Alternative Medicine

Natural Mole Removal

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


If you have moles in awkward places that feel uncomfortable to you, or if there are moles on your face that look unattractive to you, you will definitely look for means to remove your skin moles.

There are various options available to remove skin moles like surgery, cryosurgery and laser treatment. However as there is a risk and possibility of scarring resulting from this skin mole removal methods, many people prefer using the slow, but effective natural mole removal methods to remove their moles.

Natural mole removal is slow in removing moles; however they are a much better option than spending a huge amount of money buying expensive over the counter mole removal products and undergoing surgery.

Here are some natural mole removal options you have to remove moles using everyday products found in your home and kitchen.

  • A very effective natural mole removal option lies in applying onion juice on the mole for several weeks. This has to be done at least once a day for a few weeks before you find the mole disappear.
  • You could also try holding a cut piece of garlic on your mole for a few minutes every day.
  • Sour apple juice, lemon juice or green papaya juice when applied to your mole thrice a day for tree weeks will make your mole look less pronounced within the time period.
  • Make a paste of ground drumstick pods and lemon extract, and apply to the mole everyday till you find the mole fading away.
  • You could also try applying a paste of castor oil and baking soda on the mole overnight, and washing it off the next morning. This could be repeated for a week or so to find great results.
  • Cut off the roots of some dandelions and rub its roots on your mole till it is covered by the milky juice the roots produce. This has to be repeated everyday for several weeks wherein the mole fades away.
  • Applying apple cider vinegar on the moles for about 10 to 15 minutes everyday will lead to the fading of
    the mole over time.
  • Try applying a slice of potato and securing it in place using adhesive bandages for a few days. You will find the mole dissolving with the disintegration of the potato. Even crushing an aspirin and adding a drop of water to make it a paste can be applied on the mole to help make it disappear. This should be covered with a band-aid, and the whole process repeated for a few days.
  • You could also try soaking a cloth in baking soda and castor oil, and rubbing it on the mole three or four times a day.
  • Increasing your vitamin E intake or just emptying the contents of a capsule on the mole and keeping it covered with bandages for a few day will help remove the skin moles in a few days’ time.
  • However if you find that none of these natural mole removal options are effective in removing your mole, you could try one of the many removal creams available at the drug store. Though slow, these creams will help in removing your them over time.

    Synergism and Synergy of Pure Essential Oils

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 29, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


    The Phenomenon of Synergy

    The fact that essential oils can be blended together to create a completely different aroma as well as increase the healing power of certain oils is called ‘oil synergy’. Dr Jean Valnet during his experiments found that certain oils when blended together produced an even more powerful ‘combined oil’ and could often work better than a single essence. This is due to the mutually enhancing effect that each oil has on the other and the numerous amounts of trace chemicals which are found in the oils.

    Many of these chemicals are considered pharmacologically inactive and have little or no effect t on the body or the aroma of the oil, however, it is these very substances which increase the efficacy of the active properties in the oil and also act as a buffer to the harmful components. A good example of this is citral in Lemongrass. If this substance were applied neat to the skin it could easily cause a nasty rash and skin irritation, however, due to the other chemical elements in Lemongrass, the effect of citral is reduced and the oil becomes relatively safe to use.

    The blending of oils not only increases or decreases effects of some of the chemical constituents but can also change the odour of the oils. An oil which may be considered by some to have an unpleasant smell can be transformed into something more pleasing when blended.

    Synergistic Blending

    Just as a perfumier strives to create the perfect scent aromatherapists use various methods for blending. In most cases, all that the aromatherapist in aiming to achieve is a relaxing blend which the client likes and which evokes pleasant ‘smell memories’.

    However, on a more technical level, should the aromatherapist be blending the oils for a specific ailment or condition, the chemistry of the oils would need to be investigated more thoroughly.

    Oil Volatility – Top Notes, Middle Notes and Base Notes

    In ‘perfume speak’, each smell or aroma is considered as either a top, middle or base note and, in an ideal world, a perfect blend should consist of one of each of these. Whether an oil is classed as top, middle or base will to a certain extent depend on its ‘volatility’ – the speed at which it evaporates.

    Citrus oils are top notes and their smell is taken up quite quickly, whereas the deep woody smells such as Sandalwood and Patchouli are heavy, base notes. Their smell will linger much longer. This will also be true of the amount of time it takes for the oils to effect the body, another good reason for blending – ‘zingy’ citrus oils will kick-in first so the client won’t feel too dopey immediately after the treatment whilst deep woods and herbs can take as long as 12 – 15 hours to take effect.

