Alternative Medicine

Essential Oil Candles Make Aromatherapy Easy

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 31, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


Essential oil candles are candles that use essential oils to add scent to the candle. The purpose of scent is to create an aromatherapy effect. The essential oils are made from the oils of various plants. The scent is made by distilling the oil out of the plant and suspending it in a hydrophobic liquid. This method produces a clean scent that is easy to add to other substances like candle wax. When the wax is heated the aroma is released, and it fills the room.

Aromatherapy is the art of using various scents to stimulate changes in behavior and thought processes. The art has been practiced for centuries with considerable success. There are many different oils and plants used to create different scents. Essential oil blends are a combination of different essential oils. Pure oils use only one plant derivative. Aromatherapy soy candles have been in high demand. They are one of the favored all natural candles that use essential oils to create aromatherapy.

Different scents produce different outcomes. Lavender is one of the favored oils. It has a light, clean smell that attracts men and women. It is said to have a calming effect when inhaled. Burning a lavender candle creates a relaxing, calming smell that is conducive to relaxation and sleep. Lavender also as antiseptic properties. It is said to be effective at lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate. People are left feeling calm and in control.

Eucalyptus oil is used in candles and it creates an energized atmosphere. The smell of this oil causes people to feel refreshed and energetic. It slightly rises the heart rate and encourages occupants of the room to inhale deeply. This increased oxygen intake increases the feeling of energy. It helps purify the thoughts and help people focus. It is also advantageous for the respiratory system. It helps expand bronchial passages and reduce congestion. People are left with a feeling of well being and energy.

Chamomile oil has long been touted for its healing properties. Chamomile is also beneficial in candle form. The aroma helps people to feel relaxed, sleepy and calm. Chamomile candles are delightful to use with a hot bath. Or, to burn in the bedroom prior to going to sleep for the night. Of course, all candles should be extinguished before going to sleep.

Oils can also be used to enhance romance. Floral scents such as roses, gardenia, and jasmine have an aphrodisiac effect on some people. Men tend to prefer such scents as cedar wood, cinnamon and patchouli. Different scents work in different ways depending on how their brain interprets the aroma.

There are many other ways to use these oils other than candles. Candles are convenient and inexpensive. They are also readily available and can be made strictly of all natural products. They are also attractive and decorative. Candles are able to fill a room with the oils aroma quickly. All of these attributes add to make candles one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.

Is Bio-Banking the New Future?

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 30, 2010 in Health with No Comments


Canada has one, Estonia has one, The United Kingdom has one and, obviously, Iceland has one of the largest ones. Bio-banks are increasing in both number and popularity all around the world particularly due to the advancement that the research on the human genome knew during the past few years.

Basically, a bio-bank is a database where the government and private companies as well store DNA, tissue, and health information that can be used in order to allow researchers to find genetic causes for any sort of disease. Nowadays there are voices supporting the idea of disease-specific bio-banks. Here scientists would store samples from people suffering from a specific disease such as breast cancer, for instance. Such a data base could help scientists to better study the causes and evolution of the illness and find a cure faster.

When thinking about disease-specific bio-banks, the first things that come to mind are those used to research on AIDS or cancer. These are the ones that, up until now, caught most of the media’s attention and have, therefore, a higher visibility. But since the medical society believes they have a great potential in finding the sources and the cure for almost any disease, their number is increasing and so is the number of the disease studied. Nowadays, we have bio-banks specializing in research on diabetes, autism, heart disease and schizophrenia. And, of course, the list could go on and it will certainly get bigger in time.

The truth is that there has been a lot of talk on the matter of bio-banking and bio-preservation, particularly due to the media coverage this sort of medical facilities enjoyed. We hear a lot of stories about how a little girl’s life was safe due to the stem cells that the doctors took from her baby sister and most parents are nowadays considering storing genetic material right after their child is born. Obviously, nobody wants to think that their child will actually need it but, now that modern technology and research make it possible, why not take such a safety measure?

