In recent years, more and more people are trying out acupuncture to lose weight. Just what is acupuncture? How can acupuncture treatment help you lose weight?
Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been around for about 5,000 years. It is the practice of inserting very thin needles to stimulate pathways or meridians in the body to treat many illnesses and diseases especially to relieve pain from chronic disorders.
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners or TCM physicians claim that acupuncture can help you to lose body fat by making you feel full and so will eat less. This curbs excess caloric consumption in the patient treated with acupuncture and is a great help in the patient's weight loss program.
Acupuncture treatment can also be used to raise your metabolic rate and help you to burn more calories to speed up weight loss. Some Chinese medicine practitioners say that acupuncture stimulates the production of a hormone called endorphins and this hormone helps to lower body fat, insulin and lipid levels in the bloodstream thus less insulin is converted into body fat.
Acupuncture is not a miracle cure for obesity. TCM physicians often stress that to achieve good weight loss results from your program and maintaining your weight, acupuncture treatment alone is not enough. To lose weight effectively and keep the fats off permanently, acupuncture treatment must be combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercises.
Before you start your acupuncture treatment, your Chinese physician will behaviour a medical examination on you by checking your pulse and examination of your tongue to ensure that you are suitable for acupuncture weight loss treatment. This is because TCM is a holistic branch of health care and do not just specifically target the ailment or medical complaint. So an investigation into other reasons why a patient is obese is necessary to solve the problem holistically.
If you want to lose weight naturally and without drugs, why not try TCM acupuncture for your weight loss program?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Things You Should Know About Natural Health Remedies
Natural health remedies sounds similar to a hip new practice of medicine, perhaps performed by a throw back from the 60's - remedies that might involve burning incense and channeling an alternate life source. Honestly some research will reveal that some remedies out there require such practices, but many are based on philosophies handed down through history.
Other remedies are break offs of forms that were developed when medicine started. To start with, a definition or understanding of what natural health is would be helpful. Natural health is also commonly known as alternative health, alternative treatment, etc.
This is any practice that does not fit into the category of mainstream healthcare. Some examples would include:
• Herbal medicine
• Naturopathy
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic
• Ancient Chinese Therapies
• Holistic healing
Each of these base their philosophies on different aspects of the body. They focus on one section or area and believe that healing of that area will bring full wellness to the body and soul.
So How Does One Make Sense Of It All?
To gain a better sense of natural remedies, one should get a better understanding of what the different forms are and what they encompass. You can do this with a little literary research and a battery of questions aimed at a professional in that field. Having good communication with your personal physician and your alternative therapist will make for a positive experience. To list all the types of alternative medicine choices would take a book but to give a better understanding, here are a few that you may encounter:
• Herbal medicine - This form of alternative medicine practices using herbs and plant products to heal ailments and to maintain physical and mental wellness. Plants and herbs are used in cooking, supplement form, teas, or as a topical ointment. It is always a good idea to inform your herbalist of what you may take for prescriptions so that you do not encounter a reaction. For example, someone who is taking a prescription for high blood pressure may start taking an herbal supplement that claims to do the same (garlic for example), the wrong dosage could lead to dangerously low blood pressure.
• Naturopathy - The practice that activates the body's natural self-healing capabilities and treats the whole person rather than a specific disorder. Most practitioner's goals are to accomplish a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease. Some diseases or ailments that have been known to be cured are: digestive disorders, musculoskeletal problems, skin conditions, infections, migraines, female and male reproductive issues, allergies, stress, and sleep difficulties. A patient should have a complete physical from a naturopathic practitioner and research their background like they would a regular medical physician.
• Chiropractic - Many people understand this practice as a practitioner that heals those who may have suffered from back injuries. Why this is true, they offer more in the way of healing. The musculoskeletal system is the main focus and healing that would then, in turn, create healing throughout the body. People visit chiropractors for a variety of disorders, such as headaches, leg pains, or even pains in their torso. Having their body realigned makes them feel less stress which makes them feel better.
