CZ articles

Each of our senses is equally important to help us exist and get through our daily lives. Just imagine if one of your basic senses is not functioning, how do you think will this affect your life? One may seem insignificant but talking about senses, it is a different story.

Take for instance losing your sense of smell. Our sense of smell helps us determine the flavor of a dish even before actually tasting it. The smell of its aroma would give us the initial idea of how it tastes like. Thus, losing your sense of smell would greatly affect your appetite as dysfunctions in the olfactory system could adversely affect your food preferences.

Also, it is our sense of smell that helps us identify a lot of things through smell detection; it could be dangerous without it. Why? Because you can no longer smell danger coming your way such as trash, airborne pollutants, cigarette smoke, leaking gas, and spoiled food, among others.

Now, while acupuncture has been proven effective to treat a wide range of ailments, especially on women's reproductive health, recent studies have shown that Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA) is also a valuable alternative treatment for post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD).

Olfactory dysfunction, otherwise known as Dysosmia, happens when a person's olfactory stimuli processing is impaired and the dysfunction can be varied. Some patients suffering from Dysosmia can either have a deactivated olfactory bulb or may interpret odors differently otherwise known as "hallucination of smells." On the other hand, the complete loss of the sense of smell is known as Anosmia.

But how can these olfactory deficiencies happen? What can cause olfactory dysfunction and how can we avoid or treat it?
Most often, viruses such as a common cold can affect a person's sense of smell and may cause adverse effects to a patient's health and lifestyle.

As earlier mentioned, the loss of sense of smell can have an adverse impact towards a patient's food intake and preferences, which could lead to malnutrition and depression.

A recent study however, showed that acupuncture can be an alternative treatment for PVOD. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese art of healing that stimulates the acupuncture points located in the body's meridian pathways to help the body heal naturally and restore the normal energy flow of the body known as Qi.

The study involved 15 patients with PVOD, eight of whom underwent 10 weekly 30-minute sessions of TCA, while the rest were treated with vitamin B complex. The TCA sessions applied subjective olfactometry using "Sniffin" Sticks test set. Those who were treated with acupuncture showed improvements in their olfactory functions compared to those who just got vitamin B complex supplements.

Although the researchers said further studies are still needed to affirm the claim, the high response rate of those treated with acupuncture opens the possibility that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for post-viral dysosmia.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Can-Help-Restore-Sense-of-Smell/224203

Does frequent neck pain plague you? If your answer is yes, you should explore the benefits of acupuncture treatments to relieve your pain. Acupuncture has been used for many centuries in Asian countries to treat medical issues. Now, many people are using this treatment in conjunction with other forms of herbal medicine to treat an array of ailments from smoking, pain, nausea, stomach ailments, and pain.

While massage and physical therapy offer benefits to many people, they are not the only treatments that help alleviate neck pain. There is an approach that is different in the treatment of the pain by acupuncture. The body is very sensitive to change and stress so some forms of neck pain are brought on suddenly by external factors. The body needs to be relaxed and at peace to heal itself.

During the process, the patient visits an acupuncturist and they will ask him or her about where exactly the pain in the neck is located. To address the tension and stress in the neck, the acupuncturist inserts needles in areas of pressure points. Many patients suffer from neck pain due to stress or overworking the neck on a daily basis usually by sitting at work for long periods of time. Acupuncture helps patients feel relief after the session is completed. Most patients are afraid of having needles placed in their neck but skilled acupuncturists are trained in how to place the needles in a way that makes it almost impossible for patients to feel any pain when they are inserted.

No one should have to suffer with persistent neck pain. Give acupuncture a try, especially if you have tried many other treatments for your neck pain. Even treating neck pain as little as a few times a month can make a big difference. Being open to new experiences can affect how you think and feel.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Can-Help-Relieve-Persistent-Neck-Pain/217633

Acupuncture is practiced by most Chinese to relieve pain for therapeutic purposes. It uses filiform needles that will be inserted in various points of the body. It was proven that this form of treatment can relieve the feeling of pain.

A person who is suffering from sciatica usually feels pain going down his or her legs. This is usually caused by the irritation of main nerve in our legs called the sciatic nerve. In usual cases there will numbness and pinching sensation that can be felt in the buttocks and upper thighs. In some more severe cases there are patients who feel pain from their buttocks going down to the back of their legs. This can even be caused by a slipped vertebral disc which gives pressure to the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica usually occurs to people who have a bad posture or a weak back. There are other factors that can cause sciatica like wearing high heeled shoes for long period of time, carrying heavy loads, standing or sitting for a long time, and this ailment can even afflict pregnant women.

The usual treatment for sciatica is by taking pain killers and for severe pains some doctors would give anaesthetic drugs for their patient. The process would require an epidural injection in the lower back. Others can feel relief from the pain through surgery but this is only advisable if the pain is caused by a slipped disc.

A lot of patients who suffers from sciatica have an option to undergo acupuncture. This can be a relief from the pain through a more natural process. The process of acupuncture will help relieve pain by using filiform needles to stimulate the body to release natural painkillers. This is due to the natural reaction of the body when there is stimulation created directly to the sciatic nerve. Opioid and serotonin are the natural painkillers in our body that will help shield patients, who are suffering sciatica, from pain.

A person who suffers sciatica does not need to worry about acupuncture treatments. During the treatment all the patient will feel is just a tingling sensation on the legs. The treatment itself will last 20-30 minutes, where the needle will be left inserted on the nerve. Sciatica treatment will need 5-10 treatments. On some cases, additional sessions will be given if the patient will feel pain again.

Thus it is safe to say that acupuncture is one of the safest methods of treating sciatica. There are no side effects that should be feared. A patient will usually feel some bruises after the treatment. It is quite a painless procedure that even pregnant women can undergo.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture--The-Safe-Treatment-For-Sciatica/204699

According to some recently released health reports, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can bring relief to the itching which is endured by most patients suffering from atopic eczema.

