Aug 31 2009

How To Fight Recurrent Candidiasis Infections

Let me start with the fact that recurrent yeast infections are frustrating, especially if you know you pursued quality treatment the first time around. Unfortunately, so far as is known, some individuals are more susceptible than others to a repeat of this infection. You need also to keep in mind that women in particular can get vaginal yeast infections as much as five times in a year. It is very important to take into account that if you’re having recurrent yeast infections, it might be important to take a step back and assess if there’s something in your body, in the medical care you’re taking, or in your partner, that’s maintaining the problem. First of all, check your body. Thoroughly assess if you’re vulnerable to opportunistic diseases. In fact, Candida, the species of yeast that commonly causes infections, cannot be avoided – it’s present in the air in large amount all the time. Consequently, if your immune system is weak, it’ll have less capability of fighting back. So this in itself can result to recurrent yeast infections.

In particular, as far as is known, people with diabetes and known resistance to insulin treatments are susceptible to recurrent yeast infections. Actually, the sugar in the body is food for yeast and it can induce the yeast to multiply and the infection to spread. And the same can be said of people with HIV-AIDS. It is obvious that when you take a closer look at this issue, since the HIV virus attacks the immune system directly, a person with HIV-AIDS would have difficulty steering clear of Candida-caused diseases and systemic yeast infection.

Beyond any doubt you have to pay serious attention to the fact that boosting your immune system is an excellent way to prevent recurrent yeast infections. For example you may take vitamin supplements daily. As a matter of fact, this is especially advisable if you’re working in high-stress environments, or you know that your body is busy fighting off other illnesses. In addition, make certain too that you get plenty of good rest and exercise, than fix your diet; remove alcohol, sugar, white flour and dairy products. Just go instead for fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish and poultry. Don’t forget to check the treatments that you’re taking. It may turn out that perhaps your immune system is not the problem. What counts here is that it’s also possible that recurrent yeast infections are cause by the wrong treatment or the wrong way of taking treatment.

The first thing you should find out if it’s true or not that you are actually completing your treatment. Actually, discernable symptoms of yeast infection can subside with anti-fungal medication long before the yeast infection is totally gone. For this reason, as far as the issue is concerned, it’s not unheard of that some folks may have unknowingly stopped their medication prematurely. In this case, completing treatment can deal with the recurrent yeast infections. On the other hand if the recurrent yeast infections you’ve been having is merely due to different strains of the Candida yeast. It turned out that there are several strains around and while your body may have developed antibodies to counter one strain, it has yet to produce the kind that can deal with other strains. If this is the case, in fact, you may just need to repeat your intake of the antifungal remedy that you found effectual before, and maybe continue taking it as a preventive precaution. In case if the yeast has developed a tolerance for the drugs you use, consult your physician for alternative medication.

You should know that there are medicines that are counter-productive to your own natural resistance. So far as is known, individuals who are in antibiotic therapy for a long time, or have been taking antibiotic cocktails, are more susceptible to recurrent yeast infections. Beyond any doubt, large quantities of antibiotics can destroy the body’s natural disease-fighting bacteria. And the same can be said of those taking birth control pills. Additionally, you should check your partner. There is also a need to add that if you’re sexually active, you may have passed the yeast infection to your partner and kept getting it back after physical intimacy. The thing is that a common cause of recurrent yeast infections is treating just the woman. That’s why have your partner consult a specialist as well. To sum up, when dealing with recurrent yeast infections, it’s always best to consult a physician before settling on a cure. To the best of our knowledge, doing so can help you know if you really are dealing with a yeast infection or something else that has similar symptoms.

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Aug 30 2009

The Most Complete Exercises For Abs

We all want to look good, right! Well, here is a comprehensive program that will give you just that, with the most COMPLETE EXERCISES for abs you’ll ever see!

If you’re sick of…

Not Being Healthy
Low Self-Esteem
Hating to go out in public
Always staying home while friends go to the beach
Hating the way clothes looked on you

…then join a fitness program that will give you the body to be proud of.

Banish the fatty belly, in exchange for a grand set of ‘SIX PACK ABS’ you can show off at the gym or on the beach.

Most programs will tell you they will turn your skinny or fatty belly into the abs of your dreams in just 12 – 16 weeks!

Well 16 weeks may be all you’ll need, if you choose the best and most complete exercises for abs which you can find. Make sure you get video instructions and the most comprehensive guide to BUILDING AND SHREDDING your abs on the internet!

