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Way back in 1983 I had my first encounter with a real human brain. After a year of dissecting a formalin-preserved body in second year anatomy, our class was treated to a morning of fresh brains to slice up.

Multiple layers and folds of a soft rubbery grey blob lay ready for scrutiny. This brain did not look particularly beautiful, lying splayed out on a table.

The power of the human mind is immense, the wonder of this structure is beyond measure and I have to admit that I finally have come to acknowledge that the mind is indeed beautiful.

Your brains control the entire physical functioning of your body; it has the capacity to reason, to think, to feel and to create. We may speak of the power and wonder of the human mind, but its beauty is so apparent when we begin to delve into its mystery.

Notwithstanding the accomplishments of modern science, there is an enormous amount that we as yet do not understand and I will not even attempt to delve into this vast realm.

Rather, let me share with you what we are capable of accomplishing with this powerhouse, other than exercising it with thoughts on how stressed, underpaid, overweight, unappreciated, overwhelmed and tired we are.

Your thoughts, desires, likes, dislikes, fears, judgments, prejudices, hopes and aspirations (all going on in your headspace) make up your worldview. The importance of these perceptions is that they not only affect your mind but also your body. They become encoded into your physical self. Every time you have a thought, a chemical messenger in the form of a nerve protein (neuropeptide) is produced. When your thoughts are critical, angry, judgmental and bitter, the nerve protein produced actually depresses your immune system. When your thoughts are loving, empowering and positive, the neuropeptide produced has the capacity to boost immunity, in turn activating healing and wellbeing.

This has allowed us to understand why chronically depressed people are four times more likely to become seriously ill, or why following retirement the incidence of cancer or a sudden heart attack quadruples in men.

The mental state (what goes on in that rubbery grey blob) gets converted into chemicals that can either heal or destroy the body. The reality is that the mind and body are not separate entities, but one complete design. Viewed through the lens of 21st century science, your thought patterns and emotions affect your body as clearly as obesity and physical fitness. The brain is the source of these states and is the gateway to all the organs of the body.

The real complaints and maladies of our ‘age’, including fatigue, exhaustion, and depression often caused by huge overload and stress, are really intense symptoms of the mind-body channel. Yes, there are many physical illnesses and conditions that may have nothing to do with the mind, but how your mind processes the experience can worsen or help heal the condition. This does not mean you can control your 80 000 thoughts a day – that’s impossible. Nevertheless, you are able to transform some of the ramblings of your mind.

By utilizing a simple technique to quiet what I call the F-ing state (fast, furious, frazzled, frenetic, frenzy), you can begin to achieve not only peace of mind but also a robust body. In fact, it is also the basis of sexual fantasy and you can use it to enhance your libido. Haven’t you heard that joke, what is a woman’s most erotic zone? It’s true, you do process the sexual experience, very powerfully, through your mind.

These are some of the reasons to learn a technique in the field of reflective technology. It does not have to be a complicated process. Simple breathing exercises, visualizations, yoga, Tai Chi and especially transcendental or mindfulness meditation. One can even use programs such as biofeedback (a technique using signals from your own body) or what is called autogenic meditation (similar to self-hypnosis – learning to put oneself into a relaxed state). These techniques are designed to induce relaxation, release muscle tension, clear your mind and enhance your body’s healing potential.

So continue to use that grey blob for work and creative endeavors, but choose to fill it too with refreshing, inspiring, stimulating and beautiful thoughts.

Sandra Prior
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/a-beautiful-mind-561815.html

There are many treatments for kidney stone pain, ranging from drugs and surgery to traditional herbal and Chinese medicine. Here are five natural steps that have proven effective in helping to ease this very uncomfortable situation.

1. Drink Lots of Water –preferably filtered. This is the most important thing you can do, as water flushes out your kidneys and helps to remove toxins and kidney stones. Cranberry juice is also recommended, as cranberries are known to be beneficial to the kidneys. This is an addition to, not in place of pure water though.

