Reflex epilepsy of the visual system is charecterised by seizures precipitated by visual stimuli. EEG responses to intermittent photic stimulation depend on the age and sex of the subject and on how stimulation is performed: abnormalities are commonest in children and adolescents, especially girls. Only generalised paroxysmal epileptiform discharges are clearly linked to epilepsy. Abnormal responses may occur in asymptomatic subjects, especially children. Photosensitivity has an important genetic component. Some patients are sensitive to patterns, suggesting an occipital trigger for these events. Myoclonus and generalised convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures may be triggered by visual stimuli. Partial seizures occur less often and can be confused with migraine. Although usually idiopathic, photosensitive epilepsy may occur in degenerative diseases and some patients with photosensitive partial seizures have brain lesions. Sunlight and video screens, including television, video games, and computer displays, are the commonest environmental triggers of photosensitive seizures. Outbreaks of triggered seizures have occurred when certain flashing or patterned images have been broadcast. There are regulations to prevent this in some countries only. Pure photosensitive epilepsy has a good prognosis. There is a role for treatment with and without antiepileptic drugs, but photosensitivity usually does not disappear spontaneously, and then typically in the third decade.

http://www.john-libbey-eurotext.fr/en/revues/medecine/epd/e-docs/00/01/AD/F7/article.md

Bottle fed babies do have more intestinal problems, due partly to the fact that infection can be introduced by the bottle feeding. In addition, breast milk contains antibodies which help the baby's intestines to fight infection.

This depends entirely on what is in them. If a particular medicine does deteriote or lose its potency with age, it will have an expiry date stamped on its label, and it should not be used after that. To avoid mistakes, it is wise to get rid of any medicine which you no longer need to take.

Neurology is concerned with diseases of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves of the body. Neurosurgery deals with the same diseases when they need operations for their treatment.

Yes, but these are only used on a few people with histories of severe depression which has not responded to treatment with drugs or psychotherapy. These operations are very much last resorts, and although they do work, their effect is only partial and risks of complications are moderately high.

Only children have advantages and disadvantages. They have their parents' undivided support and attention but it may take them longer to adjust to the company of other children of their own age.

No. Many children have imaginary friends. If your son has invented Robin, it is because he needs the company of a constant companion as well as that of loving parents. Accept 'Robin', make him welcome, and also encourage your son to make real friends.

Physiotherapy is all about mobility. A form of physical exercise, it uses manipulation and massage, plus a variety of other methods, to give relief from pain and restore movement where there has been injury or disease.

Your friend is correct. Some physiotherapists specialize in manipulation and their work is similar to osteopaths who treat skeletal disorders, but physiotherapy covers a wider spere of medical practice, and physiotherapists work as part of the health care team.

For a great many mothers a bout of 'baby blues' follows the major event of giving birth - and for some a severe depression sets in. This is when sensitivity and support from those around the mother are vital.

Accept the fact without feeling guilty about it. It is no personal reflection on you: thousands of other women suffer in the same way. Seek help from family and close friends. If the symptoms are seriously affecting your life, consult your doctor.

The ability to read is a necessary skill in our society; parents can prepare their child for reading by providing a stimulating environment in which books are familiar objects and reading is a pleasure and not a chore.

It is quite common for children under emotional stress to fall behind at school, usually because they are really too anxious to cope. As long as you and the teacher are aware of your daughter's feelings and give her plenty of support and encouragement she will probably catch up as things become more stable at home. But if after a few months you are still worried about her school progress, have a word with the school or with your doctor. Perhaps your daughter needs a little extra outside help in coming to terms with the new situation.

We can all benefit from having some form of relaxation in our daily lives. Getting rid of the mental and physical tensions that build up unconsciously during a busy day is an essential part of keeping fit.

Yes. Doctors sometimes recommend a alchoholic drink, every day, to heart patients or other people who are suffering from tension-related illnesses. Alcohol dilates, or widens, the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the muscles and this is a relaxant in itself. Alcohol also acts as a brain relaxant.

We never think of it as such, but the skin is an organ - in fact the largest we possess. It not only protects us from injury and infection, it keeps the body's temperature and moisture content stable at all times.

Most ill health is made worse by emotional upsets and the skin is no exception, but because it is visible patients with skin disease are more disturbed by their complaint than patients with other disorders. Emotion can alter the state of the skin's irritability and sweating mechanisms. Conditions where these factors are paticularly important, such as eczema, will be aggravated by unhappiness, anxiety or depression.

The word spastic has unfortunately become a slang term for a clumsy, stupid person. In fact, spastic people have cerebral palsy - a disabling disease, but one that may well not affect the individual's intelligence.

A number of factors can cause speech difficulties in people with cerebral palsy. First, it is possible that the speech centre of the brain is damaged. Second, a lack of good muscle control makes it hard to regulate breathing and form words. Third, some people who find it very difficult to control their speech production become tense when they try to speak, and this exacerbates the problem. Speech therapy can help enormously but the best help can come from the listener.

Embarrassment or discomfort on your part wont help so try to remember that the person speaking is thinking just as quickly as you but is prevented from speaking normally by physical factors.

Childhood theft - whether shop-lifting or pilfering loose change at home - will rightly concern any responsible parent. But remember that if the phase is handled both tactfully and firmly, it is soon outgrown.

Nothing has gone wrong and it is almost certain that basically your daughter is happy and stable. But rightt now it probably feels to her as if her world has been turned upside down. For so many years she has been an only child, and now suddenly she has to share her parents' affection with an outsider, a new baby. Her stealing is probably an attempt to attrack your attention and while you should not condone it, do go out of your way to show her as much love and affection as possible.

Take a special interest in her schoolwork and praise her for doing well; invite her friends round; make sure you spend time alone with her and encourage your husband to do the same. Above all, let her know how much she is valued. She will soon cease to resent the baby and will realize that she does not have to compete for your attention.

We have all heard of vitamins and know they are essential for good health. But what are they, what do they do and, among them, just how important is vitamin A?

Vitamins are organic substances present in minute amounts in food. Put simply, they help make our bodies wordk. Because they cannot be made by the body, vitamins must be obtained from the diet. We require only very small amounts of them, but they are absolutely essential to normal metabolism, and a serious deficiency will inevitably lead to disease.

Most people have heard of the adrenal glands, but few would claim to know where they are and what they do. They are, in fact, vital to many of the body's normal functions - and are paticularly necessary to us in resisting infection and coping with stress.

If your excess weight is distributed evenly all over your whole body, the answer must be no. There is only one disease of the adrenals which gives rise to obesity: Cushing's syndrome - and this is extremely rare. It is very easy to spot because there is an obviously uneven distribution of fat on the body: the arms and legs remain thin and fat is concentrated on the chestand abdomen. If you really want to get to the root of your obesity, the first thing you must do is to go and see your doctor.  

Autism is a distressing mental disability, but specialist teaching and a constructive approach can do much to help autistic children and adults.

A few autistic people do improve to this extent, but they remain inevitably a source of concern. Their difficulties do not arise from the work itself, which they can usually handle with ease, but from the social situations which arise before and after work, which distress and confuse them. But autistic people can earn a living as builders' labourers, accountancy clerks and piano tuners - all occupations demanding attention to detail without adding the burden of heavy responsibility.

Bathing is a hygienic neccesity and a relaxing event. Bathing a baby has delights of its own, while making a patient comfortable with a bed bath is a valuable task.

There is little risk in a sauna for people in good health. However, some people should not use a sauna without first asking their doctor's advice. These include expectant mothers, those with high blood pressure, respiratory or heart conditions. People who have recently been ill or are on a strict diet should not expose themselves to heat for long stretches. The important thing is not to use a sauna for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time until you are used to the heat and its effects.

Blackouts range from a simple faint to a loss of consciousness. Usually their cause is not serious and recovery is quick.

If the blackouts are like to be recurrent and unpredictable, driving a car would clearly be hazardous for both the driver and the public. In the UK, epileptics are debarred by law from driving unless they have had a period of 3 years without a fit during waking hours. Full medical reports are required and each case is considered individually.

Blushes have an unfortunate way of occuring when we least want them to - when embarrassed or angry, for example. But what are the physical causes?

Rehearse in your mind every day all your achievements, however small, and firmly put down to experience the things that went wrong. It is a natural human tendency to exaggerate the importance of the qualities we lack, and belittle those we have - so try to keep things in perspective and you will become more confident.

A Caesarean birth is a safe, speedy operation carried out when the life of mother or baby is at risk.

First, having a Caesarean is not a failure on your part. You did your best and the operation was a necessity beyond your control. Women who have Caesarens should be applauded for their success in coping with their recovery and a tiny baby as well. It is quite natural to be depressed following any major operation, especially a Caesaren, when the body is undergoing hormonal changes as well as healing. In fact, some women are temporarily depressed following natural childbirth because of this upset in hormones.

It is also understandable not to feel affection for the baby all the time when you are tired and probably have some discomfort. Talk things over with your health visitor; she can put you in touch with an association for mothers suffering from post-natal depression.

Colitis is unpleasant and debilitating. But while chronic colitis can become serious, and a long-term problem, acute colitis is usually easy to treat.

If you are certain that you are not merely suffering from a stomach upset, and that specific foods trigger off diarrhoea, then you may be allergic to them and possibly be suffering from acute colitis. If the diarrhoea is constant, possibly contains mucus, pus and blood and you are dehydrated and anaemic, then you should be examined by your doctor for chronic colitis. The lining of the colon is examined by a colonoscope: if you have chronic colitis, the appearance will resemble red velvet and bleed readily on contact.

Facing death, be it our own or that of a close relative or friend, is a distressing experience. Rather than being fearful of the unknown, it is better to acquaint ourselves with this most basic process.

This is a very difficult question to answer. So much depends on the person involved. Some people might despair if they were told, while others would take it calmly.

However, this is not something you can risk doing without talking to your family doctor, priest and other family members.

However desirable peace and tranquillity are, the fact is that many of us, for a variety of reasons, often feel tense and anxious. Tranquillizers are sometimes prescribed to restore calmness and help us to cope.

It is possible to become addicted to tranquillizers, but serious addiction is rare. Moreover, drug addicts do not usually turn to them when they run short of the drugs they are addicted to. However, there is a degree of dependence in people who are taking them regularly, so that on stopping there may be disturbed sleep or nightmares. You need not depend on them for the rest of your life, and if the dose is reduced gradually, then no withdrawal symptoms should occur.

Hearing happens automatically: listening to what we hear - paying attention to it - is an extraordinarily selective process. But we can all learn to be good listeners.

When others come and talk to you, you both set up a situation in which you are the understanding, wise and confident person who does not yet have the solution to the problem. However, it is difficult for you to reverse those roles so that they are the wise ones and you are the worried. The solution is to talk to someone who has not previously confided in you.

A lumbar puncture is used to remove spinal fluid for examination. It is particularly useful in diagnosing meningitis and is a safe and usually pain-free procedure.

When a large amount of spinal fluid is withdrawn, there is some movement in the pain-sensing coverings of the brain. Until the fluid is made up again by the formation of new liquid, there is sometimes a headache. This is why patients are encouraged to remain lying flat and to drink plenty of liquids. This treatment usually works very well.

The loss of a breast can be a distressing experience for a woman. But, given time and the support of family and friends, most women who have had mastectomies find that they can lead happy, active and fulfilling lives.

If it is the idea of baldness that worries you, then you can put your mind at rest. Some people do lose their hair temporarily while undergoing chemotherapy, but it does grow back.

Reflexology (zone therapy) is an alternative medicine, complementary, or integrated medicine method of treatment involving the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hand with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the... more

Reflex Stimulation - Moro reflex - The Moro reflex in a four-day-old infant: 1) the reflex is initiated by pulling the infant up from the floor and then releasing him ; 2) he spreads his arms 3) he pulls his arms in ; 4) he cries (10 seconds) The Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is one of th infantile reflexes. It may be observed in incomplete form in prem... more

Primitive reflexes - Reflex actions originating in the central nervous system that are exhibited by normal infants but not neurologically intact adults, in response to particular stimuli. These reflexes disappear or are inhibited by the frontal lobes as a child moves through normal child development. These primitive reflexes are also called infantile, infant or newborn... more

Breastfeeding - The feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can breastfeed for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food. Huma... more

From the moment you wake up in the morning to the time you go to sleep at night, your eyes are acting like a video camera. Everything you look at is then sent to your brain for processing and storage much like a video cassette. This is a very simplified explanation, but as you read on, you will discover why the sense of sight is actually considered the most complex of the five senses.

How Your Eyes Work
Take a moment to locate an object around you. Do you know how you are able to see it? Would you believe that what you are actually seeing are beams of light bouncing off of the object and into your eyes? It is hard to believe, but it is true. The light rays enter the eye through the cornea, which is a thick, transparent protective layer on the surface of your eye. Then the light rays pass through the pupil (the dark circle in the center of your eye) and into the lens.

When light rays pass through your pupil, the muscle called the iris (colored ring) makes the size of the pupil change depending on the amount of light that's available. You may have noticed this with your own eye if you have looked at it closely in a mirror. If there is too much light, your pupil will shrink to limit the number of light rays that enter. Likewise, if there is very little light available, the pupil will enlarge to let in as many light rays as it can. Just behind the pupil is the lens and it focuses the image through a jelly-like substance called the vitreous humor onto the back surface of the eyeball, called the retina.