Here are 10 features you will need to succeed with any program, when you might not have with others;

Comprehensive workout programs for the gym and for the home
Video and Audio programs to help illustrate exercises and show results
Loads of feature articles written by experienced professionals
Instantly downloadable DVDs and ebooks
Fat-burning meal plans and nutritional strategies
Motivational guidance and tips to keep you in the game
Fitness calculators to help you gauge your progress
Discussion forums and chat rooms
Member contests with photo acknowledgement
Success stories and peer support

What I’m suggesting is that books alone won’t do it for you. You need a club of LIKE MINDED INDIVIDUALS whom actually support each other to achieve the goal of healthy body and ripped abs!

You see, you don’t just need an exercise for abs regime that you can get off the shelf of any book store.

You need video; feature articles; e-books; nutritional guidance no matter what your physical bearing; motivation; support; a forum where you can chat with others like yourself; and contests to gauge your progress.

Just imagine, no more staying at home when your friends go to the beach, or wearing cloths that don’t fit right, or staying home on Saturday night.

You can be that PERSON WHO IS CONFIDENT, walking tall, happy, and secure within themselves because you have the body you’ve always dreamed of, and the best abs around!

Then BOOM! Zero social life to full calender because you are no longer undesirable, but the person to be seen with.

So, we’re not just talking great exercises for abdominals here, but a total change in lifestyle as well. Make sure you choose a system that will change your life, you have nothing to lose!

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Aug 30 2009

Alkaline Water And Your Health

Are you still drinking expensive bottled water? Did you know that most of bottled water is basically filtered water that is bottled professionally? Do you know the pH level or the alkalinity of the water you are drinking?

To make a long story short, the best, naturally occurring water you can drink are mostly alkaline rather than acidic, meaning that they have a pH of 7 and above. Unfortunately, the bottled water you are drinking are mostly acidic in nature, averaging out around a pH of 6, depending on the brand.

Now if naturally occurring, uncontaminated water from the lower parts of the earth, often times consider miracle water have a high pH value (around 9 or so in general), perhaps you should look into drinking water with a pH of 9 on a regular basis as well? We all know acidic drinks deplete our systems of calcium and leads to bone loss. So why are we still drinking it? It’s really a no-brainer. Now while most of us cannot get a regular supply of the naturally occurring water from the deeps parts of the earth, we can simulate the properties by electrolysis, creating similar properties with ionized water.

Besides the pH of water, there’s another concept you should be familiar with in order to understand what kind of water to drink. While alkalized water is what people call this type of water, the real benefits come from the ORP of the water.

ORP stands for oxidation reduction potential. This is a number measurable by an ORP meter in the unit of mv (milli-volt), either a positive or negative number. We all know that anti-oxidants are good for the body, and essentially water with negative ORP are anti-oxidizing by nature. Negative ORP water that is ingested will be absorbed in the human body and act as natural anti-oxidants and hunt down free-radicals that tend to cause harm to the body. Knowing this, the more negative the ORP of the water, the better it is for you in most cases.

Most of the time, when the PH is higher (more alkaline), the more negative the ORP will be. You can say that the pH and ORP are inversely proportional. Usually water of 9.5 pH would possibly have an ORP of around -200 to -300 mV or so. Of course this number can vary and all depends on how the alkaline water is made.

Most tap water and regular bottled water has a low to medium positive ORP number in the 100 to 300 range (positive). Soft drinks typically have a very high positive ORP number, sometimes in the range of 500 to 600! And we all know how bad soft drinks are to the body, namely because they are highly acidic. And now we know that it’s bad also because it has a terribly high positive ORP number. Drinking soft drinks is like encouraging the free radicals in the body to flourish and attack our healthy cells. Who wants that? No wonder kids that drink soda/soft drinks all day long are so messed up health-wise.

Alkaline water, either naturally occuring or made by either electrolysis, will usually have a high pH and the decently negative ORP. This is good for the body! Many studies have shown health benefits from alkaline, negative ORP water. Afterall, you are drinking anti-oxidizing fluids when you drink this kind of water.

Are you drinking alkaline water with negative ORP daily? You should.

The bottom line is, start researching into the health benefits of alkaline and negative ORP water and why drinking it regularly may benefit your health tremendously. It may be the best decision you’ll ever make.

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Aug 30 2009

What Is Important To Know About Water Ionizer Machines And Alkaline Water?