• Holistic Healing - This is still a hands-on approach to wellness but it does not start with a system in the body. This alternative medical therapy heals the mind and the soul, which will then help heal the body. This approach will take complete belief because you must channel into the part of the brain that is not skewed by everyday influences. Tapping into this powerful energy source will allow your body to help heal itself and maintain wellness. An example of this therapy would be Reiki. A Reiki master can promote healing in the body by the power of touch. They may lay their hands on a patient's body and touch on certain points and their positive energy is then transformed to the areas of pain.
Just like with anything in life, having a better understanding of a newer concept will answer questions and doubts, which will allow your mind to grasp and accept new healing concepts. An open mind will be the gateway to endless possibilities to wellness of the body, the mind, and the soul.
Other remedies are break offs of forms that were developed when medicine started. To start with, a definition or understanding of what natural health is would be helpful. Natural health is also commonly known as alternative health, alternative treatment, etc.
This is any practice that does not fit into the category of mainstream healthcare. Some examples would include:
• Herbal medicine
• Naturopathy
• Osteopathy
• Chiropractic
• Ancient Chinese Therapies
• Holistic healing
Each of these base their philosophies on different aspects of the body. They focus on one section or area and believe that healing of that area will bring full wellness to the body and soul.
So How Does One Make Sense Of It All?
To gain a better sense of natural remedies, one should get a better understanding of what the different forms are and what they encompass. You can do this with a little literary research and a battery of questions aimed at a professional in that field. Having good communication with your personal physician and your alternative therapist will make for a positive experience. To list all the types of alternative medicine choices would take a book but to give a better understanding, here are a few that you may encounter:
• Herbal medicine - This form of alternative medicine practices using herbs and plant products to heal ailments and to maintain physical and mental wellness. Plants and herbs are used in cooking, supplement form, teas, or as a topical ointment. It is always a good idea to inform your herbalist of what you may take for prescriptions so that you do not encounter a reaction. For example, someone who is taking a prescription for high blood pressure may start taking an herbal supplement that claims to do the same (garlic for example), the wrong dosage could lead to dangerously low blood pressure.
• Naturopathy - The practice that activates the body's natural self-healing capabilities and treats the whole person rather than a specific disorder. Most practitioner's goals are to accomplish a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease. Some diseases or ailments that have been known to be cured are: digestive disorders, musculoskeletal problems, skin conditions, infections, migraines, female and male reproductive issues, allergies, stress, and sleep difficulties. A patient should have a complete physical from a naturopathic practitioner and research their background like they would a regular medical physician.
• Chiropractic - Many people understand this practice as a practitioner that heals those who may have suffered from back injuries. Why this is true, they offer more in the way of healing. The musculoskeletal system is the main focus and healing that would then, in turn, create healing throughout the body. People visit chiropractors for a variety of disorders, such as headaches, leg pains, or even pains in their torso. Having their body realigned makes them feel less stress which makes them feel better.
• Holistic Healing - This is still a hands-on approach to wellness but it does not start with a system in the body. This alternative medical therapy heals the mind and the soul, which will then help heal the body. This approach will take complete belief because you must channel into the part of the brain that is not skewed by everyday influences. Tapping into this powerful energy source will allow your body to help heal itself and maintain wellness. An example of this therapy would be Reiki. A Reiki master can promote healing in the body by the power of touch. They may lay their hands on a patient's body and touch on certain points and their positive energy is then transformed to the areas of pain.
Just like with anything in life, having a better understanding of a newer concept will answer questions and doubts, which will allow your mind to grasp and accept new healing concepts. An open mind will be the gateway to endless possibilities to wellness of the body, the mind, and the soul.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Instantly Quit Smoking With Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a highly effective quit smoking method for all, and specially for those people who had been unsuccessful with other methods to stop smoking. People who go for acupuncture treatments are usually keen on quit smoking beliefs. Although they have failed with all previous programs, this 3500 years old Chinese remedy promises quick relief from chronic smoking habits.