Researchers have recently examined the short term effects of acupuncture on itching and skin inflammation on thirty patients suffering from atopic eczema. Researchers discovered that when performed a minute after the patient's skin was subjected to an allergen, such as dust mites or pollen, acupuncture appeared to soothe the subjective itchiness feelings.

Researchers also discovered that the skin reaction was less severe when patients were subsequently exposed to the allergen for a second time shortly after acupuncture.

The study clearly demonstrates that acupuncture does ease the itch associated with atopic eczema. The study also notes that while more research is needed to determine the extent to which acupuncture can reduce eczema sufferers itching, it does appear that it is beneficial to the atopic eczema sufferer.

The study, however doesn't tell us anything new. It has long been known that treating eczema with herbs, Chinese medicine, and acupuncture can be most effective. There have been cases where the itching was reduced by fifty percent after only one treatment. The skin is usually back to normal after a month or two.

Chinese medicine also benefits children with eczema or other skin problems. The treatment mode used most often while working with children is sho-ni-shin, which is a Japanese acupuncture system that utilizes acupoints which are little metal tools that are used without puncturing the skin and stimulates the meridians.

However, with eczema, most therapists do not recommend using any modality which stimulates the skin. Thin acupuncture needles seem to work very well. They need not be retained for children up to ten years of age. It is best for the therapist to see the child twice a week for the first two to three weeks, although a weekly treatment will usually suffice for milder cases or later on in the treatment. The treatment duration may last anywhere from a few weeks to three months, depending on if the eczema has been there for a long period of time or if it has recently appeared. Also, the presence of aggravating factors and the strength of the child's qi should be considered as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Relieves-Itching-Induced-by-Eczema/203865

The lifesaving treatments for breast cancer often come at a cost. Most women experience night sweats, fatigue, and hot flashes.

However there is new research that suggests that acupuncture may be more effective than antidepressants at helping to ease some of these side effects. This study compared the effectiveness of drug therapy to acupuncture. It was determined that acupuncture was just as effective as drug therapy while having no side effects.

The study also showed that the effects of the acupuncture lasted longer. The acupuncture patients didn't begin having symptoms until about 15 weeks after stooping treatment while it only took about two weeks after stopping drug therapy for the symptoms to return in those women.

In this study, acupuncture was compared to the use of the antidepressants in women who had breast cancer. Each woman was assigned randomly to receive a twelve week course of acupuncture or the antidepressants. Immediately before the beginning of study, those women participating in the study reported having a minimum of fourteen hot flashes per week.

At the conclusion of the study intervention, both groups reported similar improvements in menopausal symptoms including hot flashes. However, while many women who were in the antidepressant group experienced trouble shooting, constipation, headache, dry mouth, nausea, and other side effects, the group who had the acupuncture experienced none of these side effects.

Through this study it has also been determined that the practice of acupuncture can potentially increase a woman's sex drive while improving her sense of well being and help reduce hot flashes in breast cancer patients.

The study, which has been published in The Journal of Oncology, suggests that when compared to traditional drug therapy, acupuncture is more effective in reducing night sweats and hot flashes for women who are receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer treatment.

Acupuncture, when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, offers the patients a durable, effective, and safe treatment option for hot flashes, which is something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors. Acupuncture actually has benefits when compared to drug therapy which have more side effects. Patients also reported that acupuncture increased their energy and improved their thought clarity.

While acupuncture has very few side effects, it is important to seek out a fully trained licensed acupuncturist rather than going to a medical doctor or chiropractor with a few hours training in acupuncture calling themselves "medical acupuncturist".

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Reduces-Hot-Flashes-in-Women-with-Breast-Cancer/198210

Ever been pricked by this tiny metallic thing called needles? They are the ones used by our grandmothers for stitching or sewing. But more often than not, this pointed little thing is usually used in hospitals in almost everything; such as getting blood samples, injecting liquid medications and so on. It is that thing that most of us are so afraid to even look at. Although, a lot of people fear them, needles should be considered beneficial --- but only if used for the right manner and purpose.

A lot of people have tried this ancient medication using hair like thin needles, and research have shown that its popularity is continually increasing. Acupuncture is a safe and effective natural therapy that is used to heal illness, prevent disease and improve well-being. Tiny, hair-thin needles are inserted into specific points in the body, where they are gently stimulated to trigger the body's natural healing response.

Acupuncture can be traced back as far as the Stone Age in China. It was during the time when stone knives and pointed rocks were used to relieve pain and diseases. Later these stones were replaced by needles made of bamboo and slivers of animal bone. During the Shang Dynasty, bronze casting techniques made metal needles possible, which conducted electricity (which were thought by the Chinese to be the 'qi' or internal energy) and later led to the mapping of the meridian system or "channels" of energy within the body. It harmonizes the body's energy to influence the health of both body and mind.

Acupuncture has become an increasingly popular alternative therapy for a wide variety of ills in the United States and other Western nations over the last 25 years. It can relieve a person from illnesses and discomforts such as headaches, neck pains, allergies, arthritis, digestive problems, painful menstruation and, according to some reports, can even treat some causes of infertility and sleep disorders.

Over 50 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders including insomnia, excessive drowsiness, sleep apnea, and restless movement during sleep. To get enough rest, many of these people rely on sleep aid pills. However, medication often hides the root cause of a sleep disorder and leads to even more dangerous health risks and possibly, even drug dependencies.

Problems with the sleep cycle can result in various other signs of discomfort. Some people will find that they have problems falling asleep, and this can involve several mechanisms. Sometimes internal imbalances of the internal organs, known as the zhang-fu, can lead to sleep disorders. One result is a mind which never shuts down and is still active when the patient lies down in bed. Another disorder results in a quiet mind, but the patient remains awake and unable to fall asleep. Disorders of the zhang fu or the channels can lead to awakening after falling asleep, sometimes at the same time every night. Taking a good history and performing a thorough evaluation of the channels, the abdomen, the pulse and the tongue can help an Oriental physician determine the mechanism of disease and to formulate an appropriate treatment using acupuncture.

