MASSAGE

Few people in the world would turn down a massage, if offered to them.
The gentle or firm caress of the skin helps to release muscular tension while
also helping to realign the body so that it is free of pain and tightness.

Unlike rolfing, massage is focused on the release of stress within the muscles
– not necessarily helping the body balance itself.
Of course, this can be a welcome 'side effect.'
Massage works through the direct manipulation of the muscles with the
hands and body weight.
A masseuse will push into the layers of muscle until they feel them release.
By using a number of techniques, the massage therapist can attack various
tense spots and help them loosen up.
They aren't using their hands to push the muscles either, but rather they are
using their body weight to help the hands sink into the muscle layers.
For example, on your back near the shoulders, there are several layers of
muscles that can be stimulated. Some massage practitioners will start by
relaxing the outer muscles, allowing the inner muscles to become exposed
and accessible for more stimulation.
It's a long and drawn out process, but since much muscle tension is deeper
than the surface, it's necessary for getting the full benefits of the massage.
These techniques include:
• Kneading
taking pieces of flesh or muscle into the hands and rubbing
• Tapping
using the tips of the fingers to tap at the muscles
• Cupping
cupping the hands to help release muscular tension
• Stroking
using a lighter touch to sooth the outer muscles

These techniques are aided with a specially designed massage table that will
support the body and place it in the proper position for the masseuse to
access the muscles they need to touch.
The massage therapist will also use massage oils, lotions, or gels to help the
hands move easily along the skin.
This helps the pressure be even on the muscles that are being manipulated,
plus it soothes the client and helps them relax into the massage session.
Massage can take on many different forms:
• Deep tissue massage
This massage is best for those with extreme muscular tension. For
those who sit at their desks all day or those who workout regularly,
deep tissue massage will work hard to soothe sore muscles. While this
can be too painful for some people, it's certainly going to reduce your
tension.
• Swedish massage
The most often taught and used massage, Swedish massage uses long
strokes to help release tension in the body.
• Sports massage
This is used on professional athletes when they are injured or after an
intense workout, but it can also be used on average runners and
aerobic fanatics. By working on the muscles, the massage therapist
helps to break up the lactic acid that builds up and causes soreness.
• Myofascial release
By working on the face, the therapist helps to relieve tension that
surrounds the shoulders and the neck. This helps to realign the spinal
column in order to promote health.
But there are also Hellerwork, barefoot, craniosacral, neuromuscular, shiatsu,
hot stone massage and many others.
Just as everyone likes a certain favorite food, there will probably be one type
of massage that works better for you than any other one. Make sure to try
out several different kinds of massage when you're first trying out massage
for your aches and pains.
The benefits of massage include:
• Reduced pain
• Less muscle tension
• Fewer headaches
• More flexibility
• Less soreness after a workout
• Increased circulation
• Improved lymphatic system function
Not that you needed any more reasons to schedule a massage.
Massage should be done on a regular basis in order to reap the most
benefits. Once to twice a week is a good suggestion for the beginner to
massage.
You can find massage therapist at some chiropractic offices, spas, and
massage therapy offices.
After you have a massage, it's a good idea to drink plenty of water in order
to flush out any toxins that may have accumulated as the tissues of your
body are stimulated.

IRIDOLOGY

If you've ever looked into someone else's eyes to see if they were lying to
you, you were practicing a rudimentary form of iridology.
This alternative medicine practice is not widely known, but it entails the
study of the iris of the eye (the colored part) to see what kinds of illnesses
may be present in the body.
By comparing the iris coloring to a particular iridology chart, the practitioner
can help to find a potential problem and begin to formulate a treatment plan.
On these iris charts are a sort of map of the body in relation to features that
show up in the iris. For example, if you have a certain fleck in one part of
your eye, it's thought that you might have more problems with your
digestion, etc.
But this does not mean that iridology is something that can diagnose an
illness or a disease.
Instead, the patterns and the colors of the eye are meant to help the
practitioner determine whether a patient needs further testing and
treatment.
Iridology is used in the following way:
• The practitioner employs a flashlight, a magnifying glass and some
sort of recording device that allows them to take a picture of the iris.
• Over time, the practitioner watches for changes in the iris.
• By comparing the changes to an iridology chart, the practitioner can
help the patient see what might be going on in their body.
But understandably, there is a lot of skepticism about this form of alternative
medicine.
Since everyone's eyes vary during their lives, it seems like every trip to get
them checked out would yield a new finding and potentially a new disease
and need for treatment.

But physicians – naturopaths, for example, who use iridology as just another
tool in their assessment of a patient - find that it helps to guide them to
areas of the body to check in testing.
And since the process is painless and risk free, there's no side effects.

