Does Acupuncture Help With Aches and Discomfort?

Acupuncture constitutes one of the oldest forms of alternative medicine that is still being practiced. It is popularly attributed to Traditional Chinese Medicine of the sixteenth century.

The Primitive Take on Acupuncture
The ancient science believed most of the health issues stemmed from the imbalance of energy. The fine, stainless steel needles were used to stimulate the 14 major energy channels in the body, building immunity and resistance to illnesses while helping the patient overcome apparent problems. Acupuncture was known to be an effective remedy for different health concerns ranging from minor aches and discomfort to major health problems.

The Modern Take on Acupuncture
The conventional science today explains the same phenomenon with different words. Instead of talking about "chi" (energy), the modern science explains the process of acupuncture as a means to stimulate specific anatomic sites or nerves in the body. This process seems to have profound impact on the health and well-being of the patient.

 

The modern science has accepted acupuncture as an unparalleled mode of treatment. The process is extremely intricate, demanding years of learning and expertise to locate specific target points on the body. Even the slightest miscalculation can have drastic consequences. This is why it is recommended to seek reputed professionals for acupuncture treatments. The process is now covered under the medical insurance offered by most companies, which explains the modern viewpoint on acupuncture.

Here's how acupuncture is known to help with aches and discomforts.

Acupuncture for Aches and Discomforts
Acupuncture is known to help with aches and discomfort just the way it works for other health problems. The acupuncturist starts by analyzing the body for problem areas, identifying the root cause of the ache. S/he may use additional equipment to identify other characteristics of the body in order to devise the correct treatment.

Small, fine and sterile needles will be used to reach and stimulate the nerves under your skin. This process is usually painless or may be accompanied with minor discomfort. The needles are left for a period of 5 to 40 minutes depending on the need. This does not only help invigorate the nerve cells and muscle tissues, it also steadies the blood flow, ensuring appropriate flow of nutrients to and from all parts of the body.

 In some cases, placement of needles in one part of the body may be able to help relieve tension in another part. The treatment is known to help in managing the pain associated with arthritis, stress, inappropriate posture, fibromyalgia, dental treatment and post-surgery problems. Although the relationship between acupuncture and pain relief is unclear, it nevertheless has helped several thousands of people in achieving optimal health.

In chronic cases, acupuncture will most likely be recommended in addition to other treatments. Acupuncture is not a holistic cure for all health problems. It may, however, be able to help you keep numerous complications at bay. Acupuncture does help in relieving aches and discomfort by revitalizing internal body functions for overall betterment.

Refocusing Your Workout Routine After and Injury

Fitness and workout is hard after an injury. Ever had an injury and totally fell off your workout routine?

Your fitness and workout may have to follow these simple steps to refocus on your workout routine.

You see it all the time were professional athletes have an injury in their professional sport. Some are career threatening and some are just sprains or broken bones. What ever the injury is it stops them from continuing their routines.

They have to rehab their injury and refocus back into their workout routines. You know what it is like to get into a routine and something happens. You take a little time off and all of a sudden you start giving excuses why you can't workout. We should talk about some tips you can use to keep yourself focused or even to get back into that workout after your injury has healed 100%. Also you should make sure that your Doctor has given you a clean bill of health.

Even if your Doctor says your ready to go, you may feel a little afraid to push it in the beginning, but one workout routine that you could do to lesson the strain on your injury is a water routine. You could find a local swimming pool and start using the resistance of the water to start redeveloping your strength and confidence in your healed injury. Once you feel confident you can start doing activities out of the water. There are many different items you can use to help you along the way in the water to create more resistance and gain even more strength. The goal here is that you are lighter in the water and believe it or not you will find it more enjoyable. You can then develope your confidence and start getting back to your old routine.

Log down your daily workout. Keep track on a calendar how long you workout and how often. Remember you don't have to exercise for an hour. All you need is twenty minutes or a half an hour. Also remember if you are really sore after your workout you possibly pushing yourself to hard. Some people try pushing it right away and find it harder to workout more than before and start getting dejected. Then they quit. Also if you log down your workout you'll find that checking each day off gives you a rewarding feeling and is easier keep up with your motivation.

Find yourself a friend who also would like to workout. This can help you in many ways. First if your not confident because of your injury, he or she can help spot you so you don't re-injure yourself. Also they could provide you with the encouragement you need to keep up with the everyday or every other day routine.

One of the most important tips that anyone can give you is to just keep it up. Just do it! Workout for the amount of time you have. If you only have twenty minutes then that's what you do. The bottom line is you have to just keep doing it no matter what. Also do not be hard on yourself if you miss a day, OK, just get back in the saddle again the next day. Keep something like before pictures and compare them with pictures after a few weeks and see the difference. Also look at clothes that you start getting to small for and enjoy the results.

Another thing you could do is keep pictures of people working out or watch fitness programs once or twice a day, they will get you motivated. Also remember a simple long walk will go a long way and will break up a routine that will just get tiresome.

