Tai Chi: Healing in motion

The fastest- growing exercise in America, Tai Chi can help relieve everyday stress and strain, whatever your age.

Perhaps it was the Celebrex commercial, featuring nimble people in orange jackets practicing Tai Chi outdoors. Or, the thousands of baby boomers who today are looking for a healthy way to ease on down the road of life.

Maybe it’s because Tai Chi has so very many styles: Chen. Sun. Yang. Wu. Hao. Hu Lei. Zhao Bao. Whoa.

Whatever the reason, the martial art called Tai Chi has become the fastest-growing exercise in America, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association.

“Tai Chi just reached a tipping point,” said author Arthur Rosenfeld. “It is popping up everywhere.

Consider Tai Chi another tool in your fitness work chest. Proceed cautiously and take the time to understand this eclectic exercise. It could help you keep your equilibrium in the face of whatever life serves your way. It may even help you sleep.

At age 71, Patricia Honsberger finds time weekly to stand like a golden rooster, one of the Tai Chi movements that works the abdominal muscles. She heads out — like clockwork — every Tuesday morning to pick up her mother Alice Eidenier for their Tai Chi class. Honsberger thought Tai Chi would help with the arthritis pain suffered by her 94-year-old mother.

“Tai Chi has been the thing for us,” said Honsberger, who recently returned from a Tai Chi cruise to Mexico. “Otherwise, I would have to go on some quiet hikes. It’s hard looking after a mother who is in pain all the time.”

Tai Chi’s exercise involves prolonged movements, requiring muscles to keep working for long periods of time. Breathing enhances these movements and helps to increase the joint’s range of motion. When you least expect it, all of this kicks in for balance and strength — to prevent a fall, for example. That’s why this martial art has traditionally been associated with longevity and maintenance.

Cross-trainer for life

Yang, one of the slowest and least physically challenging styles of Tai Chi, accommodates people with movement problems. It is thought to be best suited to the unflexible American physique. It is also probably the most accessible style in the area. You can find Yang at many fitness outlets.
Practicing Tai Chi — Yang style — helps carry you through the day. Late-afternoon doldrums can be trumped. Early morning joint stiffness, too. Stress-induced insomnia, meanwhile, could evaporate with a five-minute breathing hit of Tai Chi. One instructor called it a cross-trainer for life.

“I figure I have another 30 years, and I want my physical body to keep up with my spirit,” said Penelope J. Klein, 60, who is also a black belt in judo and teaches physical therapy at D’Youville College. “If you think about it, Tai Chi serves many people, including caregivers.”

In our culture, the practice of Tai Chi is oftentimes associated with Jackie Chan and fighting, suggested Rosenfeld. This dilution often occurs when tradition is passed from one culture to another — or when there are small amounts of true practitioners.

The downside of the popularity of Tai Chi is that there is no regulatory body, Rosenfeld said. “It’s no problem to announce you’re a Tai Chi master by putting on some silk pajamas and all of a sudden you’re charging $40 an hour.”

When searching for a Tai Chi instructor, he said, first determine how many years of experience he or she has.

“Ask the teacher to talk about his or her lineage,” suggested Rosenfeld, the Floridabased author whose martial arts training spans more than 27 years. “These things are passed down through families. An unwillingness to discuss the specific tradition should serve as a warning flag.”
Eastern belief has a life force (chi) circulating unhindered through your body. Sickness occurs when that flow becomes disrupted. Rosenfeld believes those who practice Tai Chi are being proactive.

“Think about it. We are not a Mazda. We are mind and body together,” said Rosenfeld, during a telephone interview from his Florida home. “Our crisis in health care resulted from an abandonment in responsibility. The idea that somebody outside of you knows more than you about your body is preposterous. The doctor works for you. You are your health and happiness.”
Tai Chi people

JudyAnne Bonafede is an exercise fanatic and racewalker who moves with maximum efficiency. Her brand of Tai Chi is often best practiced with a sword, an elite straight double-edge weapon. She understands her body, how it works and how it feels when it doesn’t. She also teaches a beginner’s Tai Chi class.

“I’m enjoying exploring my body,” said the 54-year-old. “I notice a definite improvement in health and posture, a relaxed control. There is good energy when you get with Tai Chi people.”
Ken Stuczynski, 38, teaches Tai Chi at Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A martial artist who took up Tai Chi in 1999, he said the exercise “forces you to use muscles and not your joints to support your weight. It also teaches you to align the spine gravitationally.”

He distinguishes other styles of Tai Chi that are taught in the area:

• Eight Tigers — Distinctly different because of Japanese influence. Defined by spiritual focus and sliding feet more than stepping. Reiki influence.

• Taoist — Physical-therapy oriented. Focus on body alignment. Postures lean and are not as upright.

• Shuyun — Renamed after the grandmaster in California to differentiate it from the Wu Family style it came from. Known for “Eight-Step Preying Mantis” kung fu that is all elbows.

“Tai Chi is always better when performed in fresh air,” Stuczynski said. “Traditionally the best time to do Tai Chi is just before sunrise and an hour before the last meal of the day. People who are serious about it will practice almost daily or even more than once a day. I do a little bit here and there, but use my classes as my more structured practice.

“The ideal school accepts people with all levels of interest,” Stuczynski added, “for maintenance as well as for learning and progressing. You can get as far into Tai Chi as you want.”

Harmony Tai Chi

Harmony Tai Chi distills the essence of the Chen, Yang and Wu styles. The Chen style, one of China’s oldest, originated as a martial art and is quite dynamic. The Yang style emphasizes slow, expansive movements. The Wu style moves from a smaller stance than the others. Those who study Harmony Tai Chi combine the grace and tranquility of one school with the dynamism and agility of the others.

