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The Different Methods Of Chinese Medicine

admin Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Health Tips，Tags: Acupuncture, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Alternative, Health, Herbalism, Tai chi chuan, Traditional Chinese Medicine, United States

27 August 2010

: Image by Jean-François Chénier via Flickr

There are a wide variety of different Chinese medicine methods used around the world to help treat an imbalance of chi, or life force, in a persons body. One of the most common forms of Chinese medicine would be acupuncture. This is a technique in which a skilled practitioner puts tiny, thread sized needles into a specific point – or points – on a persons body in order to help redirect and rebalance the body’s chi.
Another popular form of Chinese medicine would be the one most thought of as traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies. There are nearly 500 different types of herbs to mix and match in order to tailor specifically to a persons needs to regain balance of ones body and chi. An example of such a concoction would be a soup that serves as an immune system booster, a recipe which can easily be found online that generally consists of 10 grams of huang qi [astragalus] root, 10 grams of a dang shen [codonopsis] root, 10 grams of a shan yao [dioscorea] yam, and 10 grams of lotus seeds, boiled just like a person would make tea – the only difference being that this recipe allows for the addition of anything ranging from mushrooms to miso, and other vegetables. Other simple versions of this Chinese medicine include specially made teas assembled from different herbs used to help balance the body’s chi.
Other forms of Chinese medicine, perhaps not as well known, include things such as “cupping” and relaxation exercises. “Cupping” is a massage, where cups are placed on the body in places where chi is imbalanced; a match is lit and placed inside the cup, then removed as the cup is placed on the body. The hot air from the match caught within the cup creates a vacuum of suction, upon which the cups can be slid along the body for reverse-pressure massages. The exercises of Chinese medicine are more well-known. Tai chi chuan, for example, has within the name the idea of rebalancing a body’s chi; yoga has also become a form of rebalancing ones chi.

Chi Gung and Alternative Cigarettes

admin Posted in Electronic cigarettes, Health Tips，Tags: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Health, Tai chi chuan

13 August 2010

If you have ever studied Asian martial arts, you are no doubt highly familiar with breathing. And while every living person is very familiar with breathing, the breath one does intentionally in the study of an art such as karate or tai chi is different than the non consciously controlled kind of breathing that everyone takes for granted until it stops being easy. There really is no worse feeling in the world than attempting to draw a breath, and having nothing come of it. One of the most in depth studies of breath is the Chinese practice of chi gung (also known as chi kung), which loosely translates into “life force work.”

When you practice chi gung, you breathe deeply and imagine gathering energy from your environment. Some people believe that everything is made out of energy, and that as part of this world, we can draw from an unlimited supply of the stuff. When you inhale deeply, you absorb the energy out of the air you just breathed in. And when you exhale, you can release the types of harmful energies that collect in our systems when we feel stress of any kind. This may sound a little flaky, but long term practitioners swear by the healing effects of deep breath and intention.

One easy way to make your breath work better is by changing up a few little health habits. Smoking is a highly addictive habit, but it can be eased out of. For instance, have you ever considered trying alternative cigarettes? Some kinds of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigs, give you the nicotine you’re actually addicted to (along with the smoking motion that some people believe is just as addictive), without any of the tar that clogs up your lungs and causes so many health problems. The first step in having better health is to improve your breathing, after all.

Wheelchairs for Your Healthcare Location

admin Posted in Health Tips, Practitioners' Notes, Rehab，Tags: Disabilities, Health, Wheelchair

08 August 2010

Your healthcare location can be greatly improved by your choice of wheelchairs. It may sound odd at first, but wheelchairs are a common point of a variety of safety issues, which can undermine the integrity of a healthcare facility.

A number of safety issues can place the staff in danger. Some wheelchairs do not have automatic brake locks and armrests that may be lifted. The latter allows the patient to enter and exit the wheelchair safely, while the former gives rise to more obvious problems. When the staff is required the bend and lift the patient, safety issues may be presented in such ineffective wheelchair designs.

Another major problem surrounding wheelchairs in a healthcare-related setting is theft. This is especially true in larger facilities, or those in which the wheelchairs are out of sight from the staff, generally speaking.

