Posts Tagged ‘acupressure’

Acupuncture Treatment

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine practices have been coming to the forefront of medical treatment options in recent years. With a documented history of 5000 years, this ancient healing art provides us with an alternative to conventional medicine and the side effects that are all too often experienced.

Acupuncture is considered a ‘functional medicine’ in that it addresses the underlying root causes of disease and is very personalized to each individual. For example, two people may receive acupuncture treatments for headaches, but because their ‘root cause’ is individual and unique to each person, their treatments may be vastly different. In treating the root cause, the symptoms either disappear completely or are greatly reduced.

Acupuncture is a method of curing illnesses through the insertion of needles in targeted points in the body for improved stimulation. The needles used for acupuncture are very thin. They are only a little thicker than a human hair. The main purpose of acupuncture is actually to normalize the flow of blood and balance the yin and yang in the body but, because it is very effective in curing certain diseases, it is now used as an alternative healing method.

In acupuncture the Chinese terms jing luo means meridian or channel and qi (chi) means natural energy or vital energy and xue mean acupuncture points or acupoints. It is believed that qi or energy circulates throughout the body through the jing luo or the channels or meridians of which there are about 12 main ones and about 8 minor ones. The acupuncture points are the locations of the meridians or channels found close to the surface of our body. There may be about 2000 of these acupoints used for various treatments.

There are two common terms in the traditional Chinese medicine system. They are yin and yang. Yin is thought to be the cold, passive or female principle whilst yang is thought to be the hot, active or male principle. They are two opposite forces. A state of harmony is said to be achieved when these two opposing forces are in balance. If there is an imbalance of the two, the flow of vital energy or natural energy is blocked and it is believed that disease and all other ailments come about as a result of this imbalance. This imbalance can occur when a person is depressed, due to grief, anger or fear, stressed or when it is very cold, very hot, humid, windy or dry. Factors such as an improper diet, exhaustion, overwork and too much sex can bring about this imbalance as well.

It is actually very difficult to find the cause of certain diseases through acupuncture alone, because you will have to observe how a person responds to treatments and stimuli very closely. Therefore it will take a very talented and experienced acupuncturist to correctly diagnose an illness. You should also note that acupuncture is not only used to cure diseases, it can also be used to relieve back pain, muscle pain, or to just stimulate the flow of your blood so you feel energized. For example, a symptomatic treatment is a very difficult procedure because it requires that the acupuncturist remove the symptoms of an illness. The acupuncturist must know the critical acupuncture points he should stimulate and he must be knowledgeable about how the point relates to other parts of the body.

You should not be surprised if your acupuncturist uses different techniques in treating you in every single session. An acupuncturist’s techniques may vary because if one particular area is stimulated too often, that area may become desensitized and the treatment won’t be effective anymore. You can also note that an acupuncturist will use different variations in inserting the needle at different stages of the treatment. For example, the acupuncturist may insert the needle in one area for a few seconds then insert the next needle in another area for several minutes. But ultimately, acupuncture will only be effective in that it becomes successful in balancing the flow of energy in your body.

At one time, Western medical circles were very skeptical of the Chinese practice of acupuncture (inserting needles into special places on the body called acupuncture pionts). But after decades of study, it is starting to be embraced (albeit carefully) by conventional as well as alternative healers around the world. Although it looks very painful, a trained acupuncturist knows where to insert the needles painlessly. Acupuncture works for animals, even the notoriously skittish Thoroughbred racehorse, often making the animal go into a deep state of relaxation.

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All About Shiatsu

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

One the oldest known forms of massage therapy is shiatsu massage. This specific technique was developed and refined in Japan. The roots of shiatsu massage are linked back to China over 2000 years ago. Shiatsu borrows the use of acupoints from Chinese medicine. The Japanese added the concept of energy flow through the meridian lines. Practitioners of this massage technique seek to alleviate blockages of energy flow to restore balance and harmony.

There are some similarities between shiatsu and acupressure. The difference mainly lies in the placement of the massage. Acupressure is mainly performed over the act you point. In the case of shiatsu, the massage will extend over a greater range and extend beyond just the acupoints.

Shiatsu also involves the stretching and manipulating of different muscles and soft tissue areas. The typical movements in shiatsu massage are using increasing pressure in a rhythmic pattern. Holding pressure is also used with the hands and a gradual pressure release.

When the body comes under pressure, it can start a chain of events which leads to muscle stiffness and tension. In ancient Oriental medicine, there is strong believes in a life force which circulates through the body. Many of peace natural treatments are used to restore the balance of this energy in the body.