Astronauts test traditional medicines in space

BEIJING, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's astronauts have been testing new varieties of traditional Chinese medicine that could help treat osteoporosis, insomnia and improve immunity.

Doctors with the China Astronaut Research and Training Center say the new remedies will be prepared for sale after further tests during the country's third manned space program in 2008.

The medicines have been packaged in pill and capsule forms for the first time so astronauts will be able to take them in space.

The medicines were intended to improve cardiovascular and heart and blood vessel functions during short space flights or space walks, said Li Yongzhi, doctor with the center.

"We have finished human trials and the results were satisfactory," said Li.

The center has been working with a pharmaceutical factory to produce the medicine, which would undergo clinical tests by the end of the year, said the doctor, but she declined to elaborate.

"The medicine is expected to be on the market in the next two years and we hope they will not only benefit the space elite, but also the general public," she said.

Living in zero gravity could lead to cardiovascular problems, lower immunity and bone mineral loss, said Li.

"We can't say the astronauts would be ill as it is the normal physical reaction of a healthy body to an abnormal environment," said Li.

"Western medicine lacks effective remedies with no side effects, but traditional Chinese medicine offers good over-all recuperation," she added.

Li's center has applied traditional Chinese medicine to the health care of astronauts since 1997.

"Our astronauts are very healthy, so the Chinese medicine they have taken is used to improve their adaptability and endurance," said Li.

China has a team of 14 astronauts. Li and her colleagues have spent 10 years collating their physical indices during training and space flights, on which the doctors have composed different recipes for each astronaut.

"The astronauts only take traditional Chinese medicines when needed," said Li.

"The astronauts began to drink what we call 'medical tea' 90 days before the Shenzhou VI space mission in 2005. It's herbal soup," she said. "They all love it and said they slept better and were more energetic after drinking the tea."

Li said Russia and other European countries had begun research into traditional Chinese medicine for space programs.

Acupuncturist has a natural approach

George also uses herbal medicine, diet to help clients' healing process

GINA SMITH BALL

Acupuncturist has a natural approach George also uses herbal medicine, diet to help clients' healing process A medical practitioner in Morganton offers an unconventional alternative to people experiencing health problems.

Helen George, a licensed acupuncturist, opened the Burke Acupuncture Clinic in downtown Morganton in October 2006.

In addition to acupuncture services, George treats clients using Chinese herbal medicine and offers advice on how to heal through diet and other lifestyle changes.

Hormones for menopause: yes or no?

This post was written by Nancy Reyes on 23 July, 2007 (20:51) | All News, Medical News 125 Views

When I was in private practice, I tended to see a lot of women.

And my nurses used to laugh that when I would do a Pap smear (usual appointment time 20 minutes) I would often end up in the office an hour with a crying lady.

Yup. Another middle aged lady going through menopause.

They often would come in and start crying, saying I don’t know what’ s wrong with me, and I would hand them this and say:

Do you cry all the time? Get headaches? Feel tired all the time? Stressed out? Backaches? Bloating? Yell at your kids? Breast sore? Constipation? Hot flashes? Gaining weight?
Then I’d show them a picture similar to this:
And give them THIS handout.
Ah, the glories of Menopause. Fun, ain’t it, I’d say, and usually they would laugh.

Because most of them sort of knew the problem, but weren’t sure what to do.

Actually, about 80 percent of women get through menopause with some herbs, some TLC, and just plain common sense: Exercise, cut back the coffee, eat properly, get enough sleep, and try not to be superwoman.

There are lots of herbs that claim to help, and about 75 percent of women say they took herbs or minerals. The herbal medicine that makes most sense is soy, which has estrogenic properties. Does it work? No one is sure. And if it works it’s probably in higher dosages that have the same side effects as other estrogen/female hormones.

There are also a lot of medicines that work. All have pros and cons.

If you just are very irritable and can’t sleep, a small dose of Valium (benzodiazepam or other mild tranquilizers) might be all you need to help you sleep.

What also works is a low dose of anti depressive medicine. I tended to use Sertraline (Zoloft) because it didn’t make people as irritable as Prozac, but any of that family of medicine will work.

Yes, I know all those scare stories. But when 20 million people take a medicine and the suicide/homicide rate is the same or lower than the rest of the population, it may not be the medicine, but an exacerbation of the mental illness (depression, bipolar, untreated anger) that was behind the mood swings. And for menopause, we tend to use a smaller dose, and caution our patients they might get irritable if they stop it suddenly.

The real story is female replacement hormones. Good or bad.

The secret is: it depends.

If you have “early” menopause, you need them. If you are 65 you probably don’t.

In the last 30 years, the fad has been to put everyone on them, then everyone off, then on, then off.

Actually, a lot of it depends on the woman. HERE are the latest Guidelines.

If you have early menopause, you need the hormones until the regular age your own body would stop producing them. If you don’t take them, you’ll develop thinning of the bones, thinning/shrinkage of the vaginal area, and have an increased chance of heart disease.

If you have the hot flashes from hell, use the hormones.

If your tushie is too dry, use the hormones: Local creams work fine.

For most other people, they don’t need hormones.

With all the scare articles about strokes and heart disease, the main problem with hormones is that they make the blood more sticky, so you not only get blood clots (Phlebitis) but if you have hardening of the arteries you could end up with a stroke or heart attack by a blood clot in the narrow area of the blood vessel.

There is also the question of cancer, if the hormones cause it or just make it grow faster once you have it.

On the other hand, what might be a major problem now that we are no longer using hormones is osteoporosis.

