Articles by Eric Cho on ArticleSnatch.com

Alternative Treatments For Breast Cancer

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

It is shocking to live with breast cancer statistics rising to 1 in 8 women developing some form of breast cancer in their lifetime. Women 50 and older are at the greatest risk. Breast cancer is usually detected with mammograms or self breast exams. About 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. While the survival rate is increasing, it is important to note the increase in occurrence over the last 50 years. Let's examine what causes breast cancer so we can prevent and deal with breast cancer naturally. Causes of Breast Cancer Everyone's cancer is caused by something different, and so pinpointing the cause of breast cancer usually isn't high on the list of priorities once a woman is diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease. But, in general cancer is caused by free radicals, or deformed cells, that attach themselves to your good cells. Breast cancer specifically has been linked to too much estrogen found in the body. There are several reasons why women have too much estrogen. The birth control pill increases the amount of estrogen in the female body. **End Summary** Topics: breast cancer]]> breast enlargements]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Breast enlarements

Top 5 Ways To Treat Wrinkles

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The treatment of wrinkles has become a multi-million or perhaps billion dollar industry, as people attempt to stave off the effects of aging. Some of the most common treatments for wrinkles involve lotions and oils, injections, surgery and laser resurfacing. For those who are only a little committed to treating their wrinkles, there are a plethora of over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams from almost every beauty care products supplier. These treatments usually require daily or sometimes twice daily application of creams and lotions to the face to prevent the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Some include a gentle depilatory agent, stripping off the top layer of skin to reach the healthier skin below. Most also include strong moisturizers as dry skin can emphasize the appearance of wrinkles. Some even argue that the moisture in their creams and lotions help plump the skin cells to help them fill in the lines and wrinkles. Of these creams, one of the newest and best to hit the market is a Vitamin C lotion. Beginning in health spas around the world and then leaking out to the general populace, Vitamin C as a skin treatment has been quickly gaining in popularity. **End Summary** Topics: Natural Anti Aging Cream]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Natural Anti Aging Cream

Top 5 Ways To Treat Hair Loss

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

New research indicates that like many other medical problems, hair loss is best treated before it becomes a serious problem. For example, doctors in Asia believe that dandruff and other scalp conditions that cut off the blood supply to hair root can lead to hair loss. They argue that because it cannot breathe or receive nourishment, the root of the hair dies and falls out. So, the earliest form of treatment for hair loss should be scalp massage to stimulate the blood vessels of the scalp and help keep the hair follicles healthy enough to grow. Along with this treatment, doctors recommend seeking out hair care products that lead to a healthy scalp. Conditions such as eczema or seborrhea should be treated quickly and treatment continued to maintain a healthy scalp. A healthy scalp is less likely to experience hair loss. Those same doctors say that poor nutrition can be a contributing factor to hair loss. People need to maintain a health diet in an effort to promote healthy hair growth. Doctors say diets should be rich in vitamins and iron to promote healthy blood flow to the scalp. Complete body health also contributes to maintaining healthy hair. **End Summary** Topics: Natural Hair Loss Treatment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> http://www.methodsofhealing.com/Hair_Loss.html Natural Hair Loss Treatment

Top 5 Ways To Quit Smoking

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

For years, the only way to stop smoking was to quit cold turkey and hope that willpower alone was enough to make the habit a thing of the past. Americans still promote this theory of quitting with events like the Great American Smoke Out which encourages smokers to stop for one day every November. Promoters of the event say that once a person realizes that they can make it through an entire day without a cigarette the concept of quitting smoking becomes easier to accept. Having done it for a day, they believe they can do it and some do, organizers say. But the reality is that today there are many alternatives for people who are seriously attempting to quit smoking. One of the new methods of treatment for those attempting to quit smoking is nicotine gum. This process of quitting involves substituting a nicotine gum for cigarettes whenever the craving hits. The theory is that this allows smokers to deal with the physical withdrawal from the addictive nicotine and the oral stimulation once associated with smoking. The idea is that they can begin to wean themselves off the gum slowly as the cravings become less prevalent. **End Summary** Topics: Quit Smoking]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Quit Smoking

