Alternative Aids To Combat ADHD

We are reminded here of the reasons why alternative therapies for a number of health issues including ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have been gaining in popularity.
The fact is that even conventional therapies for ADHD are rather hit and miss since health care professionals will themselves admit that the right dosage strength is often a trial and error process.
Research has been able to demonstrate that multiple therapies employed to check ADHD may be more effective than using one or the other.
For instance homeopathic medication for ADHD has often been seen to be a welcome and effective adjunct or even alternative to conventional therapy. This, in particular is true when prescription medications such as Ritalin and Vyvanse have been seen not to work very well.
Not just homeopathy, but other healthful practices such as these below could also help in calming a person down, reducing stress and helping them slow down and attain tranquility:
Nutritional therapy that uses high levels of protein and whole grains to prevent spiking of blood sugar levels can help.
Yoga, meditation and controlled breathing techniques may consciously calm a person and make them more tranquil.
Chiropractic care, acupressure and acupuncture are also seen as being helpful.

How Alternative Medicine Can Help Fight Against Swine Flu And Other Infections?

When the Swine flu scare was on, one of the things that were periodically being reported were alternative cures for the infection.
Yet the nay sayers were disputing that alternative therapies were any use for fighting off swine flu and similar infections.
The fact is that with its emphasis on holistic healing rather than symptomatic cure, alternative medicine, can help to strengthen the immune system.
By shoring up the body’s defenses to disease and infection, the incidence of infection and disease it significantly reduced:

Acupuncture is a highly personalized therapy specific to each individual. It can help in strengthening the immune system and help the body rid itself of pathogens. This has been seen to be effective in treating symptoms of flu and cold as well.

Meditation: Simply put, meditation relieves stress and the control of stress is extremely beneficial for health and immunity.

Naturopathy is really mostly about common sense: observe proper flu prevention hygiene, eat more fresh produce and whole grain, less processed food, get enough rest and a variety of natural substances to support the immune system.

Homeopathy works by using very small dosages of medicine to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

5 Alternatives To Conventional Medications To Keep Your Blood Pressure In Check

Here are a few holistic methods to keep one’s blood pressure in check:
1.Eat healthy, keep weight in check: This one is a no bariner that can be recommended for pretty much any ailment!
2.Beat that Stress: Learn relaxation techniques such as Yoga, meditation, massage, music therapy, which could all be useful.
3.Magnet therapy: Copper and iron bracelets have been seen to keep BP in check and there are no known side effects.
4.Chiropractic treatment or Acupuncture: While the former can help restore body balance, the latter can help to ease the strain that is being put on the heart. They are both helpful in controlling stress as well.
5.Vitamins and herbs: Calcium, potassium and magnesium are available in supplement form, however increasing the proportion of fresh fruit and veggies in the diet can also help a great deal.

Acupuncture, Yin And Yang And Modern Medicine

The basis of Chinese medicine revolves around the basic principle of yin and yang which are two opposing energy forces that reside inside the body.
Once the two forces are balanced then the body is able to achieve both wellness and health.
One way to reach this balance is through the practice of acupuncture which is the practice of placing needles into meridian points along the body.
Acupuncture also can involve the manipulation of the needles and the use of heat therapy as heat is supposed to allow energy to flow freely throughout the blocked body allowing for better energy and less disease.
The science of acupuncture first reached America between the 50s and the 60s with its rise to public knowledge occurring in the 70’s. Since the first article on acupuncture, scientists have tried to align the principles of acupuncture with Western medicines focus on healing and the human anatomy.
One such theory suggests that acupuncture works because it stimulates the production and release of endorphins in the body along with other natural painkillers.
This may be the reason why acupuncture has been found useful in treating addiction, mental states, and depression as it alters the body’s chemistry without the use of prescription dugs.

Look Younger With Alternative Anti Aging Remedies!

Hair becoming thinner and grayer, wrinkling on your skin, diminishing elasticity of your skin, etc. are all the natural process of aging.
As you age, there is also a possibility for arthritis, bone loss, loss of memory and weakening of your body immune system.
Do you have any of the symptoms mentioned above? If yes, then below are some tips to slow down the aging process:
Natural supplements:

Adding supplements to your diet gives you multiple benefits. The main reason aging occurs is because of free radicals and they can not be avoided in your daily life, but adding the nutritional compounds to your diet can absorb these free radicals.
Generally these compounds are known as antioxidants. You will find them in green leafy vegetables like spinach.
Acupuncture:

This is the current range of alternative medicine and it rejuvenates the aging skin.
In this method, wide variety of needle techniques are performed at the strategic locations on your face and body in order to stimulate the circulation of Qi or body’s energy force to your face and neck.

