Holy Station

Archive for the ‘Health Care’ Category

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cysts you probably have had the three treatments available in traditional medicine explained to you by your doctor. Not many women think to ask which one will actually cure ovarian cysts. The women, like the doctors, are focused on solving the problem at hand, not some future problem that may or may not occur.

If you were one of the women who did ask the question, the answer was probably pretty disappointing. None of the three treatments, watchful waiting, hormone therapy or surgery, can prevent ovarian cysts from returning. In fact if you have troublesome cysts today, your odds of having them again and again are very high. That means more of the same therapy.

Ovarian cysts are a natural occurrence during ovulation and most resolve themselves over a period of time and have no impact on your health. As a matter of fact, most cysts don’t even display any symptoms. However, the cysts that do display symptoms can grow to be the size of a grapefruit and create real threats, as well as excruciating pain, to a woman’s health.

When a woman develops these kinds of cysts it is a signal from her body that something is wrong. Something is out of balance and that’s what is causing this condition. Traditional medicine does not address this signal with any seriousness. Treatment is basically one size fits all with the only variations being in the types and dosage rates of the hormone therapy.

Natural or holistic treatment focuses on finding the imbalance that is creating the condition. Easing the pain is the easy part with most pain gone after a few hours of treatment. The real benefit though is finding and fixing the root cause. It won’t be the same for all women. Your body is unique and what cures you may not cure somebody else.

Natural treatment can eliminate ovarian cysts in as little as two menstrual cycles. Not only are they eliminated, they will not return.

Think about that for a moment. Imagine that it is 8 weeks from today and your ultrasound shows absolutely no cysts. How great would that feel?

It’s your body; you decide the type of treatment for ovarian cysts that best fits your needs.

You are reading this article because you or a loved one has eczema. You know how bad it looks, how bad the itching is. You also know that traditional medicine says there is no cure, only treating the symptoms. You want to know what your treatment options are. Do you choose traditional medical treatments or do you choose alternative, natural options?

Eczema Treatment: Traditional

- Treatment options
Allergy tests to identify potential allergens Over-the-counter antihistamines Over-the-counter corticosteroids (topical creams) Prescription antihistamines Prescription corticosteroids (oral or topical creams)

- Pluses
Initial relief from symptoms is often immediate or occurs very quickly Eliminating identified allergens from one’s environment may help moderate symptoms

- Minuses
Possible drowsiness induced by antihistamines Immune system suppression from corticosteroid use Thinning skin from corticosteroid use Frequent changing of medications as the body becomes accustomed to a medicine Can be financially costly
Eczema Treatment: Natural and Alternative

- Treatment options
Identify root causes of eczema rather than just treating symptoms Allergy tests to identify potential allergens Diet changes to address allergens and symptoms Lifestyle changes to address allergens and symptoms Homeopathy Uropathy

- Pluses
Treatment is immune system strengthening No need to change treatments since the body doesn’t build up a resistance to them If a particular treatment works, the eczema could be suppressed as long as the person remains on the treatment Eliminating identified allergens from one’s environment may help moderate symptoms Possible side benefits include increased resistance to diseases, increased energy Can be cost effective

- Minuses
Relief from symptoms is often not immediate

These lists are obviously not exhaustive, but they do give an idea of what’s involved in each treatment discipline. Both disciplines require a certain level of commitment and lifestyle change for success. Remember, too, that once you choose a path, you are free to change it if you find it doesn’t work for you. Above all, do your research and make an informed choice.

When Dorothy followed the yellow brick road, she was told to do so by those who wanted her to get where she wanted go. Well as humans when we blindly follow recommendations even by individuals who have good intentions, it may not always be your best option. So I’m preparing this article to compare and contrast what are known as traditional treatments vs. complementary or alternative treatments for back pain. Remember there is rarely only one reason for your back pain and almost never one silver bullet fix… you may need to try several approaches till you find what works for you.

So when reading this article and thinking back on your visits to medical professionals, did you have the big picture or were you just following that yellow brick road? If you have been down that road, or if you are just starting to suffer from back pain it’s never too late to seek out new and more encompassing information about your condition when trying to find a solution that works for you. Don’t say you’ve tried everything because you haven’t… your solution is out there and you just have to find it!

Orthopedic Care

One of the first places many people go when they experience back pain is the orthopedic specialist (surgeon) and a visit usually last 5-10 minutes. They will typically look at the problem/symptomatic area and often fail to look at the body as a whole. If you’ve been to an orthopedic specialist for your back pain, did they do a full body physical evaluation (takes 30 mins. or more)??? Not likely.