Top 4 Ways To Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a generic name for a plethora of different bowel symptoms and issues. Common symptoms include gas, bloating, cramps, diarrhea and constipation. Because the symptoms are so varied, treatment for irritable bowel syndrome can vary widely based on which symptoms are acting up at any given time. The most common treatments for irritable bowel syndrome are fiber supplements and laxatives. Sufferers often find themselves caught in one of two extremes, loose bowels or constipation. These over the counter remedies are often used for years before a person is diagnosed with the disease. So, the most common form of treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is to treat the appropriate symptom. However, even those with loose bowels are encouraged to take fiber supplements or increase their dietary fiber because the pendulum often swings from one extreme to the other. The second most common treatment, recommended for all sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome, is lifestyle adjustments. Doctors believe that many lifestyle issues contribute to the development and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. They recommend these lifestyle issues be adjusted to help prevent continuing problems with the disease. **End Summary** Topics: Irritable Bowel Syndrome]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> http://www.methodsofhealing.com/Bowel_Control.html Treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Top 5 Ways To Cure Hemorrhoids

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

As almost any pregnant woman can attest, hemorrhoids are no laughing matter. However, embarrassment over the condition and unwillingness to ask questions often leaves people with no idea how to treat the problem. Generally, the most mild forms of hemorrhoids will heal themselves, but people often find it necessary to treat the symptoms while waiting for natural healing. Treating the symptoms is more a matter of personal comfort than medical need. Hemorrhoids are swollen and painful blood vessels around the rectum, usually further irritated by constipation so the most recommended treatment is more for the constipation that the hemorrhoids themselves. Doctors recommend doses of fiber and lots of water to loosen the bowels and allow people to avoid irritating the hemorrhoids. The second most common form of treatment comes from over the counter medication. Manufactured under several brand names, one common treatment for hemorrhoids are anti-inflammatory pads or wipes. These items allow a person to smear an anti-inflammatory directly on the affected area and give immediate relief to the discomfort caused by the hemorrhoids. Generally, due to the swelling, hemorrhoids are hot and the anti-inflammatory treatments provide a form of cooling relief. **End Summary** Topics: Curing Hemorrhoids]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Curing Hemorrhoids

Top 5 Ways To Lose Weight

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

With almost daily reports about the obesity crisis, millions of people are concerned about the best ways to lose weight. Almost every magazine has a monthly story about the most promising new diets and weight loss plans and people are confused about which story to believe. Here are the top five weight loss tips that remain true throughout almost every fat diet and scientific study. Each of these tips will assist in weight loss if the dieter is committed to making progress. First, the key to healthy weight loss is to drink enough water every day. Most people know that drinking water will help flush the toxins from their body and promote fat-burning, but still they don't do it. The average person should drink 64 ounces of water a day. In addition to helping cleanse the cells and hydrate the body, drinking water helps suppress the appetite. When the stomach is full of water, it isn't asking for food. In addition, many people mistake feelings of thirst for feelings of hunger and snack when they should just get a drink! The second key to weight loss is to keep a food diary. **End Summary** Topics: Weight Loss]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Thyroid Weight Loss Program

Top 5 Ways To Relieve Pain

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

For some people, the thought of pain relief means grabbing a bottle of aspirin or over-the-counter pain reliever and taking pills. But here are five methods of pain relief that don't involve narcotics or pain killers that can cause damage to the stomach or liver. One of the simplest ways to reduce pain is to chill or warm the affected area, depending on the nature of the injury or cause of the pain. Pain relief for a sprain or joint injury is often as close as the nearest freezer. Putting ice on the injury helps reduce swelling and therefore reduces the pressure on the nerve endings, reducing the pain. For a muscle pull or strain injury, heat can help reduce pain. A heating pad on the site of the strain can help relax the muscles and eliminate the pain. That same theory is why a warm bath or shower can help to relieve pain. The warmth of the water helps the body to relax and the relaxation causes the muscle to quit causing pressure on the nerve ending. Another simple method is to relieve pain is through massage. **End Summary** Topics: Natural Pain Relief]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Natural Pain Relief

