Alternative Medicine Techniques

According to leading experts on Fribromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue such as Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D, "many studies have shown immune system dysfunction" in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue disorders. These include viral infections, bacterial infections, parasites and various bowel infections. Yeast overgrowth is the most important infection to treat for. Due to the initial infections, the immune system has been weakened. Consequently, many other recurrent infections can also arise - further weakening the body's ability to fight back.

In his new book entitled Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal, Mark J. Pellegrino, MD explains that infections often trigger fibromyalgia and related conditions. Being immunocompromised the immune system cannot fight back against multiple co-infections of viruses, bacterial and fungal infections. Numerous studies in the medical literature are confirming the connection between infections, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and related conditions.

The best solution is to give your body's immune system a rest and let natural infection fighting herbals take care of these infections. To read more about how to overcome infections that trigger fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and multiple chemical sensitivities click on the following link to well research, highly documented information.

http://healthresearchdirect.com/2010/11/immune-system-support

More doctors are recommending alternative medical techniques to
patients for chronic pain. Recent surveys in the United States
demonstrated that alternative medical techniques were important
for personal healthcare and maintaining well

[b]Title: Alternative Medicine Techniques

Author: Rebecca Rengo

Article:
What are alternative medical techniques?

Alternative medical techniques most commonly are outside of
conventional medical care (1). In other words, they promote
wholistic healing for pain management. Wholistic healing
involves treating the whole person, body, emotions, mind,
relationships, and spirit (1). Alternative medical techniques
include:

§ Acupuncture § Massage § Reflexology § Craniosacral therapy
§ Mind/body techniques § Guided imagery § Acupressure § Yoga
§ Meditation § Prayer § Thermal treatments § Chiropractic
approach § And others

More doctors are recommending alternative medical techniques to
patients for chronic pain. Recent surveys in the United States
demonstrated that alternative medical techniques were important
for personal healthcare and maintaining well being (2). Also,
there is evidence that one or more alternative medical
techniques can help patients with: cancer, arthritis,
fibromyalgia, back pain, neck pain, Tourette syndrome, multiple
sclerosis, and many more.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is “a system of complementary medicine in which
fine needles are inserted in the skin at specific points along
supposed lines of energy� (3). Acupuncture is a part of
Chinese traditional medicine that has been around for at least
2,500 years (4). Today, millions of Americans are utilizing this
approach for pain management, or as a combination with
traditional medical treatments, when conventional medicine is
not working for them. In acupuncture, you should expect: § One
to several needles inserted at varying depths (4) § Needles may
be left in for 15 to 30 minutes (4) § 2-4 treatments for one
condition (2) There are many conditions that can receive
relieve from acupuncture. The top ten conditions treated are:
back pain, joint pain or stiffness, neck pain, severe headache,
recurrent pain, allergies, arthritis/gout/lupus/fibromyalgia,
depression/anxiety, joint/bone injury, and sleepiness (2). . How
effective is Acupuncture?

There are a multitude of studies that have confirmed the
effectiveness of acupuncture on pain. One study examined the
immediate effect of acupuncture stimulation on the most painful
point in patients with low-back pain. It found that: § low-back
pain was given immediate relief (5). § the amount of pain was
reduced (5). Another study examined the treatment of Tourette
Syndrome using the acupuncture method. The research indicated:
§ 97% of the acupuncture group was effectively treated (6). §
82% were “cured� (6).

Massage & Chronic Pain

Massage can also be used to relieve pain for a variety of
conditions and usage is increasing. Medical massage therapy is
being offered in hospitals 30% more since 2004 because of its
benefits for not only pain management, but also for depression
and anxiety (7). The top three reasons hospitals offer massage
are: stress relief (71%), pain management (67%), and relief for
cancer patients (52%) (7). There are several types of massages
including: § Deep tissue massage: focuses on the deeper muscles
and soft tissue to relieve chronic pain and tension (. §
Swedish massage: emphasizes that all strokes go towards the
heart. It is comprised of five strokes that stimulate the blood
in the soft tissues (. § Hot stone massage: involves the
placement of heated stones to the body during massage (. §
Lymphatic massage: aims to increase lymphatic circulation
through the body's filtration system, so the body is detoxified
and supporting our immune system (. § Thai massage: involves
a choreographed set of techniques performed on a mat has been
around for thousands of years in Thailand (. § Marma therapy
massage: is a form of Ayurvedic massage developed in ancient
India that aims to stimulate 107 “marmas,� which are vital,
junction points between mind and matter (.