Shiatsu massage therapy soothes and relieves the muscles. The practice of shiatsu massage teaches that energy flows throughout the body. It is thought that this energy can become blocked in the body. When this occurs, the body is out of balance. Targeting these areas of blocked energy is central to shiatsu massage.

Shiatsu massage uses a simple multi-technique. The hands are used to wrap around a given area and gently squeeze. This technique provides three things for the user including the sensation of squeezing pressure, tactile feel and warmth. These three critical elements are thought to help revitalize the spirit.

Shiatsu has modernized with the times. Traditional shiatsu is very specific in its application. Many modern practitioners also include other types of movements such as vibration, grasping, and shaking. These have been integrated with many of the traditional practices.

There are many massage techniques which are being discover in many remote villages. More and more these massage techniques are being brought to light. Shiatsu massage is commonly practiced throughout the world. We shall see how other massage techniques continue to be integrated with others.

One of the more popular massage therapies in a world in is shiatsu. International spas offer shiatsu treatments as part of their standard fare. Almost every massage therapy school plans courses in shiatsu massage treatments.

Technology is also having an impact on shiatsu massage therapy. Massage chairs are being programmed to perform different aspects of shiatsu massage. These shiatsu massage chairs can perform many of the same elements of shiatsu. The mechanical replication of hand movements is quite extraordinary.

Although shiatsu relieving, it is also very invigorating. Use of rapid tapping to soothe and loosen the muscle muscles is effective. The targeting of acupoints to help unblock energy seems to effectively restore the balance back to the body. The holistic approach use with shiatsu massage is central to its effectiveness to relieve tension and stress.

It is quite extraordinary that the early practitioners of shiatsu quickly discovered the complex relationships in the body. Their ability to target acupoints to relieve stress and tension is quite amazing. There is much to be understood by Western medicine from many of these long-standing traditional treatments.

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Acupuncture Healing

Monday, June 15th, 2009

At one time, Western medical circles were very skeptical of the Chinese practice of acupuncture (inserting needles into special places on the body called acupuncture pionts). But after decades of study, it is starting to be embraced (albeit carefully) by conventional as well as alternative healers around the world. Although it looks very painful, a trained acupuncturist knows where to insert the needles painlessly. Acupuncture works for animals, even the notoriously skittish Thoroughbred racehorse, often making the animal go into a deep state of relaxation.

If you are one of those toiling millions suffering from acute depression, anxiety and stress, then acupuncture can serve as a perfect remedy. Acupuncture is a holistic method that can integrate functions of mind and body and balance all types of emotional distresses naturally and effectively. With acupuncture proving its success in the whole world, conventional treatments like anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills should be thrown aside. To enhance the overall mood of a person, there is nothing better than acupuncture.

There are various methods in using acupuncture, because curing different forms of illness through this procedure requires different acupuncture techniques. But generally different acupuncture methods share the same concept, which is to cure illnesses through the insertion of needles in acupuncture points in the body. One method of acupuncture involves the use of moxa which is a Japanese herb used for treating certain conditions such as arthritis, bronchitis and diarrhea. This method is particularly effective in removing coldness from the body. Another method of removing the cold is cupping. This method makes use of a glass cup with a burning paper inserted into it to create a vacuum and makes the cup attach to your skin. Cupping increases blood flow in the area being treated, so this is effective in treating fibrositis and bronchitis.

It is actually very difficult to find the cause of certain diseases through acupuncture alone, because you will have to observe how a person responds to treatments and stimuli very closely. Therefore it will take a very talented and experienced acupuncturist to correctly diagnose an illness. You should also note that acupuncture is not only used to cure diseases, it can also be used to relieve back pain, muscle pain, or to just stimulate the flow of your blood so you feel energized. For example, a symptomatic treatment is a very difficult procedure because it requires that the acupuncturist remove the symptoms of an illness. The acupuncturist must know the critical acupuncture points he should stimulate and he must be knowledgeable about how the point relates to other parts of the body.

In acupuncture the Chinese terms jing luo means meridian or channel and qi (chi) means natural energy or vital energy and xue mean acupuncture points or acupoints. It is believed that qi or energy circulates throughout the body through the jing luo or the channels or meridians of which there are about 12 main ones and about 8 minor ones. The acupuncture points are the locations of the meridians or channels found close to the surface of our body. There may be about 2000 of these acupoints used for various treatments.

