Number One Health Destroyer is all natural

The number one health destroyer is all natural
by Mike Bundrant
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(NaturalNews) It is linked to nearly every major disease and multiple non-lethal conditions that plague us. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, high blood pressure, peptic ulcers, headaches, chronic anxiety, depression and addictive disorders that foster unhealthy lifestyles are all scientifically linked to chronic stress. In fact, over 50 conditions have been correlated with high stress lifestyles. Even obesity and all the health issues that flow from it, is believed to be a direct result of chronic and excessive stress.

No organ system is immune to the effects of stress. Here is a brief and partial synopsis of the damage stress can do to the body:

Hair: Excessive hair loss and premature baldness are linked to excessive stress

Skin: Eczema, psoriasis, hives, excessive blushing and sweating are linked to stress

Digestion: Stress is know to cause gastritis, colitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, IBS and other digestive disorders.

Heart: Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high blood pressure are linked to cumulative stress.

Mouth: Ulcers and excessive dryness of the mouth can be stress related.

Muscles: Stress may cause tightness, soreness, spasm, aching, lower back pain, twitching and muscular tics.

Lungs: Shortness of breath, panic disorder and exacerbation of asthmatic conditions are linked to stress.

Brain: Stress causes psychological conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, irritability and even personality changes.

Reproductive organs: Menstrual disorders, vaginal infections, premature ejaculation and impotence can be stress related.

Chronic, overwhelming stress may be the number one plague of modern life. How does it work? Stress activates a chain of hormonal events that was originally designed to protect our ancestors from wild beasts. We've all heard of the fight-or-flight mechanism. Consistent mental and emotional stress fires up this response system and keeps it active in an ongoing way. The results are staggering. Here is what the Mayo Clinic has to say:

"The long-term activation of the stress-response system -- and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones -- can disrupt almost all your body's processes."

If you don't get a handle on your chronic stress in a personally noticeable way, such that you can feel the difference in your body each and every day, rest assured it is doing damage daily. Low stress people live longer. Highly stressed people live shorter lives.

A 2005 study headed by Dr. Elissa Epel at the University of California, San Francisco drives this point home. CBS News Correspondent Scott Pelley, who followed the study closely, reported that stress speeds aging at a cellular level by damaging your DNA. In a sense, stress creates chaos that affects your chromosomes.

Of the stressed out participants in the study, Dr. Epel remarked, "It was as though there had been in excess of 10 years of extra aging in these individuals' blood cells. And that's a very conservative estimate."

What to do? Reduce your stress. It should be everyone's number one health priority. Stress reduction can be approached in different ways. There are practical, external methods to consider:

* Get organized. Organizing your home, office and your schedule can have a dramatic impact on your level of stress.

* Cut back. Take an honest look at your work, family, home and community responsibilities. Have you taken on too much? Are you able to enjoy your personal commitments?

* Delegate. Whose help can you enlist to get things done?

There are also internal methods for reducing stress that involve managing your mind and body. They involve mediation or prayer, cognitive behavioral approaches, self-hypnosis, NLP, deep breathing, yoga and so on. When choosing a method to use, pick something that is practical. Stress reduction techniques and programs can be very helpful, but only if practiced consistently. Most of all, choose something that actually makes you feel relaxed in an ongoing way. If you can't feel the difference, there isn't any! If you find a method that works for you, evidence suggests there is great hope for your long-term benefit.

In the Cal State San Francisco study, the mothers who knew how to cope with stress didn't suffer the same cellular damage, regardless of how hectic their lives were.

Dr. Epel said, "It appears that resilience can ward off sickness and let us live longer, while those who feel overwhelmed by life may have a shorter one to live."

"I think that this is yet another call to people to be alarmed about their stress levels," Epel continued, "and to take them seriously. The cell is not a closed system. What happens in the mind, in particular, perceptions of stress, can indeed affect the most fundamental unit of our physical beings."

Sources:

Mayo Clinic, CBS News, Medicine-net, Stress.org

About the author:
Mike Bundrant is a retired mental health counselor, NLP trainer and publisher of Healthy Times Newspaper.

You can find Mike at inlpcenter.com

BlueCrane March Newsletter

Qi Mail™ The Acupuncture Newsletter

March 2011

Kenneth & Diana Harbour L.Ac. Dipl. Ac. C.M.T. BlueCrane Acupuncture 18478 Forest Road, Suite 3 Forest (Lynchburg), VA 24502 434-316-9101

