The Benefits Of Therapeutic Massage

By Kerri Stout

Obviously, there so many benefits that anyone can get from a massage. Of course, it is a great contribution to have an energized, connected, balanced and revitalize feeling. A soothing and gentle massage helps you to unwind, but wait there is more. Once you have indulged yourself to this therapy, you may also explore and expect more benefits.

These days, it is available not only at expensive spa centers, but also in hospitals, clinics, businesses and airports. If you still unsure to try this therapy, then it is important to learn and know various health benefits of massage Aylmer. Actually, this is a term used for manipulating, pressing and rubbing your ligaments, muscles, skin and tendons. Your therapist will not only used their hands, but as well as their elbows, forearms and feet.

It is considered as an alternative and complementary medicine. These days, it is increasingly being offered as a standard treatment for medical conditions and situations. According to studies, it is an effective treatment to reduce stress, muscle tensions and pain. Some studies had also found and confirmed the useful benefits of this alternative treatment.

It is effective and efficient to enhance proper management of stress, increase body energy, insomnia, headaches and improves memory. It is also helpful to strengthen the immune functions of individuals who are more prone to sickness and lessen mood swings. Aside from the benefits that anyone can obtain from massage, individuals are more likely to enjoy the caring, comfort and empowering connections along with your therapist.

Although, it gives various benefits to most individuals, but not all people will benefit from massage. This is because, it causes problems for people who have bleeding disorders and those taking blood medication. It is also not recommended for individuals who have wounds, burns, severe osteoporosis and even fractures. For pregnant women, it is necessary to talk with your doctor before you consider massage.

There are some forms of massage that can leave you uncomfortable feeling or sore the next day. If any part of your therapy does not feel right or painful, you have to complain right away. This is because, it can cause problems from too much pressing or rubbing during the session. Rarely, it can cause internal bleeding, nerve damage, allergic reactions to lotions or oils and temporary paralysis.

Actually, it is not important to prepare for this therapy. But, first, you will undergo evaluation with your therapist. You will be asked about your medical history or any symptoms. The therapist may also used either lotion or oil, depending on your choice. This can help to lessen the friction to your skin. This may last from 30 to one hour. However, it also depends on the time you have and the chosen treatment.

Regardless of the type of massage you pick, it is important that you feel relaxed and calm in the entire process. If you feel that your therapist has a barbaric touch, then you can also ask to be gentle. Sometimes, you may also feel pain in a certain spot of your muscles.

Actually, this can be performed by various types of health care professionals, such as occupational therapists and physical therapists. Thus, it is much better to ask your doctor or someone who can provide recommendations. You can also ensure that the therapists are licensed and registered because it is a requirement for almost all states.

About the Author:

When you are searching for information about massage Aylmer locals can pay a visit to the web pages online here today. Details are available at http://www.ommassage.net now.

Should You Consider Complementary and Alternative Medicine?

More and more Americans are realizing that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is largely beneficial to medical health and well-being. Alternative medicine and natural health practices, including holistic healing, have been used successfully for centuries all over the world. But, conventional medical healing is still preferred by the majority of the population in western cultures.

What Is It?

Complementary and alternative medicine brings together both schools of thought and takes the best of each, allowing them to work together in healing the whole individual, mind, body and soul. The major difference in healing methodology between the two is that conventional medicine heals the symptoms while alternative and holistic practices work to improve the underlying conditions which are causing the symptoms. By treating both, you are allowing the two to complement one another in order to treat and heal the entire body.

Educate Yourself

You are your best source of information and protection against any medicinal methodology that could possibly harm you. Take charge of our life and your health and research the types of natural healing practices that interest you. Don't be afraid to discuss your findings with others whose opinions you trust, including your health care providers and recommended alternative medicine professionals.

Read books, ebooks, websites and all other information sources you can find about complementary and alternative medicine and other natural health practices that are of interest to you. When one stands out, go further into your investigation and find out as much as you can about that particular topic. Do not forget to read the scientific reports about the alternative medicine practices that interest you. A well-rounded supply of research is the best way to make an informed decision and reputable alternative practices do have science backing them, though it is sometimes difficult to find.

For example, perhaps you are struggling with an overabundance of stress in your life. There are multitudes of ways in which you can begin to reduce stress naturally. Read widely on the stress reduction techniques that interest you most. When you find a specific technique that intrigues you, focus on that one and learn all you can. This process of elimination will allow you to educate yourself and to begin working with specific methods in order to improve your natural health.

Most states have regulatory agencies and licensing boards that oversee the training requirements and licensing for practitioners of CAM therapy. Ask you health care provider to recommend local CAM practitioners to you. Or, contact a professional organization for the type of practitioner you are searching for. They will have resources that you can contact.

To learn more about complementary and alternative medicine, visit the website of a knowledgeable source that promotes natural health through a healthy balance between complementary and conventional medicine.

KC Eichstaedt creates websites to provide information and products relating to alternative health and natural medicine. Find out how you can begin to reap the rewards of natural living at: http://www.kcalternativehealth.com/

Reishi Extract and Cancer

By Markho Rafael

Reishi extract is commonly used in Oriental Medicine as almost a cure-all. Both medical practitioners and regular people use it for things as innocent as stress and the common cold to more serious afflictions like asthma and cancer.

One of the most ardent proponents of reishi is Dr Fukumi Morishige, a Japanese medical doctor working with the Linus Pauling Institute of Science & Medicine in researching the use of reishi for cancer.

Below follows seven cases described by Dr. Morishige during a speech, later reprinted in the publication, Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III.

Growing up in Japan as Dr. Morishige did, it was impossible not to have heard of reishi. But he dismissed it as a mild herbal remedy to be used with limited results for non-terminal illnesses, not as a viable option for treating terminal conditions such as cancer. His curiosity arose when two of his cancer patients showed signs of remission, which they themselves claimed were due to their use of reishi.

First was a 39-year-old woman with lung carcinoma. The hospitals she had visited all told her she was too far gone and there was nothing they could do to help her. As a serious secondary complication, she also exhibited chest cavity edema. None-the-less, by the time she had her first appointment with Dr. Morishige, the symptoms of her illness had disappeared. The woman credited her recovery to the use of reishi, which her husband had administered to her at 4 grams per day.

