Part II Alternative Treatments For Chronic Pain

Health Tip - Alternative Treatments for Chronic Pain (see Tip 2/22/13)

This Week is Acupressure and Aromatherapy

What is Acupressure?

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. 
Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago.

Acupressure is called acupuncture without the needles. 
Acupressure involves the application of manual pressure (usually with the fingertips) to specific points on the body.

Acupressure and Acupuncture use the same pressure points and meridians, but Acupuncture employs needles and Acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure.

Acupressure is generally done by using the thumb, finger or knuckle to apply gentle but firm pressure to a point.

The pressure is often increased for about 30 seconds, held steady for 30 seconds to two minutes and then gradually decreased for 30 seconds. This is often repeated three to five times.

 Why do people Try Acupressure?

• Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy/morning sickness (extreme precautions must me taken to avoid inducing labor)
• Motion sickness
• Addictions
• Back care
• Emotional imbalances
• Nausea after surgery
• Nausea due to chemotherapy
• Beauty treatment
• Cancer related fatigue
• Headache
• Menstrual cramps
• Muscle tension and pain
• Healing trauma and emotional pain
• Better sex 

     

Most Common Acupressure Points:

• Stomach - balances the digestion;
• Large intestine - improve immunity and analgesic point for pain;
• Urinary Bladder - back pain;
• Liver - hypertension, insomnia, diabetes and painful breast;
• Gallbladder -  migraine and anxiety;
• Lung - relief of asthma;
• Heart - balances all emotional;
• Spleen - improves digestion and relieves feeling of distention;
• Kidney - strengthens kidney.

Acupressure points are stimulates and releases muscular tension, boosts immune system, reduces pain, promoted circulation of blood, and enhance the body's life force energy to aid healing and vibrant health.

Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, Acupressure Therapy is effective in the relief of Stress-related aliments, and is ideal for self-treatment and preventive health care for boosting the immune system.

  

Precautions:

Acupressure should never be painful or done over open wounds, bruises, varicose veins, or any area that is bruised or swollen.

 Side Effects:

After an Acupressure session, some people may feel soreness at the points. People may also feel temporarily lightheaded.

       

Try It!

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What is Aromatherapy?    

Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant substances, called Essential oils, to alter mood or improve health. A natural way to help people cope with stress, chronic pain, nausea, and depression to produce a feeling of well-being.

 These highly concentrated aromatic substances are either inhaled or applied to the skin.

   

Essential oils are distilled from plants and approximately forty are commonly used in aromatherapy; the most popular  and their properties are:

• Lavender - antidepressant
• Rosemary - improves circulation
• Eucalyptus - decongestant
• Chamomile - relaxant/antidepressant
• Marjoram - anti-inflammatory
• Peppermint - decongestant/clears sinuses
• Tea tree - anti-fungal 
• Geranium - balances the mind and body

How does Aromatherapy help Chronic Pain?

The smell receptors in the nose respond to the scents of the Essential oils, sending chemical messages through the nervous system to the brain's limbic system - the part of the brain involved in memory and emotions.

   

Essential oils scents encourage the brain to produce signals to relax, relax muscles and decrease inflammation effective for Chronic Pain conditions. 

  

Essential oils can be applied to the skin during a massage or added to bathwater.

   

        

 Essential oils can also be applied to a pillow.

There are different ideas on how Aromatherapy may work? Scent receptors in the nose are known to send chemical messages through the olfactory nerve to the brain's limbic region, which influences emotional responses, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.

      

Try It!

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 Next week   

Continue to be Open!

For more information go to www.acupressure.com, www.cancer.org, www.altmd.com,  www.WebMD.com, www.About.com, www.bodyecology.com, www.healthland.com, www.naturalnews.com, or www.altmedicine.about.com.

Live well

Doc V