22
August
2008
In an article posted on the New York Times, acupuncture has once again come into the limelight for yet another health condition — male baldness and alopecia. The new procedure, patented by Pil Chun, is claimed to be effective in treating baldness without the side effects of certain conventional products and treatment methods.
Acupuncture
Though this Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment may or may not be helpful in treating baldness, there have been studies that have shown that acupuncture is beneficial in relieving symptoms of cancer treatments, as well as the potential of boosting fertility in women.
Other health ailments that acupuncture may be successful in treating include relief of chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia, migraines, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), arthritis, stress, and promotion of overall wellbeing.
As with any healthcare treatment, including acupuncture and other natural health medicines, it’s generally a good idea to check with your primary healthcare physician to determine if this or other new health regimens are appropriate for your condition.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other alternative medicine therapies, explore your potential by applying to any one of the unique acupuncture programs or other complementary medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
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19
August
2008
Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is a unique energy healing therapy. With an age-old history derived from Japan, Reiki energy healing only found its passage to the United States during the 1970s by Hawayo Takata, a Reiki practitioner, who had been trained by Chujiro Hayashi. Teaching others so they, too, could learn this ancient healing art, Reiki has since evolved and has been included in many natural healing and alternative medicine teachings.
Now a fairly common energy healing treatment, quite a few natural health practitioners like massage therapists, chiropractors, and other holistic healthcare providers (including holistic nurses) facilitate Reiki in their general practice.
What is it? Reiki is founded on the principles of the universal flow of energy or “life force,” which is believed to have the ability to produce natural healing effects. According to the International Association of Reiki Professionals, a Reiki session can last between one hour and 90 minutes, and may involve light touch or none at all. The hands of the Reiki practitioner are typically held close the patient’s body without touching. With hand positions being moved to different locations of the body, patients may feel a sensation of warmth, and sometimes just a sense of relaxation.
Intended to be a complementary health tool, Reiki therapy is a often facilitated to relieve stress and anxiety; and to improve the quality of life and wellbeing.
If you are interested in learning more about Reiki or other alternative healing therapies, explore your potential by applying to any one of the unique energy healing programs or other holistic medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
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18
August
2008
Okay… so not all of us may have heard about biofeedback, but it is in fact a vastly-studied alternative medicine that has been making waves in the alternative health community.
What is biofeedback? Imagine being able to consciously be aware of the inner workings of your physical body…actively knowing what your blood pressure is, your heart rate, and more in real time. What biofeedback* does is to enable patients to become fully proactive in the physical processes that we often take for granted and aren’t fully conscious of what these physical processes are doing in our bodies. The theory behind biofeedback is that by raising our levels of consciousness to what these physical processes are doing, we can learn how to control these physiological functions. (*Biofeedback is conducted through a machine that measures various levels of the body such as blood pressure, brain waves, skin temperature, etc.)
Biofeedback
For instance, many of us link words and thoughts with audio or visual places in our mind. This makes remembering names, people, or events much easier. Biofeedback, however, takes these thought processes and expands upon this foundation by linking active information about our physical health in real time so that we can make eye-mind contact and link a conscious understanding of what our bodies are automatically doing. In doing so, we have the potential to consciously affect our otherwise automatic physical functions.
Another way to explain this alternative medicine is as follows: If you are actively engaged in a physical process like building a structure or molding a piece of clay, you are able to proactively shape that structure or clay the way you see fit. The same theory applies to biofeedback. Instead of hearing about your high blood pressure, you are placed in a position where you can take control of the situation because your levels of awareness enable you to make a conscious effort to shape your physical or emotional wellbeing.
Alternative medicine practitioners and other healthcare providers, who practice biofeedback, have received certification and education specific to this field. In addition to distance learning studies, biofeedback is offered through individual courses, workshops, and seminars. Additional training may be provided through teleseminars, and continuing education programs.
If you are interested in learning more about biofeedback or other alternative health therapies, explore your potential by applying to any one of the unique alternative medicine programs or other holistic medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
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18
August
2008
There are many valid reasons for animal massage therapy. Besides pampering your four-legged furball with healing touch, massage for dogs and other animals can offer genuine health benefits.
Massage therapy for our canine and feline friends is excellent for boosting circulation, improving tone and physical strength, and acts as an emotional bond-strengthener as well. Aside from the physical aspects, pets that receive healing touch therapies like massage therapy acquire better social skills. Additional healing benefits of cat or dog massage therapy, especially acupressure, can be effective in relieving arthritic symptoms.
With the field of massage therapy growing rapidly in these United States, and demand for this and other natural healing therapies on the rise, those who have completed supplemental training in therapeutic massage for dogs, cats, and/or horses may discover additional employment opportunities at veterinarian offices, track race events, and other wellness centers that offer pet massage.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other natural healing and holistic health therapies, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many massage therapy programs or other holistic medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
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13
August
2008
Thai massage is an ancient healing art that has been carried over from the far East to these United States and other countries around the world. Major news network CNN featured Thai massage in one their health and fitness reports and elaborated on the uniqueness of this natural healing method – which some have referred to as the “lazy man’s yoga.”
A Massage Therapist Practicing Thai Massage
Thai massage is a form of bodywork that assists in aligning the skeletal system. Aside from relieving musculoskeletal conditions, this Oriental medicine is also a form of energy healing that helps to restore balance to the body.
