Archive for July, 2009

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Major Holistic Health Therapies


2009
07.29

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Holistic health is the state in which we are whole, spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally, in rhythm and in harmony with nature and our environment. So where does anthroposophical medicine or Ayurvedic medicine fit into this? What have biochemical tissue salts got to do with my holistic health and why are homeopaths, naturopaths, herbalists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, osteopaths, chiropractors, cranial sacro therapists so popular? If you’ve ever had an acupuncture session, done some qi gong or been to a cranial osteopath, you’d know that you feel better all over.

It isn’t just women that are enjoying the benefits of a regular massage these days, men have discovered it too.
We’re talking about the benefits of holistic health therapies

We all know the benefits of massage therapy – from the gentle stroke of a lover to a mother’s loving touch. It can play an important part in easing a wide range of health problems and is appropriate for almost any situation.
Some of the most popular holistic therapies are commonplace these days. Acupressure, aromatherapy, chiropractic, flower remedies, massage and nutritional therapies, osteopathy, reflexology, shiatsu and lymphatic drainage are everyday treatments that some of us consider part of life’s necessities. Gone are the days when these treatments were regarded as little luxuries.

In many ways, acupressure is something we all enjoy when our instincts tell us to rub or apply pressure to a painful or injured part of the body. Developing from this basic awareness, the ancient Chinese discovered that there were specific points on the body that could be pressed in order to relieve pain, tension or discomfort.
Aromatherapy is very trendy these days and it is a readily accessible, subtle therapy that uses highly concentrated essential oils from plants and trees that are used to improve well-being on a physical, emotional and metal level.

Chiropractic therapy manipulates the spine and other joints, and so gently encourages the body to carry out its functions in a balanced way as the spine returns to normal alignment.
The 38 Bach flower remedies are gaining an increasingly popular profile – I’m never without Rescue Remedy, the 5 flower formula that has become extremely popular as a non-addictive, gentle medicine for the treatment of symptoms arising from trauma, stress or accident.
With the increasing obesity of the western world, nutritional therapy is in ever increasing demand. We’ve all heard “you are what you eat” – it is one of the most fundamental strategies we can adopt to improve our sense of health and vitality and beyond that, we can use it as a therapy that can ease the symptoms of illness.

Osteopathy is an extremely popular system of wholistic medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and connecting tissue) and attempts to establish the greatest potential for health by restoring function and mobility to this system. Osteopaths view the person as a unit in which structure, function, mind and spirit need to be in balance for the maintenance of good health.
Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to points on the feet and hands. The regulated pressure to certain parts of the feet has a therapeutic influence on those organs, glands and parts of the body that corresponds to the reflex being stimulated.

Shiatsu is a dynamic form of body treatment that uses a variety of different kinds of pressure and stretches to stimulate the flow of energy along pathways (or meridians) that criss-cross the surface of the body. It may be regarded as parallel to acupuncture in that it seeks to rebalance and harmonize the flow of essential energy (or qi – pronounced as chi) throughout the system as a whole and so enhances the body’s capacity for self healing

This list barely scratches the surface. The benefits of holistic health therapy vary from person to person and the specific impacts are as individual as we are. One fact remains, we all benefit from it.

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Anemia Signs and Symptoms


2009
07.27

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Human blood consists of red blood cells, which transports oxygen from out our lungs to our tissues; white blood cells, which shield us against bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances, along with blood-clotting factors. In addition, nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products to and from every cell in the body are also transported by blood. If this carefully regulated system was to breakdown or suffer an imbalance, anything from fatigue, cerebral hemorrhage, and death can occur. Maintaining rich healthy blood is of vital importance to ones survival, and can be achieved by eating whole, pure healthy foods, drinking pure water, and breathing pure air.

The lack of vitamin B12 and a deficiency in the number or the hemoglobin content of the red blood cells are all causes of the most common types of anemia. Other types of anemia, which includes leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia, are not represented in this article.

