Simple Health Cures

   Chronic pain is described as the kind of pain that persists over a long period of time. It is obvious that it limits your regular lifestyle and standard of living. So,it should be no surprise that probably the most popular use of acupuncture is pain management.

   Acupuncture is claimed to be an effective treatment for many forms of chronic pain. It has also proved to be good for treating postoperative and chemptherapy nausea and vomiting, nausea caused by pregnancy and dental pain. Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective for dealing with various painful conditions including migraines, back pain, tennis elbows and menstrual cramps.

   Much research has been done on acupuncture but the answer as to why it works is still yet to be fully established.

   However, one of the theories that explains why acupuncture works so well for treating pain is the Gate Theory of Pain. First proposed in 1965, this claims that acupuncture does its work through the nerous system where there are fibers that both transmit and inhabit pain.

   These are found in the substancia gelatinosa of the spinal cord. This substancia gelatinosa is responsible for sending signals to the brain that inhabit pain, thus preventing the signal from reaching the brain and thereby lowering your sensation of pain.

   The two types of fibers are called A-beta and C nerves fibers. A-beta fibers have a low volt threshold, conduct faster and are large. C fibers are just the opposite they are small, conduct slowly and have a high volt threshold.

   Increased impulses from the A-beta fiber closes the gate that transmits the pain signal from the C fibers. This is where acupuncture comes, in. It acts as a pain reliever by stimulating the acupoint which affects the A beta fibers. When the needle is constantly twirled, non pain impulses are transmitted through the substancia gelatinosa, closing the gate that would otherwise allow pain impulse to get through.

   The impulse from the A-beta fibers are then relayed to the thalamus which is the part of the brain that is usually responsible for dealing with pain. Once the final”gate” is closed, the whole body experiences relief from pain.

   Another theory looks at acupuncture as a counter-pain treatment. It claims that when we experience pain in one part of the body, the experience of  pain in another part of the body will be lessened. However, this theory does not explain the long term effectiveness of pain relief from acupuncture.

The World Health Organization has indicated acupuncture as a valid treatment for eyes disorders including conjunctivitis and cataracts. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, diseases of the eyes are directly related to the liver.

   The eye is nourished by all of the internal organs in the body. The lens of the eyes and the pupil is “attached” to the kidney, the sciera belongs to the lungs, the arteries and veins to the heart, the top eyelids are associated with the spleen, the bottom eyelid belongs to the stomach, and the cornea and the iris belongs to the liver. The spleen and stomach control circulation in the eyes. An imbalance in any of the internal organs can lead to sight problems or eye disease.

   Particular points arounds the eye are indicated for treating different disorders. The inner corners of the eyes are the most commonly used points for dealing with eye disease ranging from early stage cataracts to vision loss that comes with hysteria.

   The hollow of the eyebrows at the midpoint is good for dealing with eye problems caused by stress, too much studying and other kinds of mental strain. The cavities found on the outer limit of the eye are indicated for conjunctivitis, sore eyes, photophobia, dry, itchy eyes, cataracts and blurred vision, and lateral headaches.

   The World Health organization has recommended acupuncture treatments for dealing with a variety of gastric disorders such as hiccups, gastritis hyper acidity, ulcers, colitis, constipation and diarrhea.

   In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the key organ to take note of when looking at such gastric disorders is the spleen. It has the primary responibility for the transportation and transformation of food around the body, including the excretion of waste from the body.

   For the spleen to function well, it must be moist. However, if there is a deficiency of chi in the spleen, it may become too moist and a condition known as “damp heat” will develop.

   For the stomach to function well, it must be dry. When it is imbalanced, it can easily overheat and create a painful condition known as “stomach fire”. The liver can also contribute to gastric infections.

   There are four main reasons for gastric disorders according to traditional Chinese medicine:

1. Deficiency of chi in the spleen, this can be brought on by severe fatigue or severe illness.

2. Retention of damp heat, this could be caused by infections, improper diet and environmental factors.

3. Disharmony in the liver and spleen, this could be caused by emotional disturbances.

4. Deficiency of yang in the spleen and kidney, this is caused by illnesses or aging.

   Most people who are suffering from gastric disorders have a lower than usual immune response.

   The cells of the immune system produce a protein called immunoglobulin in the blood serum and tissue fluids. This protein helps to exterminte antigen bearing micro-organisms in the blood stream and tissues. Extensive research has proved that applying acupuncture to certain points increase the levels of this protein.

   This helps the body to deal with a multitude of health conditions including chronic gastritis, antral gastritis, gastric ulcer and atrophic gastritis.

