthy classical formula, which have been used in China for thousands of years. And what is classical formulas? Simply classical formulas are long used herbal formulas, especially those were used in Shang Han Lun, a medical treatise by Zhang Zhongjing that was published sometime before 220 A.D. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Gui Zhi (ramulus cinnamomi cassiae)…10-20g Fu Ling (sclerotium poriae cocos)…10-20g Shao Yao (radix paeoniae)…10-20g Mu Dan Pi (cortex moutan radixis)…10-20g Tao Ren (semen persicae)…10-20g Indications: (1).Acne is nodules. These are dark red, large, swollen, painful, solid pimples that are deep in the skin, usually cause scars, hard to disappear. (2).Inspection: Robust, red/red dim complexion, squamous or dry skin, dark red lips, cyanotic tongue. (3).Abdominal examination: Medium hard and full in abdomen, resistance when pressing especially in left lateral lower abdomen (indication for accumulation of dry feces), abdominal pain that increases with pressure, with dysmenorrhea or annexitis. (4).Flavoring herbs: 1.Danshen (The roots of Saluia miltiorrhiza Bge) and Chuanxiong (rhizoma chuanxiong) added is better. 2.Dahuang (Rheum officinale) added for accumulation of dry feces. 3.Niuxi (Achyranthes bidentata Blume) added for squamous or dry skin of legs. And it is worthy to note that this natural herbal remedies of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan works for only those syndrome of blood stasis, just like conditions above mentioned. It doesn’t work for all acne treatment. We have to differentiate the symptoms and signs again to identify the pathogens that trigger the acne first. Then we can prescribe the tailored and best formula for acne treatment. Another treatment that can help treating acne is acupuncture. To know more about this treatment, book an appointment at AB Acupuncture now! Chinese diet tea is one of popular natural ways for weight loss these days. When it comes to Chinese diet teas, the list of green tea, oolong tea or Wu Long tea, pu erh tea, and Wu Yi tea and so on would just comes to minds for many people. However, to see from the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine, they are far from the diet teas that work for all although the oolong tea benefits and pu erh tea benefits are obvious on burning fat in many cases. The authentic and best diet tea should be the one that is pinpointing the specific situation and constitution. Otherwise, if the wrong diet Chinese tea is chosen, it is very likely that the digestive and excretory abilities would be influenced due to excessive diarrhea. Therefore, the overall health would be harmed, let alone achieve the ultimate goal of weight loss. Chinese herbs are deemed to be used for both medicinal and edible purposes traditionally. Some tonic herbs with mild quality have been widely used as food to improving overall health. For example, lotus leaves and hawthorn fruit are the popular two ingredients in much weight loss tea these days. But as for how to fully make use of the healing potential of them, it needs to use other secondary herb to induce them according to some rules. That is the reason why there are so many formulas needed to remembered and followed for Chinese medicine practitioners. The main guidelines for Chinese dieters tea is that it is mainly used to awake the dormant ability of the body, which is sometimes called imbalance. After the dormant function is inspired, it might reshape the body by intaking what it should intake and abandoning what it should abandon. In other words, its main purpose is to make the body function back to normal again. According to the causes and physical differences, generally Chinese medicine tends to divide the overweight people into four different groups, which is helpful on the choice of the best Chinese diet tea for them. These typical four types are dampness stagnation due to heat in stomach, dampness stagnation due to spleen deficiency, stagnation of QI due to depression of the liver, and deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin. Statistics show that stomach heat and Qi stagnation are the two most common types in obesity. And their treatments are very likely to be very effective. By contrast, others would be much harder. For example, the effect on an aged yin-deficiency sufferer would be a lot poorer because of the metabolic problem coupled with chronic diseases. The weight loss effect, according to TCM theory, is closely related to the Vital Qi. In the first case, the Vital Qi is still strong enough to fight against the attacks from pathogenic factors. What it needs is some extra outside supports to encourage it again. But the latter is different as the Vital Qi in them is quite weak. It needs much more to recover the Vital Qi itself in the first place before fighting back to the pathogens. Here are some useful tips for choosing weight loss herbs. Herbal medicine is of course the medicine and has its side effects if used improperly. Many experienced herbalists pointed out that natural doesn’t necessarily mean safety. Similarly, many people believe that only toxic foods and herbs could be dangerous. However, it is so wrong idea. According to TCM, the nontoxic diet Chinese tea could also lead to adverse reactions as long as the herb attributes and constitution conflict to each other. So you have to read the product description very carefully to make sure your situation before buying any similar items. Randomly choose green tea diet plan would result in a backfire if lacking of the basic understanding on herb attributes. For example, someone heard that Chinese Alisma can lose weight and then took a lot of it, which would cause damage to the kidneys. Some herbal tea is intended to induce diarrhea, which TCM believes that using a laxative in a