After that, there was the case of the young boy with congenital liver cancer. Four years before he came to see Dr. Morishige, the boy's original doctor had sent him home with his parents, claiming the condition was terminal and there was nothing he could do to help. But when Dr. Morishige examined the now 9-year-old-boy, he could find no trace of the tumor. The boy's parents said they had been giving their son reishi via his naso-gastric feeding tube. This is when Dr. Morishige decided that reishi deserved a closer look.

The following are five of his case studies using reishi and Vitamin C (for prevention of side effects):

Case 1: A 70-year-old male patient who had lost consciousness due to a 5 cm (2 in.) brain tumor was administered 6 gm of reishi per day starting in June of 1986. By September, he had regained consciousness. He continued to take reishi orally after regaining consciousness, now 3 gm/day. By December of that same year, brain scans showed the tumor had diminished in size. Once the size of the tumor had been reduced to 1 cm, the patient was released from the hospital and returned to live with his family.

Case 2: A 50+ female with metastatic lung cancer and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) began a regimen of 6 gm/day of reishi. Six months later, the tumor had disappeared. And whereas before she had experienced severe shortness of breath, she could now effortlessly climb stairs.

Case 3: A woman with breast cancer and metastatic bone cancer suffered excruciating pain and an inability to move below the neck. Dr. Morishige started her out on 9 gm/day of reishi and then increased it to 20 gm/day. In two months, the patient was free from pain, able to walk, and was released from the hospital.

Case 4: A man with rectal cancer metastasized to the liver was placed on 6 grams per day of reishi. Six months later, CT scans revealed that the tumor had shrunk. The patient showed improved health.

Case 5: A patient with pancreatic cancer and short life prognosis was put on 9 grams of reishi per day, orally, and 30 grams of Vitamin C, intravenously. Twelve months later, he reported that he longer experienced any symptoms and was back to work. He said he'd continued taking 5 grams per day of reishi after leaving the hospital.

Note: This article is provided for scientific and informational purposes only. This product has not been tested by the FDA and should not be used for self-treatment of tumors. Never use any herb for medicinal purposes without consulting a licensed medical doctor.

Reference: Morishige, Fukumi, 1987. Chinese Traditional Medicine Part III, Page 12 - 23, ISBN4-88580-053-6 C-0077

About the Author:

About the author: Markho Rafael has worked in the natural health field for over 15 years, specializing in medicinal mushrooms such as Reishi and Cordyceps sinensis. Click Reishi Extract / Cordyceps for additional free articles about reishi and how it works individually or synergistically such as in Stamets 7. You may also request free unique articles for your web-site or magazine / ezine.

What Is To Become Of Homeopathy In The Future

Homeopathy has grow in most every country around the world. However, homeopathy has grown under significant attack.

The National Health Care system in England has made it difficult to fund homeopathy due to pressure from some doctors in England. Other European countries are also following England's lead. Doctors say that there is no scientific evidence the homeopathy works and the NHS of England should not fund this type of operation. Homeopathic doctor referrals in England from general doctors has dropped significantly.

Most researchers point to very little evidence of homeopathy working. The war against homeopathy has intensified in the United Kingdom. Professor Edward Ernst and Simon Singh has challenged anyone to show homeopathy works for any condition. If someone show that it works, they will give the person $10,000 pounds. No one has yet to take the challenge. Most homeopaths think of this as a publicity stunt.

A Lancet trial done in 2005 titled the " End of Homeopathy" is what some people have used as their evidence against homeopathy. The trials showed that homeopathy is pretty much the same as a placebo. 110 trials were compared. The researchers found the larger higher quality trials to show that homeopathy is the same as a placebo. These trials were used as proof for the NHS to cut homeopathy from their system.

However, many other researchers found this trial had many issues including publication bias. The trial was not suitable for any medical journal to put into their publications. The conclusion of the Homeopathy Lancet trials is that this data is totally unreliable. Researchers manipulated the data to reach a preconceived conclusion about these trials. Conventional medicine showing a greater effect than a placebo or homeopathy was actually not true either.

Many people point to the attack on homeopathy in England as a good thing. If skeptics, scientists and medical doctors did not perceive you to be a threat, the attacks will not occur. Lancet trials where data was manipulated is also shameful. If you are going to use scientific trials against homeopathy, make sure you do them correctly. People will certainly analyze these trials to verify results and figures.

The question becomes have the attacks on homeopathy worked. That is hard to say. Homeopathy is still growing in England and everyone including medical doctors say this trend will continue. The attacks may have shunned some people away from homeopathy in the short term. There is really no evidence that the media coverage or the Lancet trials has prevented anyone from using homeopathy. Dwindling homeopathic referrals has not seen less homeopathic usage. Many people are simply buying the medicine without getting a prescription.

In summary, homeopathy continues to grow in every country every year. The attacks on homeopathy has not had significant effect on homeopathic usage. It is difficult to say whether these attacks have stinted the growth of homeopathy. The attacks certainly has not ended homeopathy popularity.

Sanjib Sarkar is a content writer for Hmedicine.com.
Hmedicine.com offers a vast selection of
homeopathy information to the public including homeopathic forums, homeopathic medicine blog and homeopathic remedy guides. Visit http://www.hmedicine.com for more details.

Adjust Your pH Level

According to the Mayo Clinic, "A diet rich in certain alkaline foods, meaning foods that aren't acidic, won't cure cancer. Proponents of this diet claim foods such as soft drinks and meats make your body acidic, allowing cancer to flourish" (2005). Unfortunately, cancer, like many other serious illnesses, isn't that simple.

The Mayo Clinic elaborated about proponents of an anti-acid and anti-cancer diet stating, "The theory that acid causes cancer isn't true, and it isn't clear that what you eat has any impact on your body's overall acidity or alkalinity."

Free radicals have also been linked to cancerous cell growth. Many doctors confirm this fact. "Free radicals have long been known to be mutagenic," stated Dr. Tamer Fouhad (2002). "Animal and cell culture studies have suggested that antioxidants may slow or even prevent the development of cancer," according to the National Cancer Institute.
Recently, a controversy has developed over antioxidants and alkaline fruits and their effects on cancer. Specifically, some believe that cancer can be treated by consuming alkaline fruits and vegetables.

