4 Best Natural Remedies for Treating Chronic Pain

Posted on March 11, 2017 in Wellness

When it comes to treating chronic pain from certain medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, the conventional prescription medications may not be as effective as you would hope them to be. This is one of the main reasons why individuals suffering from chronic pain also seek comfort in complementary, alternative and natural medicine.

Complementary and natural remedies and health practices range in a variety of methods like massage therapy, herbal supplements and yoga. At the latest count there are about 21 million adults in the US who practice yoga.

According to The National Health Interview Survey 5.1% of the population was using yoga as a complementary relief in the year 2002. By 2012, there were 9.5% who incorporated yoga as an alternative remedy. That is a stark increase for only 10 years!

The use of massage, yoga and herbal or natural supplements can be used as a complement or as an alternative to your prescribed medications. However, just like any kind of treatment, these alternative remedies may not work the same way for everyone.

According to Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., the director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is a need for people to try different kinds of natural remedies in order to know what works well for them – it can be one treatment, and sometimes it can be several treatments combined.

Here are the top most sought after natural remedies you can opt for to help alleviate chronic pain.

Massage

This form of therapy can be used to ease body pain, decrease anxiety, reduce stress and fight depression. There are different kinds of massages but in general, they are used to manipulate your soft tissues and muscles and improve body circulation with the use of hand and arm pressure. Experimenting with different massages will let you know what works best for you.

Herbs, Spices and Other Natural Supplements

As you know, chronic pain is associated with many different health conditions, so it could be quite tricky to definitely point out what herbal remedy can help decrease your chronic pain. Among the popular choices are probiotics, fish oils, glucosamine, chondroitin and curcumin supplements.

You will find that there are certain natural supplements that work best with certain body conditions. For instance, the use of Devil’s claw, white willow bark, or turmeric curcumin supplements help take away the pain from joint inflammation or rheumatoid arthritis. The use of primrose or ginger may target muscle pain due to fibromyalgia. If you want to see reviews or if you are wondering where to buy turmeric supplements, primrose or white willow bark, you can find them at the online stores of reputable brands.

To learn more about the use of herbal supplements and their specific results, you can check some reliable websites to know what works best for each condition. Checking the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website is a good place to start.

Another way to do it is to speak to a doctor who is knowledgeable about herbal remedies. It is also best to talk to your doctor before taking any natural herbal supplements as they may interfere with some medications like blood thinners.

Meditation or Mind and Body Techniques

There are numerous forms of meditation, like for example Mindful meditation, Mantra or Transcendental. This practice has been incorporated outside the religious context due to its ability to help relax the mind and body. Meditation can help manage chronic pain, reduce stress, improve mood and even treat anxiety. It is also a powerful method for helping you cope with other symptoms aside from pain.

Yoga

For the last few decades, yoga has sprung to great popularity. It has become prevalent among young adults in the US. This form of meditation and exercise has been practiced in India for hundreds of years. It is believed to treat various mental and physical ailments that may plague people.

Aside from its ability to reduce stress, it also helps improve fitness. There have been reports that it is a great form of exercise for treating chronic back pain, due to the numerous strechinh exercises involved. This technique also teaches you the right way to breathe in order to achieve deep relaxation.

Considering alternative and natural remedies to complement your regular treatment is a great way for incorporating new activities and new experiences in your life. Attending yoga and meditation classes can also help improve your social life which has a positive effect on your stress and anxiety.

The use of herbs and natural supplements also help improve your nutrition and supports your overall health. Try different methods and techniques to know what works best in relieving your chronic pain.

Ancient Chinese medicine

Posted on January 13, 2017 in Wellness

Even today in the modern world, many of us still use traditional healing. Whether it be a form of concoction, pills, juices, topical ointments, meditation, acupuncture or acupressure, using the old methods are still effective.

China is known to be one of the busiest traders in the world. Aside from that, their medicine was considered to be very advanced centuries ago. Since this civilization has existed for thousands of years, they had the opportunity to experiment how exactly their medicines work. As told by the old legends in China, the heavens had sent them wise kings to help them survive the hostile environment.

There’s also another legend that the kings that were sent by the heavens tasted all the plants that thrived in nature. These kings identified which among the plants are useable for medicine and which are not. From then on, the people of China made use of these plants to create their medicine.

For us to understand how and why traditional Chinese medicine has remained to be relevant, we must know its history and how it has evolved to be an intricate profession in China.

One famous traditional medicine that is still used today is the acupuncture. Its origins in the Shang times around 4000 years ago, tells us that this treatment should be effective as it is still practiced today. Though this practice can be modified, acupuncture uses 9 needles and are strategically punctured to the skin.