long run would lead to damage to digestion and absorption functions. Once the Vital Qi is hurt, the body would become weaker and weaker, which will just help gain weight rather than losing weight. Even worse is that it might cause serious consequence. First ask the question why you need to lose weight. Think about that and give yourself an answer. Actually nearly half of you do not need to do that. Did you use the right dieters tea if necessary? If you have found that it might be hazardous to your health, just stop it right away. The right choice means everything for your weight loss plan. Finally, if possible please go to visit an experienced herbalist and ask him to give out the tailored prescription. You can not just rely on one certain type of Chinese herbal diet pills or Chinese diet tea from the pharmacy for a long time as your constitution would also change accordingly along with the consumption of these Chinese diet teas. You can also try other ways like acupuncture for weight loss. Visit AB Acupuncture to know more. Chinese diet tea is one of popular natural ways for weight loss these days. When it comes to Chinese diet teas, the list of green tea, oolong tea or Wu Long tea, pu erh tea, and Wu Yi tea and so on would just comes to minds for many people. However, to see from the perspective of Traditional Chinese medicine, they are far from the diet teas that work for all although the oolong tea benefits and pu erh tea benefits are obvious on burning fat in many cases. The authentic and best diet tea should be the one that is pinpointing the specific situation and constitution. Otherwise, if the wrong diet Chinese tea is chosen, it is very likely that the digestive and excretory abilities would be influenced due to excessive diarrhea. Therefore, the overall health would be harmed, let alone achieve the ultimate goal of weight loss. Chinese herbs are deemed to be used for both medicinal and edible purposes traditionally. Some tonic herbs with mild quality have been widely used as food to improving overall health. For example, lotus leaves and hawthorn fruit are the popular two ingredients in much weight loss tea these days. But as for how to fully make use of the healing potential of them, it needs to use other secondary herb to induce them according to some rules. That is the reason why there are so many formulas needed to remembered and followed for Chinese medicine practitioners. The main guidelines for Chinese dieters tea is that it is mainly used to awake the dormant ability of the body, which is sometimes called imbalance. After the dormant function is inspired, it might reshape the body by intaking what it should intake and abandoning what it should abandon. In other words, its main purpose is to make the body function back to normal again. According to the causes and physical differences, generally Chinese medicine tends to divide the overweight people into four different groups, which is helpful on the choice of the best Chinese diet tea for them. These typical four types are dampness stagnation due to heat in stomach, dampness stagnation due to spleen deficiency, stagnation of QI due to depression of the liver, and deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin. Statistics show that stomach heat and Qi stagnation are the two most common types in obesity. And their treatments are very likely to be very effective. By contrast, others would be much harder. For example, the effect on an aged yin-deficiency sufferer would be a lot poorer because of the metabolic problem coupled with chronic diseases. The weight loss effect, according to TCM theory, is closely related to the Vital Qi. In the first case, the Vital Qi is still strong enough to fight against the attacks from pathogenic factors. What it needs is some extra outside supports to encourage it again. But the latter is different as the Vital Qi in them is quite weak. It needs much more to recover the Vital Qi itself in the first place before fighting back to the pathogens. Here are some useful tips for choosing weight loss herbs. Herbal medicine is of course the medicine and has its side effects if used improperly. Many experienced herbalists pointed out that natural doesn’t necessarily mean safety. Similarly, many people believe that only toxic foods and herbs could be dangerous. However, it is so wrong idea. According to TCM, the nontoxic diet Chinese tea could also lead to adverse reactions as long as the herb attributes and constitution conflict to each other. So you have to read the product description very carefully to make sure your situation before buying any similar items. Randomly choose green tea diet plan would result in a backfire if lacking of the basic understanding on herb attributes. For example, someone heard that Chinese Alisma can lose weight and then took a lot of it, which would cause damage to the kidneys. Some herbal tea is intended to induce diarrhea, which TCM believes that using a laxative in a long run would lead to damage to digestion and absorption functions. Once the Vital Qi is hurt, the body would become weaker and weaker, which will just help gain weight rather than losing weight. Even worse is that it might cause serious consequence. First ask the question why you need to lose weight. Think about that and give yourself an answer. Actually nearly half of you do not need to do that. Did you use the right dieters tea if necessary? If you have found that it might be hazardous to your health, just stop it right away. The right choice means everything for your weight loss plan. Finally, if possible please go to visit an experienced herbalist and ask him to give out the tailored prescription. You can not just rely on one certain type of Chinese herbal diet pills or Chinese diet tea from the pharmacy for a long time as your constitution would also change accordingly along with the consumption of these Chinese diet teas. You can also try other ways like acupuncture for weight loss. Visit AB Acupuncture to know more. Today Qigong is most often referred to as any set of breathing and Qi circulation techniques that are capable of improving health, preventing illness, and strengthening the body. Qigong is slow meditative exercise for the body, the breath, and the mind. ‘Qi’ is the vital force behind everything, everything is ‘Qi’ at differing densities; quoting Einstein, “matter = energy times the speed of light squared”. ‘Gong’ is cultivation, effect, attainment. Qigong can be translated as ‘cultivation of vital force’. It regulates the balance of Yin Yang energy returning the body to a balanced, normal physiological state. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human body is treated as an integral system of interrelated networks with different physiological functions. This integral system uses the energy pathways to link the organs and other human systems into a unified whole, making the communication and interaction between parts of the body possible. The energy that flows in the energy pathways is called Qi. It extends internally to the organs and externally throughout the body, completing and interrelated system of networks. Traditional Chinese Medical Qigong is a compilation of effective preventative, healing, and strengthening exercises derived from a long history of the Chinese peoples experience with nature and living in harmony with it. Qigong is studied not merely for the health and strength of the body, but as an attempt to understand human nature and its interactions with the environment and the universe as a whole. Realizing that humans are part of nature, any attempt to understand human physiology inevitably involves the study of wholism. From commoners to scientists, martial artists to government officials. Qigong studies span the masses of the Chinese population. Supporting Research into the Health Benefits of Qigong Qi Gong is a practice which combines relaxing movement, breathing and visualization. It is a tool to make Qi circulate in order to preserve one's health, cure diseases and prolong life. The consistent practice has been shown to foster development of a profound inner calmness and non-reactivity of the mind, allowing individuals to face, and even embrace, all aspects of daily life, regardless of circumstances. Science has proven the complementary healing effects of Qigong in medical science. Qigong can relieve chronic pain (including low back (6)), reduce tension, increase activities of our immune system (even at the genetic level (2)), improve heart health, mediates neuroendocrine responses (10), improve eyesight, and influence blood flow & biochemistry (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10). There is also proof of its positive effects on depression (4), and stabilization of the autonomic nervous system and the emotional state (5). It induces a state of relaxation via the induction of alpha brain waves and the release of serotonin (8). Jang & Lee randomized study put forth Qigong as an effective complementary therapy for managing the symptoms of PMS (9). It has also been concluded that visualization was an effective intervention for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers (3). The Division for Research and Education in Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies, Harvard Medical School, study of the ‘Use of mind-body medical therapies’ stated that ‘much opportunity exists to increase use of mind-body therapies for indications with demonstrated efficacy’ (11). The cultivation or preservation of ones health through the complimentary practice of Qigong plays an integral part in any persons path to wellness and the accomplishment of their goals. Join a class, read a book, buy a video. Want to try acupuncture treatment for relaxation? Visit AB Acupuncture to book an appointment. Menopause in traditional Chinese medicine indicates the permanent cessation of menstruation where there has been no period for an interval of 6-12 months. The time in a woman's life when she is starting to make the transition into menopause is called climacteric. During the climacteric stage, a woman makes the change from being reproductive to becoming non-productive. During this time ovarian and follicular function declines over a 2-5 year period giving rise to “Climacteric Syndromes” more commonly called Menopause. Menopause is a normal physiological transition in a woman's life where many women do indeed experience symptoms but other women may not. Menopause generally occurs between the ages of 48-55 years of age. The most common age in the industrialized countries for menopause is 51 years of age, in Malaysian women 50.7 years of age and in seven other Asian countries 50 years of age. If menopause appears before the age of 35 it is considered pre-mature and is commonly linked to obesity, smoking and going through puberty at an early stage. Another statistic to note is that women in a lower social class are more common to go through puberty at a younger stage than women in a higher social class. The biological basis of how much difficulty one will have while passing through menopause depends greatly on her lifestyle and dietary habits starting at their childhood. If one has had a poor diet and emotional straining life starting at early age menopause will be passed through with more difficulty. If a woman works excessively in the years preceding menopause there will also be more Women should try to live a balanced healthy life starting from early in life to promote uneventful menopause. In traditional Chinese medicine menopause is traditionally supposed to arrive at the age of 49 (very close