ART THERAPY

While doing therapy on your own is always your first choice, there may be
times when a specialist is required.
A medical professional like an art therapist is going to be able to work with
you through emotional problems and help you learn how to cope with your
concerns.
While this doesn't seem like it would be something which would affect your
health directly, sorting out your emotional health often leads to health in
other areas.
But many people aren't interested in going to a shrink and talking about their
problems – and this is fine.
In the art therapy sessions, you can focus more on expressing those feelings
and problems in another way. Whether by drawing, sculpting or simply
sketching your ideas, you can begin to understand how your mind is
processing the world around you.
The therapist can then work to figure out what the real problems are and
help you to change your thought process through other pieces of art.
And don't worry: you don't need to be a professional artist for this to work.
Art therapy is defined as a form of expressive therapy. Therapists offer
another way of conversing with their patients through the use of paints,
chalks, or other types of media.
The main thought process behind art therapy is that there is healing in the
way that the brain changes when it does something artistic. Thus, when
someone creates a painting of their illness, they might be igniting the centers
of the brain that can activate a healing response.
But it's not just the artistic process that allows the client to reap health
benefits – within the art itself are answers to the problems of the person who
is creating the art.
Certain symbols and images will repeat themselves in the art therapy process
and signify different issues.
For example, repeated pictures of the family can tell the therapist that there
is something to explore in relation to the family dynamics. Pictures of the
client by themselves might indicate the fact that they are lonely, etc.

While art therapy is mainly used in psychological settings, patients benefit in
numerous ways:
• Increased confidence
• Lowered stress
• Reduced anxiety
• Less chance of depression
• Enhanced communication skills
• Better social skills
• Potential for a stronger immune system
The art process taps a different part of the brain than logical thinking and
discussion. In that way, the patient is able to tap into the creative aspects of
'solving' their disease.
Related to art therapy are numerous other expressive forms of therapy:
• Dance therapy
• Music therapy
• Drama therapy
• Inscape therapy
When you are in an art therapy session, you might begin by talking about the
issues you are having. As you are talking, the therapist is looking for clues
as to how you might feel more comfortable getting to the root of your
troubles.
They might have art tools set up around the office which might call to you
and then you might be asked to create an image or a form that represents
the way you feel about your particular issues.
After you are done creating, you and your therapist would talk about what it
means. Having the outside opinion of your art helps you focus in on details
that you hadn't even thought of – but that are relevant to the healing
process.
For example, recognizing that you picture yourself as much larger than you
actually are will show you the differences between your reality and actual
reality. In cases of eating disorders, art therapy that entails drawing an
outline of the body help the patient see how their actual body shape
compares to their drawing of what they feel their body looks like.
Art therapy is a way to express your feelings so that you're not holding them
in and causing your body to become sick.
You can find numerous art therapists in day care centers, rehabilitation clinics
as well as in nursing homes and traditional therapy offices. Each art
therapist has a specialty or certain mediums that they like to use in their
sessions, so if a particular art style appeals to you, try to find a therapist that
practices with that style.

NATURAL HEALING AIDS

If you want to practice alternative medicine at home, you have a few other
options as well:
• Visualization
By taking some time each day to visualize your body in good health,
you can increase the chances that your body will remain in good
health. Start by picturing your body without any sickness or disease
and then continue to visualize yourself living each day with lots of
energy. When you are sick, focus on visualizing your body getting
better.
• Detoxification
There are some who believe that giving your body a rest from time to
time can help it repair damage and disease more easily. By taking a
day each month (with your doctor's permission) to fast, either by
drinking only juice for a day or just water, your digestive system can
work on any remaining food that is trapped in your intestine and start
to be more balanced.
• Feng Shui
By learning how energy moves through your environment, you can
begin to change your home into a healing space instead of a space
which causes you to grow sicker. Remove excess clutter from your
home as well as anything that might be dead or dying as this
cultivates energy of death and disease.

LIGHT THERAPY

If you put a plant next to a window, you will notice something interesting. As
the plant grows, it will grow toward the light instead of away from it. Also
known as phototropism, this phenomenon seems to work for humans too – in
a different way.
Light therapy is an alternative therapy that focuses on the idea that exposure
to certain wavelengths of light can affect the body in numerous ways.
For example, when you are out in the sun for too long without protection,
you will get burned by harmful UV rays. If this happens too often, you might
be damaging your skin at a cellular level and wind up with skin cancer.
On the healing side of light therapy, exposing the body to particular lights
can help to:
• Boost mood
• Clear up acne
• Enhance the immune system
• Help moods
• Increase wound healing speeds
• Reduce skin rash severity
• Minimize jet lag
• Lower the risk of cancer
Since light is what helps everything else grow on the Earth, it only seems
natural that we would get some sort of healing from it too.
When your skin is exposed to light, the body is able to produce Vitamin D, for
example. Without that sun exposure, we need to take Vitamin D into
ourselves through our diet. Just fifteen minutes of sunlight (without
sunscreen) each day will give your body the proper levels it needs.
If you have troubles adapting to the change of seasons, you might be
suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). By undergoing light
therapy, you can boost your moods and have more energy.

To practice light therapy on your own, you will need to look for special lights
that mimic the rays of the sun. You can find these lights at specialty health
retailers or also at your local art supply stores (as these make great lights for
painters and other visual media artists).
You can also buy more natural light bulbs which help to mimic the effect of
the sun.

Look for lights that advertise 'full spectrum' in order to get the lights you
need for the most benefits to your health.
You can also head to a doctor's office to be exposed to red, blue, and even
UV light if it's recommended. But sometimes, just pulling open the shades
and the blinds once in a while is all your body needs to feel better.