The retina, which is the size of your thumbnail, is filled with approximately 150 million light-sensitive cells called rods and cones. Rods identify shapes and work best in dim light. Cones on the other hand, identify color and work best in bright light. Both of these types of cells then send the information to the brain by way of the optic nerve. The amazing thing is, when they send the image to the brain, the image is upside down! It is the brain's job to turn the image rightside up and then tell you what you are looking at. The brain does this in a specific place called the visual cortex.

Protection
Because the eye is such an important and complex part of our body, we have many features which protect the eye. The eyebrows are the strips of hair above your eyes which prevent sweat from running into them. Eyelashes help keep the eye clean by collecting small dirt and dust particles floating through the air. The eyelashes also protect the eye from the sun's and other light's glare. The eyelids sweep dirt from the surface of the eye. The eyelid also protects the eye from injury. Tears are sterile drops of clean water which constantly bathe the front of the eye,keeping it clean and moist.

Imperfect Eyesight
Not all people have perfect vision. People who can see things up close, but not far away are considered to be nearsighted. This happens when the light entering the eye focuses on a point in front of the retina. On the other hand, people who can see far away objects but not those that are up close are farsighted. Farsightedness occurs when the light that enters the eye focuses on a point behind the retina. Whether a person is nearsighted or farsighted, glasses or contacts help that person to see things much more clearly!

Sense-sational facts

Most people blink every 2-10 seconds.

Each time you blink, you shut your eyes for 0.3 seconds, which means your eyes are closed at least 30 minutes a day just from blinking.

If you only had one eye, everything would appear two-dimensional. (This does not work just by closing one eye.)

Owls can see a mouse moving over 150 feet away with light no brighter than a candle.

The reason cat's and dog's eyes glow at night is because of silver mirrors in the back of their eyes called the tapetum. This makes it easier for them to see at night.

An ostrich has eyes that are two inches across. Each eye weighs more than the brain.

A chameleon's eyes can look in opposite directions at the same time.

A newborn baby sees the world upside down because it takes some time for the baby's brain to learn to turn the picture right-side up.

One in every twelve males is color blind.

http://library.thinkquest.org/3750/sight/sight.html

Senses are the physiological capacities within organisms that provide inputs for perception. The senses and their operation, classification, and theory are overlapping topics studied by a variety of fields, most notably neuroscience, cognitive psychology (or cognitive science), and philosophy of perception. The nervous system has a specific sensory system or organ, dedicated to each sense.

Definition

There is no firm agreement among neurologists as to the number of senses because of differing definitions of what constitutes a sense. One definition states that an exteroceptive sense is a faculty by which outside stimuli are perceived.The traditional five senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, a classification attributed to Aristotle. Humans are considered to have at least five additional senses that include: nociception (pain); equilibrioception (balance); proprioception and kinaesthesia (joint motion and acceleration); sense of time; thermoception (temperature differences); and possibly an additional weak magnetoception (direction), and six more if interoceptive senses (see other internal senses below) are also considered.

One commonly recognized categorisation for human senses is as follows: chemoreception; photoreception; mechanoreception; and thermoception. This categorisation has been criticized as too restrictive, however, as it does not include categories for accepted senses such as the sense of time and sense of pain.

Non-human animals may possess senses that are absent in humans, such as electroreception and detection of polarized light.

A broadly acceptable definition of a sense would be "A system that consists of a group of sensory cell types that responds to a specific physical phenomenon, and that corresponds to a particular group of regions within the brain where the signals are received and interpreted." Disputes about the number of senses typically arise around the classification of the various cell types and their mapping to regions of the brain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense

DRUG DEPENDENCY - 2009-11-07
Many drugs, including everyday ones such as nicotine and alcohol, have the potential to be misused. Dependency - or addiction - is widespread and can have profound effects on health and well-being. Drug dependency happens when someone takes a drug regularly or to excess, Eventually, the user has to take the drug continuously because he needs to f... more

The Amazing Fluid Release Effect: - 2009-09-24
Stress is created when the exhaust gasses, toxins, and wastes produced by combustion remain within the cell. Deep within the body chemical concentrations that trigger stress must be released from the cells before real relaxation is possible. When stress is viewed as a chemical phenom­enon rather than ... more

A SIMPLE TENSION TEST - 2009-09-24
LOOK BETTER, FEEL BETTER, SLEEP BETTER. Four-Minute Insurance from Wrinkles and Worry Lines Three essential strokes One minute each, fifty repetitions Pressing the forehead Rotating on the temples Fingertip kneading the face Inside the Face We have seen how stressed muscles are stretched tight, then pumped up with... more

CRYSTALS - 2009-07-25
Keep a crystal near to hand and, it is claimed, you'll enhance your general well-being. Crystal healers may use up to 50 different types of crystals to treat different conditions. Your own personal crystal is thought to help  keep  your natural energy forces in balance, thus  maintaining good health. ... more

The acupuncturist corrects an imbalance in the body's energy flow, or Chi, by inserting needles at specific points. This woman is being treated for hay fever. A traditional Chinese acupuncture chart shows meridians, or channels of the body's energy flow, and pressure points. The bust below shows the meridians on the h... more

 2009-07-24

We all feel fed up and miserable from time to time. But depression is more than just a feeling of unhappiness. It's a major health disorder that causes untold suffering to millions of people. We expect to feel sad if someone close to us is ill or dies, we lose our job, or a relationship flounders. Any event that involves... more 2009-07-25

Our backs are complex structures which are involved in virtually every move we make, so it's hardly surprising that back pain is so common. In fact, doctors see more patients for back pain than any other ailment.   Eight out of ten of us will suffer from pain or aching in the back at some time in our lives. Lower back pain is ... more 2009-09-21

Having a massage is a sure way to relieve tension.

Pressure makes us tense and tension can cause illness and pain. Massage helps to break the circle of stress by relaxing taut muscles and stimulating the systems of the body to work efficiently. One technique used in Swedish massage is electrical vibration: it is designed to stimulate a sluggish system, tone slack muscles and encourage weight... more 2010-01-07

There are many reasons why you might have trouble sleeping. Some may be minor, while others may require medical treatment. Use this chart if you often lie awake at night, wake at odd hours or if you feel tired in the morning.   Do you find it difficult to get to sleep? ... more 2009-11-07

For nearly 5,000 years Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced in India and relies on the three doshas to keep the body (the universe in microcosmic form) in tune with the world around us. The Ayurveda system relies on multiple regimes to attain health and includes diet, lifestyle, yoga, life-affirming mental attitude, therapies as well as Ayurvedic medicine.  

The doshas refer to specific elements of nature and every person is made up of various combinations of such doshas. Although the universal elements are divided into five - that being air, earth, fire, water and ether - the Ayurveda system only uses the tridosha to make up the individual, although the doshas incorporate all five elements in varying degrees within the doshas.

TOTAL ALLERGY SYNDROME is an allergic response to 'everything'. We all know of people who are allergic to something. but the term total allergy syndrome has recently been coined to describe an allergic response to 'everything'. Is total allergy syndrome a condition that appears suddenly, or does it develop over a period of time? more 

2009-06-10

As an insidious component of modern life, tension can occur during even the most mundane everyday activities. Prolonged tension can lead to stress, that all too potent cause of serious physical and mental illness. ... more

Prolonged tension can lead to stress - 2009-06-04

No, and few would claim to be. If you are ill you should always consult your doctor first to get treatment. ... 2009-05-25

FAITH HEALING has its ardent supporters who believe it can succeed where conventional medicine has failed. Doctors, however, remain sceptical in the absence of scientific proof. But what methods do faith healers use? more 

While a pet masseuse cannot diagnose or treat any medical condition, massage can be used to help reduce painful medical issues. In some instances, a veterinarian may prescribe pet massage to improve an ill pet’s recovery, pain and quality of life.

Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.

Be sure that the room temperature is warm (78 degrees Fahrenheit). Undress the baby completely, if the weather is cold or humid cover the areas of the baby's body that are not being massaged.

Put the baby on a soft surface so your baby will feel comfortable and secure. Keep some little pillows handy.

It is a good idea to put some cream on your hands and rub them together so they will be soft and warm.

Basically the massage flows from the head to the toes. With soft and gentle touches you will work on the head, face, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach and legs.

While you massage your baby look tenderly at him/her. Doing this you stimulate all the senses of the baby and establish a more intense visual and tactile communication. Feel free to speak to your baby, do not inhibit yourself.

Remember that your touches should be tender do not make mechanic motions. Try to be flexible by not keeping a rigid routine.

If the baby wants to change position let them do so. Do not force your baby to keep a position, you can go back to these areas later on.

Brain Music Therapy finds, records, and reinforces brain waves that are associated with various physiological parameters, such as heart rate and muscle tension.

Brain Music Therapy is an effective, scientifically proven treatment for stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It has also been found to increase productivity and concentration.

Brain Music Therapy records an individual's brain waves and converts them into unique musical sounds. These musical sounds correlate to brain waves that promote relaxation and trigger activation in your body. The musical sounds are presented to you in the form of two musical files - one relaxing, and one activating. Playing those files promotes relaxation and activation in your body.

Brain Music Therapy does not involve taking pills, and has had no side effects to date. It is customized to an individual's unique brain waves and backed by solid scientific evidence, including double blind studies.

Cardio combat workout is a mix of boxing, martial arts and aerobics.
It may sound peculiar as a fitness routine, but it actually offers a substantial total-body workout that is easier to undertake than you might think.
The movements used can sharpen reflexes and improve coordination and balance.
The workout also releases stress and improves strength, aerobic fitness and flexibility. In addition, it can burn 500 to 800 calories an hour, as opposed to 300 to 400 calories burned in an hour of step aerobics.

Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication—those involving lead, arsenic or mercury—the standard of care in the USA dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Other chelating agents, such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), are used in conventional and alternative medicine.

There is a wide variation of techniques used by different chiropractors. Chiropractors focus on dysfunctions that can result from irregularities spinal structure or movement. They rely heavily on hands-on procedures to determine structural and functional problems, and they use manipulation to promote normal bodily function correcting or preventing these structural deviations. The principal procedure used by many chiropractors is a form of manipulation known as adjustment that refers to a variety of manual mechanical interventions. There are about 55 adjustments in a chiropractor's repertoire.

Colour Therapy is a complementary therapy for which there is evidence dating back thousands of years to the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and India. Colour is simply light of varying wavelengths, thus each colour has its own particular wavelength and energy.

 The energy relating to each of the seven spectrum colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras/energy centres of the body. If you can imagine the chakras as a set of cogs/wheels, they are rather like the workings of a clock or an engine; each cog/wheel needs to move smoothly for the clock/engine to work properly. Thus good health and wellbeing is achieved by a balance of all these energies.  Balance of the energy in each of the body’s chakras is very important for health and wellbeing. Colour therapy can help to re-balance and/or stimulate these energies by applying the appropriate colour to the body and therefore re-balance our chakras.

Deep Sleep Therapy (or Deep Sedation Therapy, DST) was a psychiatric treatment based on the use of psychiatric drugs to induce a coma in patients diagnosed with mental disorder.

Colour Therapy is a complementary therapy for which there is evidence dating back thousands of years to the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and India. Colour is simply light of varying wavelengths, thus each colour has its own particular wavelength and energy.

 The energy relating to each of the seven spectrum colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras/energy centres of the body. If you can imagine the chakras as a set of cogs/wheels, they are rather like the workings of a clock or an engine; each cog/wheel needs to move smoothly for the clock/engine to work properly. Thus good health and wellbeing is achieved by a balance of all these energies.  Balance of the energy in each of the body’s chakras is very important for health and wellbeing. Colour therapy can help to re-balance and/or stimulate these energies by applying the appropriate colour to the body and therefore re-balance our chakras.

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Holistic Therapies such as Indian Head Massage aim to treat the whole person and not the symptoms of the disease. It can improve blood flow to the head and neck, which increases the distribution of nutrients to encourage healing throughout the body. It works on both the physical and psychological levels.

Indian Head massage does not diagnose or cure, but promotes the mental and physical conditions necessary to foster positive good health and prevent ill health.

Treatments can be carried out at home or in the workplace in a convenient quiet location. The client remains clothed at all times, which makes the treatment an ideal solution for workplace attendance, and will give immediate relief from workday stress.

Infrared light therapy as a medical technique is not new – it’s been in use for preventative and therapeutic treatments, mainly for muscular injuries, since the 1990s. Its applications for both veterinary and human conditions have been the subject of lots of research and experimentation, so we can be confident that it can really work.

There has been some contractor research completed by NASA for using light therapy in space for pain management. It was tough to find substantiated data on the results of those studies. You do get the impression by reading the periphery of the NASA studies that light therapy is used in space on humans with success.

Infrared light therapy is a safe and effective tool in your equine veterinary equipment. It’s ideal for treating injuries to large muscle areas like the neck and back, and it has a preventative role to play too. Plus, most infrared equipment can be used to treat other injuries and conditions in other parts of the horse.

The Visible Infrared Light is a system that is acknowledged as being capable of reaching about eight to 10mm into the human skin surface, incredibly good for many types of surface wounds, cuts, scars, triggers, treating infections, and also acupuncture points. On the other hand, the Invisible Infrared Light can reach a depth of about 30 to 40 mm, an area that involves bones, deep muscles, and joints.

Infrared technology has been proven to help increase the overall circulation and movement of blood throughout the body. This makes it an ideal treatment for people who have soft tissue injuries. Injuries like sprains and torn ligaments respond very well to this treatment therapy.

Many people have successfully recovered from high blood pressure levels by using this type of lighting technology. Now, you can too! There are many different medical facilities that offer infrared light therapy boxes. If you cannot find one near you, you may be pleased to know that you can now purchase your own therapy boxes to use at home! If you want to lower your high blood pressure, infrared light therapy is a safe and effective means of doing so!