Theoretically, the higher risk of getting a heart attack on hormones is about the same as the lower risk of getting a hip fracture. OK. You are 75 years old. Do you prefer to have a heart attack or hip fracture?

Like all stories, the actual differences between the groups on or off the medicine are low.

On the other hand, good diet, weight bearing exercise, and calcium often will prevent osteoporosis, and there are new medicines for those who are at high risk of thinning bones.

There are fancy expensive tests to screen who needs these expensive medicines (and the medicines can cause ulcers, so are not harmless).

So what should you do?

Well, just remember, life is risky. I would remind patients that even driving the car to the doctors office had some risk, and so we have to make an intelligent choice.

Female hormones up to age 55, and then only if you really need them. Medicines to be able to cope, only if you really need them.

And a healthy lifestyle never hurt anyone.

Which is why my “One hour” pap smears took so long: The important part was not handing out pills, but doing the history and the examination, arranging tests to make sure it wasn’t something else causing the symptoms, and then discussing all of the above and teaching about a healthy lifestyle.

Echinacea Helps Colds, Major Review Shows

By NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Published: July 24, 2007

Echinacea helps banish colds. Echinacea has no effect on colds. The verdict seems to shift with each new scientific study of the herbal remedy.

In the latest twist, a review of more than 700 studies has concluded that echinacea has a substantial effect in preventing colds and in limiting their duration.

The paper, published in the July issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, used statistical techniques to combine the results of existing studies and reach conclusions based on the larger sample that resulted. The researchers selected only those trials that used randomized and placebo-controlled techniques: 14 studies involving 1,356 participants for the number of colds and 1,630 for the prevention of colds. The studies varied in the dosages of the herb, the duration it was taken and the species of echinacea used, and the number of participants ranged from 40 to more than 300.

The analysis concluded that echinacea reduced the risk of catching a cold by 58 percent. It also found that the herb significantly shortened the duration of a cold, but there was no general agreement about the magnitude of this effect.

“Our analysis doesn’t say that the stuff works without question,” said Dr. Craig I. Coleman, an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Connecticut, and the senior author of the paper. “But the preponderance of evidence suggests that it does.”

The authors acknowledged certain weaknesses in their study. For example, they did not examine the safety of the herbal remedy, only its effectiveness.

Dr. Bruce P. Barrett, an associate professor of family medicine at the University of Wisconsin who was not involved with the review, said he was not convinced of the value of combining the studies in a single analysis.

“If you’re testing the same intervention on the same population using the same outcome measures, then meta-analysis is a very good technique,” Dr. Barrett said. “But here every one of those things fails.” One of Dr. Barrett’s papers on echinacea was included in the analysis.

Other experts also expressed skepticism. J. David Gangemi, director of the Institute for Neutraceutical Research at Clemson University, said he found the study interesting, but added, “I think that many of the people who have dedicated their careers to clinical trials in studying these effects are not at all convinced from this analysis that there is this large reduction in incidence and duration of disease.”

Dr. Gangemi is the senior author of a 2005 study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine and included in the review, that found no benefit in the herb.

There are several possible reasons that even a carefully devised single study might fail to show an effect that actually exists. There are more than 200 species of virus that cause colds, Dr. Coleman said, and a study could test one species against which echinacea proves ineffective, while leaving open the question of whether it works for others.

In addition, some studies might not use large enough doses of the herb; others might use a species of echinacea that is less effective. Some might not have a large enough sample to find a small but statistically significant effect.

Dr. Barrett said there was probably little harm in using echinacea, and he was cautiously optimistic that the herb does have a very small positive effect.

“There’s some danger of kids getting a rash, and it would be inadvisable to give it to women in the early stages of pregnancy,” he said. “But if adults believe in echinacea, they’re going to get benefits — maybe from placebo — but they’ll get benefits.”

Dr. Coleman, who described himself as “not much of a pill taker,” hedged a bit when asked if he planned to use echinacea himself. “I’ll probably consider taking it if I feel a cold coming on,” he said. “These results have pushed me toward the idea. Whether I’m actually going to take it, well, we’ll see.”

Heavy Hearts And The Risk Of Sudden Death

Science Daily — Those with heavy hearts -- in the literal not figurative sense -- long have been known to be prone to cardiac arrest and sudden death. But many are not, and who among them is subject to serious risk is a mystery. To find clues to the puzzle, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has just awarded $2 million to Sumeet Chugh, M.D., director of Oregon Health & Science University's cardiac arrhythmia center in the division of cardiovascular medicine.

he condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), or a thickening and swelling of the heart wall, can be found, by some estimates, in up to 20 percent of the middle-aged population with heart disease in the United States. Some $3 billion to $5 billion worth of pocket defibrillators are being implanted under Medicare guidelines annually to jump start hearts at risk of a cardiac arrest. Yet research studies show that only one out of 15 of the devices ever will be needed to save a life, which is why pinpointing who among those with LVH is at greatest risk of cardiac arrest is a multibillion dollar priority.

The five-year NHLBI grant will provide funds for Chugh, the principal investigator and an associate professor in the cardiovascular division of the OHSU School of Medicine, along with his team of clinicians, scientists and researchers, to continue the landmark Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study (Ore-SUDS), which Chugh initiated five years ago. The Ore-SUDS study is a community-based effort that includes a partnership with the emergency medical response system (Jonathan Jui, M.D., professor of emergency medicine, OHSU School of Medicine) the state medical examiner network (Karen Gunson, M.D.) and 16 area hospitals, thus enabling a systematic study of all sudden cardiac arrests that occur in the Portland metropolitan area.

