Archive for February, 2010

Feel The Energy Return To Your Body With Tai Chi

WELLNESS & LONGEVITY MOVEMENT

There are many programs offerred from videos, DVDs, books, E-books, weekend workshops, etc. on Tai chi but there is no comparison to learning from a real master over time. Much is lost when attempting to learn from these methods.This instruction, typically, provides enhancement to the seasoned martial artist who is already familiar with the form and linking steps. On the other hand, if the video method is joined with a good Tai chi instructor then a student may progress faster.Moreover, the joy of tai chi will be enhanced if one learns the correct ancient method and technique which avoids serious injury. I humbly encourage all to find out why and how to practice this art in order to truely receive life-sustaining benefits.

"From experience, I have learned that it is better to learn a few moves well rather than many superficially. The essence of tai chi can be found in just one move."

TAI CHI CHUAN  

Pure Natural Energy & Healing From Within

Over time Tai Chi takes root and imbues youthfulness where once the hardness of aging withered all chances for longevity. The ancient art of tai chi softens the sinews as concentration on the "chi" rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit.

Dating back to the 14th century, Yang Style Tai Chi seeks health in moderation. Health and balance is achieved by forming body movements that are not extreme but gentle and cleansing. Yang style tai chi developed from Chen style tai chi which began in the 13th century. Wu, Hao and Sun style tai chi followed adding their valuable contributions to the internal martial arts in 1800s. These are the five main families where tai chi was cultivated.

"Life exists because qi is amassed, when qi is dispersed, one dies." -- Zhuang Zi, ancient Chinese philosopher

TAI CHI HEALTH BENEFITS 

Tai Chi is an exercise program that uses a sequence of precise body movements, meditation, and synchronized breathing to improve health and well-being. Tai chi movements are designed to express the yin and yang components that are fundamental to Chinese medicine in a balanced and harmonious form. Like most moderate physical activities, tai chi can improve:

  • stamina
  • muscle tone
  • agility
  • flexibility
  • strength
  • pain alleviation

The practice of breathing exercises may serve a meditative function to reduce stress.

Clinical studies show that tai chi is effective for:

  • slowing bone loss in early postmenopausal women
  • improved physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis
  • increases the range of motion in the lower limbs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
  • improves aerobic capacity in sedentary adults
  • reduced hypertension and lipid profile in hypertensive individuals
  • improved sleep in elderly individuals
  • significant improvement in symptom management and quality of life for patients suffering from chronic heart failure, fibromyalgia and breast cancer

 The adept practitioner learns to receive the energy or "chi" from below, above and beside him or her. This reception is free, elevating and life sustaining. While the enterpretation of this phenomena is varied, nevertheless, the experience is greatly welcomed.    Sifu Mark Hammer    


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Pregnancy and Endometriosis - Background

Endometriosis is described as a condition that arises when the tissues that normally line the uterine walls attach themselves to the organs outside of the uterus or grow. During menstruation, the lining of the uterus will shed as it normally does, but the portion that grows outside of the uterus stays. Throughout the ovulation to menstruation phase, the uterual tissue becomes constantly provoked. It might get torn, disintegrate and bleed. This is likely to cause scar tissue formation and some discomfort.

More than seven million females in the United States have endometriosis, says the Endometriosis Research Center. It is a leading cause of infertility, gynecologic surgeries and chronic pelvic pain.

What Leads To Endometriosis?

At present, the cause behind the occurrence of endometriosis is unknown, although experts have proposed several possible explanations. Latest studies conducted on the condition suggest that it may be genetically-influenced.

Symptoms

Symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, chronic pain the pelvis, painful menstruation (dysmenorrheal), fatigue and irregular or labored breathing. Females may also feel pain during ovulation and while having sex, GI problems like diarrhea, constipation or bloating, and even discomfort while passing stools. In worse cases, endometriosis may result in infertility.

Diagnosis

The only sure method to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery. Other laboratory and diagnostic tests like ultrasound, CAT scans, or MRIs do not normally lead to conclusive results. The doctor would need to look into the symptoms being felt, as well as the patient's health history. In order to diagnose the problem, the doctor may opt to conduct a laparotomy or a laparoscopy.

Cure for Endometriosis?

Endometriosis has yet to find a cure, but doctors suggest certain methods of treatment to help with its management.

