Health WellNews

There are many elements to keeping our skin healthy and vibrant. For instance, are we drinking 1/2 of our body weight in ounces of water daily? Are we eating mostly healthy, organic, whole foods?  Are we sleeping 8 hours each night?  All of these things affect how we feel on the inside and how we look on the outside. However, in our busy culture, many people forget to take time to care for their health. This can show on our faces in the form of wrinkles, dry lackluster skin and blemishes.

Along with healthy lifestyle choices, there is another natural solution that is scientifically proven to reduces wrinkles, calm acne and improve the texture of the skin and it’s called low level light therapy available with CellumaPro.

At Nature’s Wisdom Healing Center- Mary Cetan, patients receive the benefits of the natural low level light therapy from the CellumaPRO.  We are professional sellers of these Class II medical devices and offer them to our patients and customers at a price under the manufacturers suggested retail price.

Check out this link to access research and product details.

If you’re someone who spends a lot of the day on the computer, or in a job that requires other repetitive motions in your wrists and hands, you might be experiencing pain.  In some cases, repetitive movements of the wrist and fingers, including typing, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Characterized by pain in the wrist and hand, carpal tunnel syndrome means the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the wrist to the hand, has been compressed. This compression causes pain, numbness, tingling and occasional weakness of the wrist, arm and hand.

Conventional medicine treats carpal tunnel syndrome with splints, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone shots. If drug therapy doesn’t satisfactorily relieve the pain, then surgery is recommended.

Most people who develop wrist pain are given medication and sent to surgery prematurely without being advised to seek out less invasive treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers safe and proven effective treatment. A study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital demonstrated that patients who received traditional acupuncture and a more modern form, electroacupuncture, for carpal tunnel syndrome had a reduction in pain and a remapping of their brain! Before and after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved that the carpal tunnel related damage to the somatosensory cortex was repaired in participants who received acupuncture. This is amazing! People who received acupuncture actually had the benefit of continued improvement from their carpal tunnel syndrome over time and their ability to function improved, too.  Would you like to be one of these people who have lasting pain relief with out the use of drugs and surgery?

Findings published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal refers to a number of studies using acupuncture to treat carpal tunnel sydrome: Electroacupuncture helps ease carpal tunnel in study

Acupuncture is a safer alternative to NSAIDs, cortisone shots and surgery. Studies confirm acupuncture decreases inflammation and restores function to tight muscles and tendons. Studies show acupuncture eliminating the pain by increasing circulation and restoring function. Acupuncture is cheaper, less invasive and has a much higher probability of providing permanent relief.  Consider utilizing acupuncture to treat carpal tunnel syndrome for yourself and also to recommend to others.

Have you seen those dark purple cup marks on the upper back of your favorite celebrity lately and wondered what that was all about? That is from an ancient Chinese medicine technique called cupping, which is a wonderful and effective supplement to an acupuncture treatment.

Cupping describes the practice of Chinese medical practitioners using thick glass cups in certain regions of the body to relieve pain and for other medicinal uses. In what is called “fire cupping,” the acupuncturist takes the glass cup, saturates a cotton ball with alcohol and applies a small flame to the cotton. The cotton is then placed in the glass cup (with lightning speed and accuracy) whereby the oxygen is removed from the glass and the skin is suctioned up tightly. What the cup is doing is drawing pressure out and up. Nowadays, some practitioners use plastic suction cups or cups made of bamboo.

There are two types of cupping: one is “dry cupping” and is the most common. This is where the cup stays put for about five minutes or more. The acupuncturist may in some instances use a small lancet to draw out a tiny amount of blood from an area before placing the cup over the region in what’s called “wet cupping.” The next type is called “moving cupping” and is the most pleasurable experience. This is when oil is put on the skin before the cup is suctioned so that the cup can be moved along a large region, for example, down your back.  This feels like a massage and is very relaxing and helpful for stiffness. Multiple cups are typically used for any of these forms of cupping.

Why cupping?

Cupping promotes blood flow, eases stiffness and pain, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders and lifts tense muscles. By promoting better circulation through cupping, tissues receive vital nutrients and oxygen. Cupping releases stagnation of blood and lymph fluid and removes harmful toxins. It has been shown to help respiratory ailments and the common cold, muscle conditions, stress, arthritis, digestion and gynecological issues.

Cupping feels wonderful during and after treatment, but any bathing suit modeling or cruise vacations should be postponed a few days after therapy due to local redness or purple color and perhaps bruising of the area. You might have a small cup mark, but this is very common, it should dissipate in a couple of days, and is not harmful. Of course, if you experience any other acute complications, see your physician.

Certain conditions are contraindicated for cupping techniques and your acupuncturist will advise against treatment. These conditions include broken skin, skin ulcers, high fever, inflammation, thin skin that bleeds easily, pregnancy (no cupping on the abdomen) and bony areas of the body.

Cupping is an old therapy, and although some patients have mentioned seeing their grandparents apply cupping using glass jars, it is not recommended to self-diagnose or to try fire cupping at home on your own. It can be dangerous and you could get a severe burn or blisters. See your friendly acupuncturist to give you a relaxing cupping treatment that is both safe and effective.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the organ connected to springtime is the liver. The liver is connected to the wood element.  Think about all of the new buds that come out in the springtime, this is the healthy state of the liver energy, full of creativity, desiring to move into and fill out a new space, unobstructed.