Water Ionizer Machines are fast becoming a well-liked health product in many parts of the world. In Japan, which ranks at the very top on the list of countries for longevity, 20% of homes have a Water Ionizer Machine. While other countries do not have that same level of market penetration, the news is getting out and health-conscious people everywhere are finding out about Water Ionizers and using them to make alkaline drinking water. Just about everybody these days is aware of the quality issues in our drinking water supply. What few people are aware of is that nearly all our drinking water has a positive ORP. That is the abbreviation for oxidative reduction potential. Just as oxidation is bad for a piece of iron that we leave out in the backyard because it will begin to rust as the oxidation process works away on it, oxidation is also bad for each of our trillions of cells in your body because oxidation breaks down our cells and causes the aging process. The higher the ORP measurement of the water we drink, the more it contributes to the oxidation, or aging process. The good news is, that with a high-quality Water Ionizer Machine like one that produce Kangen Water (tm Enagic), anyone can turn their tap water into a very healthy alkaline drinking water with a strong negative ORP. The stronger the negative measurement of ORP, the greater the effect of the water in fighting the oxidation process, or slowing down the aging process. Not all Water Ionizer Machines can produce a water with a strong negative ORP. But fortunately there are Alkaline Water Ionizers that do.

Another benefit of a high-quality Alkaline Water Ionizer — again, not all Water Ionizers produce this type of water — is that the water is referred to as being Restructured because the water molecules aggregate into groups composed of a smaller quantity of molecules than is normally found in drinking water. This is sometimes referred to as Hexegonal water. This restructured water with the smaller aggregations of water molecules is able to permeate through cell membranes more easily, therefore enabling the water to perform some of its most important functions better. Cells, for example, can become hydrated easier, nutrients can be delivered into the cells more readily, and toxins can be more readily removed from the cells. The net of all this is that people who begin to drink the water produced by a high-quality water ionizer machine often describe how quickly they feel healthier once they start drinking the water. But that is not all…

Water Ionizers are often sought out by people searching for a solution to their pH balance. One of the challenges many people have today is that they are having too much acid accumulating within the body. Antacids, heartburn, acid reflux, and many other related conditions are all too common. Left untreated, an accumulation of acid within the body tissues can lead to a number of serious health conditions. While most people realize the importance of balancing their body pH, few people have the know how or the discipline to address this serious issue successfully with diet and lifestyle alone. Fortunately, a high-quality Alkaline Water Ionizer will provide an unlimited supply of Alkaline Drinking Water which will help balance the pH within the body tissue.

No wonder Water Ionizers are fast becoming such a well-known health product!

Aug 29 2009

How To Find Out If Your Diet Is Healthy Enough

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Everyone wants to eat a healthier diet, but it can sometimes be difficult to know if your diet is healthy enough.

There are a number of factors that go into creating a healthy diet, and it is important to evaluate the current state of your diet before embarking on a plan for healthier eating.

There are several questions you should ask yourself when evaluating the healthiness (or lack thereof) of your current eating plan!

Do I eat a wide variety of foods?

Variety is one of the most important hallmarks of a healthy diet, since no one food contains all the nutrients needed by the human body. It is important to eat foods from all the major food groups, including grains and breads, fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, meats, beans and nuts.

If you find yourself avoiding some food groups, such as vegetables for instance, it may be time to look for a healthier diet.

Do I recognize the importance of cereals, breads and other grain products?

Eating a wide variety of grain based products is important to a healthy diet. Grains and cereals contain a large number of important nutrients, including high levels of dietary fiber.

It is important to choose whole grain products as often as possible, since whole grain products like wheat bread contain more nutrients than more refined white bread and similar products. When eating cereal, it is a good idea to choose whole grain varieties, or those that are enriched with vitamins and minerals.

Do I eat lots of fruits and vegetables?

Many people do not eat sufficient servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Most experts recommend eating between 5 and 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, roughly equivalent to 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables.

When shopping for vegetables and fruits, it is important to choose a good variety of dark green, dark red, orange and yellow varieties. That is because different colored fruits and vegetables contain a variety of different nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A and beta carotene.

Do I eat a good breakfast every morning?

Breakfast, or the absence of it, is often a good indicator of the state of your diet. If you rush out of the house every morning and grab a donut at the local convenience store, chances are your diet can use some work. A healthy breakfast provides a foundation for the rest of the day, helps you avoid cravings and provides much needed nutrition.

Do I choose low fat foods over higher fat alternatives?

This is also an important question to ask yourself. Low fat alternatives are available for a variety of products, including milk, cheese, meats and more.

One part of following a healthy, low fat diet is avoiding prepared foods whenever possible, since prepared foods tend to have higher amounts of fat and sodium than fresh foods.