2. Reduce Intake of Certain Foods –those that may irritate kidney stones. This includes, as noted, foods rich in calcium, such as dairy products. Also watch the calcium content of any supplements you take. There is another category of foods which should be restricted during this time: oxolate-rich foods. Unfortunately, the foods on this list include many that are normally healthy -spinach, celery, blueberries, beets and many beans.

3. Get Regular Exercise -sometimes people with an ailment such as kidney stones start to think of themselves as invalids and become inactive. This is not a good idea, as exercise stimulates your body\’s natural healing mechanism. Focus on gentler exercises, such as brisk walking, yoga or tai chi. These help to relax you, and also get you to breathe deeply, another detoxifying activity.

4. Diuretic Herbs –can help dissolve kidney stones. These include dandelion, cleavers, buchu and couch grass. These can be taken as capsules or in teas.

5. Meditation, Relaxation and Visualization -if you can take around twenty minutes every day to relax, breathe deeply and do some kind of meditation, this can have a surprising effect on your body\’s ability to heal itself. You can simply use this time to relax and quiet your mind, or you can visualize healing energy moving throughout your body, focusing especially on the kidneys.

These activities may not instantly cure your kidney stone pain, but they will almost certainly reduce it and work very well with any other treatment you are receiving.

Karen Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/kidney-stone-pain-5-natural-treatments-728217.html

When is the best time to do exercise?

To improve the sleep quality it is recommended to do exercise during mid to late afternoon. Experiment yourself to find the best time that work best for you. It might take several weeks of trial and error to determine the best time of day for you to get your exercise. If you’re a morning person, you may want to wake up a little earlier every day and go to the gym or jog around the neighborhood.
That will start your day to an energetic start.

If you find you can’t exercise in the morning, maybe you could hit the gym on your lunch break or immediately after work. Some people find that evening exercise winds them up, while others find it helps them sleep.

Avoid exercise in the late evening or just before going to bed. Exercise is actually stimulating the body, raising its temperature. It can take quite a while for your muscles and circulation system to calm down again after a vigorous workout. That’s the opposite of what you want near bedtime, because a cooler body temperature is associated with sleep.

What kind of exercise works best?

Regular exercise works best for most people, but the exact type and amount varies from individual. Try to work with a personal trainer or exercise instructor to design a program that works best for you, especially if you are new to exercise. Endurance exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling,
performed for 30 to 60 minutes, three to five days a week is commonly prescribed for improving sleep quality in healthy adults. (Make sure to consult your doctor that you are healthy enough to conduct such exercise).

The exercise should involve vigorous use of legs which should help with your sleep. The fatigue produced by [using leg muscles] acts as a tranquilizer. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, riding a bicycle, jumping rope, dancing, riding a stationary bicycle, using a treadmill, and walking are the best to combat sleeplessness in which it increases the oxygen that reaches the
blood. A mild workout for fifteen to twenty minutes a day, four days a week, will be enough to feel the benefits. Stretch before and after doing anything vigorous. Let cool-down after exercising, before you do any stretching.

With regular exercise your sleep quality is improved and the transition between the cycles and phases of sleep becomes smoother and more regular. Try to increase your physical daily activity during the day may also help you deal with the stress and worry in your life. The goal here is to give your body enough stimulation during the day so that you are not restless at night. But DO NOT overdoing it, as ironically, too much exercise can interfere with sleep. Start at a reasonable level activity you enjoy, and increase exercise volume gradually to avoid injury and sleep problems.

Studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between how much we exercise and how we feel both emotionally and physically by changes in our brain chemistry that occur from regular exercise.
Mild, non-aerobic exercise may help you unwind at the end of the day and maybe beneficial to handle insomnia problem. Take a leisurely walk or gentle dancing to pleasant music can help you lift your mood and relax the body. The ollowing activities are relaxing and have other healing properties:

- Yoga has a stimulatory effect on your nervous system, in particular to the brain. Yoga uses breathing techniques and yoga postures increase blood circulation of the brain, promoting regular and restful sleeping patterns. Regular practice of yoga will relax you as well as relieve stress and tension in your body.

