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Acupuncture Found Successful in Relieving Post-Op Nausea

Acupuncture, the medical practice of inserting and vibration of tiny needles into various sections of body, has now been found to be beneficial for treatment of post-operative nausea and vomiting. A review of studies made on this kind of treatment, by Dr. Anna Lee of the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care at the Chinese Hospital in Hong Kong determined that what is known as P-6 or Paricardium 6 acupuncture treatment significantly reduces unpleasant symptoms of nausea and vomiting after various types of surgery.

Dr. Lee’s review was based on 40 different studies conducted which compared P-6 acupuncture and other acupoint stimuli, such as transcutaneous nerve stimulation and acupressure wristbands on the same part of the body. The review concluded that this acupoint stimulation reduced or eliminated the need for anti-nausea drugs.

P-6 acupoints are located on the underside of the forearm about 2 inches below the joint between the hand and the wrist. You can do a self-stimulation on this acupoint by relaxing your arm and then pressing your thumb between the tendons into the point until it feels quite tender. Hold it down firmly from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and then perform the same treatment on the other arm.

Hospitals and other medical facilities are welcoming these findings as an alternative to the use of antemetic or anti-nausea drugs (due to their increasingly high costs) and can be used before, during and after the surgery.

Mainland Chinese hospitals have been using this kind of treatment for years, often as the only means of alleviating these symptoms.

Acupuncture is now widely used in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including arthritis, fertility problems, migraine headaches, bed wetting, post traumatic stress disorder, breaking the smoking habit, and even sexual dysfunction.

Lee’s reviews of 40 studies covered 4,858 patients, most of them adults who had elective surgery performed under general anesthesia. In addition to findings on post-operative patients, it was found that acupressure wristbands, which stimulate the P-6 section of the wrist were similarly beneficial for reliving nausea in persons suffering form motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy.

Sources: NaturalNews.com & News-Medical.net

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How Acupuncture Works

How Acupuncture WorksAcupuncture is an ancient medical technique that involves inserting and manipulating very thin needles into the body to create a sensation of warmth that is alleged to bring relief from pain. The technique is said to have originated in China, and variations are used around the world In Mandarin Chinese, the technique is called Zhen Jiu and Chinese and other Asian practitioners often use acupuncture needles together with a special herb called moxa or mugwort herb. The treatment is used extensively by alternative medicine practitioners and proper use of acupuncture needles has been found to give relief to a number of conditions where pain is often involved, included muscle aches, neck and back pain, feet and leg problems and headaches.

The theory of acupuncture revolves around the idea that the body has a number of “pain points” and pathways that carry sensations of discomfort and pain from the body to the brain. By manipulating the inserted needles, a sensation of warmth is created that rids the feeling of pain and gives comfort to the affected area. Acupuncture is so relied on in countries like China that it is often administered to patients who are in pain or who are having surgery. The Chinese believe that there are 12 main pathways or meridians that can be tread by manipulation of the acupuncture needles at certain pressure points. These meridians or channels are know as yin and yang channels and they represent opposite forces that affect a person’s well being. Both the arms an legs have important acupuncture channels, but the major body organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, etc., have acupuncture points as well. The warmth and sensation created by the needles are said to be carried by these body channels to the brain.

By listening to the reactions of the patient to the insertion of the acupuncture needles, the practitioner can know whether or not they have been inserted correctly and whether or not the correct condition is being treated.

People suffering from cardio-vascular problems are said to receive much benefit from acupuncture as the revolving needles help to remove blockages in the blood vessels and reduce pain. An experienced acupuncture practitioner is trained to observe the various body signs or “inquiries” to indicate an illness or condition. These signs give the practitioner an indication as to where the insertion of the needles where do the most good. In traditional Chinese medicine, the use of acupuncture is considered to be an individualized treatment based on a person’s body signs. Together with other forms of treatment, acupuncture has proven to be successful treatment that is gaining in popularity all over the world.

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AAHH Asian Massage Techniques

Asian Massage
Asian massage techniques, including Chinese and Japanese massage, ( Shitatsu and Tui-Na), Indian, Javanese and Thai, have been in existence for more than two thousand years. These techniques, intended to release energy, cleanse the body of impurities, and strengthen the nervous and muscular skeletal system. Many of these techniques are linked to various religious practices, including Buddhism, Shinto, and Hinduism.

