Acupuncture and Weight Loss

There are a lot of people who are overweight. For those who are obese, perhaps surgery is the best option but for those who can’t, they can try to see if acupuncture can help take out the excess weight.

Acupuncture is a form of holistic healthcare that uses needles to help treat a patient.  Unlike the cartoon where the balloon will pop and all the air will go out, the needles that are inserted into the vital points will stimulate the body to release endorphins thus helping the person control their appetite.

But before needles are inserted, the specialist will first ask the patient some questions and perform an examination. This is needed to understand the main cause for the person to be overweight.

Part of examination is to help the acupuncturist figure out where the needles will be inserted. Your pulse will give the person an idea on your general state of energy and the general health of your stomach.

You will also have to open your mouth and show your tongue to check for cracks, peelings or puffiness on the stomach area as this provides clues to why you are overweight.

Once he or she knows the reason, this is the time that the needles are inserted into different parts of the body. One way is called the multi-targeted approach which is designed to lower the body’s weight by increasing the output of the pituitary gland.

The areas where the needles will be inserted will be in the ear and in two of three body points.  These areas could also include the mouth, the stomach, the lung, the endocrine, the spleen, kidney or thyroid.

During the initial treatment, the “Four Gate” points would be used to circulate energy throughout the entire body. It is also possible that electro simulation will also be done to increase endorphin release and stimulate metabolism.

These needles will be kept in place for 30 to 45 minutes depending on how much support is needed. These are then removed and replaced with ear tacs with adhesives to make sure they are in the same spot as the needles.

These ear tacs work by applying mild pressure whenever he or she feels hungry. It causes a mild endorphin release and helps the patient relax making it possible to use their willpower and resist the temptation to eat.

The patient will also have to reduce cravings on certain food by cutting down the intake. Some studies suggest that this can also lower insulin levels or lipid levels in the blood.

The best part about acupuncture is that there are no harmful side effects and no chance for an addiction to occur. The patient will have to come back for regular treatment and have to pay attention to one’s diet and exercise regularly as needles can only do so much to control one’s weight.

The number of treatments for someone who is overweight varies depending on how many pounds they want to lose, the speed at which they want to lose it and their commitment to sticking to the plan. 

The average patient on the other hand who wants to lose 5 to 10 pounds will have to come for treatment every three days or twice a week then once this is attained, once every two weeks. It is up to the person until when the treatment will be done which shows that acupuncture can help you lose weight.

Next " Acupuncture can be used for anyone"

cheers
Bobby

A Quick-Start guide to Acupuncture

Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease.

Needling is a relatively safe, beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, improve healing, and increase general well-being. But exactly how is this procedure done and what sort of benefits can be obtained?

Procedure for Needle Puncture

There are two broad categories of acupuncture practice today, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. Both have their merits, so the choice is individual. The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension.

In TCM, practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, or energy flow, and the meridians in which they travel. They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points. Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years.

In medical acupuncture, the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, but on anatomic data. These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. Nevertheless, many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method.

Conditions for Puncture Application

There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture. The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation, anxiety to weight loss. Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, therefore amenable to needle therapy. Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain.

Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. Migraines, premenstrual syndrome, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuralgias are but a few examples. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, called the gate-control theory of pain. It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers.

Expected Puncture Session Result

It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. After undergoing a needle puncture regimen, the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies.

A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition. Results also vary, so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. In general, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key.

In modern medicine, the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again. Modern practice guidelines make it effective, reproducible, and safe. It is a gift of healing form ancient sages that has the potential to bring relief to millions of people.


Next "Acupuncture and Autism"
cheers
Bobby

Acupuncture and Autism

Studies have shown that there is an increase in the number of children that have been diagnosed with autism. Until now, doctors have not yet found a cure to this illness which is why some parents want to experiment with alternative forms of treatment and one example is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach in treating and preventing certain diseases. Its main tool are very thin needles that are inserted to targeted points in the body. The body has about 400 of them linked through a system known as meridians or pathways. Once these are stimulated, these are supposed to create balance in the body.

Autism on the other hand is a brain disorder that is long term. This disease is characterized by deficits in language, social communication and cognition. Children who are diagnosed with this illness may also suffer from secondary problems such as aggression, irritability, stereotypes, hyperactivity, negativism, volatile emotions, temper tantrums, short attention span and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Preliminary studies have shown that acupuncture may provide symptomatic relief to children suffering from autism. Although difficult at first, it is believed that it is rewarding in the long run. This is because while conventional therapy and treatment requires that the child stay still, acupuncture doesn’t. Some say it’s a quick prick at the vital points in the body.