Acupuncture is a method of curing illnesses through the insertion of needles in targeted points in the body for improved stimulation. The needles used for acupuncture are very thin. They are only a little thicker than a human hair. The main purpose of acupuncture is actually to normalize the flow of blood and balance the yin and yang in the body but, because it is very effective in curing certain diseases, it is now used as an alternative healing method.

Acupuncture is considered a ‘functional medicine’ in that it addresses the underlying root causes of disease and is very personalized to each individual. For example, two people may receive acupuncture treatments for headaches, but because their ‘root cause’ is individual and unique to each person, their treatments may be vastly different. In treating the root cause, the symptoms either disappear completely or are greatly reduced.

In acupuncture, the nerves in the skin and muscles are stimulated by the penetration of thin, metallic, solid needles at anatomic points also known as acupuncture points or acupoints and this produces a wide variety of effects. It causes the system to increase the release of natural painkillers. These natural painkillers, endorphin and serotonin, are released in the pain pathway of the brain and the spinal cord causing the pain signals which are received to be modifie.

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Acupuncture Myth Or Reality?

Monday, June 15th, 2009

Acupuncture is here for long time. Its authenticity is still a debatable issue. But the recent study that the acupuncture can dramatically lower blood pressure. According to this study, when low level of electrical stimulation was given at specific points on the front legs of rats lower the elevation in blood pressure. This study provides a setting stage for large-scale trails on humans and another option for healthcare practitioner treating high blood pressure patients. This study proves that acupuncture can be an excellent complements to other medical treatments, especially those treating high blood pressure problems.

In acupuncture, the nerves in the skin and muscles are stimulated by the penetration of thin, metallic, solid needles at anatomic points also known as acupuncture points or acupoints and this produces a wide variety of effects. It causes the system to increase the release of natural painkillers. These natural painkillers, endorphin and serotonin, are released in the pain pathway of the brain and the spinal cord causing the pain signals which are received to be modifie.

There is no pain. The individual may feel a tiny prick upon insertion of the needle. Sometimes the individual does not feel the needle at all. In some very rare instances there can be a little bruising at the point of insertion. There is no tissue damage as a result of insertion generally as the needles used in acupuncture are very hair like and they have a rounded point and are solid. Unlike in the hypodermic needle the acupuncture needle does not have a cutting edge. There is no actual danger as doctors use single use disposable needles.

Acupuncture is used in the treatment of pain but not for that sole purpose only. Since many studies showed that acupuncture had the ability to relieve pain it was thought that it only had that purpose. Acupuncture is used in a wide variety of treatments for various ailments.

There are two common terms in the traditional Chinese medicine system. They are yin and yang. Yin is thought to be the cold, passive or female principle whilst yang is thought to be the hot, active or male principle. They are two opposite forces. A state of harmony is said to be achieved when these two opposing forces are in balance. If there is an imbalance of the two, the flow of vital energy or natural energy is blocked and it is believed that disease and all other ailments come about as a result of this imbalance. This imbalance can occur when a person is depressed, due to grief, anger or fear, stressed or when it is very cold, very hot, humid, windy or dry. Factors such as an improper diet, exhaustion, overwork and too much sex can bring about this imbalance as well.

It is actually very difficult to find the cause of certain diseases through acupuncture alone, because you will have to observe how a person responds to treatments and stimuli very closely. Therefore it will take a very talented and experienced acupuncturist to correctly diagnose an illness. You should also note that acupuncture is not only used to cure diseases, it can also be used to relieve back pain, muscle pain, or to just stimulate the flow of your blood so you feel energized. For example, a symptomatic treatment is a very difficult procedure because it requires that the acupuncturist remove the symptoms of an illness. The acupuncturist must know the critical acupuncture points he should stimulate and he must be knowledgeable about how the point relates to other parts of the body.

If you are one of those toiling millions suffering from acute depression, anxiety and stress, then acupuncture can serve as a perfect remedy. Acupuncture is a holistic method that can integrate functions of mind and body and balance all types of emotional distresses naturally and effectively. With acupuncture proving its success in the whole world, conventional treatments like anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills should be thrown aside. To enhance the overall mood of a person, there is nothing better than acupuncture.

Like a lightning rod attracts and directs the immense power of lightning, so an acupuncture needle attracts and re-directs the energy currents of the body. An acupuncture treatment can zone in on one specific area of complaint, but often you are asked about your entire medical history so your whole body can be worked. Acupuncture is called a holistic form of treatment, since your entire body, emotions and stress levels are also seen as having powerful effects on your health. Treating acne with acupuncture is not as far-fetched as it might first sound.

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