The Benefits Of Accupuncture Can Often Exceed Western Medicine

The first thing many people think of when it comes to acupuncture is pain relief. In reality, the benefits of accupuncture are far more than numerous than this. Acupuncture, along with other therapies, such as herbal medicine, has been healing the Chinese for thousands of years. Our Teeam use it frequently for remedial work on various muscles much like trigger point therapy to get us back in the BOX WODing on the bike or out on our next adventure..

Acupuncture works by helping your body to restore itself to balance. Whenever your body is not functioning properly, whether due to disease or injury, of a type emotional or physical, there is an imbalance a system or systems within your body. As simple as it sounds, because of this view, acupuncture can treat just about any problem you have.

Of course, in the case of cancer, or other terminal disease, acupuncture cannot claim to be a cure. However, even in the worst of cases, it will normally have some effect on improving symptoms and side effects, such as those resulting from treatments of drugs and radiation.

Where acupuncture really shines is where Western Medicine tends to fail, for conditions that the modality does not understand. In the case of Western Medicine cures, a cause must be understood. In Chinese Medicine, however, it is much easier to find a cause according to the theory applied, as the diagnosis is made according to a simpler methodology. The ailment is described as an imbalance in simple terms such as too much cold or heat in the body. Using this theory, a diagnosis and method of treatment can always be found.

One disease that exemplifies this is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The name itself just describes the hallmark symptom of the syndrome, illustrating that Western Medicine does not well understand the underlying causes of this disease. However, one generally realizes ones bowels are irritable when they alternate between diarrhea and constipation. Knowing this does not help arrive at a solution. With the diagnosis method and treatment of acupuncture, people with this disease who once had no hope are now getting relief.

Progress is being made, however, as Western Medicine now believes that this disease, along with many others that are currently common in our society, has a strong underlying stress component. Treating the myriad of symptoms stemming from stress is one of the most important acupuncture benefits. This is especially true considering that the drugs used for many of these symptoms hide them more than treat them, and often cause additional negative side effects.

A strong factor in the effectiveness in acupuncture is that the practitioner treats the patient as a whole, and does not just focus on one symptom. Rather than using needles alone, they generally look at the entire lifestyle of the patient, and make recommendations to improve the underlying imbalance that is causing the problem being treated. You will find that the benefits of accupuncture you receive will be greatly enhanced by making changes in your life in tandem with your treatments.

Written with Thanks by Matt Prellie /Go

Core Exercises - Why Are They Essential?

Core exercises are often misunderstood. Find out why you should do them, and why you need core strength and stability for any activity.

 Core exercises are vital in protecting your spine. Whether it's from everyday activities (e.g. lifting, twisting, bending) or sports performance, and crucially for you everything in-between.

Forget about linking core workouts with 6-pack abs. For those you need fat burning exercises. Get used to associating core exercises with your spine. That's how you'll get the best out of them.

Your core consists of your abs, back and pelvis. Why should you evenly strengthen all parts of your core?

Here are the 2 main reasons:

1) Avoid injury and back pain.. There are loads of reasons why we get back pain (see your doctor before any exercise for back pain). But most back pain is caused by muscle imbalances.

Weak lower back muscles and strong abdominals commonly lead to injuries. Combined with weak upper back muscles, you're prone to poor posture. Even worse if you're heavily overweight.

2) Improve your performance in ANY activity.. Your every movement is stabilised by the core muscles. No matter what sport or exercise you do, a strong core will give you that extra edge.

The stronger your core is, the better control you will have, meaning a higher quality and efficiency of that movement. Simply put, it'll be safer and easier to move your arms and legs faster and with more power. That equals better performance.

Core Exercises:

There are loads of exercises that work each part of your core separately. But to get started, do core exercises that work a combination of your abs, back and pelvis.

Your focus is on finding those deep core muscles, with subtle movements. Move on to more specific (and challenging) back and ab exercises, once you have control of these:

Deep Muscle Contraction..

Lie flat on your front and relax.
Keeping your back and hips still, lift your stomach up towards your back.
Focus your mind on the deep muscles.
When done correctly, this is a very small movement.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding it for longer each time, aim for 2 minutes or even longer.

Once you're used to this movement, practice it wherever you are (lying, sitting or standing). During everyday activities (e.g. standing in a queue), or even during other exercise (e.g. riding your bike).

That small movement is the basis of all your core exercises. Always focus on first contracting your deep core muscles, then initiating other exercise movements.

Plank..

Place your forearms flat on the floor and clasp your hands (create an upside down V-shape).
Lift your body so that your forearms and feet take the weight.
Focus your mind on the deep core muscles.
Aim for a straight line between your neck and ankles.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding it for longer each time, aim for 1 minute or even longer.

 

 Bridge..

Lie on your back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor, arms by your side.
Lift up your hips, let your shoulders and feet take the weight.
Aim to keep your feet below your knees, and a straight line from shoulders to knees.
Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
Repeat 5 times.
Progress by holding for longer each time, aim for 1 minute or even longer.

You'll feel the pressure in your lower back and bottom. Focus on working your whole core to keep your hips up. Never take the weight on your neck.

Core exercises are essential for everyone, of any age and any fitness level. There's no better prevention for back pain. Do a variation of general core exercises, and specific back and ab exercises, and you'll really FEEL the difference