Although modern physicians are rarely taught much about dealing with sleep disorders other than to prescribe sleep aid pills, even the type and imagery of dreams might be helpful to diagnose the particular sleep disorder. Unfortunately, most sleep aid pills popular with physicians do not assist in obtaining physiologically normal sleep.

Tapping into acupuncture for sleep problem cures means opting for safe alternatives to conventional insomnia treatment. Someone who chooses this avenue can look forward to effective and long-lasting sleep problem solutions. With the use of acupuncture for sleep problems, stress hormones are successfully reduced and a deep calm is achieved. Plus, opting for acupuncture brings balance or homeostasis to the nervous system.

Acupuncture is considered an ancient wonder treatment or therapy for almost two thousand years and this phenomenon is still evident even in the modern world where technology seems to never stop exploring and inventing cures for illnesses.

About the Author/Author Bio: Jill Smi

Information on swollen armpit can be found at the Armpit Pain site.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Sleep-Better-with-Acupuncture-Treatment/197310

For Mrs. Cooper, life in sunny California in her modest home has become a tug-of-war of aches and pains for this housewife of forty. A mother of five and at the same time managing a home business, she found it very challenging to keep a home and manage a business at the same time while suffering from lower back pains and migraine headaches. She tried using the traditional medicines prescribed by her doctor but it seems that these only provided temporary relief. One day, her cousin Meredith recommended that she try other alternative medicines to cure her ailments.

At first, Mrs. Cooper was skeptical since she knew that Meredith was into new age stuff like meditation, yoga, organics, herbal medicines, and vegetarianism. She felt she was entering into new, unfamiliar territory. But upon her cousin's insistence, she tried this ancient Chinese practice called acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a procedure that treats illness through the insertion of needles at specific points in the body. This process is said to alter the body's energy flow into healthier patterns and used to treat a variety of illnesses and heath conditions. According to the World Health Organization (who) acupuncture is an effective treatment for "over forty" medical problems such as chronic pain, headaches and those associated with problems like back injuries and arthritis. But it is limited in treating conditions like broken bones or that requires surgery.

IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?

Just make sure you're getting this treatment from a well-trained acupuncturist and that the acupuncture needles are sterile and disposable. Undergoing this kind of treatment is like receiving an injection. You only feel pain from injections if it is larger diameter and it is a hollow needle. While acupuncture needles are very fine and about the diameter of human hair. When properly inserted by a skilled practitioner, you won't feel pain. However, you may experience a sense of electricity in the area of insertion. This kind of treatment for most patients find it relaxing and more often they fall asleep during treatment.

THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF CHINESE MEDICINE

Alternative Chinese medicine like acupuncture views the body as tiny part of the universe, and subject to universal laws of harmony and balance. The Chinese believe that emotions and mental states play a role in causing diseases. Illnesses are also affected by other factors like the environment, lifestyle, and relationships. Acupuncture is based on the Taoist philosophy of yin and yang and the chi. The chi, or cosmic energy, is an invisible force found in the air, water, food and sunlight. In the body, it is a vital force that creates and animates life.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VISITING ACUPUNCTURIST

Like a Western medical practitioner, the first thing an acupuncturist will do is to get the patient's medical history and symptoms. This will be followed by a physical examination. He or she will be looking closely at the patient's tongue, pulse, complexion, general behavior, and other signs like coughs or pains. From this, the acupuncturist will be able to determine patterns of symptoms indicating which organs are imbalanced. Acupuncture needles are always sterilized and it is a safe procedure.

In most cases, acupuncture does work ad relieves pain by helping stimulate the release endorphins into the bloodstream.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/The-Alternative-Medicine-from-the-Orient--Acupuncture/194736

Years ago, while working as an engineer in Boston, I received acupuncture treatments focused on reducing the high level of stress in my life. I had been on a very taxing project at work and after hearing a co-worker rave about an acupuncturist, I became curious enough to begin weekly acupuncture treatments. I found the treatments to be incredibly relaxing. Though difficult to describe in words how I felt physically or emotionally after a treatment, I was certain that I wanted to experience that physical and emotional state at all times, one of extreme contentment, comfort, and awareness.

It was apparent to me that acupuncture treatments brought about a change, but as an engineer, I sought a logical explanation and became curious about how acupuncture could elicit such a response in a patient. It seemed implausible that inserting about ten extremely thin needles into a patient's body for approximately twenty minutes could result in such a dramatic change, and yet that is precisely what was happening. The more treatments I received, the more I was able to feel the therapeutic effects, and the more fascinated I became with acupuncture.

During these treatments, I was frequently frustrated when I asked the acupuncturist to explain how acupuncture worked. The acupuncturist would state tersely that unbalanced energy was being balanced. Each subsequent question seemed to be met with a similarly brief, matter-of-fact response. I assumed that my acupuncturist was actually avoiding my questions. I got the impression that he couldn't really explain how acupuncture worked, so instead he filled the air with incomprehensible, new-age jargon. I just wanted an answer to my question.

Several years later, while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I met a student who was studying at a local acupuncture college. She had studied acupuncture for two years and would be graduating in another year. Now, I could surely get an answer to my question. I asked her very specifically how a needle inserted into one part of the human body could bring about change in a different part of the body. I asked her what physiological or even chemical changes were taking place to explain that phenomenon. She didn't hesitate at all before telling me, "I don't know. I have no idea." Again, I found this answer very unsatisfying. Wouldn't her education, an accredited master's degree program, focus on that very topic? How could she be incapable of answering this question after two years of studying acupuncture?

After another year had passed, my continued interest in acupuncture led me to apply and enroll at Southwest Acupuncture College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The 3,000 hour program, leading to a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, helped me see my questions and their answers in a new light. With the benefit of hindsight, I can now fully understand why the answers to my questions had been so unsatisfying. I was unaware at the time that I had been seeking a Western explanation of a very Eastern concept. In asking my questions, I was not only interested in learning about how acupuncture worked, but I was also implicitly expecting an answer in my language, in terms understandable by someone living in the West.

In the academic programs teaching traditional Chinese medicine in the United States today, there is little emphasis placed upon the subject of how acupuncture works from a scientific point of view. Rather, the educational programs focus upon helping the student understand the Eastern explanation of acupuncture, the one that I originally found so evasive and confusing.