It is also important to control the amount of fat that is added at the table. Adding things like butter, sour cream and heavy sauces is a sure way to ruin an otherwise healthy meal. Even healthy foods like salads can be sabotaged by the addition of high fat salad dressings. Try using lower fat alternatives like flavored vinegars instead.

Do I drink plenty of water?

Drinking plenty of fresh, pure water is important to maintaining a healthy body and a healthy lifestyle. Water is important to maintaining optimal levels of health. If you think you need more water, try substituting water for less healthy beverages like soda and coffee.

Am I able to maintain my optimal body weight?

Gaining weight without trying to is often a sign of a poor diet. Following a healthy diet, and getting plenty of regular exercise, is the only way to lose weight and keep it off.

Do I limit the amount of salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine in my diet?

While all of these elements are fine in moderation, excessive amounts of any of these four can indicate a serious problem with your diet. It is important to limit the amount of unhealthy elements in any diet.

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Aug 28 2009

How To Avoid H1N1 -Can H1N1 Be Stopped?

When I think about H1N1 swine flu the first thing that comes to mind are little children. I’m a dad with 4 and I identify with first hand the feeling of helpless dread that a parent feels for their ill child. I can well envision the intensity of that feeling when faced with a confirmed killer like the swine flu virus. That being said, I did some investigating about how swine flu might be prevented and thought I’d contribute a few tips.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

Kids as it happens are the number 1 carriers and spreaders of the infection . We should teach our children the proper “etiquette” to apply to colds and viruses. Good hygiene, coughing and sneezing into a disposable tissue(their sleeve if necessary), and avoiding other kids showing symptoms without completely horrifying or ostracizing them.

Bring up H1N1 with your kids . Kids are never to young to learn self preservation. How long did you wait to teach your children to look both ways before crossing the street? The same applies to swine flu . Kids are smarter than we give them credit for and they will take it seriously if you do.

Listen carefully to the media and school department bulletins regarding the virus. The response to H1N1 and local government may take different approaches. If yours takes a “control the panic” over a control the pandemic policy it will be up to you to remain in the know and protect your family on your own .

When you wonder to yourself, “How can I prevent swine flu ?” these are just some of the answers that should come instantly to mind. Start thinking about H1N1 prevention today so if and when it affects your community you won’t need to panic or scramble for this very important information. Prevention through the right information is the “best defense”.

H1N1 is serious business and I’m not just trying to frighten you. The fact is any Flu prevention tips are good information and Swine Flu precautions save lives. The Swine Flu is scary. It targets people 25 and younger and small children are especially vulnerable. I touched on some of the basics but this subject deserves real attention. To find out more take a look at http://www.how-to-prevent-swine-flu.info. In depth comprehensive information on how to prevent swine flu is available and I strongly recommend you take advantage of it before you “need” to.

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Aug 28 2009

What Are The Most Common Yeast Infection Diagnostics?

You need to be aware of that that, normally, the organisms that can cause yeast infections live on our skin naturally – is there male yeast infection cure? It’s common knowledge that our skin is the barrier that keeps the candidas out, but it is very important to take into account that if you have any openings due to cuts or other kinds of abrasions, the organism can penetrate the skin and grow prolifically. To the best of our knowledge, this usually happens when areas of the body become overly warm and moist like in diaper areas and skin folds of babies and adults alike. Actually, if you have a superficial infection, typical yeast infection symptoms may look like a flat, red rash. One should make sure that it will have edges that are sharply scalloped. The other thing that needs to be added is that it should be also added that sometimes there are smaller patches close by and they are called “satellite lesions”. In fact, often these rashes are itchy and painful.

The other useful point to add is that for those people who have a compromised or weakened immune system, yeast infection symptoms may be more subtle. It comes as no surprise that these types of infections can transform your internal organs and cause them to cause you pain or dysfunction. In the statistics it is reported that 85% of people who have AIDS get a yeast infection known as esophagitis in the upper GI tract. The trouble is that common yeast infection symptoms of this type will be painful ulcers throughout the gastrointestinal system causing pain in swallowing even liquids.

As a matter of fact, this infection is like thrush, but instead of lesions in only the mouth and tongue areas, you will have them in the esophagus and stomach as well. Along, in cases where the infection has spread to intestines, nutrition from food sources will be poorly absorbed. As far as the issue is concerned, people who suffer from this type of yeast infection are at risk for dehydration. In cases when Candida gets into the bloodstream, yeast infection symptoms may or may not consist of a fever. To make matters still worse, in a worst case scenario, if the yeast infection spreads to the brain, yeast infection symptoms may be noticeable changes in your behavior and mental functioning.