AROMATHERAPY

When you walk into a grocery store or past a bakery, the scents of the
cookies and cakes are probably going to make you hungry and they will often
make you feel happy.

This is just a simple example of what aromatherapy is.
Developed over the years, beginning with the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and
Romans, aromatherapy takes into consideration one of our primary senses –
smell – and uses it to affect other parts of our lives and health.
Aromatherapy is thought to help with these conditions:
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Pain
• Infections
• Nausea
The principle behind aromatherapy is that the use of smells helps to
'communicate' with the brain's various regions. When you stimulate these
regions, it can cause your body to respond in different ways.
Aromatherapy can also work when the essential oils are applied directly to
certain parts of your body to affect the body in various ways.
The brain controls everything that happens in your body, so when you affect
the brain, you affect the body – to put it more simply. And while there are
those who believe that aromatherapy is baseless, the growing number of
aromatherapy products on the market begs to differ.

There are a variety of things that go into the aromatherapy treatments for a
patient:
• Essential oils
naturally derived from plants, herbs and flowers
• Carrier oils
essential oils need to be placed into carrier oils (almond, grapeseed,
etc.) in order to dilute them so that they can't hurt the skin
Oils may also contain the actual pieces of the herbs and flowers for
decoration or to add to the long term concentration of the preparation.
You might use aromatherapy solutions in a number of manners:
• Concentrated essential oils
These would be oils that are not directly applied to the skin, but rather
are used in an oil burner or applied to another material to be smelled.
• Diffusion
You might find essential oils in an atomizer or an aerosol canister that
can be sprayed into a room or onto clothing for enjoyment.
• Topical
Other essential oils can be applied directly to the skin to help with
infection or rashes. (This is very rare so never apply undiluted
essential oil to the skin unless you know this is safe. Safe for direct
skin application are very few oils only such as lavender, chamomile and
tea tree – but never on broken skin)
• Candles and incense

By lighting a candle or a stick of incense that has been scented with a
particular oil, you can spread the healing effects around a larger area.
Aromatherapy is a very convenient form of alternative medicine because
anyone can use it at any time. While there are aromatherapy professionals
who are trained in making specific preparations for clients and who also can
advise clients as to what oils to use, at home use is still the most popular
choice.
Applying essential oils to your pulse points will help to radiate the scents in
your environment while spraying your clothing or a piece of fabric with an
essential oil allows you to have an item to sniff whenever you feel the
therapeutic preparation is necessary.
You can use aromatherapy in a variety of ways:
• During a headache or other pain
• To prevent stress and anxiety
• As a topical ointment to prevent infection after you've been cut

Here are some of the most popular aromatherapy essential oils:
• Lavender
works well for anxiety and stress relief
• Rose
helps enhance mood and romantic feelings
• Clove
works on the skin to help prevent pain
• Tea tree
works as an antiseptic, can also help reduce acne as it is anti-bacterial
• Basil
works for depression
• Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang
aphrodisiacs
• Eucalyptus
works for colds and upper respiratory infections; boosts energy levels
• Mint
energizing
• Yarrow
joint pain
But there are plenty of other oils you can use as well. It might help to find a
book that described the various uses of particular essential oils to help guide
you to the ones which are right for you.

Aromatherapy has a number of benefits:
• No side effects
• The more you use, the better
• Can be used to prevent or to treat
• Can be used by all ages
• Even works on animals
It will also help you to know that aromatherapy items can be made from
things you already own. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to your
favorite body lotion, for example. Or you might want to soak in a tub with a
few drops of essential oils.

YOGA

Many people don't realize that their weekly yoga class is not only helping to
reshape their bodies, but also to reshape their health.

This meditative practice of positioning your body allows for proper alignment,
which can help in a number of ways:
• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced aches and pains
• Improved concentration
• Better complexion
• Healthier weight
• More muscle tone
• Fewer headaches
• Better balance
• Higher bone density
• Quieter mind
Yoga was developed many thousands of years ago around the area of India.
Developed as a spiritual practice, yoga was thought to help the practitioner
become closer to spiritual enlightenment.
In fact, in the Bhagavad Gita, there are three different types of yoga: the
yoga of knowledge, devotion, and action. By balancing these areas of your
life, it was thought that not only would your health be at its highest levels,
but that your mind would be in tune with the energy of the world.
But what does this mean in modern times?
It's no secret that yoga is used to help people stay flexible and in shape, but
it can also help with health related matters.
When you practice yoga, you are learning to first control your mind.
By focusing only on the postures you are doing, you can not think about the
long To Do list that you have or what you're making for dinner. You can only

think about staying in the position and trying to bend deeper and for longer
with each session you attend.
In doing so, yoga becomes an extended type of meditation.
You clear your mind in order to make room for the posture to become a part
of you.
In longer yoga routines, you need to flow in and out of each pose gracefully
and slowly. Your muscles tense and you have to push from one pose to the
next.
Since your mind is focused on the move you are doing as well as
transitioning into the next movement, you are quiet in your mind and
completely focused on the present.
This meditation allows your mind to still as your body becomes the center of
attention. When this happens, the cells in your body can relax and begin to
focus more on cellular repair and healing.
Not only are you engaging your meditative mind, but you are also adding
breathing to your poses as well.