This isn't to say that research studies aren't focused on determining how acupuncture works from a modern scientific viewpoint. In many such studies, acupuncture has been shown to trigger the brain to release endorphins and enkephalins, chemicals with pain relieving properties. Other theories propose that acupuncture needles jam the neuronal pathways and thereby prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. Additional studies have shown that acupuncture needle insertion activates the brain's regulation of neurotransmitters and hormones, affecting many primary systems in the body, including the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

Yet during my acupuncture studies, I finally began to see the value of understanding the traditional Chinese explanation of acupuncture, since that was the paradigm within which instructors and practitioners had worked for thousands of years. If we try to talk about Chinese medicine strictly from a scientific viewpoint, then we are not really talking about Chinese medicine. We would be excluding a large quantity of important Chinese medical philosophy which is inextricably linked to what this medicine is and from where it has come. During the course of my studies, I began to see and eventually embrace the fact that in order to learn how traditional Chinese medicine works, it is necessary to understand those who have a history of practicing it.

Thus, acupuncture works because with extremely thin, sterile, disposable acupuncture needles, an acupuncturist accesses a patient's energy and restores balance. Traditional Chinese medical theory is based upon the fact that there is an energy that flows in the human body through specific pathways, or channels. The energy flowing through these pathways can become blocked or obstructed due to emotional stress, unhealthy lifestyle choices, harmful environmental factors, poor diet, or physical injury. When this energy becomes blocked, the result is pain, discomfort, or disease. An acupuncturist uses acupuncture needles (and other methods) to mildly stimulate certain specific points on the body to restore balance to the normal flow of that energy, relieving pain, and treating disease. Hopefully, you don't find this explanation unsatisfying. If you do, you may not be alone.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/How-Does-Acupuncture-Work-/183831

Osteoarthritis is a very common health issue, especially for those who are above middle age. It is the gradual breaking down of the joints. As you can imagine, osteoarthritis can be rather painful for the patient. Here is how osteoarthritis arises.

Between all our joints, there is a layer of membrane, known as cartilage. When we are young, the cartilage helps facilitate movement by acting as a lubricating membrane. The cartilage helps to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other when there is movement.

However, as the body grows older, the cartilage starts to degenerate. Cartilage that is eroded can no longer act as an effective layer of protection for the bones. As a result, whenever there is movement, there will be pain experienced. In many cases, swelling (caused by inflammation) follows the soreness.

There are several causes for osteoarthritis. The disease can be caused by heredity, old age, injury, or even overuse. That is why even those in their 20s or 30s have a chance of suffering from osteoarthritis.

Someone who is suffering from osteoarthritis should seek treatment as early as possible for 2 reasons. The first reason is to prevent further damage to the cartilage. The second reason is to ease the pain, soreness and swelling that accompany osteoarthritis.

As inflammation using occurs around the affected joints, there is a need to treat the inflammation. Many western physicians like to prescribe anti-inflammation drugs that are steroids based. However, there are side effects to such drugs. In fact, recent studies have shown that repeated use of such drugs can induce osteoarthritis, thus making the situation even worse. Therefore, in years, doctors from all around the world have been looking at non-steroid ways to treat osteoarthritis.

One way to treat osteoarthritis is through acupuncture, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs). A controlled clinical trial has shown that 70% of the patients experienced pain relief right after the acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture is not a new discovery. It originated in the East, and many Western doctors are learning to adopt this ancient treatment method. It involves using thin needles to stimulate the pressure points in the body. The Chinese believe that the body has over 2000 pressure points. When the energy (Chi) in the body is balanced, the body will heal automatically. Thus, the main goal of applying acupuncture is to stimulate these pressure points so that the obstructions can be cleared and the energy can flow easily.

In the Western world, these pressure points are part of the central nervous system. When stimulated, special chemicals are such as neurotransmitters and hormones are released, helping the body to heal.

By using acupuncture to help treat osteoarthritis, there is less reliance of steroid based medication. The treatment helps to relief pain quickly for the patient, and allow the affected joints to heal gradually and naturally.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-For-Osteoarthritis/176099

As an acupuncturist, I see a lot of patients who are interested in learning what action to take in order to become healthier. They ask questions about why their elbow hurts, why their digestion is sluggish, or why they suffer from chronic headaches. They want to know which specific steps they need to take in order to become healthier, and they are often surprised by my answer. I believe one of the most important steps we can take to become healthier starts with an examination of our own belief system about health, and specifically our accountability for our own health.

It is my opinion that the first, all-important step toward becoming healthier is accepting complete responsibility for one's current health situation, however negative it may be. For some, this is significantly more difficult than it may sound. You may find it much easier to blame your poor health on your bad back, your low metabolism, your genes, your dysfunctional immune system, your brittle bones, your low energy, or even your back luck. Yet, it strikes me as inconsistent and even slightly strange that we blame our poor health on body parts or systems, as though they were external entities. Rather than blaming your back, your metabolism, or your immune system, begin to recognize that you are your back, your metabolism, and your immune system. Your body isn't to blame. Your body is you, and you are ultimately responsible for you. Your body is an amazing instrument that should be responsibly cared for. By understanding this, we can begin to see our important role in creating health.

Only by accepting full accountability for our health, do we adopt the mindset that we are capable of improving our present health landscape. If we honestly believe that we created our current state of health, than we can logically deduce that we may create a better state of health. If you accept full responsibility for your health and agree that your actions and choices have lead to your current state of health, you acknowledge your capability of choosing different actions and making different choices that will lead you to become healthier.

If instead you choose to blame your poor health on various "outside" entities, you may believe, perhaps even unconsciously, that external entities have the power to keep you from becoming healthier, and worse yet, they may always do so. This intuitively decreases our own perceived chance of success in becoming healthier. The belief that elements outside of our control can keep us from becoming healthy may also decrease or even eliminate any incentive to take the necessary steps to become healthier. Conversely, by adopting the mindset of accountability, we inherently recognize our own ability and potential. If we are accountable for a lack of health, then we can just as easily be accountable for an abundance of health. With this attitude of responsibility, our actions matter, our choices matter, and our ability to create health is limitless.