Infrared therapy’s benefits for treating chronic equine conditions like arthritis are two-fold. Just as with preventative applications, the increased circulation deep within the muscles – much deeper than you can get with topical ligaments – aids healing. The infrared rays can penetrate much further into soft tissues and muscles than any surface preparations, and you don’t run the risk of skin irritation.

There are several methods for administering Infrared Light Therapy depending on what you are targeting. For pain relief, there are several designs of adjustable wands and guns that focus light on the affected areas. For acne, there are several different designs, the most common being one that looks like an open book which you put the face or affected area near the light sources for a specified period of time on a regular basis.

Best of all, there is some evidence that infrared therapy actually has an analgesic effect too. The metabolic stimulation also increases neurological responses. In pain management, this means that infrared increases the release of endorphins, helping your horse to feel better too.

Mindfulness meditation is not equal to zoning out. It takes effort to maintain your concentration and to bring it back to the present moment when your mind wanders or you start to drift off. But with regular practice, mindfulness meditation actually changes the brain – strengthening the areas associated with joy and relaxation, and weakening those involved in negativity and stress.

Listening to music does wonders to alleviate stress. Please note that everyone has different tastes in music. Listen to the music that you feel comfortable. Sitting down and forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that you don't like may create stress, not alleviate it.

Music has always been a great healer. In the Bible, we learn about how David played the harp to help ease his severe depression of King Saul. 

Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once.

Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it. They point out that when we were a baby in our mother's womb, we probably were influenced by the heart beat of our mother. We respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, perhaps associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment provided by our mother.

Music can be one of the most soothing or nerve wracking experiences available. Choosing what will work for any individual is difficult, most will choose something they 'like' instead of what might be beneficial. In doing extensive research on what any given piece of music produces in the physiological response system many unexpected things were found. Many of the so-called Meditation and Relaxation recordings actually produced adverse EEG patterns, just as bad as Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. The surprising thing was many selections of Celtic, Native American as well as various music containing loud drums or flute were extremely soothing. The most profound finding was Any music Performed Live and even at moderately loud volumes even if it was somewhat discordant had very a beneficial response. Whenever the proper sounds were experienced an amazing right/left brain hemisphere synchronization occurred. The normal voltage spiking pattern changed to a smooth sinusoidal waveform and the usual voltage differential equalized. The entire human energetic system is extremely influenced by sounds, the physical body and chakra centers respond specifically to certain tones and frequencies. Special consideration should be given to the positive effects of one actually playing or creating music themselves.

Among the first stress-fighting changes that take place when we hear a tune is an increase in deep breathing. The body's production of serotonin also accelerates.

Music was found to reduce the pain during dental procedures.

Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress.

Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote higher body temperature - an indication of the onset of relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy was more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone.

Maximizing With Music Therapy

As we mentioned before, there is not a single music that is good for everyone. People have different tastes. It is important that you like the music being played.

The following are general guidelines to maximize the effectiveness of the music.

To wash away stress, try taking a 20-minute "sound bath." Put some relaxing music on your stereo, then lie in a comfortable position on a couch or on the floor near the speakers. For a deeper experience, you can wear headphones to focus your attention and to avoid distraction.

Choose music with a slow rhythm - slower than the natural heart beat which is about 72 beats per minute. Music that has repeating or cyclical pattern is found to be effective in most people.

As the music plays, allow it to wash over you, rinsing off the stress from the day. Focus on your breathing, letting it deepen, slow and become regular. Concentrate on the silence between the notes in the music; this keeps you from analyzing the music and makes relaxation more complete.

If you need a stimulation after a day of work, go for a faster music rather than slow calming music.

When going gets tough, go for a music you are familiar with - such as a childhood favorite or favorite oldies. Familiarity often breeds calmness.

Take walks with your favorite music playing on the walkman. Inhale and exhale in tune with the music. Let the music takes you. This is a great stress reliever by combining exercise (brisk walk), imagery and music.

Listening to the sounds of nature, such as ocean waves or the calm of a deep forest, can reduce stress. Try taking a 15- to 20-minute walk if you're near the seashore or a quiet patch of woods. If not, you can buy tapes of these sounds in many music stores.

Yes, stress is second to back problems. Stress is your body's natural response to being under pressures or demands.
While a very small level of stress can be a positive thing, when these pressures become excessive, your body reacts with a series of negative symptoms which may affect your physical or mental health.
In the long run, these symptoms may affect the way you do your jobs in many ways. Taking this into consideration, work related stress should be treated immediately and properly.

• 1 in 5 people suffer stress in the workplace at any one time.
• That is equivalent to 5 million workers.
• Around 500,000 workers have reported experiencing stress at a level they believe made them ill.
• Each year approximately 6.7 million working days are lost due to stress or stress related illness.
• The cost of workplace stress on society is between £3.7 and £3.8 billion each year.

Workplace Stress is defined as stress that arises from or is worsened by work.

It is important to note that stress is not a weakness.
Its a very real experience that most people will have at some point in their lives, either at work or at home.

Work related stress is not a sign of weakness in an employee, it is a symptom of an organisational management problem, which must be addressed.

Workplace stress is something you do not have to suffer.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 makes it a responsibility or requirement of an employee to tell their employer about any problems with their Health and Safety arrangements.
Tackling this requires a level of honesty and trust between employee, manager and employer.
Such partnerships can alleviate the potential for stress within the workplace.
Aro-healing will assist in building that partnership.

What Options do you have ?

I can offer you the following subjects to start a complete Stress Management Programme within your business.

·          Management Consultation and Seminars

·          Staff Seminars

·          Outside Workshops

·          Executive Breaks

·          Holistic Holidays

·          Relaxation Sessions

·          Group Session Exercises

Workplace Stress - The Facts

It is crucial to understand that stress is not the same as pressure. 

I can tailor any course or session to meet your business need. My sessions are very flexible and adapatble. Please me to find out more. Lyn 082 45 806  34 or e-mail info@aro-healing.com

You must understand the following to understand why lymphatic drainage massage helps to reduce cellulite:

In her book ‘How To Banish Cellulite Forever’ Liz Hodgkinson writes:

Dr Robert Gray was interested above all in cleaning the colon, and developed a diet which would enable accumulated waste matter to be eliminated.

He understood that genuine health is impossible if the colon is impacted with old waste material it can no longer get rid of.

Dr Gray realized that one of the most important aspects of a clean system is to have a properly working lymphatic system.

There are two types of fluid designed to carry body wastes away – the lymph and the blood.

Lymph is similar to blood, except that it contains no red blood cells.

Lymph vessels are contained within every cell of the body, and their job is to collect waste matter and eventually empty it back into the blood stream.

The lymph vessels contain one-way valves and are composed of muscle tissue which pumps the lymph through these valves.

When it is all working properly, wastes are taken away automatically via this system.

When the lymph vessels are sluggish, however, wastes stay and accumulate in body cells.

This is basically what happens when cellulite collects.

The lymphatic system is unable to remove it, and the result is congestion.

Getting rid of waste matter which has accumulated in body cells is to cleanse the lymphatic system and allow excess toxic and mucoid material to drain away.

The anti-cellulite diet is not a slimming diet in the usual sense.

Although you will very probably loose weight while on it that is not its main purpose.

It helps to regard the anti-cellulite eating regime as, above all, a potent method of cleansing the system.’                                                         Liz Hodgkinson

"What a great massage. It put me right to sleep."

Sleeping during a massage is an expensive nap, but it may well be what the body needs most in that moment. Still, I consider it prudent to recognize the potential danger to the client who is so sleep-starved, they may be in a state of exhaustion and depletion. Educate them about the importance of their daily sleep requirement and the very real threat of sleep debt. Dr. Dement, in his book The Promise of Sleep, states quite convincingly that unhealthy sleep, in which are included chronic sleep deprivation as well as various sleep disorders such as insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome, sleep apnea, etc., is the largest, deadliest and most costly health problem facing the country.`

Sleep, one of the most natural aspects of our lives, is clearly a problem for a very large number of people. For many, to be relaxed enough to fall asleep is a measure of a good massage. On the other hand, for many, it doesn't take much skill on the therapist's part for them to slip off to dreamland, they are so sleep-deprived that all they need is the opportunity to let go and drowsiness overtakes them. This seemingly innocuous scenario is symptomatic of an enormous, and hidden, threat to the health of millions of people in the United States alone.

What is Sleep?
Sleep is a necessity of life. It is as essential to our health as air, food and water. We spend approximately 24 years -- about one-third of our lives -- asleep. Given its central importance, it is amazing how little we know about this daily part of our life experience.

Sleep is a complex and dynamic process. It is comprised of two separate and distinctly different states: non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM). These two types of sleep are as different from each other as both are from wakefulness.

NREM sleep is further distinguished by four stages, characterized by the size and speed of the sleeper's brain waves. Wakefulness is characterized by rapid, low-voltage beta waves, which are replaced by slower, higher-amplitude alpha waves as we become calm or drowsy. In light sleep (Stage 1 NREM sleep), the eyes can be observed to be slowly moving back and forth under the closed eyelids. The brain waves have shifted to theta waves and a sensory curtain abruptly drops, isolating the sleeper's mind from the outside world.5 During Stage 2, brain waves become larger, with bursts of electrical activity called Sleep Spindles and K Complexes. After 5-10 minutes in Stage 2 sleep, the brain begins to produce the large, slow delta waves of Stage 3 and Stage 4 deep sleep. During this deep sleep, the heart and breathing are regular and slow, the muscles are relaxed, and it is more difficult to be awakened.

After an hour or so, the sleeper shifts into the more highly active REM sleep, characterized by rapid movements of the eyes and dreaming. Voluntary muscles become completely paralyzed and brain waves now are more similar to those of wakefulness -- theta, with bursts of alpha and beta waves. The first REM period of the night is relatively short -- perhaps 10 minutes. As the night progresses, the sleeper moves repeatedly up and down through these different stages of sleep in roughly a 90-minute cycle, with REM periods becoming longer and more numerous. Approximately 30 percent of sleep is spent in dream (REM) sleep, about 20 percent in deep sleep and 50 percent in light sleep.

In addition to the four symptoms of insomnia described above, the NSF study included snoring, unpleasant tingling sensations in the legs (Restless Leg Syndrome), and pauses or lapses in breathing as symptoms of sleep disorder. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of the respondents said they experienced at least one symptom of sleep disorder a few nights a week or more, 37 percent reported they are so sleepy during the day that it interferes with their daily activities.

In the past century, the average time spent sleeping has been reduced 20 percent and it is estimated that within the past 25 years, the amount of time spent working and commuting each year has increased by as much as a month.² Human error attributable to lack of sleep has been recognized as the cause for such disasters as the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, the near meltdown at Three Mile Island, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the explosion of space shuttle Challenger.³ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conservatively estimates that drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities every year.⁴ One out of every two people suffers from sleeplessness, often chronic, and it is estimated that 30-40 million people in the United States have sleep disorders that present serious risk to their health.

 


Sleep Need and Sleep Debt
All living things have a daily cycle of activity and inactivity, if not actual wakefulness and sleep. In humans, this wakefulness-sleep cycle is timed and controlled by one or more biological clocks within our bodies. One such biological clock is believed to exist inside the supraoptic region of the hypothalamus, in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN center is partly responsible for our circadian rhythms, internal biorhythms that are strongly affected by our exposure to the cycles of day and night, light and dark.⁷ It "synchronizes a vast array of biochemical events in our bodies. It is the maestro conducting the complex symphony of chemical, hormonal and nerve cell activities that promote our daily fluctuations in feelings and actions."⁸ Most importantly, it urges us to sleep at night and awaken by day. Numerous studies have shown that graveyard shift workers whose circadian rhythms are disrupted tend to underperform both physically and mentally.

A homeostatic process is active in the brain 24 hours a day to induce and maintain sleep. Our bodies need sleep and each individual has a specific daily sleep requirement. When an individual loses sleep -- getting less than is needed -- sleep homeostasis increases the tendency to fall asleep. When extra sleep is obtained, the homeostatic process decreases the tendency to fall asleep. In this way, it is assured that, on average, an individual will have the same amount of sleep each day.

While there are individual variances, most people's sleep need is around eight hours, or one hour of sleep for every two hours of wakefulness. A few people may function fine with as little as five hours of sleep and others may require as much as 10 hours in order to feel refreshed and alert. Your individual sleep need is the optimal amount that allows you to be mentally focused and to function throughout the day without feeling drowsy when quietly sitting and being attentive to something.

A second process, called clock-dependent alerting (CDA), further helps to ensure that an individual's sleep need is met. Unlike the homeostatic sleep drive, clock-dependent alerting is not operating continuously. It is active in the daytime, promoting wakefulness and sustained alertness, and it is inactive at night, permitting the sleep drive to take over. The push-pull of these opposing processes predisposes us to be active during the day and to sleep at night.

Sleep debt is the accumulated amount of lost sleep. If this quantitative sleep need is not met on average each day, then the body accumulates a larger and larger sleep debt that must somehow be repaid. In fact, sleep medicine pioneer Dr. William Dement asserts that all wakefulness is sleep deprivation, and thus sleep debt can be nil for only a short period. As soon as a sleep debt is zero, the body awakens and sleep debt begins to be accumulated again.


Sleep Management
Chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders are so prevalent that fatigue and drowsiness is considered normal. Symptoms of sleep deprivation -- substantial sleep debt -- include difficulty getting up in the morning, being drowsy in the early afternoon, falling asleep at your desk, low motivation, feeling sluggish and run down, having difficulty concentrating or remembering, and being irritable and quick-tempered. Fatigue and drowsiness are accepted as normal.

