Healthy Journey » Natural Health

Bad Posture Causes Back Pain! Here’s How to Fix it.

editor — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:37:03 +0000

We’ve all watched those old TV shows or movies where girls are sent to finishing school to get ” refined.” They walk around with books on their head while a woman with a tight chignon and even tighter pursed lips follows behind with a conductor’s wand. Those books perched on the head were meant to improve the debutant’s posture.

Because poor posture could be causing your back pain, are these old “posture perfect” methods worth a second look? Perhaps.

The spine has a natural curve in it, designed to help us move and bend and flex. Muscles support the spine, allowing us to do all that moving and bending and flexing with ease.

It is interesting that most of us don’t know what proper posture really is. When we stand in line, we will lean to one side or back against the wall. At work, we are hunched over the computer or have the telephone pinched between our neck and shoulder. And, let’s not get started with how we sleep. Proper posture or ” alignment” is largely forgotten or was never known by many people. (...)

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Sleep Disorders: What is Hypersomnia?

editor — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:24:45 +0000

While most people are familiar with insomnia far fewer understand its counterpart, hypersomnia. What is hypersomnia?

Hypersomnia is a condition where the afflicted individual finds it hard to resist sleep in the daytime. Those afflicted with hypersomnia may drift to sleep at any hour of the day. This means they could fall asleep at work or even while operating a motor vehicle. They can also have other sleep-related problems such as trouble focusing and low energy.

Studies conclude that about forty percent of all people exhibit some signs of hypersomnia at some time in their life. (...)

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Sleep Better with Aromatherapy

editor — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:44:56 +0000

Can aromatherapy help you get better sleep? Many people think so. In fact, even in today’s modern world lots of folks are using this ancient tradition to let loose the stresses of daily life and get better sleep.

Aromatherapy has been used for wellness and health for thousands of years. It’s therapeutic properties are used to heal illnesses, prevent disease, meditation and relaxation practices. It’s these latter uses that make aromatherapy such a useful tool for getting a better sleep. (...)

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Natural Methods for Controlling Asthma

editor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:53:38 +0000

With all of the potions and homeopathic medicines out there, many may wonder or hear about natural cures for asthma. But is there really a natural cure for asthma? Unfortunately, there are no natural cures for asthma.

While there may not be a cure for asthma, natural or not, but there are non-medical treatments that can be used to manage the disease and lessen the symptoms of asthma.

For example, emotional stress triggers asthma attacks in many sufferers. But a simple—and all-natural—method of relaxing such as deep breathing or meditation may aid in relieving tension, and prevent stress triggered asthma attacks from starting.

Among other natural remedies used to manage asthma, are eating habits and dietary changes. (...)

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Simple Stretching Exercises to Relieve Back Pain

editor — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:43:24 +0000

We’ve all been there. You go to lift something and feel a pain halfway between the starting point and the destination. Or you were running around hitting a tennis ball, shooting buckets, tossing around a football, or anything you might not do very often? You go out for the pass and your back goes out, too.

For many back pain sufferers, it was an awkward stretch that got them into trouble in the first place. But, did you know that stretching can also relieve back pain? You just need to do the right stretching exercises.

We have many muscles that make up our body, and some of those muscles support the spinal column in your back. Having strong muscles in your back as well as your abdomen will work wonders to help ward off back pain. But, having flexible muscles in your back is just as important as having strong muscles.

When muscles are cold or underused it is hard to get them as flexible as they need to be to work well without pain. If you’ve been sedentary and decide to participate in an activity that requires some form of exertion, you are asking your back to perform a task that it is not prepared for. The result? Back pain. (...)

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Beyond Sex: Performance Anxiety Has Many Causes and Effects

editor — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:31:37 +0000

When we hear the words “performance anxiety” we often think of men first. After all, one of the most common types of performance anxiety occurs in men, but in reality the fear of being able to perform can affect men and women in a variety of situations.