Acupuncture works most efficiently on human body to reduce chronic smoking habits
Acupuncture is based on the belief that “chi”, a fundamental energy force flows through 12 key channels around the body. Within these channels, there are at least 365 acupuncture points, which can sometimes get blocked preventing the smooth flow of vital energy, thereby leading to chronic habits. Acupuncture for stop stop smoking does not engage any “magic” acupuncture points. At least five needles are taken and inserted into the ear [particularly in the cartilage and not in the ear canal] and a few on the hands and wrists. With the needles pricked to your skin, you are left to relax for 30 to 45 minutes. These pricked needles provide significant effect on lessening cravings for smoking.
Treatments involved in acupuncture
To become a non-smoker, you have to follow a series of sessions. These sessions also focus on physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms occurring in the patient during the acupuncture treatments. While the needle-pricking treatments are going on you are also advised to experience treatments with herbs. You can apply a mixture of oil of cloves and wintergreen, extracts of evodia fruits and Sichuan lovage rhizomes in the acupuncture points to get faster stop smoking results.
Other advantages of acupuncture - tips on stopping smoking
Acupuncture tips on stopping smoking not only relieve you from permanent smoking cessation but also works advantageous for you. After the acupuncture series is over, even cigarettes taste foul. It takes a nasty burnt taste and you can thus proudly redefine yourself as a “non-smoker”. Acupuncture therapy for stop smoking also reduces side effects of nicotine withdrawals like depression, cravings and anxiety. While the body actually improves in blood circulation and de-congesting the lungs, you also start feeling truly optimistic.
Acupuncture is a definite method that helps you to quit smoking miraculously within a few days. Try it out to experience instant success even if you are a chronic nicotine-smoker.
Acupuncture works most efficiently on human body to reduce chronic smoking habits
Acupuncture is based on the belief that “chi”, a fundamental energy force flows through 12 key channels around the body. Within these channels, there are at least 365 acupuncture points, which can sometimes get blocked preventing the smooth flow of vital energy, thereby leading to chronic habits. Acupuncture for stop stop smoking does not engage any “magic” acupuncture points. At least five needles are taken and inserted into the ear [particularly in the cartilage and not in the ear canal] and a few on the hands and wrists. With the needles pricked to your skin, you are left to relax for 30 to 45 minutes. These pricked needles provide significant effect on lessening cravings for smoking.
Treatments involved in acupuncture
To become a non-smoker, you have to follow a series of sessions. These sessions also focus on physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms occurring in the patient during the acupuncture treatments. While the needle-pricking treatments are going on you are also advised to experience treatments with herbs. You can apply a mixture of oil of cloves and wintergreen, extracts of evodia fruits and Sichuan lovage rhizomes in the acupuncture points to get faster stop smoking results.
Other advantages of acupuncture - tips on stopping smoking
Acupuncture tips on stopping smoking not only relieve you from permanent smoking cessation but also works advantageous for you. After the acupuncture series is over, even cigarettes taste foul. It takes a nasty burnt taste and you can thus proudly redefine yourself as a “non-smoker”. Acupuncture therapy for stop smoking also reduces side effects of nicotine withdrawals like depression, cravings and anxiety. While the body actually improves in blood circulation and de-congesting the lungs, you also start feeling truly optimistic.
Acupuncture is a definite method that helps you to quit smoking miraculously within a few days. Try it out to experience instant success even if you are a chronic nicotine-smoker.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
How Come Acupuncture Brings Perfect Results For All?
Acupuncture is the gentle insertion of extremely fine needles at specific points of the body. The theory behind acupuncture is that there are two thousand energy points on the body that are connected by twenty pathways [meridians] running throughout the length of the body. These pathways conduct flow of energy called “qi” or “chi”, meaning life force. Blockage of energy in any of these points can cause pain in the body. Acupuncture serves to clear any type of energy blockage in any of the pathways and thus reduce pain effectively.
Treatments offered by acupuncture schools
All the diseases prevalent in human body are the result of energy blockage in the pathways. So when these blockage points are removed, automatically you will be cured from all types of diseases. During an acupuncture treatment session performed by the acupuncture schools, almost one to twenty metallic needles are inserted into the body. While some of the needles rest on the surface of the skin, the others are inserted from one to several inches into the layers of fats. The needles are kept there in resting position for at least twenty to thirty minutes.