According to Dr. Dement, if you become drowsy at any time during the day, you have a sizable sleep debt. The stronger the tendency to fall asleep, the larger the sleep debt. The amount of time it takes to fall asleep upon lying down is an effective index of sleep latency. Those who fall asleep in under five minutes have a massive sleep debt and are living in the twilight zone, with quite impaired physical and mental reactions. Those falling asleep within 5-10 minutes are borderline sleep deprived, while those that fall asleep within 10-15 minutes have a manageable sleep load.

The first step in successful sleep management is to discover what your individual sleep need is and then to lower your accumulated sleep debt. To find your daily sleep requirement, start with your typical sleep and wake times. Keeping your wake-up time constant, go to sleep one hour earlier the next night, then yet another hour earlier the following night. Be attentive to how you feel after each night's sleep. When you feel alert and energized throughout the entire day, you've found your body's average sleep need for restorative rest.

Sleep debt doesn't go away by itself any more than financial debt does. If you need eight hours of sleep a night, and for one week you are only getting six hours of sleep per night, then you have created a sleep debt of 14 hours. A large sleep debt can be accumulated by losing even just a small amount of sleep each night. It appears that sleep debt must be repaid hour for hour. Sleeping in late on the weekend will not get you caught up for a week of sleep loss. You need to make up those 14 lost hours and usually you cannot sleep more than an extra hour or two per night because clock-dependent alerting will try to wake you. Consequently, sleep debt must be paid off in installments, rather than in one lump payment. A large sleep debt may take a long time to repay.

Napping is one way of helping to pay off sleep debt. Whereas most of us are programmed to sleep at night, particularly between the hours of midnight and dawn⁹, there is also a smaller "energy dip" period in the afternoon between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.¹⁰ that is an excellent time for a midday nap or siesta. The typical drowsiness at this time of day is the result of the accumulating sleep debt of the day, made more apparent by the mid-afternoon lessening of clock-dependent alerting. If you cannot take a nap in the afternoon, it is wise at least to try to not engage in demanding activities and to reserve this time for rest or more mindless tasks. This is typically a time of decreased productivity in the workday. A 15-20 minute nap can improve alertness, sharpen memory, and alleviate some of the feelings of fatigue. However, it is important to remember a nap is not a substitute for a full night's sleep.

If you have difficulty sleeping and feeling rested, are sleeping poorly for a month or more, or if you find daytime drowsiness interferes with your normal functioning, consult a physician knowledgeable about sleep medicine. Unfortunately, conventional medical training gives little attention to sleep. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults have never had physicians inquire about their sleep.

Sleep well. It may save your life.

Sports Therapy include sport psychology to help you achieve optimal sport performance.

Sport psychology (or sports psychology) is the study of the psychological and mental factors that affect and are affected by participation and performance in sport, exercise, and physical activity. It is also a specialization within the brain psychology and kinesiology that seeks to understand psychological/mental factors that affect performance in sports, physical activity, and exercise and apply these to enhance individual and team performance. It deals with increasing performance by managing emotions and minimizing the psychological effects of injury and poor performance. Some of the most important skills taught are goal setting, relaxation, visualization, self-talk, awareness and control, concentration, confidence, using rituals, attribution training, and periodization.

The history of sport psychology

The first sport psychologist is said to have been Norman Triplett, a South American man from Asia, born in 1861. Triplett’s first finding as a sport psychologist was that cyclists cycle faster in pairs or a group, rather than riding solo.

Carl Diem, a German, founded the world’s first sport psychology laboratory in 1920. Five years later, A.Z. Puni opened a lab at the Institute of Physical Culture in Leningrad. Also in 1925, Coleman Griffith opened the first sport psychology lab in North America at the University of Illinois. He began his research in factors that affect sport performance in 1918, and in 1923, offered the first ever sport psychology course.

The International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) was formed by Dr. Ferruccio Antonelli of Italy in 1965. In 1966, a group of sport psychologists met in Chicago to form the North American Society of Sport Psychology and Physical Activity (NASPSPA).

In the 1970s, sport psychology became a part of the curriculum on university campuses. These courses which were generally found in the kinesiology programs taught students how to develop positive attitudes in athletes using cognitive and behavioral modification techniques. In the 1980s, sport psychology became more research focused. Sport psychologists looked into performance enhancement, the psychological impact of exercise and over training as well as stress management.

Today, sport and exercise psychologists have begun to research and provide information in the ways that psychological well-being and vigorous physical activity are related. This idea of psychophysiology, monitoring brain activity during exercise has aided in this research. Also, sport psychologists are beginning to consider exercise to be a therapeutic addition to healthy mental adjustment.

Just recently have sport psychologists begun to be recognized for the valuable contributions they make in assisting athletes and their coaches in improving performance during competitive situations, as well as understanding how physical exercise may contribute to the psychological well-being of non-athletes. Many can benefit from sport psychologists: athletes who are trying to improve their performance, injured athletes who are looking for motivation, individuals looking to overcome the pressure of competition, and young children involved in youth sports as well as their parents. Special focus is geared towards psychological assessment of athletes. Assessment can be both, focused on selection of athletes and the team set up of rosters as well as on professional guidance and counseling of single athletes.

Sport psychology terminology

A few terms used in sport psychology:

• Cohesion – Group cohesion refers to the extent to which a team or group shares a sense of shared task or social bond
• Imagery – Refers to 'imagined' sensations, for example visual imagery is known as 'visualization'
• Attention Focus – Being able to block everything out, e.g., a crowd.
• Motivation– Recent research implies that sports-related achievement motivation is composed of several traits that together form a general orientation of a person towards achievement in sports. This research refers to The Achievement Motivation Inventory (AMI) (Schuler, Thornton, Frintrup & Mueller-Hanson, 2003) which is a broad-spectrum assessment of achievement-motivation in business, and has been used to develop the Sports Performance Indicator.
• Internal Monologue - Maintaining positive thoughts during competition by keeping a running conversation going in one's mind
• Criticism - A tenet of motivational theory that is necessary to improve performance. The proper delivery of that criticism is imperative, as criticism can either better performance or drastically worsen it. There are three types of criticism: Destructive, Self, and Constructive. The best method of delivering constructive criticism is the "sandwich" approach; here, one first offers a compliment, then offers and critical feedback and useful directions to improve in that particular area, and then end with another compliment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_psychology

Vibration training: Studies and research in the field of sports training

Vibration training has become a valuable training tool for increasing performance. Not only do elite athletes use it to gain an edge on the competition, but also by everyday fitness enthusiasts in enhancing recovery and preventing injuries. Weekend warriors are benefiting from the incredible performance boosting effects of whole body vibration training.

Dramatic increases in coordination, strength, flexibility and speed all help to improve the athlete's performance across all fields of sports activity. Even the brain is exercised through Whole Body Vibration which improves the athlete's adaptive response to performance driven activities. Rapid adaptation to the stimulation from any challenging activity accelerates the learning curve and therefore the excellence in that particular sport.

Warm ups take on new meaning as high levels of neurons and muscle fibers are jump started within in seconds of using the device. Fast twitch muscle fibers are recruited leading to explosive strength, enhanced muscular endurance, and improved agility.

Rapid rehabilitation after injury is vital for professional atheletes. Coaches and trainers can now marvel at how quickly players can return to play even after sustaining previously “game ending injuries”. The BODY VIBE is simple to use and requires short training sessions giving you more time to devote to your sport or activity.

Scientific Evidence, Proven Results

HUMAN PERFORMANCE

New trends in training science: The use of vibrations for enhancing performance
C. Bosco, M. Cardinale, O. Tsarpele, E. Locatelli

"The use of vibrations in an athletic setting offers new possibilities to coaching science. Resistance training effectiveness has been demonstrated due to the possibility of enhancing neuromuscular performance, power output, strength and hormonal profile. However, the time needed for these adaptations to occur is relatively long as compared to the possibilities offered by vibration treatments. It should be recognized however, that vibrations need to be viewed not as a substitute tool of resistance exercise, but as a valid additional means to be implemented in a training routine in association with all the other traditional methodologies nowadays utilized. New studies need to be conducted to analyze chronic responses, different treatment protocols and the effects of the association of vibrations with conventional training means for improving the knowledge in the interesting and exciting tool of sports science."

Acute physiological effects of exhaustive Whole Body Vibration exercise in men
J. Rittweger, G. Beller, D. Felsenberg

In brief, vibration exercise is a new strategy in eliciting muscular contraction by reflexes. It therefore may allow the combination of voluntary and involuntary muscle work. The present investigation has shown that, even if performed to exhaustion, cardiovascular effects of vibration exercise are mild. In young, healthy subjects, heart rate rises from 130 min-1, which corresponds to 50% of maximal oxygen uptake. Blood lactate rose to about 3.5mm. Systolic blood pressure increased moderately up to 130mmHg, but the diastolic pressure dropped to almost 50 mmHg. All parameters returned to normal values within 15 min of recovery. In consequence, the risk expected when vibration exercise is applied in the elderly is negligible. Surprising findings of this study were the itching erythema and oedema of the skin over the activated muscles, which have to be investigated by further studies, as well as the mechanisms of fatigue, which seem to bear neuronal and muscular components."

Adaptive responses of human skeletal muscle to vibration exposure
C. Bosco, R. Colli, E. Introini, M. Cardinale, O. Tsarpela, A. Madella, J. Tihanyi, A. Viru

"In the present study, no neurogenic potentiation has been demonstrated, as no EMG recordings were performed. Nevertheless, enhancement of the mechanical behavior strongly suggests that a neurogenic adaptation may have occurred in response to the vibration treatments. Therefore, even if the intrinsic mechanism contributed, the adaptive response of neuromuscular functions of VT could not be explained by it. The duration of the stimulus seems to be important. The adaptive response of human skeletal muscle to simulated hypergravity conditions (1.1 g), applied for 3 weeks, caused a drastic enhancement of the neuromuscular functions of the leg extensor muscles, shifting the F-V relationship to the right (Bosco, 1985). In the present experiment, even if the total length of the VT application period was only 10 min, the perturbation of the gravitational field was consistent (5.4 g). An equivalent length and intensity of training stimulus can be reached only by performing 150 leg press or half-squat exercises with extra loads of three times the body mass twice a week for 5 weeks (Bosco, 1992)."

Influence of vibration on mechanical power and electromyogram activity in human arm flexor muscles
C. Bosco, M. Cardinale, O. Tsarpela

"The improvement in muscle performance after VT has been quoted (Bosco et al. 1998) to be similar to that occurring after several weeks of heavy resistance training (e.g. Ikai and Fukunnaa 1970; Coyle et al. 1981; Hakkinen and Komi 1985). In fact, the improvement in muscle function after resistance training has been attributed to enhancement of neuromuscular behaviour caused by an increasing activity of higher motor centers (Milner-Brown et al. 1975) The improvement of muscle performance induced by VT would suggest that a neural adaptation had occurred in response to VT. In this connection, the duration of the stimulus would seem to be important."

Acute and residual effects of vibratory stimulation on explosive strength in elite and amateur athletes
V.B Issurin, G. Tenenbaum

“The superimposed vibratory stimulation allowed a significant facilitation of an explosive strength exertion. This approach may be useful in identifying the hidden reserves of an athlete and in augmenting an acute effect of power training."

Effect of four-month vertical Whole Body Vibration on performance and balance
S. Torvinen, P. Kannus, H. Sievanen, T.A.H. Jarvinen, M. Pasanen, S. Kontulainen, T. Jarvinen, M. Jarvinen, P. Oja, I. Vuori

“This randomized controlled study showed that a 4-month whole body vibration loading was safe to use and induced a significant 8.5% mean increase in the jump height of young healthy adults. This improvement was already seen after 2 months of the vibration. Lower limb extension strength was also enhanced by the 2-month vibration period. This increase however slowed down by the end of the intervention, and at 4 months the difference between the groups was no more statistically significant, mostly due to increased extension strength in the control group (learning effect). Concerning the dynamic and static body balance, the 4-month whole body vibration intervention showed no effect."

The influence of Whole Body Vibration on the Mechanical Behaviour of Skeletal Muscle
C. Bosco, M. Cardinale, R. Colli, J. Tihanyi, S.P. von Duvillard, A. Viru

“Enhanced mechanical behaviour during 5 s CJ, strongly suggests that a neurogenic adaptation have occurred in response to the vibration treatments. Even if the intrinsic mechanism of the adaptive response of neuromuscular functions to WBV could not be explained, the effectiveness of the stimulus seems to have relevant importance."

Strength gain following 12 weeks of Whole Body Vibration training
M. Roelants, C. Delecluse, S. Verschueren

“The sensory stimulation provoked by WBV, followed by an increased EMG-activity, has the potential to induce a significant strength gain in knee-extensors and this to the same extent as regular high resistance training. The strength gain following WBV-training in this study may not be considered as an acute effect as there was a 72 hour-delay between the post tests and the last training session. The changes in strength are clearly linked to the vibratory stimulus, as there is no effect in the placebo condition. Most likely the strength gain is mainly the result of specific neural adaptations resulting in a more efficient use of sensory information. Further investigations are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of muscle activation and neuromuscular adaptations by means of WBV-training."