Most yoga types will teach that you need to breathe in and out with certain
movements so that your body can relax and fall into the posture. Not only
does this help with your meditation, but it also helps to oxygenate your blood
cells so that you have more energy.
The breathing helps your body learn to take in more air with each breath,
which helps you in your everyday life.
Instead of keeping your chest tight and your breath shallow – as so many of
us do – you learn to expand your chest and breathe deeply into your belly.
This allows you to maximize each inhalation.
Yoga also helps you with your mental difficulties by constantly challenging
you and asking for more of you.

Each time you learn a new pose, you need to figure out how your body can
handle this pose. It's not just about being the most flexible; it's about
listening to your body and moving in the way that is most natural to it.
While it would be great to learn how to bend yourself into a pretzel – it's not
necessary.
All you need to do is to push yourself a little further with each yoga class or
workout. The only person you need to 'beat' is yourself.

You can find yoga classes at nearly every gym and community center in the
country. There are also many good yoga books and DVDs available for
purchase. Try out a few different kinds of yoga before you settle on the one
that suits your temperament.
Some of the yoga types include:
• Bikram yoga
Also known as hot yoga. This yoga is done in a room that's very hot
with the idea that if your muscles are warmed up more, you will be
able to deepen each pose more as well as sweat out any toxins.
Intermediate levels and Advanced levels only.
• Hatha yoga
This is a slow moving yoga that is perfect for beginners to the yoga
scene. Each pose is slow and deliberate, helping you learn the form
before you speed up.
• Ashtanga yoga
One of the more athletic types of yoga. You will find yourself doing
long series of poses which will get your heart rate up and help you
burn fat. Beginners who are already in shape and Intermediate levels.
• Vinyasa
The focus on the breathing in this type of yoga helps with anxiety and
muscle tension reduction. All levels.
• Iyengar
In this form of yoga, you will need to hold poses for long periods of
time. This requires some muscle stamina and endurance. All levels.
It will help if you take a few different kinds of yoga when you're first testing
out what yoga can do for you. Or you can watch a few classes to see if that
type might be a good match for your fitness level and temperament.

Yoga is something that you can practice on your own, but every practice
should begin with basic instruction. Many poses can be dangerous if you
don't know how to do them properly, so you want to learn the basics before
launching into your own personal yoga plan.

REIKI

One of the more common New Age treatments that you may have heard of is
Reiki.

But while many people have heard of it, fewer people have a clear
understanding of what Reiki does and how Reiki works.

Reiki's history is a bit vague, but the overwhelmingly agreed upon story is
that a man named Mikao Usui developed the practice in Japan in the late 19th
century.

The process involves the channeling of healing energy through one person
and into the patient. Usui is said to have undergone a strict fasting and
meditation regimen after which he was given this healing power.
Because the healing powers are not coming from the person directly, Reiki
does not deplete the practitioner who is practicing. This allows the person to
continue to do Reiki treatment after Reiki treatment – so long as they can
access the source of the healing.

Where is the source of the healing then?
Depending on who you ask, Reiki's energy seems to come from something
called the universal life force. Some like to call it chi, while others just call it
by the name of their chosen deity. In any case, it is the energy that is all
around us and just waiting to be harnessed for a good use.

A practitioner of Reiki undergoes an extensive training process in which he or
she receives an attunement. Easily put, this is a process in which they learn
to access the universal life energy and then transfer that energy into the
patient.
With a clear intention in mind, the Reiki practitioner will lay their hands on
the client and focus the energy into the client's body. In doing so, it is
thought that the body then receives the healing energy in whatever manner
will help it best.

The client's body then uses that energy to heal itself.
The practitioner is no more than a conduit of the healing energy, but since so
many of us are far removed from the idea that we can heal ourselves, they
help to arrange the healing we need by acting as the go between – the
middleman, if you will.
Within a Reiki session, you will be asked to lay down on a table (in most
cases). If you have troubles lying down, Reiki can also be done on someone
who is sitting up or standing.

At that point, the Reiki practitioner may say a few things to themselves in
order to attune themselves to the energy they will be using in the session.
As a client, you may be asked to specify a certain complaint in order to
facilitate the Reiki session.
If you don't have any complaints, that's okay too. It is thought that the
healing energy goes to wherever it is needed.
The Reiki practitioner will then lay their hands on several parts of the body,
generally starting at the head and the neck. They will not be massaging
these areas, but rather they will be placing their hands there in order to
direct the energy.
You might feel heat radiating from their hands as they do this.
You can remain completely clothed during this process, though you might
want a blanket over you as the body can become cold when this amount of
energy is coursing through your veins.
The process takes as long as the practitioner feels is necessary, though for
most people, it's no longer than an hour.
At the end of the session, you might talk with the Reiki practitioner about the
feelings you had and they might share with you any visions they had as they
were touching certain parts of your body.
Some Reiki practitioners are so tuned into the client that they can talk about
problems they sensed in the energy as well as messages that they felt the
energy might have been trying to relay to the client.
When the session is over, you might feel lightheaded and tired. It will help if
you drink a few glasses of water to help you settle back into your body
before you get up to leave.
It may take a few hours before you begin to feel like yourself again, but this
is completely normal.
Over the next few days, some clients will experience shifts in their energy –
sometimes resulting in colds or other illnesses. As your body realigns itself,
it is thought that it may be weaker for a while before becoming stronger than
ever.