Symptoms of common types of anemia

When one has anemia involving the red blood cells various types of fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, fainting, thirst, irregular heartbeat, feeling cold, sleepiness, bad memory, paleness, backache, depression, loss of appetite, and constipation can be ubiquitous. If extreme blood loss is involved then one may experience shock. However, if one is suffering with pernicious anemia they may experience general weakness, numbness, or tingling of the extremities, soreness in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The most common causes of anemia are a result of a poor diet, which includes a lack of vitamins, minerals, and protein deficiencies. Causes that are more common are acute and chronic bleeding. Anemic conditions can also be caused due to a blood transfusion, congenital or autoimmune disorders, or kidney disease. Unfortunately, if one is eating a proper diet and still experience setbacks with anemia, the body might be unable to absorb the adequate nutrients it requires.

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CranioSacral Therapists – The Last 3 Ingredients in a Compelling CranioSacral Conversation


2009
07.26

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In my last ezine, you learned how to blend 3 essential ingredients into a tasty Sound Bite to tempt your Ideal CranioSacral Client:

1. The Patient
2. The Pain
3. The Potential

Imagine now that you’ve used your Sound Bite ~ and your Ideal Candidate nibbled! You told her who you help, what your ideal client is struggling with, and what she gets out of working with you. Then her eyes grew wide, she stepped a bit closer and asked, “How do you do that?” Take the opportunity to top off your Sound Bite with the last 3 ingredients that make up a complete CranioSacral Conversation:

1. The Process

At this point in your connection, the key is to keep the description of “that thing you do” as elementary as possible. For instance:

“I practice a very gentle, light-touch therapy that releases tensions deep in the body so you can relax, self-correct, and relieve stress and pain naturally. You simply settle in on my comfortable massage table in loose-fitting clothing and enjoy.”

Then add…

2. The Proof

Your Ideal Candidate is a reasonable person. She doesn’t really expect a healthcare guarantee. (If she does, run like mad!)

What she does want is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve actually worked with someone like her before. And preferably, you achieved good results.

Providing that proof is as easy as sharing a client-outcome story. Boil it down to your client’s presenting problem, the therapeutic outcome, and the results your client experienced in her life because of your work together. (Remember, no names or distinguishing characteristics without prior written approval.)

Now there’s only 1 more ingredient to add to the mix:

3. The Prompt

Before you ever have your first CranioSacral Conversation, decide what specific step you’d want your Ideal Candidate to take next. Resist the temptation to put her on the spot by suggesting a session or even a phone call. She’s not ready. It’s still too soon. Instead, suggest a risk-free next step. For instance:

“I’d be happy to send you some free information. Can I get your address? I’ll pop it in the mail.”

You just released any resistance your Ideal Client might have had. And if you listen closely, you can hear her sigh of relief as she finally sees help on the horizon.

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3 Best Ways to Prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia


2009
07.18

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Did you know that Iron Deficiency Anemia affects about 20% of the world’s population? It is also the most common type of anemia caused by inadequate dietary intake or absorption of iron. But if you do suffer from iron deficiency anemia due to lack of iron in your body, don’t look again on those poisonous iron supplements. Just follow these three preventive ways and you’re on the way of better living.

1. Eat Foods that are Rich in Iron

The best food sources of iron are wholegrain cereals, pulses and legumes, and fish. The best plant sources are green leafy vegetables such as dry lotus stems, cauliflower greens, and turnip greens; fruits such as black currants, watermelons, raisins, and dried dates. However, irons from these foods are hard for the body to absorb. It is recommended that you eat animal products, which contain heme iron. If you mix some lean meat, fish, or poultry with beans or dark leafy greens at a meal, you can improve absorption of vegetable sources of iron up to three times. Foods rich in vitamin C also increase iron absorption.

2. Cook Using Cast-Iron Cookwares

Did you know that cooking in cast-iron cookwares can add significant amounts of iron to your food and into your body? Yes, it’s true and this was proven by researchers who tested 20 foods. Acidic foods that have higher moisture content, such as applesauce and spaghetti sauce, absorb the most iron. In fact, for 100 grams of each (about 3.5oz.), the applesauce increased in iron content from 0.35mg to 7.3mg, and the spaghetti sauce jumped from 0.6mg to 5.7mg of iron.