A group of children in the US participated in a test to see how effective acupuncture is among children. There are 22 respondents and each of them was given the treatment once every other day for four months.

After the treatment 20 out of the 22 respondents showed remarkable improvement. In fact 2 of them has cerebral blood flow.  The only thing that did not change prior to treatment and after was the blood flow between the left and right cerebrum as it showed no differences.

Aside from traditional acupuncture to help children with autism, a preliminary study in Hong Kong is trying to see if tongue acupuncture can produce better results.

Results have showed that of 30 respondents in the test, majority showed functional improvement of various degrees depending on the age and severity of their disabilities. Some improvement was noticeable within a few TAC sessions, especially for drooling, spasticity (scissoring or tiptoeing), ataxia, and poor balance in walking. Functional improvement was noted after one to two courses of TAC. Most children tolerated TAC well, with only occasional pain and minor bleeding in some patients.

The reason why tongue acupuncture is being experimented with is because there is a connection between the tongue and the heart through the meridians that spread to all the organs in the body. It is believed that the points on the tongue can influence the state of the other body organs thus giving relief to the one suffering from autism.

But many believe that acupuncture alone cannot help autism sufferers. It has to be combined with other things like maintaining a certain diet to help improve one’s mood and communication schools. Although it is only short term, it is better than nothing until a cure is found. 

When will the cure be found? Only time can tell as there are many other questions that have to be answered in order for doctors to further understand neurological disabilities. Doctors who are conducting research believe that an interdisciplinary approach is needed given that acupuncture has shown positive results in helping children with autism.

Next "Acupuncture and Weight Loss"

cheers
Bobby

A Primer on Medical Acupuncture

Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word “acupuncture”. It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, even downright horror. 

The fact is, however, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people. Properly used, it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue.

How does needle puncture work?

Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. This energy, called Qi, circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. Much like plumbing, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, causing health problems. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow.

It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, and microscopic connective tissue changes. 

What risks and side effects are of concern?

The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Results are what are truly important. However, it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely.

Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, acupuncture may have some side effects. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. For needle puncture, there is a risk of injury, rare infections, minor bleeding, small bruises, and some dizziness.

You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations.

How do treatments go?

An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body’s current state. Multiple pressure points are palpated, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, but no real pain.

Right after each acupuncture session, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. The response to acupuncture is very individual. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. For some patients, the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.

You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.

The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide.

Next "A Quick-Start guide to Acupuncture"

cheers,
Bobby

Choosing an Indoor Houseplant

When you are choosing a house plant you need to go beyond the appearance of the plant
although that is a good place to start.  If there is a certain kind of plant that you want to
have look into the care instructions first.  Some plants need more care and others are best
left to an expert gardener as opposed to a novice one.  If you fall into the latter category
of gardeners you will want plants that are easy to care for, are hardy, and have a low
maintenance schedule.

Ferns are a popular choice for indoor gardens as they are easy to care for, do not require
to be repotted very often and are attractive.  There is a wide range of fern varieties
available and each one has a unique look.  Some of the different ferns great for
houseplants are:

*    Maidenhair Ferns
*    Davallias
*    Fishbone Ferns
*    Cretan Brake Ferns

Begonias are a great choice for the indoors too especially if you do not have a great light
source.  This plant can survive on very little light each day.  Some will flower indoors but
the leaves are beautiful on their own too.  They also don’t mind cooler temperatures
either, but it should not get colder than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).  A few
the begonia varieties available:

*    Rex Begonias
*    Iron Cross Begonias
*    Begonia Masoniana

The fern and begonia aren’t the only breeds of houseplant that will survive even the
newest of green thumbs.  Here is list of different kinds of plants you can try too:

*    Spider Plants
*    Devil’s Ivy
*    Cast Iron Plants
*    Chinese Evergreen

Once you have a few plants in your indoor garden and are comfortable with the care
required, you will have the skill and confidence needed to take care of a higher-needs
variety.

cheers & happy gardening!

Bobby

An Inside Vegetable Garden

Houseplants and herb gardens are well-known as common plants that are grown indoors. 
But they are not the only plants that can be grown indoors.  By using the right containers
and having the ability to mimic the ideal growing conditions you can also have an indoor
vegetable garden.  The benefits of having one go beyond the beautification of your home
or the relaxation you get from gardening, but you can also pick your own vegetables right
in your kitchen.

Carrots, tomatoes, and radishes are three of the easiest vegetable to grow indoors.  Each
grows differently and will need separate containers but with some research this is not a
problem.  A south-facing window is the best source of natural sunlight for your
vegetables to grow in.  If you do not have the right exposure, you can invest in an
artificial bulb to provide supplemental light.