    Strangely enough, although oils blend extremely well together, research has shown that more than 5 oils blended can actually lower the potency of the oils – almost as if the chemicals begin to cancel each other out.

    Blend Testing

    Almost any oil can be blended with another although, naturally, some blend better than others. You can easily ‘test’ the blends which you are creating without wasting too much oil.

    1. Smell strips may be used – normally used for single oils rather than blends although this is the inside crease of your elbow. This will not only give you an idea as to whether the aroma suits you but also show if you skin will react to the blend possible. Use a piece of blotting paper and waft the sample around for a few seconds to encourage vapourisation, this will

    2. Patch testing. Blend 2 teaspoonfuls of carrier oil with up to 5 drops of essential oil. Apply to either your wrist or give you more of an idea as to what the oil will smell like eventually.

    Make Wonderful Healing Salves

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 28, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


    There is no doubt that interest in natural healing methods is at an all-time high. More and more, people are looking for ways to soothe their bodies with natural remedies that are truly effective. It’s important to note here that you should never self-diagnose. Talk with your doctor and make sure that you don’t have serious underlying problems that need to be treated by a physician.

    I’ve been making my own herbal preparations as far back as I can remember (and when I was too little, my mother made them for me). I have an allergy to formaldehyde, which is commonly used as a preservative in many of the day-to-day products that we use such as shampoo, conditioner, creams, lotions, and more. I’ve learned that my problem is common, and that many people would like to know how to make their own preparations at home.

    One of the most versatile preparations for the skin is the salve. A salve is an ointment that is made with some form of wax and some form of oil. It’s semi-soft, and blends easily into the skin. Depending on the oil and the wax, it can soak readily into the skin or remain on the surface. Salves can lend moisture to the skin as well as act as a protective barrier (for example, in the case of diaper rash).

    BASE HEALING SALVE

    This recipe is a simple one that you’ll use over and over again. The ingredients are:

  • One and one-half ounce of beeswax (solid or pastilles)
  • 16 Ounces of oil
  • To prepare, pour 16 ounces of sweet almond oilinto the top pot of a double boiler. (The bottom pot should have water in it). Turn the heat to low and slowly add approximately one and one-half ounces of beeswax. You can purchase beeswax from many places. Just do a search on your favorite search engine for granulated beeswax.. I like the pastille (granulated) type because it is easier to measure, but you can also use block beeswax, white or natural. Beeswax works well in cosmetic products because of compounds called “wax esthers” that exist in both beeswax and human skin. Beeswax is a hydrating ingredient that increases skins essential moisture. KEEP STIRRING GENTLY UNTIL ALL BEESWAX IS MELTED!

    I use sweet almond oil because it absorbs wonderfully into the skin, but you can use a variety of good quality carrier oils, including apricot kernel, avocado, coconut, and more.

    Once the beeswax and carrier oil are blended together (melted), you can add pure essential oils chosen for their healing properties. For example, if you want to use your salve to alleviate muscle aches and pains, put approximately 15 drops of pure Camphor essential oil in the mixture. Camphor is a natural anesthetic, and works well for sore and achy muscles. Remove the oil and wax from the heat before adding your essential oils.

    Once the essential oils have been added, pour your liquid into sterilized jars with lids. I generally use four ounce jars, and this recipe makes about six four ounce jars.

    Lower Back Pain, Pregnancy and Parenting

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 27, 2010 in Health with No Comments


    You’re pregnant! Congratulations! Your body’s changing-wondrously, marvelously. One unexpected and unwelcome change may be lower back pain. Recent studies suggest that two-thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain.

    These statistics seem reasonable. The weight of the growing baby, plus the weight of the placenta and amniotic fluid, creates an unbalanced load in front of the lower back. The result is irritation of spinal ligaments, muscles, and tendons, causing pain, muscle spasm, and loss of mobility.

    Of course, some cases of pregnancy-related back pain have specific medical causes. Uncommon conditions such as pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, septic arthritis, and inflammatory arthritis may need to be considered.

    That said, the vast majority of cases of back pain in pregnancy are mechanical in origin.

