Magnet therapy involves the use of a magnetised device placed on or near the body to either facilitate healing or relieve pain. The magnetic products available today come in many types. They can be attachewd to the skin, worn as jewellery, placed in your shoes, or slept on. Arthritis, , carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia and headaches are among the list of ailments for which many people claim can benefit from magnet therapy. Although no one is sure how magnets work, supporters claim that they can have a profound effect on the body, particularly in the area of pain relief.
The use of magnets for medical purposes is not new; the ancient Greeks believed that natural magnetic rocks had therapeutic powers. In the sixteenth century a Swiss-born alchemist and physician, Philippus von Hohenheim, purportedly used magnets to draw illness from the body. Over the past decade, magnet therapy has become increasingly popular, especially among professional athletes who use it for aches and pains. Nearly 80 touring golf pros now use some form of magnetic therapy for help in relieving, muscle soreness back pain, arthritis, and other ailments. Even so, magnet therapy remains controversial. Scientists have only recently begun the scientific research needed to persuade most mainstream doctors to add magnets to their medicinal arsenals, although the British National Health Service has recently (March 2006) recommended doctors to prescribe magnetic knee wraps in preference to drugs.
How Does It Work?
The theory behind magnet therapy is that the fields produced by magnets can affect the functioning of individual cells in the body and improve the working of the nervous system and various organs. Exactly how the magnetic fields do this is unknown, but there are several theories. Some say that the electrical current created by magnets interrupts the transmission of pain signals in the nerves. Others claim magnets increase blood flow to an area, boosting the flow of oxygen and other nutrients, thereby reducing pain and swelling.
What You Can Expect
It is believed that magnets must be placed precisely to have an effect (they work best when placed over a body area that has some degree of intact circulation). Therefore it is best to do magnet therapy under the guidance of a therapist or doctor who is experienced in its use. However, many people choose to use magnets on their own.
If you are trying magnets for arthritis or other types of pain, you may be advised to purchase small magnetic devices that can be secured to the body elastic bandages, or Velcro.
Depending on how much pain you are experiencing, you might be advised to keep the magnets in place for as little as five minutes or to wear them for a number of hours every day for several weeks. If you are trying magnets to help with insomnia, your doctor may advise using a magnetic pillow or mattress pad.
Health Benefits
Magnetic therapy is most often used for pain, usually of the muscles, joints and back. Magnets have also been used to relieve post-surgery pain. Some suggest that magnets can reduce stress, as well as relieve insomnia and treat migraine. Others even claim that magnetic therapy can fight infection and improve central nervous system disorders, such as seizures. While research has shown that magnet therapy can indeed relieve pain, there is little solid evidence proclaiming its use for other ailments.
One study, published in the American Journal of Pain Management in 1999, showed that magnetic foot insoles were shown to be effective in reducing foot pain in those with diabetes.
How To Choose a Practitioner
Magnet therapy may be practiced by a therapist or doctor, or it may be self-administered. It is best to work with an experienced practitioner who is knowledgeable about the therapeutic use of magnets.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Friday, 20 November 2009
Ancient Wisdom in the New Millennium
While both Eastern and Western physicians practice their skills and prescribe their remedies with the intention of healing, their basic philosophies remain fundamentally opposed. Practitioners of alternative medicine say that the conventional view of illness as a random and accidental physical misfortune is wrong, because the mind and spirit are as much involved in poor health as they are in good health, and it is disturbances of the balance and harmony of mind, body, and spirit that are the true causes of illness. Any treatment that is undertaken to heal ailments of the body must also include the mind and spirit, a relationship that Eastern traditional medicine regards as inseparable.
Fundamental to the principles of most alternative therapies is the concept of 'energy balance'. This is not the Western understanding of energy, but instead a healing and spiritual energy in a state of motion and change, derived from the Greek for balance - 'en ergo' meaning 'in motion'. This energy or vital force is said to flow through the universe and the human body, and imbalances or blockages in the flow cause health problems and diseases, while a state of balance allows the body to carry out its natural process of self-healing.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine the name given to this energy is Qi meaning 'breaths', which can also be expressed as Shi or Ch'i, and is also known as Ki in Japan and Prana in India, but is usually referred to as 'Chi' (pronounced "Chee") in the Western world. For example, the Chinese theory of acupuncture is based on the belief that specific channels or 'meridians' carry the flow of energy or Chi through the body, and by stimulating various points or 'gateways' along these meridians, either with needles or finger pressure, or just the hands in contact or close proximity to the body, the flow can be increased or decreased.
In Chinese medicine, the two opposing but complementary aspects of existence are called Yin and Yang, which together constitute a balanced whole and contentment called Tao or 'the way'. This balance can be upset by emotional, physical, or environmental factors. Yin and Yang are also characterised by five metaphysical or symbolic elements - Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.
Traditional Indian medicine has energy centres known as 'chakras', a word derived from Sanskrit and meaning 'wheels' or spinning wheels of light or movement (depending on the translation). The theory of the chakra system is quite complicated and involved, but the simplest definition is that chakras are a link between the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of existence. They bring together hundreds or even thousands of energy channels or 'nadi' (meaning 'river') which traverse the body. Basically, chakras are thought to control our being on different levels, and each chakra is responsible for an organ or group of organs in the body. There are various numbers and positions of chakras depending on which theory is being described, but generally there are seven major chakras, which are associated with the spine, in a line down the centre of the body - one on top of the head (Sahasrara or crown), one on the forehead (Ajna or third eye), one on the neck (Vishuddha or throat), one on the chest (Anahata or heart), one on the stomach (Manipura or solar plexus), one on the navel (Svadhisthana or sacral), and one on the lower abdomen (Muladhara or root).
