Have You Tried Everything and Still Feel Sick and Tired? The Benefits of Reflexology

Western medicine ideology is rooted in the language used by doctors and researchers. Their choice of words reveals their belief systems and the models they use to understand the way they think medicine works.

Western medicine perceives the human body as a battleground on which wars are waged against invaders and tumors. What they fail to realize is that diseases are not separate from the person. In fact every disease can be more accurately called an expression of the patient's lifestyle, beliefs, and energies. Cancer is not a tumor, for example: it is a systemic disorder that can only truly be cured by helping to support the body, not by attacking it with chemical bombs. The tumor is merely one physical expression of the systemic disorder, and simply removing the tumor does nothing to cure the disease.

Western medicine's approach to cancer has focused on getting rid of the physical symptoms -- cutting out tumors with sharp instruments or attempting to shrink tumors with chemotherapy. But a critical analysis of these methodologies shows that treating tumors does little or nothing to actually improve the quality of life or the lifespan of cancer patients.

The body is designed to heal itself provided it has the proper support to do its job.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a concept of balanced qi (pronounced chee), or vital energy, that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi is proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin (negative energy) and yang (positive energy). Disease is proposed to result from the flow of qi being disrupted and yin and yang becoming imbalanced. Among the components of TCM are herbal and nutritional therapy, restorative physical exercises, meditation, acupuncture, and remedial massage.

Body malfunction, stress, injury or dis-ease, is the result of the body being in a state of chemical and neurological imbalance, and vital energy pathways are bl! ocked, w hich prevents the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology is an effective method to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium and encourages healing. The practice of Reflexology has been around for thousands of years.

Reflexology is a holistic non-invasive therapy that helps restore and maintain the body's natural state of equilibrium and facilitate healing. In reflexology, the feet, hands and ears are viewed as mirror images of the body, with reflexes corresponding to every part and organ of the body. Stimulating these reflexes encourages natural healing. Reflexology is beneficial for all ages.

Effects of Reflexology

Reflex treatment helps to clean the organism by stimulating the natural emunctories : intestines, kidneys, lungs, sinuses, skin?

Reflexology is under the Hering law (American homeopathe): The natural healing of organ malfunctions, seen through symptoms which evolve from the interior to the exterior, from above to below and from the present towards the past. In this way cures for elimination attacks can be established the next day or shortly thereafter which are of either a physical or psycho-emotional order. These treatments are followed by a great vitality and relaxation.

Benefits:

Reduced stress and deep relaxation,
Improved circulation,
Improved elimination of toxins,
Revitalized energy,
Stregthens immune system,
Creation of an overall state of wellness,
Restoration of the body's equilibrium,
Restoration of the natural functioning of all systems,
Preventative health care

Common ailments relieved:

Headaches, Migraines
Arthritis,
Bronchitis,
Back pain,
Heart problems,
Blood Pressure reduced,
Chronic Pain reduced,
Better Sleep/No Insomnia,
Fatigue,
Diabetes,
Indigestion,
Sciatica,
PMS,
Asthma

What to expect when you visit a Reflexologist:
A regular session lasts for about 60 minutes, wi! th the f irst session being slightly longer since a thorough case history questionnaire is required. The interview takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on the client's condition and the indications for Reflexology. The client remains fully clothed throughout the session.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

Food that's Good for a Healthy Heart

Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.

The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/nutrients.htm In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:

1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.

2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.

3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.

4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the ! arteries .

5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.

6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.

About The Author

Get helpful information on vitamins, amino acids, herbs, minerals and other nutrients for a healthier life - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/.

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What Makes Your Blood Cholesterol High or Low

Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat.

People with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.

Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what you eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL-cholesterol and disposes of it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and it is not necessary to take in any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat. Patients with heart disease or those who are at high risk for developing it typically have too much LDL-cholesterol in their blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are the most important.

Heredity. Your genes influence how high your LDL-cholesterol is by affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. One specific form of inherited high cholesterol that affects 1 in 500 people is familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL-cholesterol level.

What you eat. Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make your LDL-cholesterol level go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals; and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises your LDL-cholesterol level more than anything else in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high levels of cholesterol and a high rate of heart attacks in the United States. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat ! is a ver y important step in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.