Many web merchants claim that an alkaline body may be able to significantly fight the pH of malignant cancer cells until they die. According to doctors, the claims of such merchants are false. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic, one of the world's most renowned medical treatment and diagnostic centers, say this cancer rumor is untrue.

Antioxidants are chemicals found in several food sources, like dark chocolate, green tea, red wine, vegetables, and fruits such as sour cherries, acaiberries, blueberries, mangosteen, and the noni fruit. Examples of antioxidants include beta carotene, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Not only do antioxidant vitamins benefit your body with health benefits; they may also combat cancer according to reputable medical sources.

But, the American Cancer Society thinks more research is needed on the subject. They point out that different studies have had mixed results. Their official statement is that "too little is known about how antioxidant supplements actually act against disease." They do not, however, refute the claim.

Antioxidants are thought to bind with free radicals and thereby protect cellular DNA from harm, since free radicals are highly reactive and mutations in DNA can lead to cancer if flawed cells reproduce in large numbers. But, until more research is done, the ACS thinks the jury's still out on antioxidants.

Even if it is too soon for some organizations to endorse the beneficial effects of antioxidants in cancer prevention, a substantial body of evidence indicates its success. Incorporating antioxidants into your diet with fruit juices from mangosteen, pineapple, blueberries, pomegranate, star fruit and many other fruits is certainly worth a try when it comes to cancer prevention.

While the myth of an alkaline diet helping to prevent cancer is unclear, antioxidants have been found to help prevent cancer in certain studies. A healthy diet should include fresh fruits. Even the American Cancer Society states that the best way to reduce your cancer risk is to have a healthy diet that includes five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, so choose fruits rich in antioxidants to help tip the anti-cancer scales in your favor.

T. Fox researches workplace-environmental productivity and efficiency. Some of the contributors are better nutrients. People perform better when they are healthy, especially when they can manage depression with better nutrition. http://www.breakroomblenders.com & http://www.123vita.com

Alternative Medicine Versus Traditional Western Medicine

Often when people seek out alternative medicine, they've reached a point in their care where they're dissatisfied with the results and ready to abandon traditional Western medicine in search of something better. But the truth is ... these two apparently diverse approaches can actually work well together.

Alternative medicine covers a wide variety of disciplines. These can include holistic medicine, homeopathy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, reflexology, yoga, Ayurveda, and more. They all tend to be less invasive, turn to natural solutions instead of pharmaceutical solutions, and look at a person's health from a whole-body perspective instead of managing symptoms as they pop up.

Traditional Western medicine relies heavily on invasive procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and prescription drugs that all have consequences and side-effects of their own. In addition, these approaches tend to be focused on a specific symptom or illness while ignoring the other physical and psychological conditions of the patient. And finally, Western doctors tend to be under a time restraint ... trying to see as many patients as possible, while at the same time trying to keep up with the latest developments and the never-ending barrage of insurance and government red tape.

The advantage of Western medicine is that it's very high-tech. It uses the latest tools for diagnosing what's wrong with a particular area of the body. It can provide views of the internal systems that are absolutely astonishing. It's also very effective in emergency situations that demand a quick reaction and immediate care. These are its strengths.

Alternative medicine, on the other hand, is based on ancient practices. The treatments have been in existence for generations. They don't require the newest advances or the newest technologies. They're time proven. These approaches are not generally helpful in emergency situations. They require time for the body to heal itself. They address not just the apparent symptoms, but the body, mind and spirit as a whole.

Working Together

More and more, these two disciplines are discovering that they don't have to be mutually exclusive. Western physicians are openly encouraging the exploration of alternative medicine not as a replacement for their knowledge and skills but as a complement to them. Controlling chronic pain, for example, can incorporate yoga or massage or even hypnosis along with a regimen of prescribed medications.

Of course, your physician needs to know what you're doing. Some herbs, for example, can counteract some medications, or in even make them more potent. So if you're interested in adding an alternative medicine approach to what your doctor had already prescribed for you, make sure you consult him first.

More than likely, he'll be supportive of your efforts and make sure that you embark down a safe and healthy path.

Learn more about homeopathy by visiting: http://alternativemedicinefirst.com/homeopathy.html And learn more about all the various alternative medicine disciplines by visiting: http://alternativemedicinefirst.com/

Arthritis Help and Pain Relief

By Julieanne van Zyl

Arthritis pain relief is something that many individuals are seeking. Distressing millions of individuals globally, arthritis is a incapacitating condition that is essentially a very painful inflammation of the joints. Over one hundred different types of arthritis have been identified. Many types become so severe that the sufferer's entire life style is totally disrupted. Prescription drugs and over the counter drugs are used to provide you with arthritis help. These drugs, however, may have unfavorable reactions or reduce the effectiveness of other medications that you may be taking. If narcotics have been prescribed to help you deal with the pain, then you risk becoming addicted and needing bigger and bigger doses to give you arthritis help.

A growing number of folks are turning to natural remedies for their arthritis. Natural remedies will have fewer side effects and can be just as helpful as the prescription medications.

One of the cheapest yet most helpful ways of dealing arthritis pain relief, is Epsom salt. The reason for this is in the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of magnesium which is a basic element of Epsom salts. Magnesium sulphate is readily absorbed through the skin. Add two cups of Epsom salts to a bathtub of hot water. The hotter the water is, the better it works. Lay in the bath for thirty minutes and add hot water as needed to %maintain& the temperature. The anti-inflammatory properties of the Epsom salt together with the heat from the bath will reduce the pain from arthritis. However if pregnant or suffering from heart disease it would be prudent for you to check with your doctor before taking very hot baths.

Another natural arthritis remedy just as helpful as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for reducing arthritis pain, is Glucosamine Sulfate. Glucosamine moreover, does not damage your stomach lining like the NSAIDs can do. Use the liquid form of glucosamine sulfate, because it has a better absorption rate. Don't use glucosamine sulfate that has NaCl or KCL listed in the ingredients. These will be listed as salt and potassium. The two ingredients will reduce the helpful amount of glucosamine you will receive in each dose.

Other natural remedies that have proven to be highly beneficial in providing arthritis help, are Devil's claw, Feverfew and Ginger. Devil's claw has anti-inflammatory properties. The recommended dose is 1,000 milligrams twice a day. Feverfew has been used for centuries as a highly helpful anti-inflammatory. The recommended dose of feverfew is 250 milligrams twice a day. According to one study, Ginger was helpful in providing relief from pain and swelling of arthritis in seventy-five percent of the subjects studied. Many folks drink ginger tea or apply ginger compresses to get arthritis pain relief and reduce swelling.