This concept can be expressed through exploring the etymology of the word responsible. The word responsible derives from the Anglo-French word responsable, which implies being able to respond or capable of responding. In other words, we are able to respond when we choose to be responsible for our health. If we choose instead to blame a laundry list of items for our health woes, our ability to respond proactively diminishes and we are left feeling incapable of improving our own health.

Once this responsibility mindset is accepted and implemented, we are then empowered to make specific healthy choices and as a result, become healthier. Far too often, I see patients that are temporarily motivated to make healthy changes in their lives, but who fail to maintain that motivation because of a feeling of powerlessness. Thus, I feel the first and most important step should be accepting responsibility for your health. Once that principle is integrated into your belief system, you can begin to make improving your health a priority and incorporate into your life wise, healthy dietary and lifestyle choices. In this way, we tap into our unlimited potential to create a healthier reality.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Response-Ability/173652

More and more women had been giving up on contemporary medicine to recover from abnormal breast symptoms. Women are now turning on ancient Chinese practices that have been proven over time and by science. One practice is called acupuncture, which gives women the chance to stay away from breast ailments. This practice or medication is proven to improve one’s breast health.

It believed that when relieving an ailment, nerves are involvement as emotions contribute an important part on the occurrence of breast diseases. Women are commonly moody; changing stress levels from time to time therefore the body fluids which is also known as Qi becomes thick, they clog and turn to nodules. These nodules then increase the chance of women to develop health disorders such as breast cancer. Since most women get stressed almost everyday of their lives since they are also more emotional compared to men, a large percent of females develop breast cancer over time.

Cancer cells develop and attack the normal tissues in our body; it also spreads through blood flow or lymph fluid producing another cancer in other parts of the body. Statistics show that over 80 percent of women suffering from breast cancer are over 50 years old; women are more prone to abnormal breast symptoms when they get older.

To be aware of the causes and symptoms of breast cancer, one should also take note of his or her family history; if anyone suffered from breast cancer in the family, most likely you can have it too due to genetics. If you have an early start of menstruation and delay in menopause, also women who have never experienced breast feeding are more prone to having breast cancers. Other research concludes that some women who engaged in hormone substitution therapy can also develop breast cancer.

Do not fret if you feel a lump on your breast since not all lumps can be considered as cancerous, however it would be advisable to go to your doctor for proper check-up. Make sure that you have a monthly check up of your breast to ensure its health and condition; when you are getting old, you should be more conscious with your health because you are prone to more diseases and cancers. Check also for cysts and tumors that might develop in your breast. Be aware of the changes in your breast so that you know when to go for a check up; lump in breast or armpit; changes in the nipple area, change in size, etc.

In order to increase your chances of survival for breast cancer, make sure that you treat it on its early stage. Acupuncture is useful in treating symptoms that causes pain from beast cancer. Some people engage in acupuncture after chemotherapy since it helps in decreasing the side effects. This involves the sticking of needles into the skin you are targeting to lessen pain on your body. The location of the needles are called acupoints, most patients do this to maintain the flow of energy in the body.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Helps-in-Decreasing-Abnormal-Breast-Symptoms/172987

Infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after twelve months of well-timed, contraceptive-free intercourse. The time frame is reduced to six months if the woman is over the age of 35. This reflects the fact that a woman's egg quality declines after the age of 35 and a couple should consequently seek medical assistance earlier. In addition, women who are unable to carry a pregnancy to term are said to be infertile.

Just how common is infertility? About one in eight couples have problems conceiving, and statistically speaking, the cause of infertility is as likely to originate from the man as it is from the woman. One-third of infertility cases are caused by male issues and one-third are caused by female issues. In the remaining one-third of infertility cases, the cause is either a combination of male and female issues or the cause is simply unknown.

In order for a couple to successfully conceive, many complex processes must take place in the proper sequence. To start, a woman must release an egg from an ovary and that egg must flow through the fallopian tube to the uterus. While this is happening, a sperm must join with and fertilize the egg. This fertilized egg must then attach to the inside of the uterus. There are many factors which can interfere with these processes and result in infertility. Therefore, hormones must be balanced and reproductive systems must be operating at optimum levels in order to conceive. In considering all of the physiological, psychological, and hormonal events that must take place properly, it is no wonder that infertility is so common.

The possible causes of infertility are numerous. In men, a low sperm count or lack of sperm motility can result in the sperm's failure to reach the egg. In women, damaged fallopian tubes, physical problems with the uterus, or uterine fibroids can be a cause of infertility. In certain cases, there is a genetic cause, while in other cases, environmental factors are to blame, especially exposure to toxins. Also, egg production is adversely affected in women who are severely underweight or overweight and egg quality declines as a woman approaches the age of 40. With such a long list of variables, determining the possible cause of infertility can be difficult. This is further complicated by the fact that 15% of infertility cases have no known cause.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has made great gains in recent years and offers a ray of hope for infertile couples. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a general term referring to a variety of techniques that can help infertile couples become pregnant. One such technique is intrauterine insemination (IUI), or artificial insemination, in which sperm are introduced into the female uterus and fertilization takes place inside the woman's body. Another increasingly common approach is in vitro fertilization (IVF), in which ovulation is controlled hormonally, eggs are removed from the woman's ovaries, sperm fertilizes the eggs outside the woman's body, and the fertilized egg is transferred to the woman's uterus. In addition, there are many other ART techniques available depending upon a couple's unique situation.

However, most people are surprised to learn that modern, state-of-the-art reproductive technology is routinely combined with an ancient Chinese healing system that has been in use for thousands of years. The Chinese art of acupuncture has been shown clinically to play an important role in the treatment of infertility, and in ART specifically. In one study, women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) received acupuncture treatment 25 minutes before and 25 minutes after the fertilized egg was transferred to the uterus. These women had a significantly higher pregnancy rate than a group of women undergoing IVF without acupuncture treatment. This study is documented in the publication entitled Influence of Acupuncture on the Pregnancy Rate in Patients Who Undergo Assisted Reproduction Therapy.