    Your doctor of chiropractic will perform a complete examination and determine the correct course of treatment, if appropriate. Once you’re feeling better, you can begin stretching and doing safe, gentle exercises that will help prevent recurrences of lower back pain. The goal is to strengthen your lower back and minimize the mechanical effects of pregnancy.

    The best method of preventing back pain in the first place is being fit. This includes healthy nutrition, gaining a moderate amount of weight, and regular exercise. Your obstetrician will likely recommend vitamin and iron supplements and will monitor your weight. The average healthy woman gains between 25 and 35 pounds during the course of her pregnancy.

    Let’s fast forward a few years. Your newborn is now a toddler. Parents know that if you have kids, stuff happens. You bend over to place a bulky car seat in your car. Then you place your child in it. And then, you bend over to remove the car seat from your car. If you’ve gone to the mall, kids want Daddy or Mommy to carry them. Pick them up, cart them around, put them down again.

    What’s a parent to do? It’s not like you can avoid any of these activities. Your kids are kids – it’s up to you to do stuff for them. The answer lies in regular exercise. “But how will I find time to exercise, when there already isn’t enough time to do the things I need to do?” That’s a tough question, but if you recognize the benefits, you’ll make the effort to make the time. Forty-five minutes or an hour per workout, three or four times a week, will be plenty. And, once you’re in the habit of exercising, you’ll notice it’s easier to lift your kids, easier to bend over, easier to carry them. It’s easier because you’re fitter and stronger. And healthier. And, surprisingly, you’re having more fun.

    How to Pick Up Your Kids * We’re not talking minivan here. Moms and Dads spend a lot of time bending and lifting. We want to do this right, as much as possible, and not have a lot of down time while our injured back is healing.

    * First, get as close to your child as possible. You want to have your arms right next to your body, not extended in front of you.

    * Next, always bend your knees. Never bend over with straight legs.

    * Next, suck in your stomach muscles. When you activate your abdominal muscles, you’re taking a lot of potential strain off the lower back muscles. Your abdominal muscles are designed to carry the weight.

    * Finally, straighten your legs, continuing to activate your stomach muscles, holding your child close to you.

    * With a little practice, safe lifting will become a habit.

    Alternative Medicine – When to Use It and When Not

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 24, 2010 in Health with No Comments


    Some of the medical systems and therapies found on the alternative medicine list have been in service for thousands of years, in fact reaching back into prehistoric times to origins unknown. Some of these have remained unchanged for many centuries. Other entities in alternative medicine were a positive answer to the horrific early developments of allopathic medicine as it existed in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Others were the result of accidental discoveries in the relief or cure of certain ailments and health conditions. Modalities in alternative medicine range from highly efficacious to faulty, having no effect whatsoever to downright dangerous to human health. So how do you protect yourself from poor results, alas, life-threatening circumstances coming from the use of alternative medicine?

  • First, a bit about allopathic medicine.
  • This is your first step in determining whether alternative medicine is right for you in curing an ailment, pain management or any other health issue. Allopathic medicine has been so named due to its philosophy in treating for symptoms rather than restoring health from focusing on the causes of the ailment. Allopathic medicine is a biomedical entity, meaning it is highly specialized, its treatments are standardized and it is not holistic.

    Albeit allopathic medicine holds first prize in having an incredibly large knowledge base about human health and disease. The system is empirically based, is scientific and its procedures rigorously tested. Allopathic medicine does have its dark side however and processes are not always in the best interest of the patient, especially since it is a for-profit industry and would go out of business if disease was eradicated.

    An unlikely thing however, allopathic medicine wins the gold metal for its highly technical and effective procedures in medical emergencies and otherwise terminal conditions. Though it is not holistic and can be quite impersonal, the allopathic physician should always be consulted first for any medical condition which can have serious underlying problems.

  • Is Alternative Medicine No Good?
  • By all means, a resounding NO! Many medical systems and modalities outside of allopathic medicine are indeed highly efficacious and are great alternatives to the more expensive allopathic therapies and procedures. In non-emergency situations, alternative medicine can often provide equally effective, sometimes even better results without the side effects that often comes with chemical-based therapy.

    Your alibi on the determination whether an alternative medicine is effective or is quackery comes from education. Also, what may work for one person may not work for another since each of us are different in our own right. Allopathic medicine has been standardized and through experimentation what a treatment should be is based on what is known to work on most people, caustic as it may be. Alternative medicine is not like this. It is composed of health systems and therapies which are individualized according to the patient and his needs.