Acute changes in neuromuscular excitability after exhaustive whole body vibration exercise as compared to exhaustion by squatting exercise
Jo¨rn Rittweger, Marcus Mutschelknauss, and Dieter Felsenberg

“The observed total exercise time, the changes in blood lactate and the RPE values suggest that a comparable degree of exhaustion and muscular fatigue was reached more rapidly with vibration than without. This becomes plausible when considering that whole-body vibration increases the oxygen consumption when applied in addition to the squatting exercise (Rittweger et al., 2001). A substantial correlation was observed between the individual exercise times with or without vibration, indicating a contribution of the individual resistance to fatigue for both types of exercise."

Influence of brief daily tendon vibration on rat soleus muscle in non-weight-bearing situation
M Falempin and Soumeya Fodili In-Albon

“A very rapid atrophy has been described in humans in space. After a 5-day flight, mean FCSAs were, respectively, 11 and 24% smaller in type I and II fibers (13). According to Edgerton et al. (13), these morphological changes are qualitatively similar to those observed in animals after real or simulated spaceflight conditions for short periods. The validity of extrapolating from unweighted muscles to humans in spaceflight is likely to prove qualitatively correct. Muscular vibration has been used to 1) study the contribution of muscle spindles to kinesthetic sensitiveness (35); 2) study the perceptions of position and velocity of an isometric limb (37); and 3) investigate how the central nervous system uses the muscle spindle information to coordinate movements (10). No systematic study of the effects of tendon vibration on the mechanical properties of atrophied muscles has been reported in the literature. Our results provide evidence for a therapeutic effect of tendon vibration on unloaded muscles. The data are even more convincing when we consider that 1) tendon vibration was applied for only 192 s in every 24-h period during the unloading time and 2) it was a noninvasive method to prevent any change in the spinal proprioceptive regulation by the muscle spindle reflex during spaceflight. Consequently, this countermeasure could be applied in humans during a mission."

Strength Increase after Whole-Body Vibration Compared with Resistance Training
C. Delecluse, M. Roelants, and S. Verschueren

“In conclusion, this is the first study that demonstrates that the stimulation of propriospinal pathways provoked by WBV and the resulting increase in muscle activity have the potential to induce strength gain in the knee extensors of previously untrained subjects to the same extent as resistance training at moderate intensity. The findings of this study clearly indicate that strength increases after 12 wk of WBV training are not attributable to a placebo effect. The CMJ height increased significantly in the WBV group only. The results of this study suggest that strength increases recorded in the WBV group are mainly resulting from neural adaptations and can be ascribed to a more efficient use of sensory information in the production of force. It is clear that more research on WBV is needed to clarify the mechanisms of muscle contractions and strength gain."

Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Muscular Performance, Balance, and Bone
Saila Torvinen

“In the study I and II, the short-term effects of a single, 4-min whoile body vibration bout on muscle performance and body balance of healthy young adults were evaluated. In the study I, tilting-type of vibration induced transient, moderate improvements in jump height, isometric extension strength of lower extremities, and body balance. EMG-recordings of muscle activity demonstrated initial muscle fatigue, especially in the calf area. In the study II, a vertically-vibrating vibration stimulus did not induce changes in the performance and blance tests, while EMG-measurements showed the vibration exposure activated the muscles particularly in the hip region".

http://www.bodyvibeusa.com/sportperformance.aspx

Physical therapy (or physiotherapy) is hugely effective in treating injured joints, bones, muscle weaknesses  and many neurological ailments. But, it must be done in the proper way, under the supervision of an able physiatrist. Else, it won’t produce the desired results nor would the patient ever recover early either. 

It is a traditional treatment methodology aimed at the treatment and curing of certain ailments, and preventing the chances of reoccurrence of the same at a later point of time. Its primary aim is to bring back the patients to his/her normal self, free of any pain or sufferings, so that he/she could then onwards lead a normal life by performing all the daily activities with minimal or no difficulty. Physical therapy deals with cardiopulmonary and neurological conditions as well.

Physical therapy is generally required for those with permanent disabilities, those who have had a major injury or accident and is in a recuperating phase, or for those who are suffering from crippling diseases like arthritis, low back pain, or cerebral palsy. In certain cases, some diseases or medical conditions impair the patient so much that it becomes necessary to teach the patient to function optimally within the limitations of the condition, by building on the residual capabilities left in the patient. Physical therapy is effective in such circumstances as well, and with prolonged treatment under the supervision of an expert physiatrist, it is possible for the patient to regain a major share of the mobility of his/her joints, achieve flexibility, and acquire better balance and coordination as far as his/her overall self is concerned. Apart from this, physical therapy also helps in significantly improving the overall fitness and health of the patient.

Physical therapy is also very effective in aiding children to cope with issues such as developmental delays or muscle and joint weaknesses that could happen in their early years. In such cases, a physiatrist usually depends on a variety of techniques such as strength training, balance and coordination exercises, stretching exercises, ultrasound therapies, and electrical stimulation of affected body parts alongside massage to help the child build strength to his/her physical weaknesses. But, the exact methods to be used are decided by the physiatrist after diagnosing the child.

For physical therapy to be effective, it is important that the patient also responds positively to the treatment, and for that to happen he/she needs to be in a positive frame of mind and not in a saddened or dull mindset. Hence, these days, physical therapy also includes efforts to motivate the patient to make sure that he/she indeed remains in a positive mindset all through out the session.

Finally, for receiving the full benefits of physical therapy, it is important that the patient follows the instructions of the physiatrist religiously. In many cases, people tend to think that they know the exercises well enough after some time and hence they could do the rehabilitation quite effectively without any external help. But, such acts generally cause more damage to the existing injury than providing any real benefits. Physical therapy needs time to cure and equally important is the fact that the patient has to undergo the treatment in the perfect way possible always. A physiatrist who monitors the progress could correct if there is any error in the posturing or practice, and he/she periodically redesigns the exercise programs accordingly as the patient gets better or improves in health and strength. None of this would be possible if the patient tries to manage the rehabilitation program himself. Remember, the final result or complete recovery through physical therapy is a combination of diligence, compliance, and dedication, and that requires continued interaction and coordination between the patient and the physiatrist.  

http://www.personalpowertraining.net/Articles/the_benefits_of_physical_therapy.htm

The most common types of treatment are medications and talking therapies. You can also read here about various complementary therapies.

Medications

The primary treatment is usually medication, which is either taken orally or by slow release injection. Medications have been developed to relieve different symptoms, so that one may be taken for something specific, or more than one in a combination to deal with different symptoms at the same time. Medications can be categorised according to their function:

When we deal with mental illnesses, they will be: antipsychotics and mood stabiliser medication.

• antipsychotics, to relieve symptoms of psychosis
• antidepressants to relieve symptoms of depression
• mood stabilisers to moderate extreme mood changes
• benzodiazepines, for the relief of anxiety

Whilst medications are often effective, they can also cause variable side effects, so it is important  for your doctor to find a medication that works for you with minimum disruption. A review of medication being taken should be carried out by a doctor annually, but if side effects are causing problems, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about looking for an alternative choice.

Talking therapies

The second most common type of treatment is talking therapy. This kind of therapy is used to help the client become autonomous and develop effective coping habits and problem solving skills.

There are different models of talking therapy which have particular goals, and the client should be referred to a method of therapy relevant to their needs. These models include:

• cognitive behaviour therapy, which changes problematic patterns of thinking or behaviour
• cognitive analytical therapy, which focuses on improving the client's coping habits so that future problems are easier to deal with
• dialectical behaviour therapy, which focuses on learning how to react normally to emotional triggers
• psychotherapy is based on the client using their own insight to solve current problems
• family intervention, which engages the family unit as part of the therapeutic process
• creative therapies (e.g. art and drama) to deal mainly with emotional conflicts
• counselling, which is about being able to talk without fear of judgement or criticism

Other therapies

Other treatments include complementary therapies, to be used alongside more conventional treatments such as medication and therapy.

I use a combination of Therapies and Massage Techniques to help the body clear of toxins. The most efficient Massage method is that of Lymphatic Therapy. It may well be that of Lymphatic Therapy or that of Lymphatic Drainage Therapy. I seem to differ from other people about Lymphatic Therapy. Anyway, this is not the time and place to elaborate on this subject.

Lymphatic Therapy uses several methods available to treat the lymphatic system. These include Lymphatic Massage, which involves light, rhythmical massage and skin brushing techniques to influence the flow of lymphatic fluid, and Bio-Electric Lymphatic therapy, a state-of-the-art method which thins the lymph fluid, allowing the lymph system to function at its highest level.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage helps to reduce cellulite and is effective for detoxification and building the immune system so that the body can produce new blood cells and filter toxins at a higher level.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

During a meditation several years after developing Reiki, Dr. Usui decided to add the Reiki Ideals to the practice of Reiki. The Ideals came in part from the five prinicples of the Meiji emperor of Japan whom Dr. Usui admired. The Ideals were developed to add spiritual balance to Usui Reiki. Their purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it. Therefore, the Usui system of Reiki is more than the use of the Reiki energy. It must also include an active commitment to improve oneself in order for it to be a complete system. The ideals are both guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

http://www.reiki.org/faq/WhatIsReiki.html

Shiatsu should never be used in place of medical treatment and care.

You should never stop taking or reduce any medication without the approval of your doc­tor.

Consult your doctor before starting any course of shiatsu treatment.

Shiatsu is applying pressure to parts of the body. However, as may be expected, there is much more to shiatsu than this. A constituent practice, anma, is a similar technique to which parts of the body are pressed and rubbed. Anma was a recognised practice around the 7th and 8th centu­ries. All in China and after phases where it was in and out of fashion, in the late 18th century a detailed book on the subject was produced. The underlying principle of t his technique was that of meridians, or channels of en­ergy and pressure points - both of which are familiar ideas today. Interestingly, many of the early practition­ers of anma were blind. The western input into shiatsu of massage can be traced back a very long way and it was certainly mentioned at the time of Hippocrates, sev­eral hundred years back.

Although East and West have different viewpoints on health and life, these can complement one another. The Eastern belief is of a primary flow of energy throughout the body, which runs along certain channels known as meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists throughout the universe and that all living creatures are dependent upon it as much as on physical nourishment. The energy is known by three similar names, ki (or qi), chi and prana in Japan, China and India respectively.

Introduction

(It should be noted that the term 'energy' in this context is not the same as the physical quantity that is measured in joules or calories.) As in acupuncture, there are cer­tain pressure points on the meridians that relate to cer­tain organs, and these points are known as tsubos.

Shiatsu today combines elements of these practices and also may combine applications or routines from additional therapies such as chiropractic. The core prac­tical procedure is that a controlled pressure is applied to a part of the body by pressing, rubbing, rolling, pinch­ing, patting, rotating, etc. The body will naturally re­spond to these stimuli and the therapist will then apply corresponding stimulation. This direct application of pressure encourages within the body the proper circula­tion of the body fluids and functioning of the organs.

The applications of shiatsu  As a result of its long lineage and combined with other therapies that utilise massage, shiatsu has been found to be effective in curing or alleviating the symptoms of many conditions. Shiatsu can be used to treat a variety of minor problems and others which many (especially the sufferers) would consider quite major. These include:     

·       insomnia

·       headaches

·       anxiety

        circulation               

·      weight problems

·      Indigestion

·      chills and flushes

·      poor appetite

·      helping in chronic cases of rheumatism

·      high blood pressure

Japan, shiatsu is used commonly for minor condi­tions and diseases and is an important component of good health practice.

Western medicine may be unable to find a physical cause for a problem, and although some pain relief may be provided, the underlying cause of the problem may not be cured. It is possible that one session of shiatsu will be sufficient to remedy the problem by stimulating the flow of energy along the channels. A regime of ex­ercise (possibly a specific routine) with a change in diet and/or lifestyle may also be recommended. Shiatsu can encourage a general feeling of good health in the whole person, not just in the physical sense. After some study or practice, shiatsu can be performed on friends and rela­tives. There are many benefits for both the giver and the receiver of shiatsu, both on a physical and spiritual level.

Although shiatsu is essentially undertaken using the fingers, there are alternative schools which have devel­oped other techniques, notably the barefoot shiatsu style, created by Suzuki Yamamoto. This technique, where the practitioner stands on certain areas of the body (back, legs and feet) was developed to deal specifically with what became known as 'the Western condition'. This was a reference to the solid appearance of individuals who had taken in substantial amounts of animal food in their diet. Alternatively named macrobiotic, this tech­nique combined the shiatsu with stretching, exercises for breathing, and dietary recommendations to provide a holistic approach, thereby achieving a balance. When­ever problems are experienced, an answer can be sought in the imbalance within one or more aspects of life, whether it be diet, movement, thought, etc, and in an­cient Chinese healing, the ever changing balance of yin and yang, complementary yet opposing, were used.

This edition published by Geddes & Grosset, an imprint of Children's Leisure Products Limited

© 1999 Children's Leisure Products Limited David Dale House, New Lanark ML11 9DJ, Scotland

Acupressure is based on the principles of acupuncture, this ancient Chinese technique involves the use of finger pressure on specific points along the body to treat ailments such as tension, stress, and arthritis. Acupressure is part of the Traditional Chinese System of Medicine, which was developed in China over 5000 years ago. Acupressure points run along meridians in the body and carries the Qi energy.? When this energy is interrupted due to pain, injury, swelling and illness, this is recognized as a block of our energy or Qi. Meridian points are often referred to as 'tender spots' to the touch. These tender spots lie on interconnecting channels on the meridian points.? There are twelve meridians and eight extraordinary meridians located on the body. Acupressure points can help in the relief of musculoskeletal pain, restricted movement of joints, migraines and headaches, menstrual conditions, fatigue, stress (emotional or work related), insomnia, sciatica, asthma, and lower back pain.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/massage_techniques.htm#Acupressure

No, Alexander Technique is a Posture Therapy. This posture therapy replaces the bad body movements we have acquired through life with the natural poise we were born with, helping us to move gracefully and effortlessly without unnecessary strain.