As with any container you choose to grow plants in, making sure there is enough
drainage is key.  If your plants sit in too much water they are not going to survive.  If the
pots you choose do not have holes in the bottom be sure to put a layer of gravel or wood
chips to allow the water to run out of the soil.  The flip side of this is not to ensure the
water does not run out too quickly either.

When choosing the types of vegetables to plant, follow the same guidelines as you would
for outdoors.  On the seed packets it will give recommendations on when to plant, the
amount of light and water that is needed and the spacing requirements.  Tailor your water
schedule according to the condition of the soil, make sure it doesn’t get too dry or stay
too wet either.

By the end of the summer or early fall you should be able to harvest the vegetables grown
inside your own home.

Next "Choosing an Indoor Houseplant "

cheers
Bobby

Aloe Vera and other Beneficial Houseplants

Many families have grown up with an aloe vera plant in the kitchen.  This succulent plant
is great for indoor gardening as it is hardy and easy to care for.  Moreover, they are great
for skin care and minor cuts and burns that can happen in the kitchen while cooking.  To
use as a first aid item, cut a portion of one of the leaves and squeeze the inner gel onto the
hurt area.  With repeated use, the aloe vera will aid in healing and sooth the pain.

In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have
around the house.  An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural
ingredients to many dishes.  From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives
mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel. 

Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some
herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too.  Some herbs that can be used as tea
leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.

There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion.  They can be
broken of the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first. 

*    Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in
infants. 
*    Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
*    Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too.  It is also used for increasing the
amount of breast milk produced in mothers.

This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants.  It is recommended to
research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.





Next article "An Inside Vegetable Garden"


cheers
Bobby

A Terrarium as an Indoor Garden

There is a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don’t have the time
or a green thumb to take care of them.  A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat. 
Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or other container you
have chosen) the plants inside create their own eco-system – all you have to do is enjoy
it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination.  Traditionally
a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely
too.  Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won’t be able
to admire your handiwork once it is completed.  Whatever size or material you choose for
your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak.  You need the water and
moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don’t want a mess inside your house.

The plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a
humid environment.  Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly
Trap, sundew, or pitch plant) or rain forest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or
fittonia). 

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden.  They need indirect sunlight (not too
bright) and no water is needed after the initial water is added.  The heat from inside the
terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the
plants.  This process will continue keeping your plants alive.  If there is too much water
present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small
amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil’s moisture level (not too wet or dry).

Next artilce "Aloe Vera and other Beneficial Houseplants"

cheers,
Bobby

When Workouts Go Wrong: Aerobics and Injuries

Aerobics are great exercises to do to get your heart pumping and your body sweating. You can use aerobic exercises in order to lose weight, build endurance, and stay heart healthy. However, there is also a downside to aerobic exercising for some people. If you are not careful, you could get injured due to aerobic exercise. Therefore, it is important to follow these tips to making sure you are exercising and using aerobics in a fun and healthy way for your body.

First and foremost, when you are doing aerobics consider your dress. Wearing good shoes is important. Aerobics require lots of movement, so when you have worn shoes or laces that come untied often, there is a good chance you may slip and fall. You should also consider the other articles of clothing you’re wearing. If they are too constricting or too heavy, you may become more easily overheated. Your clothing should breathe well and not be too tight in order to prevent you from injury.

Also consider your workout area, especially if you are working out at home. When you’re at home, you’ll need to make sure that you area is large enough for you to move and not bang into anything. It is also crucial that you service your workout equipment to make sure that it is in the best shape possible and will not cause injury. Your workout area at home should also be clean. When you workout, you sweat a lot and breathe heavily, so if you’re doing that in a dirty environment, you could pick up some nasty bacteria or viral infections.

Another tip to staying safe is to not push yourself too much. While it is important to push yourself in order to have the best and most intense workout possible. When you push yourself too hard, however, you put may find yourself pulling muscles, experiencing cramps, or otherwise injuring your body.

Your doctor can tell you more about how to stay safe while exercising. Remembering to warm up and cool down is necessary, as is doing the right exercises for your body, age, and gender. When you work out, you should feel your best, not be worried about injury.

Staying safe is important. If you are hurt, you won’t be able to do aerobics while you recover, and you will miss out on days or even weeks of training. If your health is important to you, that should include your safety, so take measures to being safe whenever you hit the gym to do your aerobics workout. 

cheers to good health!

Bobby

Choosing a Gym for Aerobic exercise

When it comes right down to it, how you work out is very important. Everyone knows that it is important that you get a certain amount of exercise, and that you work your body in a certain way so that all of the muscle groups can get stronger, but you might not know that it is also important to have somewhere that you work out that is going to benefit your style and you as a person, so that you can have the best chance of being successful when it comes to working out.