Herbal supplemen                                                                                                                                                      

            Add herbal supplements to your diet to slow down the aging process.

             Gingko biloba: This herb enhances mental functioning as you age and also improves the flow of blood in your body and make your skin appear to be fresh and youthful.
             Evening primrose oil: This oil reduces the pains and aches associated with aging problems.
              Rhodiola rosea: Also known as golden root or arctic root is an adaptogenic herb. This herb reduces myocardial catecholamine, stress-induced cardiac damage, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CAMP) levels.
              It can reduce the production of adrenal catecholamine and avoids heart arrhythmia as well.

Treating Acne With Chinese Medicine

             Millions of people all over the world have seen and felt the effects of acne at one time or other. As if the teenage years weren’t awkward enough, this conditions usually shows itself in the early stages of puberty. The condition affects the sebaceous glands which are responsible for oiling hair follicles. As the oil is produced, dead skin cells are transported to the surface of the skin via the pores which are attached to the hair follicles. Whenever clogging occurs in these follicles, it leads to the pimples associated with acne.
          Acne is more than a skin condition, it is a disease, and should be treated as such. Social awkwardness aside, acne can cause scarring that lasts long after the pimples themselves have disappeared, often for a lifetime. It should be noted also that acne doesn’t just occur on the face, but can also affect the chest, shoulders, neck and back. The disease poses no health risks, but the misery it causes is certainly understandable. This is even worst when outbreaks are severe, or lasts well beyond the teen years.
           Treating acne has become big business, with teens being the main target of advertisers. In most cases, inflammatory acne is treated with either over the counter or prescription medication. Despite the numerous products on the market, it is not clear just how much the manufacturers of acne treatments understand about the disease. Given that skin types are different, what works for one individual may not work for others.
              Keep in mind that any medication, whether prescription or over the counter can have side effects. Some acne creams and soaps have been known to cause excessive dryness and skin irritation.
Chinese Medicine

            Some people may be wary of Chinese medicine, and consider it a new age fad. However, Chinese medicine has been practiced for over two thousand years. Unlike the Western medical philosophy, Chinese medicine depends on the study of nature and the body as well as cosmic forces. It has spawned a number of theories which form the basis of all treatments, namely Yin-yang, the Channel system, the six confirmations, the Zang Fu organ hypothesis and the Five Phases among others.
              While it is often a last resort in Western cultures, it is still the first source of care in many parts of Asia. The main methods of treatment involve acupuncture, food therapy, massage, physical exercise, breathing exercises, meditation and herbal medicine.
Chinese Acne Treatments

            Part of the philosophy of Chinese medicine relates to what causes disease. In the case of acne, it is seen as the force of heat acting on the lungs which in turn affects the skin. It is referred to as ‘fei feng fen ci’ which means ‘lesion of the lung wind.’ The idea is that the lungs are directly linked to the skin, and therefore they are both capable of affecting each other negatively. Factors such as stress, a poor diet, other health conditions, or the increase of Yang energy can lay a role in the increase in heat.
Acupuncture

          This is a practice of inserting thin needles into the skin for the purpose of relieving pain, or for therapeutic reasons. The aim is to tap into acupuncture points in the body through which energy, the qi, runs. When treating acne with acupuncture, an attempt is made to bring the Yin and Yang back into harmony and to rid the lungs of heat.
           As a form of acne treatment, acupuncture has had varying degrees of success. In fact, the best results are achieved when the sufferer also makes lifestyle changes including changing their diet. This is a notable aspect of the Chinese medicinal philosophy. This form of treatment may appeal to patients wary of ingesting medication or applying topical creams that could have side effects.
The Use of Herbs

            Many acne patients swear by herbal treatments for the disease. It is important to note that anyone considering this course of treatment should seek the services of a skilled practitioner. Herbs are usually combined to make a formula instead of being given individually. Some of the herbs used in treating acne are seagrass, sileris root, bupleurum, Chinese Wolfberry root bark, pine pollen and honeysuckle flower.
             Preparation usually involves boiling the ingredients in an earthenware pot, then straining the contents and drinking the tea while it is still warm. The process usually has to be repeated for a number of days or weeks.
             Chinese herbs are said to be free from side effects, however, caution should be exercised when dealing with any unfamiliar treatment. If any digestive complaints or irritations are noticed treatment shouldn’t be continued. Most reports indicate that there are few if any side effects associated with Chinese medicine used in the treatment of acne.

Acupuncture for Back Pain

              Pain management is a crucial element of successfully overcoming illness and chronic discomfort. Acupuncture is a popular choice for many painful conditions, including back pain. This approach offers many benefits, and effectiveness is among the most appealing.
              The holistic technique is natural, and there are no medications or harsh side effects. The process uses the body’s natural energy as a means of repair. This helps the patient heal naturally, but it may also have a powerful influence on the patient’s psyche as well.
Benefits of Acupuncture

Pain relief is a glaring benefit of acupuncture, and others are equally as impressive.