  • Allopathic Medicine and Alternative Health
  • Though there are many reasons why an alternative health modality may not meet the approval of the American Medical Association (AMA,) the three main reasons are:

  • It either has not been tested or is not subject to scientific experimentation.
  • It has been tested and proven to be faulty, ineffective and/or detrimental in some way.
  • It has been tested but the results are unpredictable or is not useful to allopathic medicine.
  • Unless a modality has been proven to be a fake or is dangerous, and the health condition is not life threatening, there is little reason why it would be harmful to try it – especially those which have time-tested and have been known to produce positive results. Allopathic medicine does refer patients to complimentary therapy and at times alternative medicine. An example would be complementing or even replacing conventional chemical-based medications with hypnotherapy – a modality that has been proven to work on pain management.

    Conclusion:

    Alternative medicine can be used with or as a replacement for allopathic medicine if your regular physician deems it proper and you have been cleared of any detrimental underlying health issues. Common sense and education goes a long way. There is a vast quantity of resources out there in just about any health issue and their alternatives. Any modality or alternative medicine that has been around for a long time is probably a good source. They are often more thorough than allopathic medicine, are more personal and based on your individual needs. They focus on your whole being making them holistic.

    Top rule here: Always see your regular physician first and follow his advice!
    Daniel Euergetes is working hard to helping you rise above mediocrity and reach more satisfactory and more fulfilling planes in living. One of the ways this is done is through education and appropriate resources.

    Acupuncture Treatment and QiGong

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 23, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


    Traditional Chinese Medicine, or simply referred to as TCM is an umbrella term that refers to not only treatments and procedures used to treat medical conditions, but also the dietary, lifestyle, and nutritional habits based on traditional Chinese beliefs. TCM is used by 25% of the world’s population, which is why Denver acupuncture clinics and TCM centers around the world continue to thrive. TCM is more appropriately viewed as a health care system instead of medical approach because it is comprised of various nutritional and medical procedures, treatments, traditions, as well as lifestyle.

    Acupuncture

    One of the practices considered as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine is acupuncture, which involves the insertion of needles into different parts of the body for the purposes of healing, pain and stress relief, and medical treatment. According to TCM beliefs, illnesses are caused by external obstructions that cause imbalance in the body’s natural flow and processes. The insertion of needles in specific areas of the body is designed to correct these imbalances and restore the body to its natural functioning state.

    Acupuncture is practiced with the patient lying down, and may be asked by the acupuncture practitioner to remove items of clothing depending on the condition to be treated and the body parts that will be involved in the treatment. Due to its highly specialized nature, one would have to be educated, trained, and certified in order to practice acupuncture. Contrary to popular belief, acupuncture is not a painful process as long as the needles are inserted properly in the right places. So if you want to try acupuncture as an alternative medical healing method, make sure you find a Denver acupuncture center that has qualified practitioners who are knowledgeable in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    Qi Gong

    Qi Gong is the origin of Tai Chi, which explains why the movements involved in the two practices are a lot similar. Qi Gong involves doing slow, fluid movements that are aimed to improve blood circulation and unclog vessels that cause imbalance in the body’s energy flow. However, Qi Gong is practiced not only for its physical and medical effects. In fact, Qi Gong could be more accurately described as a term used to refer to different physical and mental training systems that originated in China. It is practiced and used for medical (preventive and curative) purposes, as well as for meditation and self-enlightenment, and martial arts.

    Medical Qi Gong is similar to acupuncture in that the Qi Gong practitioner also uses the same map of the body to locate energy points, vessels, and organ systems. There are certain forms of Qi Gong that have been shown to be effective in treating high blood pressure. As mentioned, Qi Gong is also practiced for meditative purposes, so it will also be beneficial for those who want to de-stress, gain focus, and achieve self-enlightenment. There are different forms of Qi Gong and it can be performed in different positions; sitting down, standing up, or lying down.

    If you’re looking for an alternative, more natural treatment for your illness or condition, we suggest you look for an acupuncture clinic or center that employs TCM-certified practitioners and therapists. Some Denver acupuncture clinics also offer more than just your regular acupuncture treatments; some may also offer nutritional counselling and Chinese herbal treatments.