Here are some of the common treatments used / prescribed by orthopedic specialists:

Cortisone Shots

Cortisone is a catabolic steroid which is intended to reduce inflammation by killing off the tissue in the inflamed area… now let me ask you, does that make any sense to you at all?

Not only are these injections quite painful, but they rarely result in any pain relief and if they do it is short lived, usually 1-2 weeks if at all. Plus, it does NOTHING to identify or address the cause of the pain… it is only intended to treat the symptom. It’s for those reasons that we do not recommend them.

Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Just the name should scare you away… just like cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory medications do not identify or address the cause of your pain and for many people, they deliver little pain relief. These medications also deliver serious side effects! The main reason they are prescribed is money… and if you don’t believe me, do the research and you’ll see for yourself. The drug industry is huge and unfortunately, they have a huge influence on the whole medical community, including the doctors.

I challenge you to find a drug that will fix your back problem… you’ll be looking forever because there is no way a medication can fix a physical problem so avoid medications at all costs!

Back Surgery

Surgery for back pain is very common and more often than not, the individual still has pain afterwards (or it returns within weeks) and sometimes even new problems! Very rarely is a surgery the answer…

for example, many people have surgery for herniated discs. The logic behind the surgery is if you remove the piece/portion of the disc that is putting pressure on the nerve the problem is solved. Unfortunately, the same forces that forced that disc to protrude or bulge will likely force more of the disc out, or another disc out.

Surgery should always be the last resort… and even then I’d question it!

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy is traditionally the next step after seeing an Orthopedic Doctor. That is if surgery is not recommended. So what should you expect? The process will start with an evaluation and here may be the start of the problem… here is why…. the doctor has to write a prescription with a diagnosis on it. You give the prescription to the PT and he or she will perform an evaluation… chances are the PT will simply confirm the diagnosis from the doctor, however the hope should be that they take the extra step to look for the root cause of your pain. They may but chances are they have several other clients in the office at the same time and simply do not have the time.

So without a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of you pain they will simply treat your symptoms. We have just identified the second problem. The health care industry is required to show improvement with each and every session so the push is to reduce your symptoms to show progress in order for them to get paid. The long and short of it is that yes your pain can be reduced but the root cause rarely gets addressed, meaning that the pain and your suffering will return again and again.

So what should you do? When selecting a Physical Therapy office you may want to ask how many patients the office sees in a day and how many PTs they have on staff… then ask how many patients can a PT work with in an hour. Do not be surprised to hear that a PT can see up to three patients in an hour. That’s you and two others at the same time. Do you think you will get the attention and proper treatments you need? I doubt it.

There is a little joke in Physical Therapy when treating patients and it has to do with what course of modalities you will get. The joke is called Shake and Bake and it refers to everyone gets the same treatment protocol… that way it can be timed so that your PT can see other people simultaneously. What goes into a shake and bake treatment? It may start with a spin on a stationary bike or a trot a treadmill than you will get a 3 to 5 minute Ultrasound over the effected area followed by Electrical Stimulation to the area with a little Ice strapped to your body and to finish off your session you will get a hand out with exercises you should do at home. Certainly not a recipe for success!

Chiropractic Care

One of the most common treatments for back pain is Chiropractic Care. The approach consists of physical manipulations of bones and joints in an attempt to line things back up and it’s recommended typically 2-3 times per week.

The problem with this approach is that the same forces (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) will likely pull the bones and joints right back out of place again. Also, most (not all) chiropractors will spend 15 minutes with you if your lucky.

Ask people who see a chiropractor how long they’ve been going… I hear of people who have been going for 10-15 years and still don’t have a healthy back. Look, the fact is chiropractic care is lacking…

Unless the chiropractor combines the two approaches, it doesn’t make sense…

The ONLY way chiropractic care makes sense is if you are addressing the muscle imbalances that are pulling the bones and joints out of place to begin with and that requires strengthening and stretching exercises that are chosen specifically to correct your muscle imbalances.

Alternative Treatments for Treating and Eliminating Back Pain

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy, if done correctly can work wonders for people with back pain. This is not to say that it is the best choice and that it will work for everyone… however, most people will get great results from it if the massage therapist has a good understanding of muscle imbalances and how to work on them.