Food cooked for longer periods of time absorbed more iron than food that was heated more quickly. Foods prepared with a newer iron skillet absorbed more iron than those cooked in an older one. Foods that were cooked and stirred more frequently absorbed greater amount of iron because they came into contact with the iron more often. Foods such as hamburger, corn tortillas, cornbread, and liver with onions won’t absorb much iron due to the shorter cooking times.

This list was provided so you can have general idea of the difference in dietary iron content when cooking in a cast-iron pan:

Foods Tested (100g/3.5oz) = Iron content when raw = Iron content after cooking in iron skillet

- Applesauce, unsweetened = 0.35mg = 7.38mg

- Spaghetti sauce = 0.61 = 5.77

- Chili with meat and beans = 0.96 = 6.27

- Medium white sauce = 0.22 = 3.30

- Scrambled egg = 1.49 = 4.76

- Spaghetti sauce with meat = 0.71 = 3.58

- Beef vegetable stew = 0.66 = 3.4

- Fried egg = 1.92 = 3.48

- Spanish rice = 0.87 = 2.25

- Rice, white = 0.67 = 1.97

- Pan broiled bacon = 0.77 = 1.92

- Poached egg = 1.87 = 2.32

- Fried chicken = 0.88 = 1.89

- Pancakes = 0.63 = 1.31

- Pan fried green beans = 0.64 = 1.18

- Pan broiled hamburger = 1.49 = 2.29

- Fried potatoes = 0.42 = 0.8

- Fried corn tortillas = 0.86 = 1.23

- Pan-fried beef liver with onions = 3.1 = 3.87

- Baked cornbread = 0.67 = 0.86

3. Avoid Whole Cow’s Milk on the First 12 Months of Life

Whole cow’s milk contains as much iron per liter as breast milk, but only a very small proportion is actually absorbed into the body. However, the iron in breast milk is very well absorbed by babies. Therefore, breast milk is one of the best sources of iron for baby providing all the iron needed (with all other nutrients and benefits) for the first 6 months of life. Bottom line: breast-feeding is the best way to prevent iron deficiency anemia in babies. If breast-feeding is not an option, or is stopped before 9-12 months, then iron-fortified formulas, which contain added iron, should be given to baby instead of whole cow’s milk.

Things to Remember:

* Chronic blood loss, times of increased need such as pregnancy, and vigorous exercise can trigger iron deficiency.

* Don’t take iron supplements unless advised by your doctor.

* There are two types of iron: heme iron (found in animal foods) and nonheme iron (found in plant foods). Combining foods that are high in heme iron with nonheme iron foods boosts the absorption power.

* Keep iron supplements away from children – as little as one to three grams can kill a child under six years.

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Headache Needn’t Be Crippling You! Get Out Of Pain Now!


2009
07.17

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One of the most commonly treated complaints in our office is headache. While there are many types of headaches with varying causes, the most common type is the “Muscular Tension Headache.”

Tension headaches generally result from prolonged contraction of the suboccipital muscles. These muscles bridge the junction between the posterior (back) of the skull and the vertebrae (bones) of the cervical spine (neck). Several mechanisms seem to be involved in the causation of the common headache:

Fascial restrictions causing pressure on pain sensitive structures Muscle inflammation and “trigger points.” Joint irritation and nerve compression.
Fascial restrictions

As the fascia tightens, it can compress muscles, nerves, blood vessels, joints, organs and cells. The restrictions shorten over time, as a result of poor postures, inflammatory processes, surgical scarring, trauma etc. These restrictions tighten around the neck and head and literally make the head feel like it is about to explode, the brain feels “weighed down”. The dura-mater surrounds the brain, this is the toughest fascia of them all – it also surrounds the spinal cord, attaching all the way down at the 2nd sacral segment. As extra dural (outside the dura) restrictions pull on the dura, it can affect pressure inside the head and on the brain, resulting in a headache or migraine.