The acupuncturists to enhance the reduction in energy blockage often keep jiggling the needles. In certain instances like treating high blood force with acupuncture, electrified needles are used for fast and better cure. Often the practitioners also use an amount of burned herbs at the end of the needle to encourage negative energy to leave the body along with the smoke.
Acupuncture treatments for back pain, shoulder and neck pain
Atlanta schools of acupuncture follow some rigorous acupuncture techniques that promise sure results for all types of diseases. Back pain is a disease that can range from dull ache to a steady sharp pain that leaves people irritated. Even neck and shoulder pains can be equally disgusting as they continue to be acute and stop all your normal activities.
Acupressure is a wonderful remedy for back pain, neck and shoulder pain. The practitioner presses some acute points near the meridians of the body with the thumbs and fingertips to reduce pain. With the practical pressure the blocked energy starts flowing and all pains are reduced. Atlanta acupuncture for spinal injury is also effective as the blocked “chi” or energy in spinal chords gets released with application of acupressure and pains related to spinal injuries gets cured instantly.
Acupuncture treatments for smoking and skin diseases
Atlanta for stop-quit smoking is also effective, as permanent smokers have known to cease smoking completely with acupuncture. The treatment involves insertion of five needles into the ear [particularly in the cartilage and not in the ear canal] and a few on the hands and wrists. It also involves applying a mixture of oil of cloves and wintergreen extracts of Evodia fruits and Sichuan lovage rhizomes to quit smoking faster.
Acupuncture for acne, psoriasis and allergies are an effective treatment, as it reduces the diseases instantly. All these infections are autoimmune systems that occur due to inflammations in the blood vessels. So when the acupressure needles are pricked onto the skin, they are also manipulated through hands by rubbing the acupressure points or the ends of the needles are electrified to produce instant results.
Treatments offered by acupuncture schools
All the diseases prevalent in human body are the result of energy blockage in the pathways. So when these blockage points are removed, automatically you will be cured from all types of diseases. During an acupuncture treatment session performed by the acupuncture schools, almost one to twenty metallic needles are inserted into the body. While some of the needles rest on the surface of the skin, the others are inserted from one to several inches into the layers of fats. The needles are kept there in resting position for at least twenty to thirty minutes.
The acupuncturists to enhance the reduction in energy blockage often keep jiggling the needles. In certain instances like treating high blood force with acupuncture, electrified needles are used for fast and better cure. Often the practitioners also use an amount of burned herbs at the end of the needle to encourage negative energy to leave the body along with the smoke.
Acupuncture treatments for back pain, shoulder and neck pain
Atlanta schools of acupuncture follow some rigorous acupuncture techniques that promise sure results for all types of diseases. Back pain is a disease that can range from dull ache to a steady sharp pain that leaves people irritated. Even neck and shoulder pains can be equally disgusting as they continue to be acute and stop all your normal activities.
Acupressure is a wonderful remedy for back pain, neck and shoulder pain. The practitioner presses some acute points near the meridians of the body with the thumbs and fingertips to reduce pain. With the practical pressure the blocked energy starts flowing and all pains are reduced. Atlanta acupuncture for spinal injury is also effective as the blocked “chi” or energy in spinal chords gets released with application of acupressure and pains related to spinal injuries gets cured instantly.
Acupuncture treatments for smoking and skin diseases
Atlanta for stop-quit smoking is also effective, as permanent smokers have known to cease smoking completely with acupuncture. The treatment involves insertion of five needles into the ear [particularly in the cartilage and not in the ear canal] and a few on the hands and wrists. It also involves applying a mixture of oil of cloves and wintergreen extracts of Evodia fruits and Sichuan lovage rhizomes to quit smoking faster.