- Tai Chi is a form of breathing and movement that was developed by ancient Chinese monks. The movements involved are precise and slow, which is ideal if you have joint pain or are unable to participate in high impact aerobic exercises. Studies have shown that Tai Chi might help people with insomnia by promoting relaxation.

If you find that you have no time to exercise on a regular basis try to add extra moments of activity into your daily schedule. Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

Try parking your car around the corner and walking that extra block to your office. There are many small simple ways that you can add activity into your life. Your goal is to have a healthy, well balanced life.

Irwan Lee

Massage therapy has been known to have special healing properties, although no one is quite sure why. A massage treatment can be a very therapeutic experience, and one of the fastest growing and most popular treatments is hot stone massage therapy.

The magical healing properties of hot stone therapy have been known by many cultures for hundreds of years. But it has just been over the last few years that this deeply relaxing form of massage is beginning to become popular once again. It is in popular demand among many of the spas found across the globe.

Healing stone massage therapy was inspired by the healing practices of Lake Kokonar, in Tibet. It uses hot stones in combination with herbs and oils to restore the body’s vitality and to balance stress. The treatment involves using smooth, basalt stones that are found in volcanic regions in Europe. Chi Spa manager Mary Yip says, “Basalt has been found to have the best heat retention capabilities, therefore, the best for therapeutic purpose.” The stones can hold heat for a long time and thus don’t need to be reheated during the procedure. Their smooth texture is also optimal for the soothing, gliding, massage movements.

During a hot stone massage therapy session, the therapist starts out by combining the therapeutic effects of essential oils with a Swedish massage. The therapist glides her fingers across your shoulders and down your arms to your fingertips, and also strokes from your neck down your spine to the lower back.

Next the therapist uses the heated basalt stones to massage across your back and down your legs. The smoothness of the stone glides easily over the body and promotes the deepest state of relaxation.

Finally the therapist places various sizes of Himalayan stones on the chakra points of the body. This serves to warm the body, encourage lymph flow, and thereby removing waste materials from the body. According to ancient Chinese and Himalayan rituals, the chakra points are the body’s energy centers. When stimulated, the chakras encourage balanced energy flow throughout the body, which helps to reduce any muscle pain, promote healing, releases stress, and provides deep relaxation.

Hot stone massage therapy is great for office workers who spend most of their days seated in front of the computer. It relieves a great amount of stress, helps with depression, and even reduces back pain. If you have never had a hot stone treatment before, than you definitely owe yourself the pleasure!

Are you in the mood for a massage yet? Hot stone therapy is definitely an amazing experience.

Stephanie Macintosh
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hot-stone-massage-therapy-60568.html

Many people do not understand how acupuncture is done. The invention of acupuncture is based on the significance and contribution of the ‘Chi’ of an individual in maintaining physical and mental health of the body. It is a belief that the presence of chi is a truth in every living being. The chi tends to flow through certain pathways in one’s body. Many health problems may arise once the chi flow on the body is blocked. The chi blockage may result in persistent muscle pain, headaches, weakness, fever or even some serious health conditions.

The origin of acupuncture is contributed by ancient Chinese philosophy and practice. The practice was started when the old stone age of China started utilizing knives cut out of stones for medical practices, almost ten thousand years ago. Towards the end, these stones were cut out into needles for the same medical purposes.

Experts say that there are fourteen basic pathways through out the body where there is a continuous flow of Chi. These are known as the meridian points. In order to ensure unobstructed flow of chi throughout the body, there needs to be a thorough balance between the Yin and Yang strengths. According to the ancient Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang actually signify the forces of the Universe. Yin is a representative of the feminine force and Yang signifies the Masculine force. The Chinese philosophy believes that everything around consist of both Yin and Yang for good harmony.

Any sort of imbalance between Yin and Yang will result in bodily problems. The meridian points that are helpful in providing a good flow to the chi require to be stimulated for good results. This is carried out via inserting hair thin disposable needles in certain areas on the body of a person in order to induce bodily harmony and healing.