    Stealth Acupuncture

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 22, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


    Names have been changed for privacy purposes:

    So a funny thing happened the other day. Granted, as an acupuncturist, awkward situations, and hysteria-peppered-hilarity are things you get used to; after all, your job involves sticking needles into people. It’s not like being an accountant.

    But this incident can be chalked up as a first.

    I got my first call on from Mary’s husband on a Friday. He wanted to know if acupuncture could help with Sciatica (painful inflammation of the sciatic nerve which begins in the lower back and runs through the buttock into the leg). This is the largest nerve in the body and if something goes wrong with it can cause excruciating pain (as you can imagine). After a fair amount of backing and forthing about where and when we were going to set up an appointment, I ended up tootling through to Mary’s place in the Beetle with a set of needles packed in my bag.

    When I arrived, I found her pretty much confined to her bed from pain. She had visited the doctor a number of times but gotten no relief. On her latest visit, she had been told that she would need x-rays to check if her disks were collapsing but after a couple of hours waiting for a radiologist, she had been so sore that she’d thought ‘bugger this for a lark’ and gone home.

    Seeing a new client is always a little awkward. There’s normally a faint aura of suspicion (acupuncture is not exactly mainstream) and clients will frequently try to lock you into some kind of guarantee. Acupuncture works extremely well, but even the most brilliant surgeon essentially fumbles along with the mystery that is the human body as best he can, unable to guarantee anything. I normally start with a new client by asking them if they’ve ever had acupuncture before, and if they haven’t, giving a short introductory brief to manage expectations, familiarize them with the procedure and let them get an idea of who this strange person is who will be… well, stabbing them repeatedly.

    In Mary’s case, I skipped this step. She was obviously in too much pain to be having a casual pre-session chat; the priority here was getting her comfortable as quickly as possible.

    The first challenge was to get her on top of the covers so that I could reach the acupuncture points I needed to work on. The acupuncture fix for sciatica involves inserting a two inch long needle into the point ‘Haun Tiao’ (GB30) and shaking it around a little to unblock the energy flows in the area. Huan Tiao is parked (brazenly) smack bang in the middle of the human buttock.

    Mary slowly and painfully got out from under the covers and hobbled around the bed, trying to help me straighten it out. I felt really sorry for her. Every step she took was accompanied by an “ooh” an “ah” or a grunt of pain and her movements were severely restricted.

    Eventually we got her lying face down (not comfortable) with her buttocks proudly jutted towards the heavens through her pj’s for me to have my evil way with them. I palpated her glutes to find the exact spot and then swiftly inserted the long needle through the thin pajama material. I was rewarded with mild exclamation of surprise from the direction of Mary’s face, now buried firmly in her pillows.

    I unwrapped the second long needle from its sterile packaging and inserted into the other buttock with no reaction – so far so good, and then inserted a couple of other needles behind her knees, and in her ankles to support the action of Haun Tiao.

    It was at this point that she suddenly pulled her face out of the pillow and said; “What are you doing to me?”

    Now the tone of voice used by a person tells you a lot about what they actually mean when they ask you a question like that. This wasn’t an enquiry for explanation of process or the response of someone who feels a lot of energy coursing through their body from the effects of the treatment. She was in that “what the hell is going on here???” place. She wanted to know what I was up to. Immediately.

    “Um” I said. “acupuncture?”
    “Yes but why is it pulling like that?” she asked.
    Ok that explained it. She was just feeling the “de chi”, a sensation often experienced by acupuncture patients, which feels like their muscles are contracting independently of their will. It’s a little weird, but not painful.

    “Oh that’s nothing to worry about” I said, “It’s just energy moving in your body because of the needle”

    “Did you just stick a needle into me?” she asked incredulously.
    Well of course I had. What had she been expecting?
    It was at this point that I realized that Mary and I had something of a severe communication breakdown. We’d missed each other as gracefully as Hailey’s comet misses the earth every seventy odd years.

    “Um…” I said uncertainly, “this is acupuncture… um it’s sticking needles into people for um… pain relief”
    Yes, I was completely aware in that moment how wacky that sounded.

    “Oh my god!” she said “I though you were just going to massage me or something!”

    Well.

    The deed was done, so the only thing left was to let the needles take effect. I sat down on the corner of the bed and dutifully performed the previously omitted preliminary chat. From her reaction, I could see that Mary thought this acupuncture malarkey was simply the kookiest idea she’d ever heard. At the end of it, she asked, “well what do we do now?”
    “We wait” I said. And we did.