Balanced chakras are said to be spinning clockwise at different speeds to metabolise energy from the universal energy field, and convert its frequency of vibration to become usable by the chakras. This energy is then delivered through meridians to the organs of the body with which the chakras are associated. Unbalanced chakras cause physical and mental symptoms that ultimately lead to illness.
There is no doubt that massage and other sensory influences have a direct effect on the mind and body, to soothe, calm, relax, and drain away stress and tension. The feelings of relaxation together with sensory stimuli are received by a part of the brain known as the 'emotional centre' (technically the 'limbic system') which then causes the release of chemicals such as hormones, endorphins (endogenous morphine molecules), and encephalins, including serotonin - the body's natural sedative. Some of these chemicals are painkillers with a similar power to morphine, some create a sense of well-being, and others affect mood by accentuating positive emotions while suppressing negativity.
The brain's emotional centre, referred to by some as a person's soul or spirit, is also in direct contact with another area called the hypothalamus, known as the 'control centre' of the brain, which is responsible for maintaining functions such as temperature, hormone levels, and metabolism, all contributing to healthy balance and homeostatic equilibrium. So sensory stimulation can help support the body's systems and essential functions, relieve pain, ease stress and tension, reduce anxiety, and strengthen the body's immune system. Impressive claims indeed, yet known for centuries by traditional medicine, whose aim is not to directly heal, but to create the right environment to encourage the body to heal itself.
Biomagnetic fields a thousand times stronger than those from the human heart have been found to emanate from the hands of touch therapists during treatment, as well as infrasonic sound known to produce healing effects. These natural influences are said to have the same effect as the artificial electromagnetic fields used to stimulate healing and injury repair in hospitals.
Even the mere presence of a therapist can have beneficial effects. Experiments have shown that when two people are sitting quietly in the same room with eyes closed and in a relaxed state, their heart and brain rhythms gradually become synchronised. This effect was enhanced when they held hands, providing evidence of the power of touch therapies. It is also known that the menstruation cycles of women living together in a group become synchronised.
The flow of life force or 'vital energy' along meridians, sometimes referred to as 'strange flows' along 'wondrous channels' may simply be analogies to represent the constant stream of electrochemical signals and messages between the brain and the body's life support and control systems, such as the distribution and absorption of proteins and dietary nutrients, cell regeneration and repair, the nervous system's pathways, the release of beneficial chemicals, and the protective immune system now known to be in close contact with the brain. This flow of communications between brain and body is the continuous attempt to maintain the complete electromagnetic vibratory network - the essential healthy state of balance.
The body's systems are being constantly confronted by internal and external challenges such as environmental pollution, inadequate diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol or drugs, emotional pressures, and stress. If just one of the interdependent systems becomes inefficient or unable to cope, or the vibratory electromagnetic network is impaired, then the whole balance is disturbed. Signals and messages become confused or 'blocked', so the brain is unable to respond with its self-healing mechanism, and the body's failing defence and repair systems allow disease a chance to become established.
The 'balance' is the process of removing those blockages and re-establishing the electrochemical network and flows of messages through mental and physical stimulation, which activate an instinctive response in the subconscious mind to feelings that it is being cared for, nurtured, focused upon, and 'healed'. And the sensory receptors or limbic system of the brain, which receives those messages, connects to the control centre responsible for maintaining functional harmony, so generating the self-healing process.
More formal comparisons such as these may one day link physics and metaphysics, the ancient and modern, the conventional and alternative, and perhaps narrow the gap that still exists between Eastern and Western medicine. But in the meantime, when people find a therapy and a therapist that suits them, then the benefits of holistic alternative medicine will begin to flow, and the mind, body and spirit will at last be harmonised and balanced.
Fundamental to the principles of most alternative therapies is the concept of 'energy balance'. This is not the Western understanding of energy, but instead a healing and spiritual energy in a state of motion and change, derived from the Greek for balance - 'en ergo' meaning 'in motion'. This energy or vital force is said to flow through the universe and the human body, and imbalances or blockages in the flow cause health problems and diseases, while a state of balance allows the body to carry out its natural process of self-healing.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine the name given to this energy is Qi meaning 'breaths', which can also be expressed as Shi or Ch'i, and is also known as Ki in Japan and Prana in India, but is usually referred to as 'Chi' (pronounced "Chee") in the Western world. For example, the Chinese theory of acupuncture is based on the belief that specific channels or 'meridians' carry the flow of energy or Chi through the body, and by stimulating various points or 'gateways' along these meridians, either with needles or finger pressure, or just the hands in contact or close proximity to the body, the flow can be increased or decreased.
In Chinese medicine, the two opposing but complementary aspects of existence are called Yin and Yang, which together constitute a balanced whole and contentment called Tao or 'the way'. This balance can be upset by emotional, physical, or environmental factors. Yin and Yang are also characterised by five metaphysical or symbolic elements - Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.
Traditional Indian medicine has energy centres known as 'chakras', a word derived from Sanskrit and meaning 'wheels' or spinning wheels of light or movement (depending on the translation). The theory of the chakra system is quite complicated and involved, but the simplest definition is that chakras are a link between the emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of existence. They bring together hundreds or even thousands of energy channels or 'nadi' (meaning 'river') which traverse the body. Basically, chakras are thought to control our being on different levels, and each chakra is responsible for an organ or group of organs in the body. There are various numbers and positions of chakras depending on which theory is being described, but generally there are seven major chakras, which are associated with the spine, in a line down the centre of the body - one on top of the head (Sahasrara or crown), one on the forehead (Ajna or third eye), one on the neck (Vishuddha or throat), one on the chest (Anahata or heart), one on the stomach (Manipura or solar plexus), one on the navel (Svadhisthana or sacral), and one on the lower abdomen (Muladhara or root).
