Saturday, September 24, 2011

Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management

From post-surgery and debilitating medical conditions to migraine headaches and natural aging people have to deal with all kinds of pain. Common areas of chronic pain include the back, neck, joints and shoulders where people will complain of quick sharp pains to dull and lengthy pain that inhibits their daily activities. There are many ways to treat pain including surgery, drug therapy and the alternative healing method known as acupuncture. If you have tried surgery or medication to treat pain and have little or no success you may want to consider acupuncture treatment that has proven to be successful in treating many types of pain conditions.

A national survey recently discovered over 25% of Americans report experiencing pain that lasts for more than one day. Everyone will have sudden pain due to a number of causes but when pain lasts for days on end and forces someone to miss work because they can't get out of bed due to shooting back pains then it's time to seek out treatment. Some people may experience pain due to a recent injury or have had a debilitating condition worsen over the years. For many living with pain is just a part of life but often this pain can become too intense to ignore and will require some form of medical attention. From over the counter drugs such as Advil or Tylenol to prescription medications and rehabilitation people have a number of choices for managing pain.

Though there is some skepticism from doctors and other professionals in medicine about the success of acupuncture it is actually the oldest known form of healing in the world. Originating in China over 3,000 years ago the practice of strategically placing fine needles on specific pressure points on the body to re-direct energy and improve the internal balance has helped many people deal with all kinds of pain. Though the success rate varies the same can be said about surgery and drug therapy. Not everyone who has reconstructive surgery or takes a specific form of medication eliminates chronic back and neck pain. Acupuncture is considered an alternative healing therapy and many people will try it to avoid the high cost of hospital bills and expensive medications.

Results of the success of acupuncture treatment vary depending on the patient and the condition. Acupuncture is regularly used to treat migraine headaches, chronic lower back pain, menstrual cramps, Carpal tunnel syndrome and Tennis elbow. By stimulating specific points on the human body, most often by inserting the needle through the skin, acupuncturists try to regulate the flow of vital energy, or 'qi', along a series of pathways called meridians. While some patients may not experience any noticeable change others have attributed acupuncture with eliminating chronic pain completely. As studies indicate, believing in the practice can have a significant impact on whether or not it works. Of course, the same holds true with medications and has been proven through case studies done with placebos. If you are trying to manage recurring pain and want to try a less costly method of treatment than surgery or prescription drugs, look into acupuncture.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Information For Individuals Suffer From Acne Breakouts

To help reduce your pimples and acne scars, eat fewer milk products and less red meat. These food types are difficult for the body to digest, and consequently limit the body's capacity to dispose of waste products proficiently. Excess waste will then be released through the skin, causing acne. A mild intolerance to dairy can also lead to acne.

If you want a natural way to get eliminate acne, try this. Peel from the lime an orange and after that flatten out the lemon peel with a coming pin. Then apply the flattened peel off to your acne. The natural compounds in the peel off should help to clear your skin up. On top of that, you can have a healthy treat while you do it!

One of the better ways to deal with acne breakouts can be to see a skin doctor. The dermatologist can especially tell you ways to take care of acne that is in your skin without creating any further problems down the road. The dermatologist may also be capable of prescribe special topical cream medications or prescription antibiotics that can eliminate acne breakouts. It is always good to try a natural acne solution by finding the best acne products.

If you have a single big pimple that you want to reduce, you can apply a smashed orange peel directly to the spot. The citrus fruit oils will help minimize redness and bring around the swelling faster. Nonetheless, orange peel should be used sparingly, to avoid overly drying out the skin.

If you are having difficulty using acne, it is important to reveal yourself to as much the sun and fresh air as you possibly can. Sunshine causes the body to produce vitamin Deb, which is a crucial element in healthy skin color. Fresh air helps to reduce stress which also causes skin problems.

If you are having antibiotics for your pimples, be sure to take a quality probiotic as well. Antibiotics kill the organic bacteria that live inside digestive system, leading to very poor digestion and other issues. Probiotics will replace these types of lost bacteria which will help prevent your body from struggling with a lack of necessary microorganisms.

Heal your acne breakouts with the help of carrots. Beta-carotene, or perhaps vitamin A, is responsible for fixing and maintaining your skin's tissue, and helping to reduce the production of surplus sebum. It also helps the body to get rid of toxins, therapeutic your skin from within. The truth is, a Vitamin A deficit can cause unwanted acne outbreaks, so eat your own carrots!