Several findings have been published earlier including the only U.S. data on the current burden of cardiac arrest obtained in a prospective manner. A separate collaborative effort with the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at Johns Hopkins University Reynolds Cardiovascular Center (Eduardo Marban, M.D., Ph.D., director) focusing on the link between cardiac arrest and the human genome is also ongoing.

"We found in analyzing the Ore-SUDS data," said Chugh, "that if you have left ventricular hypertrophy in Multnomah County your risk of cardiac arrest is increased at least twofold and, in combination with specific other conditions such as a weakened pumping ability of the heart muscle, the risk can be much higher. But that doesn't mean everybody with the condition is at risk. Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with high blood pressure, and lots of people have high blood pressure but not all of them are prone to cardiac arrest.

Chugh reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in March that less than a third of the sudden cardiac deaths where left ventricular dysfunction had previously been evaluated in the Ore-SUDS data had dysfunction that was severe enough to warrant implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. "These findings support the aggressive development of alternative screening methods to enhance identification of patients at risk," Chugh wrote.

Speaking about his team's plans going forward, Chugh said: "We want to figure out what will significantly improve our ability to predict cardiac arrest," Chugh continued. "Our ultimate aim is to nip it in the bud, which for patients that will suffer cardiac arrest means averting disaster before it happens. The evaluation of information that we have gathered in Ore-SUDS combined with what we learn at the bedside from patients together with bench research we are doing on the molecular mechanisms involved represent a comprehensive approach that we think hold great promise of solving the puzzle. If we can predict who the high risk patient with left ventricular hypertrophy is, that is likely to have huge significance for our patients."

According to the American Heart Association, about 250,000 Americans succumb each year to sudden cardiac death, which is defined as death within one hour of the time a person displays symptoms such as chest pain or difficult breathing. About half have shown no prior evidence of heart disease and about 40 percent are under age 65. In most cases, cardiac arrest results from arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. The survival rate ranges between 5 percent and 10 percent despite improvement in emergency medical services and widespread training in application of CPR.

Botswana: Indigenous Medicine - Potential And Pitfalls

Walking through the door to the spa at Fordoun Hotel and Spa is a refreshing experience. The Five-Star hotel, located in the rolling landscape of Kwa-Zulu Natal's midlands, boasts a restaurant and detached quarters for accommodation and a Spa. The Spa is said to be well known across the nine provinces of South Africa, and across the international tourism sector.

Stepping into the spa, one encounters the feathery aroma of lotions and herbs. Soft lights give objects around a soft glow. To the right is a table and on top of it a plaque with the inscription "Spa of the Month Award, May 2007. Congratulations Fordoun Hotel and Spa". There is a book on Natural Healing.

The Fordoun Spa offers an interesting amalgamation of modern health, beauty and therapy methods fused with what has come to be called indigenous methods. It has been very successful at that, visitors say.

There is a Zulu traditional herbalist in residence, too. African herbs are used in their Spa programme and for healing. A bottle of herbal tea contains mosukujane. For the skin one can have what Batswana call letsoku (clay) used for treatment. According to the owner, the Spa has managed to attract international customers and with a line of indigenous products he is now ready to export to the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

The resident ngaka Dr Elliot Ndlovu is a Zulu traditional doctor with the benefits of a modern set-up. He has a consultation complex and a garden where all the plant species he uses for his sessions are grown. Ndlovu is also a director of Fordoun. There is a line of herbal medicines under his trade name, which are set to be sold in the region and internationally.

Walking through the door into the shack in which Ngaka Thapelo Joseph Moroka consults one needs to bend a little. The top of the doorframe is just a bit too low. The shack is made of corrugated iron sheets for the roof and the walls. Between the pieces of the corrugated iron are slits of holes.

Inside the shack are herbs; in bottles stacked on top of each other, some lying on the dusty floor, in boxes, in plastic bag wrappings, in newspaper wrappings and some uncut roots lie on the floor. Once Moroka has settled on a diagnosis, he lets his gaze span around the room. He then picks up the right herb and gives it to the patient.

Sometimes it is only a powder, which requires a small container, sometimes it is a piece of a tree bark and sometimes it is thick mixture of various powders stirred to a thick liquid that requires a small bottle.

"Setswana medicine is an interesting field. We can cure a lot more diseases than people know but on the other hand there are many more diseases that we can not cure that people think we can," explains Moroka.

Traditional healing has been consigned to the periphery of modern medicine over the years. Traditional doctors almost by a general social agreement are seen as practitioners of black magic who do not offer much to the society. However, a new movement - which seeks to adapt indigenous knowledge to the modern world - is putting traditional medicine under the spotlight.

Traditional medicine has not had a good image. Ngaka says traditional medicine has much to offer. Although he acknowledges that traditional doctors may have played a major role in the creation of their negative social image, he points a finger at colonialists.

"When white people came here they wanted our people to discard all that was true to their history. This included social practices such as bogwera and bojale. But also psychologically they created a very negative image about traditional beliefs and practices. Once our people had a negative image of all that was theirs, they could then easily adopt the white man's concept of the world," explains Ngaka.

Recent events indicate that indigenous cultures are gaining currency and recognition for the wealth of knowledge they provide. While scientists struggle with how to prove the medicinal abilities of certain plants used in traditional medicine, other sectors such as the beauty and therapy industry has jumped on the bandwagon, offering 'natural' remedies.

The recent Hoodia fiasco, in which the plant used by the San people of southern Africa to fight hunger was believed to help in dieting programmes, is a case in point.

Central to Setswana medicine is the tree. Moroka says the tree is the source of life for every living thing on the planet. Specific trees possess different medicinal properties. "Setswana medicine is not just about curing diseases, it is also about enhancing the body. We have medicine to get rid of body odours and medicine to clear the skin," explains Ngaka.