Reiki has a number of benefits and conditions it can help:
• Stress reduction
• Relaxation
• Detoxification of the body
• Improved sleep
• Lower heart rate
• Lower blood pressure
• Pain relief
• Restores energy to the body
• Improves immune system function
• Helps assist with difficult decisions or memories

By helping the body with energy, Reiki is thought to be able to affect not only
the physical body, but also the emotional and spiritual bodies.
Reiki practitioners can have three different levels of expertise:
• First degree
After the students receive their first attunement and learn the basic
hand positions, they need to practice Reiki on a certain number of
people before they can move up to the next level of practice.
• Second degree
The student then learns the symbols associated with Reiki energy that
can aid in distance treatment. Another attunement is given at this
stage.
• Third degree
At this stage, another attunement is given and the student is now
considered a master level Reiki practitioner. They can teach others to
perform Reiki as well as attune others.
There are many benefits to Reiki as an alternative medicine practice:
• No side effects
• Can work for all ages
• Can be done over great distances
• Can be focused on a certain ailing part of the body
• Works on children
• Works on pets and animals
• Can also be done on food before it is prepared
• Anyone can learn
• Those who learn Reiki can perform it on themselves
• Group treatments are possible
You can find a local Reiki practitioner by looking in your local yellow pages or
by talking to the sales clerk at a New Age retailer. Check the credentials of
the practitioner before you make an appointment to be sure that they are
well-trained.

You might also be able to find Reiki healers online who are willing to do long
distance treatments. Be wary of these as they can also be scam artists who
just want your money.
Reiki needs to be repeated on a regular basis for the maximum benefits or it
may just be a one time thing if you had a specific problem that needed ot be
addressed.

MEDITATION

Most of us limit our definitions of health to two categories – health and
illness. These terms focus specifically on the state of our body, which is a
limited definition in the eyes of alternative medicine practitioners.
To those who practice natural healing and alternative medicine, there are
several different aspects of your life that need to be in balance in order to
help you maintain your ideal state of wellness.

• Physical health
• Mental health
• Spiritual health

We realize that we need to exercise more and stress less in order to stay fit
and healthy, but what have you done for your soul lately?

Cultivating spirituality isn't just about following a specific religion or set of
rules, but rather learning more about who we are and what we believe when
all is quiet and still.
This is where meditation can step in.
By not stepping on any spiritual practices you may already have, meditation
can help you cultivate a sense of spiritual well-being as well as inner peace.
Many people have scoffed at meditation, thinking it's a practice of sitting
cross legged and chanting to themselves. This is far from the truth. When
you take a deeper look into this many thousand of years old practice, you will
find that meditation is actually quite simple – and easy to do anywhere.
Meditation involves the training of your mind to release the excessive
thoughts we all hold inside.

Right now, you're probably not just reading this book, but also thinking about
what your next meal is going to be, how you're going to plan your next
vacation, etc.
Our minds are always working overtime, which is causing a strain on our
bodies.

We know that doing too much is stressful for our bodies, but when it comes
to our busy minds, we don't seem to apply the same knowledge. With
meditation, you will be able to quiet things down in your brain and help it get
a much needed rest in order to process things that are happening and that
have happened.
This allows us to learn from our experiences and to retain memories more
easily as well.

In terms of medicine, meditation allows the body to rest so that it can relax
and repair any damage that we may have caused. Your body's cells will be
able to turnover more easily, which allows us to have brighter skin and even
a stronger immune system.
By teaching our brains to slow down and to be quiet, we are teaching our
bodies to run at a lower speed. This lessens the damage that our busy lives
might be doing to us and it can help us maintain perspective, even when it
seems like we're overwhelmed.

Meditation has been linked to:
• Lower blood pressure
• Lessened anxiety
• Slower heartbeat
• Less muscular tension
• Fewer illnesses

And these benefits have been proven by science again and again.
In order to start your own meditation practice, it will help to keep in mind
that only ten minutes a day will help you reap the benefits. So you don't
have to worry about meditation taking up a lot of your time.

Here are the steps to creating your own meditation practice:
• Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
• Wear loose fitting clothing that doesn't restrict you in any way.
• Find a place where you can sit upright without becoming fatigued – it's
generally not a good idea to lay down as many people can fall asleep
in doing that.
• Close your eyes and breathe normally.
• Sit like this for a few minutes until you settle into your body.
• Once you are calm, try to let go of any thoughts you have in your
mind.
• If any new thoughts enter in (and they will), just dismiss them from
your mind and try to focus on your breathing.
• Some people find that counting their breaths in and out helps them
keep their attention away from new thoughts.
• Or you can choose a one syllable word to repeat with each breath.
• Continue this for as long as you can.
• Once you are done, slowly open up your eyes and come back to the
room.