Weight. Excess weight tends to increase your LDL-cholesterol level. If you are overweight and have a high LDL-cholesterol level, losing weight may help you lower it. Weight loss also helps to lower triglycerides and raise HDL.

Physical activity/exercise. Regular physical activity may lower LDL-cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol levels.

Age and sex. Before menopause, women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those of men the same age. As women and men get older, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. In women, menopause often causes an increase in their LDL-cholesterol and a decrease in their HDL- cholesterol level, and after the age of 50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

Alcohol. Alcohol intake increases HDL-cholesterol but does not lower LDL-cholesterol. Doctors don't know for certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, lead to high blood pressure, and raise triglycerides. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

Stress. Stress over the long term has been shown in several studies to raise blood cholesterol levels. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. The saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to higher levels of blood cholesterol.

Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. This world renowned, medically approved program will give you results you'll love and all the support you need! Estimate your healthy body weight, tons of recipes, articles, ezine and more information on how to lower your cholesterol at http://weight-loss-health.com.au

Ever Tried to Defined The Meaning of Beauty?

Beauty is a word just like any the word. Looking it up in Webster's II New Riverside Dictionary it means A quality or combination of qualities that delights the senses or appeals to the mind. Nice words. It really doesn't say anything about defining beauty.

When it comes to defining beauty one might envision that famous model walking down a catwalk with a frown on her face and a some fancy designer clothes on her back. Or maybe that guy in the latest action movie shirt-less that just takes your breath away, making your heart pound in your chest. Handsome equals Beauty just depending on the person thinking about it.

Still, what is the meaning of beauty?(Don't bother looking it up again.)

What is missing is questions to think about when asked what defines Beauty?
How about a woman's joyful smile lighting up her face with the thought that finally, she is pregnant?
Or how about children seeing snow for the first time, ever?
Or rain needed to save a crop to a farmer?
Or even snowcapped mountains at sunset to a skier,
Or dew on a prized rose at first morning light to a gardener?
How about the eye's filled with tears of the woman you just asked to marry you , again after 25 years?
What about love?

Beauty is so many things to so many people who are all so different. The Dictionary left out a few words when it defined Beauty. It left out what appeals to the heart. The next time you might be asked if something is beautiful, ask yourself, does it appeal to my heart? If it does, you just defined beauty.

Copyright 2005 Kim Snyder, owner Overallbeauty.com.
Great lover of all natural beauty care and products.
Never happy without trying to make the world a little prettier for all.
Visit her at http://Overallbeauty.com
Visit to see the latest in cosmetics and so much more.
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High Blood Pressure The Silent Killer

High blood pressure is often called the silent killer because you can have it for years without being aware of it. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Blood pressure consists of two numbers: the top number indicates Systolic pressure; the amount of pressure your heart generates when pumping blood out through your arteries. The bottom number indicates Diastolic; the amount of pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest. Some causes of high blood pressure are kidney disease, thyroid disease, abnormal blood vessels, preeclamsia, sleep apnea, and adrenal disease.

Many of the signs and symptoms for high blood pressure are often ignored. They can include a dull ache in the back of the head, excessive perspiration and muscle cramps, weakness, frequent urination and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Though many people experience these symptoms they may experience all of the symptoms at all times and may attribute the symptoms to another cause. Always check with your doctor if you have any of above the symptoms.

There are many risk factors for high blood pressure. Be sure you know your family history and risk factors so you can make informed choices when it comes to your healthcare. Some of the risk factors are:

AGE: your risk increases with age.

RACE: High blood pressure occurs more frequently in blacks than any other racial group

SEX: High blood pressure is more common in men than women before the age of 60. However after the age of 60 the reverse is true.

FAMILY HISTORY: Some families have a history of high blood pressure

OBSEITY: The greater body mass you have the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.

INACTIVITY: Lack of physical activity increases your risk.

TOBACCO USE: Nicotine constricts your blood vessels an! d forces your heart to work harder.

SODIUM: People who are sodium sensitive have fluid retention and increased blood pressure when using sodium.

LOW POTASSIUM: If you don?t consume or retain enough potassium, you can accumulate too much sodium, which raises the blood pressure.

EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL: Over time heavy drinking can damage your heart muscle, which can lead to high blood pressure and other complications.

STRESS: High levels of stress can lead to temporary increases in blood pressure.

Excessive high blood pressure can lead to a stroke. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel, which supplies blood to the brain, bursts or is blocked by a blood clot. Within minutes the nerve cells in that area of the brain are damaged, and they die within a few hours. As a result, the part of the body controlled by the damaged section of the brain cannot function properly. Before having a stroke you may have one or more transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are a warning signal that a stroke may soon occur.

The symptoms of a stroke can be any or all of the following: Numbness, weakness, or paralysis or the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body. Vision problems in one or both eyes, double vision, or loss of vision. Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding with trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, and a severe headache.

Remember to monitor your blood pressure, and to speak to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above. If you have a history of high blood pressure be pro-active and take your blood pressure often. Blood pressure monitors can be purchased at pharmacies. You can also have your blood pressure taken at a pharmacy at no charge.

Contact your doctor immediately, or go to the closest hospital if you have any of the above symptoms!

Libby Sustacheck has over twenty years of experience in the healthcare field working with such industry giants as Kaiser Permanente and Aetna. She has assisted m! any org anizations with their wellness programs, and has a solid understanding of the needs of employers and their employees. Her experience includes delivery of successful smoking cessation programs.

Libby has participated in health fairs and specialized health screenings in addition to being a featured participant at Health Conferences.? Evonne Smith, Wellness Coordinator, Cox Cable. Located in San Marcos, California, Total Health Solutions provides health education to employers, and individuals in San Diego County. Owner, Libby Sustachek, has 20 years experience in the healthcare industry, a BA in Psychology, an MA in Health Education, and experience in providing excellent customer service in all aspects in the wellness arena.

You can read more from Libby at http://www.healthsolutionsandyou.com Or contact her at info@healthsolutionsandyou.com

Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease With Lipitor and Pravachol

Results of a new study comparing the effectiveness of Pfizer Inc.,?s Lipitor with Pravachol, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was recently published in the New York Times. The study details the clinical observation that Lipitor was significantly more effective than Pravachol in lowering patient?s LDL cholesterol levels. However, the study did not comment on the overall effect that Statin drugs have on patient health, or the research that indicates Statins may actually increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack.

Statin drugs have been proven effective in the reduction of LDL cholesterol in most patients. However, the bio-chemical reactions that the drugs use to decease cholesterol also inhibit the production of an important nutrient that is essential for good heart health; specifically CoQ10.

Lipitor and Pravachol work by inhibiting the body?s ability to make an enzyme called HMG-CoA. This enzyme is the precursor to two compounds, cholesterol and CoQ10. Because the intent of Statin drugs is to inhibit cholesterol production, this method of suppression is very effective in reducing cholesterol levels. However, by suppressing the manufacture of HMG-CoA, and subsequently CoQ10, the body actually becomes more susceptible to heart attack, angina, congestive heart failure, and many other pulmonary-related diseases.

CoQ10 is found in every cell in the body and is necessary for proper energy utilization, resistance to disease, and cardiac health. The compound is so necessary that it?s chemical name is actually ubiquinone, because of its ubiquitous presence in the body. By suppressing the mechanism that makes CoQ10, Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol put patients at significant risk of heart disease, as well as reduce overall resistance to cancer and other diseases.

CoQ10 is used by the heart and other muscles to facilitate contraction as blood is pumped through the body. If the body?s source of CoQ10, is lowered, either through Statin drugs or environmental factors, the h! earts ab ility to contract is greatly diminished. This subsequently results in significant cardiac complications; including angina, heart disease, cardiac arrhythmia and heart attack.

In addition to its contribution to proper heart function, CoQ10 is also a significant ant-oxidant. When our ability to product CoQ10 is reduced, our body?s immunity to cancer, pollution and disease can be greatly diminished. This has been documented in a number of studies where CoQ10 levels have been measured in people with specific cancers, degenerative diseases, or HIV.

The relation between HMG-CoA, cholesterol, and CoQ10 has been well documented and is freely available. Subsequently, the solution to reduced CoQ10 levels has been made extremely simple. The solution is simply dietary supplementation with CoQ10 if you are taking a Statin drug. Much of the diminished CoQ10 supply can be made up through dietary supplementation. In fact, CoQ10 supplements can be purchased in the supplement section of your local health food store.