And he says that is where the secret with traditional medicine lies - that some of its methods cannot be judged simply by scientific systems. He also admits that commercialising some aspects of Setswana knowledge may pose problems because of these 'unknowns' about it.

Adverse reactions to herbal medicine, drugs often unreported: Study

Mixing herbal medicines and prescriptions could pose undiscovered health risks because many negative reactions aren't being reported or tracked, a new study suggests.

The adverse effects of taking prescription drugs with natural health products are dramatically under-reported or not reported at all, so their potential risks may be underestimated by health-care professionals and the public, the study found.

"People look at risks based on what's known. If it's not being reported, it can't be known," said Dr. Sunita Vohra, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta and the study's lead author.

The study found almost half the 132 pharmacists surveyed had seen a potential adverse reaction in patients who mixed prescription drugs and natural products, but only two of them reported the incidents to Health Canada.

By contrast, 19 per cent of pharmacists said they had reported adverse events from mixing prescription and non-prescription drugs.

The finding startled the study's co-authors — researchers from University of Alberta, the University of Toronto and Health Canada.

"We didn't anticipate the number of potential natural health product-drug interactions that community pharmacists were seeing, nor did we anticipate their reporting levels," said Vohra.

Researchers suggest the health-care system needs a better method of tracking the incidents encountered by consumers using both prescription and herbal medicines.
(CBC)

Adverse events ranged from mild rashes and headaches to more serious consequences for some patients. Those on prescribed blood thinners, for example, can put their health at risk if they take natural products that they may not realize also act as blood thinners.

Researchers call for better tracking system

Vohra said a large proportion of the Canadians who use natural products also use prescription medication, and the health-care system needs a better method of tracking the incidents encountered by consumers using both products.

"We're not saying natural health products aren't safe," said Vohra. "We're not saying they are safe, or that you can't ever use them with drugs, or that you must use them with drugs. There's no way we have enough information to make those sorts of absolute statements."

Consumers need to handle natural health products with caution, Vohra said.

"Treat products with respect — if they can help you, they can potentially harm you," Vohra said.

Heather Boon, a University of Toronto pharmacy professor, said she finds it troubling that pharmacists aren't reporting adverse events, although she knows from personal experience that they are busy and often don't have time for added paperwork.

Boon said a followup study is underway looking at the under-reporting. Vohra noted consumers can also file reports on adverse reactions to Health Canada.

Acupuncturist has a natural approach

George also uses herbal medicine, diet to help clients' healing process

GINA SMITH BALL

Acupuncturist has a natural approach George also uses herbal medicine, diet to help clients' healing process A medical practitioner in Morganton offers an unconventional alternative to people experiencing health problems.

Helen George, a licensed acupuncturist, opened the Burke Acupuncture Clinic in downtown Morganton in October 2006.

In addition to acupuncture services, George treats clients using Chinese herbal medicine and offers advice on how to heal through diet and other lifestyle changes.

Herbal Supplement For Asthma

Today more and more asthma sufferers are turning to use more natural ways of treating asthma rather than relying on the medications that their doctor prescribes. In the USA most herbal supplement for asthma treatment that are now available today have been both evaluated and then endorsed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Plus you will find plenty of reports available from those who have used them and have found them to be effective in treating their asthma.

In this article I will take a closer look at some of the types of herbal supplements for asthma sufferers. However before you do start to use them it is best that you discuss matters with your doctor or health provider first and do not stop taking any medication that they have prescribed without them allowing you to.

Ma Huang (Ephedra)

This particular herb should only be used when a sufferer is closely supervised by their doctor. Although it acts as a bronchodilator so it helps to open up the airways that have become constricted it can also cause a person’s heart rate to increase and some people may find that they become irritable when they use it.

Coleus Forshkholii

This herb again acts in the same way as Ma Huang but should not be used by asthma sufferers who suffer from high blood pressure and are having to take medication to treat this condition as well. Plus it should be avoided by those sufferers who are taking anti-coagulant medication for some other disorder.

Lobelia

Although powerful in treating asthma, this herb can be quite toxic and should only be used in very small doses and only when a person is being treated either by their doctor or a herbalist who is experienced and knows everything relating to herbs and their uses. Again this type of herbal supplement for asthma should not be used by sufferers who have high blood pressure or have some type of heart disease.

Reishi Mushroom

This particular herb contains properties which are anti inflammatory as well as help to boost the immune system. Also in Chinese Medicine it has been reported that this particular herbal supplement for asthma treatment is good for strengthen the lungs. You can either take reishi mushroom by preparing them within recipes of meals you are cooking or take it in its concentrated form as a tincture.

However as previously mentioned when using any kind of herbal supplement for asthma it is advisable that you discuss matters with your doctor first.

Music as an alternative medicine

By SARA JEROME

For the Pocono RecordJuly 19, 2007Not every sick person holed up in Pocono Medical Center wants a bedside cello concert.When 15-year-old Stroudsburg High School student Breanna Goldner enters hospital rooms to offer a brief serenade on her cello, she hears such comments as: "I only like country music," "I'm too tired" or "Not today."

Jill Howell, a clinical therapist heading the hospital's new Complementary and Alternative Medicines program, which has brought live music to sickrooms since January, said, "Sometimes they're sleepy or they just don't like the cello."

Other offerings include art therapy, yoga classes, trained dogs for petting and more.But for every patient who declines the melodious intrusion — and there are many — several others accept. Yet according to organizers for the new CAM program, accepting these unusual services can have powerful results.