Acupuncture for acne, psoriasis and allergies are an effective treatment, as it reduces the diseases instantly. All these infections are autoimmune systems that occur due to inflammations in the blood vessels. So when the acupressure needles are pricked onto the skin, they are also manipulated through hands by rubbing the acupressure points or the ends of the needles are electrified to produce instant results.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Homemade Colon Cleanse Recipes Tips
Cleansing your colon is an efficient way of rejuvenating your body and there are many ways to do it. Cleansing your colon helps your body to cure itself and rest your digestive system for some time. There are many ways to cleanse your colon, and here we will talk about a few of the easy and effective household colon cleansing recipes.
The Lemon Cleanse, commonly known as the master cleanse, is a accepted home recipe where you abstain from eating solid food and drink only lemon water, cayenne peppers, and maple syrup based drinks and drink a laxative tea before retiring for the night.
When you wake up in the morning, you are supposed to consume a liter of salt water, which will flush your system and rest all the organs in the digestive system. This method of cleansing also helps your body to eliminate a lot of toxins like mucoid plaque, because the cayenne peppers help to break up the mucus and remove the plaque formed within it.
The Green Papaye Tropical Cleanse is a colon cleanse made out of the papaya fruit or 'paw paw' as it is frequently known in a few places where it is grown. Papaya, especially when green, contains an enzyme which acts very strongly on your colon called papain.
Papain helps to go down and eliminate any hardened mucus from your colon and flushes out toxins from the colon. Mucoid plaque occurs when the mucus lining in your colon dries up and hardens. When this happens, parasites start reproduction in the dried up mucous and further degenerates the lining. The colon excretes mucus when it is motivated by any food passing through it which irritates it. If there is an excess of such food, then the excess mucus dries up and forms a layer on top of the intestines and colon's inner layer which prevents nutrients from being absorbed into the body.
Papain, which is present in great abundance in unripe papaya, can break down proteins, fats and starches in a medium of any pH value where as our own bodily enzymes are capable of breaking down nutrients in a medium of a particular pH value only. Therefore, papain is able to cleanse and break down toxins all through the digestive system and not just in one localized area, as it travels through the alimentary canal.
Water fasting is a very effective method of cleansing the body, but it is best practiced only by the experts because it can have risky consequences in inexperienced hands. Through water fasting, you have to abstain from consuming everything other than pure water. While water fasting, there are only some rules to be followed, like:
Sleeping often.
Drinking water at usual intervals.
Abstention from all food and drink other than water.
Performing enemas before and during the cleansing.
Avoiding unnecessary talking and sex.
Meditating as much as potential.
Conserving your energy as much as possible.
Juice Fasting is another popular method of colon cleansing where you drink a lot of fruit and vegetable based juices. Popular and effective fruits and vegetables include mango, apple, pineapple, papaya, and carrot. These have certain enzymes which detoxify the body breakdown the hardened mucus in your colon lining.
The Lemon Cleanse, commonly known as the master cleanse, is a accepted home recipe where you abstain from eating solid food and drink only lemon water, cayenne peppers, and maple syrup based drinks and drink a laxative tea before retiring for the night.
When you wake up in the morning, you are supposed to consume a liter of salt water, which will flush your system and rest all the organs in the digestive system. This method of cleansing also helps your body to eliminate a lot of toxins like mucoid plaque, because the cayenne peppers help to break up the mucus and remove the plaque formed within it.
The Green Papaye Tropical Cleanse is a colon cleanse made out of the papaya fruit or 'paw paw' as it is frequently known in a few places where it is grown. Papaya, especially when green, contains an enzyme which acts very strongly on your colon called papain.
Papain helps to go down and eliminate any hardened mucus from your colon and flushes out toxins from the colon. Mucoid plaque occurs when the mucus lining in your colon dries up and hardens. When this happens, parasites start reproduction in the dried up mucous and further degenerates the lining. The colon excretes mucus when it is motivated by any food passing through it which irritates it. If there is an excess of such food, then the excess mucus dries up and forms a layer on top of the intestines and colon's inner layer which prevents nutrients from being absorbed into the body.