to the western findings stated above at 50-51 years). The severity of symptoms during menopause also depends on how much essence (similar to genetics) was given to her at conception and birth. If both the women’s parents were healthy at conception and a healthy pregnancy had followed, women today are less likely to have severe symptoms during menopause. This is very similar to western thinking in that the amount of follicle activity (follicles are pre-determined at birth) slowly declines until estrogen decreases to a level where one's menstruation ceases. So in traditional Chinese medicine menopause is due to kidney essence deficiency. The best way to preserve and nourish your essence is to live a balanced life not only before and during menopause but for your entire life. A balance must be made between rest and exercise, emotional and mental health and all other aspects of life. Chinese Medicine is able to help women pass through this change in life. Many of the symptoms and difficulties of menopause can be alleviated with the use of Chinese medicinal herbs and acupuncture. Generally, herbal medicine is more effective in the treatment of menopause due to its ability to nourish the kidney essence. A traditional Chinese medicine doctor's treatment depends greatly on the pre-existing condition of the kidneys and therefore on the woman’s diet and lifestyle throughout her lifetime. The treatment of menopause is gradual and slow progress but can greatly improve a women’s transformation over a period of time. The most common symptoms a women may experience during menopause are: Headaches, tiredness, lethargy, irritability, anxiety, nervousness, depression, insomnia, inability to concentrate, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and sweating. Close to 85% of women experience hot flashes during menopause and almost 45% may experience them for up to 5-10 years after menopause! Click here to know more about acupuncture. In the early days, acupuncture was used to treat various conditions. In fact, those people who were suffering from such health conditions as infections, fevers, indigestion or colds were treated with acupuncture. This treatment has its root in China. That is why, it is seldom referred to as Oriental medicine. Nowadays, there are a number of treatments that claim that they can cure health conditions. However, they all fail in improving a person’s condition as well as in treating the ailment. There are some over the counter drugs that claim to provide pain relief but in the end, they result to long term side effects. Hence, a person ends up having serious health condition. There are some people who do not know anything about acupuncture. They feel and presume that it is just one of those lifestyle trends that are becoming popular these days. But, actually, acupuncture goes beyond lifestyle trends. This Oriental medicine has been around for several years. The early Chinese used acupuncture to heal and treat all sorts of ailments. And, they are still using acupuncture up to this day. Acupuncture is gaining wide popularity especially in the Western countries. Thus, there are numerous people who are curious about this Oriental medicine. Acupuncture is actually the safest and most effective treatment compared to prescriptive drugs. This Oriental medicine does not have any unwarranted side effects that can cause more harm to a person’s body rather than go. There have been several researches and studies which show that acupuncture causes some brain activities. This just means that the body reacts to the acupuncture therapy. Also, there are a number of people who underwent acupuncture for several months and found major improvements in their health condition. Patients who were suffering from chronic fatigue were feeling energized and rejuvenated after having several sessions of acupuncture therapy. In addition, there were also a number of patients who were suffering from PMS but later found positive results due to acupuncture. Acupuncture is actually based on a traditional belief that a body feels pain and uneasy if its balance is disrupted. Acupuncture basically unblocks the disrupted flow of energy and blood in the body. As a result, the body begins to feel rejuvenated and relaxed. There are several acupoints in the area of the body that triggers the release of natural healing properties of the body that help it to heal and treat unwarranted ailments. Hence, acupuncture is a natural way to treat ailments and is proven to be one of the most effective remedy. Click here to find out all about acupuncture alternative medicine and what it can do for you. The most common definition for how acupuncture works in the west is described in regards to qi and the flow or lack thereof through the body. Qi is often referred to as the invisible energy that flows through channels of the body referred to as meridians. Disease is thus the blockages of qi flow either localized or systematically. Qi may also be weak or too strong resulting in disease. Acupuncture, the insertion of small needles into the channels, unblocks and preserves a continuous strong flow of qi. Beyond the mystical description of acupuncture, there is a scientific evidence based explanation for how acupuncture works. Taking the terminology of acupuncture and translating the concepts into a understandable and practical ideas is essential to gaining a firm understanding of how acupuncture works. First, take the idea of the energy qi and transform the mysterious energy into what is absorbed on each inhale, oxygen. Second, take the idea of meridians, the channels in which the mysterious qi flows, and assume they are real, anatomical vessels filled with blood, which is the primary transport of oxygen to the whole body. Lastly the points where acupuncture needles are