"Many studies have shown the healing power of complementary therapies," Howell said. She attested to watching a drop in stress on a patients' heart monitor readings as Goldner serenaded them."It's about focusing on something else to help reduce the pain or to relax," Howell said.Antoinette Koetteritz, a resident of Camelback Village in Tannersville, landed in the hospital after her "heart went out of control," as she explains it.

When Goldner first played for Koetteritz, the woman broke into tears in her hospital bed."That's a healer," Koetteritz said. "It made me forget about my problems. To me, it's half the healer."Howell isn't surprised by this kind of reaction. A clinical therapist with a master's degree in art therapy, Howell is a firm believer that alternative medicine can aid the healing process by working hand-in-hand with traditional medicine.

"The music goes to this deep place inside you," Howell said.But although the program may lack medical legitimacy, said program overseer Dr. Robert Morrow, the chief of the department of psychiatry, it takes up little of the budget since most of the therapies are offered by volunteers such as Goldner.

"CAM therapy has been shown to enhance a person's perspective of their hospital experience," Morrow said, emphasizing the increasingly competitive landscape of hospitals.That's where CAM comes in: If it can make a person's hospital stay a little less "traumatic," Morrow said, why not?"It's good PR for the hospital," he said. "It's good for its image."Plus, according to Morrow, there has been some evidence suggesting complementary therapies can help people recover."If your perception is more positive, that's going to have a beneficial effect in your physical function," Morrow said. A positive attitude can enhance a person's immune system, helping them fight disease and ward off infections, he added.

"There's not a lot of controlled studies, but more work is being done in that area to quantify that. At the very least, it makes people feel better," he said.In part because the healing power of complementary therapies still draws some skepticism in the medical community, the road to inaugurating CAM at the medical center wasn't always easy — especially when the dog visiting component brought pets within the sterile hospital walls.

"A lot of people were saying, why is there a dog in the hospital? They had concerns about infection control and hygiene. Now, almost everyone is comfortable," Howell said.

The music program, which also includes a harpist, received less criticism from medical staff, but that doesn't mean everyone has been receptive."Some of the people who are more progressive see the benefits," Morrow said. "More and more doctors are taking advantage when they get good patient feedback.

"Howell said progress for the program has been "slow building" since expansion is contingent on doctors requesting the service. The chief obstacle, she said, is reminding doctors that CAM is available.

"Sometimes I have to walk around and say, 'Hello! I'm here!' " Howell said.Doctors can, in some sense, "prescribe" complementary therapy for those they think would be particularly receptive, but Howell said the bulk of referrals rests with the nurses since they spend so much time with patients.Morrow emphasized that CAM is not meant to replace traditional medicine and serves only to enhance it.

"We're not going to be chanting and playing little symbols and burning incense as opposed to standard chemotherapy," Morrow said. "But if we do all that and still administer traditional chemotherapy and it makes a person feel better — great."

Proven Herbal Remedy uses Chinese Medicine to Fight Hepatitis C Liver Disease Naturally to restore overall liver health.

Minister approves Herbalists for Registration

Friday, 20 July 2007, 10:08 amPress Release: NZ Association of Medical Herbalists NZAMH New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists

Media Release 20th July 2007
For Immediate Release

Health Minister approves Medical Herbalists for Registration
The Minister of Health Pete Hodgson has approved Western Medical Herbalism for inclusion as a health profession within the scope of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). The New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (NZAMH) today welcomed this move as a step forward in providing the public with greater choices in professional complementary healthcare.

"Registration of Medical Herbalism can be seen as a reflection of the New Zealand healthcare system responding to public interest and public health requirements, and will substantially improve the integration of herbal medicine into the New Zealand health care system.” Kate McConnell, President of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists said today. “As the Minister himself said recently ‘a modern health system needs to use all the tools at its disposal to make and keep people healthy and well’.”

The HPCA Act provides a framework for the regulation of health practitioners to protect the public from harm. Health professions that are currently within the scope of the Act include doctors, nurses, chiropractors, optometrists, pharmacists, osteopaths and psychologists.

Herbal Medicine is a unique modality, two of its strengths being its value in preventative healthcare and its efficacy in the treatment of chronic health disorders. Medical Herbalists work within a traditional philosophical and therapeutic framework that is inclusive of the medical sciences. Due to this Medical Herbalists support a blend of scientific and traditional values, thereby placing them in a unique position within the healthcare sector.

The decision follows the recent Budget initiative to provide funding for a new Chief Advisor in Integrated Care within the Ministry of Health.

Octogenarian doctor keeps fit by aiding the poor

VietNamNet Bridge – When he reached 80 you could have forgiven Nguyen Van Thanh for deciding to take things easy. But that wasn't good enough for Thanh (now almost 88) who decided instead to set up a herbal practice on Phu Quoc island, where he treats patients for free.

"Thanh's coming was a godsend to the people of Cua Can Commune who were so poor they would sell their possessions to pay for medical treatment," says Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of Cua Can Red Cross Association.

"A bamboo clinic was built, but because Thanh didn't have enough money to pay for herbal medicines he was forced to take out a loan," he adds.

Soon his practice began to take off - on one day alone he treated 50 patients. In return for his kindness, villagers helped him build a better clinic.

He also taught them to identify medicinal herbs, which they collect for him as he is now too old to go foraging for plants himself.

"At the clinic in Cua Can, tens of thousand of people have received free treatment," says Hai Xuan, a voluntary helper at the clinic. "Thanh gives detailed descriptions to patients of their illness, which reassures them."

Thanh's relatives often visit and ask him to return home with them, but he refuses, preferring instead to get up at the crack of dawn and work through till late at night.

"If I go, then who will treat my patients?" he tells his relatives. "When there are no patients on the island, I will go with you."