Bio-banks are definitely a God sent gift for the medical community as well as for the friends and relatives of patients whom benefit from it. Cancer research, for instance, is highly dependent of samples from a large series of cases. Such a variety of samples with their associated date can only be provided by bio-banks. Despite all of this, there are however some concerns regarding the privacy of the donor. In order to cope with this, the researchers came up with a series a proposals such as using unlinked samples or simply distributing a sample with only an identification number. How will the medical community solve the ethical considerations involved remains to be seen. One thing is for sure though: we will keep on hearing about bio-banks for a long time since most of the academic society can’t imagine the future of medicine and research without these controversial “life banks”.

Acupuncture Pain Management

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 27, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Acupuncture is an alternative type of medication which utilizes strategically inserted fine needles into specific areas of the body to promote healing. The treatment method originated in China more than 3000 years ago. Research on acupuncture has revealed it releases endorphins and dynorphins. It also affects pain perception and also pain generating messengers in the body. It is believed that acupuncture has a direct affect upon the nervous system functions. Benefits of acupuncture pain management electronic treatment will be covered below.

World Health Organization Endorsement

Acupuncture has slowly made its way into the western world. Endorsement by the World Health Organization as a treatment modality for 40 different medical problems including chronic pain has given credibility to acupuncture.

Types of pain acupuncture pain management supported by research

· Migraine headaches
· Tension headaches
· Chronic neck pain
· Low back pain
· Peripheral joint soft tissue injury
· Musculoskeletal pain
· Peripheral nerve neuralgia
· Pelvic Pain
· Fibromyalgia
· Post surgical pain

What are the risks?

Acupuncture performed by a skilled practitioner is tolerated well and in general is very safe. The following precautions should be practiced:

– Talk to your doctor about acupuncture treatments. They can probably help locate a good acupuncturist.
– Make sure the acupuncturist uses preferably disposable needles or at minimum sterilized needles.
– Verify the safety of any herbal supplements offered to you. It is best for you to purchase your own brand name supplements for safety reasons.
– Before taking any supplements talk with your doctor and pharmacist about interactions with other medications and other medical conditions you may have.
– Inform the acupuncturist of your medications and medical history.
– Select a certified and licensed acupuncturist. You can verify these at the following:

1.National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
2.American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.

Adverse events of a minor nature are common but more serious types of adverse events rarely occur. Some of the minor effects include needle pain, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, minimal bleeding, and bruising. Fainting feeling and pneumothorax were extremely rarely associated with acupuncture pain management.

Acupuncture Considerations

Acupuncture Pain Management is considered a safe medical treatment. A lot of doctors give acupuncture credit for being a beneficial treatment along with other types of treatment for pain. Acupuncture can be used in combination with suction cup therapy.

Frequency of treatments

Repeated treatments are needed for continued pain relief. The typical treatment program usually will consist of three to ten 1 hour sessions.

Cost and insurance coverage

Cost per session ranges from $45 to $100. Acupuncture pain management is not typically covered by insurance but you should check with your insurance plan for your specific situation.

Contraindications for Acupuncture treatment

Some of the contraindications include pacemaker, seizures, bleeding disorders, use of blood thinners, infectious disorders or disease of the skin, and intoxication by drug or alcohol. Caution should be used in pregnancy and some areas should be avoided to prevent stimulation of delivery too early.

Acupuncture pain management has previously been surrounded with skepticism but it has been growing in popularity as an alternative mode of treatment.

Ease Into Menopause With Acupuncture

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 26, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


Acupuncture can help you ease into menopause and reduce many of the uncomfortable symptoms women often experience around the ages of 45 to 55. If you want to avoid hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the gentle 5000 year-old techniques of Acupuncture for menopause can help. Think twice about your natural options before you reach such dire circumstances that the gynecologist is handing you a prescription for Premarin. Assisting the menopause transition with Acupuncture can reduce or eliminate hot flashes and night sweats, and also bring better sleep, more intimate moisture and pleasure, and improved overall mood.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical tradition that uses over 2,000 pressure points and energy channels in your body to bring balance and improve performance. Acupuncture uses disposable needles as thin as a strand of hair and places them just below the skin to stimulate pressure points. Acupuncturists have holistic approaches and often recommend herbs, exercise, meditation, and other non-invasive solutions. Treatments are essentially painless but can occasionally cause tingling sensations where the needles are placed. Plus, multiple studies have shown Acupuncture to be more effective than placebos at easing menopause symptoms.

