Jul 6 2015
Mixing Old and New Methods for Improved Results
The average person now has more health care options than ever before. Once relegated to the outer fringes of medical treatment, acupuncture & herbal medicine have become mainstream in the past decade or so.
Medical conditions that once stumped medical professionals and frustrated patients are being treated with an array of alternative or complementary treatments offering good results. Patients often get relief for conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems and chronic pain to substance abuse and migraine headaches.
Today’s medical professionals may incorporate alternative methods into patients’ treatments while also using more familiar medical and surgical strategies. The synergy between traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western modalities commonly results in vast improvements in patients’ health outcomes.
Traditional acupuncturists sometimes use a variation known as moxabustion to improve results for some patients. In moxabustion, a small quantity of a medicine herb is slowly burned in a small cup atop an acupuncture needle. The resulting heat delivers pinpoint therapeutic benefits in a troublesome spot.
Many acupuncture practitioners have begun including certain modern components in their patient care. Medical practitioners such as Dr. Bryan MD have updated ancient moxabustion by directing a low-voltage electrical current through the needle. Patients suffering persistent pain often gain a high level of relaxation and pain relief from this method.
The skeptic might wince at acupuncture in general and the moxabustion variations in particular, but the documented results are based on good science. The needles are inserted into points on the body along pathways known as meridians that correspond somewhat to nerve pathways. Needle insertion sets off a specific cascade of neurotransmitters in the body, mainly anti-inflammatories, endorphins and neuroendocrine. These naturally occurring chemicals are associated with pain relief, relaxation and more rapid healing.
Dr. Bryan, who received extensive training and education in traditional Chinese medicine in addition to his medical degree, also uses several traditional herbs when treating patients. Used in place of or in combination with modern medicine, these plant-based medicines are successful in treating an array of conditions. While they may address conditions where more modern medicines sometimes fall short, the traditional drugs usually have fewer side effects when administered by a skilled practitioner.
The move away from the sole use of magic-bullet modern treatment to one that includes age-old traditional methods can only benefit the patient. Fortunately, many health insurers now cover several proven alternative or complementary therapies for their clients.
Dec 3 2016
LASER QUIT SMOKING – THE LATEST MIRACLE METHOD?
There has been a lot of talk lately about the use of laser treatments to quit smoking. This latest method to combat the smoking habit involves only one treatment and claims to have a success rate of up to 70 percent. There are numerous quit smoking laser clinics popping up all over the US, as people continue to look for the easiest way to quit smoking.
This technique involves using cold laser technology to apply slight pressure on specific energy points on your body, which causes the release of endorphins. These endorphins promote a feeling of relaxation and also enhance the body’s ability to detoxify nicotine from your system. These two factors can greatly reduce your nicotine withdrawal symptoms making it easier for you to quit smoking. Although withdrawal symptoms will be reduced they will not be eliminated, so will power and determination are essential on your part.
Like other quit smoking methods, your chances for success are directly related to your desire to quit smoking. If you have not made up your mind to quit smoking, nothing is going to help you.
Add Behavior Modification
Laser quit smoking clinics boast a success rate of about 70 percent, which is higher than many other methods such as using the patch, nicotine gum, cold turkey, etc. However there are some hypnosis and herbal quit smoking products that have success rates as high as 90 percent.
Laser quit smoking techniques are more successful when combined with behavior modification. The first three days are the toughest when you are trying to quit, so you must be especially careful during this period. Try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible, avoid people that are smokers, avoid places that you normally smoke at and above all keep yourself busy. The busier you are the less you will focus on your withdrawal symptoms. Ideally you should spend time in places where smoking is not permitted: museum, library, gym and anywhere else that you can think of. You want to find places that keep you stimulated and occupied, which are also smoke-free.
If possible, solicit the help of loved ones in advance so they can help you keep your mind off of your smoking cessation. When you are tempted to light up, focus on the reasons that you want to quit smoking and get busy doing something to keep your mind occupied.
Using word seek puzzles, crosswords, reading or a hobby are also good ways to occupy yourself. I love word seek puzzles and used them as a supporting technique when I recently quit my 25+ year smoking habit. You can never have too many aids to help you quit smoking and remain a non-smoker. Before your quit smoking date, think of a few different ways or activities that you can use to modify your behavior and increase your chances for success.
By admin • Health Care • • Tags: Add Behavior Modification, cold turkey, desire, nicotine, relaxation, smoking habit, technology, US, withdrawal symptoms