Acupuncture Benefits As Part Of A Holistic Treatment Approach
Posted by admin in Acupuncture, Health Benefits on December 30, 2011
Needles have long been used in Western medicine to deliver medicine directly into the body. In Oriental medicine, a slightly different approach was taken, where instead of adding something to the body, the body was gently teased into being more healthy. Thus, acupuncture benefits the body by allowing it to heal itself, without the risk of side effects that come with so many modern medicines.
The application is somewhat basic; the practitioner applies heated needles to various energy centers on the body, lightly piercing the skin and using smoke as a purifying element once they are in place. The needles are then allowed to sit for a short period. The needles are then extracted and prepared for the next patient.
The basic concept of acupuncture is relatively simple. The body has a normal flow of spiritual energy that, if it is allowed to flow, enables the body to ward off most diseases. Blockages of this spiritual energy cause an unhealthy reaction that is manifested as disease and other ailments. By using needles to manipulate energy centers on the body, the person administrating the cure is able to unlock these areas and allow the energy to return to a normal, healthy flow, healing the ailments in due course.
Although it may sound somewhat outlandish to those from a Western culture, we are finding that acupuncture benefits a wide range of ailments. Although there are a number of competing theories, ranging from the placebo effect to mind over body, there is a growing body of work that purports that acupuncture does work on a large number of ailments ranging from intestinal disorders to helping with some diseases. Through proper application of the needles, a wide number of diseases may be dealt with. Read the rest of this entry »
Healthy Tips for Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts to Fail
Posted by admin in Healthy Tips on December 30, 2011
Some questions are universal for all marriages. Things like how do we keep love alive, how do make our marriage stronger and how do we keep the spark are examples of these common questions. From the moment of ‘I do’, maybe even from the moment of saying ‘yes’, you’ve made the pact to commit to something wonderful and for a lifetime. While you are dating the passion, spark and love often feel as if they are easy and natural. But how do you keep it going once the reality becomes you and your spouse together through it all, thick and thin?
Probably the most critical thing a couple needs to do is to really dig in and discover what about them is similar and different. Often before marriage we just dismiss the differences and focus the things that “bring us together”. This is a mistake. You really need to know both. The same goes for strengths and weaknesses. These things make us unique, but can often be a major source of trouble down the line. While dating you often get a lot of time focusing on those strengths and similarities that make the other person appealing, but when you are trying to make a long-term relationship work, it’s where you are different or weak that will be important. Don’t ignore those things and assume that your “love will overcome” the problems, be proactive and address the issues before they become major irritants.
Interestingly, the best approach is to think of how you could save your marriage before a problem arises. When you start planning a marriage, one thing you plan is your sacred vows. Don’t take this lightly! There is a reason the traditional vows refer to sickness, poorer and worse. You are going to have problems, period. No relationship is perfect. The sooner we acknowledge that the better. Struggles in marriage can tear it apart or make it stronger. On deciding factor is being prepared for those struggles. Prepare by accepting that you will have difficulties and looking for ways to solve problems before they become problems. Something that is mildly annoying now, will very likely being argument material later. Look at the annoyance and address it. Can you live with it as is assuming it will never change? Is it something minor that can be changed? Are there arrangements that can make the problem less of a problem? Read the rest of this entry »