Treatment

Methods to manage endometriosis include:

Pain Medication

Medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, which are available over-the-counter, are used to decrease discomfort and pain. It this does not work, one may need to take prescription drugs.

Hormonal Drug Therapy

Hormone drugs can be used to block a patient's ovulation. The objective would be to prevent further provocation of the lesions and to shield onself against the onset of related symptoms. These medications include oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists and progesterone drugs. Hormone replacament therapy is the usual recommendation for patients who have been through surgery.

Surgery

Conservative surgical procedures such as the laparotomy and laparoscopy are conducted by doctors to determine the diagnosis and to remove abnormal growths. If successful, this will eliminate pain and improve a woman's chances of getting pregnant.

If a conservative surgical procedure is ineffective, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy or some other invasive surgical method.

Alternative/Natural Therapy

Quite a number of patients choose to go the alternative route of treatments instead of undergoing surgeries and taking medications. Popular alternative therapies include Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and nutrition-influencing treatments like herbs for fertility. There is a significant volume of literature supporting these natural treatments, each promoting wellness while at the same time stimulate the body's innate healing and defense mechanisms.


Related Blogs

Feel The Energy Return To Your Body With Tai Chi

WELLNESS & LONGEVITY MOVEMENT

There are many programs offerred from videos, DVDs, books, E-books, weekend workshops, etc. on Tai chi but there is no comparison to learning from a real master over time. Much is lost when attempting to learn from these methods.This instruction, typically, provides enhancement to the seasoned martial artist who is already familiar with the form and linking steps. On the other hand, if the video method is joined with a good Tai chi instructor then a student may progress faster.Moreover, the joy of tai chi will be enhanced if one learns the correct ancient method and technique which avoids serious injury. I humbly encourage all to find out why and how to practice this art in order to truely receive life-sustaining benefits.

"From experience, I have learned that it is better to learn a few moves well rather than many superficially. The essence of tai chi can be found in just one move."

TAI CHI CHUAN  

Pure Natural Energy & Healing From Within

Over time Tai Chi takes root and imbues youthfulness where once the hardness of aging withered all chances for longevity. The ancient art of tai chi softens the sinews as concentration on the "chi" rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit.

Dating back to the 14th century, Yang Style Tai Chi seeks health in moderation. Health and balance is achieved by forming body movements that are not extreme but gentle and cleansing. Yang style tai chi developed from Chen style tai chi which began in the 13th century. Wu, Hao and Sun style tai chi followed adding their valuable contributions to the internal martial arts in 1800s. These are the five main families where tai chi was cultivated.

"Life exists because qi is amassed, when qi is dispersed, one dies." -- Zhuang Zi, ancient Chinese philosopher

TAI CHI HEALTH BENEFITS 

Tai Chi is an exercise program that uses a sequence of precise body movements, meditation, and synchronized breathing to improve health and well-being. Tai chi movements are designed to express the yin and yang components that are fundamental to Chinese medicine in a balanced and harmonious form. Like most moderate physical activities, tai chi can improve:

  • stamina
  • muscle tone
  • agility
  • flexibility
  • strength
  • pain alleviation

The practice of breathing exercises may serve a meditative function to reduce stress.

Clinical studies show that tai chi is effective for:

  • slowing bone loss in early postmenopausal women
  • improved physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis
  • increases the range of motion in the lower limbs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
  • improves aerobic capacity in sedentary adults
  • reduced hypertension and lipid profile in hypertensive individuals
  • improved sleep in elderly individuals
  • significant improvement in symptom management and quality of life for patients suffering from chronic heart failure, fibromyalgia and breast cancer

 The adept practitioner learns to receive the energy or "chi" from below, above and beside him or her. This reception is free, elevating and life sustaining. While the enterpretation of this phenomena is varied, nevertheless, the experience is greatly welcomed.    Sifu Mark Hammer    


Related Blogs

After practicing as a psychotherapist for 20 years, I thought I had experienced almost everything. I have seen this in my own clients but until it happened to me, you just don't know! I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Outwardly, I tried to be calm but inwardly, I was pretty tense! I didn't know if I was going to make it through the night. I went to the Emergency Room. After waiting to get in, the nurse and doctor's diagnosis came in, "anxiety attack". I responded, "Really! I feel like like my heart is pounding out of chest and my head is going to pop!"They clarified to me this was usual albeit my blood pressure increased a little. Though I was relieved, I wanted it to stop, now!