Each organ system in Chinese medicine is related to a specific emotion, liver is associated with anger when imbalanced and ease when balanced.  When the emotional aspects of the liver are working in a balanced state, you are able to be flexible and strong and firm in your convictions, with proper boundaries between you and others around you.  You grow and respect the space of others at the same time. The liver influences confidence and assertiveness, and the ability to make decisions and stick by them.

When the liver energy is obstructed due to over controlling or due to stagnation, frustration and anger can erupt. Physically, an over stressed liver can create tight tendons, necks and shoulders, and emotionally  it can lead to a tightness of the spirit.  Below is a image of of a character who has his liver energy blocked.When the liver energy is obstructed, everything in the body tends to rise upward. In these types of patients, you can often see the physical manifestations of their emotional state. These patients might hold everything in their bodies in a tight, rigid manner. They often clench or grind their teeth in anger and frustration. Their faces might be suffused with color. That doesn’t mean all people who have a liver imbalance act this way, or that the liver is responsible for creating miserable “Type A” individuals. This liver energy is necessary for keeping us on track. Without it, we wouldn’t have a sense of purpose, and we wouldn’t be able to get anything done.

On the other hand, a person with too weak of liver energy creates a lack of boundaries, allowing for a “pushover” mentality.  This can show up when someone steps into her personal space, she steps back allowing the asserting person to overact on her.  This is an example of lacking the assertiveness that a strong liver energy can bring forth. The key is balance.

When in a state of equilibrium, the liver can move us toward our goals, allowing us to plan and follow a steady course. It can keep us on track with our plans and ambitions, and protect us from those who want to cross our boundaries and take our energetic reserves. A common diagnosis in TCM is Liver Qi Stagnation and the treatment for this pattern is Regulate Liver Qi, the herbal formula for this pattern is Xiao Yao Wan / Free and Easy Wanderer.  When a patient receives treatment for Liver Qi Stagnation, the pent up stress can flow and the frustration can turn into creation and meaningful self expression.  Happy Spring!

We all have a medicine cabinet, drawer or cupboard in our homes filled with seemingly harmless over-the-counter drugs, bandage material and other toiletries. Unfortunately, many of the OTC drugs in your medicine cabinet can be potentially dangerous and even lethal. The good news is, these drugs can be replaced with safe and effective herbal medicine.  We recommend the highest quality herbs from MediHerb and this article will show you which ones you can depend on instead of the OTC medication that you are currently using.  Our philosophy is nature first, drugs last.

Painkillers / Anti-inflammation Medications

Painkillers like ibuprofen relieve headaches and reduce pain from inflammation in the joints. However, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have been proven to eat away at the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to ulcers. The use of NSAIDS have also been associated with increasing the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke, even in people who have no existing heart conditions. When you have achy joints especially when accompanied by low back pain our recommendation is white willow bark in the product called “Saligesic” by MediHerb.saligesic-pds If you are suffering from a headache, feel stressed and tense reach for the safer and ultimately more effective choice “Kava Forte” by MediHerb.inth13734-kava-forte-pdsThe most powerful herb with many benefits is turmeric.  One of its main benefits is the anti-inflammatory property and the highest quality absorbable “Turmeric Forte” by MediHerb.turmeric-forte-pds-print-final-122217

Heartburn and Indigestion Medications

Many people suffer from heartburn and indigestion and then reach for proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or pantoprazole to reduce the stomach acid in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing the burning pain. However, PPIs are proving to be more harmful than helpful. Numerous studies have linked long term use of PPIs to kidney failure and even dementia. But for those who suffer with heartburn know that the pain of heartburn can be excruciating and need a solution.  Our pick for heartburn relief is “HiPep” by MediHerb because it
reduces stomach acid secretions along with relieving stomach upset from emotional tension.
hipep-pds

Cough Syrup and Cold Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines are abundant and while some may work, they can come with some potentially harmful side effects. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is a cough suppressant and promethazine is an antihistamine. Both are commonly found in OTC cold medications. These drugs can cause hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, dizziness, anxiety, restlessness and nausea, just to name a few of the side effects. There is also the potential for abuse if not taken properly. The natural alternative we recommend that everyone keep in their medicine cabinet is “Herbal Throat Spray” by MediHerb. herbal-throat-spray-phytosynergist-pdsGolden seal has been utilized by human kind for thousands of years to support moucous membranes. We recommend the highest quality “Golden Seal 500mg” by MediHerb. golden-seal-500mg-pds

Gain access to ordering MediHerb products here: Standard Product Patient DirectAcupuncture plus herbal formulas can be a wonderful alternative to those harmful medications. Also, don’t forget to evaluate your daily diet. Diet can play a big role in how your body heals. Making minor adjustments to your eating habits and adding acupuncture to your health regimen can alleviate stress, decrease pain and boost your immunity. Remember, you ultimately have the choice when it comes to your health and what you put in your body. Be sure to take the time to make informed decisions that add to your life.