A number of wheelchairs have many features that make is susceptible to theft. Removable parts and foldable wheelchairs are the most common and obvious. These features make it easy to place into a vehicle.

Wheelchairs that do not have removable parts and are not foldable are preferable. These are crucial for facilities in which the wheelchairs are always present. Other security features, such as coin locks and serial numbers, can be effective in discouraging and preventing theft.

If you are in the market for wheelchairs for your healthcare site, take note of these features and areas of consideration. The safety of your staff, the patients, and the point of theft are relevant issues when purchasing wheelchairs. There are of course many other considerations which should be taken into account, such as the materials that are used to promote longevity of the units.

It is important to be aware of these crucial features in your wheelchair purchase. They are all too often overlooked, in which safety, theft, and durability issues are seen prominently in healthcare settings.

Dealing With Child Temper Tantrums

admin Posted in Health Food, Health Tips，Tags: Child, Children Youth and Family, Home and Family

29 July 2010

Dealing Child Temper Tantrums

When children get angry or frustrated and feel out of control and out of power, they throw tantrums. It is their means to express these feelings and gain fast attention.

Out first reaction may be to punish the child or give the child what they want. Stop. Do not punish your child and do not reward him/her. In doing so, you are feeding attention to the tantrum and your child will expect attention with every tantrum. If throwing a tantrum receives your attention, then you child will keep throwing them when they need to feel power.

So, what should you do? Stay in control by ignoring the tantrum all together. If your child is screaming and yelling then simply stay calm and ignore it.

Some children may cause harm to themselves when acting out like this and it is important that you keep them safe or if needed, keep them away from others and in a separate area. Do whatever you need to do to make sure your child doesn’t get hurt, but do it in a controlled manner.

What do you do if you are in public and your child throws a tantrum?

First thing to do is immediately take your child out of the public area and into a quiet area like your car. You can put your child in your car and buckle them in their seat and then shut the doors. Make sure that there is enough air. Then wait outside of the car until the tantrum ends.

Wait out the tantrum and ignore the behavior. Once your child is finished then you can talk to them. After your child is calm, explain to them why that behavior is not acceptable. Let your child know that they can talk to you about their feelings, instead of acting out.

It’s also important to consider the health of your child if you see that tantrums are persistent and usual. In this case, there are many natural remedies, such as chinese medicine and alternative medicine to help calm a child that is overactive and hypersensitive.

Free Discount Prescription Card Improves Healthcare Delivery

admin Posted in Health Tips，Tags: Health care, Prescription drug

10 July 2010

With the increasing cost of healthcare, now more than ever it is important to save on prescription drugs. Rising costs have forced some people to seek cheap drugs online, frequently falling victims to scams. Unfortunately, in these cases there is little protection or redress that can be offered by government agencies. Finding a free discount prescription card is one answer, but even here, some degree of diligence is necessary.

What is a Discount Prescription Card?

These cards can be used by anyone who has to use prescription medication. Free cards, as the name suggests, require no payment upfront. When they are used they can help to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. For many people struggling with illness they offer the only hope of getting the drugs they need. Discount cards can usually be used for both brand name and generic drugs.

Understanding the Specifics

Discount prescription cards can be used at a variety of pharmacies nationwide. During the sign up process, a list of approved pharmacies is usually provided. Some cards are provided by charity organizations as a means of easing the burden faced by families without health insurance. Some users enjoy savings as high as 50% on their prescription drugs.

Not all prescription drug cards offer the same level of benefits. The size of the discount is dependent on the drug in question. In addition, some cards will not cover the cost of certain drugs.

Getting Discount Cards

A search online will turn up a number of options for these cards. It is important to pay close attention to details, as some cards have fees attached. These can defeat the purpose of getting the cards in the first place. Some websites allow visitors to print cards directly after they have entered required information. Users must be aware, however, that discount cards are not health insurance plans.