Known by several other Thai names like “Nuat phaen boran,” “Buntautuk” style, and additional traditional Thai names, Thai massage is founded on the principles of Ayurveda and ancient massage techniques. Originating in India, Thai massage is a hands-on-healing modality that includes up to ten regional styles.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other natural healing and Oriental medicine therapies, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many massage therapy programs or other holistic medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
*Sources - HolisticJunction.com, Wikipedia
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13
August
2008
In a pilot study conducted by the University of Leeds in England, reflexology and foot massage were examined to determine whether this natural healing medicine could positively affect the cardiovascular system.
Reflexology
The findings in this single study demonstrated that reflexology and foot massage reduced the “baroreceptor reflex sensitivity” (the baroreceptor reflex is one of the body’s blood pressure maintenance mechanisms). For instance, when the sensitivity is reduced, arterial pressure is also reduced; which subsequently lowers blood pressure. Respectively, this natural health study indicates that reflexology and foot massage may in fact be able to stimulate the sensors in the nervous system of the feet that are interconnected to the baroreceptor reflex.
Like massage therapy and other healing arts, reflexology is a fast-growing field of the natural health industry. Often included in a number of massage therapy and holistic health education programs, reflexology instruction is also provided through holistic workshops, seminars, and stand-alone academic courses.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other alternative medicine or holistic health, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many reflexology programs or other natural medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
*Source - Complementary Therapies in Medicine (Volume 5, Issue 2, June 1997, Pages 80-84)
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12
August
2008
Mind-Body medicine is making headlines once again as researchers across the world are proving that an integrative health approach including alternative healthcare treatments in biofeedback, breathing techniques, guided imagery, meditation, movement, and other self-expression therapies (drawing, etc.) have had a beneficial impact on a number of individuals, who suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
The study, carried out by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM) demonstrated that this compilation of mind-body medicine has shown promising results to help treat those suffering from this commonly misunderstood health disorder.
The randomized-controlled trial of these combined mind-body medicine therapies produced a remarkable outcome. The participants of the mind-body medicine trial had a marked improvement compared to other non-trial groups – boasting PTSD symptom reductions between 100 and 18 percent. With the potential to serve as a non-invasive and alternative medicine model for PTSD patients in the future, this mind-body medicine may become one of the safest, natural health treatments for this condition.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other alternative medicine or holistic health treatments, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many mind-body medicine programs or other alternative medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
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5
August
2008
In recent research, acupuncture was studied through the aid of a conventional medical instrument — the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine.
This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy was tested under the scrutiny of this modern medical instrument to gain an understanding on how this ancient Oriental medicine has the potential to stimulate the central nervous system to help in healing eye disorders, as well as other health conditions.
Preliminary research demonstrated that acupuncture (and acupoints) may stimulate or initiate the relative brain cortex, which subsequently controls the hormonal or chemical release mechanisms of the affected organ(s). For a lack of better words, MRI scans showed that acupuncture lit up the screen with brilliant resolution. This alternative medicine treatment has, through MRI study, shown its unique but effective potential in helping to treat diseases and disorders through the central nervous system.
Is acupuncture an effective therapy for treating all ailments? As with all holistic medicine therapies, it is always a good idea to check with your personal healthcare provider to determine if Oriental medicine might be right for you. In many cases, acupuncture is an excellent complementary medicine to most conventional therapies.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other alternative medicine or holistic health treatments, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many Oriental medicine programs or other alternative medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
*Source - PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences); “New findings of the correlation between acupoints and corresponding brain cortices using functional MRI”
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5
August
2008
You bet your bottom dollar you do…Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is a holistic healing nutrient that can be found in a number of healthy food sources like whole grains, lean meat, fish, and beans, among other natural health foods.
But for what is this natural health nutrient good? For starters, if your body is lacking in thiamine (B1), there are warning signs that you may be experiencing…for example, lack of B1 can cause a wide range of health problems including nerve damage, fatigue, and in some cases, even brain damage.
As a natural healing agent, Vitamin B1 is necessary to help maintain the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous system. Additionally, if you’re a big carbohydrate* consumer (*pasta, cereal, etc.), thiamine helps to convert these carbs into energy for the body.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other natural or holistic health treatments, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many natural healing programs or other alternative medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
*Source - MedLine Plus (Medical Encyclopedia)
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5
August
2008
While some of us may have heard about IV (intravenous) therapy like chelation, researchers have found that vitamin C, when used in intravenous form, has the ability to produce hydrogen peroxide. What does that mean? As a natural healing agent, IV C has the potential to aid in the reduction of cancerous tumors.
Of course it’s no wonder why vitamin C offers so many natural health benefits…Essential for growth and development of the human body, vitamin C is absolutely necessary to help grow and repair tissues; thus, enabling the body to heal wounds and maintain bones, cartilage, and even teeth.
As an antioxidant, this natural health nutrient may help stop free radicals from damaging your body. In addition, this natural medicine is also helpful in treating a number of health problems like arthritis, heart disease, and more.
If you are interested in learning more about this or other natural or holistic health treatments, explore your potential by applying to any one of the many natural healing programs or other alternative medicine courses at Holistic Junction today.
*Source - PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences); “Tumor promoter-induced membrane-bound protein kinase C regulates hematogenous metastasis”
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