The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that over 65% of the world's population (3 billion people) rely primarily on natural medicines as their main method of health care.
The U.S. government now sponsors acupuncture in drug rehabilitation programs, and nearly a third of American medical schools are now offering courses in alternative medicines, including Yale, John's Hopkins, and Georgetown.
Apart from acupuncture, following are some other natural pain therapies you may want to consider:
1. Drink water - It may seems simple, but avoiding dehydration can help ward off numerous ailments, including headaches, cramping and fatigue.
2. Caffeine - Caffeine is one ingredient in many of the major over-the-counter pain medicines.
3. Fish Oil - Fish oil enthusiasts claim that it reduces inflammation and works by restricting blood vessels in the temples. This could be welcome news for the millions who suffer from migraine headaches.
4. Eat Ginger or Take a Ginger Supplement - Nausea can often be hard to treat, even with over-the-counter medicines. Ginger is often recommended to pregnant women, who may suffer from nausea, but are not allowed to take other medications.
5. Willowbark - Willowbark can act as a natural form of aspirin. It contains salocin, which is the active ingredient of aspirin.
6. Hops - Hops is a potent anti-inflammatory.
Source: Fox News
News, articles, and views on the field of alternative health including naturopathy, herbal supplements, holisitc medicine,
homeopathy, magnetic therapy, energy healing, acupuncture, and others.
News and discussions regarding the use of, history of, and research on alternative medicines and therapies.
Fibromyalgia Patients Benefit from Practicing Yoga
A recent study has found that practicing Yoga has positive effects on Fibromyalgia, a condition affecting about 11 million individuals in the United States alone. Fibromyalgia has a direct yearly cost for care of over $20 billion, and drug therapies are only about 30% effective in alleviating symptoms, and 20% effective in improving function. Standard care currently includes drugs accompanied by exercises and psychological coping skills. In a study published in the November issue of PAIN, researchers have reported that FM sufferers participating in a "Yoga of Awareness" program showed markedly greater improvement in Fibromyalgia symptoms and functioning when compared to patients using a standard FM care regime.
"Although yoga has been practiced for millennia, only recently have researchers begun to demonstrate yoga's effects on persons suffering from persistent pain," said lead researcher James W. Carson, PhD, Oregon Health & Science University. "The Yoga of Awareness program stands in contrast to previous multimodal interventions with FM patients in that it integrates a wide spectrum of yoga-based techniques: postures, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, application of yogic principles to optimal coping, and group discussions. The findings of this study give promising preliminary support for the positive effects of yoga in patients with Fibromyaliga."
Source: Med India
"Although yoga has been practiced for millennia, only recently have researchers begun to demonstrate yoga's effects on persons suffering from persistent pain," said lead researcher James W. Carson, PhD, Oregon Health & Science University. "The Yoga of Awareness program stands in contrast to previous multimodal interventions with FM patients in that it integrates a wide spectrum of yoga-based techniques: postures, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, application of yogic principles to optimal coping, and group discussions. The findings of this study give promising preliminary support for the positive effects of yoga in patients with Fibromyaliga."
Source: Med India
New Research Identifies Herbal Supplements Effective for Treating Anxiety
Recent review of research on the use of nutritional supplements for treating anxiety has found compelling evidence for the use of extracts of passionflower or kava, as well as combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine.
Researchers combined the results of 24 studies which involved a total of over 2000 participants, indicating that certain nutritional and herbal supplements can be effective, with no risk of suffering serious side-effects.
The research was carried out by Shaheen Lakhan and Karen Vieira from the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, in Los Angeles, California. Lakhan stated, "Our review and summary of the literature on herbal remedies and dietary supplements for anxiety should aid mental health practitioners in advising their patients and provide insight for future research in this field. We found mixed results - while passionflower or kava and L-lysine and L-arginine appeared to be effective, St John's Wort and magnesium supplements were not."
Of the studies which were part of the review, 21 were randomized, controlled studies. Of those, 15 showed positive results from either a nutritional or herbal remedy, and any documented side-effects were mild to moderate.
Source: Science Daily
Researchers combined the results of 24 studies which involved a total of over 2000 participants, indicating that certain nutritional and herbal supplements can be effective, with no risk of suffering serious side-effects.
The research was carried out by Shaheen Lakhan and Karen Vieira from the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, in Los Angeles, California. Lakhan stated, "Our review and summary of the literature on herbal remedies and dietary supplements for anxiety should aid mental health practitioners in advising their patients and provide insight for future research in this field. We found mixed results - while passionflower or kava and L-lysine and L-arginine appeared to be effective, St John's Wort and magnesium supplements were not."
Of the studies which were part of the review, 21 were randomized, controlled studies. Of those, 15 showed positive results from either a nutritional or herbal remedy, and any documented side-effects were mild to moderate.
Source: Science Daily
Acupuncture to Treat Pregnancy Depression Disorder
Acupuncture may alleviate depression symptoms during pregnancy, according to a new study performed at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study, led by Rachel Manber, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said they hope the results will address depression during pregnancy and provide patients an alternative to using antidepressants. It will also help increase awareness among pregnant woman about depression.
The study was conducted after 14% of pregnant women suffered major depressive disorder, a condition characterized by feelings of dread, gloom and hopelessness, as well as a loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities.
The research was conducted on 150 women whose pregnancies were between 12 and 30 weeks, and who suffered from major depressive disorder. The women were divided into three groups to receive one of three treatments: depression-specific acupuncture; control acupuncture, during which needles were inserted in points not thought to help relieve depressive symptoms; or massage. The women received eight weeks of therapy and were assessed for depression at four and eight weeks by an interviewer who was unaware of which treatments were being given.
The researchers found that women who received the acupuncture for depression, experienced a greater reduction in depression symptoms than the women in the other two groups.
Source: One India
The study was conducted after 14% of pregnant women suffered major depressive disorder, a condition characterized by feelings of dread, gloom and hopelessness, as well as a loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities.
The research was conducted on 150 women whose pregnancies were between 12 and 30 weeks, and who suffered from major depressive disorder. The women were divided into three groups to receive one of three treatments: depression-specific acupuncture; control acupuncture, during which needles were inserted in points not thought to help relieve depressive symptoms; or massage. The women received eight weeks of therapy and were assessed for depression at four and eight weeks by an interviewer who was unaware of which treatments were being given.
The researchers found that women who received the acupuncture for depression, experienced a greater reduction in depression symptoms than the women in the other two groups.
Source: One India
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