Vitamins beneficial in reducing arthritis pain and swelling are C, A, B-complex and Vitamin E. These vitamins have been proven to increase collagen production and repair connective tissue. Adding Omega 3 fatty acids can provide arthritis help and reduce swelling. In addition, the outer rind of the mangosteen fruit has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, a mangosteen juice containing a high content of the outer rind (called pericarp) can reduce inflammation causing the arthritis pain. Mangosteen has no known side effects.

If your option is to use natural remedies to treat your arthritis pain and swelling, make sure you check with your medical practitioner first. He or she can make sure that these natural remedies will not interact with any prescription medication you may be taking, and then you may get arthritis pain relief.

About the Author:

If you are looking for alternative ways to relieve pain from arthritis, our blog has a tremendous amount of pain from arthritis relief information. Go to the thiswebsitefor detailed information about arthritis help using natural remedies.

Health Secrets From Five Thousand Years Ago

When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well.

This is how the health profession goes on nowadays - a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.

Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic(or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine - among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine - may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.

Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Shop for homeopathic remedies at http://www.homeopathicremediesplus.com

Homeopathy:Proven Alternative Medicine Or A Placebo Part II

By Sanjib Sarkar

Homeopathy when looking at the best trials, Homeopathy performed better than a placebo on a 2 to 1 scale before 1991. This article will look at more modern trials.

New set of trials done by the Swiss-UK review team showed homeopathy medicines to give the exact same effect as a placebo remedy. This study did have some trial issues and was considered by many not to be a properly conducted trial.

We are going to examine the better done trials since 1991. We will not examine all of them but look at a fair amount of promising and not so promising evidence of properly conducted homeopathic trials.

Homeopathic Trials Below:

Trials when comparing Homeopathy to A Placebo

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 242 participants aged 18 to 55 years. Trial compared an oral homeopathic treatment to placebo in asthmatic people allergic to house dust. Authors found the homeopathic treatment "no better than placebo." They noted "some differences between the homeopathic immunotherapy and placebo for which we have no explanation."

This study was an attempt to duplicate a successful trial with allergies and asthma. The authors are uncertain why the duplication did not work. This study was bigger than the initial study.

A homeopathic study with 126 children examined homeopathic effect on acute childhood diarrhea. The study was completed by 116 children. This trial was double blind and placebo controlled. The study showed homeopathic individualized homeopathic medicines improved children with diarrhea as compared to the placebo. This trial matches a previous trial done with diarrhea.

Another study which is random, double blinded and placebo control was with the popular homeopathic remedy arnica montana. This trail examined whether the homeopathic remedy arnica can ease muscle soreness for runners after running a long distance.. 519 people were in the trial with 400 people finishing the trial. The authors concluded arnica was no more effective than a placebo in this study.

Homeopathic medicines seem to indicate a positive effect compared to a placebo during a rheumatic syndrome study. There were six controlled clinical trials done. However, there was an inadequate amount of trials to draw a conclusion and some trial outcomes were mixed.

Homeopathy's most popular drug Oscillococcinum seems to show the most promise out all the other homeopathic remedies. Many large trials using this remedy seem to indicated a positive outcome for reducing the duration of the flu as compared to a placebo. Oscillococcinum results on flu prevention proved false. This remedy showed no signs of being able to prevent the flu.

Research on some homeopathic remedies have show positive outcomes. However, more research must be completed. Several studies after 1991 show that 50% of homeopathic trials show a positive outcome.

Studies of great quality before 1991 suggest that homeopathic is more effective than a placebo in 2 out of 3 trials. Several of these trials have been duplicated including Oscillococcinum. This drug was used in several trials. Every trial showed this remedy was more effective than a placebo in reducing the duration of the flu.

Better quality studies before 1991 showed approximately a 2 to 1 ratio of sucessful trials. A couple of the trials have been reproduced in several studies. Oscillococcinum was the only study that we found that was reproduced successfully several times by different researches with a large study group.

About the Author:

Sanjib Sarkar is a content writer for Hmedicine.com. Hmedicine.com, a homeopathic remedies store offers a vast selection of homeopathy remedies for sale including Arnica Montana and Oscillococcinum

Joint Pain: Details and Realities

By Stewart Anderson

Joint pain is a very serious and, unfortunately, common phenomenon, which affects one or more joints of our bodies. An old injury, or inflammations and several types of arthritis are responsible for joint pain that torture millions of people all over the world.

Joint pain causes are not related only to aging or arthritis, although these are two of the basic causes. Joint pain comes as a result of some kind of chronic inflammation, while in some cases they are associated with several other issues, such as hormonal imbalances and auto immune diseases.

Once this cushion is damaged, the pain starts to get worse and worse. Many people who suffer from joint pain associate them with their age - as most of the people suffering are over forty. However, this is not a problem related to age, at least not exclusively. Some types of arthritis are caused by the advanced age, but this is not the primary cause of joint pain, as there are more than hundred forms of arthritis that are identified so far.

Joint pain is caused by inflammations that are related to a poor immune system. Most people tend to ignore or underestimate the importance of their immune system, until it's already too late. Most patients cannot describe the source of pain either; doctors say that patients cannot tell them exactly if the pain is related to a tendon, a joint or is located at a particular spot, making the diagnosis hard.

As we can tell by this short list, defining the real cause of the joint pains, could be a daunting task even for the most experienced and well educated doctor. The importance, though, of the right diagnosis is crucial, because it is the first step towards treatment and healing. Patients usually tend to try to resolve the case on their own, taking drugs or doing some exercises indicated by their chiropractors or even friends.

The problem is that the joint pain cannot be treated and cured this way; at least not without knowing what is causing them. Some exercises for instance are good for arthritis but not appropriate for some other disease, such as bursitis, or inflammation. Tendinitis, rheumatic disorders or hormonal imbalances require a different treatment and different approach. Doctors need to know what the real problem is so as to provide the proper help.