The most familiar type of performance anxiety occurs when an individual fears that they will be unable to participate in sex with their partner. This fear can block spontaneous acts of sexual expression. Many men will avoid any type of sexual encounter, in order to not feel inadequate. Often this leads to more self-esteem and problems within the relationship.

The mere thought of a sexual encounter can cause an individual to become preoccupied with their ability to perform. It is almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, in that the focus on performance failure, actually brings about that very failure.

Because of this fixation on performance, the man may focus on very minute details of the sexual encounter that actually have yet to transpire. The lack of spontaneity may ruin any enjoyment of the act itself. (...)

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Disease Prevention: Get to Know Your Doctor

editor — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:38:32 +0000

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Sure, we don’t want to get sick and need a doctor. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your doctor regularly. Along with that apple, you should be including routine physical examinations as a part of your overall health care. Doctors are not the enemy. Doctors are often your first defense against diseases and other chronic health conditions.

Doctors do not always forecast doom and gloom. When you develop a good relationship with a doctor you trust, that doctor will be your confidant and will guide you with a health care plan for disease prevention, not just treatment of illnesses.

Running to a doctor only when something goes wrong is not good health care. Your doctor wants to get to know you and your lifestyle. He or she wants to help you maintain your good health, not fix you up after the fact. Many diseases can be prevented, and, when caught early, can be treated and managed. (...)

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Fall Asleep! Natural Ways to Treat Insomnia

editor — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:30:22 +0000

Sleep is a basic need and most of us don’t get enough of it. Not only only is there a direct correlation to sleep and one’s mood, memory and ability to concentrate, it’s also important for folks that are trying to lose a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight.

It is true that nearly everyone has a sleepless night from time to time, but chronic insomnia can lead to a variety of serious health problems. If you frequently suffer from insomnia or simply do not sleep well there are a few things you can try to remedy the problem. (...)

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How to Identify Thyroid Disorder and Remedy it with Diet

editor — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:19:45 +0000

Thyroid disorders are probably more common than anyone knows. It may be a silent epidemic that is the underlying cause of many commonly experienced symptoms generally thought of as the result of living in stressful modern times.

Symptoms of thyroid disorder include unexplained weight loss or weight gain, feeling hot all the time when others are cold or feeling cold when others feel hot, exhaustion, fatigue, lethargy, thinning hair, dry skin, difficulty concentrating, lack of sex drive, dizziness, light sensitivity, shortness of breath, more frequent infections, bones not healing properly, moodiness, menstrual irregularities, unexplained panic attacks,

The face muscles may sink in. There may be forgetfulness, loss of interest in every day things and weakness of voice. Thyroid malfunction is also associated with hay fever, asthma, throat irritation and digestive problems.

Causes and Potential Causes of Thyroid Disorders

The thyroid gland is a producer and regulator of hormones in the body. It is part of the endocrine system and it can be adversely affected by numerous environmental, emotional and physical factors. Thyroid imbalances are more common in women than men and are common after childbirth. But thyroid irregularities may have causes related to the food and water supply, external stress factors and exposure to radiation. (...)

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Using Supplements for Diabetes Prevention

editor — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:20:57 +0000

Supplements are just what their name implies: an addition to something else. They are not meant to be the main source of nutrients in your body.

The majority of the nutrients that the body needs come from outside the body. We can make some amino acids and other building blocks ourselves within the body cells, but not enough to sustain us, and not without proper nutrition. When it comes to getting proper nutrition, food is the primary tool we need to use.

Nevertheless, the world of supplements is big business because many people see them as a tool to help improve their health. In some case, they may be right. If you are at risk for diabetes, a little supplementation may help you fight back. (...)

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Aromatherapy Massage oil for a Good Night’s Rest

editor — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:24:19 +0000

A restful sleep is a necessity for good health because this is time that your body repairs and rebuilds. Regular sleep is important for good heart health, proper brain functions, hormone production, and a strong immune system.