While you are in this condition, a chemical medicine will be adequate although it might not be the preferred option. I took it to break up the pattern. I didn't know about herbology and at that time, I could not imagine that a traditional Chinese herbs for anxiety would have been just as effective. In this stressed out state, you want fast, potent relief.

All these symptoms, people have found relief, naturally with traditional Chinese herbs for anxiety:

 

1.    Worry you might have a heart attack

2.    Afraid of everything

3.    Difficulty concentrating, memory  loss

4.    Difficulty thinking and speaking

5.    Disorientation

6.    Fear of going crazy

7.    Fear of losing control

8.    Fear of impending doom

9.    Feelings of unreality

10.  Frequently feel overwhelmed

11.  Having difficulty concentrating

 

12.  Nightmares, bad dreams

13.  Nightmares, bad dreams

14.  Repetitive thinking or excess 'mind chatter'

15.  Short-term learning impairment, have a hard time learning new information

16.  Short-term memory impairment, can't remember what I did a few days, hours, or moments ago

17.  Spaced out feelings, feeling spaced out

18.  "Stuck" thoughts; thoughts, mental images, concepts, songs, or melodies that "stick" in your mind and replay over and over

19.  Trapped in your mind feeling

20.  feel the world on your shoulders frequently 

 

This is a short list! You could probably list a 100 more. For the last 18 years, I have been dedicated to finding alternative medicine explanations and Chinese herbs for anxiety for the last 18 years that assist people through this transition.

Causation is well established. When enough stress is presented to the physical-mental-emotional body, the above conditions are likely to surface. We all would do well to notice and take action. It is not enough to alleviate the symptoms but taking a break while we search for answers is an advisable strategy. Look after yourself, sleep (7-8 hours), exercise (4 times a wk.), be with nurturing people until you can equal the challenge you are dealing with. Eat food and take natural herbs that don't add to the imbalance but rather help in re-establishing your center.

UNDERLYING PHYSICAL CONTRIBUTION TO ANXIETY DISTRESS

There are numerous reasons and its not always psychological. In truth, the majority of psychotherapists help their patients by appreciating the physical causation. Besides life stresses, physical depletion will release sensations that cause a person to experience helplessness. In Chinese medicine there are two areas of the body that are suspect for depletion:

Heart: the heart can become weakened, or energy deficient. This condition where the energy is not available to the heart and its lead-in vessels can streess the organ. If the heart does not essential energy then like a car, it stalls, speeds up, slows down, uncontrollably. In this case, rest and energy needs to be re-established in the channels to the heart. When that happens, the chest area relaxes and wellbeing is at hand. Additionally, when the heart balances then the brain follows.

Kidneys: the kidneys may develop deficiency with less energy provided from the kidneys to the heart. Due to stress, overwork and emotional challenges, the adrenals follow. The kidneys are considered the seat of vitality, essence and foundation for energy. When the essence is interrupted then organs throughout the body suffer and synergistically, the heart pumps less blood. To compensate, the heart can pump harder, grow larger or become erractic due to the stressed depleted state. As prior stated, deep REM sleep is crucial in order for the kidneys to reinstate and for the body to revive.


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Alternative Pain Relief Options

Specific drugs have undesirable effects and for this reason, a great number of people have 2nd thoughts in using them.  Here are alternative pain alleviation options for you.

Ever since humans existed, agony is already a part of life.  Agony also has varying degrees.  An individual can have emotional discomfort, physical pain, for example.  It would be most unlikely to avoid discomfort all the days of your life.  You may accept the proven fact that discomfort is a component of life but if you do not wish to use conventional drugs, you can always turn to homopathic pain relief.

Famous drugs can indeed help particularly in the case of tooth extraction or when there is injury.  Trademark drugs are many nowadays and there are creams to alleviate any kind of pain.  For common pains, you may also use certain natural cures and herbal additions.

What are the alternative options for discomfort relief?  Well, here they're :

Massage many years back, traditional civilization was already using massage to lose certain body pains.  Oriental practices believe that at the centre of the massager's palm is an energy source that can immediately rid the patient of discomfort.  Its efficiency has always been proved.  Have you ever heard about infant massage?  Mas are encouraged to give their babies child massage to relieve muscular pains.  At the moment massage therapy is considered a profession.  If you do not want to take medicines, think about this a good and cheap pain relief option.