• Reduced need for pain medication
• No side effects
• Improved circulation
• Decreased anxiety
• Mental clarity
• Faster recovery

            Many people use the approach to treat mental conditions as well. Acupuncture has proved to be effective in helping people overcome addictions, relieve depression, and ease phobias. The connection between the mental and the physical realms is readily apparent in using acupuncture to treat back pain.
Reuters Acupuncture Study

            ABC News explores a recent Reuters study that has determined that people with chronic low back pain showed improvement with real and with “fake” acupuncture treatments. The study separated participants into four groups:

• General acupuncture
• Individualized acupuncture treatment
• Pressure points without needles
• Medication and physical therapy without acupuncture

The results are interesting in that the people who received standard medical therapy for chronic back pain did not have as much relief as the other three groups, including the one that used pressure points without penetrating the skin.
The study, as noted by Web MD, makes a strong correlation between acupuncture and lower back pain relief. However, some seem to consider this to reflect negatively on the approach. While the promise for pain relief is real, some are a little disheartened by the fact that a “sham needle procedure” can be as effective as acupuncture.
Acupuncture and Lower Back Pain

             The points of the body that acupuncture uses seem to have a strong impact on the individual, even when they are not penetrated with needles. This is exciting news for people who suffer from chronic lower back pain. The discomfort associated with this particular area of the body has a pronounced effect on other bodily systems. For those individuals, any relief is greatly appreciated.
             It is important to note that the “sham” approach touched upon the same points of energy used in traditional acupuncture. This can be interpreted as the effectiveness of using the points, even on a shallow level. The body responds to the treatment, and even though no one knows why, there is little reason to forgo the effective approach to pain management.
            Anyone who has suffered from significant lower back pain knows how important it is to find effective relief from the intense discomfort. Acupuncture is natural and successful for many patients. Simply taking time to try the approach is the best way to determine whether acupuncture is right for you.

Acupuncture for Weight Loss

           Acupuncture for weight loss is an effective approach that can yield excellent results for many people. The weight reduction program should be catered to the individual. An acupuncturist develops the specific system of body points to include as well as the pattern used in the treatment. 
           Various points on the body correlate to internal body systems. The ear is among the most important points for weight reduction and patients can expect this area to be an integral part of their treatment plan. Other points correlate to the problems that cause weight gain.
Sources of Weight Gain

          In order to treat the weight condition properly, it is necessary to determine the source of the problem. Consider some of the possible contributing factors that may lead to extra pounds:

· Pinpoint the stomach system when the individual eats excessively, even after he is full. 
· Focus on the mouth for a person who eats compulsively to address the oral fixation. 
· Ovary is for women with hormonal imbalances leading to weight problems, and adrenal for men.
· Thyroid addresses slow metabolic rates.

Less obvious body systems can also interfere with a person’s ability to maintain a health  weight.  Acupuncture for weight loss may include:

· Kidneys address hormones, water retention, and the nervous system. 
· The endocrine system helps relieve water retention as well.
· The spleen helps create hormonal balance and it balances sugar levels in the body. 
· The lungs are important for helping people overcome food addiction, including sweets and chocolate. 
Anxiety and Weight Loss

            Anxiety can be a major barrier for individuals who are tying to lose weight. Diets fail to address the psychological factors that may contribute to obesity. Acupuncture for weight loss often uses the Shemen, a system that alleviates anger, insecurity, frustration, and stress. 
            An acupuncturist also includes points that alleviate hunger for people who feel the sensation of hunger when their bodies do not actually need nutrition. Appetite suppression is a common intervention in acupuncture. Combined with anti-anxiety methods, the approach is very effective for emotional eaters. 
Individualized Treatment

             The acupuncturist selects the most important points for the individual. There may be two or more points used in the treatment. Factors that the practitioner may consider include:

· The person’s age
· Eating habits
· Emotional state
· Psychological factors
· Stress levels
· Personality
· Lifestyle
· Types of foods 
· Other habits

         The practitioner may notice that an individual tends to talk excessively, smokes, and bites her nails. The person seems to have an oral fixation, making the mouth an ideal point to include in the treatment. 
          A menopausal woman who is under considerable stress can benefit from treatment that focuses on the ovaries, kidneys, spleen, and endocrine system. Shemen would also be of great benefit for this candidate. 
           Acupuncture for weight loss is best when the acupuncturist creates an individualized plan that addresses the patient’s specific eating problems. With consistency, the approach should alleviate the problem, creating an environment that is conducive to weight loss.