4 Reasons Why People Should Use Alternative Medicine

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Alternative forms of medicine are growing in popularity as people try to find a more holistic approach to their health. Conventional medicine is still very helpful but the underlying effects have sometimes caused people to become more aware of natural approaches to healing and preventative medicine. 1/ One of the reasons alternative medicine has been booming recently is because people are tired of taking a pill or other medication for every bump, bruise and cough. For many people, alternative medicine seems more reliable than so-called modern medicine. After all, modern drugs are recalled on a regular basis while acupuncture has been practiced continuously for more than 5,000 years. In many countries, the rush to make a profit on a new drug often leads to the product being placed on the market before its long-term effects are known. The recent prevalence of this problem has caused many people to seek treatment that is tried and true. 2/ Many people who seek out alternative medicine also do so because they do not want to fill their bodies with the chemicals that are inherent in more traditional medicine. **End Summary** Topics: Alternative medicine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Medicine

Top 5 Ways To Enlarge Breast

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Until a few decades ago, it was generally accepted that women were stuck with whatever breast size they grew into in puberty, with some minor fluctuations during pregnancy or nursing, but now women are able to enlarge their breasts with pills, surgery and possibly even exercise. One of the healthiest ways to give the appearance of breast enhancement is to exercise and tone the pectoral muscles under the breast. While the breast itself does not have any muscle, firming the pectorals will give the breasts a solid base to work from and improves breast appearance. A simple exercise that can assist with this is the butterfly. Most health clubs have weight machines that will create this motion or it can be done at home. Arms should be bent at the elbow and held parallel to the body. Then the forearms are drawn together in front of the chest. For faster results, hand weights can be held while performing the exercise. Another way to truly create breast enhancement is with a variety of herbal supplements designed to restimulate the mammary glands to grow. **End Summary** Topics: Natural Breast Enlargement]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Natural Breast Enlargement

Why Do Women Want Larger Breasts

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Breasts have been a topic of discussion for years with many wondering why women want larger breasts. There are many reasons, some of which are shallow and purely cosmetic but many that go much deeper, right down to the self confidence of a woman. The size of the breasts a woman will have in her adult years begins to develop during puberty and by the time she has reached her early twenty's the breasts are fully developed. There is a misconception that body fat is a requirement for large breasts so that the more fat there is on the body of a woman the larger her breasts will be. And although body fat does play a small role in breast size, genetics plays a much larger role, which is why thin girls can have large breasts without having implants. Women seeking to have a breast enlargement are generally healthy, younger and have secondary education, thus a higher socio-economic status. Many of these women are not happy with their appearance and may have suffered years of teasing resulting in low self esteem. **End Summary** Topics: breast gain plus]]> breast enlargment]]> breast enhancement]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buy Breast Gain Plus

Ways To Treat Hair Loss

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Baldness and hair loss are two related problematic conditions affecting mainly the male population. Studies emphasized the gravity of hair loss by showing that men who suffer from hair loss experience feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, and even jealousy of men having healthy hair. Men, though, are not the only ones who must deal with hair loss, as there are thousands of women who also suffer from this condition. The main cause lying behind male hair loss is to be found in genetics, as there is a single dominant gene which is responsible for male baldness. This gene is usually transmitted from father to son, but there are other reasons for hair loss, such as medication or illness. In these cases, however, hair loss is only temporary and hair will eventually grow back once men recover from their illness or stop taking the medication. In men who have a genetic predisposition of becoming bald, the process of hair loss starts at a very young age and becomes more significant with the years. If you are one of those men who uncontrollably lose their hair before their time of course you would like to know your options. **End Summary** Topics: hair loss treatment]]> hair loss pills]]> hair loss cure]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buy Hair Loss Treatment