NOTE: Not all massage therapists are the same! Just like any profession, there are varying degrees of training and qualifications. When selecting a massage therapist please check to see if they are licensed and insured in the state where you will be seeing them. You should also ask the massage therapist if they have training in one of the following areas: Orthopedic massage, Medical massage, St. Johns technique and/or has a comprehensive knowledge of muscle imbalances relating to back pain. With that said the benefits are as follows. The root cause will be identified, your discomfort will be addressed and you root cause will be corrected all in an attempt to make you pain free and give you the tools you need to keep you that way. What to expect when you see a massage therapist.

All massage sessions are one on one allowing you the opportunity to converse with the therapist as well as get the attention you need to get results. You can ask questions about how you compare to other people. Feel free to ask the therapist what approach they will be taking so that you know what to expect. The massage therapist has many different techniques they can use when to dealing with you back pain and some are better than others. On the down side sometimes a therapist can get distracted with other problem areas, it is in your best interest to keep them focused on you back and associated problem areas. Like anything else you may need to try several different therapists before finding the one that works best for you and with you.

Post-rehabilitation Fitness Training

Another overlooked form of treatment that is very effective is post-rehabilitation fitness training. This includes targeted strength and flexibility work to correct / improve the individuals muscle imbalances. This service can only be performed by certified post-rehab fitness trainers and there are limitations to what they can do for you. For example, they can not diagnose a condition, prescribe any medications take x-rays, etc… however, if they are well trained they can pinpoint your muscle imbalances quickly and get you started on a fitness program that will restore balance to your body and likely eliminate your back pain.

Often times this can be combined with massage therapy and/or manual physical therapy for a total solution. If you decide to go this route, which I recommend you do, be sure to thoroughly check out the fitness trainer and ask to see their certification, insurance, references, etc.

Manual Physical (muscle) Therapy

Manual Physical Therapy is NOT the same as regular physical therapy… there are some major differences and here are just a few:

1. Manual therapy consists of hands on muscle work primarily whereas traditional physical therapy consists of heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc

2. Manual therapist will typically perform a much more thorough physical evaluation

3. Manual therapists will usually be able to spend more time with each patient

4. Manual therapy is more holistic in it’s approach and focuses the body as a whole unit… something lacking from nearly all traditional treatments for back pain.

So before you say, “I’ve already tried physical therapy”… did you try manual physical therapy? They are two very different treatment approaches and I highly recommend you consider manual physical therapy.

Conclusion

As you can see traditional treatments are the main stay of modern medicine… not necessarily for the patients benefit, but it’s just how the system works best for itself. The system will not change until the system is confronted with a very powerful competitive force. That force may well be complementary or alternative care from the likes of Personal Trainers, Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists, Manual Physical Therapists, and the like.

So that’s what we’ve tried to do… force change. The traditional treatments that people have been receiving for decades just doesn’t work, and we have found a combination approach that not only works the best, but it’s safe, natural, and inexpensive. Check out our “Lose the Back Pain” video now… it will show you how to identify the cause of your back pain and the show you the exact combination of steps to take to eliminate it.

If you have tried other treatments with little or no relief/improvement, you owe it to yourself to try this approach… so take charge of your health and get started now working towards not only a pain free back, but a healthy and balanced body! Only you can fix your back… all you need is the right approach!

Warning: This article is not intended to be medical advice however its intent is to make you a better, smatter and more informed client. The more you know and understand about your medical condition the better off you will be when it comes time to make the hard choices. As well as communicating with medical professionals…. believe me it will make a world of difference.

Cancer is a disease that strikes senior citizens more than any other age group. A debate has been waged for a number of years now about whether complementary and alternative medicine has a place in the treatment of cancer. Traditional medical treatment has stuck with the position that any recognized and approved treatments must have solid research to support their efficacy.

That is now beginning to happen, and the results are pretty amazing.

The Federal Government ‘s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine is one of the 27 institutes in the National Institutes of Health. Their stated mission is to explore complementary and alternative healing practices within the contexts of rigorous scientific research. They also train researchers and provide the public with the information provided from research. The Complementary and Alternative Medicine agency studies treatments that include acupuncture, diet, herbs, massage, Reiki (a form of massage), St. John’s Wort and yoga.

Many seniors believe in the benefits of ancient Chinese medicine, herbal remedies and Ayurvedic medicine (healing system of India). To make a place in modern health care for alternative medical care is clearly a step forward for seniors. Neither system is replacing the other; there is room for both in our world today. The global criticism of ancient and herbal medicines is that they lack rigorous scientific studies to either prove or disprove their effectiveness. As a result, medical science has succeeded in pooh-poohing claims of treatment and even cure. However, that is now beginning to change. With studies on the effectiveness of many complementary/alternative treatments, medical science will have better information on which to base treatment recommendations that may include CAM.