Balanced chakras are said to be spinning clockwise at different speeds to metabolise energy from the universal energy field, and convert its frequency of vibration to become usable by the chakras. This energy is then delivered through meridians to the organs of the body with which the chakras are associated. Unbalanced chakras cause physical and mental symptoms that ultimately lead to illness.
There is no doubt that massage and other sensory influences have a direct effect on the mind and body, to soothe, calm, relax, and drain away stress and tension. The feelings of relaxation together with sensory stimuli are received by a part of the brain known as the 'emotional centre' (technically the 'limbic system') which then causes the release of chemicals such as hormones, endorphins (endogenous morphine molecules), and encephalins, including serotonin - the body's natural sedative. Some of these chemicals are painkillers with a similar power to morphine, some create a sense of well-being, and others affect mood by accentuating positive emotions while suppressing negativity.
The brain's emotional centre, referred to by some as a person's soul or spirit, is also in direct contact with another area called the hypothalamus, known as the 'control centre' of the brain, which is responsible for maintaining functions such as temperature, hormone levels, and metabolism, all contributing to healthy balance and homeostatic equilibrium. So sensory stimulation can help support the body's systems and essential functions, relieve pain, ease stress and tension, reduce anxiety, and strengthen the body's immune system. Impressive claims indeed, yet known for centuries by traditional medicine, whose aim is not to directly heal, but to create the right environment to encourage the body to heal itself.
Biomagnetic fields a thousand times stronger than those from the human heart have been found to emanate from the hands of touch therapists during treatment, as well as infrasonic sound known to produce healing effects. These natural influences are said to have the same effect as the artificial electromagnetic fields used to stimulate healing and injury repair in hospitals.
Even the mere presence of a therapist can have beneficial effects. Experiments have shown that when two people are sitting quietly in the same room with eyes closed and in a relaxed state, their heart and brain rhythms gradually become synchronised. This effect was enhanced when they held hands, providing evidence of the power of touch therapies. It is also known that the menstruation cycles of women living together in a group become synchronised.
The flow of life force or 'vital energy' along meridians, sometimes referred to as 'strange flows' along 'wondrous channels' may simply be analogies to represent the constant stream of electrochemical signals and messages between the brain and the body's life support and control systems, such as the distribution and absorption of proteins and dietary nutrients, cell regeneration and repair, the nervous system's pathways, the release of beneficial chemicals, and the protective immune system now known to be in close contact with the brain. This flow of communications between brain and body is the continuous attempt to maintain the complete electromagnetic vibratory network - the essential healthy state of balance.
The body's systems are being constantly confronted by internal and external challenges such as environmental pollution, inadequate diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol or drugs, emotional pressures, and stress. If just one of the interdependent systems becomes inefficient or unable to cope, or the vibratory electromagnetic network is impaired, then the whole balance is disturbed. Signals and messages become confused or 'blocked', so the brain is unable to respond with its self-healing mechanism, and the body's failing defence and repair systems allow disease a chance to become established.
The 'balance' is the process of removing those blockages and re-establishing the electrochemical network and flows of messages through mental and physical stimulation, which activate an instinctive response in the subconscious mind to feelings that it is being cared for, nurtured, focused upon, and 'healed'. And the sensory receptors or limbic system of the brain, which receives those messages, connects to the control centre responsible for maintaining functional harmony, so generating the self-healing process.
More formal comparisons such as these may one day link physics and metaphysics, the ancient and modern, the conventional and alternative, and perhaps narrow the gap that still exists between Eastern and Western medicine. But in the meantime, when people find a therapy and a therapist that suits them, then the benefits of holistic alternative medicine will begin to flow, and the mind, body and spirit will at last be harmonised and balanced.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Relaxation Techniques for Stress Management
For general stress reduction and well-being, individuals can learn relaxation techniques through a variety of methods, including videotapes, audiotapes, books, distance learning courses and community classes. However, it is best for patients with specific medical or psychological issues to visit a healthcare professional or Relaxation Therapy specialist to determine the most appropriate relaxation method and to reduce potential negative side effects, such as relaxation-induced anxiety.
Relaxation techniques are also thought to be useful adjuncts in the treatment of adjustment disorder, addictions, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arrhythmias, asthma, diabetes, and social phobias, although these applications may not have been as extensively researched as the clinical applications discussed above. In children, relaxation techniques may be beneficial for those suffering from impulsivity due to hyperactivity and disruptive behaviour.
There are many different relaxation techniques you can use to reduce stress levels, these include the use of aromatic oils, massage, breathing and meditation techniques as well as visualisation techniques.
Aromatherapy: If you use an aromatherapy oil for it's fragrance by diffusing it, then the main benefit you get from it is due to the olfactory response. Simply by inhalation, essential oils illicit an immediate olfactory response and they are readily absorbed into the bloodstream stimulating the production of relaxing hormones such as endorphin, serotonin etc. For instance it is said that Chamomile, Lavender and Neroli act on the "Raphe-Nucleus", which secrets the natural sedative hormone called Serotonin, while Bergamot, Frankincense and Rosewood are said to work on the Hypothalamus and secrete a variety of balancing neuro-chemicals and thereby regulates heart-beat, breathing etc. Oils termed euphoric oils are clary-sage, Jasmine, Rose and Grapefruit. They induce the brain to produce the pain-killing and euphorising hormone called encephalin. Aphrodisiac oils include Amber, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood and Jasmine. They act on the pituitary gland, which secrets the neuro-chemical endorphin, the pleasure giving hormone.
Massage: Massage improves the circulation of body fluids, strengthens the immune system and brings stress hormone levels down. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you go to a massage session once a month and have your energy channels cleared and invigorated. Massage can include Reflexology which invigorates directly the associated organs, Acupressure or Shiatsu, which both work directly on the energy channels also called Meridians and Ayurvedic Massage which works on the whole body energy channels also called nadis and on the chakras and is a highly detoxifying treatment. Sauna is also a good way to relax and detoxify the body.