Patients with joint pains are highly recommended to take some omega 3 supplements and increase the doses of fish, like salmon, that contain this type of fatty acid, as it can prove very effective in fighting inflammation. Glucosamine is a supplement that had impressive results. The modern lifestyle is something that adds to the problem as well. People who want to find some kind of joint pain relief should try to reduce stress, so as to regulate the levels of cortisol in their body, and take some good and regular exercises.

Needless to say, maintaining some steady and low weight can help the body reduce the burden and the joint pains. The ideal weight is not panacea but it can certainly help the body overcome some serious conditions, especially when related to hormonal fluctuations and other types of imbalances.

About the Author:

We all deal with joint pain one way or another. As we get older we are more susceptible to joint problems, and certain levels of debilitating arthritis. We cover arthritis as it applies to joint pain at the site.

Tell Me What Are Bioflavonoids and What Can They Do For Me?

By Carolyn Cooper

When you are seeking a bruising treatment that really works, or you are seeking a method that lets you work on healing bruises in particular, you will find that bioflavonoids are mentioned repeatedly. It seems like nearly everyone is talking about them, but what do you want to know about them? It's always a good idea to try to learn more about the supplements that are you curious about, and there is a plenty of interesting information regarding bioflavonoids themselves as well as how they can provide you with an excellent bruise treatment.

Bioflavonoids are found in plants, where they help the plant do things like create pigmentation and protect the plant from microbes or other forms of illness and harm. They are found in most plants, though they will vary in amount and intensity depending on what plants that you are looking at. There is very strong experimental evidence that points to them as being extremely helpful when it comes to helping our bodies react appropriately against a host of things that include viruses, cancer-causing agents and allergens. They will also act in an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-cancer manner.

There have been over 4000 bioflavonoids that have been discovered, and virtually all of them are helpful to your body. In the not to distant past, they were formerly known collectively as Vitamin P, but as we learn more about them, we are learning that there are several groups and that they all have their unique strengths.

Proanthocyanidins, which are also known as PCO's, are very potent and can be found in plant parts like grape seeds or the bark of the maritime pine. Similarly, quercetins are the most potent of the bioflavonoids and often make up a most powerful part of the other bioflavonoids. Citrus bioflavonoids are the ones that we most commonly come in contact with, and these are the ones that are most often used to treat people who bruise easily. They can also be used as a treatment for things like hemorrhoids, varicose veins and capillary permeability.

What part do bioflavonoids play in our ability to work on healing bruises and why are they such an effective bruise treatment? In the first place, taking them and making sure that you are getting enough of them is a good way to heal your body when there has been any kind of trauma at all to it, and that is essentially what a bruise is, whether you remember getting it or not. A bruise is essentially a capillary under the skin getting broken and seeping blood to the surrounding tissue, and taking bioflavonoids can help you heal up the damage much more quickly.

About the Author:

Carolyn Cooper has become a renowned expert on bruising causes through a collaboration of her educational expertise in nutrition and her true life knowledge about nutritional supplements for athletes ranging from kids to the professional ranks. Learn about the resources she's put together to overcome the likelihood to bruise easily and see what she's done to get past the nightmares of easy bruising.

An Alternative to Drugs - Natural Stress Relief

By Stephen Jablonski

Stress and anxiety are on the rise; we live in a busy-busy world so it's no wonder. And more and more people are looking for help coping with the extra stress. It used to be that prescription drugs were the first choice because they produced such fast results. But their side-effects and addictive qualities have cause natural stress relief alternatives to become more popular.

Natural stress relief remedies are not new. They've been used for thousands of years. Much of our modern drug industry is in fact based on old herbal remedies. They have the double benefit of not being addictive and also not carrying any severe side-effects. They're also almost always less expensive too. There's also another big difference.

Herbal remedies work with your body, not against it. While drugs work by just relieving the symptoms, these natural products work by strengthening the body's nervous system. They assist the body in its work to keep the proper hormonal balance in line. That makes it much more possible for your body to handle the stress you see every day.

It's good to remember that herbal-based remedies will take longer than drugs to achieve their effects. That's because they have a much milder effect on the body's systems. But this is a good thing. That's why they're non-addictive and that's why your body responds so well to them.

While natural remedies and their effectiveness, have been known for a long time, they weren't documented until relatively recently. Now there is literally massive amounts of research proving that herbs and other botanical treatments simply work. It's no longer anecdotal, it's been lab tested.

If you're looking for specific herbs, here's a brief list. Lemon Balm from Southern Europe was known to the ancient Greeks as a medicinal agent. Valerian from Europe and Asia has active calming qualities. Kava from Polynesia can soothe your nerves while still keeping your mind alert. And the list goes on.

You can find nearly all of these supplements fairly easily at your health food store. And you'll also find that they come in different varieties and formulations. Take Valerian for instance. You can usually find it sold as a tea, a tincture, or even in capsule form. There's a lot of variety to choose from.

When searching for a real stress relief supplement, take a look at natural remedies. They've been working for literally centuries and they're still working today. They're a very positive alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

About the Author:

Stephen Jablonski is the owner/webmaster of Overcoming-Panic-Attacks.net. Find out more about anxiety and stress control by visiting this webpage: Anxiety Relief Audio CDs.

Usage of Herbal Belladonna

By Sanjib Sarkar

Belladonna is a very poisonous plant species. A common name for Belladonna is deadly nightshade. The plant species is distributed throughout Europe, West Asia, North America and North Africa. Plants grow to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall with 18 cm (7 in) long. The plant grows berries which are extremely poisonous.

The berries from the Belladonna plant are extremely toxic. A child that swallows 5 berries in their mouth could potentially die. An adult that swallows 10 to 20 berries could also potentially die. Belladonna is a weed and can be identified in any wooden area. Belladonna should also not be consumed by certain livestock or dogs and cats. Cattle and rabbits are not affected by the Belladonna poison. These animals may safely eat the Belladona berries.

Conventional Medical Uses Of Belladonna

Over the counter flu and cough medicine contain small amounts of Belladonna. Belladonna is also used in minute amounts to dilate pupils.

Other medicines are often mixed with Belladonna. Prescription drugs such as Donnatal provides peripheral anticholinergic/antispasmodic action and mild sedation. This medicine has natural belladonna alkaloids combine with phenobarbital.

This medicine may help with the treatment if irritable bowel syndrome, acute enterocolistis and as a complimentary therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcers. There is no conclusive medicine of this prescription drug works for these medical conditions.