How does acupuncture improve fertility rates? Acupuncture can help in regulating a woman's hormones and menstrual cycle, increasing blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, and improving the production and quality of follicles in the ovaries. For men, acupuncture can be helpful in improving sperm parameters. Acupuncture is becoming increasingly common in the treatment of infertility, given that it has been shown to improve rates of pregnancy and live birth. Whether used in conjunction with ART techniques or not, acupuncture can help increase a couple's chance of getting pregnant and creating the family of their dreams.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Clearing-the-Hurdle-to-Becoming-Fertile/161944

Many new cars today are equipped with automotive navigation systems. These systems use satellite technology to locate the car and provide directions to a location of our choice. The directions are often provided by voice prompts, which describe the path to follow in order to reach our destination. Thanks to the wonders of modern science, we receive this information immediately. The voice prompts can also inform us that we have missed a turn or even taken a wrong turn. Again, we obtain this feedback right away. We have, in many ways, become a society of immediacy. We often expect immediate feedback or immediate gratification and anything less is seen as unfulfilling, slow, or outdated.

Now let's consider navigating our way to a different type of destination, a destination that most of us find vague and elusive. That destination is health. Imagine a health navigation system implanted in our bodies that is capable of directing us toward that goal. Perhaps it would notify us if our dietary choices are a deviation from the path we should follow. Perhaps it would inform us that our lack of exercise or our need for relaxation are thwarting our efforts to reach our ultimate goal. It may provide prompts in its monotone, mediocre, matter-of-fact voice such as, "To arrive at your destination, put that cookie down." It may also remind us of activities that we have neglected, such as, "You overlooked exercise again today. Engage in physical exercise at the next possible opportunity."

But alas, there is no health navigation system available at present. So, how can we find and follow our all-important path to health? One such approach makes use of an age-old, antiquated system. That is, we can measure our proximity to destination health by examining how we feel--physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yet, most of us rarely notice the feedback from this system immediately. It may take days, weeks, or even years before we see or feel the effects of our lifestyle choices, positive or negative. We may need to be hit over the head with a hammer before finally hearing the message. Thus, it would be wise to examine if we are listening to what our bodies have to say, while at the same time exploring how we can become better listeners.

One approach to increasing awareness and listening to our bodies is through receiving acupuncture treatment. As an acupuncturist, I am told by many patients that with regular treatment, they become more aware of their bodies and the way in which their bodies communicate with them. Many patients begin to see patterns that were previously not recognizable. These patterns may include vague low back pain due to lack of exercise, constipation during highly stressful situations, abdominal pain related to not expressing emotions constructively, or energy levels that spike and crash as a result of specific dietary habits. Even though patterns such as these may exist for years, many individuals fail to notice the connection. Once they finally choose to slow down and listen to their bodies, they begin to hear the subtle messages.

In many cases, acupuncture can help to treat these imbalances, but in some cases it may not. And when it cannot, most patients find that their problems are far more manageable with the knowledge of specific causative factors. They are pleased to learn that their lifestyle choices can directly affect how they feel, and that by making different lifestyle choices, as difficult as that may be, they can proactively choose to be healthier. I don't mean to imply that acupuncture is the only approach to increasing awareness and becoming a better listener. There are many such approaches. I believe that receiving massage or practicing meditation can be helpful for this purpose, as well as meditative activities, such as reading, conscious walking, gardening, or yoga. All of these modalities can help us learn to listen to the messages that our bodies are sending, until the day when we have our health navigation system implanted.

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We have all experienced some type of physical pain at one time or another. Yet, even though we all know what pain is, it can still be difficult to actually define. It is usually described as an unpleasant sensory experience and it is incredibly common in our society. Half of all Americans seek medical care for pain each year and it is the most common reason for visiting a doctor.

Despite our disdain for pain, it actually serves a purpose, and a valuable one at that. Pain is part of our body's defense system and its purpose is to help us avoid harmful behavior. In other words, it's your body's way of telling you that it doesn't like what you are doing and it would prefer that you stop doing it. Sometimes we choose not to listen to that message and other times we have no choice but to hear it and comply.

What are the common approaches for relieving pain? Drugs are very popular for pain relief and they can be very effective. Unfortunately, the adverse effects of numerous drugs have become known in recent years and many of us find the information troubling. Pain relief medications can lead to gastrointestinal complications, liver damage, or kidney reactions. In addition, some pain relief drugs have already been taken off the market because of an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Increasingly, people are looking for more natural approaches to help relieve painful conditions. Acupuncture is one natural approach that continues to grow in popularity in the United States. Acupuncture can be helpful for all types of pain, regardless of what is causing the pain or where the pain is located. The theory behind acupuncture and Chinese medicine states that there is an energy that flows through the human body. This energy can become obstructed for a variety of different reasons. When this occurs, the obstruction results in pain or discomfort. This is summed up by the well-known Chinese saying: "If there is pain, there is no free flow; if there is free flow, there is no pain." The goal with treatment is to clear the obstructions by inserting extremely thin, sterile needles into certain specific points on the body.

From a more scientific point of view, acupuncture has been shown to trigger the release of endorphins and enkephalins, chemicals with pain relieving properties. Other theories propose that acupuncture needles jam the neuronal pathways and prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2002 report entitled Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinic Trials, stated that acupuncture "can be regarded as the method of choice for treating many chronically painful conditions." This is not to say that acupuncture is a miracle cure for everyone. It is not. But it would be wise for all of us to become educated about available pain relief options, including non-drug options. Armed with this information, we can make informed decisions which are most suitable for our own unique situations.

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Auriculotherapy, also known as auricular therapy or ear acupuncture, is a technique which had its origin in Lyon, France. Auricular therapy incorporates the fundamentals of modern medical science based on neurophysiology and neurology, and concepts of traditional acupuncture. Auricular therapy is based on the idea that the entire body is represented on the auricle - meaning the outer portion of the ear and so the entire body can be effectively treated by applying stimulation on the surface of the ear.