    Considering that she’d had no idea what was going to go down, she took it extremely well. Or maybe she thought I was mad and she had better behave before I started throwing things around the room. Either way, she lay still and gave me good feedback about the sensations created by the needling. Every now and then, I asked her to stretch towards her nightstand to assess if and how fast her pain was clearing, and quickly, the movement became more comfortable for her. She started relaxing and talked to me about her family and her work. By the end of the session I think she’d decided I was OK.

    Then it was time for the acid test, otherwise known as “ok I’m going to take the needles out now and let’s see if it’s worked”
    It had.

    The Appeal of Scented Candles

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 21, 2010 in Aromatherapy with No Comments


    Scented candles make attractive and thoughtful gifts, and are usually inexpensive. Nothing can change the mood in a room, or calm the nerves after a long day like a charming, aromatic candle. Scented candles come in a variety of fragrances, and there is an essence to please even the most discriminating customer.

    Specialty candles have been popular since their invention, but never more so than in the past few decades. Studies have proved the positive, and tranquilizing effect they have on individuals endeavoring to unwind and eliminate stress from their mind and emotions. Those who enjoy specialty candles have found a unique and novel way to wind down at the end of a long day. Scented candles can provide relaxation therapy that one can indulge in at home, without great expense. This is invaluable in today’s high stress, fast-paced society.

    Scentsy candles are a particularly unique type of candle that is fast becoming a favorite in today’s market. This is partially because along with being decorative and diverse, they are also environmentally friendly. They work by an original candle warming technique, which utilizes a 25-watt light bulb to slowly warm the wax, increasing its strength and longevity. The result is the softening of the wax, which in turn releases the scent into the air without the need for matches. This reduces the risk of fire, and eliminates smoke in the area where they are being used. This exceptional feature means they are the safest type of candle on the market. In addition, Scentsy candles last over 75 hours, and they do not dispense any type of harmful substances into the air.

    Specialty candles of all kinds can be purchased online or from local sales associates. One need not look far as their high demand assures the customer of finding precisely what he or she is looking for. The most difficult part of using scented candles is choosing which fragrances to indulge in! Some folks prefer simple scents like vanilla or lavender, while others choose combination fragrances which including cranberry-mango, fall leaves and spice, or flower blends.

    Whichever fragrance one chooses when he or she decides to engage in a bit of aromatherapy, it is sure to be pleasing. It is also a good idea to acquire a few extra candles to have on hand for special occasions. For that perfect last-minute gift, nothing works better than a scented candle.

    Benefits of Acupuncture

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 20, 2010 in Acupuncture with No Comments


    Have you ever considered becoming an acupuncturist, but didn’t know what to expect? If so, it’s worth a further look at what the acupuncture process actually involves. There are many benefits to getting started as an acupuncturist. Here’s a brief rundown of what it all entails:

    First you should understand that the needles used are much finer than needles used while getting an injection. A skillful acupuncturist will make the process nearly painless, and the client should experience pain relief instead of additional pain. The needles aren’t inserted in deep into tissue, generally about a quarter to half an inch. In some instances the needle can go further, but only for certain areas and for treating certain conditions, and you will not be starting off with these procedures.

    The next thing that should be remembered is that there is a science and a strategy to acupuncture. It has been practiced for thousands of years. While it may seem to the average observer that the needles are placed in random spots all over the body, this is not the case. Each and every needle that is used goes to a very specific location and has a very specific purpose. Your job as an acupuncturist involves studying and learning from the best in order to provide a stress-free, relaxing experience for your client. You will learn to diagnose your patients by a number of means including tongue and pulse diagnosis and then set up an appropriate treatment plan.

    Acupuncture has a proven track record in treating many different syndromes. The World Health Organization, has published a list of diseases that lend themselves to the treatment of acupuncture based on clinical experience. These range from insomnia and stress to infertility, hay fever, sinusitis, tinnitus and tennis elbow and frozen shoulder. With a proven track record of success and with so many people having experienced successful results, you owe it to yourself to seriously consider getting started in the industry.

    There are fantastic instructors available to teach you everything you need about acupuncture. It’s a science and an art, and the skills necessary to be great at it are easily transferable if you find the right school. When looking for the right institute to learn from, you’ll want to research the faculty, as well as inquire about how many graduates run their own successful practice or are happily employed after graduation.