In Acupuncture theory, the endocrine (hormonal) system is closely tied to the internal balance of the Yin energy and the Yang energy. You can imagine that the Yang energy is like gasoline that fuels a car, and the Yin energy is the coolant for the car’s engine. Without the coolant, the engine overheats and begins to burn out. The same is true if there is a sharp decrease of Yin energy in menopause: lack of cooling Yin causes hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, and a feeling of being “wired and tired” at the same time.

What we do as Acupuncturists is to strengthen and nourish the Yin with specific points and herbs, thus making sure the Yin and Yang are more equal within the body. This will restore your essential internal balance.

One recent study showed Acupuncture reduced hot flashes in menopausal women by 35%. While Acupuncture treatment is generally conducted in a short series of appointments on a regular basis, this study showed that the participating women still had fewer hot flashes even after finishing their Acupuncture regimens.

Acupuncture during menopause has numerous benefits beyond regulating roller-coaster hormone levels. Other benefits include increasing energy, improving appetite, reducing insomnia, relieving depression symptoms, improving circulation and cardio-pulmonary functioning, and relieving muscles aches.

Great news for women in your golden years: without all the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, you will be free to enjoy a phase of life marked by extreme creativity and inspiration, passion, and professional accomplishment.

Since the dawn of time women have been experiencing menopause without prescription drugs and synthetic hormones. Take control of your health! It is time to think about what is best for your body. It’s time to think outside the box… and ease into menopause with Acupuncture.

How to Stop Excessive Sweating

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 25, 2010 in Health with No Comments


To find out how to stop excessive sweating you need to be armed with the best advice, so read on to discover how you can combat this embarrassing skin condition. Everybody sweats, as it’s a normal bodily function, however not as many sweat excessively even when they do not feel hot.

So in order to find out how to stop excessive sweating you need to find out what causes this condition in the first place, right? Well, the truth is, nobody really knows exactly how this is caused, but they do not what causes it, and that is due to over-secretion of sweat produced by the sweat glands.

There are plenty of treatments you can us to get rid of your sweating problem, for instance Botox injections. In order for this to work, you need to be injected with Botox into the affected areas, and then go back for top-ups every few months. Although this treatment has been successful for a wide range of sufferers, it also has many drawbacks.

One of the drawbacks to using Botox is the cost. It’s very expensive and often costs thousands of dollars. However that is not the only problem with this method, as this treatment doesn’t stop your body producing excess sweat, it just stops it from coming out of a certain area of your body. This often results in the excess sweat being dispersed in other areas, effectively moving your problem!

I’m sure that when you’re learning how to stop excessive sweating you actually want to deal with the problem, rather than just moving it to a different area of the body. I know I did, and I certainly didn’t have the money to pay for surgery, so I had to find other, natural methods to get rid of it.

I began trying to talk to people who were in a similar position to me, however this was hard to do as so few people actually suffer from this issue. When I did find likewise sufferers they gave me a few tips that I could use to lessen the extent of the sweating.

For instance, one of these people recommend I cut caffeine out of my diet, because caffeine makes you sweat more. I was also told to rub a special powder into my hands, however I was told that only worked for a few minutes and then my sweat would come back.

I didn’t just want short-term fixes; I wanted to learn how to stop excessive sweating completely. Well I’m pleased to say that for the past two years I have managed to get my issue totally under control.

Benefits of Patchouli in Soap and Cosmetics

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 24, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


Ancient medicinal therapies accorded to high priority to patchouli, considering its multifarious advantages for human health. Modern medical science also acknowledges the significance of patchouli. Products made by patchouli are commonly used across the world. Patchouli soap is one of the most consumed patchouli products today. These soaps are equally hit in western and eastern markets, reflecting the wide acceptance of the herb. Experts recommend patchouli soap to those who seek utmost relaxation during bath. In fact, the soaps can be good antidepressants. And that’s not all, the patchouli soap is also considering as a cleansing product-a wonderful beauty product for women.