Each area of the ear, according to auricular therapy, is related to a different anatomical portion of the body. The human ear constitutes a large number of sites or points, which react in the presence of disease or injury on the other parts of the body. So applying stimulations on those ear points can bring about cure for all the diseases.

In auricular therapy, the ear is thoroughly examined before carrying out the therapy, for identifying the exact problems on the other parts of your body. The treatment method involved in auricular therapy is the placement of thin acupuncture needles or minute electrical pulses on the real acupuncture points on the outer surface of the ear to stimulate the points in the ear. This procedure is entirely pain free, and allows the patient to remain relaxed and comfortable.

Auricular therapy can be an effective treatment for those who wish to quit smoking as well as for other addictions, such as addiction to drugs and alcohol. Auricular therapy can be also used in the treatment of arthritis, asthma, indigestion, migraine, urinary problems and nervous disorders. The treatment duration varies according to the disease and its seriousness.

Although auricular therapy is an effective treatment method, it is not advisable for all. To be specific, patients with pacemakers, pregnant women, and patients undergoing homeopathic treatments are not advised auricular therapy.

Auricular therapy and acupuncture are free from side effects, particularly auricular therapy, which makes use of electrical stimulation. And if the therapist strictly follows the guidelines of the Elector Therapy Association, it can be said that there are almost no negatives.

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Acupuncture is a traditional method of treatment for relieving pain by means of inserting fine, hair-thin needles to special points in the human body. The extent to which pain is relieved depends on the exact points at which the needles are inserted, and also depend on the physical conditions of the patient. The treatment is based on the assumption that our body health is controlled by special patterns of energy flow and the disruption of this flow is the cause for many diseases. Acupuncture works on our body by facilitating the right flow of energy through special points near our skin.

The method is believed to have its origin in China and has been in use there for at least 2,500 years. Today acupuncture has its westernized version too, and is widely practiced in the United States. The treatment procedures involve stimulating specific locations on the skin. The acupuncture method adopted determines the type and size of the needle, and the depth of insertion into the skin. The needles need to be kept inserted at specific points for up to 20-30 minutes.

When a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point, the nerve fiber gets simulated and sends a nerve impulse to the spinal cord. The result is the release of brain chemicals such as enkephalin and dynorphin which blocks the incoming pain signal. It is found that the treatment can also stimulate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, which improves therapeutic effects on the body.

Acupuncture has high success rates for stroke rehabilitation, headache, myofascial pain, low back pain, asthma, tennis elbow, addiction, and carpal tunnel syndrome. All treatments normally require one or two weeks, with a maximum of 12 treatments.

Until now, more than 350 acupuncture points have been discovered. By inserting needles to these points in a wide array of combinations, acupuncture treatment can provide you instant cure from all types of pains by maintaining the normal energy flow of your body. The treatment can also rejuvenate your body, keeping you fresh and healthy.

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Are you facing problems in getting pregnant and have lost faith in all the infertility treatments ranging from the most scientific ones to homeopathic and herbal therapies to treat infertility? Certainly, you, like many other couples must have tried and tested different methods that assure quick and uncomplicated cures to the problem of infertility.

However, if all your myths had to be shelved because these different remedies turned out to be ineffective, you need not worry anymore. With the evolution of medical science and technology, you can now go for treatment having a mix of both western and eastern cultures in the form of In Vitro Fertilization Treatment and the ancient Chinese discipline of Acupuncture. The use of acupuncture in the IVF Fertility Treatment helps in removing the imbalances in a woman’s body and increases the chances of conception substantially. Due to its positive effects and exceptional results in curing infertility, a large number of women with different infertility problems are encouraged to try out acupuncture in addition to their IVF treatments.

Though much has been said and heard about acupuncture, let us understand what it actually means. Essentially, it is a 400 year old Chinese method of treatment that has been passed on from generation to generation. It involves working on specific body systems and pressure points using thin needles, and stimulates and relaxes the areas that are required to put the body systems back into balance. The use of this method mainly aims at returning the body to a state of wellbeing.

After a lot of research conducted across different countries, it was found that women, who underwent the treatment of in vitro fertilization or IVF and complemented the embryo transfer process with acupuncture, had as much as 65 per cent more chances of pregnancy as compared to those who took no additional treatment.

So, if you too are looking to get an IVF treatment with acupuncture to make your dream of having a baby come true and want to get the best of treatments, you can visit our clinic at Thumos Health Center. Our team of specialists, Bryan Abel and Ganit Kriel of Thumos Health Center will work with your IVF physicians to coordinate before and after Acupuncture With In Vitro Fertilization and design your fertility plan such that it meets your specific problems and requirements. In addition, apart from acupuncture treatments, we offer a full range of Eastern medication including herbal fertility supplements. For more details, please log on to our website http://www.ivfacupuncturecenter.com/ and avail the best treatment at the most economical costs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-And-Fertility--How-Are-Two-Related-/148375

Acupuncture is a relatively painless, natural technique. It consists of the gentle insertion and stimulation of sterile, disposable, small, hair-width needles placed at precise strategic points on the body. While many acupuncture patients are initially wary about their first treatment, they soon discover that the experience is quite pleasurable and pain-free. Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate and release opiate-like hormones and induce a state of relaxation, balance and healing.

The analgesic effects of acupuncture have been extensively documented and have been shown to be mediated partially by the stimulation of endogenous (the body’s own natural) opioid peptide compounds. However, besides these endorphins, other natural non-endorphin peptides may be produced. In addition, acupuncture has been shown to modulate immunoglobulins (proteins from which antibodies are made) and enhance the activity of the white blood cells known as natural killer cells and the phagocytes. Acupuncture has also been reported to stimulate production of the cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 and suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-10.

Acupuncture involves positioning long, thin needles on various points on the body. There are different techniques to the insertion of the needles, including care for the angles at which they are inserted, different types of needles (there are nine, but most practitioners only use six types of the needles), and various ways to twirl or vibrate the needles. The needles are placed on the body depending upon the ailment of the patient. Acupuncturists believe that the body has different energy channels that help in the efficient and proper functioning of the body.