CoQ10 is essential to proper heart health and resistance to disease. Statin drugs such as Lipitor and Pravachol inhibit the body?s ability to product CoQ10. If not addressed, this can increase a patient?s risk of heart disease and other cardiac conditions. However, supplementation of CoQ10 by the use of a dietary supplement can balance the effects of Statin drugs and ensure that the patient?s risk of overall heart disease does not increase while his/her cholesterol levels decrease. If you are currently taking a Statin drug to reduce your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about supplementation with CoQ10 to ensure your continued good health.

About The Author

Barrett Niehus is a principal for IP Ware software http://www.freetrainer.com as well as a technical specialist for Compound Solutions, http:///www.compoundsolutions.com in Escondido, California.

The Basic Facts of High Blood Pressure

The heart is a tough operating mechanism which moves blood around the body through a very advanced system called arteries and capillaries; the blood is then carried back to the heart by means of veins. Blood pressure is the thrust of this blood in the body pushing up against the inside walls of the arteries as the heart is pumping.

As the heart compresses it will drive this blood into the arteries which makes an increase in pressure. This increase in pressure is noted as systolic pressure.

When the heart decompresses and fills with blood, the pressure in the arteries then declines which is noted as the diastolic pressure. When the blood pressure is evaluated in the arm, it is both of these pressures which are evaluated.

Blood pressure is always applied as a systolic and diastolic pressure number, and is an important measurement. The measurements are always written one preceding or before the other number, such as 120/80 and always stated in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

The systolic pressure is the 1st or top side number, and the diastolic pressure is the 2nd or lowermost number (for example, 120/80), so if your blood pressure is 120/80, it is translating to 120 over 80.

Blood pressure will have a wide range with a variety of people. For example, the top reading which is when the heart contracts (systolic) can change from 90 to 240 mmHg and the bottom pressure which is when the heart relaxes (diastolic) can often change from 40 to 160 mmHg.

Blood pressure can also vary significantly depending on what you are doing during the day. The lowest blood pressures usually happen when you are sleeping or if resting all the muscles. Standing for periods of time, or if you're performing any form of exercise, any anxiety and problems, or nerviness can also create increases in blood pressure.

That means in one day the blood pressure could change by up to a 30 to 40 mmHg systolic reading with like changes in the diastolic pressure. This is why it's so crucial to have the b! lood pre ssure taken under the same conditions each time.

For the bulk of the waking hours, the blood pressure remains about the same whether you are sitting or standing still, so ideally, the blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower when the body is rested.

If the blood pressure is steady and remains high at 140/90 or higher, this may indicate a disease called Hypertension which essentially means high blood pressure. When the blood pressure is high, the heart has to work more to get the blood through your arteries. These then take a beating from having the blood pressured into them, and the danger of a stroke, heart attack, or even kidney troubles then become that much of a greater risk.

High blood pressure is a serious disease because it has the heart working much harder. If the heart has to work harder for extended periods, it will become large. If the heart is slightly enlarged, it can and should still work alright, but if it becomes greatly enlarged it won't work alright. High blood pressure can also cause damage to the arteries which can lead to arterial disease.

The higher the blood pressure is the more risk you have of acquiring heart disease and stroke. This means somebody with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is at greater risk than someone with a blood pressure of 120/70 mmHg. And is the reason it is so important for all to lead a wholesome lifestyle to make sure their blood pressure is as low and as healthy as it can be.

If you put up with Hypertension, it can be treated. Modest cases of Hypertension can usually be treated through lifestyle changes such as the diet, or increasing the workout levels. Some find dropping weight is all that is needed to lower their high blood pressure.

Severe cases of Hypertension will need prescription medications such as diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics aid the body in getting rid of any excess fluids and salt. But, from individual experience, keep course of the potassium levels also. Beta blockers will lower the heart rate and ! the hear ts output of blood. These then lower the risk of developing heart and brain problems.

James is now writing articles on many different subjects. But they are based on extensive research. For more info on high blood pressure visit great hbp tips.