Early beginnings

Thanh was born in 1920 in Cai Rang District, in the southern province of Can Tho. He began learning herbal medicine when he was seven from Hai Phuoc Tien, a renowned Taoist hermit living in That Son (Seven Mountain Range).

"At that time, That Son was beset by dangers from all sides - poisonous snakes, tigers, robbers," says Thanh.

Once, Thanh, by himself, had to fight off several robbers who had come to steal the precious herbs he'd collected over many years and used to treat villagers in That Son.
Following the attack Thanh moved to My Tho District and worked as an assistant in herbal medicine shop.

Then, medical knowledge was limited. People often treated diseases with herbs from their gardens without knowing what they were doing, and often made their illness worse," says Thanh.

Towards the end of 1999, Thanh travelled to Phu Quoc island, planning to stay a month. However, when he discovered just how poor medical care was on the island, he decided to remain.

"I'm old now and nothing is better than helping others. When a sick patient recovers I feel stronger," he says.

Research tackling anxiety

IN a world-first clinical trial, researchers from the University of Queensland will use a herbal combination to treat depression and anxiety.

Volunteers are now needed for the trial to be conducted at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and supervised by a medical doctor, clinical psychologist and naturopath.

Principal researcher Jerome Sarris, a qualified naturopath and acupuncturist, said new treatment strategies were needed to combat depression and anxiety.

``While the use of complementary medicine and herbal medicine has grown in the last decade, research is becoming vital to establish which treatments work,'' Mr Sarris said.

Iran's anti-AIDS drug in Malaysia

A herbal medicine produced by Iran to tackle AIDS has attracted many visitors at an exhibition held in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

The exhibition, held on the sidelines of the Third International Congress of Traditional and Herbal Medicine in Kuala Lumpur, put the latest productions by the participants on display.

Iran has also showcased various herbal medicines made by Iranian specialists. Iran is the founder of the International Congress of Traditional and Herbal Medicine.

Proven Herbal Remedy uses Chinese Medicine to Fight Hepatitis C Liver Disease Naturally to restore overall liver health.

June 22, 2004 — Samglo Enterprises announces the introduction of Nu-Liver, a natural herbal medicine from the Orient that reverses Hepatitis C liver disease safely and with virtually no side effects.

Doctors working in China during the past 4 decades have demonstrated scientifically that certain herbal medicine can naturally suppress the Hepatitis C virus in humans. Using this scientific discovery, they have created a powerful herbal medicine formula that combines both anti-viral and liver-protective properties. One of the major herbal medicine formulations used by many Chinese doctors to treat over 50 million Chinese patients with Hepatitis C, Nu-Liver herbal remedy is NOW available outside of China.

This herbal medicine is virtually non-toxic and eliminates the devastating side effects often experienced by those who take the standard western treatment consisting of interferon and ribavirin. Nearly all patients who take interferon for Hepatitis C will experience side effects that can potentially damage their thyroid gland, red blood cells, stomach and pancreas.

This powerful Chinese herbal medicine formulation is designed to lower the Hepatitis C viral load, reduce or normalize liver enzyme levels, and halt disease progression, without the severe side effects from ?chemical drugs? that are often worse than the disease itself. And when liver functions are normalized, patients with Hepatitis C can maintain a normal or near normal quality of life.

Vets respond to pet owners' desire for alternative medicine

By GRETEL SARMIENTO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer


BOCA RATON — Nobody has it better than pets nowadays.

They have free rent, organic food and unconditional love from their owners. Now you can add massages, reiki, acupuncture and aromatherapy sessions.

Once in a while, 13-year-old Twojay feels a warm tingling feeling on her back and paws. Like any patient she becomes a little anxious at the sight of the red laser beam but during treatment she remains calm.
"She can feel when the doctor is coming," Ann Gazourian said of her female cat, who has cystitis and whose diet was changed many times before a holistic veterinarian suggested laser acupuncture sessions. She's been getting them since 2001.

During treatment, various energy points on Twojay's body are treated with an infrared spectrum to stimulate circulation and fortify flabby muscles. In Twojay's case, it's a low-frequency treatment, which varies depending on an animal's condition.

Holistic medicine for pets seems to be gaining popularity as recent pet-food recalls have turned pet owners into skeptical shoppers and more people shift to a more natural green lifestyle.
In response, more veterinarians are turning their practices into holistic animal practices. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, with 800 members nationwide and 40 in Florida, has seen a consistent increase in the number of veterinarians using alternative treatments such as herbal medicine and homeopathy.

Dr. Carol Falck of Friendship Animal Wellness Center in Pompano Beach is one of them. Pet owners bring their cats, dogs, birds with everything from ear infections to temperament issues.
But rather than prescribing antibiotics right away, Falck said "You look at the whole picture."
That means studying an animal's diet, habits, genetics, age, size, breed and other factors to determine the source of the problem and which treatment will work best.

For instance, acupuncture, the Chinese art of using needles or a laser to release the energy flow in the body, can be used to adjust the nervous system, help the body fight disease, and regenerate the nerves and cells. And just as it works in the human body, it works on pets.

"They suffer from the same things that we suffer," said Elizabeth Brauer of Wellington, who takes her pets to Falck.

Her switch to holistic medicine happened when her basset hound nearly died after a heartworm treatment from a traditional veterinarian, Brauer said.

Since then, she relies on traditional medicine "only if absolutely necessary."
"Sure, antibiotics can get rid of bacterial infection but then why do they keep getting bacterial infection?"

Gazourian also would ask herself why Twojay's cystitis kept recurring.

Then came Ronald Johnson, a holistic veterinarian and director of Mobile Vet, Inc., a mobile clinic that makes house calls for sick animals in the Broward-Palm Beach County area.