Homeopathic uses for Belladonna

Hanhemann proved this remedy in 1799 and used it to treat Scarlett fever. Belladonna is used to treat conditions with a sudden onset. The type of conditions Belladonna treatments are similar to the symptoms if someone is poisoned with Belladonna. Belladonna poisoning results in people getting a high fever, sore throat or loss of voice, nausea, delirium, muscle spasms, flushed skin and dilated pupils. Homeopathic Belladonna is used to treat these type of conditions in a person.

The homeopathic belladonna remedy is use to cure cold and flu symptoms, infections with inflammation, intense pounding headaches, boils, earaches, seizures, labor pain, pink eye, nose bleeds, nephritis(inflammation of the kidneys) restless sleep, teething pain, tonsillitis, acne and sunburn.

Breast infections, urinary bladder infections, menstrual cramps, and irritated nipples due to breast feeding are treated with the homeopathic remedy Belladonna.

These conditions are better with warmth and standing. Cold air, movement and lying down may worsen symptoms.

Reference from Wikipedia.

Answers on Belladonna.

Complete Guide to Homeopathy. Dr. Andrew Lockie and Dr. Nicola Geedes.

About the Author:

Sanjib Sarkar is a content writer for Hmedicine.com. Hmedicine.com offers a vast selection of homeopathic remedies to the public including Belladonna homeopathy available for purchase.

Picking the Right Chiropractor

By Kerri Stalton

If you are one of the many people who suffer from back pain chances are the thought of going to a chiropractor has crossed your mind. That being said, finding the right chiropractor may be easier said than done. If you are going to trust someone to adjust your spine then you want to be sure that they are proficient in their field, and attentive to your needs. With a little leg work you will be able to find a chiropractor that can help you get the better quality of life that you are looking for.

One of the best ways to find a great chiropractor is word of mouth. Try getting referrals from co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Personal references speak volumes about the quality of care provided by a medical professional. If you can't come up with personal recommendations, consider taking a few moments to call your insurance company. They may have a list of recommended chiropractors in their provider database. Failing that, you can also ask your family care doctor.

Your needs are important, and you want to be sure that your chiropractor is going to meet them. The first step is to ensuring this is to check out their resume'. Find out what type of education they have received and what their professional experience has been. This can give you the peace of mind to know that they have received the necessary training.

A good chiropractor must be fully accredited. Be sure to check the credentials of the chiropractor you are thinking of hiring to make sure they are accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education. You should also take care in choosing someone who has no disciplinary complaints on their record. You can verify this by checking with the Chiropractic Board of Examiners.

You'll also want to know what kind of chiropractic techniques the doctor uses. Chiropractors often use manual manipulation, and while some use low force, others use a more forceful technique. Some chiropractors do adjustments using instruments designed for the task. You'll want to make sure to ask the chiropractor you are considering what kind of techniques they favor, and how you should expect a typical session to go.

Many times, X-rays can be a helpful tool for associating pain with a specific diagnosis. Find out if your potential chiropractor has X-ray technology available at their office. If so, this should give you an additional measure of confidence.

Evaluate how easy you think it will be to work with this chiropractic office. If appointment times are not convenient for you, or if the office is far away from your home or work, it's not likely that you'll be able to keep all of your appointments. Also, one of the most important things to determine is whether or not your insurance company will cover the cost of your chiropractic sessions with this particular doctor.

Lastly, recognize that none of these other factors means much if you don't like the chiropractor. Is the doctor an attentive listener? Are you able to freely and comfortably talk to them? While this is based solely on a gut feeling, it's one you should rely on.

About the Author:

Learn where you can find the Omaha Chiropractors and the Lincoln Chiropractors

Bach Flower Remedies For Natural Healing

By Frank Terne

Dr. Edward Bach is the creator of the Bach flower remedies, a therapeutic treatment that manages emotions in order to achieve individual wellness. This method that originated from Britain was Dr. Bach's attempt to help patients heal by being a more balanced person emotionally without relying on modern medicine. Initially, he tried with the latter, but could never acquire satisfactory results.

Eventually, Dr. Bach discovered his theory that a person's health and wellness are tied intricately with his or her emotions. With this knowledge, he categorized 38 different emotions that every individual has. These emotions could affect a person depending on how balanced they were, positively or negatively.

The remedies provide a healing method that is as natural as it gets. This source is a mixture of flowers and fauna that Dr. Bach realized could help achieve a balanced emotional state in a living being. Once this balanced state was achieved, the patient would find a great ability to heal or put him or herself in a better position to get better.

The best advantage of relying on Bach's flower remedies is that it is rare for anyone to experience any side effects from its use. Only if one is allergic to alcohol, which is used in minute quantities as a preservative, would the remedies be ineffective. Even though it does not help directly cure any specific medical condition, it puts a person in a perfect state to do so with greater results.

The essences are created directly from flowers. They contain the beneficial energy vibrations from nature that we all need. By mixing them with mineral still water, they are then consumed, while using a dash of alcohol preservative to maintain their shelf life.

The flower remedies have now been shown to heal individuals who suffer from a myriad of conditions. These range from simple headaches to complicated issues like an inability to move their lives forward due to past experiences. It is therefore seen that when brought to a more peaceful emotional state, most individuals are able to arrive in a better health condition.

Bach's natural therapy can also be used to help animals and plants. We know that animals have emotions just like us and thus treatable in the same manner. But not many realize that plants also own energies that are akin to emotional states in humans.

There are so many benefits to using Bach flower essences that an increasing number of doctors are enthusiastic about their qualities. There will be some time before the therapy reaches the mainstream as it slowly reaches out to more people. As modern medicine carries its own risk, natural methods like Dr. Bach's flower remedy might be more favorable for use.

About the Author:

Frank Terne believes that the first step for any patient would be the use of the Bach flower rescue remedy. Advanced treatment will follow depending on its results.

Snake Venom For Arthritis

By Amy Clark

Dr. Nafthali Primor, of Shulov Institute for Sciences, Ltd. was the first doctor to propose snake venom as a powerful natural treatment for arthritis pain.

Dr. Nafthali Primor and his research team have discovered some powerful substances in the venom of diverse species of cobras, vipers, and rattle snakes. These can be effective as analgesics for debilitating pain due to several diseases, including cancer and particularly arthritis which usually sets off debilitating pain.