An expert and a professional only knows how to adjust the placement of the needles. This medicinal practice, and now considered an art, has been used since the stone age. The knowledge has been passed down from father to son for many generations.

The concept of Yin and Yang was introduced in Taoism. Yin and Yang tells us that in life, we are deeply connected to the environment. One example of this concept tells us that in the circle of life, you will have a dark and shady side and a sunny and happy disposition. Keeping both characteristics in proper balance is the key to a harmonious life.

It is believed in Taoism that if one side is thwarted off balance, you will most likely get sick. The teachings in Taoism in regards to medicine is that in order to live a healthy and happy life, you must keep your yin and yang balanced. One literal example that they teach is eating good food, and doing some exercise will decrease stress.

The Han Dynasty was the most enlightening age of traditional Chinese medicine. Chinese healers are now considered to be doctors. They write books about their experience in treating people and medicine in general. The government has mandated that only healers or doctors with proper knowledge are allowed to practice medicine.

In turn, a very strong medical ethics developed in their community. Schools were established to share the knowledge of medicine. This time, the knowledge of medicine is no longer passed from father to son. Students can learn medical skill and become doctors if they want to.

As you see, traditional Chinese medicine has been used since the dawn of time. The reason why so many people stand by it is due to the fact that it has been effective for thousands of years. If you’d read how they make their medicine from plants, you’ll know how they already have a system of measurements long before mathematicians considered it a real thing.

As soon as books and manuals by experts were published, more and more people gained access to treating and healing their ailments. Yes, many still find it mysterious, but if you study it, you’ll find yourself fascinated on this multifaceted practice by the Chinese.

The Diabetes Epidemic

Posted on November 2, 2016 in Wellness

Diabetes, like cancer, is one of the leading causes of deaths all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people with diabetes has increased from 108 million in 1988 to 422 million in 2014. The prevalence of diabetes has rapidly increased in middle-low income families. Moreover, the biggest irony is the fact that there are about 800 million chronically hungry people all over the world, yet about 70% of the world’s adult population is either obese or overweight. (Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/)

Health Problem in the Modern World

It is only in the late 20^th century that the concerns in dietary issues in developing countries have shifted from undernutrition particularly anemia and stunting to obesity. This dramatic change in a matter of decades does not only affect affluent societies, but low-and-middle income countries as well.

Based on reports, adiposity cases or those who are severely or morbidly overweight, are increasing everywhere. What’s interesting, however, is that the epidemiology differs based on when the obesity epidemic started.

For example, in North America and Europe, the highest cases of obesity are prevalent among people who belong to the lower-income groups. Usually, these people live in urban areas where fast food outlets are common.

On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific region first saw obesity cases among wealthy urban people. Eventually, the spread reached the urban slums and impoverished rural areas. The same pattern is being observed among rapidly developing countries. What’s alarming is that undernutrition and obesity can occur at the same time in the same state, same neighborhood, and even in the same household.

How does this affect you personally?

The increase of overweight cases in a populace is lifestyle related. It is a chronic disease that contributes to cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer. On top of this, diabetes comes with complications such as need for dialysis, amputations, and even blindness.

It affects you personally because for the first time in history, economic growth which is supposed to be linked to better health outcomes, has in fact created a market of unhealthy foods and sedentary lifestyle.

It is the biggest health epidemic of the 21^st century and, despite multiple efforts, no country has ever successfully managed this problem. In fact, figures from World Health Organization show an increase in the global prevalence of diabetes in the adult population.

This means you and your loved ones are as vulnerable as anyone to this disease. There are ways to manage diabetes and the best way to control it is to start with yourself.

Managing Diabetes

Know that diabetes, especially if detected earlier, can be successfully managed. But before you do this, you need to know the disease first.

A person has diabetes when the pancreas fails to produce or effectively use insulin, a hormone that our body uses to regulate sugar. If diabetes remains uncontrolled, a condition known as hyperglycaemia occurs. If untreated, this condition can lead to serious damage in the system as well as the blood vessels and nerves.

To avoid diabetes, you will need to have a healthy body weight and be able to maintain it. This is done through continuous physical activities, cutting tobacco use, and eating healthy. As mentioned in the statistics earlier, the proliferation of fast food joints among communities has aligned with the increase of obesity cases in the same community.

This means avoid eating fast food like a plague. Instead, put effort into the food that you eat. Choose fruits and vegetables instead of burger and fries. At the same time, find physical activities that you enjoy. You will notice how eating healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle can affect your mood, self-esteem, productivity, and overall outlook in life.

Diabetes has become an epidemic due to lack of foresight. Many people live in autopilot while embracing all the convenience that modern life has to offer. You only live once. Own your power to be healthy and do not be a part of the diabetes epidemic.