Weight Loss Medicine

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Obesity is a problem that is growing at an alarming rate affecting many people and it is also a factor that leads to other serious conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Treatments can include prescription weight loss medication, over the counter supplements, or both. Weight loss medication when combined with regular exercise and a reduced calorie diet can help with weight loss. Different medications affect the body differently. Some reduce the appetite making a person feel full, while others speed up the metabolism and burn fat, or even all three combined. Prescription weight loss medication should be used only by those that have an increased risk of another medical condition because of a weight problem and they should be used only under the direction of a physician. They should not be used for cosmetic weight loss such as losing 10 pounds. Prescription weight loss medicine has been approved for use on individuals with a BMI that is above 30 or for those that have a BMI of 27 combined with obesity related conditions. Side effects from prescription weight loss medications are generally mild however as with any medication there is the potential for serious side effects. **End Summary** Topics: hoodia weight loss treatment]]> weight loss treatment]]> weight loss cure]]> weight loss]]> diet patches]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Hoodia Weight Loss Treatment

Using Diet Patches

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

More than 75% of the population fights with issues that relate to weight loss. It may be a few pounds or a case of obesity but either way there is no magic bullet for curing obesity or weight gain. But using diet patches seems to be the latest hope for an easy solution to the problem. The diet patch is the latest and greatest craze to make it to the weight loss market in recent months. And it certainly is the most attractive diet plan to come along in ages. There are a variety of different diet patches on the market. Some claim to work as fast as within 24 hours which is very impressive. Others claim results in a couple of days or a week. Almost all of them share basic ingredients and all deliver those ingredients the same way. Using skin patches is not a new idea. Many drugs, contraceptives, and stop smoking remedies are delivered slowly through a time release skin patch. It has been proven that medication is absorbed extremely well through the skin. It has now become quite a common delivery system for prescription drugs and alternative treatments too. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss treatment]]> weight loss cure]]> weight loss]]> diet patches]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buy Diet Patches

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solutions

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a common disorder seen by doctors yet it is the least talked about. It is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, flatulence, diarrhea, mucus in the stool, and constipation. Often diarrhea and constipation alternate. 1 in 5 American adults suffer from IBS and 1 out of every 10 visits to the doctor is for IBS. There are several irritable bowel syndrome solutions that are worth trying. Treating IBS is difficult because the cause is not clearly understood. But there are some treatments that have proven helpful. IBS treatments are very individual so much is dependant on trial and error. A combination of medication and lifestyle changes can be effective. Anticholinergic medications affect the nervous system and thus relieve the pain of a spastic bowel. Antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline or Imipramine which help reduce pain by inhibiting the activity of the pain neurons. There are two newer drugs on the market that are specifically designed to treat IBS. Alosetron or Lotronex is a nerve receptor antagonist that relaxes the colon and slows down the speed that the waste travels through the lower bowel. **End Summary** Topics: bowel control]]> bowel treatment]]> bowel cure.]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buy Bowel Control Pills

Reasons Why So Many People Are Overweight

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Obesity has become a huge problem for most people living in developed countries. Today, 30% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese and 60% of all adults are either overweight or obese. There are many reasons for our overweight problem. Obesity is responsible for increased rates of stroke, heart attack, type II diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. In fact it is responsible for as many premature deaths as smoking. Obesity has now become a threat to our longevity. On the surface it would seem that the underlying reason is really quite simple. If a person takes in more calories than the person burns, weight gain is the final outcome. These factors certainly play a role in obesity but there are more factors which contribute to this problem. Modern society has changed a great deal from just a couple of generations ago when agriculture and manual labor were common place. Today people spend a great deal of the day sitting at a desk in an office, driving the car, or relaxing on the sofa at home. All of which has affected the overall health of people living in developed countries. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss treatment]]> weight loss cure]]> weight loss]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Thyroid Weight Loss Treatment