As far as my personal experience can be taken into account, if you, or anyone in your family are experiencing any type of yeast infection symptoms, you can first try an over the counter medication. But note : if this doesn’t work or your yeast infection symptoms worsen, it is time to see your specialist . Beyond any doubt you have to pay serious attention to the fact that this is especially true for those with a weakened immune system.

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Aug 27 2009

The Do’s And Don’t Of Acupuncture

There are things that patients have to be aware of before, during and after surgery. The same goes for those who undergo acupuncture because in order to enhance the value of the treatment, there are some do’s and don’ts that patients have to follow.

First, you should not eat a large meal before or after treatment.

You should also avoid over exercising, engaging in a sexual activity or consume alcoholic beverages 6 hours before and after treatment.

Since the acupuncture session will last from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how often you have to go to the clinic, you better fix your schedule so you have time to rest.

Chances are, you were consulting with a doctor prior to your visit to the acupuncturist. If there are any prescription medicines given, don’t forget to take them.

You will not feel any improvement after just one or two visits with the acupuncturist. Just the same, you should write this down so you can go back to the acupuncturist on your next visit and tell him or her how you felt during the previous session. Such feedback will let the specialist know what needs to be modified in the future to help you with your problem.

The acupuncturist might give you some herbs to take as part of your treatment. Since you don’t know if taking them will have any side effects with the medication you are taking, you should first consult with your doctor if it is safe to consume both.

Women who are pregnant are also advised not to undergo acupuncture treatment. However, they can engage in that once the baby is born.

How well the acupuncture treatment will go depends also on specialist who will be performing it. You have to take into account their years of experience and skill so they are able to make the correct diagnosis, finding the acupoints in the body, the angle at which the needles will be inserted and the techniques they know as there are different types of acupuncture.

This brings us to asking ourselves how to find a skill acupuncturist. For this to work, we have to do ask our doctor if they can refer anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to also do some research online. After all, there are about 3,000 acupuncturists all across the country so it won’t be that hard to find one.

Before you decide to have a session with them, talk to the acupuncturist to know their credentials. This will also give you the opportunity to find out how much do they charge as this can be from $45 to more than $100 per session.

You can probably ask for the name and contact number of a previous client so you can ask this person how everything went. Remember, if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t be afraid to find someone else who can do a better job.

The most important thing to do during the session is to relax. If you feel an itch or something, tell the acupuncturist. The same goes if you are nervous or experience a burning sensation so the specialist will take out the needles.

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of acupuncture, you should ask yourself if this form of treatment is right for you. If conventional medication doesn’t work, it wouldn’t hurt to see how things turn out.

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Aug 27 2009

Acupuncture Closely Revealed

The foundation of acupuncture rests on the relevance of an individual’s chi in maintaining bodily and mental health. It is believed that chi is present in every living creature, and flows through specific pathways in the body. Health problems arise when the flow of chi on the body is blocked. As a result, a person may feel persistent headaches, muscle pain, fever, weakness, or in the worst case, becomes afflicted with more serious health conditions.

A Deeper Explanation of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has its origins in ancient Chinese philosophy and practice. More than ten thousand years ago, during the Old Stone Age of China, stones were fashioned into knives for medical purposes. After several years, during the New Stone Age, these stones were eventually made into needles intended for the same therapeutic end. These accounts are further evidenced by unearthed stone needles found to be of the same types used during the New Stone Age.

There are basically 14 pathways throughout the body where chi flows continuously. These are called the meridian points. In order for chi to course through the body unobstructed, there has to be a balance between the strengths of yin and yang. In ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent the forces of the universe- yin is for feminine, while yang is for masculine. Every single thing in the universe is believed to contain both yin and yang for harmony.

When the yin and yang are not balanced, chi cannot stream through the body liberally. Therefore, the meridian points through which chi courses through need to be stimulated. This is done by the insertion of hair-thin, disposable needles in specific areas on a person’s body to induce bodily harmony and bring about healing.

A certified and trained acupuncturist will be able to carry out an excellent therapy session for the patient. Trainings for acupuncturists are given in order for them to obtain their licenses. A poor practitioner may not be proficient enough with the practice and could end up jeopardizing the results of the entire procedure. Nowadays, it is wise to verify on a practitioner’s credentials to ensure a safe and effective acupuncture treatment.