    Friends, Family, Strangers, and Nature

    Posted by Alternative Medicine on September 17, 2010 in Health with No Comments


    I often talk about looking at health as a whole and part of that ‘whole’ is preventative measures, nutrition, exercise, and many more non conventional ways to treat ailments in your body. But ‘whole’ can take on a different meaning as well. A feeling of wholeness can be related to a feeling of connection; Being connected to your family, friends, strangers, humanity, the earth, and even the universe!

    Compassion, caring, understanding, and patience for each other can reduce being egotistic and self centered which in turn reduces a negative outlook on life which in turn reduces stress, anger, depression, loneliness, and many other negative emotions. This negativity can lower your immunity and wreak havoc to the nervous system among many other things as negative emotions are very stressful to our bodies and mental health.

    I’m sure you have often heard that people in loving relationships tend to be healthier and live longer than people who are isolated and unhappy. It’s just natural that when you feel good and positive you are able to see the happier side of life which reduces all those negative emotions.

    Here are a few connections that you may want to start improving or even making to benefit your health.

  • Connecting With Animals
  • Research has shown that pets and people go hand in hand for less illness and faster recovery from serious illness. In fact, I know of many sick people who have pets that truly make every day better for them.

    Pets give such great amusement and pleasure that it is hard not to be happy just watching them. They also seem to know the right moment to give you a kiss or hug that you so desperately need.

    My dogs have the ability to make me break out in laughter in a split second and continue laughing until I can’t take it anymore. Laughter really is the best medicine in any situation and their sense of humour should never be underestimated.

    They listen to you with no interruptions and they are more patient than, for the most part, any other person you will find on this planet.

    Do yourself a healthy favour and take the responsibility of owning a pet into your hands. The benefits will be worth every minute of picking up poop.

  • Connecting With Family and Friends
  • Yes family and friends can often cause a lot of headaches but they are essential to your health. Family does not just have to mean your mother and father and siblings. Family can include your friends, pets, and extended family – it can just be a group of people that you are absolutely comfortable with and able to be yourself around. Wherever it feels like home – you have family nearby.

    Families should be a safe haven to run to when you are scared, feeling down, or just need help. They should be able to help you back on your feet and offer whatever they can to do so.

    It has also been proven that people with a strong family network have less illness and recover from illness faster so start surrounding yourself with family and appreciate the bond that they offer you.

  • Connecting With the Earth
  • Nature’s ability to heal is awe inspiring. We all feel better when we are surrounded by nature and the peace and serenity it offers us. In fact, most people have picture of nature as their screen savers on their computer just to see some beauty throughout the day!

    Nature is part of us and we should be appreciating it every day.

    If you are not taking advantage of all the ‘medicine’ this earth has to offer us then you are truly missing out on a huge, and in my opinion, necessary part of life.

    Travelling can be great for the soul and most people want to escape to their favourite vacation spots for some rest and relaxation. I have never met anyone who has come back feeling worse from a relaxing vacation.

    Getting out of the city and into the country for a hike, picnic, or just a few hours of reflection by a river or lake is essential to giving yourself a break from the busy and often stressful life in the city. Even a park setting in the city is better than nothing when looking for stress relief.

    When you get out into nature use the direct and present calmness to your advantage by noticing the leaves changing colour at various seasons or by picking the raspberries that have just come into season. Be aware and listen to the wind blowing through the leaves or the river flowing over the rocks and really just connect with the sounds, sights, and smells that nature offers you.

  • Connecting With Strangers
  • This is important. When you begin to notice and acknowledge the people that are not a part of your immediate life then you begin to notice that the world is so much bigger than just you and that awareness can give you insights into your life which affect your outlook and happiness, which ultimately affects your health.

    We are all connected on some level. We all share this planet and what it has to offer us. We all participate in making decisions that affect all of us on a daily basis. We are all connected by events or miracles that happen. We all see the same sun, stars, and moon every day and night. We are all connected.

    I always say hi to strangers when I walk by them on a walk whether they say hi back or not. I find that acknowledging them gives me an awareness I may not have if I just passed them by with my head down.

    Instead of just focusing on your route or tasks that only involve your life; take a few seconds out and try noticing the people around you when you are out and about. Try observing the fact that they are living lives with passions, dreams, and happiness and you will feel a stronger connection and awareness that you may have not have felt before.