At first, you will have troubles letting go of your thoughts. Think of this
process as any other workout you might do.
You can't simply lift 100 pounds at once, you need to slowly build up your
strength until your muscles are ready. You might want to approach
meditation in the same fashion.
Start by doing just five minutes a day, then ten, then fifteen, etc.
Each time, it will become easier to mediate and to let go of intrusive
thoughts.
But meditation isn't limited to being quiet and keeping your mind still by
simply focusing on your breathing. You can also help quiet your mind by
creating another place upon which to focus your thoughts.
Here are some ideas:
• Walking meditation
Focus on each step, what it feels like, what the moment is like. In
doing so, you will make your mind still. Move slowly with each step,
pushing off with the ball of your feet and rolling to the heel.
Everything You Need to Know about Alternative Medicine - Page 20
• Think about the present
Stop every few hours to notice the world around you. Just look around
you and think about nothing but what is happening right then. Don't
worry about the future or the past, just focus on the right now.
• Shower meditation
When you're in the shower, focus on the water and how it feels as it
hits your skin. Think only about the process of showering and
cleansing yourself. Allow yourself to focus on each movement you
make, how it makes you feel, etc.
• Slow down everything
For one day or even one hour, make sure to do everything more slowly
than you usually do. This will cause you to slow down and take notice
of everything around you. In addition, you will slow your mind down
at the same time.
• Attend a meditation class
Many community centers are now offering free or low cost classes in
meditation that you can take. These can help you learn more about
how to settle your mind in a supportive setting.
• Purchase or borrow a guided meditation CD
For some people, they need more guidance when it comes to
meditation. You might need to be guided into a more relaxed state
and that's what these CDs do. By giving you things to think about and
visualize, you can slowly learn to settle your thoughts.
• Direct your attention to a picture or an object

If you still find that your mind is wandering, it can help you to have a
focus point. Some people like to look at the flickering flame of a
candle or at a picture to help them concentrate. In time, you might
not even need that item – you can simply picture it in your mind when
your thoughts return.

Whatever helps you clear your mind can be considered a part of your
meditation practice. And since the effects of meditation are cumulative, you
can slowly add more minutes of meditation to your day in order to reap all
the benefits.

REFLEXOLOGY

When you have a headache, your first response might be to reach for your
head in order to quell the pain. By pressing on your temples, you are helping
to slow the blood flow to your brain and thus reducing the pain you feel.
In a sense, this is a simple form of acupressure.

However, in reflexology, the idea of pressure is extended to the feet, the
hands and the ears.

As noted in many alternative medicine practices, the body's systems re all
connected. Whether you believe this to be the result of meridians or simply
due to the nervous system and circulatory system – this is not necessarily
the most important thing to know.

What is important is realizing that when you touch one part of your body, it is
thought, you can affect other parts of your body.
And that's reflexology.
Within each hand and foot, there are a number of specific points where you
can apply pressure and thus help a certain condition or organ system. If you

rub the inside web of your hand between the thumb and the pointer finger,
you can help to ease a headache, for example.

Even if you're not sure about the idea of the body's energy system, you can
understand how reflexology could help the body release tension. When too
much tension builds up, you can feel pain and pressure while also slowing
down certain systems in your body – leading to illness and disease.
There are other purported effects of reflexology for your body too.
Some claim that rubbing the feet in a harsh manner can help to break up uric
acid crystals that may accumulate there. If you were to reach down to your
feet right now and use your knuckles to rub the bottoms of your feet, you
might feet some crunchy areas – this is where the crystals are thought to
reside.

By breaking these crystals up, it is thought that you can help expedite the
detoxification processes in your body.
It is also thought that be pushing on certain points of the body you can begin
to release the natural pain killers of the body – endorphins.
There are several ways to look into reflexology for your specific medical
concerns. Many books and videos are available that can teach you how to
practice reflexology on yourself. But if this is the case, you might also want
to invest in some handy socks or gloves that allow you to immediately see a
'map' of the specifics areas you need to target for certain concerns.

When you find the appropriate spots that you need to apply pressure to, you
will need to use forceful pressure on the spot for up to one minute, release,
and then apply again until you feel the relief you want.
You can also massage the areas a few times a day if you have a larger or
chronic problem you need help with.
But for the best reflexology treatment, it's best to head to a licensed
practitioner. They will have gone through a training program and will have
been tested on their knowledge prior to receiving their certificate.

There are other benefits that you can have with reflexology:
• No side effects with medications
• No drug interactions
• Can be done on anyone
• Can be used on pets as well
• Can reduce stress and muscular tension
• Can help to reduce nagging symptoms of chronic diseases

With reflexology, the next time your head begins to ache, you can do
something to prevent it from turning into a life stopping even – by rubbing
away the pain.

HOMEOPATHY

As one of the more controversial practices of alternative medicine,
homeopathy may be getting a bad rep because its methodology isn't quite
understood.

Homeopathy began in the late 18th century through the research and trials of
a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann.

By taking the idea of symptoms and finding ingredients that caused these
symptoms and diluting them into alcohol. In doing so, it is thought that your
body could react favorably to the diluted form of the ingredients, which would
build up an immune response in your body.

This caused you to not only get rid of the symptoms that you were
experiencing, but you could also build up a tolerance to the intruder.