There are many things that you have to consider when you are choosing a gym for aerobic exercise. The most important thing to think about is the fact that not everyone gets healthy in the same way. If you haven’t worked out much before, or if you have and it hasn’t been successful, perhaps you don’t know yet what way you are going to handle exercising the best, and what types of aerobic exercise are going to be most important to you. Therefore, no matter what level of fitness you are at, you have to be choosing a gym that really meets your needs by having lots of options. You always want to pick a gym for aerobic exercise that has a lot of options for you, because you never know when you might benefit from a change in how you work out and in how you get your exercise. This means that you have to be sure you are getting the most out of everything that you are doing, and you have to pick a gym that has lots of options.

That said, you also want to pick a gym that has modern equipment, and that has enough of it to accommodate all of the people that go there. You want to be able to work out when you have a chance, so be sure that you pick one that has hours that correspond to your needs. Be sure that you are getting as much out of your gym as you can.

Also, one of the biggest factors in how successful you are at working out is your attitude, so be sure that you pick a gym that caters to a positive attitude and one that makes you feel good about yourself. You’ll be much more likely to use it and therefore much more likely to be successful. Gyms come in all shapes and sizes (and price ranges), so you should be able to find a great one in your area. 

cheers

Bobby

Aerobics and Healthy Eating

There are many factors that come into play when you want to begin to talk about aerobics and healthy eating. No matter what, you should know that you can concentrate a lot of your enthusiasm for getting more healthy onto both aerobics and what you are eating, because these two things play into each other very well. Healthy eating is important for any kind of exercising style.

   

When it comes to aerobics and healthy eating, you should know that as you start to get more and more active, it is going to be very important that you have a good meal and a good diet to fall back on. As you start to want to be healthier, your diet is really the first thing that you should change about yourself. See your doctor for suggestions of what you should be eating, and implement these changes as soon as you can, because you are going to find that changing what you are eating is the best way to begin to be healthy and to lead a healthy lifestyle.

After you have started by changing what you are doing and how you are eating, you have to get into the routine of exercising in general. This is often something that is hard for people to do, because it takes a lot out of them and brings them into a situation where they really need to get down to business. By doing aerobics and other types of activity, you are going to be burning more fat and so your body is going to be needing more protein. This means that diets aren’t going to help you, because if you don’t have the proper protein that your body needs, you might find that you are too weak to work out as you should.

Therefore, the first thing that you have to focus on is eating a good diet – and then you have to realize that this diet shouldn’t be that cuts back on your eating habits completely, because many times these aren’t going to have the proper nutrients for what you need as you are doing aerobics. Be sure that you are giving yourself plenty of chances to get as good of foods as you can when it comes to eating well, and be sure to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about what you should and should not be eating. These are all very important things that you can do to make sure you are on the right track when it comes to fitness as a whole. 

cheers

Bobby

What’s not to Love? The Benefits of Aerobics

There are more benefits of aerobics for your body that you could possibly count. All over the world today, people are talking about new and better ways to work out, because all over the world the health rates of people are falling into very dangerous territories. That means that doctors and other health care professionals have been talking about the benefits of aerobics for some time. You too can cash in on this get kind of exercise.

   

There are simply too many benefits of aerobics to mention quickly. However, there are a few that stick out as very important. For instance, the best way that you can make sure you are living a healthy life is to get your heart rate pumping, and the absolute best way to get your heart rate going is to find something that you can do like aerobics, that requires constant movement without any resting In order to be really and truly healthy, you have to be able to have a constant movement and to get your heart rate going for a length of time. 

Allowing your hear to keep going a higher rate than resting for a set amount of time is one of the best ways to get healthy, because this delivers blood and oxygen to each part of your body at an even faster rate.

There are also many more benefits of aerobics that you might not have even realized. Besides for making your heart and lungs strong, aerobics makes all of your muscles stronger because you have to keep them moving for longer periods of time without stopping. This means that no matter what part of your body you are concentrating your aerobics on working, you’re going to find that you are getting stronger and stronger as time goes on.

You should talk to a doctor if you are interested in getting a full list of the benefits of aerobics, but know right away that there are many. Before you begin an aerobics routine, however, you should be sure that you are talking to your doctor, because there are some people who need to work their way up to a full fledge routine because of other health issues. Be sure that you have the green light from your doctor so you can get started on getting the benefits of aerobics straight to yourself! You will never feel so healthy as when you are working out and taking care of yourself, and getting into an aerobics routine is the best way for you to accomplish this.

 cheers

Bobby