What This Ancient Method Does

One of the foremost effects of acupuncture on the body is relaxation. Stress is frequently pinpointed as the main precursor for a host of physical ailments. There are particular points all over the body that direct the flow of harmony and relaxation and when these are enthused, the patient becomes more at ease.

Another positive effect of this alternative therapy is increased pain control. During a session, a patient will usually feel very minimal pain as the thin needles are being inserted gradually. However, the needles are deliberately placed in varying depths, depending on the health requirements of the patient. When the needles reach the right depth, the patient will feel deeper pain, although the entire procedure is not necessarily painful.

It is also recommended for relief from chemotherapy fatigue as well as chemotherapy-related nausea. It has also been found to be largely effective for back pains, migraines, menstrual cramps, and as a pain controller for patients after undergoing surgical operations.

Variations of Conventional Acupuncture

Auriculotherapy or ear acupuncture is one of the variations of conventional acupuncture. In this practice, it is believed that the ear provides a map for all the major bodily organs. A specific area or point on the ear corresponds to a particular organ, such as the heart, kidneys, or liver. Thus, the needles are placed in particular points around the ear and on the ear cartilage.

Staplepuncture is a method used in smoking cessation, wherein staples are placed for a certain period anywhere on the ear area to provide stimulation.

Indeed there is growing evidence that this traditional Oriental practice can rival any modern forms of treatment. If you are one of the many people who are looking for a widely recognized and time honored therapeutic practice, acupuncture may just be the alternative treatment for you.

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Aug 27 2009

The Effectiveness Of Acupuncture

Whenever you are feeling pain and discomfort, you’d usually reach for your painkillers for relief. While they do relieve the pain, they also bring along side effects that comes with taking foreign chemicals into your body. As much as modern medicine has developed drugs that can relieve pain right off the bat, do you really think that the quick fixes you’ve been taking are actually good for your body? Why not try something safer and more effective like acupuncture.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture has surged in popularity for the last few decades as brought on by the recent health trend. Mostly known as a traditonal Chinese medical technique, acupuncture is seen as a homeopathic method of treatment. While alternative medicine does raise a lot of eyebrows for the scientifically-inclined, it does merit attention before being dismissed as a quack cure.

Basic Procedure

Basically, needles are inserted into the skin, each corresponding to one of the numerous pressure points located throughout the body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, by inserting a needle into the pressure point, an acupuncturist can manipulate the flow of chi or life force, thus relieving pain and gradually treating the patient. While most would say that the whole chi thing is a bunch of nonsense, science has suggested that with the needles inserted, the body’s natural painkillers called endorphins are released, thus helping with pain relief.

Instruments

Modern acupuncturists nowadays use disposable fine stainless steel needles that are 0.007 to 0.020 inches in diameter which are sterilized with either ethylene oxide or by autoclave. Since they are way finer than hypodermic syringe needles, being poked by these needles are relatively painless. The upper third of the needle is covered with either a thicker bronze wire or plastic to make the needle sturdier and easier to handle. The length of the needle and how far they are inserted is all up to the acupuncturist and his practised style of acupuncture.

Example Of Treatment

If a patient has a headache, he/she is diagnosed and is treated by stimulating the sensitive points located at the webs between the thumbs and palms. In acupuncture theory, these points are connected to the face and head and can be used for treatment of headaches and other ailments involved. Needles are then carefully inserted into the skin until the patient feels a twinge, which is usually accompanied by a slight involuntary twitching of the area. During this treatment, a number of things may occur.

- Sensitivity to pain in where needles are inserted.

- A hint of nausea during treatment in case of bad headaches.

- Near-immediate headache relief.

Evolution

As an ancient method, acupuncture has crossed over into the modern age with implementations of technology and recent scientific findings. Electrical stimulation is now a common technique that is combined with acupuncture to produce more effective results. Also, acupuncturists combined this eastern technique with western methods to further enhance the treatment.

Practitioners have eventually realized that leaning towards one school of thought can’t propagate progress unless they are willing to move towards the future by looking towards other horizons as well.

Reactions And Research

Not everyone is impressed with acupuncture itself. Most western medical professionals have expressed either doubt or indifference to the oriental method while others have downright driven it down into the earth with criticisms and brutal skepticism. However, recent research shows the efficacy (or lack thereof) of acupuncture, and while more research has to be done, it has been proven to actually positively affect some, but not all, forms of ailments that it claims to cure.

So as the doors open to a new age of acupuncture, give it a try when you feel the need for pain relief and you will not be disappointed. As the Chinese have used it for many centuries, so should we.

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