One great, delicious way to get gone acne is to replacement more fruit in your diet. This proven approach will help your face clean up in no time. You can make drinks for breakfast or lunch time or just mix in a number of strawberries into your greens to make a fantastic dinner.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Benefits of Acupuncture

An ancient practice that dates back nearly 3,000 years, the practice of acupuncture has become more popular as people with debilitating conditions and pain seek out alternative healing therapies to replace surgery and drug treatment. While Western science and medicine are still the go-to methods for treating many illnesses and health abnormalities, Chinese Herbal Medicine and the practice of acupuncture have seen steady increase in participation as people face rising health care costs that make many surgeries and drug treatments unaffordable. Whether one fully believes in the re-channeling of body energy, or qi, there are indications that acupuncture therapy has benefits when done properly by a licensed practitioner.

The main benefit to choosing a holistic approach to an illness or chronic back pain is the cost. Health insurance has been skyrocketing the past few years and many families have found themselves in severe debt because of hospital bills. People who don't have medical insurance through an employer are practically priced out of receiving care due to the cost. With alternative healing therapies such as acupuncture the cost for treatment is much less than surgery or drug therapies. While critics may argue the legitimacy and success of acupuncture a patient runs the same risks with traditional medical treatments that also can't promise 100% recovery or a cure. Having an affordable option when it comes to pain management and disease is a great benefit for families that can't afford health insurance.

Though acupuncture has not been fully embraced by the medical establishment, clinical trials have proven this method of treatment to be successful in treating many conditions including pain management, respiratory disorders, asthma and neurological disorders including paralysis after a stroke. People who practice Chinese Herbal Medicine believe that illness and disease is a result of the blocking of energy in the human body and that acupuncture can help "unclog" the movement of energy and allow the body to heal itself through a return to balance. By strategically placing fine needles at certain meridian points on the body related to specific symptoms. In addition to treating a disease or illness, acupuncture also benefits the overall health of a patient and helps to boost the immune system to prevent future sickness.

Lastly, acupuncture can also benefit in the weaning off of drugs and prescription medications. Often used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, acupuncture treatment has also been used to help patients recover from surgery and treat an illness without having to resort to costly medications that have unintended side effects that can make a bad situation worse. Today's society has grown comfortable with the idea that a pill can cure everything and this reliance on medication has actually made the human immune system weaker since it is not naturally fighting off germs and bacteria. By using acupuncture therapy you can bypass expensive drug treatments that also can't guarantee success and in many cases lead to a patient being dependent on a specific drug.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Pimples on the Face

Acne and pimples are very common on the face and especially if you are going through puberty.

What exactly is acne?

What are acne and pimples? This may be a question you have pondered to yourself a time or two. Acne is a condition of the skin where bumps will show up. Sometimes these bumps are different in different people. Usually these bumps are either blackheads, whiteheads or pimples, otherwise known as cysts. Thank God that pimples only hang around through most people's teenage years.

The most common kind of acne breakout is called acne vulgaris. This name does sound terrible, but it isn't nearly as bad as it may sound.

The hair follicles in your skin contain sebaceous glands that produce oil. This oil is called sebum and it helps lubricate your skin and hair. Hormones can stimulate these sebaceous glands to make more sebum. When this happens, breakouts of pimples and acne can occur. When the wall of the pore opens it can let in dirt and bacteria and get clogged, this is a pimple.

If the pores then get clogged up but stay open, this is called a blackhead. If a clogged pore opens too deep in the skin it can cause what is called a nodule, and this is very painful.

Things to do to prevent acne:

* Wash and cleanse your face regularly and every night before bedtime 
* Try your best to keep hair spray and hair gels away from your face. These products often contain oils. 
* If you exercise, be sure to cleanse your face afterward. Sweat can cause you to have clogged pores and acne. 
* Look for skin lotions and products that are noncomedogenic. This means that they won't clog your pores. 
* Also some people benefit from over the counter acne medications to help with their breakouts. 
* Many people have acne so seriously, that they have to visit a dermatologist for treatment. Sometimes you may need to have a prescription medication prescribed for severe cases.

Eating nutritiously and taking good care of your body can in turn help your skin to be healthy and radiant. If you take the time to do these important things for your skin, you will notice less breakouts and a clear and more vibrant complexion. Many people ignore their skin thinking it isn't important, but the epidermis is the largest organ in the body. Be sure to take good care of yours.