With more studies being done on alternative and complementary treatment for cancer and other catastrophic illness, seniors everywhere can look forward to improved options for treatment that include taking advantage of the wisdom of ancient cultures.

Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine. Included are Chinese herbalism, tai chi and chi kung. It is believed that traditional Chinese medicine originated around 2500BC and is one of the oldest forms of treatment. Acupuncture did not really become well known in Western countries until the 1950s, except for the few Chinese practitioners treating Chinese patients in those countries such as Britain. Today, even some orthodox physicians are trained in acupuncture and are incorporating it with western medicine and achieving great results.

Acupuncture is centered on Tao philosophy, like the other forms of Chinese medicine. It is based on the philosophy that a vital energy (force) flows along invisible channels in the body with the inseparable opposing forces of yin and yang, which govern each person. ‘Yin’ is a masculine, active and positive force and ‘yang’, a female, passive and negative force. When this energy (chi) freely flows through these invisible channels (meridians) and the yin and yang are balanced, the result is health. If the yin and yang are unbalanced and the chi is blocked, the results become noticeable in the form of illness. The purpose therefore of acupuncture is to correct these imbalances and unblock the meridians, allowing the chi to flow freely once again in the body restoring the patient to physical health. Another form of acupuncture called auricular therapy is based solely on the external ear, which contains its own acupuncture points. This type of therapy is very useful for acute conditions.

People suffering from allergies, asthma, bronchitis and other conditions may benefit by acupuncture. Acupuncture is also helpful in relieving pain. Acupuncture aids the body to release its very own pain-reliever, known as endorphins, which has effects similar to morphine. The success of the acupuncture also depends on the responsiveness of the patient. Some people seem to be more responsive than others especially children that receive treatment.

During the initial consultation the practitioner will ask questions about the patients history, the present complaint, life style, diet and exercise routines and emotional health. Skin colour, the state of the nails, eyes and tongue, body odour and careful examination of the pulse points form part of the diagnosis. The human body contains 59 meridians and about 1000 pressure points. To treat imbalances the acupuncturist will stimulate the pressure points that occur along the meridians. Inserting fine, solid needles into the skin, applying heat and fingertip pressure form part of stimulation. The points involved are usually found on the forearms, hands, feet and lower legs. Sometimes all three methods of stimulation may be used. Treatment may include recommendations on diet and exercise.

Always ensure you choose a fully trained and registered practitioner when seeking acupuncture treatment. Inform the practitioner of any orthodox treatment you may be receiving before diagnosis or treatment in acupuncture. Acupuncture is most often used in conjunction with Chinese herbalism, as it can be contraindicated with some forms of complementary therapy. Parents should always consult an acupuncturist who has had special training in the treatment of children, before embarking on a diagnosis in acupuncture. The treatment for children will consist mainly of fingertip pressure (acupressure) to the relevant acupuncture points, rather than applying the more traditional method of needles.

Imagine, for a moment the best ovarian cyst home treatment? A treatment that you can use at home, that will get rid of the pain you’re facing on a day to day basis, and prevent it from coming back in the future. Imagine no more, because more and more women are turning there backs on traditional treatments and embracing the natural ovarian cyst remedies that can be done in their own home and will remove their pain.

It might be that your tolerance to pain is higher than others, but there aren’t many women that can put up with the pain of a ruptured ovarian cyst and say it doesn’t bother them. If you are living with cysts, it can be both painful and expensive. But there comes a time when something has to be done. Regrettably, traditional medicine does tend to lean towards drugs or surgery, both these options can be expensive and there are no guarantees.

The good news is ovarian cysts can be treated with just a little change in your diet, this is very easy to do and you can apply it in your life today. But that said, because every woman’s body is different it’s hard to say what can work for one and not the other.

But it has to be said, there are a few things that you can try immediately as a home treatment. First is relieving pressure on the lower abdomen, which is a good way of easing the severe pain of cysts. This might mean wearing a looser pair of pants, drinking plenty more water is another. As you know stress is one of the worst things for the body, in combination with ovarian cysts, can be a nightmare.

Herbal remedies are a great stress reliever, so sit down with a hot cup of herbal tea and apply a heating pad on your pelvic region. This is certain to bring comfort and ease away the stress. This is one of the simplest of ovarian cyst home treatments you can try.