Muscle Inflammation and Trigger Points

Today more than ever people are inclined to sit for hours with contracted postural muscles but without substantial physical activity. When muscles contract they burn fuel and produce waste. Among the waste products of muscle contraction are lactic acid, histamine and bradykinins. These waste products are irritants. If they are not efficiently removed from the muscle they can cause muscular inflammation, pain and accumulate into localized tender areas known as “trigger points.”

These waste products should normally be diluted and removed from the muscle tissue by the circulation. This process relies on the normal “contract – relax” cycle in the muscle. When the muscle contracts it creates a high pressure on the fluids inside the muscle and pushes the blood out carrying away muscular waste products. When the muscle relaxes the pressure falls and blood floods back in carrying vital nutrients and fuel.

When we sit or stand we are using the many back and neck muscles required to support our body. When these muscles are held contracted for a prolonged time (hours spent sitting or standing), they are producing irritative wastes, but not relaxing and draining themselves of these irritants. Over time these irritants can cause the muscles to lose their natural suppleness and resting length becoming stiffened and shortened. These stiffened and shortened muscles, often accompanied by trigger points can cause reflex pain into the neck and head.

Joint Irritation and Nerve Compression

The vertebrae of the spine fit together on moving joints that provide strength to the structure of the spine and maintain the vertebrae in proper working alignment with one another. The joints of the spine in the neck are richly innervated (supplied) with nerve fibers that can cause pain in the head and neck if the joints are physically strained or injured.

Once the above process has produced stiffness and shortening of the muscles in the neck the joints of the spine are no longer properly stabilized or supported. The affected joints of the spine often become subluxated (misaligned). This causes strain and injury to the joints and supporting ligament tissue. The result of the combined subluxation, tight fascia, ligament strain and joint injury is often neck pain with associated headache.

Treatment

We utilize myofascial release, a specialised form of hands on therapy to relieve the pressure on pain sensitive structures, which in turn improves circulation to muscles, range of motion of restricted joints and eases the whole system. This combined with physical therapy modalities such as electrical muscle stimulation, ice, and heat help to decrease the inflammation in the neck, which reduces your pain.

The next step is to keep your muscular-fascial stress and range of motion in your neck at a normal level. This is accomplished through proper stretches and exercises. Scott and the other therapists will guide you in your rehabilitation through the whole process. Act to get out of pain now!

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Treatment For Sleep Deprivation – Insomnia Treatments


2009
07.14

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The search for the perfectly effective treatment for sleep deprivation or insomnia has brought about some interesting breakthroughs in this field of study. For one thing, subliminal audio therapy just simply doesn’t work, at least not beyond psychosomatically, to affect a cure for this stressful malady. Self affirmations as well… well, that whole concept should speak for itself. However, there has been lots of data uncovered on the science behind this syndrome, and cures have been effectively produced.

The use of sounds as a treatment for insomnia and sleep deprivation for example, has had some very satisfactory results. Excluding music which has been seeded with subliminal or hypnotic suggestions, those that have an excellent effect are those that use tones and pulses in various frequencies. Of the most effective types of this brand of remedy is what is known as binaural audio therapy. Two specific, slightly out-of-sync frequencies of sound, one for each ear, are sent through stereo headphones where the brain then processes the data, which in turn induces the desired brainwave activity conducive to sleep.

Now, this has been rather effective – the only drawback is obvious… trying to fall asleep with headphones on, and not letting them get moved off your head while you sleep, as well as the wearing of them (and the movement of them on your head in sleep), waking you up again. This is one big matter that causes this to be more that a little counterproductive.

Fortunately, the most recent breakthrough in the quest for the perfect treatment for sleep deprivation and insomnia is what is known as isochronic pulses – tones and pulses of changing frequencies speak to the brain in its own language, requiring no stereo equipment, directly inducing the precise brainwave activity to allow the constant chatter in the brain to quiet down, achieving restful sleep.

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