But before getting into details of the advantages of the patchouli soap, let’s recall what patchouli is first of all. Patchouli can be best described as a fragrant herb. The fragrance is bit spicy and woodsy, easy to distinguish from other herbs. The mesmerising fragrance of patchouli makes herb most suitable for aromatherapy. The oil extracted from patchouli is blended with other essential oils for aromatherapy. It is said that scent of patchouli can alone relax one’s mind and body. The patchouli oil is used for making soaps.

These are generally brownish in colour, mainly because of the tint of the oil. Manufacturers may change the colour of the soap, but they should keep the tint flavour of the oil in mind. It’s observed that manufacturers retain the brownish colour of the soap, perhaps to highlight the naturalness of the product. They are endowed with the same exuberant properties of patchouli found in its raw forms. And that is considered as the main USP of the patchouli soaps: the natural properties in their best forms.

As aforementioned, They are great beauty products. Its cleansing actions help remove acnes and dark spots from the skin. Thousands of women across the world have been benefitted from patchouli.

Apart from being a great beauty product, patchouli soap possess medicinal properties as well. Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it best panacea for cuts, insect bites or any other kind of wounds. In addition, it also helps in cases of per-menstrual syndrome and premenopausal syndrome as well. The superior fragrance helps mind control the entire body organs. And that’s not all; soaps are pretty good for taking care of sensitive skins and sensitive scalps. People grappling with dandruff and scalp problems must try patchouli soap. In case of skin allergies, fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and eczema, patchouli soap are highly advantageous.

Curing Tiredness Without Coffee

Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 23, 2010 in Health with No Comments


Coffee is probably the most popular caffeine fix found on our national breakfast table. The phrase “I can’t get out of bed without it” is so common even kids can quote it. The use of coffee isn’t limited to just breakfast, either. Just look at the lines at Starbuck’s and you’ll see that it is used all day long, usually as a pick me up.

While coffee has some redeeming qualities in our diet, it is also a potent drug. Caffeine is addicting in both a physical and mental sense. Anyone who has gotten used to many cups of coffee over the course of a day will find themselves dealing with a truly nasty headache if they stop cold turkey.

Caffeine poses health risks as well. It can reduce and almost eliminate the benefits of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. It can cause a rise in blood pressure and heart rate which is not ideal if you are trying to deal with high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also trigger episodes of angina and irregular heartbeat.

So, the question is how can we get around this problem? What, other than the ever present cup of coffee will relieve our tired, lethargic bodies? There actually are some things you can do, though you may not like all of them.

  • 1) Avoid sugar:
  • Sugar and refined carbohydrates can give you a boost for about twenty minutes. However, after that your blood sugar levels will plummet, usually lower than they were before you ate that donut. Carefully watch how much you consume and you may be able to stop the drop.

  • 2) Cut the coffee:
  • Caffeine will prevent you from sleeping well (and sometimes at all). When it wears off, it leaves you feeling exhausted. There’s a good reason for that feeling. Caffeine triggers your fight or flight response, so while you’ve been energetically doing your job, your metabolism is through the roof. That means you are burning more calories and increasing that tired feeling.

  • 3) Eat properly:
  • A balanced diet makes a big difference in how you feel. If you are tired all of the time, start writing down everything you consume and check it for balance. You will probably see areas that require some tweaking. It really is worth that extra effort.

  • 4) Get enough sleep:
  • There are several studies that indicate that a) we’re not getting enough sleep and b) it causes some serious health risks. Most adults require a minimum of seven hours of sleep. If you routinely get less sleep, you’re at risk for obesity, heart disease, cancer and many other life altering conditions.

  • 5) Hydration:
  • If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. That puts a lot of stress on every organ in your body and especially your brain. That fuzzy headed feeling may be trying to lure you to the water cooler.

  • 6) Vitamins & minerals:
  • While we should all try to eat a balanced diet, it’s not easy. We often fail due to unforeseen circumstances. As that’s the case, adding a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement can help you maintain that balance. Ask your doctor which is recommended, as your needs change as your life progresses.

    Enjoying a cup or two of coffee isn’t going to hurt you, but constant consumption has the potential of doing so. If your coffee needs run in the multiples every day, try to wean yourself off of it and see how it feels. You will be surprised at the quality of life that can be a result.