Cruises Offer Yoga, Meditation, and Other Healthy Forms of Relaxation

admin Posted in Health Tips，Tags: Cruise ship, Health, Meditation, Yoga

07 July 2010

If you think that cruise ships are all about drinking too much alcohol and eating too many rich foods, then you should consider the possibility of booking your next vacation on a ship that focuses on health and well being. Many cruise lines have recognized that health-conscious people want vacations that allow them to recover from the stress of daily life without ingesting large amounts of alcohol and fat. They have, therefore, designed cruise deals that offer yoga, meditation, and other healthy forms of relaxation.

Yoga Classes on Cruise Ships

Most cruise ships that offer yoga classes will have beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. This allows the teacher to focus on yoga postures that are appropriate for people at different levels of fitness. Not everyone who signs up for a yoga cruise has already mastered difficult poses. In fact, many people use healthy cruise deals as a way to start living healthier lives. If you are an advanced yoga student who wants more intensive study opportunities, then look for cruise deals that focus on people who have already been taking yoga classes for several years. They should offer more advanced options that focus on your interests.

Meditation on Cruise Ships

Meditation helps the mind slow down, prevent racing thoughts, and clear all of the clutter out of your head. Cruise ships are a great environment for this activity, or inactivity depending on the type of meditation that you prefer. Learning various forms of meditation on the cruise ship will help you confront stressful events in life after vacation.

Healthy Relaxation on Cruise Ships

Cruise ships are the perfect places to relax with tai chi, massage, acupuncture, and other healthful techniques from Asia. Look for cruise deals that offer a combination of relaxing classes so that you can learn techniques that appeal to you.

E-Cigarettes: Clearing the Haze

admin Posted in Health Tips，

08 June 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, were patented in China in 2003, but there is still a huge debate over how good e-cigarettes are. Safe smoking may seem an oxymoron to most people, but it is important to know why e-cigarettes are being touted as a safe alternative to regular cigarettes.

The biggest point in favor of e-cigarettes is that it does not involve a combustion process. E-cigarette manufacturers are quick to point out that this eliminates the smoke, tar, and about 4,000-odd carcinogens and chemicals that are part of a regular smoke. Detractors argue that the most harmful agent of them all, nicotine, is still part of the e-cigarette experience. Here’s why “just nicotine” may not be such a great idea after all. E-cigarettes eliminate all the other harmful additives that are used in normal cigarettes, but nicotine on its own is a highly addictive substance too. Nicotine is the ingredient responsible for that final surge of dopamine, which gives smokers their high.

In e-cigarettes, liquid nicotine is contained in a plastic filter. A battery warms the nicotine, creating a thin vapor stream when the smoker exhales. The long-term effects of inhaling nicotine mist, as well the impact on non-smokers, is not yet known. E-cigarette owners are also warned to be careful of coming into contact with the liquid nicotine during refills and changes, as nicotine can enter one’s body through the skin. You can, however, control the level of nicotine found in each cartridge, which enables you to lower the amount in each dose.

A good way of putting things into perspective would be to remember that e-cigarettes do not claim to stop one from smoking; they are merely a safer option for those who can’t do without their regular dose of nicotine. Therefore, e-cigarettes are ideal for smokers looking for a healthier cigarette or for those looking to gradually quit smoking.

What is Chinese Medicine?

admin Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Health Tips, Healthy Medicine，Tags: Traditional Chinese Medicine

17 March 2010

One reason why the Western world may be unfamiliar with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is that in the West, it is considered an alternative medical system. Whereas, in the East, TCM has been long accepted as mainstream medical care.

The philosophy of TCM stems from the Chinese belief in the interactive and intimate relationship human beings share with the environment. This is the same fount that energizes Buddhist and Taoist thought.

It further involves the concept that the body contains a group of intricate and precise interrelated systems. These systems then work together in harmony to keep the bodily functions healthy.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing in TCM requires an immense amount of skill, knowledge and training. The methods used include:

• Observation of the odors emitting from the body
• Probing questions about the person, their behavior and their environment
• Total and complete observation of everything about the patient
• Pulse diagnosis in six positions
Treatments

Once the diagnosis is complete, the many forms of treatment include Acupuncture, Food Therapy, Massage, Herbal Medicine, Meditation and Breathing, Dermabrasion, Bone Setting and variations within each of those.