Creative Activities are a good way to distract your mind and "delve" into an activity that lets you forget the hassle of everyday life. Painting, photography or even DIY work is often experienced as a "meditative" activity as people tend to get completely absorbed in the activity and truly enjoy being creative.
Listening to Gentle Music plays an important part in relaxation as research has proven that Classical, New Age and other styles of relaxation music induce the brain to produce endorphins and other "happy-making" hormones, thus relaxation music being a good anti-stress therapy activity.
Meditation: The regular practice of meditation has been shown to reduce physiological arousal. It calms the mind and nervous system and lowers the heart rate. The rhythm of the breath slows down considerably which is an important element in the revealing of insights into the psychological and emotional conditioning. Due to the slowing down of these functions, our ability to cope with pressure increases, as our internal environment becomes more spacious. Most illness and disease is compacted by anxiety and the which is fear built around it. Meditation can help recovery from these traumas by developing a more relaxed relationship with ourselves. Meditation nourishes our spiritual beliefs, provoking experiences and insights into the deeper meaning of being alive in a human form. It enhances sensitivity, alertness, composition, mental clarity, a feeling of 'centredness' and unity with all beings. It is good to practice meditation in the early mornings or in the evenings, when we can best find the inner peace to calm down and concentrate.
Creative Visualisation Techniques: Our subconscious minds have a very strong impact on how we act, think and also on our physical comfort levels, notably on stress. It is scientifically proven that, if you train yourself mentally to be healthy by using such techniques as autosuggestion or hypnosis, you will eventually grow into the habits and life-style necessary to have a relaxed, healthy and happy life. Without having to compromise on your personal attainments, your job quality or career and your performance in general, you will lead a more peaceful life.
Conclusion
As can be seen, stress has many different causes and is mostly due to an imbalance of working and personal life and due to emotional problems and traumas experienced in childhood, which subsequently lead to ineffective and counterproductive behaviour patterns leading to a rise in stress levels. For most people it will be quite hard to make adequate changes to their life-style and take up nutritional and relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and improve their work-life balance. Notably so, because people who tend to be stressed are also very ambitious and they fear that spending more time enjoying life will lead to their competitors catching up on them and will put them at a loss in their professional career.
For such people, stress can actually induce a self-sabotage system in the body. The subconscious mind can block achievement of optimum performance levels by purposely putting up barriers until the person takes the hint and rectifies the situation. This is why we should all learn to listen to our little voice within.
Relaxation techniques are also thought to be useful adjuncts in the treatment of adjustment disorder, addictions, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arrhythmias, asthma, diabetes, and social phobias, although these applications may not have been as extensively researched as the clinical applications discussed above. In children, relaxation techniques may be beneficial for those suffering from impulsivity due to hyperactivity and disruptive behaviour.
There are many different relaxation techniques you can use to reduce stress levels, these include the use of aromatic oils, massage, breathing and meditation techniques as well as visualisation techniques.
Aromatherapy: If you use an aromatherapy oil for it's fragrance by diffusing it, then the main benefit you get from it is due to the olfactory response. Simply by inhalation, essential oils illicit an immediate olfactory response and they are readily absorbed into the bloodstream stimulating the production of relaxing hormones such as endorphin, serotonin etc. For instance it is said that Chamomile, Lavender and Neroli act on the "Raphe-Nucleus", which secrets the natural sedative hormone called Serotonin, while Bergamot, Frankincense and Rosewood are said to work on the Hypothalamus and secrete a variety of balancing neuro-chemicals and thereby regulates heart-beat, breathing etc. Oils termed euphoric oils are clary-sage, Jasmine, Rose and Grapefruit. They induce the brain to produce the pain-killing and euphorising hormone called encephalin. Aphrodisiac oils include Amber, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood and Jasmine. They act on the pituitary gland, which secrets the neuro-chemical endorphin, the pleasure giving hormone.
Massage: Massage improves the circulation of body fluids, strengthens the immune system and brings stress hormone levels down. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you go to a massage session once a month and have your energy channels cleared and invigorated. Massage can include Reflexology which invigorates directly the associated organs, Acupressure or Shiatsu, which both work directly on the energy channels also called Meridians and Ayurvedic Massage which works on the whole body energy channels also called nadis and on the chakras and is a highly detoxifying treatment. Sauna is also a good way to relax and detoxify the body.
Creative Activities are a good way to distract your mind and "delve" into an activity that lets you forget the hassle of everyday life. Painting, photography or even DIY work is often experienced as a "meditative" activity as people tend to get completely absorbed in the activity and truly enjoy being creative.
Listening to Gentle Music plays an important part in relaxation as research has proven that Classical, New Age and other styles of relaxation music induce the brain to produce endorphins and other "happy-making" hormones, thus relaxation music being a good anti-stress therapy activity.
Meditation: The regular practice of meditation has been shown to reduce physiological arousal. It calms the mind and nervous system and lowers the heart rate. The rhythm of the breath slows down considerably which is an important element in the revealing of insights into the psychological and emotional conditioning. Due to the slowing down of these functions, our ability to cope with pressure increases, as our internal environment becomes more spacious. Most illness and disease is compacted by anxiety and the which is fear built around it. Meditation can help recovery from these traumas by developing a more relaxed relationship with ourselves. Meditation nourishes our spiritual beliefs, provoking experiences and insights into the deeper meaning of being alive in a human form. It enhances sensitivity, alertness, composition, mental clarity, a feeling of 'centredness' and unity with all beings. It is good to practice meditation in the early mornings or in the evenings, when we can best find the inner peace to calm down and concentrate.
