Archive for February, 2011

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Acupuncture for Back Pain | Cure Back Pain

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

After a common cold, the occurrence of back pain is one of the most common ailments with which people suffer throughout the entire world. Medically, back pain is referred to as dorsalgia.  Back pain is a condition in which the pain is usually experienced at the lower portion of the back. In medical terms, back ache is pain in a region of spine known as the lumbosacral region. If your back pain lasts for two to three weeks, it is termed as acute back pain. However, if it persists for a long period, it is referred to as chronic back pain. In back pain, the vertical column gets strained; this can occur due to any of the following reasons:

  • Working conditions that involve sitting in a particular posture for hours such as writing or working on a computer.
  • Lifting excessive weight.
  • Excessive workouts or hard exercises.
  • Spraining of muscles while playing some sports.
  • External or internal injury as a result of an accident.

In addition to the usual medical treatment for back pain, there are several other alternative therapies that are in practice for many years now as remedies for back pain. These include physiotherapy, aromatherapy, yoga, and acupuncture. In yoga, there are several exercises in which stretching is performed in particular postures that cure back pain in a very effective manner.

Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that has been practiced over centuries for curing various diseases and ailments. Acupuncture for back pain has gained wide popularity during the recent years. In acupuncture therapy, energy flow is adjusted and altered by the insertion of the needles. This is the main theory and methodology behind this type of therapy. In acupuncture, very fine and sharp needles are inserted in your body at some specific points as deemed suitable by your acupuncture practitioner. The insertion of needles can be at pain specific areas as well as distal areas such as some points on your soles and lower side of your toes. These points may vary from person to person. Your therapist will know better the puncture points for how to relieve back pain. Before opting for acupuncture for back pain, you must take care in finding a reputed and experienced acupuncture practitioner. Do not just get carried away by lucrative advertisements on some websites. Try to find out the authenticity from the patients who have previously undergone similar treatment. Keep in mind that if your back pain is due to some injury, it is better not to try acupuncture for back pain.

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Aromatherapy as an Anti Depression Medication

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Depression is referred to as a condition in which you find yourself low, and sometimes anxious and fearful. Depression is very common these days among the people of all ages, from students to professionals and working women to housewives. Today’s fast-paced, hectic lifestyles are greatly responsible for the increased stress experienced by individuals, leading to depression and anxiety in the people around the world. Depression is not a medical ailment, but it is an emotional disorder. The persistent depression can severely affect you both on physical and mental fronts.

Some of the causes of depression include strain at work place, problems in relationships, some persistent physical ailment, and loss of wealth, among several others. Signs and symptoms of depression that you may experience are as follows:

  • Persistent sadness
  • Anxiety and feeling of helplessness
  • Lack of sleep and insomnia
  • Under severe depression, you may have violent and suicidal thoughts

Chronic depression can be a very serious matter; however, usually, most people tend to ignore it. As soon as you experience these any of these signs, you must seek the advice of your health care provider. The treatment of depression and anxiety involves treatment on mental and emotional levels. Earlier, only psychiatric treatment was deployed for curing such disorders. However, during the recent years, aromatherapy has emerged as a popular alternative therapy for the treatment of depression.

Aromatherapy greatly helps in revitalizing your mind and body as well as uplifts your mood and spirits. It also promotes your sense of well-being and changes your attitude towards life, helping in creating a positive frame of mind. This is what it makes it a great natural antidepressant therapy.

Aromatherapy makes use of certain essential oils that possess excellent antidepressant properties. Now, you might be keen to know that what are antidepressants. Some of the wonderful essential oils that are used as anti-depression medication in aromatherapy are as listed below:

  • Lemongrass essential oil
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Germanium essential oil
  • Jasmine essential oil
  • Sandalwood essential oil
  • Basil essential oil

These oils have a soothing and calming effect on your nerves. The most important thing about using these natural antidepressants is that they do not pose any adverse side effects. This is the greatest advantage of natural anti-depression medication over the usual pharmacological medicines. The anti-depression medication using the aromatherapy essential oils is usually done in following ways:

  • Through massage with the essential oils diluted with some carrier oil such as olive oil
  • By inhalation through steam or direct smelling
  • By adding a few drops of essential oil in the bath water

For the treatment of depression, you should take the services of an experienced aroma therapist.