The benefits of homeopathy include:
• Simple to take
• Low risk of side effects
• No drug interactions
• Widespread availability
• Low cost

The dilution point of these substances and remedies is so low – millionths of
the original amount of the substance in some cases.
In taking in these ingredients, you are stimulating a response from your body
and helping your body heal itself.

Homeopathy is also known as the law of similars. Hahnemann actually
figured out the concept of homeopathy by noticing that some people who
took medications for certain diseases, but who were healthy when they took
the medication, experienced the same symptoms as though they had the
disease in the first place.

Knowing this, he recognized the possibility that by causing symptoms in
people (or at least in small amounts) would actually help to treat disease as
that's what the standard forms of medication would do anyway.
But understandably, many people do not believe that this could actually
work.

And many people still don't believe these remedies can work.
Helpful substances in such small amounts could not actually do any good or
bad to the body, it is often thought. And many studies are backing this up,
noting that homeopathic remedies seem to use the placebo effect more than
they actually stimulate any healing response.

Whether or not this is actually the case is still being studied. People have
been used homeopathic remedies for many decades and continue to do so
today, so it's likely that they are able to help some patients.

Flower remedies, for example, are homeopathic type remedies that use
flowers that have been soaked in water and then diluted to miniscule
amounts. Useful for everything from anxiety to headaches, these remedies
are found on retail store shelves and are still in hot demand.

Homeopathy is actually more popular in Europe, as that's where it originated.
Schools in homeopathy educated new homeopaths each year and practices
begin with these remedies as the sole source of treatment.

It's interesting to note that Hahnemann himself was the main subject in the
trials for the practice of homeopathy. Since he needed to find out which
substances caused certain symptoms, he needed to ingest a variety of items
until he found the symptoms that he was trying to cure with his formulas.
When you first talk to a homeopath, you will be asked about your medical
history – both present and past – as well as your current habits and
concerns. This will help the homeopath narrow down the symptoms that
might be most concerning and will help the practitioner choose the right
formula.

Formulas now come with the name of the main ingredient on the bottle, but
also the symptoms they address, making it simple for anyone to choose the
proper formula for their concerns.

The ingredients in homeopathic remedies include natural animal, plant, and
minerals as well as other synthetic substances.

To take these homeopathic medications, you simply place the prescribed
number of pellets or the number of drops underneath your tongue. You
should not eat or drink anything for about thirty minutes after letting these
solutions dissolve there

ACUPUNCTURE

One of the more popular and well known forms of alternative medicine is
acupuncture.

Developed in China thousands of years ago, acupuncture revolves around the
idea that the body is made up of energy, or chi. When this chi can flow from
one part of the body to the other, the body will be free of illness. But when
this chi is blocked or is someone diverted, the body can be prone to disease.

A map of meridians (or energy pathways) is used to guide the professional
acupuncture practitioner to the points at which the chi needs to be changed.
By using filiform needles, the practitioner stimulates certain parts of the body
and relieves the energy congestion. The needles are left in the skin for a
certain amount of, depending on the troubles, and then removed at the end
of a treatment.

The needles are very thin and they do not hurt when they are inserted.
While they might look a little strange, they will not damage the skin or hurt
the body in any way, according to scientific studies.

If you were to have an acupuncture treatment, you might have numerous
needles placed all along your body and head. This is because the meridians
move though all parts of your body and at any point, your energy might be
blocked and need to be released.

In order to determine where your energy is blocked, an acupuncture
professional would ask you a long series of questions to see what kinds of
problems you are having. Sometimes problems can alert the professional to
the areas which may be blocked.

Next, they will feel your pulses on your body to see which is weaker (if any)
and where your body is 'off' from the rest of your body. They might also look
at your tongue, eyes, and throat to see if they notice any imbalances there
as well.

Acupuncture is useful in a variety of issues:
• Cessation of smoking
• Pain
• Migraines
• Nausea
• Morning sickness
• Infertility
• Anxiety
• Digestive disturbances
• Sleep troubles
• Etc.

While many people need to return for follow up appointments after their first
acupuncture session, others feel much better after their first treatment.

NATURAL HEALING MYTHS EXPOSED

Along with alternative medicine come many myths and stereotypes of it.
Because many people are not familiar with the way natural healing works, so
they instantly believe what others tell them.

Here are some of the common myths related to natural healing:

• Natural healing is harmful
More often than not, alternative medicine therapies are actually safer
than traditional therapies and medications as they do not incorporate
harmful chemicals.

• Natural healing will interact with your current therapy
While this is certainly the case in some herbal supplement regimes,
most alternative therapies will not interact with anything that you are
currently doing for your health.

• Natural healing is ineffective
Though the natural healing methods may not have been studied as
closely as traditional therapies, they may have been used for longer
periods of time in native cultures. Using Echinacea, for example, is
something that Native Americans did for years before it was
recognized as a potential immune system booster. Natural healing
does work for many people and there are many people who cite
natural healing as the way they coped with even deadly disease like
cancer.

• Natural healing is a cult
Many alternative medicine therapies are not spiritual, nor do any of
them insist that you believe in some sort of deity or spiritual practice
in order for them to work.
• Natural healing is a rip off
While there will always be a snake oil salesman waiting to take your
money, alternative medicine practices need to be regulated in order to
be something that your health insurance plan will pay for.