Some people may have acupuncture as a preventive measure to strengthen their constitution, or because they feel unwell in themselves without being 'ill' in the Western sense. It can also be used alongside conventional medicine in the treatment of both acute and chronic disease.

Muscle joint pains are effectively relieved with acupuncture. Following the Asian techniques, people who are chronically fatigued will find that acupuncture not only lessens the pain, it also increases a person’s pain threshold. It also helps as an alternative, non-invasive treatment to joint pains (knee, arms, neck, shoulders and legs, as well as the back). It works to effectively reduce osteoarthritis, a condition felt in the knee, and epicondylitis, a condition otherwise known as tennis elbow.

Acupuncture can also cleanse the body organs, which may hold unnecessary toxins, tension and stress. live-giving energy that flows to every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ in your body through 14 main meridian pathways, can become stagnated. Acupuncture can attract or repel this energy, re-establishing a balanced flow of energy throughout the whole body.

Typically, a woman suffering from PMS might expect treatment that includes weekly acupuncture therapy for three months along with herbs and dietary and lifestyle adjustments. In this time period, one could expect to see a marked improvement in the premenstrual symptoms. Treatment of cervical dysplasia or abnormal PAPS would be approached similarly, but therapy would extend over a six month period with follow-up PAPs to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment. With chronic vaginitis and yeast infections, herbal douches and suppositories are available to relieve immediate discomfort, with additional herbal formulas prescribed to address the underlying imbalance. Instruction in various self care techniques will also help the patient to feel more in charge of her therapy program.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Know-the-Benefits-of-Acupuncture/142650

Acupuncture is being increasingly seen as an accurate medical science and not as quackery imported from the Orient. Acupuncture has been accorded a legal status in the United States. Not just anyone can become an acupuncture practitioner and open an acupuncture clinic. Professional training is available and a license is required for becoming an acupuncture practitioner. Many conditions with symptoms of acute pain like tennis elbow, cervical spondylitis, arthritis etc. can be treated successfully through acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a type of therapy for pain relief. It can be used to heal many different physical and emotional ailments. Linked with traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is the placement of small, metallic needles in specific muscles or nerves. Practitioners believe that these needles change the transmission of pain in the nervous system.

Modern allopathy assumes different causes for disease than acupuncture. Acupuncture is based on the idea that health problems are causes by imbalances in fundamental body energies of Chi. An acpuncture practitioner will not only try to remove symptoms, such as pain, but aims to go further and treat the underlying Chi energy balance represented by the opposing forces of Yin and Yan. For example, a Yin deficiency in the liver is said to cause a lack of moisture in tendons responsible for pain free movement. Therefore, not only would pain that hinders mobility be treated, but the liver Yin imbalance as well.

Acupuncture involves using thin needles to pierce the skin and apply pressure to the filters located in the muscles which are in turn connected to the spinal chord. These filters govern the symptoms of pain. To cure an ailment, multiple visits to the acupuncture therapist are needed. The number of such sessions differs from ailment to ailment, and also from patient to patient.

It is important to note that acupuncture therapy should not stop just because the systems have ceased and instead should be continued for at least another year after symptoms cease. A great benefit of this treatment for things like tennis elbow is that it is completely harmless and has no side effects on your body. In fact some people claim that this therapy increases their energy along with fulfilling the primary objective of pain relief.

Acupuncture treats many ailments besides relieving pain. It treats even those ailments that modern medicines could not cure fully. What the present medical system cannot treat, acupuncture treats easily. Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatments for the common cold as well as one of the natural remedies for influenza. Whenever you are suffering from these ailments or feeling the pain, the best solution is to think of going to the nearest acupuncture practitioner.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Acupuncture-Practitioner-For-Your-Pain-Relief/138230

The idea behind acupuncture is for the body to achieve a state of balance between two opposing forces, Yin and Yang. Yin is passive and Yang is aggressive energy. When the body is in a balanced state, which is when energy flows freely and unobstructed through the ‘meridians’ of the body, the body is free of illness and is calm. Imbalance causes illness and stress due to a blockage in the flow of vital energy. Acupuncture targets certain areas on the body that connects to meridians or pathways. There are between 14 and 20 meridians in the body depending on what practitioner one goes to or how badly one is ‘unbalanced’. Generally however, most state there are 12 main meridians and a number of minor ones. Of the 12, six are yin and six are yang.

Most people feel little or no pain with the insertion of acupuncture needles. The needles are hair thin and metallic. Most feel either very calm or relaxed after treatment while others may feel energized. There are no known side affects and most states will regulate proper care of needles in that they only can be used once and are sterilized.

The meridians are related to an organ or function. The 12 main meridians are: lungs, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, pericardium, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, heart, kidney, the three heaters or san Jiao. San Jiao is not an organ, but more like an energy form and has the function to pretty much oversea things in our internal organs. Along with the 12 main meridians are eight channels or reservoirs to supply qi and blood to the 12 regular channels. The other eight channels are heavily related to the kidneys.

Among the meridians, there are more than 400 points where acupuncturist will apply the needles. Depending on the ailments and treatment, there could be more than 2000 points. These are generally named and numbered depending on which meridian it belongs to.

Acupuncture in some studies has been shown that treatment can stimulate the immune system and can affect circulation, stroke volume of the heart, blood pressure and the production of gastric acid. Hormones can be released, which helps the body respond to stress and injury.

One theory as to why acupuncture works is the Gate Control Theory, which states that pain may pass through a number of gates along its path through the nervous system. Pain generally passes slowly as it travels, but others signals can be activated to go faster, which effectively crowds out the slower pain signals. Another theory is the electrical theory of pain, which are the body-generating tiny electrical impulses. Some studies have suggested there is a correlation between the channels and the electromagnetic fields in our bodies and when used with electrical stimulation, in can change the neurotransmitter chemicals.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Reduce-Stress-Heal-the-Body-with-Acupuncture/133977