The next time you think you can get by with less sleep, remember that while you may be able to keep going on just a few hours rest, you will be more productive in your waking hours after a good night’s rest.

The essential oils below can be used to create a personalized recipe for aromatherapy massage oil that will help to induce a restful sleep. Use the aromatic oil for a 15-minute massage just before bed and you will be amazed at how it helps you to relax and get a more restful sleep. (...)

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Over-The-Counter Medications – What Works For Back Pain?

editor — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:17:35 +0000

When your back hurts, the only thing that you want is relief and fast. The fastest way sometimes is to reach for a pill or tablet or powder. But, are these over-the-counter medications the right move for long-term back pain relief?

Over-the-counter medications, or OTCs, are sometimes advertised as the “solution” to all your back pain troubles. When something hurts, stings, pinches, twitches, or has us bent over in pain, we reach for a pill. Which one we take is a result of that “armchair physician” again. Which pill do you choose?

Here are a few facts about OTCs to help you decide which one is right for your back pain, and which one isn’t: (...)

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What to Expect with Craniosacral Therapy

editor — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:13:03 +0000

Based in osteopathy, Craniosacral Therapy (aka CST) was originally developed by physician John E. Upledger at Michigan State University after an 8-year study as a professor of biomechanics. Dr. William Sutherland had already pioneered the idea through his work in cranial osteopathy.

Dr. Upledger was assisting with a neck surgery when he noticed rhythmic movement of a system later to become known as the craiosacral system. CST evaluates and helps the functioning of the craniosacral system-the membranes and fluid-that surround the spinal cord and brain.

What is Craniosacral Therapy and How Does it Work?

Using extremely light pressure on the head, restrictions are released in order to improve the central nervous system flow and function by feeling the rhythm of the cranioscaral system. This method is used as a holistic and preventative approach to healing and preventing central nervous system problems and is particularly helpful ion alleviating the pain and even the cause of migraines, chronic neck and back pain, and motor coordination problems. This theory and resulting techniques have also been reported as having a positive effect on relieving colic in infants and chronic fatigue. (...)

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Body Detox and Cleansing to Lose Weight

editor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:29:26 +0000

Detoxification and cleansing are two words you’ve probably heard a lot of lately. Everywhere you look there are ads for this detox diet or that colon cleansing diet to help you lose weight. So, just what does it mean to go on a “body detox” or to “cleanse to lose weight”?

Here’s a simple overview of detoxing and cleansing to lose weight. (...)

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Find Heartburn Relief: Try an Acid Reflux Diet

editor — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:45:52 +0000

Even before the “official” diagnosis, people that suffer from acid reflux disease have already learned to avoid certain foods. This is because diet has a huge effect of acid reflux symptoms.

acid reflux, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), may exhibit an array of symptoms — pain, indigestion, burning of the throat and esophagus, bloating, gas and other more serious medical problems.

Making changes in your regular diet and starting an acid reflux diet can ease many of these symptoms. An acid reflux diet should include dietary modifications such as: (...)

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What to Expect From a Cleanse — the Side Effects of a Body Detox

editor — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:43:42 +0000

A cleanse is a short-term diet used to clear toxins from the body. Most cleanses involve fasting while drinking lots of fluids to flush out toxins from the body. There are many reasons for wanting to do a body detox. Some people do an annual cleanse to prevent internal toxic build-up, others choose a cleanse to lose weight, and others find that cleansing is a good way to refresh their system so they detox the energy and rejuvenation.

If you’re considering doing a cleanse or body detox, there are some side effects and other things you should expect and be ready to experience. Like any diet, there are both positive side effects and negative side effects that need to be considered before starting a cleanse.

First, remember that you should always talk to your doctor before making the type of radical dietary changes required for a body detox, as some health conditions may be aggravated by a cleanse. (...)

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Questions and Answers about IBS Symptoms

editor — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:13:44 +0000

Want is IBS?