Papain, which is present in great abundance in unripe papaya, can break down proteins, fats and starches in a medium of any pH value where as our own bodily enzymes are capable of breaking down nutrients in a medium of a particular pH value only. Therefore, papain is able to cleanse and break down toxins all through the digestive system and not just in one localized area, as it travels through the alimentary canal.
Water fasting is a very effective method of cleansing the body, but it is best practiced only by the experts because it can have risky consequences in inexperienced hands. Through water fasting, you have to abstain from consuming everything other than pure water. While water fasting, there are only some rules to be followed, like:
Sleeping often.
Drinking water at usual intervals.
Abstention from all food and drink other than water.
Performing enemas before and during the cleansing.
Avoiding unnecessary talking and sex.
Meditating as much as potential.
Conserving your energy as much as possible.
Juice Fasting is another popular method of colon cleansing where you drink a lot of fruit and vegetable based juices. Popular and effective fruits and vegetables include mango, apple, pineapple, papaya, and carrot. These have certain enzymes which detoxify the body breakdown the hardened mucus in your colon lining.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Does Aromatherapy Work?
Anywhere we revolve there are products that assure certain fallout based on the fact that they contain a specific scent or aroma, including candles, oils, and even shampoos. The question becomes, is aromatherapy just fluff aimed at selling products? Or is it based on science?
Aromatherapy as a observe has been around for centuries dating back to the ancient Egyptians however as individuals we experience this phenomenon in our everyday lives with out even being aware of the fact. How many times have you walked down a street or into a room and suddenly gotten a whiff of something that brought back wonderful memories or just made you feel huge and energized? Every time this occurs you are experiencing aromatherapy; it is just going on passively in your daily life.
The bottom line is aromatherapy is indeed based on science and more specifically the science of psychoneuroimmunology which studies the interactions between the psychological, neurological and immune system. Research has shown that there is a very strong correlation between positive and negative experiences and our immune system as well as our psyche. Further more the old adage mind over body is indeed recognized by science and the modern medical field. With this being said, anytime you can give your mood a boost creating a more positive outlook through the use of aromatherapy you are ultimately strengthening your body, mind and spirit.
Aromatherapy works because it utilizes the sense of smell which is our strongest sense. Unlike the other senses, our sense of smell has a direct path to the brain and more importantly it has a direct path to our limbic system. Through this direct portal aromas are able to directly affect conscious thought and reactions as the limbic system is responsible for our memories (turning short term to long term), learned responses, emotions and feelings.
Although aromatherapy utilizes the sense of smell by triggering specific parts of the brain it also works by directly absorbing the essential oil molecules into our bodies, whether it is through the bronchial tract when using a differ or steam distillation or through the skin in a massage or bath. This dual absorption enables you to receive all the benefits of essential oils however it is important to research the essential oil of interest as each one works more efficiently when applied differently. For instance peppermint has long been known for its ability to calm digestive problems and does work best for this specific application when inhaled while others work better when massaged into the skin.
It is important also to know that although certain essential oils have specific benefits they do not work regularly for each individual. For example Lavender is measuredto be very effective in calming the mind, body and spirit however if you do not like the fragrance of Lavender it will not have the same result on you, therefore it is important to work with the essential oils that you enjoy. This is simpleto do because many crucial oils have parallel or overlapping benefits, leaving you with a number of options for one particular issue. Another option is to mix a couple or a few essential oils together to make your own fragrance that you enjoy and can ultimately obtain the vast benefits they have to offer.
Aromatherapy as a observe has been around for centuries dating back to the ancient Egyptians however as individuals we experience this phenomenon in our everyday lives with out even being aware of the fact. How many times have you walked down a street or into a room and suddenly gotten a whiff of something that brought back wonderful memories or just made you feel huge and energized? Every time this occurs you are experiencing aromatherapy; it is just going on passively in your daily life.
The bottom line is aromatherapy is indeed based on science and more specifically the science of psychoneuroimmunology which studies the interactions between the psychological, neurological and immune system. Research has shown that there is a very strong correlation between positive and negative experiences and our immune system as well as our psyche. Further more the old adage mind over body is indeed recognized by science and the modern medical field. With this being said, anytime you can give your mood a boost creating a more positive outlook through the use of aromatherapy you are ultimately strengthening your body, mind and spirit.