   Let us lok at another way in which acupuncture helps the function of the digestive system. When we eat, the stomach and colon. This action moves the food along the digestive tract. Acupuncture techniques along the relevant acupuncture points can raise the levels of gastrin and ensure a more efficient digestive system.

   According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture is indicated for treating six different kinds of respiratory problems. These are acute rhinitis, acute sinusitis, the common cold, acute tonsillitis, acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma.

   In traditional Chinses medicine, asthma is known as xiao chuan which translates as wheezing and dyspnea. It incorporates various kinds of respiratory disorders, and such wheezing and shortness of breath symptoms are manifestations that are seen in many types of respiratory syndromes such as bronchitis and asthma.

   In traditional Chinese medicine, asthma is known as xiao chuan which translates as wheezing and dyspnea. It incorporates various kinds of respiratory disorders, and such wheezing and shortness of breath symptoms are manifestations that are seen in many types of respiratory syndromes such as bronchitis and asthma.

   Asthma is a chronic lung disease and occurs when the inner walls of the airways, the bronchial tubes, become inflamed. Swelling of these bronchial tubes and the excessive mucus emanating from the inner walls cause the tubes to become narrow and this partially blocks the airways. Allergies, bronchiole infection and hyperirritability of the airway tubes are among the most common causes of asthma.

   Traditional Chinese medicine has been treating asthma for many thousands of years. Acupuncture helps the prevention of respiratory problems by balancing and improving the immune system. It also reduces the risk of allergic reactions and bronchial inflammation Acupuncture can also adjust the nervous system to expand the walls of the airways while at the same time increasing lung capacity as well as reducing and removing excess mucus and phlegm.

   Acupuncture is a science and art for healing. However, knowledge of acupuncture is useful for those who practices the martial arts as well. We know already that those who practice martial arts as well. We know already that there are many knids of acupuncture points and stimulating different acupuncture points yields different results.

   The stimulation of some acupuncture points can be painful because of the nerves found in the area. Our body has a pain withdrawal reflex which causes us to move away from the source of pain. Martial artists make use of this knowledge, often unknowingly.

   Pressure applied to the collar bone from above will cause one to move down, while poking between the jaw and neck will  make one move upwards. Some points on the body will react more violently than others. When a muscle is subjected to a direct attack, it will contract. For example, an attack on the outer leg will cause one to fall over as in this situation a person’s leg automatically loses power. Applying pressure on acupuncture points may also hurt your opponent.

   For example, applying pressure to the carotid artery will make the body think that it’s blood pressure is too high and it will therefore automatically lower blood pressure, which will bring on a black out.

   There are also certain acupuncture points which when struck are more likely to break than others. At it’s most basic level, an attack on the body affects the flow of chi around the body and thus effects the condition of that body. Some acupuncture techniques are potent enough to cause serious injuries and even death.

   Insomnia can have serious debilitating effects on a person, as it is so much more than simpy tossing in bed.

   Insomnia can manifest itself in many ways. The most common symptom of insomnia is being unable to fell asleep for extended periods of time, if at all. Othe symptoms include the inability to fall into deep sleep. The accumulated effects can and do include physical tiredness, difficulty in concertrating, lethargy, depression andirritabilitty. Sleep needs in terms of hours vary for each person. the important issue when dealing with insomnia is the quality of day time activirt.

   Acupuncture treatment for insomnia treats a person on an individual basis and creates a holistic treatment system. insomnia can be caused by anxiety, stress, depression, taxing work schedules, medications, alcohol and drug abuse, chronic pain.

   Acpuncture has proven to be good for each of these insomnia causes and symptoms. It is therefore able to treat insomnia at the grassroots for the vast majority of sufferers.

   Traditional Chinese medicine sees insomnia in relation principally to the heart but other organs may also be involved.

   Insomnia is often caused by stress. Stress weakens the liver system which has a direct affect on our nerves. The five element theory says that there is a relation between the liver and the nerves. This means that the liver is weakened by things that tend to get on our nerves.

   When the liver is unbalanced and required to deliver chi it does not have, then the uneasy symptoms brought on by this are the body’s way of sinaling that something is wrong and needs to be put in order. 

   Acupuncture also calms our nerves. It helps to clear obstructions of the muscle and nerve channels. The most commonly noted advantages of acupuncture include deeper breathing, better digestion, decrease in pain, improved sleeping patterns and all over well being. These benefits in thenselves are excellent treatment for insomnia.