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Aromatherapy for Cold Sores | Cold Sores Relief

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Cold sores are commonly occurring viral infections. A cold sore is not a serious or life-threatening ailment, but it can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. Cold sores are characterized by fluid filled blisters that may last from four to five days, and thereafter, scabs are formed that ultimately fall off after a few days. If you have a cold sore, you will experience an irritating itching sensation on and around the blisters, making you extremely uncomfortable and restless.

If you are wondering what causes cold sores, here’s your answer. Cold sores are caused by a virus; the virus can attack people of any age, including children and infants. The virus responsible for cold sores is known as the herpes simplex virus. It is therefore also referred to as herpes liabialis. Cold sores usually occur on the face around your mouth. In some cases, herpes liabialis or cold sores can also occur around the genital area. Cold sores are contagious and may be transmitted from one person to another through hugging, kissing even, and sharing the bath towels and personal items. The signs of cold sores usually begin to appear 10 to 15 days after the virus has incubated in the body. The herpes simplex virus usually triggers the attack in the following conditions:

  • When there is sudden change in temperature, such as during season changes.
  • Sudden and excessive exposure to sun.
  • During the period when you are under the influence of some other viral ailment or fever.
  • When you immune system is not strong.

An herb known as Echinacea is most popularly used for the natural cold sore treatment. In aroma therapy also, there are several natural remedies for cold sores that are used to provide cold sore relief. However, since the essential oils used in aroma therapy are very strong in nature, you must seek the advice of an experienced aroma therapist only. That said; the best thing about natural remedies for cold sores in aromatherapy is that these help in making your immune system stronger. The best concoction in aromatherapy for cold sores treatment is as mentioned below:

  • Two drops each of tea tree essential oil, lavender essential oil, and germanium essential oil.
  • Four to five drops of a tincture of Echinacea.
  • Two tablespoons each of warm water and vodka.
  • One tablespoon of milk.

Thoroughly mix the ingredients and store in a dark and cool place in a glass bottle. Apply this on the affected areas using a cotton swab three to four times a day. This will help in healing the wounds quickly. This is one of the best natural remedies for cold sores used in aromatherapy. However, you must always consult your doctor first as soon as you experience the symptoms of cold sores.

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Aromatherapy Bath Salt | Aromatic Bath Salt

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

Aromatherapy has emerged as a very popular alternative therapy over the recent years. The main reason is that it is believed to possess curing techniques that are natural and have minimal side effects. In aromatherapy, several techniques have been developed. One of these is an aromatherapy bath. Earlier, only certain essential oils were used in the bath water for curing several ailments. However, now, some salts are also used with an aromatherapy bath. These salts are referred to as aromatherapy bath salts or aromatic bath salts. Usually, these salts are used along with the essential oils used in aromatherapy. For this, a few drops of an essential oil and a small quantity of the aromatherapy bath salt is added to the bath, and you are required to soak in it for a specific period of time.

There are several bath salts that are used as therapeutic bath salts in aromatherapy. The best known and most commonly used aromatherapy bath salt is the Dead Sea salt. The therapeutic uses of various aromatherapy bath salts are as follows.

Dead Sea salt: This is one of the most popular aromatherapy bath salts used by most aroma therapists. This salt has the great ability to relax your mind and body. In addition to sodium chloride, it contains traces of a number of other minerals as well. If you are undergoing mental stress and strain, make use of this salt along with the essential oil of your choice with your bath water before going to bed. It will soothe and relax your nerves and induce a good restful sleep.

Hawaiian red salt: Hawaiian red salt is a natural salt that contains the red oxide of iron. It has great healing properties. It is used as an aromatherapy bath salt for relieving muscular and joint pains. It also helps in drawing harmful toxins from the muscles. Minor wounds and bruises can also be healed soaking in a bath with this salt.

Epsom salt: This is another popular aromatherapy bath salt. Scientifically, it is referred to as hydrated magnesium sulfate. The constituents of Epsom salt, namely magnesium and sulfates, are very crucial for the body, and these are better absorbed through the skin as opposed to the digestive system. Epsom salt bath helps in the manufacture of several proteins in the body; the salt also strengthens the digestive system in addition to removing harmful toxins from the body.  For getting the maximum benefits of an Epsom salt bath, stay in the bath tub for at least 15 minutes at a bath temperature of 100 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before opting for an aromatherapy salt bath, you should consult your health care provider.

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