Herbal Classic

A good example of a source of TCM treatments is the herbal medicine modality. Herbal medicine is based on the oldest book on herbal medicine, called “Shen Nong’s Herbal Medicine.” It is 2000 years old. In it, 365 places of grass, roots, woods, furs, stones and animals into three classifications:

• The first group contains herbs that help restore and maintain the inner balance of the body.

• Systems boosters and tonics comprise the second group. Prolonged consumption of these herbs is not recommended.

• The third group is taken for particular problems and must be administered in small doses to take care of those ailments only.

The specificity of each herb as it treats an individual is similar to all the healing methods used in all of the phases of TCM.

Asthma and Allergies Remedies

admin Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Health Tips, Herbal Treatment，Tags: Allergy, Asthma, Conditions and Diseases, Health, HEPA, Medicine

17 March 2010

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Most patients with diagnosed asthma and allergies are told to use an inhaler and possibly al buterol. But what happens when patients can no longer take the medication? Whether for economic reasons or physical (the inhaler is out of reach, in another country, etc.), there are tips and tricks and old wives’ tales for managing asthma.

The first myth is that caffeine will open your lungs. While this may be true, temporarily, unfortunately it hurts the patient in the long run because they become dependent on the caffeine opening the tubes and airways. Not only that but caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and soda can hurt your teeth and cause jitters and increased nervousness.

Second is to eat spicy foods. Spicy food causes mucus to run, cleaning out the nasal and sinus cavities. Contrarily, milk and other thick dairy products are said to cause congestions, especially during peak allergen seasons.
Other home remedies include using ginger and wasabi as well as rinsing the nose with saline water. Patients may also find relief when taking steaming showers, which, once again, clear membrane mucus.

Yet another food-related home remedy for asthma and allergy-induced congestion is to squirt onion juice up the nose. These home remedies are not guaranteed to improve the patient’s quality of life but are worth trying.

Lastly, patients with exercise-induced asthma are encouraged to make swimming their sport of choice. The high humidity in swimming pools is less likely to dry out an asthmatic’s throat, reducing the likelihood of an asthma attack. However, some sources agree chlorine is a trigger for asthma.

Patients may want to exercise indoors to avoid allergens and use HEPA filters when vacuuming. Get plenty of rest, eat properly and exercise regularly. Do not over-exert. Listen to your body and contact a doctor when necessary. Asthma and allergies can be difficult to live with but with a combination of these home remedies and medical care, patients have a surefire way of improving their qualities of life.

Common Herbal Remedies Found in Your Garden

admin Posted in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Health Tips, Herbal Treatment，Tags: Alternative medicine, Health, Herb, Traditional Chinese Medicine

13 March 2010

Nature offers not only stunning beauty but also more than a handful of natural remedies. Look no further than your garden to cure some common ailments.

Use aloe vera to cure a minor burn. The plant requires little care beyond its weekly watering schedule and offers soothing relief to a nasty sunburn. Simply cut off a leaf and slit it open. Scrape or scoop out the inner leaf’s gel and apply the aloe vera to the desired surface.

For anxiety relief, try bathing in lavender. Calm your nerves and senses by drawing a bath and soaking in lavender–either bought as an oil, or a handful of lavender flowers taken from your garden. It’s been a remedy for anxiety for ages, but may also reduce negativity, frustration and anger.

Peppermint can ease indigestion. To settle the stomach after a meal, in ancient times people used to chew on a peppermint sprigs. Today, we enjoy a mint after a delicious dinner. The combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may sooth the stomach, though a cup of brewed peppermint tea can also help ease the discomfort that may follow after meals.

More digestion problems? Chamomile is truly an all-purpose herb. Not only does it help sooth the body and soul after a long day at work, but it can also help an upset stomach feel better. The herb helps smooth muscle spasms and decrease inflammation in the gut lining.

To strengthen the immune system, look no further than the root of an echinacea flower. To cure colds, echinacea is available in the following varieties: teas, capsules and tinctures.

To cure a urinary tract infection (UTI), try incorporating cranberries into your diet. Cranberry has the convenient ability to stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall before an infection develops. You may take cranberry as a pill supplement, eat it as a dried fruit, or drink it as a juice.

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