Fitness Habits And Losing Weight

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

These days just about everyone you meet is looking to lose a few pounds. In fact, obesity is the number one health problem facing the developed world today. Fitness habits and losing weight go hand in hand in resolving this issue. Some may think that the answer is pretty straightforward. The basic theory is that in order to lose weight a person must take in fewer calories than are burned for the same 24 hour period. However, calorie reduction which happens too quickly will cause the body to think it is starving and thus it begins to store fat so that it can be used later by the body as a food supply. That means that in order to be successful in reducing calories it will need to be done slowly while increasing the level of fitness. Physical activity is an important part of the formula to lose weight. There are simple things that a person can do to increase their fitness level. Too often it's assumed a gym membership is a requirement and although that might be nice, for some people not being able to afford a gym membership is not a valid excuse for not getting fit. **End Summary** Topics: weight loss treatment]]> Thyroid Weight Loss Treatment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Thyroid Weight Loss Treatment

Every Reason To Quit Smoking

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Statistics show that a person has every reason to quit smoking. Even though the message is out there loud and clear, backed by facts, people still continue to smoke resulting in extreme and sometimes irreversible health conditions. Smoking comes with many serious health risks that are easy to ignore because they take a few years to affect their bodies. Heart disease, stroke, and cancer are all a result of smoking. For a few who are strong enough to quit there is a second chance at life. But for many, by the time the truth about smoking sinks in, it is too late for they have succumbed to the results of smoking. It is really quite simple cigarette smoking kills. Statistics and studies conclusively prove it. In hospitals, where there are hundreds of men and women who have suffered a major heart attack, undergoing open heart surgery, now lie in the wards fighting for their lives. Statistics say that there is a 1 in 10,000 chance of surviving a left ventricular heart attack. Statistics also show that for other types of heart attack there is a 60% chance the patient will die before reaching hospital. **End Summary** Topics: quit smoking]]> smoking patches]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Quit Smoking Treatment

The Natural Health Boom

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

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. **End Summary** Topics: Natural Alternative Medicine]]> homeopathic medicine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Natural Alternative Medicine

Are You Bald? Get Your Hair Back

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500

For both men and women who start to go bald the idea is not one they can easily accept. If you are bald you can get your hair back with one of the many options available to you. Each day the body disperses hundreds of hairs. This is the hair generally found around the shower drain. If hair loss is on the rise it is important to find out what the underlying cause is because the sooner the cause is discovered the sooner the real problem can be dealt with. With the aging process it is natural for hair to thin however if there is a sudden excessive loss or patches following out it is time to see a doctor to ensure there is no disease or toxicity that needs to be treated. Alopecia areata, Addisons, autoimmune disorders, and even thyroid conditions can all cause severe hair loss which means when treated the hair loss will stop. The food people eat can also cause baldness. Deficiencies in the diet such as lack of iron can be responsible for hair loss. Blood work to check for anemia should be done especially if the fingernails have also become thin. **End Summary** Topics: hair loss treatment]]> hair loss cure]]> hair loss pills]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Buy Hair Loss Treatment

Out Of This World - Shamanism Healing

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Many of the ancient cultures of the world adhered to one or the other form of Shamanism. This is a tribal healing tradition where a Shaman is said to transcend the boundaries of the conscious world and travel to a world unbeknown to the ordinary man. Here, the Shaman converses with spirits and come back with secrets that allows him to heal others, foretell the future, control the weather and even ward off attacks. The word ˜Saman' is defined as a technique of ecstasy. A Shaman is a practitioner who is able to enter an altered state of consciousness where he can communicate with the supernatural. He acts as an intermediary between the world of man and the world of Gods and often has the power to descend to the realm of the dead. He leaves his body when he is in trance. This trance is induced by chanting, beating of the drum or passionate dancing. In the more unsophisticated cultures, Shamans even used to take to fasting, ingesting psychotropic drugs or even undergo torture to achieve the trance. **End Summary** Topics: Shamanism]]> shaman]]> tribal healing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Holistic Medicine

Is Hypnosis A Circus Act?