Creative Visualisation Techniques: Our subconscious minds have a very strong impact on how we act, think and also on our physical comfort levels, notably on stress. It is scientifically proven that, if you train yourself mentally to be healthy by using such techniques as autosuggestion or hypnosis, you will eventually grow into the habits and life-style necessary to have a relaxed, healthy and happy life. Without having to compromise on your personal attainments, your job quality or career and your performance in general, you will lead a more peaceful life.
Conclusion
As can be seen, stress has many different causes and is mostly due to an imbalance of working and personal life and due to emotional problems and traumas experienced in childhood, which subsequently lead to ineffective and counterproductive behaviour patterns leading to a rise in stress levels. For most people it will be quite hard to make adequate changes to their life-style and take up nutritional and relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and improve their work-life balance. Notably so, because people who tend to be stressed are also very ambitious and they fear that spending more time enjoying life will lead to their competitors catching up on them and will put them at a loss in their professional career.
For such people, stress can actually induce a self-sabotage system in the body. The subconscious mind can block achievement of optimum performance levels by purposely putting up barriers until the person takes the hint and rectifies the situation. This is why we should all learn to listen to our little voice within.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
The Role of Stress in the Body
"Well-being is more than just an absence of the symptoms of disease. It is an inner peace, happiness and joy. It is usually associated with a deep contentment and certainty of your purpose on earth and the conviction that while the body is only temporary, the soul lasts forever", (Arien van der Merwe, 2001, pp. 32).
Stress is a reaction to something or someone that is experienced by the individual via the senses of the body. We all need a certain amount of stress to be able to live and survive. We need it to excel in our work or strive towards growth and fulfilment in different fields. Without it, life will become extremely boring. However, we need to balance periods of stress with regular healing phases of rest and relaxation in order to keep our bodies healthy.
Constant, unbalanced, and chronic stress must be avoided as far as possible or at least managed, because this kind of stress, tension and anxiety has probably become the most common and serious problem facing our health and well being in our time.
Positive Stress
Stress is essential to spur us on, to motivate us and to provide the necessary stimulation to cope with the many challenging situations that we have to face from day to day. It also provides us with the sense of urgency and alertness when we are faced with threatening situations.
Negative Stress
Stress is probably the most common cause of ill health in modern society. It can have a harmful effect on mental, physical and spiritual health. It is therefore essential that we manage our stress levels.
Stress Symptoms
A variety of stress related symptoms may be experienced. This will vary from person to person. They include mental and emotional symptoms such as confusion, difficulty in decision making, panic attacks, inability to concentrate, short term memory loss, disorientation, depression, irritability, tearfulness, fits of rage and deterioration of personal appearance and hygiene, avoiding social contact.
Physical symptoms may include fatigue, bodily aches and pains, recurring infections, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, loss of sexual desires, a reduced feeling of general well-being, accelerated ageing and systems failure.
Some Stress-related Illnesses
Stress is a significant contributory factor to Cardiovascular Disease. All people suffering from stress related abnormalities should examine their lifestyle and compile a list of priorities. One can recover from life-threatening cardiovascular disease by adopting a holistic approach to health.
Diabetes is another serious disorder that can develop due to stress. The release of adrenal hormones under stress can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels. Large amounts of cortisol, secreted by the adrenals during stressful situations and acting to reduce metabolism of glucose by the cells, decrease insulin sensitivity. Prolonged high sugar levels can have detrimental effects on the body and will eventually lead to diabetes.
An overactive, or under active, thyroid and an imbalance in the adrenal glands can contribute to a Weakened Immune System, leading to chronic infections or even cancer. The secretion of insulin by the pancreas can be disrupted and can lead to hypoglycaemia or diabetes, or in people who already have diabetes; it can aggravate the situation or cause it to become uncontrollable.
Excessive stress over long periods will also damage the thymus gland, the manufacturer of white blood cells that regulate our immunity. Due to the stress situation, the hormones secreted by the adrenals will cause the thymus to shrink and less white cells will be available to fight of damaging invaders. High stress can thus result in reduced functioning of the immune system.
Over stimulation of the kidneys and bladder can lead to symptoms such as, incontinence, infections, low libido, severe menopausal problems, and even infertility. In the past high blood pressure, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, high cholesterol, and similar ailments were not nearly as common as they are today. One reason may be that in modern life we have to face relentless mental stress, fast technology changes as well as the use of cellular phones, the internet, laptops and other electronic devices which bombard us with irradiation.
Other disorders that are directly related to stress include asthma, digestive disorders, ulcers, depression, pre-menstrual syndrome, headaches, skin problems, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, migraine, and auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, colds, spastic colon and a considerable amount of psychological wear and tear.
It is often advisable to take supplements together with a balanced diet when under stress. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids are essential for optimum health and proper functioning of the body-mind-emotions-spirit unit. They support and strengthen the systems of the body so that the metabolism functions optimally. When under stress we tend to eat less or irregularly and the body becomes depleted and add to the stress burden on the body. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can cause internal stress.
Stress is very personal, but it is also a sociological and corporate problem. Many working hours are lost due to illness related to stress. Anyone who is faced with important changes or new demands may be at risk from stress and stress related disorders. It affects the whole person and symptoms can take many forms. Unmanaged stress over time can be very detrimental to one's health. If one recognises the symptoms, the next step is to try and become aware of the causes and seek help.
There are many therapies today that one can choose from and the best would be to find the right one sooner, rather than too late.
Next time I will write about relaxation techniques for stress management.
Stress is a reaction to something or someone that is experienced by the individual via the senses of the body. We all need a certain amount of stress to be able to live and survive. We need it to excel in our work or strive towards growth and fulfilment in different fields. Without it, life will become extremely boring. However, we need to balance periods of stress with regular healing phases of rest and relaxation in order to keep our bodies healthy.
Constant, unbalanced, and chronic stress must be avoided as far as possible or at least managed, because this kind of stress, tension and anxiety has probably become the most common and serious problem facing our health and well being in our time.