"He took one look at what she was eating and said: This is why she has cystitis," said Gazourian, of Boca Raton.

Although traditional medicine tends to relieve symptoms, holistic medicine focuses on the root of the problem, Johnson said. And often, holistic medicine helps prevent a problem before it becomes one. By studying the animal as a whole, a holistic veterinarian can keep kidney stones, urinary conditions and other illnesses from occurring.

"We try to get ahead of all that," Johnson said. "We look at the whole animal not just a piece of lab work."

Johnson, who's also registered with the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and has practiced for 40 years, also points out holistic is not emergency-oriented nor does it dismiss traditional medicine entirely. Some of his clients take vitamins and supplements.
"We use the best of both worlds, Western and Eastern medicine," he said.

Aside from being preventive, integrative and less-invasive, another characteristic of holistic medicine is the mind-body element.

In humans, a positive attitude and optimistic thoughts are encouraged to help with the healing process. That pets don't have to make this conscious effort might actually be an advantage. Because they don't put their mind into the healing process they also don't run the risk of letting memories of trauma and abuse get in the way, as can happen with humans.
"They see positive in everything," said Brauer, a reiki practitioner.

"That's a huge part for humans. It's probably the biggest obstacle that we have. No Chinese medicine practice can help if your mind is self-destructing."

"We were looking to see how many naturopathic physicians treat children on a regular basis and found only about 15 percent do. The conditions seen by

One of the realities of having asthma is that you will probably need to take some type of asthma medicine for the rest of your life. There is no known cure for asthma and controlling asthma symptoms generally requires you to take asthma at least on an as needed basis for flare-ups.



Most people need to take preventive, or controller, asthma medicine every day, or even twice a day.


However, a recent research study offers validation for an alternative asthma therapy that's been around since the 1960s. It's called the Papworth Method.


This integrated breathing and relaxation technique has been used by physical therapists for decades, but its merits have never been proven scientifically. But, a study reported in the April 6th issue of Thorax journal by Elizabeth Holloway, a Research Physiotherapist in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University College London, involved 85 patients divided into a control group and a treatment group.


Results were obtained via questionnaires, both after the Papworth Breathing was taught and 12 months later. Patients in the treatment group had significantly lower scores, meaning their breathing was much more relaxed. So, researchers concluded that the Papworth method appeared to lessen asthma symptoms and improve mood compared with usual asthma care (i.e., the control group).


This study was a small one, and larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these initial findings. Still, it's encouraging to think there may be non-medical solutions to treating asthma.

Natural Herbs and Herbal Medicine for Anxiety Treatment

Alien Sheng

The use of natural herbs for anxiety to ease the often paralysing and uncomfortable sensations that go with this condition are not uncommon. Anxiety disorder is the most prevalent mental health issue in many western countries and using herbal medicine for anxiety has attracted much attention in recent times.

Herbal treatments for anxiety tend to have fewer side effects, are less likely to cause dependency and are cost effective. Care should be taken when altering any medications or adding supplements and close attention to drug interactions should be made before taking any herbal remedy. The cause of anxiety must be investigated thoroughly with your practitioner with herbs viewed as part of a holistic approach to better health.

Herbs for Natural Anxiety Treatment
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

The mild action of this antidepressant herb has led to it being one of the most popular of all medicinal herbs and is the most reliable herb to consider for treating anxiety. St John’s Wort has the added benefit of being a gentle sedative and can assist in treating insomnia.

The St John’s Wort’s flowers contain hypericin, and hyperforin both considered to be vital components in the mood lifting action of this herb. The action of these compounds is enhanced by the flavenoid glycosides naturally found in this plant and a good supplement will have standardised amounts of hypericin and flavenoid glycosides.

Caution is warranted if you are taking warfarin, digoxin and some drugs used to treat HIV (indinavir and nevirapine), chemotherapy medications such as irinotecan, and antihistamines, benzodiazepines and simvastatin. Consulting your health care practitioner is advisable before beginning any new medication and in the case of St. John’s Wort, it is recommended to discontinue for seven days before a general anaesthetic.

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passion flower has a tranquilising affect on the nervous system and is indicated specifically for anxiety and insomnia. With a reputation as non habit forming medication for anxiety, passionflower has been indicated in preparations for alcohol, nicotine and opiate withdrawal.

This herb is extremely gentle in its action and should be considered for insomnia associated with anxiety before using valerian.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian root is possibly one of the most pungent herbs in use. This strong smelling herb is famous for being the plant that Valium was derived from. It is one of the more potent calmatives in use and care should be taken when using valerian for more than three weeks for insomnia associated with anxiety. Valerian can cause drowsiness and prolonged use may disrupt deep sleep which can lead to tiredness, even after a full nights sleep.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

This herb is primarily a sedative and is often combined with passion flower to enhance its action to treat nervous tension and insomnia. A recent German study concluded that as a substitute to benzodiazepines, hops and valerian provided a viable alternative. Caution should be used when prescribing hops for anxiety if depression is thought to be involved.

The Use of Herbal Medicine and Supplements to Treat Anxiety

Like all medication, any herbal treatment for anxiety must be taken as part of an overall approach to recovery. Natural herbs for anxiety are gentle in their action and the added bonus is that a herbal remedy for anxiety is less inclined to cause dependency, or side effects.

When looking to use a herbal remedy for anxiety, it is essential to investigate whether or not there is also depression; so that an appropriate formula can be prescribed.

Overwork, poor diet and stress all contribute to anxiety and often simple measures to break the cycle of what is causing anxiety can lead to a big improvement in your sense of well being.