Snake Venom Use

Though Dr. Primor's research was the first official acknowledgement of the curative properties of snake venom, this idea has been popular through time. Long before Primor published his research, there were already reports of successful arthritis treatment through snake bites.

The earliest publicized case was that of a sixty-six year old Englishman with chronic arthritis. Bitten by a snake, he proclaimed on the BBC news channel in 2002 that his finger joint pain was eliminated at least 3-4 weeks after the bite. Unfortunately, the pain returned afterward, initially only mildly for 2 months, and then returning in full force in the ensuing months. Soon enough, the snake bite phenomenon were noticed by some groups at that time.

Snake Venom and Dr. Nafthali Primor

Even at a young age, Dr. Nafthali Primor already showed a certain attraction to snakes. Primor soon because interested with the healing benefits of snake venom. This is perhaps why he was destined to ultimately uncover snake venom arthritis treatment methods.

In the 80s, someone named Dr. Shulov told Primor that Russians have long been using venom creams to treat aches and pains. This revelation motivated Primor to take the concept further with scientific research.

Snake Venom Arthritis Methods

The original pain analgesic invented was the VeP-3, which was taken from Palestinian Viper venom. Dr. Primor observed that of the thousands of molecules found in snake venom, no more than 4 to 5 molecules are in fact poisonous. Meaning, about 99 percent of snake venom is safe and thus can be harvested for a range of curative possibilities.

Primor presently aims to invent a snake venom pain relief salve to specifically target arthritis pain. He cites as an example a "super aspirin" drug created by Merck & Company called "Aggrastat", which prevents has been reported to prevent blood clots and heart attacks. Aggrastat is also based on snake venom.

To this day, snake venom arthritis methods still offer several possibilities. Scientists and doctors still invent techniques with which snake venom can be safely and effectively incorporated in various medicinal purposes. Research efforts likewise aim to develop a powerful cream that will totally eliminate arthritis. In the interim, while we wait for more discoveries in snake venom use, you are strictly advised not to take chances with your body by trying to get snake bites on your own.

About the Author:

To grab a copy of Amy's Free Arthritis Relief Guide, and to read more articles related to Does Snake Venom Work For Arthritis, please click here to visit her website on arthritis.

Alternative Treatment for Anxiety: You Do Have Options That Work!

If you suffer from an overwhelming level of anxiety and unreasonable fear in response to certain situations, places or people, you are NOT alone. It is estimated that nearly one out of every four people will suffer from some sort of an anxiety or panic disorder during their lifetime.

The attacks that anxiety causes are an overwhelming experience to say the least and the concerns of side effects from drug treatment are certainly valid and not to be dismissed. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Your task will be to educate yourself about them. While the side effects of alternative treatment are rarely toxic or harmful, there are some concerns regarding interactions of herbs with any drugs you might be taking. Also, you will need to pinpoint what your needs are and see what might work best for you.

One of the most important steps to take in treating panic attacks is to rule out any underlying physical or medical conditions that could be contributing to the attacks. Once this is done, the next step would be to examine your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes dietary, exercise, and stress management changes go a long way toward helping deal with minor to moderate anxiety and panic disorders.

For reducing stress and overall tonic approaches to balancing your system, alternative medicine options such as aromatherapy, herbs, vitamin therapy, homeopathy, biofeedback, and EFT are just a few possibilities you can explore. The alternative therapies for anxiety are usually a lot more effective than taking the usual medications that are prescribed.

Some herbal remedies can treat anxiety safely and effectively and in some cases help eliminate the need for anxiety drugs if you are already taking them. Of course, discontinuing such drugs should be in consultation with your health care practitioner and it is always wise to slowly wean from a drug rather than stop taking it abruptly.

While drug therapy may be necessary for some, alternative approaches can help reduce the amount of medication needed and may lead to an eventual elimination of the drug from your treatment. Some people do experience concerning side effects with prescription drugs, which may require additional drugs to treat those side effects so alternative remedies and therapies may also help address these.

Therapy sessions and counseling may benefit some but they are costly and if you do not have good medical coverage you may find yourself paying out of pocket. If so, by all means look into alternative treatment. While you may need some amount of professional care and drug therapy, natural remedies can make a difference in the frequency of counseling and amount of drugs you take. As you improve and take control of your anxiety you may very well find that natural remedies and therapies are all you need.

Tired of suffering? You can cure anxiety and panic attacks with natural remedies that do not involve harmful medications. Get started with my free report available at http://www.clickherelearnnow.com/anxiety.html

Alternative Healing: A Unique Solution To Everyday Health Ailments

Americans today are busier than ever. Between work, family and other obligations, many people today are over-worked, over-stressed and just plain tired from living their daily lives. Because traditional, modern medicine treats ailments and not day-to-day life, many people are turning to alternative healing methods to help them get through their days.

Boosting Your Immune System

Many people have found that an Echinacea blend is an effective way to naturally boost the body's immune system. The Echinacea helps build a powerful immune system that fights colds, flu, allergies and other infections. Many blends even contain garlic, which acts as a natural antiviral agent and has been laboratory proven to destroy the viruses that can cause upper respiratory infections and the flu. Some of the most effective blends also contain habanero pepper, which increases blood and lymph circulation, making those blends 10 times more effective than Echinacea alone.

The alternative healing powers of Echinacea supplements have been proven to help the body fight everyday ailments. In addition, some have found to kill staph infections, stop urinary tract infections, relieve hives and other allergic reactions and heal bites and stings.

Upping Your Energy Levels Naturally

Most people average about six hours of sleep a night, if they're lucky. With an on-the-go lifestyle and meals that come out of a drive-thru, the majority of people need a little help boosting their energy levels. A regular, drug-store vitamin isn't enough to make up for the severe nutritional deficiency that most people have.

A superfood energy supplement will add 100% of your daily vitamins A, B, C and E, plus over 500% of vitamin B-12, the vitamin responsible for boosting your energy levels. With this alternative healing formula, you'll comprehend more and think clearer than you ever have before.

Reducing Pain

If just getting out of bed after your six hours of sleep is making you ache and groan out loud, try a deep heating oil. A mixture of wintergreen oil, botanical menthol and habanero pepper can reduce inflammation, pain and increase circulation, making you feel ready for anything physical that comes your way.