The whole process of how acupuncture is done is supposed to be carried out by a certified and trained acupuncturist. This is the only professional who can easily carryout an efficient therapy session for the patient. Good trainings are provided to acupuncturists to provide them licenses to practice. These trainings are also enough to make them proficient in their art.

Remember that a poor practitioner is not proficient in this medical practice and would not be able to carry out a good therapy session. Hence, it would be prudent to verify the credentials of a practitioner in order to ensure a safe and effective acupuncture treatment.

Another variation in how acupuncture is done is known as the staphtepuncture. This method is very useful in smoking cessation. During this practice, staples are placed anywhere on the car area for a specified period in order to promote stimulation.

During the treatment, one can enjoy varied impressions such as warmth or pressure. This is an energetic feeling that actually differs from pain. Most patients feel less stressed and extremely energized in some days after a treatment.

How acupuncture is done has gained a lot of fame and respect in recent years. This is due its’ effectiveness in healing many health conditions.

Martin Applebaum

When is the best time to do exercise?

To improve the sleep quality it is recommended to do exercise during mid to late afternoon. Experiment yourself to find the best time that work best for you. It might take several weeks of trial and error to determine the best time of day for you to get your exercise. If you’re a morning person, you may want to wake up a little earlier every day and go to the gym or jog around the neighborhood.
That will start your day to an energetic start.

If you find you can’t exercise in the morning, maybe you could hit the gym on your lunch break or immediately after work. Some people find that evening exercise winds them up, while others find it helps them sleep.

Avoid exercise in the late evening or just before going to bed. Exercise is actually stimulating the body, raising its temperature. It can take quite a while for your muscles and circulation system to calm down again after a vigorous workout. That’s the opposite of what you want near bedtime, because a cooler body temperature is associated with sleep.

What kind of exercise works best?

Regular exercise works best for most people, but the exact type and amount varies from individual. Try to work with a personal trainer or exercise instructor to design a program that works best for you, especially if you are new to exercise. Endurance exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling,
performed for 30 to 60 minutes, three to five days a week is commonly prescribed for improving sleep quality in healthy adults. (Make sure to consult your doctor that you are healthy enough to conduct such exercise).

The exercise should involve vigorous use of legs which should help with your sleep. The fatigue produced by [using leg muscles] acts as a tranquilizer. Aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, riding a bicycle, jumping rope, dancing, riding a stationary bicycle, using a treadmill, and walking are the best to combat sleeplessness in which it increases the oxygen that reaches the
blood. A mild workout for fifteen to twenty minutes a day, four days a week, will be enough to feel the benefits. Stretch before and after doing anything vigorous. Let cool-down after exercising, before you do any stretching.

With regular exercise your sleep quality is improved and the transition between the cycles and phases of sleep becomes smoother and more regular. Try to increase your physical daily activity during the day may also help you deal with the stress and worry in your life. The goal here is to give your body enough stimulation during the day so that you are not restless at night. But DO NOT overdoing it, as ironically, too much exercise can interfere with sleep. Start at a reasonable level activity you enjoy, and increase exercise volume gradually to avoid injury and sleep problems.

Studies indicate that there is a direct correlation between how much we exercise and how we feel both emotionally and physically by changes in our brain chemistry that occur from regular exercise.
Mild, non-aerobic exercise may help you unwind at the end of the day and maybe beneficial to handle insomnia problem. Take a leisurely walk or gentle dancing to pleasant music can help you lift your mood and relax the body. The ollowing activities are relaxing and have other healing properties:

- Yoga has a stimulatory effect on your nervous system, in particular to the brain. Yoga uses breathing techniques and yoga postures increase blood circulation of the brain, promoting regular and restful sleeping patterns. Regular practice of yoga will relax you as well as relieve stress and tension in your body.

- Tai Chi is a form of breathing and movement that was developed by ancient Chinese monks. The movements involved are precise and slow, which is ideal if you have joint pain or are unable to participate in high impact aerobic exercises. Studies have shown that Tai Chi might help people with insomnia by promoting relaxation.