Aromatherapy works because it utilizes the sense of smell which is our strongest sense. Unlike the other senses, our sense of smell has a direct path to the brain and more importantly it has a direct path to our limbic system. Through this direct portal aromas are able to directly affect conscious thought and reactions as the limbic system is responsible for our memories (turning short term to long term), learned responses, emotions and feelings.
Although aromatherapy utilizes the sense of smell by triggering specific parts of the brain it also works by directly absorbing the essential oil molecules into our bodies, whether it is through the bronchial tract when using a differ or steam distillation or through the skin in a massage or bath. This dual absorption enables you to receive all the benefits of essential oils however it is important to research the essential oil of interest as each one works more efficiently when applied differently. For instance peppermint has long been known for its ability to calm digestive problems and does work best for this specific application when inhaled while others work better when massaged into the skin.
It is important also to know that although certain essential oils have specific benefits they do not work regularly for each individual. For example Lavender is measuredto be very effective in calming the mind, body and spirit however if you do not like the fragrance of Lavender it will not have the same result on you, therefore it is important to work with the essential oils that you enjoy. This is simpleto do because many crucial oils have parallel or overlapping benefits, leaving you with a number of options for one particular issue. Another option is to mix a couple or a few essential oils together to make your own fragrance that you enjoy and can ultimately obtain the vast benefits they have to offer.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
I appreciate the dread of needles. What most people are familiar with is the hypodermic needle of western medicine. They use it to draw blood or inject fluids, so they have to be void, and as a result are much bigger than our needles. Ours are solid, and much, much thinner. In fact, they are only about twice the thickness of hair. It's almost certainly more accurate to describe them as filaments, but needles are the usual word.
When I show them to new patients, and demonstrate how easily you can bend them, they say, "how can you make this go straight?" That's just one of the skills of the acupuncturist we learn in school. I actually was able to get through a leather shoe with a 34 gauge needle without bending it.
Most new patients are amazed how little they feel when the acupuncture needle is inserted. Sometimes they ask, "Did you put it in already?" If you feel anything, there may be a quick sharp sensation as it goes through the skin. Then there will be nothing at all, or a dull spreading sensation. This is call "big qi."
That dull spreading sensation isn't painful, but it can be strong depending on the situation or the needling technique. Some patients are very sensitive, so we don't needle as deeply on them.
A couple other sensations that we don't want are the shooting electric feeling if we hit a nerve, or the sharp feeling of being to close to a vein. Neither does much harm. The worst that happens is you get a small bruise in the area. We never get any residual effect from hitting a nerve. You should tell the acupuncturist if you feel the electric or sharp sensations, and they can change the location or direction of the needle. These are rather rare occurrences, though.
Basically, acupuncture is very comfortable, and what little temporary discomfort might occasionally occur is more than made up for by its relaxing and healing effects.
When I show them to new patients, and demonstrate how easily you can bend them, they say, "how can you make this go straight?" That's just one of the skills of the acupuncturist we learn in school. I actually was able to get through a leather shoe with a 34 gauge needle without bending it.
Most new patients are amazed how little they feel when the acupuncture needle is inserted. Sometimes they ask, "Did you put it in already?" If you feel anything, there may be a quick sharp sensation as it goes through the skin. Then there will be nothing at all, or a dull spreading sensation. This is call "big qi."
That dull spreading sensation isn't painful, but it can be strong depending on the situation or the needling technique. Some patients are very sensitive, so we don't needle as deeply on them.
A couple other sensations that we don't want are the shooting electric feeling if we hit a nerve, or the sharp feeling of being to close to a vein. Neither does much harm. The worst that happens is you get a small bruise in the area. We never get any residual effect from hitting a nerve. You should tell the acupuncturist if you feel the electric or sharp sensations, and they can change the location or direction of the needle. These are rather rare occurrences, though.
Basically, acupuncture is very comfortable, and what little temporary discomfort might occasionally occur is more than made up for by its relaxing and healing effects.
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