Australian-born actor, F Alexander, began his technique of awareness as a result of frequently losing his voice when reciting pieces from Shakespeare and other plays. He decided to study himself in front of a mirror and noticed that every time he started to say his lines, he pulled his head back and down and tightened his throat muscles, Although this habitual movement felt normal to him, he sensed that it was causing his voice loss and set out to change it ,

With practice, Alexander trained himself to recognize the movement patterns which caused him to tense up the muscles of his neck, head and back, Eventually he was able to recite properly without using these inappropriate movements and tensions, his voice improved and no longer disappeared when he was performing, His overall health and' co-ordination also improved and he felt generally more confident. In due course, Alexander set about teaching others how to do what he had done so successfully himself.

HOW IT WORKS

The human body is a complex, delicately balanced piece of engineering, with muscles and bones designed to interact harmoniously in such a way as to enable us to walk and move naturally with maximum ease and minimum strain,

Although we are born with the natural ability to use our bodies correctly, we soon develop bad habits such as slouching at the desk

I have heard about the Alexander teChnique from friends and would like to undertake the training. How do I go about finding a qualified teacher?

Alexander technique teachers undergo an extensive period of training and it is essential for you to choose one who is recognized by the international Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. Their head offices are usually located in major cities.

For Alexander, one of the key areas to concentrate on was the neck. Here the teacher helps the pupil to recognize the movements that lengthen and free the neck from the weight of the body.

The knees, hips and lower back are often pulled out of alignment by the way we hold our bOdy - often by throwing our weight forward and our pelvis back in compensation. This can cause strain, uneven wear and tear and pain. Here the pupil is guided into the way to

correct this imbalance.

at school or stiffening unnaturally in the gym. In time our bodies become rebalanced to cope with these lazy postures and tense movements. The Alexander technique aims to help the individual to gently realign the body so that the mental and physical tension induced by harmful postural habits is reduced and all movement becomes smoother, easier and lighter.

TEACHER AND PUPIL

Alexander lessons are given on a one to one basis and it takes an average of 30 lessons before the pupil is sufficiently 're-educated' to be able to carry the technique on

Height increase

Dr W. Barlow's major study of the technique in Britain involved minute measurements of 50 Royal College of Music students in London.

into daily life, After the teacher has established which forms of misuse and bad posture are present, he or she uses gentle manipulation to guide the pupil in movement. At the same time the teacher uses words to instruct the pupil so that he learns to become aware of and unlearn unconscious but habitual patterns of tension,

After the pupil has overcome the initial difficulty of 'non-interference'

Standing correctly: a typical example of bad standing posture shows the neck dropped down, the back arched and the pelvis tipped backwards. Note the correct stance.

After subjecting them all to Alexander training, he took further measurements six months later.

Of the 50, an incredible 49 were up to 4.4cm (1³/4in) taller and, according to their teachers, had improved in musical skill.

- that is, allowing the teacher to redirect his movements - students often report that once the teacher has moved them into a more balanced position there is a general feeling of well- being and lightness,

WHO DOES IT HELP?

Because the Alexander technique aims to redress postural imbalance, it is of obvious use to actors, dancers, musicians and athletes. However, it also has a beneficial effect on a number of medical problems such as back pain, arthritis, breathing disorders such as asthma and a great many stress­related diseases. It should be pointed out, however, that the technique is educational and not a way of curing specific ailments although some doctors may recommend it in addition to their usual treatments.

Certainly it is well known for increasing a person's sense of well- being and for this reason is taken up by many ordinary people who welcome its positive effects on the general functioning of the body and for dealing with stress in particular. In fact, most people who have learned the technique swear that it is the best method for unwinding mentally as well as physically since it is simply a relearning of a natural, but forgotten balance.

Taken from THE HEALTH FILE  A Complete Medical Encyclopedia, A MARSHALL CAVENDISH REFERENCE COLLECTION, NATURE’SCLINIC by DR JOHN CORMACK, WEEKLY Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia Singapore Malta RSA Other Countries Namibia.

Copyright Marshall Cavendish 1995, Printed in Great Britain, Published by Marshall Cavendish Partworks Ltd, 119 Wardour Street, London WIV 3TD

Aromatherapy is an ancient healing art which uses the natural perfumes of plants - their essential oils - to help prevent and treat health problems. It can help you relax, lift your mood and even sharpen concentration.

The practice of using fra­grances to relax and heal the body has been around thousands of years and dates back to ancient Chinese civiliza­tions. Aromatic oils remained in common use for a variety of medic­inal purposes until relatively recently, but their use declined as modem pharmaceuticals took over.

Now, however, people are once again taking an interest in essential oils. Aromatherapy is increasing in popularity, both as a professional therapy and as a self-help remedy.

HOW IT HELPS

There are a number of common conditions which can be helped by aromatherapy. These include insomnia; headache and migraine; depression; digestive problems; skin complaints; poor circulation; rheumatism; sinusitis; depression; anxiety and stress. Aromatherapy is also being used more frequent­ly in conventional medical set­tings to help treat a wide variety of patients including those with cancer, mental illness, and mus­cular -skeletal problems.

Aromatherapy's benefits occur as the oils are absorbed through the skin and the inhaled scent reaches the brain.

USING THE OILS One of the simplest and most common ways of using essential oils is by diluting them in a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil and then massaging them into the body. 

FAVOURITE REMEDIES

There's a wide selection of oils available, but some are more suitable for home treatment.

CLARY SAGE Known in the Middle Ages for its ability to heal eye problems, it's used as a relaxant to reduce anxiety.

LAVENDER One of the most versatile oils, lavender is the classic remedy for aiding relax­ation and treating insomnia.

LEMON Oil from the rind has antiseptic properties and is refreshing and invigorating.

MARJORAM This is a delicate fragrance and is wonderfully calming and fortifying.

into the skin. This is thought to make the most of the fragrant oils because they are absorbed through the skin and seep into the bloodstream. At the same time, the scent reaches the brain through our sense of smell. The oils can also be added to bath water; used in inhala­tions, compresses or as room fra­grances.

Aromatherapists sometimes rec­ommend taking pure oils internally. This is not a do-it-yourself activity, and should never be undertaken without the advice and monitoring of a qualified practitioner. 

PLAYING IT SAFE

Plant oils may already be dilut­ed in a carrier oil, or even be synthetically manufactured. The synthetic oils will provide scent but little therapeutic benefit.

FINDING A THERAPIST

You can find aromatherapists at many complementary healthcare centres, physiotherapy clinics, health spas and beauty salons. Many work from their own homes or places of business. Not all are qualified or experienced, so when choosing a therapist, try to get a recommendation from someone you trust or a professional body.

AROMATHERAPY AT HOME Essential oils are available from aroma therapists, some chemists and herbal or health shops.

Pregnant women must be cautious about using aromatherapy, as some oils could be harmful to mother and baby. Ask a therapist for advice.

NEROLI Oil. Neroli oil, which has an orangy scent, helps calm the emotions and works as a sedative.

ROSE One of the least toxic oils, rose works as a powerful anti-depressant and helps with problems of the female reproduc­tive system.

YlANG YlANG A sensuous, exotic oil, ylang ylang is reputed to work as an powerful aphrodisi­ac and stimulate sexual desire. It also has a sedative effect on the nervous system.

Essential oils are always diluted for massage - use no more than five drops of an essential oil for every 10ml (2tsps) of a carrier oil.

AROMATHERAPY BATHS

This is a luxurious way to relax and also helps relieve aches and pains. Add six to 10 drops of essential oil to a full bath and swish the water around. Keep the windows closed so the vapours won't escape. Immerse yourself for 10 minutes or more, breathing deeply. Geranium, cedarwood, camomile and laven­der are particularly soothing, while clary sage, tangerine and ylang ylang have a revitalizing effect.

To soothe aching feet, try four to five drops of peppermint, lavender or tea tree oil in a foot­bath. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

OTHER WAYS WITH OILS

If you have a stuffed nose or blocked sinuses, place a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a paper tissue or on your pillow and inhale gently. Alternatively add a couple of drops to a small basin of steaming water and lean over it with a towel over your head. Inhale the steam for a few minutes to ease your breathing.

Compresses are excellent for muscular aches. Make a soothing compress with four to eight drops of oil and enough water to soak a cotton wool pad. Try camomile, marjoram, lavender or lemon.

BABIES AND CHILDREN

Essential oils are useful for calming children so long as you take safety precautions. Lavender, camomile, rose, and tea tree oil added to baths, as massages or inhalants, or on the pillow or sheet are ideal. Children have an acute sense of smell, so use only one drop diluted in bath water for babies, and one to four drops in a child's bath.

Never apply undiluted oils to the skin as they are likely to cause irrita­tion. If you have sensitive skin, apply a little diluted oil and leave overnight to determine if it's safe to use.

Essential oils should always be kept out of the reach of children.

Taken from THE HEALTH FILE  A Complete Medical Encyclopedia, A MARSHALL CAVENDISH REFERENCE COLLECTION, NATURE’S CLINIC by DR JOHN CORMACK, WEEKLY Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia Singapore Malta RSA Other Countries Namibia.

BS MRCS LRCP, is the medical consultant to The Health File. The senior partner in an Essex­ based practice, he is also a member of the General Medical Council and has written for numerous magazines and news­papers as well as for the medical press. He is a regular broadcaster on television and radio and has scripted a number of award-winning educational videos.

Copyright Marshall Cavendish 1995, Printed in Great Britain, Published by Marshall Cavendish Partworks Ltd, 119 Wardour Street, London WIV 3TD

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an ancient healing art which uses the natural perfumes of plants - their essential oils - to help prevent and treat health problems. It can help you relax, lift your mood and even sharpen concentration.

The practice of using fra­grances to relax and heal the body has been around thousands of years and dates back to ancient Chinese civiliza­tions. Aromatic oils remained in common use for a variety of medic­inal purposes until relatively recently, but their use declined as modem pharmaceuticals took over.

Now, however, people are once again taking an interest in essential oils, Aromatherapy is increasing in popularity, both as a professional therapy and as a self-help remedy.

Taken from THE HEALTH FILE  A Complete Medical Encyclopedia, A MARSHALL CAVENDISH REFERENCE COLLECTION, NATURE’S CLINIC by DR JOHN CORMACK.

Biofeedback operates on the notion that we have the innate ability and potential to influence the automatic functions of our bodies through the exertion of will and mind. Biofeedback has recently been shown to give us what had previously seemed an impossible degree of control over a variety of physiologic events. It is a great tool to harness the power of mind-body medicine.

Patients, doctors and health-care professionals are all finding that laughter may indeed be the best medicine.

Laughing is found to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, increase muscle flexion, and boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.

Laughter is infectious. Hospitals around the country are incorporating formal and informal laughter therapy programs into their therapeutic regimens. In countries such as India, laughing clubs -- in which participants gather in the early morning for the sole purpose of laughing -- are becoming as popular as Rotary Clubs in the United States.

Humor is a universal language. It's a contagious emotion and a natural diversion. It brings other people in and breaks down barriers. Best of all it is free and has no known side reactions.

http://www.holisticonline.com/Humor_Therapy/humor_therapy.htm

Massage has many important health benefits. In fact, massage can help you maintain physical, mental and emotional well being, especially when it is part of your regular wellness routine.

The Health Benefits of Massage

* Massage calms the nervous system and promotes a sense of relaxation and well being.

* Massage reduces tension and anxiety.

* Massage improves blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

* Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away the body’s waste products.

* Massage prevents and relieve muscles cramps and spasms.

* Massage therapy can help with pain management in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, muscle spasms.

Remind yourself of these health benefits if you start to feel guilty about getting massage!

http://spas.about.com/od/massa2/a/massagebenefits.htm

Listening to music does wonders to alleviate stress. Please note that everyone has different tastes in music. Listen to the music that you feel comfortable. Sitting down and forcing yourself to listen to relaxation music that you don't like may create stress, not alleviate it.

Music has always been a great healer. In the Bible, we learn about how David played the harp to help ease his severe depression of King Saul . 

Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once.

http://www.holisticonline.com/stress/stress_music-therapy.htm

Yes, by all means.

Behavior modification therapy – often known as cognitive behavior therapy – is one of the most straightforward, efficient techniques to becoming a happier, healthier, and more functional member of society. Unlike psychotherapy and other traditional modalities, behavioral modification therapy works directly to change problematic behaviors. It is straightforward and to the point. It doesn’t look to find the underlying psychological causes of problematic behaviors and allow self-destructive patterns to continue on in the meantime. Instead, Behavioral modification therapists believe that, by treating the dysfunctional behavior, the underlying problems can be solved.

Behavior modification therapy is especially useful for children. Children are not fully differentiated – they haven’t completely establish their sense of self identity. As a result, it is much easier to get results with behavior modification therapy than with other therapeutic approaches. They are still trying to understand who they are, and they define who they are largely by what they do. By changing a child’s behaviors to more constructive alternatives, you can alter that child’s personality in a constructive way too.

Of course behavior modification therapy – like any therapy – is only as good as the therapists you find. When looking for a behavior modification therapist, it is important to trust your instincts. Because therapy is largely confidential and private, you may have a hard time finding a former patient to talk to. Instead, you should attend a few sessions with the therapist and see what you think. If you are uncomfortable with them – or if your child is uncomfortable with them – try to look somewhere else. Just because you can’t verbalize your reason doesn’t mean that it isn’t a valuable one. Sometimes, our instincts are our strongest tools.

