Is Acupuncture an Effective Treatment for Arthritis?
Posted by admin in Acupuncture, Treatment on September 25, 2011
Inflammation and joint pain is common to all of the family of ailments known collectively as arthritis. To date, modern medicine has failed to find a “cure” for arthritis. Since many forms of arthritis are generally incurable, most doctors focus on treatment to relieve the painful symptoms of arthritis rather than looking for a cure.
Now, however, a new study connects acupuncture and relief of arthritis symptoms. The study said that the combination of acupuncture and arthritis can significantly reduce pain and improve function in those suffering osteoarthritis of the knee.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical procedure wherein hair-thin needles are inserted into points along “energy channels” – meridians, where the life force of the human body flows through. Practitioners believe that these needles remove blockage from energy channels, and ease the pain caused by the blockages
Acupuncture, one of the oldest medical procedures in the world, is a practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is based on the idea that the body’s life force, also called “qi,” flows along the body in pathways known as meridians. Acupuncture, which is now practiced widely throughout the world, started in China over 2000 years ago. With the recent discovery about the connection between acupuncture and arthritis, specifically on its role as a pain reliever, the procedure is increasingly becoming popular in the United States as well. Read the rest of this entry »
10 Tips to Stay Mentally Healthy
Posted by admin in Healthy Tips, Mental Health on September 17, 2011
If it’s not broke don’t fix it…right? No! One of the best methods of mental health recovery is to maintain an environment prone to mental health and mental illness recovery. Staying mentally healthy is a way of life, not something you do when things start to go wrong. Keep reading for your top 10 tips to staying mentally healthy! Remember sometimes, the best treatment is prevention.
For access to some great cutting-edge research aside from the tips below, check out the Mental Health Center of Denver’s Research and Evaluation Team’s publications.
1) Stay Physically Active: the human mind developed in an environment requiring one travels the equivalent of 12 miles per day for sheer survival (and no that doesn’t mean jumping in the car and flooring it!). Recent research has proven that increased physical activity can actually create new brain cells (once thought of as a static number), this explains why nearly every mental healthcare consumer at facilities such as MHCD are strongly encouraged to begin an exercise regiment immediately.
2) Stay Socially Active: we are social creatures, thus one’s support network, be it family or friends, is of immense importance to one’s general well being. It is of course ok to take a few nights to yourself, but don’t stay shut in. Go out, keep your social relations strong.
3) Get a Hobby: find something creative outlet that you want to do just for yourself. Depending on what you chose, a hobby can be a great avenue into sports clubs, night classes at a local college, or staying physically active; plus if its something you enjoy it will be much easier to stick with! Read the rest of this entry »