Treating chronic pain - Natures Therapy

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Treating chronic pain - Natures Therapy

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Treating chronic pain...Aromatherapy

September 19th 2006 00:39

photo: slovegrove/agency: dreamstime.com

Aromatherapy is a process that combines body and facial massage, whilst incorporating the use of essential oils extracted from plants. These essences are made up from aromatic oils that appear in various parts of the plant. The essence is circulated throughout the plant at various times of the day, so that at a certain time it will be concentrated in a specific area of the plant. e.g. leaves in the morning.

The oils can occur in the root (calamus), flowers (lavender), leaves (rosemary), bark (sandalwood) and sometimes in resin (myrrh). Some are even found in the rind of fruits.

In plants themselves, these oils act as natural pesticides, fungacides, bactericides and some even have hormone properties.

The extraction process is complex and expensive; it takes 2000 pounds of rose petals to make 1 pound of rose oil.

Treatment is carried out after a consultation with the aromatherapist. Some complaints are hard to diagnose and it takes a very skilled practitioner to matche the right treatment with the right disorder. Aromatherapy is more successful when used to treat systematically, rather then the disease as a whole. It is particularly effective in the management of stress and anxiety, wound healing, acne, scar resorption, stretch marks and some women find it helpful during the arly stages of labor. It is also great in calming infants who suffer form colic or are hard to settle.

Below are some common ailments and the suggested aromatherapy remedies:

Acne: bergamot, cajuput, camphor, cedarwood, juniper, lavender, sandalwood, tea tree.

Headaches: rosemary, chamomile, lavender, lemon, marjoram, peppermint, rose.

Indigestion: basil, black pepper, cardomon, chamomile, cinnamon, sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, hyssop, juniper, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, marjoram, melissa, myrrh, pennyroyal, peppermint, rosemary, sage, thyme.

Mental fatigue: basil, cardamom, clove, peppermint, rosemary and thyme.

Stimulants: black pepper, camphor, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, peppermint and rosemary.

Aromatherapy is also a great way to reward yourself with a bit of pampering. Just lie back, breathe in the oils and relax!!!

Resources
Alternative medicine by Dr. Andrew Stanway/Rigby LTD
Image: Photo: Slovegrove Agency: dreamstime.com

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Posted By: Naomi - Category: Treating chronic pain

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Treating chronic pain...Reflexology

September 18th 2006 00:12

Diagnostic Zones

Reflexology is an ancient Asian technique that uses the feet and sometimes the palms of the hand to diagnose conditions in other parts of the body. The principle is very similar to acupuncture and Shiatsu. Relief can be brought to an area by massaging specific areas of the foot that represent a particular body region.

This works because internal organs share the same nerve paths as areas of the skin. For instance, a condition in the diaphragm will cause pain in the tip of the shoulder because they are both connected by the same nerve supply.

During a session a patient is asked to lie down with both feet uncovered, whilst the practitioner feels them for gritty or crystallized substances under the skin. As these areas are pressed down on to, the patient feels pain in the affected area and sometimes the foot as well.

The treatment is carried out by deeply massaging the area with the thumb in a clockwise motion. Each session lasts between 10 - 30 minutes and several sessions are often required to completly releive the problem. However, in some instances one treatment is adequate.

Reflexology will not be successful in a condition such as hernia or obstruction of the bowel. These conditions require medical intervention of a different nature and in most cases will not go away without surgical inviolvement of some kind.

The main conditions that benefit are:

Constipation, asthma, stress and anxiety, bladder conditions, headaches and migraines, sinus trouble, IBS, PMS, kidney and gall stones.

Resources
Based on information provided in Alternative Medicine by Dr. Andrew Stanway/Rigby LTD
Images: Reflexology, Alternative Medicine by Dr. Andrew Stanway/RigbyLTD

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Posted By: Naomi - Category: Treating chronic pain

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Treating chronic pain...Shiatsu

September 12th 2006 00:20

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Originally from Japan; Shiatsu (sometimes called Acupressure), arose around the same time that acupuncture did in China. It is a remedial treatment that traditionally, one family member practices on another for medicinal purposes and prevention form disease.

It involves finger pressure over the acupuncture points and meridians. Unlike acupunture; Shiatsu is without needles, making it much more accessible but with the same results and principles.

Like many Asian therapies; the object of Shiatsu is to stimulate the energies inside the body and recreate harmony. It is not painful, but pressure is sometimes hard and deep therefore sensitive and injured areas may feel some discomfort, at the beginning of a session.

Shiatsu can be used prophylactically even if a person is not ill, but is also used for treatment against specific diseases and conditions.

The relief from pain and anguish can be quite dramatic after a treatment and although westerm medicine cannot explain it; most cynics cannot deny the relief thay feel after attending a session.

Shiatsu should not be used to treat cancer as the deep stimulation from massage causes body fluids and energy to flow and this sometimes encourages the cancer cells to spread.

A good Shiatsu practitioner can identify a patient's condition by treating them for various conditions and finding the primary source of the pain. An example might be a patient that complains of sciatic pain, but relief is actually brought by applying pressure to the points that relieve stomach disorders. As a result of this; the practitioner will educate the patient on diet and lifestyle alternatives to prevent the problem from recurring. This is part of a complete Shiatsu consultation.

Shitatsu is available in most areas and even some GP's are accepting and embracing the therapy, incorporating it into their parctice.

This therapy is particulary good for treatment of:

Migraine, insomnia, low immune system, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression, asthma, Symptoms of MS, joint pain or injury, arthritis, endometriosis, PMS, menopausal symptoms.

Resources
Alternative Medicine by Dr. Andrew Stanway

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Posted By: Naomi - Category: Treating chronic pain

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Treating chronic pain...Homeopathy

September 3rd 2006 00:42

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A GP who was not satisfied with the ways of conventional medicine; Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755 - 1843), combined many different healing principles, some which dated back thousands of years. Once formulated, it became a system he called, Homeopathy. Homeo, Latin for same, and Pathy for disease or sickness = Same sickness.

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Posted By: Naomi - Category: Treating chronic pain

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Treating chronic pain...Reiki

August 28th 2006 00:28

Developed by a Buddhist in 20th century Japan; Reiki is a technique used to promote healing and reduce stress. It is administered by laying hands over the body and is believed to balance the life force energy that flows within. This is perhaps where the term "Healing Hands" originated from.

The word Reiki is made up of two Chinese characters. Rei, which means higher power and Ki, which represents life force energy.