inserted have been found to be anatomically, bundles of nerves ending, which are stimulated by the needles. Chinese Acupuncture has three primary actions, which counter disease: pain relief, reduction of inflammation and homeostasis restoration. Acupuncture succeeds at achieving these effects through a variety of basic mechanisms caused by stimulation of the nerve bundles located at acupuncture points. The first mechanism of how needles create an effect is vasodilatation to the area of disease. The next mechanism is the needles stimulate the body's healing potential to the area of disease. In addition to stimulating healing, the needles also cause a release of the body's natural pain killing chemicals like endorphins. Lastly, as anyone who has been to an acupuncturist knows, the sessions creates an environment of total relaxation which can allow patients to let go of any tension being stored in the muscles and take a break from the stress of living life. To sum it up, qi is oxygen, being inhaled into the body sustaining life. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body through vessels. When oxygen decreases to certain parts of the body disease occurs causing pain, inflammation, and lack of homeostasis. An insertion of an acupuncture needle stimulates the nervous system causing vasodilation, healing mechanisms, pain killer release, and muscle relaxation, in a proper environment where healing can occur to its full potential. Give it a try today! Visit our AB Acupuncture site and SIGN UP today! Chinese medicine places a great role on nutrition to create health within the individual. For each organ system, which includes: Kidneys, Liver, Heart, Spleen, and Metal there are certain foods that help to strengthen the organ system. Each organ system has a particular role in the functioning of the body. This article is going to focus on the nutritional needs of the organs system of the Kidneys. The main function of the Kidneys organs system in Chinese medicine is to store life essence, govern reproduction and growth, maintain bone health and optimize brain function, control the flow of urine and keep the will power strong. The kidneys are also vital to every other organ system in Chinese medicine. General Symptoms of the Kidneys out of balance include. Bone issues, especially related to the knees, lower back, and teeth. Also Hearing problems, such as hearing loss, ear infections and disease. Hair problems are a kidney imbalance and this includes hair loss, split ends, premature graying. Any urinary, sexual or reproductive health problems are a kidney issues. Premature aging which includes premature graying or premature ovarian failure as well as poor growth and development and excessive fear and insecurity. To help strengthen the Kidney organ system we can eat or drink various foods. One of the most important things to do is drink water. Water is the kidneys element so remember to drink water throughout the day to keep the body well hydrated. Having a diet rich in salty flavored foods such as sea salt, seaweeds, tamari, Miso, sauerkraut, kimchee, which are Korean cultured vegetables) can also help. Remember to balance your salt intake, do not over consume salt and switch from table salt to sea salt. Kidney shaped foods, which means the foods resemble the shape of the kidney organs. These foods include black beans, kidney beans, and most beans. This is known as the doctrine of signatures, which is a philosophy shared by herbalists that states that herbs that resemble various parts of the body can be used to treat ailments of that part of the body. Blue and Black foods support the kidney function: Blueberries, blackberries, mulberries, black beans, figs have this color. The color black and blue is related to the Water element of the kidneys. We are able to strengthen the elements by choosing the corresponding colors. Seafood such as crab, freshwater clams, mussels, oysters, fish, shrimp, seaweeds, supports the kidneys. As well as meat products include pork and duck as well as chicken and duck eggs
A Sample of Self-Acupressure for Neck and Shoulders
Simple Neck and Shoulder Self-Acupressure
Neck Release with Specific Points
LOCAL POINTS
DISTAL POINTS
POINT LOCATIONS
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Diagnosis
Expected Duration
Prevention
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When To Call A Professional
Prognosis
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Type 1 Diabetes
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What causes type 2 diabetes?
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Treatment of illness.
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Mantra for Medicine
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Natural ways to increase fertility
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Chinese Diet Tea?
Idea about Chinese diet tea
Types of Chinese diet teas
How to choose herbal diet tea?
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Tea lose weight or not?
Chinese Diet Tea?
Idea about Chinese diet tea
Types of Chinese diet teas
How to choose herbal diet tea?
Herbal tea is not equal to safety
Diet teas may backfire and cause trouble
Tea lose weight or not?
Qi Gong – Body Mind Breath Meditation Exercise Overview and Research
Menopause Treatment with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture: Natural Medicine For The 21st Century
How Does Acupuncture Work
Chinese Nutrition and Optimal Ageing
By choosing the right foods you are able to help the function of the particular organ system out of balance. By adding Chinese acupuncture from licensed acupuncturists you can really help your system feel great and get your body working optimally!
Click here for more information about traditional Chinese medicine like acupuncture.