Acupuncture this traditional science was first employed in China.  In this strategy, the acupuncturist inserts miniscule needles to the 'meridians' found in the different parts of the body.  You can find a large amount of information about acupuncture on magazines, papers, and on the internet.  If you want to choose this option, ensure that you contact a real acupuncturist to ensure your safety.  Get only the pro.

Herbs herbs have healing wonders.  Relying on the location and nature of the pain, there's always an appropriate herb that you can use.  You can now find natural herbal supplements and preparations for ease of use.  Minor pains can be effectively addressed using herbs.

Relaxation therapy - you need to achieve deep relaxation of the body and spirit.  A therapy is now widely prescribed by some medical doctors ; examples are Reiki and Yoga.

Even if you plan to use these alternative options, it's still significant that you seek medical assistance from a qualified professional.  If you intend to turn to herbs, you need to consult an herbalist so that you can make the acceptable herbal preparations.  The other other choices also require professional attention so you can make sure the efficacy and safety of such methods.  It may take some time before you can see the effects but you must be patient especially if you are learning Reiki and Yoga.

If you exert a little effort in learning the choice strategies, you can accomplish desirable results.  For centuries, folks trusted natural ways to relieve agony.  There is no harm in trying and if such alternative techniques do not work, you can always go back to using conventional medication.  Safety should always be your first concern when using agony relievers.  Who would wish to worsen their situation right?  So what's its going to be massage, acupuncture, herbs, or relaxation therapy?  Choose now and experience another way to get rid of pain.


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Try Sciatica Stretches for Effective Pain Relief

There's a lot to put up with for those who are afflicted with sciatica. There is constant pain in the muscles that are necessary for day to day functioning. And all too often, relief is hard to find, especially when it comes to certain varieties of this ailment.Fortunately, sciatica stretches have been shown to be very effective in easing the pain of the sciatic condition.

The sciatic nerve is an extensive nerve which begins in the lower back in an individual's anatomy and then extends down through each of the legs. Not only is it the longest nerve in the body, it's also the widest, and it has an impact on just about every function of the anatomy. This is how come undergoing sciatic nerve pain is such a big problem - a lot of the muscles utilized in day-to-day living are impacted by this nerve. But by doing sciatica stretches, you can make a significant difference to your situation.

Generally, physicians are in agreement that stretching is the best way to treat the pain and misery of sciatica. This is due to the fact that sciatic pain arises because of pinching and aggravation of the nerves, which stretching is able to relieve. Many people who contend with sciatica nerve pain find that it is localized in a particular area of the body, so stretches that target that region will be most effective.

There are various sciatica stretches an individual can perform depending on where their discomfort is arising from. Different stretches target different causes of the problem, such as chronic disc disease, spinal stenosis, intervertebral discs that have ruptured, piriformis syndrome, or dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. But they all have one thing in common: they relax and loosen the muscles, and thereby ease the pain.

In the case of spinal stenosis the moves stretch the spinal muscles. If you suffer from piriformis syndrome, you will want to stretch the gluteus muscles. There's a different stretch for each root cause. No matter what the origins of the problem, sciatica stretches can bring a considerable amount of relief, and you might even find they get rid of the problem completely.

Exercise is an excellent approach to sciatica home treatment. Learn more about the causes and cures for this condition at the Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment site.


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Three Ways to Exercise Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder syndrome or adhesive capsulitis is an impairment of the shoulder that limits mobility of the shoulder leaving it very painful for an individual to function when using the range of motion of their shoulders.  It can be caused by many factors such as injury, inflammation, or overuse, however it is very difficult to cure and can last almost three years throughout the various stages that is associated with it. There are different methods of treating frozen shoulder or “stiff shoulder”, however the basic treatments are normally combined with physical therapy and exercise. Three common exercises are found to be effective in providing pan relief, improved functional ability of the shoulder and delivers relief from the common symptoms of frozen shoulder.

Stretching, improving range of motion, basic frozen shoulder exercise

Stretching is a main component of shoulder exercise in frozen shoulder. The painful frozen shoulder finds relief from heat therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. There are two convenient stretches that one can perform on their shoulders while staying at home. Adhesive capsulitis benefits from dumbbell exercise that can help in the treatment of frozen shoulder while arm rotations are also helpful shoulder exercise.