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for Fibromyalgia Syndrome Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) affects an estimated 2 percent of the population. Research shows that up to 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia have turned to complementary and alternative medicine to manage their symptoms. Acupuncture, in particular, has become a popular treatment choice and has shown to be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome? Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain, a heightened and painful response to pressure, insomnia, fatigue, and depression. While not all affected persons experience all associated symptoms, the following symptoms commonly occur together: • chronic pain • debilitating fatigue • difficulty sleeping • anxiety • depression • joint stiffness • chronic headaches • dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes • hypersensitivity • inability to concentrate (called "fibro fog") • incontinence • irritable bowel syndrome • numbness, tingling or poor circulation in the hands and feet • painful menstrual cramps • restless legs syndrome Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when there is a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months and pain when pressure is applied to at least 11 of 18 designated tender points on the body. On its own fibromyalgia does not result in any physical damage to the body or its tissues and there are no laboratory tests which can confirm this diagnosis. Symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event. Women are more prone to develop the disorder than are men, and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age. An Oriental Medicine Perspective The Oriental medicine theory of pain is expressed in this famous Chinese saying: "Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong" which means "free flow: no pain, no free flow: pain." Pain is seen as a disruption of the flow of Qi within the body. The disruption of Qi that results in fibromyalgia is usually associated with disharmonies of the Liver, Spleen, Kidney and Heart Systems. The Acupuncture Treatment Oriental Medicine does not recognize fibromyalgia as one particular disease pattern. Instead, it aims to treat the specific symptoms that are unique to each individual relevant to their constitution, emotional state, intensity and location of their pain, digestive health, sleeping patterns and an array of other signs and symptoms. Therefore, if 10 people are treated with Oriental medicine for fibromyalgia, each of these 10 people will receive a unique, customized treatment with different acupuncture points, different herbs and different lifestyle and dietary recommendations. Because symptoms of fibromyalgia vary greatly from one person to another, a wide array of traditional and alternative treatments have been shown to be the most effective way of treating this difficult syndrome. A treatment program may include a combination of psychological or behavioral therapies, medications, exercise, acupuncture, herbal medicine and bodywork. If you have fibromyalgia, acupuncture and Oriental medicine may be what you’ve been looking for to ease your symptoms and reclaim your health and vitality. Please call for a consultation today. Alleviate Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms Although fibromyalgia is a disorder considered disabling by many due to chronic widespread pain and fatigue there are some things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. Learn and Practice Stress Reduction Techniques Chronic stress can lead to fatigue, depression, a weakened immune system, and a host of serious physical and psychological ailments. When under stress your muscles contract and tense affecting nerves, blood vessels, organs, skin and bones. Chronically tense muscles can result in a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and disorders including muscle spasms and pain. While it isn't always possible to remove the external forces causing stress the ability to effectively deal with stress is a choice. Take time for yourself to cultivate the energy you need to handle your stress more skillfully and effectively. Eat a Well Balanced Diet Managing your diet may seem time-consuming but the benefits it offers make it worthwhile. Many fibromyalgia sufferers find relief through a properly managed diet. A list of basic nutrients to combat nerve sensitivities, improve cognition, boost the immune system, and reduce swelling is included in this newsletter. Exercise While even basic movements may be painful exercise helps restore strength and endurance. Tai Chi, Qi Gong or Yoga are great for easy stretches, careful strengthening, deep breathing, along with relaxation techniques. The gentle stretching will clear tension that builds when muscles tighten and tense and improve overall circulation. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Meditate The practice of meditation is a proven stress reducer that helps the body create a sense of calm and a continuing sense of well being. While 15 minutes is recommended, even 5 or 10 minutes can have a powerful effect on your day. Restorative Sleep Get at least 8 hours of restorative sleep. Maintain a routine sleep schedule and make your bedroom a sanctuary from every day stress. Practicing good sleep hygiene will give your body an opportunity to get stronger and heal. www.bluecraneacupuncture.com 434-316-9101

In This Issue Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for Fibromyalgia Syndrome Alleviate Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms Fight Fibromyalgia with Nutrient Dense Foods Meditation: Mindful Being Fight Fibromyalgia with Nutrient Dense Foods The National Fibromyalgia Association recommends a balanced diet containing nutrient dense foods free of artificial additives and sweeteners to help your body fight fibromyalgia syndrome. Incorporate these nutrient rich foods in your next meal. B-Complex Found in whole grains, beans, nuts, chicken, fish and eggs; B complex vitamins directly influence the nervous system's proper functioning and combat nerve problems such as tingling and tenderness. Magnesium Found in nuts, grains, beans, fish, meat and dark green vegetables magnesium is needed for muscle flexibility and bone, protein and fatty acid formation. Magnesium is also integral in making new cells, relaxing muscles, clotting blood and activating B vitamins. Omega 3 Directly affecting cellular function this fatty acid found in fish minimizes nerve sensitivity and improves cognition. Vitamin C Helps combat stress, builds the immune system, and reduces swelling. Vitamin C is found in a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables including citrus fruits, green vegetables, tomatoes, and berries. Water Increases circulation of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and helps to eliminate waste Meditation: Mindful Being The practice of meditation is a proven stress reducer that can help you tame your mind and overcome anxieties, agitation, and habitual thought patterns. To Meditate: Create a quiet, relaxing environment sitting upright in a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground, allowing for free and easy breathing. Relax your shoulders and gently place your hands on your knees or in your lap. Tuck your chin in slightly and keep your eyes half open, gaze softly focused downward about four to six feet in front, your mouth slightly open. Observe your breath. Don't accentuate or alter the way you breathe, just let your attention rest on the flow of your breath. Allow the "chattering" in your mind to gradually fade away. If distracted by a thought, gently refocus on your breathing. Focus on your breathing for 10 or 15 minutes. Stay relaxed, yet awake and attentive.