Positive Stress
Stress is essential to spur us on, to motivate us and to provide the necessary stimulation to cope with the many challenging situations that we have to face from day to day. It also provides us with the sense of urgency and alertness when we are faced with threatening situations.
Negative Stress
Stress is probably the most common cause of ill health in modern society. It can have a harmful effect on mental, physical and spiritual health. It is therefore essential that we manage our stress levels.
Stress Symptoms
A variety of stress related symptoms may be experienced. This will vary from person to person. They include mental and emotional symptoms such as confusion, difficulty in decision making, panic attacks, inability to concentrate, short term memory loss, disorientation, depression, irritability, tearfulness, fits of rage and deterioration of personal appearance and hygiene, avoiding social contact.
Physical symptoms may include fatigue, bodily aches and pains, recurring infections, insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, loss of sexual desires, a reduced feeling of general well-being, accelerated ageing and systems failure.
Some Stress-related Illnesses
Stress is a significant contributory factor to Cardiovascular Disease. All people suffering from stress related abnormalities should examine their lifestyle and compile a list of priorities. One can recover from life-threatening cardiovascular disease by adopting a holistic approach to health.
Diabetes is another serious disorder that can develop due to stress. The release of adrenal hormones under stress can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels. Large amounts of cortisol, secreted by the adrenals during stressful situations and acting to reduce metabolism of glucose by the cells, decrease insulin sensitivity. Prolonged high sugar levels can have detrimental effects on the body and will eventually lead to diabetes.
An overactive, or under active, thyroid and an imbalance in the adrenal glands can contribute to a Weakened Immune System, leading to chronic infections or even cancer. The secretion of insulin by the pancreas can be disrupted and can lead to hypoglycaemia or diabetes, or in people who already have diabetes; it can aggravate the situation or cause it to become uncontrollable.
Excessive stress over long periods will also damage the thymus gland, the manufacturer of white blood cells that regulate our immunity. Due to the stress situation, the hormones secreted by the adrenals will cause the thymus to shrink and less white cells will be available to fight of damaging invaders. High stress can thus result in reduced functioning of the immune system.
Over stimulation of the kidneys and bladder can lead to symptoms such as, incontinence, infections, low libido, severe menopausal problems, and even infertility. In the past high blood pressure, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, high cholesterol, and similar ailments were not nearly as common as they are today. One reason may be that in modern life we have to face relentless mental stress, fast technology changes as well as the use of cellular phones, the internet, laptops and other electronic devices which bombard us with irradiation.
Other disorders that are directly related to stress include asthma, digestive disorders, ulcers, depression, pre-menstrual syndrome, headaches, skin problems, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, migraine, and auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, cancer, colds, spastic colon and a considerable amount of psychological wear and tear.
It is often advisable to take supplements together with a balanced diet when under stress. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids are essential for optimum health and proper functioning of the body-mind-emotions-spirit unit. They support and strengthen the systems of the body so that the metabolism functions optimally. When under stress we tend to eat less or irregularly and the body becomes depleted and add to the stress burden on the body. Vitamin and mineral deficiency can cause internal stress.
Stress is very personal, but it is also a sociological and corporate problem. Many working hours are lost due to illness related to stress. Anyone who is faced with important changes or new demands may be at risk from stress and stress related disorders. It affects the whole person and symptoms can take many forms. Unmanaged stress over time can be very detrimental to one's health. If one recognises the symptoms, the next step is to try and become aware of the causes and seek help.
There are many therapies today that one can choose from and the best would be to find the right one sooner, rather than too late.
Next time I will write about relaxation techniques for stress management.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Winter Blues
Woke up this morning to grey skys, pouring rain and claps of thunder; this is the driest part of Europe so when this happens it's quite an event! It reminded me of one of the main reasons that we left Belgium for Spain. We don't actually suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but we did find grey skys and rain depressing at times.
As you may know, SAD, also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter. The symptoms include sleeping too much, lack of energy and a craving for crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up. One of the causes is believed to be the lack of serotonin, specifically the amount of the enzyme Serotonin N-acetyltransferase.
There are many different treatments but one of the more popular is light therapy where the sufferer sits in front of a bright daylight white lamp for several short periods during the day. This has to be a special lamp as your average flourescent lamp is missing out several colour bands, even so-called daylight white ones.
Well, the sun's coming out now, so I'm off to squeeze myself some orange juice. Our plan for the day is to check out a new Yoga course we've found; it's calledThe Yoga Tutor eCourse. You can have a look yourself by clicking here: The Yoga Tutor
As you may know, SAD, also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter. The symptoms include sleeping too much, lack of energy and a craving for crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up. One of the causes is believed to be the lack of serotonin, specifically the amount of the enzyme Serotonin N-acetyltransferase.
There are many different treatments but one of the more popular is light therapy where the sufferer sits in front of a bright daylight white lamp for several short periods during the day. This has to be a special lamp as your average flourescent lamp is missing out several colour bands, even so-called daylight white ones.
Well, the sun's coming out now, so I'm off to squeeze myself some orange juice. Our plan for the day is to check out a new Yoga course we've found; it's calledThe Yoga Tutor eCourse. You can have a look yourself by clicking here: The Yoga Tutor
Saturday, 26 September 2009
The Importance Of Natural Health
Health is, or should be, the most natural state of being. The origins of the word are linked with those of wholeness and healing and is that complete sense of harmony, of being whole, that brings true health. This is also the ultimate aim of the natural healing systems, those that adopt a holistic view rather than the reductionist perspective that is evident in much of conventional modern medicine.
In the last 10 years of so, there has been a great revival of interest in natural therapies, both as a recognition of their tremendous value and also as a move away from some of the side effects and impersonal approaches of allopathic medicine. Many traditions of natural medicine extend back over several centuries, with an impressive accumulation of practical knowledge.