The letters IBS stand for irritable bowel syndrome. The fact that it is a syndrome means that it is a group of symptoms. Some of the most prominent symptoms of IBS are gas, diarrhea, cramping, constipation, and abdominal pain.

What part of my body does IBS affect?

The colon is primarily affected by IBS. This is where stool is stored in the digestive tract. The interesting thing about IBS, is that it is actually a type of functional disorder, and not really a disease per se.

What causes IBS?

Frankly, the medical community is really not sure just what causes IBS. The bowel nerves and muscles are usually oversensitive in those afflicted with IBS. For example, your muscles may overreact when you are eating, causing the diarrhea and cramping often associated with IBS. It is also thought that the nerves become hyperactive, due to the stretching of the bowel. And this causes pain and discomfort, even cramps.

Despite being painful, IBS does not seriously damage either the other parts of the digestive system or the colon. Interestingly enough, it is thought that IBS also does not cause other health problems.

What are some of the main symptoms of IBS?

The first symptom that comes to mind, of course, is discomfort and abdominal pain that is either relieved or caused by a bowel movement. (...)

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Acupuncture And Back Pain – What To Expect From This Ancient Pain Relief

editor — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:25:19 +0000

If you are experiencing back pain, you’ve probably tried many ways to alleviate the pain and discomfort. You may even be frustrated because nothing seems to helpe. If that’s the case, it may be time to take another avenue — an ancient one— such as using acupuncture to cure back pain.

What do you know about acupuncture? In the past, the process of acupuncture was not discussed and was clouded in mystery. The look of acupuncture was scary.

Is acupuncture mystical, magical or medicinal? Acupuncture is none of these things. In fact, the process is tried-and-true, having been used for thousands of years in ancient medicine. Acupuncture helps with many ailments, from smoking cessation to headaches to back pain.

Here’s the short explanation of using acupuncture for back pain. (...)

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Marjoram: Mediterranean Herb With Many Health Benefits

editor — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:24:39 +0000

Marjoram is considered to be one of the rare herbs whose flavor intensifies when dried. On the culinary side, it is used in homemade sausages and meats, makes an attractive garnish, and enhances the flavor when cooked with vegetables. Marjoram blends well when combined with other herbs to make spice blends.

Using the herb Marjoram is most definitely a major health benefit. Several cultures have a history of using marjoram, which of course comes with herbal remedies and legendary tales of its usefulness.

Native to the Mediterranean region, residents of the region believe that marjoram has the power to banish sorrow. In addition, marjoram has sacred associations in the Hindu religion and was found to be of considerable use in the Middle Ages, especially to preserve and disinfect meat that was, um, shall we say “less than fresh.”

Some of the herb’s healing properties include: being used as anti-inflammatory agent for muscle aches and pains; fighting asthma; treating headaches, sinusitis and migraines; and soothing the stomach and digestive tract. (...)

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Eat a Rainbow of Antioxidant-Packed Super Foods

editor — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:28:24 +0000

We are all fighting the ravages of time. But, what if time didn’t have to be so ravaging? Antioxidants may be the answer to help your body grow old gracefully, strong, and healthy. What are antioxidants?

We now know what super foods are so it is time to define antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that fight free-radical damage in the body. This begs the next question: What are free radicals?

Here’s the down and dirty explanation. The body uses food nutrients at a cellular level to drive certain reactions that goes on in the body. This is called cellular metabolism or respiration. Free radicals are by-products produced by these reactions. In the body, these substances bump into organs, vessels and everything else, damaging them in the process. That is why the body ages, and not always so gracefully.

Free radicals can come from not only the body but also the environment. Pollution, smoking, stress, drugs, alcohol, and other sources all feed into the damage that causes us to age. Antioxidants help by neutralizing the effects of these rogue particles. You are less prone to disease, wrinkles, age spots, arthritis, and the list goes on.

Now to the point you’ve been waiting for: What foods can you eat to get the most antioxidant benefit? (...)

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