How effective is massage?

There is an ample amount of research that indicates massage can
be very beneficial in relieving pain. One study performed by the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says
that: § Massage can reduce pain up to four years in arthritis
patients (9). § It can reduce the number of physician visits
(9). Furthermore, massage therapy could: § Reduce pain,
anxiety, and sleep disturbances caused by low-back pain (10). §
Increase range of motion in patients (10). § Relieve nausea and
pain in cancer patients (11). § Reduce pain by 50% in cancer
patients (12). § Reduce the amount of pain medication needed
for pain control (12).

What is reflexology?

Reflexology involves applying manual pressure on specific
points of the feet (13). This technique has been used as a
healing technique in China for thousands of years (. The
organs that can be affected and return to optimal functioning by
reflexology include (: § Lungs § Bladder § Pituitary glands
§ Kidneys § Stomach § Spleen

How effective is reflexology?

There is research that suggests the effectiveness of
reflexology. One study examined the effects on multiple
sclerosis patients and found that reflexology: § Significantly
improved paresthesia, urinary symptoms and spasticity (13). §
Improvement on muscle strength (13). § Paresthesia improvement
lasted for at least three months after the sessions (13). Other
studies show that reflexology: § Reduces anxiety in cancer
patients (14). § Relieves nausea and vomiting from a variety of
medical conditions (14). § Decreases fatigue (14). § Decreases
diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels while improving
life satisfaction (14). § Decreases depression and perceived
stress (14). § Increases quality of sleep and serotonin levels
(14).

What is craniosacral therapy?

John Upledger introduced this technique in the 1970s. This
therapy involves “gently guiding and releasing tensions
through very mild pressure on the different cranial bones near
the sutures of the skull, where one bone lies next to another
(.� However, this therapy can be used all over the body, as
well. Ironically, this therapy is performed with little applied
pressure, usually less than the weight of a nickel (.

How effective is craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) can also provide relief for a
variety of medical conditions and types of pain. They include:
§ Headaches and migraines (15) § TMJ dysfunction (15) § Back
and neck pain (15) § Chronic fatigue (15) § Stress (15) §
Central nervous system disorders (15) § Orthopedic problems
(15) § Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (16) Furthermore, CST in
combination with massage and other manual therapies can be an
effective treatment for chronic pain conditions (17). CST may
enhance the body's ability to naturally correct imbalances and
dysfunctions that contribute to painful conditions (17). John
Upledger, the founder of CST, says that in thousands of cases,
CST has proven to enhance general health, reduce accumulated
stress, strengthen central nervous system function and improve
resistance to disease (18). In addition, one case study
measured functional improvements after a series of CST
treatments. It found that: § Pain scores decreased 52% from
pretreatment to discharge (19). § Disability scores decreased
93% from pretreatment to discharge (19). § The pain and
disability scores did not change greatly 5 weeks after
discharge, suggesting a lasting effect of CST (19).

What other alternative medical techniques are effective?

§ A form of acupressure, called shiatsu, can relief pain from
Parkinson's Disease, fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal aches,
irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis (20).
§ Chiropractic therapy can help treat musculoskeletal
conditions, including problems in the joints, bones, muscles and
connective tissues (21). § Guided imagery can improve
functional status and sense of self-efficacy for managing pain
and other symptoms of Fibromyalgia (22). § Guided imagery can
boost the immune system, alter blood pressure and decrease pain
(23).

Other Information One drawback to alternative medicine is that
insurance companies may not cover some of these services. For
example, one survey found that 60% of respondents reported that
insurance companies did not reimburse their acupuncture services
(2). So, discussing service coverage on alternative medical
techniques with your insurance may be important. Many people see
the benefits of some techniques to pay out-of-pocket.

An informed, educated patient can make the best decisions about
which treatments to try and for how long. The training and
experience of the provider is always important to verify and be
comfortable with, as well. Being an empowered consumer is
important when considering alternative or conventional medical
techniques.



About the author:
Rebecca Rengo, shows you how to improve your health & decrease
your pain. She is giving away FREE pain relief Secrets. To get
access to these powerful and practical secrets that can help you
transform your life â€" go to www.painreliefexplained.com now.