    All-Natural Solutions For Bursitis

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 20, 2010 in Health with No Comments


    Bursitis sufferers are probably familiar with traditional medical advice. Normally doctors recommend rest, and suggest shielding the affected body part from any kind of pressure or potential damage. Often Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), other pain medications, or cortisone injections are proposed. However, many other alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy, physical therapy, massage and reflexology have proved to be helpful in getting relief from bursitis pain.

    This is a brief overview of some of the natural treatments for bursitis:

    Hydrotherapy: In hydrotherapy, warm and cold packs are put on on the affected body part. While ice reduces the swelling of the body part affected from bursitis, warm water and hot showers aid in achieving relief from the pain arising as a result of the swelling.

    Applying hot and cold packs alternatively increases blood circulation in the affected body part. This will not only help in bringing more nutrients to the affected area, but removes wastes as well, thereby aiding the recovery process.

    Homeopathy: Patients selecting homeopathic treatment for bursitis are advised to take belladonna, Rhus toxicodendron, and Bryonia to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected body part. Applying Arnica gel to the affected area also helps in providing instant relief from pain.

    Acupuncture: Acupuncture is also a successful way to relieve the pain of bursitis. This natural therapy addresses the underlying imbalance in energy, or qi, that made the person susceptible to bursitis in the first place. The acupuncturist notes the lifestyle of the individual, and often does a complete physical before the insertion of any needles. In acupunture, tiny needles are skillfully placed in specific locales on the body to restore or re-distribute energy, until balance is achieved.

    Chiropractic: Chiropractic treatment is another effective treatment for bursitis. The treatment involves spinal maneuvering and manipulation to adjust the spine. It not only helps in building proper motion in various joints but also improves blood circulation and helps in getting relief from bursitis pain.

    Massage: Massage therapy is a result-oriented solution to treat non-infective bursitis. In this treatment, massage of the affected area is done by using mild essential oils that help by decreasing inflammation and improving blood circulation to the joint. Soft massage on the affected area helps in relaxing muscles and getting relief from the pain in bursitis affected area.

    Reflexology: This is a type of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet. The main theory of reflexology is that there are “reflex points” on the feet and hands that correlate to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. Applying pressure to these reflex spots is thought to promote health in the matching organs by way of energetic pathways. Internal balance is the goal.

    Apart from these therapies and treatments, there are numerous other remedies by which you can treat bursitis at home.

  • Cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar: Apply warm olive oil to the affected body area then boil 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, let it cool until it will not burn, then dip a cloth in the liquid and apply to the affected body part.
  • Sea Water: Drinking sea water is also thought to eliminate chronic bursitis. Patients can buy the sea water from a local health food store. However, patients with high blood pressure must not take it.
  • Emu Oil: Emu oil contains high levels of linolenic acid which penetrates the skin and provides the relief from bursitis pain. Apply Emu oil on the bursitis affected muscles and joints. Emu Oil is touted as one of best home remedies for bursitis.
  • Mullein tea: Soak a cloth in mullein tea and apply it on the bursitis affected area. Repeat this process at regular intervals. To prevent stiffness, apply lobelia oil to the affected joints. Chamomile, hops, and skullcap tea also help in healing process.
  • Milk: At night, before going to bed, consume 1 cup of hot milk with 2-3 teaspoons of Castor oil in it. This will help eliminate toxicity in the colon and will facilitate bowel movements, which ultimately will cleanse the impurities of the colon. Individuals are advised to continue taking this remedy until the symptoms disappear. If you can find raw milk in your local area, even better. Homogenized milk is basically ‘dead’ of nutritive value.
  • Water: If the bursitis is caused because of gout, water is the best remedy. Drink plenty of water to flush out the system and maintain a proper diet. Hydration is a tremendously important element of good health anyway.
  • Easy Aromatherapy Gifts

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 19, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


    There is something very special about making personalized aromatherapy gifts for your family and friends and it can be as much of a pleasure to make these gifts as it is to receive them.

    There are so many recipe ideas if you want to make your own personalized gifts including luxurious facial oil, almond facial scrub, herbal eye bags, room sprays and mists, potpourris, beeswax furniture polish, scented drawer liners, wash balls, herbal bath bags, aromatic salt and massage oil.