If you find that you have no time to exercise on a regular basis try to add extra moments of activity into your daily schedule. Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

Try parking your car around the corner and walking that extra block to your office. There are many small simple ways that you can add activity into your life. Your goal is to have a healthy, well balanced life.

Irwan Lee

Holistic remedies help thousands of people worldwide to overcome problems ranging from more serious diseases to the common cold. Holistic Therapist Nitchara Yimsuk answers some frequently asked questions, and tips us off about a versatile treatment called moxibustion.

What does holistic mean?

In holistic treatments we look at the whole person – physical, emotional and spiritual – rather than just treating the symptoms of the problem. We consider a person’s mind and body, diet and exercise, lifestyle and relationships, work and leisure, achievements and problems. Imbalances in any of these areas can contribute to illness.

Where do holistic treatments come from?

Holistic medicine is also known as alternative, integrative or complementary medicine, as it complements conventional practices. It may include, but is not limited to, the following disciplines: spiritual, religious, newly developed approaches to healing or pre-modern medical traditions. Chinese medicine, for instance, follows the holistic principle.

How do they work?

There are many approaches, from Energy Healing to the use of natural and plant products. The Taoist principles, on which Chinese medicine is based, stress the oneness of everything, the inseparability of solid matter and energy, the fact that there is a common source of all phenomena and experience.

What are some of Chiva-Som’s most popular holistic treatments?

The Detox Retreat is popular. It includes the Cleansing Diet, Colonic Hydrotherapy, Chi Nei Tsang and Acupressure Reflexology. Also high on the list are Flower Essence, Homeopathy and Moxibustion.

What is Moxibustion?

It’s a treatment from Traditional Chinese Medicine in which the herb Moxa Punk is burned on or above the skin at acupuncture points. Sometimes we use other herbs.

How does it work?

The heat warms the blood and the qi (the life force), which improves the flow within the energy channels of the body. Sometimes Moxibustion is recommended as a stand-alone treatment, at others it has a synergistic effect with acupuncture.

Why is it so effective?

The Moxa leaf is bitter and acrid and its nature is pure Yang. Depending on the amount used it produces a gentle warmth or a strong heat and expels cold and dampness.

What is Moxibustion recommended for?

It’s varied. It may be used in the treatment of acute diseases, cold syndromes, diseases of the channel and exterior syndromes, or chronic syndromes and diseases of the viscera (the internal organs). It’s frequently applied in treating arthralgia due to wind-cold-dampness. Also Yang collapse syndrome; Chronic Dysentery, Asthma, Phlegm Retention and Flaccidity Syndrome. It’s also good for some external syndromes, such as carbuncles and the common cold. Additionally, it can work in general health maintenance and disease prevention.

We hear it’s also useful in pregnancies?

Yes, Moxibustion has been used for centuries in China to turn breech babies. The theory behind this practice is that the heat travels up the bladder meridian, which is linked to the uterus. Additionally, it’s useful in treating some Gynaecological Diseases – such as Dysmenorrhea, Prolapse of the uterus, and Leucorrhoea – and Infantile Diseases, including Enuresis and Diarrhoea. Moxibustion is very versatile.

What are the latest holistic treatments that Chiva-Som is offering?

Vacuum-Cupping Massage and the Emotional Freedom Technique are both new, and also Maya Massage, which is part of the Detox Retreat offered in the Spa.

How can people find out more about these remedies?

They can consult the website (www.chivasom.com), where there’s a list of holistic treatments and a brief description of each, or they can visit us here at Chiva-Som. All guests are welcome, and we are willing to make initial consultations for every individual who comes.

Our team of Naturopath Doctors and Practitioners work in a very secluded and peaceful environment.

Chiva-Som Health Resort

The 20th century has registered a veritable explosive development of alternative medicine. Defined as any health practice which takes the place of, or is not compatible with conventional medicine, alternative medicine differentiates itself from complementary medicine because it uses only nontraditional methods.