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

˜Mind over matter' this is hypnotherapy in a nutshell. Employing hypnosis to treat an illness began in ancient Egypt and India where music and religion were used to induce trance. In modern times, when people began to look outside the pail of conventional medicine for solutions, the use of the mind for treatment became a powerful procedure in itself. The most simplistic form of hypnotherapy is seen in the common placebo effects. Placebos lull patients into a false belief that they are taking powerful drugs while they are actually taking dummy medications.Surprisingly however, patients get well just because their minds convince them that the medicine will work. Practitioners of hypnotherapy believe that when patients enter the hypnotic trance, their subconscious mind is more receptive to positive suggestions. These positive suggestions in turn help to cure the patients. Hypnosis has been defined as an altered state of consciousness where the mind is fully alert but chooses not to react. In normal human beings the sub conscious mind is normally out of reach. All our negative and positive emotions are stored religiously in the subconscious mind. We neither know what is happening there nor can we control it; **End Summary** Topics: Hypnosis]]> hypnotherapy]]> hypnotize]]> hypnotic healing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Holistic Medicine

Folk Medicine - The Natural Solution

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Long before orthodox medicine took center stage in the health care practices around the world people who were sick used to visit different kind of doctors. These doctors were not the steth-wielding, tech-savvy, white-coated medical geniuses of today. Mostly, they were bearded, wizened and gnarled humans looking less like physicians and more like witches or wizards. But they were revered, loved and even feared because of one particular skill they possessed the healing touch. In the early days of civilization, a vast majority of people were cut off from ˜formal' medical care. Competent physicians were a luxury, to be enjoyed only by the super-rich and royalty. For everyone else, there was the local witch-doctor who was respected for his or her in-depth knowledge of folk medicine. This was the man or woman who treated everything from boils to gangrene, from cesarean to malaria and even small pox. What is astonishing is that many of these so-called ˜doctors' effectively cured their patients. What is even more interesting is that these medicines have lost none of their charms with the passage of time and more and more of them are finding their rightful place in mainstream medicines. **End Summary** Topics: Folk medicine]]> alternative medicine]]> witchcraft]]> holistic healing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Holistic Medicine

Healing Through Qigong - The Art Of Breathing

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The word ˜Qigong' is made up of the two words ˜Qi' (meaning breath or gas in Mandarin) and ˜Gong' (meaning technique or work). Thus Qigong basically means ˜breath work'. Qigong, therefore, is a technique of traditional Chinese medicine involving the regulation and coordination of breathing patterns to ensure good health. Qigong is believed to be the result of decades of struggle by the Chinese people for survival. It was noticed that certain breathing techniques used in conjunction with mental concentration greatly improved bodily functions. Qigong has also borrowed heavily from Taoism and Buddhism. Thus religion and spirituality plays a very important role in Qigong techniques. Some forms of Qigong even believe that an individual can attain higher levels of accomplishment only if he is very virtuous. Traditional Chinese medicine operates on a simple but effective premise that of ˜Chi'. Chi is the energy or life force that travels through the human body and suffuses all our organs with health and well being. When this flow is blocked or disturbed, there is a disturbance within the system that manifests itself as a disease. **End Summary** Topics: Qigong]]> chinese medicine]]> breathing]]> breath work]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Holistic Medicine

Music To Your Ears - The Healing Way

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Shakespeare once said, If music be the food of love, play on. The power of music over the human mind is enormous, and that's putting it lightly. Music therapy is the use of music for therapeutic purposes by a trained professional. The idea of using music as a healing influence dates back to the time of Plato and Aristotle. In the modern world, music for therapy came to the fore when musicians played for war veterans to cure them of physical and emotional trauma. Since many of the patients responded well, nurses and doctors began requesting the services of musicians for therapy. Soon, music therapy became recognized as an effective and scientifically-backed mode of treatment. The first music therapy degree program ever was established in 1944 in the State of Michigan, U.S. A trained music therapist gauges the emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning and cognitive skills through the patient's responses to music. Once the assessment is complete, the practitioner designs music session for individuals or groups. The therapeutic music is prepared based on client needs and uses music improvisation, song writing, lyric discussion, imagery and musical performances. **End Summary** Topics: Music therapy]]> music]]> music health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Alternative Holistic Medicine