• Only hippies and vegans use alternative medicine
While those who practice a healthier and more natural lifestyle do tend
to favor alternative medicine practices, more lawyers and business
women are looking into complementary medicine as well.

• Natural healing can hurt traditional medicine
Though there are some drug interactions with herbal preparations,
overall, most alternative medicine practices can be used in conjunction
with traditional therapies without any harmful effects.
As with anything new, there is a lot of false speculation and advertising in
relation to its effectiveness and validity.
Alternative medicine is no different.

But it will help if you spend some time researching the information you read
to make sure it is valid in what it is disproving. Both sides of the argument
should be considered before you make any health decisions for yourself or for
a family member.

What Does Kinesio Taping Do?

What Does Kinesio Taping Do?

Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive Maintenance, Edema, and Pain Management.
Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural healing process. This Kinesio Taping exhibits its efficacy through the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of Kinesiology, hence the name "Kinesio". Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.

Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs. The first application of Kinesio Taping was for a patient with articular disorders.
For the first 10 years, orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other medical practitioners were the main users of Kinesio Taping. Soon thereafter, Kinesio Taping was used by the Japanese Olympic volleyball players and word quickly spread to other athletes. Today, Kinesio Taping is accepted by medical practitioners and athletes in Japan, United States, Europe, South America and other Asian countries.
The Kinesio Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion.
In contrast, traditional sports' taping is wrapped around a joint strictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event obstructing the flow of bodily fluids...An UNDESIRABLE side-effect.

Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include: Muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre and post surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method

Kinesiotaping unique features

Kinesiotaping offers the following unique features:

Kinesio Tape has 140% elasticity matching that of the skin, giving non-restricted support that allows muscles to perform a full range of motion, easily and comfortably.

A durable 3 to 4 day wearing period avoids the hassle of applying and removing traditional sports tapes every few hours. It also gives lasting support and pain relief.

The unique Kinesio Taping Method structurally lifts the skin and allows the flow of body fluids under the application area, reducing edema, inflammation, and discomfort.

Kinesio Tape has a 100% high grade cotton patented design that enhances comfort and channels out air, sweat, and water to enhance skin breathing.

Kinesio Tape is also durable and latex free.

Brand New BB Tape Basketball Tape for sale - Manila Philippines

• Only for $13.98

• Location Quezon City, Metro Manila
• CONTACT DETAILS:
  BERNADETTE
  
  Cell Numbers:
  0949-6990473 (SMART)
  0943-3657079 (SUN)
   

What is "Balance Taping Therapy"?

It is a natural medicine that controls the electromagnetic currents on the skin by attaching a special purpose tape with no chemical treatments. The basic idea is that using the taping can treat the muscles which are just below skin and even the internal organs.

Balance Taping can reduce the overuse of antibiotics and can produce the advantage of a lasting and fast effect with no discomfort whatsoever.

It is latex free, ultra hypoallergenic, or skin sensitive, and breathable, allowing a person to wear BB-E TAPE comfortably. 

BB TAPE is exclusively used with the Balance (Kinesio) Taping Method and has helped countless people to improve their everyday quality of life.

PRODUCT FEATURE

1. Elastic cotton substrate
2. Elasticity 170~190%
3. Strong and reliable stickness
4. Soft and comfortable
5. Good tensile strength
6. Allow skin to breathe
7. Leaves no residue on body parts
8. Water resistant

** Every taping should be applied in a fashion which will not interrupt the movement of joints.
** If applying taping to a muscle, stretch the muscle first. For example, when applying taping to the pectoralis major muscle of the chest, raise the arms and stretch them backwards first, and then attach the tape. Attach the tape as it is on the skin without stretching.

Available colors: Pink, Black, Green and Blue.
Brand new, made in Korea.

Size: 5cm x 5m

CONTACT DETAILS:
BERNADETTE

Cell Numbers:
0949-6990473 (SMART)
0943-3657079 (SUN)

(You may send a text message anytime, but if you are going to call, please do so from Mondays to Saturdays, 9am to 9pm only. Please avoid calling in the early morning or late evening or during Sundays. If you really need to call, please wait for text confirmation. Thank you.)

Sell kinesiology tapes (Ningbo, China)

charleyzhou@gmail.com
Kinesiology tape is made of elastic fabric. It is for support and activation of multifunctional body. It is pain relief – reduced pressure on pain receptors under the skin can provide relief of either acute or chronic pain. It reduced swelling and inflammation – reduced pressure on the lymphatic drainage channels allows better removal of fluids and other materials that collect in an injured area. It prevents and/or relieves spasms and cramping – the same features that reduce inflammation can help prevent or relieve spasms and cramps in overused or injured muscles. It speedier recovery of overused muscles – fatigued, overused muscles contain byproducts of exercise (such as lactic acid) that contribute to pain and stiffness and limit the ability to continue exercising. It provides support without restricting range of motion – the unique elastic properties of kinesiology tape allow it to provide support to an injured muscle or joint without restricting range of motion and allows athletes to remain active while injured

It is hypoallergenic, latex free, breathable, durable and comfortable.

Size:
1"x10yds
1 1/2"x10yds
2"x10yds
3"x10yds
4"x10yds