So let us look at some of the alternatives. The use of pure essential oils from plants dates back may centuries, and the history of aromatherapy is in many ways part of the history of herbal medicine as a whole.
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances. Pure oil of Rose, for instance, may require 5,000 roses to make just 5ml (one teaspoonful) of oil! For this reason they should be treated with respect and used sparingly. In large doses many essential oils can be somewhat irritating to the skin and a few are quite toxic if not used correctly.
Since a large part of the effect and emotional states occurs through our sense of smell, it is important not to use any individual oil for too long, as they become tolerated and less useful. As a general rule, do not use an oil on a daily basis for more than 10 days.
Similarly do not inhale or mix too many oils together at one time, the olfactory centre in the brain becomes confused and an excess of essences can cause headaches or even nausea.
It should not be forgotten that the power of aromatic plants extends beyond anti-septic or anti-inflammatory properties. It is well established that scent can evoke memories, change people's moods and make them feel good. Aromatherapy has developed in the last 20 years into a holistic system that tries to heal and balance the whole person. There are more and more Aromatherapy practitioners than ever before offering aromatherapy treatments.
What is hypnotherapy? It is a state of deep relaxation, a state of heightened awareness, combined with a feeling of calm lethargy. It can be best described as similar to that state between sleep and wakefulness, when you are aware of your surroundings and unwilling to move.
It's characteristics are a heightened susceptibility to beneficial suggestion and a much improved memory with access to 'forgotten' or repressed memories stored in the unconscious mind.
In itself, the hypnotic state is very pleasant, but nothing more than that. It is very similar to the mental states achieved during meditation and yoga. It is what the therapist and the client do together that makes it therapy.
Self-hypnosis may not be suitable for anyone suffering from mental illness, or taking medication, or from a nervous condition. It is also potentially dangerous to use self-hypnosis to mask pain as this could lead to a serious illness going undetected.
The basic concept behind Reflexology is that the whole body, indeed the whole person, is inter-connected and that imbalances in one part of the body are reflected in changes elsewhere.
Reflexology has expanded in popularity greatly across the world in the last 30 years. This is partly due to its relative simplicity as a non-invasive method of treatment, and partly from the plain fact that although nobody has successfully explained why it should work, it does.
Stretching and loosening the feet will in itself improve local circulation and help general relaxation. Using steady firm pressure you may locate tender spots on the feet. These should be treated with great gentleness and should not be pressed too hard or for too long as this can produce a strong reaction to the affected area of the body. The thumbs are normally used, although fingers may be more useful in some places. Any tenderness at the end of the massage can be eased by soothing or rubbing the feet afterwards.
Crystals have captured the imagination of humans for thousands of years. Crystals were used in ancient rituals to cure disease by placing certain stones on the body or pulverising them and mixing the powder in liquid-an early version of mineral water! Linked to particular 'subtle energy centres' of the body called chakras, according to an ancient Hindu system of healing-crystals are used by therapists who believe they can help a person physically, mentally and emotionally.
Ever since scientists determined that atoms- of which everything, including our bodies, is made-aren't solid but 99.9% empty space filled with energy in the form of vibrations, that alternative practices, including crystal healing, have been easier to understand. The fact is, everything we think of as hard matter is actually made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. What we think of as colour, for example, is simply this energy vibrating at different rates.
When Quartz crystal comes into contact with even a small amount of power it vibrates. In watches and clocks these vibrations become the pulse that causes the second hand to move accurately. When placed on or near a body, crystals can stimulate, balance or reduce the flow of life energy that, according to the eastern view of health must circulate freely for good health. In the same way that you tune in a radio, crystals are said to help ensure your body's cells are tuned to the right frequency.
Therapists use crystals in a variety of ways. Many practitioners keep a large piece of amethyst or clear Quartz crystal on their tables to cleanse and balance the energies in the room. Some use small pieces of differently coloured crystals on various chakra points depending on what emotional issues or illness needs to be healed. This is known as body lay out work and generally involves the client lying flat whilst the therapist arranges the crystals on your body according to what they intuitively feel is required.
Rock crystal is the ideal 'all purpose' crystal, used for physical ailments, emotional balance, meditation and spiritual awareness, boosting the effects of other crystals when used with them.
Amethyst is good for meditation to absorb emotional negativity. Rose Quartz boosts feelings of self-love promoting peacefulness and calm. Hematite is grounding and balancing.
People generally love the look of crystals; they come in many different shapes and sizes. It is interesting that you can instinctively feel drawn to a crystal without knowing why, it could be, say crystal healers that you are drawn to the crystal you need for healing purposes.
Holistic /complementary treatments and therapies fit the bill in helping us all to cope as we try and manage our very busy lifestyles.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance we need to place in looking after ourselves, and in a truly holistic way, treating our minds, bodies and spirits.
In my next article I will be writing on how your mental attitude can affect whether you are a success or a failure in life, and how you can turn things around.
In the last 10 years of so, there has been a great revival of interest in natural therapies, both as a recognition of their tremendous value and also as a move away from some of the side effects and impersonal approaches of allopathic medicine. Many traditions of natural medicine extend back over several centuries, with an impressive accumulation of practical knowledge.
So let us look at some of the alternatives. The use of pure essential oils from plants dates back may centuries, and the history of aromatherapy is in many ways part of the history of herbal medicine as a whole.
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances. Pure oil of Rose, for instance, may require 5,000 roses to make just 5ml (one teaspoonful) of oil! For this reason they should be treated with respect and used sparingly. In large doses many essential oils can be somewhat irritating to the skin and a few are quite toxic if not used correctly.
Since a large part of the effect and emotional states occurs through our sense of smell, it is important not to use any individual oil for too long, as they become tolerated and less useful. As a general rule, do not use an oil on a daily basis for more than 10 days.