    Aside from the cost saving benefits of homemade gifts, you will also be helping the environment. You do not need to add any harsh chemicals that are so often found in commercially-bought health and beauty care products, not to mention in home cleaning products and room fragrances that often include a cocktail of chemical ingredients.

    The addition of essential oils to your aromatherapy gift recipes, offer therapeutic properties as well as their delightfully natural aroma.

    Below is an example of an easy aromatherapy gift you can make:

    Simple Soap

    This recipe makes eight small bars or two large bars. Choose a mould depending what you want the finished product to be. Moulds need to be flexible so the soap is easy to get out. This can be helped by lightly coating the mould with a carrier oil such as almond oil.

    You can purchase fancy moulds online or through a craft shop. However it is just as effective to use something you may already have in the kitchen such as old milk cartons, takeaway containers, ice-cream containers or plastic lunch boxes.

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz pure natural unscented soap bar
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 oz fine oatmeal
    • 1 oz dried lavender
    • 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
    • 7 drops lavender essential oil
    • 5 drops orange essential oil

    Method

    • Grate the soap into a large ceramic bowl and sit this bowl in a large shallow pan of simmering water.
    • Add the 1/2 cup of water to the soap and stir the mixture until the soap dissolves.
    • Once the soap and water are dissolved, add the oatmeal and dried lavender and mix in well.
    • Remove from the heat, add the essential oil drops and mix in well.
    • Pour the mixture into a mould and leave to cool.
    • When completely cool, turn over the mould onto a plastic sheet or greaseproof paper and gently tap the bottom to release the soap.
    • Leave to dry for at least three days in a dark, warm place, then depending on the size of your moulds, cut into pieces or keep whole.
    • Tie single or multiple soaps with a purple ribbon, attaching a piece of lavender as decoration or place a few soaps in a small, wooden box with some fresh lavender.

    Healing Therapy of Acupuncture

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on August 18, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


    Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that comes from China and evolved out of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is a method of natural healing that has been used in the Chinese culture for the past 2,000 years. It is becoming more and more of a mainstay in western cultures. While it is not meant to replace conventional medicine it works very well in conjunction with it.

    Acupuncture is all about restoring balance and equilibrium in the body. The Chinese attribute imbalances in to a disruption of life energy or positive energy called chi. This energy moves throughout the body’s invisible energy lines that are known as meridians. All of the 12 meridians correspond to various organs in the body. When chi is upset this causes illnesses and diseases to occur.

    To restore the imbalance and bring the energy back into proper harmony and equilibrium it is recommended that an individual seek out acupuncture. A qualified and experienced professional will take sterilized fine point needles and gently insert them into the skin along the meridian lines, according to the problems that the patient is having. The body contains 1,000 acupuncture points.

    The whole idea behind acupuncture is to improve a person’s level of health. It is also to reduce pain and discomfort. This natural health healing has shown particular potential in terms of helping those who suffer from the chronic and debilitating pain that accompanies fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. It has also shown plenty of potential with regards to fertility problems and for those who have cancer.

    Using needles to help improve a health condition may seem odd to some people and may even seem barbaric to others. The important thing to be aware of is that many people have been helped by this healing process. It is also worth knowing that the needles are not inserted very far into the skin and therefore do not even pierce the skin. As a patient of acupuncture you may feel a slight sensation as the needles are inserted but you will not suffer any real pain. The goal behind this ancient form of healing is to lessen pain and not to create any more!

    This therapy is one of the most popular and well known of all of the natural methods of healing. It is one that many seek out when they feel the limitations that govern Western medicine. How exactly it works is not known. But as previously mentioned, the Chinese has been using it for many centuries with plenty of success. Many people swear by it.

    Many theories have been proposed about how this mysterious alternative therapy does what it is meant to do- improve the health of the person who has it. Some believe that the electrical currents found in the body are positively affected by the needles that are used. Still others believe that it stimulates endorphins that then work to counteract the discomfort that is being felt by the patient. Another idea is that neurotransmitters are released from the brain during the application of the treatment. This would then cause nerve impulses to find their way to the brain and facilitate a reduction in pain.

    Regardless of which proposed theory is correct the important thing is that it alleviates pain from a variety of health conditions. Give this ancient healing art a try and see for yourself!