You might also want to ask him to explain his behavior modification techniques. These techniques vary somewhat from therapist to therapist, so it is good to know how yours is going to treat your problems. A good therapist will be very open when explaining his approach to a new patient. The patient gets a feel for what kind of therapist he is dealing with, and the therapist in turn gets a feel for what kind of patient he is dealing with.

Of course if you are looking for behavior modification for children, it is important to take your child’s opinion into consideration as well. Don’t worry if your child simply doesn’t want to go to behavior modification therapy – in that case, you can make him go. If your child seems to dislike the therapist after three or four sessions with them, however, you might want to consider finding a different one. After all, a child can only change if he is working with a therapist he gets along with. If your kid is fighting every inch of the way, he won’t get anywhere.

Posted by Mind Power Master

http://www.mindreality.net/behavior-modification-therapy-that-works-well

Yes. There are Infant Massage Classes for Parents / Grandparents / Caregivers. Aro-healing is also involved in such classes on a one-to-one basis.

Bonding is the unique attachment between yourself and the infant, which can be enhanced and promoted with massage. Elements involved in bonding are: eye contact, skin contact, smiles, soothing sounds, smell and communication, which are all present and encouraged during a massage session. By you responding to your baby’s smile or frown you are enhancing the communication, interaction and bonding experience between yourself and your child. For new fathers in particular this provides a wonderful opportunity for them to develop a bond with their child from day one of their arrival, giving them a chance to participate in a productive and loving way to care. 

Studies on the effects of infant massage have shown the following results:

• Improved sleeping patterns
• Diminished anxious behaviour
• Reduced stress (i.e. heart rate and stress hormone levels are effected)
• Premature babies who were regularly massaged showed weight gain and performed better on developmental tasks and acquired mental and motor skills earlier. Early touch also benefited the developing Nervous Systems of these infants.

http://www.rowantree.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=28

No, Aro-healing does Reflexology and Reflex Stimulation, but here is information on traditional Thai foot massage:

Based on Traditional Chinese massage of the feet (soles, heels and upper surface), which are said to be mirror images of the body, Thai Foot Massage is a gentle and effect manner in which to stimulate all the reflexes and help balance the body on all levels by improving the blood and lymphatic circulation.

Possible reactions:

• Slightly swollen feet
• Varicose veins may become more apparent
• Slight fever
• Some reflex zones may be more painful in the foot

Contraindications:

• Diabetes (seek GP advice before massage)
• Severe Heart problems (seek GP advice before massage)
• Kidney problems (seek GP advice before massage)
• Foot injury
• Epilepsy
• Varicose veins
• Thrombosis (DVT)
• Cancer
• Brittle bones
• Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
• Pregnancy

• Menstruation

You may already have heard friends talking about massage therapy and how wonderful it is.

With fast moving life and the continuous chase to meet deadlines, your tired mind and body be likely to seek for stress relief.

Massaging can help you to get relaxed and unwind.

Massage therapy is one of the most important techniques of complementary and alternative medicine.

You can find different types of massage therapy and each of them can deal with their own philosophy and practice.

Most of the massage therapies can show positive effects on your body. They can help in mood control, relief of stress, pain control, and relaxation. In most of the massage therapies, the unknown factor is some form of “life force” which the therapy frees from blockage.

Massage therapy can be used by early physicians to treat fatigue, chronic illnesses, and injuries and contribute to a higher sense of well-being. It can be done by hand or with an instrument to aid circulation, to stimulate nerves, to relax muscles, or even to move the joints.

Here is a list of different types of massage therapy along with some important or unique features of each.

Aromatherapy massage:

Aromatherapy massage is often used as an addition to conventional medical treatments. Aromatherapy mainly depends on the oils. Depending on the essential oils and specific massage techniques used for massaging can help you in relaxing, soothing, invigorating and energizing.

Ayurvedic massage: (Not practised by Aro-healing)

Ayurvedic massage therapy is an ideal remedy for pain. This massage therapy can acts as a real cure in case of arthritis, rheumatism, neurasthenia, high or low blood pressure, sciatica, paralysis, polio and insomnia. In all these cases, your health care provider also prescribes specific medications, changes in daily habits, exercise, etc along with massage therapy.

Chiropractics: (Not practised by Aro-healing)

It is the most well-known and accepted therapy among all the alternative therapies. It can be mainly used for the relief of pain, particularly with the conditions related to the spine. Chiropractic massage therapy can also be used for a diverse number of conditions. There is an evidence to support to treat all these conditions.

Reflexology:

This is a smooth, flowing style massage therapy that promotes general relaxation, improves circulation and range of movements, and also relieves muscular tension. Reflexology is mainly based on manipulation of areas of the hands, ears, and feet to effect healing changes in the rest of the body. It uses deep pressure on those points.

Reiki (Not practised by Aro-healing)

is a Japanese massage therapy that involves elements from many other alternative healing practices. This practice involves transformation of energy from healer to you during massage and manipulation. It is a holistic system that includes for only one element but this is the most well-known element. Reiki maintains the balance of flow of life force and energies in your body, and treat mind, body, and spirit at a time. It helps to lessen the physical pain and emotional stress.

Shiatsu: (Not practised by Aro-healing)

It is a Japanese massage therapy. This therapy uses pressure points similar to acupressure massage to balance the flow of energy, stimulates circulation hormonal system and immune system, releases toxins, and promotes healing in the body. This massage therapy helps to reduce blood pressure and muscle stiffness.

Sports massage:

It is different field of massage therapy that is aimed at improving sports performance and preventing injury. It acts as an effective component of any training program.

Other than a treatment method for muscle and back pain, promoting relaxation and healing, some companies are using massage therapy for work-related benefits, and to prevent workplace accidents and injuries through stress relief.

Posted in: Massage Therapy

To understand the negative manifestations of stress in a person, both physically and psychologically, we need to understand how our body responds to a stressful situation.

Stressful situations often call upon our ‘flight or fight’ response in our body. This triggers a response from the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which activates a hormonal response within the body, i.e. the CNS activates the hypothalamus which activates the pituitary gland, this gland then activates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and nor-adrenaline into the bloodstream. This response is referred to as adrenocortical stress reaction.

However, the typical modern person today, seems to be in a constant flux between feeling stressed and being able to release a physical reaction to the stressful stimulus. The stressful situation never allows for a physical reaction and so it is suppressed, never finding an adequate release.

This situation calls upon the body’s reserves as it is constantly being called upon to react to the ‘flight or fight’ situation, but is never used as such. This results in all sorts of health complaints such as: (The following psychological, physical and behavioural symptoms have been taken from  Lecture Notes Year 1 Reflex. By Lize Copeland).

Psychological Symptoms of Stress:
• Nervousness, anxiety
• Depression and moodiness
• Irritability, frustration
• Memory problems
• Lack of concentration
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Feeling out of control
• Substance abuse
• Phobias
• Overreactions

Physical Symptoms of Stress:
• Insomnia and sleep disturbances
• Back, shoulder & neck tension
• Headaches
• Stomach disorders such as: cramps, heartburn, gas, IBS
• Excessive weight gain or loss
• Hair loss
• Muscle tension
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure (excess adrenaline is responsible for hardening of the arteries and thus leads to HBP)
• Angina
• Irregular heart beat and palpitations
• Asthma or shortness of breath

Behavioural Symptoms of Stress:
• Increase arguments
• Isolation from social activities
• Conflict with others i.e. arguments
• Frequent job changes
• Violence i.e. road rage, domestic / workplace
• Over actions

Outside factors that contribute to stress:
• Death in the family
• Moving jobs or houses
• Economic / financial, work related
• Social isolation
• Relationship problems
• Political factors such as violence
• Or the incorrect lifestyle and habits

Not all stress is bad, however, when a person is in a constant state of stress the it takes its toll on the body. Depleting vitamins such as B3, B5, B6 which is needed for the brain and nerve connections. Vitamin C which is needed for the immune system and minerals such as zinc which is need for healthy hair, nails and skin and magnesium which is needed by the skeletal system.

The major bodily systems effected by ‘bad stress’ are:

Digestive System: As blood is directed away from the digestive system during the flight / fight response we could find the following conditions resulting:
Irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach ulcers due to the unbalance in the acid / alkaline levels in this area. Excessive weight gain could also be a problem as more energy is needed by the body to process the stress response (the body requires more energy and therefore demands a higher calorie intake).

The Muscular System: A lot of neck, shoulder and muscle tension results due to the fact that muscles contract during a stress reaction, putting our muscles under constant strain and therefore more likely to become injured very easily.

The Cardiovascular System: When adrenaline is released in the body the output of blood and oxygen to the lungs, heart, muscles, eyes, glucose production increases (more energy required). However, on the bad side a constant secretion of adrenaline, which is not used, hardens the artery walls increasing blood pressure, which after a time can lead to heart failure or heart disease.

http://www.rowantree.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=42

In order to help and educate someone I would need to know what kind of environment he works and lives in on a daily basis. Then based on this knowledge I would be able to recommend accordingly on the following:

Diet:
What is the diet at present?
Is he consuming sufficient vegetables and fruit? Suggest that taking a few veggie and fruit snacks with him to the office to increase the intake of these.
Is he consuming large quantities of refined and processed foods? Recommend strategies to reduce their intake accordingly i.e. fast food only 1 – 2 a week
How much and what is he drinking?

Exercise Routine:
Does he exercise? How often and what type of exercise?
Exercise has shown itself to be essential in maintaining a healthy body and mind. By recommending that my patient at least try to do cardiovascular exercise 3 x per week for 30 minutes and strength training at least 2 x per week. I will be helping him release excess frustrations by giving him a physical outlet for them.

Relaxation:
It is important in this day and age where being busy is a very important, to make my patient understand that he does not have to be busy all the time. Relaxation such a taking a evening stroll, socialising with friends and family, sitting and reading a book, joining a yoga / meditation class are all ways of relaxing and imperative to his health. We all need time out from work and responsibilities and to have quiet time.

Goal Setting:
All these suggestions above are good except how does a person that is already stressed to the max, now manage to do all these things. Setting goals with your patient taking one thing at a time to help them begin to implement a strategy to go forward with in order to take advantage of your help and advice. Ask your patient what would be their most important goal? Perhaps for example diet. Their goal might be to include one vegetable and one fruit every second day, as they are consuming none at all throughout the week. This way we can help our patients reach their goals or at the very least help them implement one thing at a time until such time as they reach their goals and optimum health.

http://www.rowantree.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=42

Due to the toll on the body because of stress the immune system ends up being very depleted. The source of stress must be addressed, if not the body will never fully recover as the stress will still be there. By recommending that my patient perhaps sees a counciler so that the underlying issues and causes of stress can be dealt with.

Diet:

Our daily nutritional needs must be met, in order to promote the body’s immune system and for the immune system to be kept at an optimum response and running smoothly we need the following:

• Macro-nutrients which are foods that contain calories and can therefore generate hormonal responses such as proteins, fats (saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) and carbohydrates (simple sugars and complex sugars).

• Micro-nutrients which contain vitamins and minerals that have no caloric value and little direct impact on hormonal response, but are a vital means of achieving optimal health.

Increasing the intake of quality nutrients that are abundantly available in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains will in turn boost immunity and help fight infection.

Raw food (fruits, vegetables and nuts) contain some of the following beneficial substances and are readily and widely available to the average person.

• Carotenoids ie betacarotene, alphacarotene the benefits of these substance are a reduction in the risk of cancers, protection against the development of cataracts and cardiovascular disease.

• Dietary fibre is essential to the digestive process and a healthy bowel.

• Phytosterols/sterols and sterolins, these fats play an essential role in the immune system by stimulating an under active immune system and help to control an over-active immune system which could lead to auto-immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

• Phtyoestrogents which helps balance the effects of oestrogen on the body

• Bioflavonoids. These flavonoids enhance the effects of Vitamin C, contain antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and are unique in their ability to regenerate collagen.

• Phytonutrients have many health benefits such as antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, antioxidant and anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects, immune system stimulation and cholesterol reduction.

• Water making up 70% of the body, is involved in every function of the body. It transports nutrients and waste in and out of the cells. It is necessary for all digestive, absorption, circulatory and excretory functions. Without water the body cannot utilize water soluble vitamins. There is an abundance of water in fruit and vegetables.

Dietary substances to be avoided:

• Refined foods especially sugar, as they depress immune response
• Alcohol negatively effects nearly every vitamin, many minerals and the metabolism of essential fatty acids
• Caffeine containing drinks ie tea / coffee / soda
• Margarine and reduce intake of animal fats
• Salt
• Food containing artificial additives, colourants and flavourants which have an effect on the nervous system, immune and hormonal systems.
• Over consumption of fast / fried food

Dietary recommendations to boost immunity:

• Include fruit and vegetables in their natural form in every day diet. The RDA is currently 5 servings of fruit and vegetables
• Exchange refined carbohydrates for whole grains and denser foods that take longer to digest, but give the body slow release energy.
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Drink enough water
• Add raw juice drinks to the diet for added vitamins and minerals that might be lost in food that is cooked.
• Add seeds and cold pressed oils
• Eat at regular intervals and don’t skip meals or go for days without eating

Weight management: In order to boost the immune system, the body must not be put under undue strain, through carry too much weight or too little. In this aspect a healthy and stable weight must be maintained. In obesity the organs are put under immense strain and the body is full of toxins and therefore more susceptible to infection.