Anterior shoulder and chest stretch - from s standing stance one bring their hands clasped together at the back. When you lift them up, it is important to add resistance by pulling the tension towards you. This can provide better shoulder movement from stiffness when done 10 times.

Psoterior shoulder stretch - this is done by stretching the arms laterally across the chest and the other arm applies a pressure and tension to obtain an ultimate stretch with resistance applied within point of tolerance. You may repeat this 3-4 times in intervals of 10 seconds.

Arm rotations - it is a good exercise that improves the pain and stiffness symptoms on the affected shoulder. It can be done simply sitting upright in a chair. With arms extended out rolling your shoulder and making circling motions with your arms or by letting your arms relax at your sides and rolling distinctively the  balls of the shoulders. this can be done repeatedly but must be with precaution and advised by the physician.

Using Dumbbells-  With this frozen shoulder exercise you should bend or kneel on the opposite side of the shoulder that is affecting you. Let your arms fall in a relaxed manner. The dumbbells should be between the 3-5lb range, and you should hold the dumbbell in the hand and arm that is experiencing the “stiff shoulder.*With thi slowly move your arms in rotation and move in the opposite direction. These are done at an interval of 5 to 10.

When performing any frozen shoulder exercise it is crucial that you obtain a physicians opinion on what is safest for your initial condition to prevent harm or damage from occurring and making the frozen shoulder worse. The bad shoulder should be conditioned slowly to develop its strength and stamina in a gradual manner to pevent worsening of the condition.


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The Most Common Frozen Shoulder Symptoms

Frozen shoulder syndrome is a debilitating ailment that occurs when the shoulder capsules sustain injury, suffer from overuse, or become inflamed for no apparent reason. It is very painful with pain that can range from an achy soreness to an acute sharp jolting pain that radiates through the shoulder.
People who suffer this shoulder syndrome often experience limited mobility and range of motion in the shoulder that is freezing or frozen. Stiff neck and more painful back pains and impairments are just some of the conditions to which frozen shoulders are compared with.

What is bad about frozen shoulders is that its symptoms may persist for up to 2 ½ years that extend from phase one to phase four. These stages are basically a general breakdown of the deterioration of the shoulder to the healing and cure. Thawing, the process of healing, follows after continuous and increasing pain felt when frozen shoulders attack.Patients diagnosed to be suffering from common frozen shoulder shows the following symptoms: soreness, limited movement, stiffness, dull and acute pain, chronic ache, and stiffness. However, to better understand frozen shoulder symptoms these are broken down into the different phases to define what severity of symptoms are experienced with each distinct stage of frozen shoulder syndrome.

Pre-freezing
Little pain is endured by patients in this phase because of the stiffness and drifting waves on the shoulder is more difficult to detect. Most likely people have a dull ache or soreness similar to exercising rigorously and cannot identify it to frozen shoulder because it comes and goes vaguely. Also pre-freezing is only a very short phase of about a week before the freezing process begins.

Freezing
The most excruciating part of this occurence is freezing. It consists of very restricted motion, acute pain when moved, stiffness that is inconsistent, and chronic pain when touched, moved, or relaxed. This stage happens before the frozen stage and can continue for 2-3 months before reaching the frozen stage.

Frozen
This stage of frozen shoulder symptoms are similar to the freezing stage, however where the pain was prominent in the freezing stage usually fades and the stiffness replaces it instead. In the frozen stage the shoulder becomes ultimately immobile and the individual will experience a constant”stiff shoulder.” This stage of the ailment can continue for up to ½ a year or 6 months, and is often when the sufferer will seek treatments to alleviate the pain and inconvenience.

Thawing
Symptoms of frozen shoulders start to subside when this impairment reaches its thawing stage. Frozen shoulder is much easier to medicate now than before, thanks to evasive treatments like steroid injections, physical therapies, and surgeries that dominate the choices of treatments in alleviating pain and stiffness brought about by this illness. Patients can feel on and off breakthrough of symptoms for one year or more.

When you begin to experience any of these symptoms it is imperative that you seek the advice and consultation of a physician to get assistance with it immediately. Frozen shoulder gradually recover under proper and early medication.


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