If the deep heating oil is combined with a deep tissue repair oil, dramatic results can be seen. Effective ingredients in a deep tissue repair oil are arnica flower, calendula flower and St. John's wort flower. The combination of the alternative healing herbs speeds up the healing process for broken bones, torn and strained muscles, tendons and ligaments and everyday cuts and bruises.

With the right blend of Echinacea, superfood, deep heating oil and deep tissue repair oil supplements, you'll feel more alert, get sick less often and eliminate joint pain from your life. If you're feeling sluggish, tired all the time and battling the same cold, give alternative healing methods a try.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Alternative healing, visit http://www.HerbDoc.com/

The History of Colon Cleansing

Believe it or not, therapies involving the colon have been around for hundreds of years. Dating as far back as 1500 B.C. and continuing on through the centuries, colon cleansing has been used to treat a range of ailments from fevers to diseases. While the exact methods and theories have varied through the years, the same basic principles still apply. Let's take a look at when colon cleansing first began.

The history of colon cleansing can be traced back to the Egyptian Civilization. As early as 1500 B.C., an Egyptian medical document, the "Ebers Papyrus", describes the process of colon cleansing. Egyptians believed that the root to all illness resided with the rotting food in their colons. Some evidence suggests there were "bowel specialists" in ancient Egypt to assist people with elimination.

The Greek physicians Hippocrates (4th and 5th century B.C.) and later Galen (2nd century A.D.) were advocates for enemas as a treatment for fevers. In 196 A.D., China's great physician, Chang Chung Chin, recommended colon cleansing to improve health. And Angelo Catho, a French physician, used colon cleansing to save King Louis XI's life in 1480. King Louis XIV, some say, had over 2,000 colon cleanses in his lifetime, usually performed prior to making important decisions.

Dr. John H. Kellogg, in the early 1900's, reportedly used colon therapy on forty thousand of his patients. He published a comprehensive approach to colon hydrotherapy for the treatment of several illnesses. In 1917, The Journal of the American Medical Association states that in all but 20 cases, Dr. Kellogg avoided surgery in the treatment of his patients with gastrointestinal disease. Kellogg, along with his brother Will, also went on to manufacture whole grain cereals for the purpose of promoting regular bowel movements.

In the 1920's, 30's, and 40's, colon therapy continued to gain popularity. Colon irrigation machines were used as standard practice in hospitals and medical facilities. But then, over the next 50-plus years, colon cleansing treatments greatly declined as modern medicine emerged and escalated. Orthodox medicine became more the norm, along with treating the symptoms over curing the ailment. Some experts believe that the reason for the current population's increasing ill health is due to the decline in colon cleansing therapy.

The past 10 years have seen a revival in alternative medicine. Many people are once again realizing the benefits of a healthy colon. Much has changed in colon therapy techniques over the centuries, but the fundamental theories behind it have not. New techniques, including herbal, over-the-counter colon cleansers and high-tech, colonic irrigation systems, have made colon therapy safer and relatively easy.

The practice of colon cleansing is here to stay. If you've decided to try it, there are many good colon cleansers on the market today. Before purchasing one, however, be sure to thoroughly evaluate existing colon cleanser reviews to ensure your choice of colon cleanser is the best one for you.

Brian Dolezal is a contributing editor for TopConsumerReviews.com (http://www.topconsumerreviews.com), a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products. You can find out how top Colon Cleansing products compare by visiting TopConsumerReviews.com today.

Massage Therapy: A Stress Reliever?

For decades, massage has been touted as a method of stress relief, but unless you`ve experienced the benefits of a good massage yourself, you might be skeptical. After all, a decent massage can put a bit of a hole in your wallet, so is it really worth it? Will you really be relaxed and calm after some bodywork?

The answer depends on the masseuse. There are some people who can turn a massage into something uncomfortable and utterly useless, but in the hands of an experienced masseuse, you`ll find that the benefits are many.

What Is Massage?
Very simply put, massage therapy is when the masseuse manipulates the tissues, muscles and tendons in someone.
This is usually done using the hands and fingers, but there are assorted methods of massage that involve everything from special tools to actually using feet and elbows to maneuver the recipient`s body.

There are several reasons that your muscles need to be stretched and massaged . . . the main one being that with tension and stress, they tend to shorten and knot up, often causing pain. Tense muscles are the most common cause of headaches, so easing them out can help with recurring headaches, as well as other common issues.

How Massage Benefits You
Each style of massage is designed to create a different effect. Some are more strenuous than others, such as Thai massage, which involves stretching and plenty of participation by the person receiving the massage. Others, including hot stone massage, tend to be more passive and focus more on breathing and relaxation. Only you can decide which type is best for you.

Massage therapy in general, however, is something that can reduce stress and ease the tension that the muscles are holding. Multiple studies have been done on the benefits of this type of therapy and it has been proven that the simple power of touch is very beneficial.

Here are just a few of the amazing benefits of massage therapy:
- Strengthens the immune system
- Increases range of motion
- Eases the pain of sports injuries
- Mental relaxation
- Physical relaxation
- Stress reduction
- Less anxiety
- Lowers blood pressure

The effects of massage therapy are many because the treatment involves more than just rubbing the muscles. Physical touch tends to relax people and the rhythmic motion of a massage encourages the body and mind to calm and let go of the anxiety and stress that has built up. This is part of the reason a massage session needs to last so long . . . an hour or more is the usual length needed to truly relieve stress and to give you the break from problems needed to refresh the body and mind.

Manipulating, stretching and pressing muscles helps to release hormones like dopamine and serotonin, which affect your mood. It`s much more difficult to feel stressed out and anxious when you`re happy! This is the main reason people enjoy massages so much, though the actual physical contact with another human being also has a huge impact on how you feel. We underestimate our need to be touched, but it can be a very powerful thing.

Does massage therapy really work for stress? Yes, it does. If you haven`t experienced this yet, then it might be time to book a good massage. Keep in mind that not every masseuse is going to be a good one, so talk to friends, get recommendations and then try it out for yourself. You`ll be pleasantly surprised at how relaxing it is to have someone work on you with expert bodywork techniques.

Source1 Medical provides home health care products, massage therapy supplies, massage chairs and table, physical therapy equipment and information for consumers and healthcare professionals. http://www.source1medical.com/