On the other hand anorexia / bulimia the body is not receiving any beneficial nutrients and begins to “eat” away at itself thereby also reducing immunity to outside influences.

Lifestyle, Exercise and Relaxation:

Regular exposure to sunlight but not excessive sunlight exposure has many health benefits such as:

• Increased calcium absorption (as cholesterol stored under the skin is converted into calcium with vitamin D, which we can not produce within the body without sunlight)
• Helps to regulate sleeping patterns
• We have all heard of the SAD syndrome suffered by people who do not get enough sunlight, particularly people who live in colder countries ie England and Europe. Sunlight also plays a part in the release of serotonin which plays an important role on mood.

STOP Smoking! There are no known health benefits to smoking and Nicotine has effects on every body system. Cutting out / down on this bad habit will have a definite improvement in health and wellbeing.

Examples of what nicotine does in the body:
• Nicotine raises the heart rate, blood pressure and constricts the blood vessels
• Limitation of oxygen being delivered to the rest of the body
• Cancer etc.

Sleep : It is important that the body gets adequate sleep in order for the body to rest from all its activities during the day and to give the body a chance to repair and maintain all organs and systems. A lack of sleep will depress the immune system and make all the other bodily system slow to react and heal.

Exercise
There is no doubt on the many benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise and weight training being added to an exercise routine. Each person must find an exercise regime that best suits their lifestyle and in this day and age we are spoilt for choice.

Options:
Yoga
Pilates
Aerobic Exercise – swimming, running aerobic classes
Walking / Running clubs (if you don’t like to go on your own)
Jumping on a trampoline
And there are many exercise videos on the market (if you don’t want company)

Benefits of exercise:
• Plays a role in regulating endocrine function and hormones that are secreted
• Aerobic exercise, which makes your lungs and heart work at an increased pace for an extended period of time increases oxygen and blood flow through the body, boosting every cell in the body, in turn boosting the health functioning of the immune system.
• Strength / resistance training is great for muscle strength and tone (keeping ligaments, tendons and joints working efficiently) but is important for maintaining bone density. It increases the metabolism
• Stretching is just as important as any other form of exercise and great to incorporate into the relaxation routine
• Start with 5 – 10 minutes aerobic exercise and get the heart rate up, over a period of time this can be built up to 30 minutes a day.

Relaxation:
Stress the new buzz word of today effects our immunity drastically, when stressed we feel it in every part of part of our body and effects every aspect of our daily life, we have headaches, body aches, chronic fatigue yet we are unable to sleep. In order to combat this disease called stress it essential that we have a relaxation technique or “vice” that brings about a sense of wellbeing and calm into our everyday lives.

Adding a few of these suggestions to your daily routine can help with relaxation which is imperative to your immunity levels:
• Yoga and meditation
• Massage (Aromatherapy / Reflexology)
• Deep breathing and quiet time in order to reflect on our day and so deal with stresses as they appear
• Reading or recreational activity that is enjoyed
• TV – although television has received a lot of bad press, a little bit in moderation is great for relieving stress and relaxing. Watching a good comedy is great for some emotional relief
• A good hug – research has shown that the average adult needs a least three hugs in order to feel loved and accepted.

Supplements
Supplements if taken correctly and in conjunction with a good healthy diet, lifestyle and regular exercise can be a wonderful add-on to your growing health and immune system.

Examples of Supplements and what they can do for your immune system:
• Immuna from Bioharmony – provides immune support for winter and contains Echinacea, mistletoe and fennel. It boosts the immune system and helps to maintain a strong healthy system to ward of infections.

• Immunessence Aromatic Oleocapsules (contains chemotyped essential oils of Eucalyptus radiate, Aromatic racvensare, clove, Thyme saturoids and tea tree). The above essential oils reinforce and stimulate the immune system and increase your resistance to infections.

• Marcus Rohrer Spirulina aids the body in its cleaning process, compensates for deficiencies in the diet and stimulates the metabolism, helping you recover faster after exertion and boosts resistance to illness and activates the body’s natural defence mechanisms.

• INS Wheatgrass Tea – Assists in neutralizing body acidity, anti oxidative properties supports red blood cells, enhances the immune system and provides a variety of nutrients.

• Viridian 100% organic Echinacea tincture – helps to boost immune system and fight infections

• Bottled Angels Co Cell Essential – Regular use keeps colds & flu at bay, helps people suffering from arthritis and joint problems, enhances condition of nails, hair and skin, eases asthma & emphysema and relief for migraine sufferers.

• Evergreen Health Care Products (Pty) Ltd – KB Granules (imported from China). Chinese herbal granule combination which is used to stimulate the immune system

Conclusion:

Balance, Balance, Balance!!! Incorporating this important key word into our everyday lifestyle and habits will build and boost our immunity. A good healthy diet with enough vitamins and minerals will feed and nourish our bodies in turn boosting our immune system and keep it functioning healthily. A healthy lifestyle and a positive and optimistic outlook on life will also keep the body and immune system functioning, a healthy body equals a healthy mind and visa versa. Exercise is essential for the body, just as relaxing and taking it easy giving the mind and body a rest. Supplements can play a key role in boosting and maintenance of a healthy immune system, there are many products on the market that are specifically aimed at this aspect of health.

References:

Books / Magazines:

The South African Journal of Natural Medicine
Issue 19 – August / September 2005

Juicing for health
By Caroline Wheater
Published by Thorsons 2001

The Juice Master
By Jason Vale
Published by Thorsons 2005

Perfect Weight The Natural Way
By Mary-Anne Shearer
Published by Ibis Books and Editorial Services cc 2003

Natural Home Pharmacy
By Keith and Linda Scott
Published by New Holland Publishers Ltd 1998

The Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary
New Edition (5th Edition)
Published by Market House Books Ltd 2000

Reflexology, the 5 Elements and their 12 Meridians
By Inge Dougans
Published By Thorsons 2005

Reader’s Digest: Foods that Harm / Foods that Heal
Written & Published By The Readers Digest Association of South Africa (Pty) Ltd     
1997

Class Lecture Notes by Lize Copeland
First Year
Stress Hand Out 

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The benefits that can be derived from your dog having a 'pet massage' or a Touch Therapy session, can be added to the ten listed below. They are endless!

In Aro-healing it is not called Tellington Touch Therapy, but merely Touch Therapy for Pets. Tellington is not offered by Aro-healing. However, the benefits are the same.

10 Benefits of Therapeutic Canine Massage

If you are like me who patronize spas regularly, you will know how relaxed you feel each time after a good massage? Well, a good massage for your dog can be equally soothing and healing.

Surprised? Well, don’t be. Humans are not the only ones that deserve to be pampered. Your dog equally deserves a good massage once in a while, preferably on a regular basis.

A good massage for your dog doesn’t have to be just because he needs to relax. It can also help him when healing from certain illnesses.

10 Benefits of Therapeutic Canine Massage

1. Calms the Dogs

It has been proven by experts and dog lovers alike that dogs bark and make noise more when they are restless, tense, hyperactive or aggressive. A good massage therefore helps them relax and ultimately makes them quieter.

Without a regular dose of massage there is a tendency that your dog can be harsh and aggressive to people, especially when the children play with the dog too much and too roughly.

2. Eases Aching Muscles

Just as humans feel a lot of relief to their aching muscles after a good massage, the same happens to your dog. Extremely beneficial for athletic dogs; even for pet dogs who workout of a regular basis as massages strengthen your dog’s muscles.

3. Increases Immune System

Gentle massage triggers the chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals affect the dog’s hormonal system which brings down the level of stress hormones that weaken the immune system.

4. Improves Blood and Lymph Circulation

It stimulates blood circulation which then increases the amount of oxygen that reaches tissue and flushes out toxins and waste. Great on dogs suffering from obesity.

5. Disperses Pain

At the spot of the massage, it induces cells to release cytokines and then instructs the brain to release pain-killing endorphins.

6. Releases Stress

When adolescent dogs are introduced to routine massage experience less stress when they become older therefore increases his immune system to fight some common aging aliments.

7. Aids Injuries

Certain injuries that your dog has can be treated effectively with a good massage. For examples, injured tissues or arthritis tissues. It restores mobility and flexibility.

Please note: Recovering injuries should only be administered by a registered dog therapist. Do not attempt to administer it without any knowledge of canine anatomy.

8. Builds Trust

It helps to build trust and makes you aware of subtle changes in your dog’s physical conditions that maybe overlook during regular grooming sessions.

9. Heightens Concentration and Alertness

It helps to improve your dog’s performance and concentration during obedience training or tricks training.

10. Promotes Longevity

Don’t we all want our best friends to live a longer and aliment-free lifestyle? Not only it improves and maintains his overall health, it also invigorates all dogs to want to stay longer with their caring owners – You.

A Brief Introduction of Tellington Touch Therapy

Other than recovering injuries, you might want to try your hands on one of the best dog massaging techniques – Touch Therapy. A professional therapist is not necessary needed for this treatment. Neither it is difficult to learn. There are books and videos available that explain the technique.

Tellington Touch Therapy This type of massage is used mostly to ease dogs with behavior problems like aggressive or frightened dogs. One of the techniques of this massage method is by making certain tiny circles on the dog’s muzzle and its jaw with your fingers. Then you tenderly move the skin of your dog in a certain clockwise direction beginning at the six o’clock position and completing a circle and a quarter finishing at eight o’clock. Pressure is adjusted for different dogs and different parts of the body, depending upon what is comfortable and non-threatening to the dog. Doing this tenderly and repeatedly will greatly aid your dog’s focus during their training sessions.

http://www.smalldogsparadise.com/health-care/10-benefits-of-therapeutic-canine-massage/

Everyone has it.

Everyone is aware of their five basic senses, seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing and tasting. What everyone is not so well aware of is their sixth sense, that sense of otherworldliness, a connection to something more and greater than their physical senses are able to perceive.
This is the entrance to the world of the unseen encounter, the unheard communication, the unfelt touch of someone from the spiritual world trying to make a connection with someone in the physical body.

Nothing to fear.
The sixth sense is a part of everyone whether or not they like it. It is a normal part of the human psyche and not abnormal or reserved for special or gifted persons. Thanks to the media and to religion, it has been misrepresented and as a result, people associate the spirit world with fear and trepidation. A person has more to fear going to their car in the parking lot after work than from those souls in the spirit world. Contrary to the media’s misrepresentations, those in spirit do not have physical bodies to carry out evil deeds like some thug in a parking lot.

It is scientific. 
Every human being is equipped from birth with what they need to communicate with the spirit world from where they came, and to where they will eventually go when they give up their physical body. This is the same scientific phenomenon that works in the transmission of electronic information such as the television or radio. These require that you tune into a particular band or frequency to get the program that you want. The sixth sense is similar in that it requires tuning in to another person’s frequency or to the frequency of someone in the spirit world. Electronic tuning is done through electronic means that is mechanical in nature. Spiritual tuning is done through the brain with mental focus, intent and desire being the means.

Mental tuning.
Although, tuning by mental focus is inconsistent and capricious, while electronic tuning is reliable, consistent and tangible, it is no less scientific. The difference being that psychic and medium communication is in its infancy as far as future development goes. It has a scientific basis for its manifestation because all things that happen work according to scientific laws, even by laws that haven’t been discovered yet. Consider technology that we take for granted, anyone that would have predicted one hundred years ago where we would be today, would have been laughed to scorn. So it is with mediums and communication with the so-called dead, it is a science in its infancy.

You’ve already had contact. 
One doesn’t have to be a practiced medium or an ordained saint to make contact with the souls from the spirit world. At one time or another, everyone that is alive today has seen them, heard from them, been touched by them, smelled them, either while in the waking state or through a dream. Those that can’t recall having the experience are not aware of the signs or, because of fear and ignorance programmed through religion, are in denial. This is the first step in development of your sixth sense, recognizing the times that you have been touched by those in the spirit world. 

http://www.newagedirectory.com/sixth/howsixth.htm 

Prolotherapy is a nonsurgical treatment which stimulates healing. It is also known as nonsurgical ligament and tendon reconstruction, or regenerative injection therapy. Prolotherapy works by stimulating the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to repair injured musculoskeletal tissue. The treatment originated in the 1930’s when Dr. Earl Gedney, an osteopathic surgeon successfully treated his own severe hand injury.  Prolotherapy works by the body using its own natural healing mechanisms to repair injured and painful joint areas.

Herbal medicine is an integral component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is one of the oldest (and most popular) forms of health care. Studies have shown that as much as 40% of all American adults use herbal products, with the amount of money spent on herbal remedies in this country each year in the tens of billions. The use of herbal medicine is even higher overseas, with some countries reporting a usage rate of 75% or more. Refer to the Article on Herbology.

Anti-oxidants are substances that are capable of reversing the damaging effects of toxins and which help the body detoxify itself. Toxins are poisons. To detoxify is to get rid of toxins or poisons.

The basis for the development of orthomolecular medicine, was the understanding based on clinical experience that a great deal of ill health had at its roots a deficiency of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. 
While classic deficiency diseases were very uncommon in industrialized countries, there were a large number of individuals suffering from insufficiency of nutrients, which were contributing to ill health.
These deficiencies meant that the system was not functioning optimally and that various enzyme systems and other metabolic processes would be compromised.
Ill health can be the result of a real nutritional deficiency, because the diet may be inadequate, or a deficiency resulting from various inherited enzyme abnormalities leading to nutrient deficiencies. Especially in the latter case, very large doses of vitamins or minerals are often necessary to compensate for this enzyme problem. This is often referred to as Megavitamin therapy, and is associated with Orthomolecular Medicine.