Thai massage originated in India more than 2,500 years ago, and spread to what was then known as Siam, during to time of Buddha. The technique is performed while the person assumes many yoga-like positions, and is designed to stretch and flex the skeleton and connecting muscles. It also aids in strengthening the body’s immune system by focusing of more efficient oxidation of the blood. The patient usually lies on either firm mattress or floor mat, and usually wearing loose fitting pajama-like garments. It is not to be confused to be confused with other, often erotic types of massage, which are performed for an entirely different type reason. Hand movements by the practitioner are usually rhythmic and regular, intended to work on the person’s body energy lines. The practitioner will also walk upon the patient’s spine to stimulate the spinal nerves which influence the entire body, including fingers and toes.

Chinese Tui Na massage is a technique more than 5,000 years old and is based on the use of pressure at certain points of the body. The ‘pressure’ is applied using both the fingers, knuckles, and the palms as well as certain devices, including acupuncture needles. Acupuncture and other forms of Chinese medicine such ass herbal therapy are also used together with the hands. The technique of ‘kneading’ the patient’s muscular-skeletal system is said to be very effective in removing blockages in the circulatory system to promote more effective healing. The treatment is claimed to be very effective in improving conditions of the muscular skeletal system. Because the treatment does not involve the use of drugs of chemicals, it has very few side effects.

Japanese Shiahatsu massage is very different than more traditional massage therapy. The practice, also at least two thousand years old, involves the use of distinct pressure applied on parts of the body known as ‘energy points’. The reasoning behind this method is that when a muscle become tense, it stiffens, resulting in pain. By focusing pressure with the thumb, finger tips and palm, the Shiahatsu practitioner loosens stiff muscles, limbers joints, and stimulates blood flow. The resulting loosening of tension and increased blood flow cause body joints to move freely again resulting in easing of pain and other healthful benefits. It is well known that increased blood flow helps prevent blockages in veins and arteries.

Javanese massage, originating on the Island of Java in what was once known as the East Indies, involves the use of the entire hand, including fingers, palms, and knuckles, combined with aromatic oils. The practitioner massages or ‘kneads’ the muscles like a baker kneading dough. This method is said to be very useful in relieving muscle tension and easing back pain. It is also very useful in restoring muscles to their full capacity following the healing of a broken bone or fracture.

Asian massage therapies are still very popular for relieving of body tensions and for overall relaxation. They are often included with hotel vacation tour packages.

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Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability – LOHAS

Have you ever imagined what may be America’s (if not the world’s) largest consumer marketing network? It’s not dealing with entertainment industries (exclusively, that is), fashion, or fast foods. It’s a marking network so large that an estimated 30% of all Americans, 50 million people, are members. And this network covers many categories, from natural foods and health products to alternative energy resources and environmentally friendly modes of transportation. In case you haven’t guessed it already, the ‘network’ is called LOHAS, an abbreviation for Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability.

In the U.S. alone, LOHAS connected services and industries constitute a $229 BILLION business; and it continues to grow each year. Just some of the many categories and industries within this group include:

Alternative Healthcare – Health and wellness solutions including Homeopathy, holistic health approaches, acupuncture, naturopathy, alternative or complementary medicine, therapeutic message, etc.

Healthy Lifestyles – Natural and organic food and food supplement products, nutritional and dietary supplements, personal health and fitness care.

Ecological Lifestyles – Environmental friendly vehicles and appliances, products from recycled materials, “Eco-Tourism” and travel, including alternative transportation and energy sources.

Personal Fitness and Development – Including body building and weight loss programs, books and tapes on mind and body development, spiritual and physical development programs (Yoga, meditation, aerobic and work-out programs, etc).

The range of products and services are so wide that a great majority of people incorporate at least some of these LOHAS concepts in their everyday lives; whether it be purchasing energy saving devices for their homes, eating healthier foods, or taking natural or organic food supplements, using paper and other products from recycled materials, the list goes on and on. And these concepts are not only happening in America, but in other countries too, as more are more people contemplate the connections between economies, environmental issues, and even political governmental systems in order to acquire to total holistic approach to life.

The possibilities are just as varied as the many aspects involved in world holistic thinking. As more and more people become LOHAS advocates, the world may one day become a better place for all. As it has been said many times, we all live on an island from which we cannot leave.