Similarly do not inhale or mix too many oils together at one time, the olfactory centre in the brain becomes confused and an excess of essences can cause headaches or even nausea.
It should not be forgotten that the power of aromatic plants extends beyond anti-septic or anti-inflammatory properties. It is well established that scent can evoke memories, change people's moods and make them feel good. Aromatherapy has developed in the last 20 years into a holistic system that tries to heal and balance the whole person. There are more and more Aromatherapy practitioners than ever before offering aromatherapy treatments.
What is hypnotherapy? It is a state of deep relaxation, a state of heightened awareness, combined with a feeling of calm lethargy. It can be best described as similar to that state between sleep and wakefulness, when you are aware of your surroundings and unwilling to move.
It's characteristics are a heightened susceptibility to beneficial suggestion and a much improved memory with access to 'forgotten' or repressed memories stored in the unconscious mind.
In itself, the hypnotic state is very pleasant, but nothing more than that. It is very similar to the mental states achieved during meditation and yoga. It is what the therapist and the client do together that makes it therapy.
Self-hypnosis may not be suitable for anyone suffering from mental illness, or taking medication, or from a nervous condition. It is also potentially dangerous to use self-hypnosis to mask pain as this could lead to a serious illness going undetected.
The basic concept behind Reflexology is that the whole body, indeed the whole person, is inter-connected and that imbalances in one part of the body are reflected in changes elsewhere.
Reflexology has expanded in popularity greatly across the world in the last 30 years. This is partly due to its relative simplicity as a non-invasive method of treatment, and partly from the plain fact that although nobody has successfully explained why it should work, it does.
Stretching and loosening the feet will in itself improve local circulation and help general relaxation. Using steady firm pressure you may locate tender spots on the feet. These should be treated with great gentleness and should not be pressed too hard or for too long as this can produce a strong reaction to the affected area of the body. The thumbs are normally used, although fingers may be more useful in some places. Any tenderness at the end of the massage can be eased by soothing or rubbing the feet afterwards.
Crystals have captured the imagination of humans for thousands of years. Crystals were used in ancient rituals to cure disease by placing certain stones on the body or pulverising them and mixing the powder in liquid-an early version of mineral water! Linked to particular 'subtle energy centres' of the body called chakras, according to an ancient Hindu system of healing-crystals are used by therapists who believe they can help a person physically, mentally and emotionally.
Ever since scientists determined that atoms- of which everything, including our bodies, is made-aren't solid but 99.9% empty space filled with energy in the form of vibrations, that alternative practices, including crystal healing, have been easier to understand. The fact is, everything we think of as hard matter is actually made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. What we think of as colour, for example, is simply this energy vibrating at different rates.
When Quartz crystal comes into contact with even a small amount of power it vibrates. In watches and clocks these vibrations become the pulse that causes the second hand to move accurately. When placed on or near a body, crystals can stimulate, balance or reduce the flow of life energy that, according to the eastern view of health must circulate freely for good health. In the same way that you tune in a radio, crystals are said to help ensure your body's cells are tuned to the right frequency.
Therapists use crystals in a variety of ways. Many practitioners keep a large piece of amethyst or clear Quartz crystal on their tables to cleanse and balance the energies in the room. Some use small pieces of differently coloured crystals on various chakra points depending on what emotional issues or illness needs to be healed. This is known as body lay out work and generally involves the client lying flat whilst the therapist arranges the crystals on your body according to what they intuitively feel is required.
Rock crystal is the ideal 'all purpose' crystal, used for physical ailments, emotional balance, meditation and spiritual awareness, boosting the effects of other crystals when used with them.
Amethyst is good for meditation to absorb emotional negativity. Rose Quartz boosts feelings of self-love promoting peacefulness and calm. Hematite is grounding and balancing.
People generally love the look of crystals; they come in many different shapes and sizes. It is interesting that you can instinctively feel drawn to a crystal without knowing why, it could be, say crystal healers that you are drawn to the crystal you need for healing purposes.
Holistic /complementary treatments and therapies fit the bill in helping us all to cope as we try and manage our very busy lifestyles.
I cannot emphasise enough the importance we need to place in looking after ourselves, and in a truly holistic way, treating our minds, bodies and spirits.
In my next article I will be writing on how your mental attitude can affect whether you are a success or a failure in life, and how you can turn things around.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Introduction to the Revita Centre
Hi,
Welcome to the new blog from the Revita Health Centre, the natural health and relaxation centre in the Almeria province of southern Spain.
Ria, who founded and heads up the centre, has been an holistic practitioner since 1990 and she has trained in many fields such as cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, psychotherapy & counselling, iridology, hypnotherapy, Bach flowers, crystal healing, TT and nutrition.
Ria focuses on the underlying causes of disease rather than treating symptoms alone. She has been a certified therapist since 1996 and has developed an extensive practice dedicated to creating total wellness and self-empowerment based on the body, mind, soul connection.
We intend to bring you regular articles related to natural health, probably mixed in with some local news and opinion.
We hope you will pay us a visit often. You can find out many of the things we do at our website: http://www.revita-health.com/en
Welcome to the new blog from the Revita Health Centre, the natural health and relaxation centre in the Almeria province of southern Spain.
Ria, who founded and heads up the centre, has been an holistic practitioner since 1990 and she has trained in many fields such as cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, psychotherapy & counselling, iridology, hypnotherapy, Bach flowers, crystal healing, TT and nutrition.
Ria focuses on the underlying causes of disease rather than treating symptoms alone. She has been a certified therapist since 1996 and has developed an extensive practice dedicated to creating total wellness and self-empowerment based on the body, mind, soul connection.
We intend to bring you regular articles related to natural health, probably mixed in with some local news and opinion.
We hope you will pay us a visit often. You can find out many of the things we do at our website: http://www.revita-health.com/en
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