Alternative medicine features a very broad range of practices. While some of the healing therapies come from Ancient Chinese principles, like acupuncture, and the use of herbal compounds, others are based on Ayurvedic or Hindu therapies. The latter include some of the most well-known therapies, such as the practice of yoga, diet changes and cultivating the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

The emphasis on mind, body, and spirit also constitutes the landmark of holistic health, which can be both alternative and complementary. One of the popular figures of this kind of medicine is Dr. Deepak Chopra, who leans toward alternative rather than medical thinking. Despite the fact that he is a graduate of a Western medical university, his teachings are largely contested by the medical community.

Massage, chiropractic techniques and practice, meditation, spiritual healing, aromatherapy and exercise practices such as Tai Chi are some other examples of popular alternative therapies. However, there is an almost inexhaustible list of alternative practices. In fact, many people use different forms of alternative medicine, sometimes even without realizing it, for example when they take herbal supplements or vitamins without seeing the doctor first. As such, using the natural supplement Airborne when having a cold instead of consulting the doctor means that alternative medicine is practiced rather than traditional medicine. Studies have showed that over 70 percent of adults over 50 years of age use some kind of alternative therapy in order to treat illness and disease and to maintain a good health.

Although the Western medical community strongly opposes these practices, the ascension of alternative practices continues. This happens mainly because alternative practitioners often point to millenary traditions, although few clinical trials have proved their efficiency. However, given the advancement of complementary medicine there is now an entire host of medical schools where alternative methods are taught. Moreover, many physicians are now keen on learning about alternative medicine, as it offers more options in dealing with a medical condition.

More and more people now turn to alternative medicine because the traditional medicine can not provide them the means to cure when experiencing a certain condition. In fact, many Western physicians acknowledge the already established practices of alternative medicine and even recommend these therapies for patients whom they cannot help otherwise. Although a large range of physicians still remain skeptical, alternative medicine appears to many as a last resort solution.

Despite its popularity, alternative medicine is generally not covered by health insurance companies. Sometimes chiropractics may be part of a health plan, but otherwise nutritional supplements, acupuncture, yoga classes, or other alternative therapies must all be paid for by the beneficiary. However, alternative methods are increasingly popular because they pay attention not just to the physical body, but also to the spiritual, emotional and mental aspects of one’s health.

Eric Cho
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/the-natural-health-boom-97452.html

Find Chinese Medicine Programs in the United States and Canada. If you’re pursuing a professional career in the healing arts, Chinese medicine programs offer prospective students the opportunity to earn a degree in acupuncture and Oriental medicine, in addition to certificate and diploma courses.

Comprehensive subject matter is taught in (Master Degree) Chinese medicine programs including human anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, Chinese medical language, acupuncture, herbology, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) fundamentals, and the history of TCM. Additional studies like Tai Chi, Qigong, acupressure/Shiatsu, Tuina, moxibustion, cupping and nutritional counseling are frequently integrated into a number of these Chinese medicine programs. While training varies, most of these degree programs are usually a minimum of two or three years in length, and require certain educational prerequisites prior to enrollment.

If you find herbal medicine appealing, there are several Traditional Chinese medicine programs available to which you can apply. Typical curricula entail Chinese Materia Medica, TCM formulation and herbal prescription, aromatherapy, etiology, pathology, drug and herbal interactions, and nutrition, among other related studies. Depending on the school in which you enroll, herbal medicine courses usually result in a diploma or certification.

Candidates who complete more condensed Chinese medicine programs like Tuina or other Oriental bodywork are eligible for certification or diploma. (Known as “Chinese medical massage,” Tuina is an ancient healing art and specialized massage therapy that focuses on acupoints of the body.)

Overall, Chinese medicine programs focus on the root of imbalance or disharmony of the meridians. (Meridians are “energy channels” of the Chi, or life force.) In some academic programs, Five Element theory is taught; and students are introduced to causal affects of elements like earth and wind. In addition, future practitioners learn vital communication skills, and how to facilitate observation and palpation as part of forming a diagnosis. Furthermore, almost all Chinese medicine programs involve hands-on training as part of any clinical internship.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding Chinese medicine programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Chinese Medicine Programs Today

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CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/chinese-medicine-programs-today-241044.html