How to Treat Diseases Through Chinese Medicine

How to Treat Diseases Through Chinese Medicine



With its gentler, natural treatments offering lower costs and fewer side effects than prescription drugs, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is being seen as an increasingly desirable alternative to conventional Western medicine. With primary and supplementary treatments for common ailments like colds and the flu to serious diseases like breast cancer, proponents believe that Chinese medicine can help you make your way down the road to recovery. TCM is an ancient discipline that relies on herbs, acupuncture, massage and exercise to treat you. Follow these steps to find out how it does.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Get a Diagnosis




1


Visit your regular physician. Get authoritative answers about the cause of the symptom(s) you want to treat through Chinese medicine.





2


Talk to a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine. Costs are comparable to a visit to your regular doctor. Your practitioner will be able to expertly explain the different treatment options for the disease you want to treat.





3


Educate yourself. Understand the fundamental principles behind traditional Chinese medicine and how diseases are treated through their use. Begin your education at Dr. Shen's Web site (see Resources below).



Get Traditional Chinese Treatment




1


Know your options. Acute conditions are more likely to be treated using acupuncture, while chronic or serious long-term conditions are likely to use Chinese herbal treatments as a supplement to regular medical care.





2


Learn about
Chinese herbs
and dietary treatments. Study the ancient theory of the Five Elements. With it, practitioners use herbs and dietary treatments to reintroduce balance to your body and heal your disease at its root cause, rather than simply mask your symptoms.





3


Understand how acupuncture opens your body's primary energy channels, or what TCM calls meridians. Disease is treated through the reintroduction of vital energy that's blocked or impeded in their Meridian pathways.





4


Ask your traditional Chinese medicine practitioner questions. Know the potential benefits and risks. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of treatment techniques you're considering before beginning treatment.








Tips & Warnings










Shop around for a Chinese medicine practitioner the same way you would for anything else. Pricing, while generally affordable, can vary considerably from practitioner to practitioner.








Consult a doctor immediately if you have symptoms of an acute illness, like traces of blood in your urine, fainting or severe stomach pain. Never self-diagnose or self-treat symptoms.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031550_treat-diseases-through.html

How to Spiritually Heal Through Reiki

How to Spiritually Heal Through Reiki



Reiki is a holistic treatment intended to restore the body's energy balance through the practice of laying hands on the patient. This ancient Japanese practice, rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui in the 20th century, is purported to help heal many sorts of emotional, physical and spiritual imbalances caused by trauma or stress, from depression to common colds. Reiki has been considered effective by some in combination with Western medicinal practices as well as with homeopathic remedies.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet connection




Quiet room









1


Schedule an appointment with a Reiki practitioner or Reiki Master. Treatments range from inexpensive to moderately expensive, but once you know what you're doing, you can practice Reiki for free at home.





2


Lie on the massage table and feel the Reiki practitioner place his or her hands above your body. Some say heat can be felt as the energy flows between your body and the practitioner's hands.





3


Experience toxins being released from your body. Reiki is said to release toxins that are blocking spiritual pathways, and by detoxifying the body healing may be accomplished.





4


Notice an altered thought process following your Reiki treatment. Your point of view on life may be completely changed, and you may feel more positive both spiritually and emotionally.





5


Ask your practitioner about attunement, the process of becoming a Reiki practitioner yourself. Even if you do not want to become a practitioner, the attunement can also open you up to a more spiritually complete Reiki experience.





6


Learn more about attunements and spiritual healing through The International Center for Reiki Training web site (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Wear comfortable, loose clothing for your Reiki treatment.








Research your Reiki practitioner before you make an appointment. Sometimes it is helpful to meet your practitioner before a session in order to ensure a good match.








While Reiki is said to help heal chronic conditions such as asthma, it should not replace a consultation by a certified physician.








If you feel high anxiety after a Reiki session, consult a physician immediately, as some people have complained of adverse reactions to the treatment.








Due to the detoxifying effect on the body, some adverse physical side effects are associated with Reiki. Discuss the possibilities of these side effects with your physician before you attend a Reiki treatment.








Reiki is not a proven science and results do vary.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031608_spiritually-heal-through.html

How to Relieve Stress Through Reiki

How to Relieve Stress Through Reiki



Reiki is a traditional Japanese healing treatment focused on restoring the energy flow to the body through the practice of laying hands on and above the patient. Reiki is used to promote positive emotional, physical and spiritual health, and is often utilized in combination with other alternative and standard Western medicinal practices to purportedly relieve stress.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access




Quiet room




Chair to sit on or table to lie down on









1


Find a Reiki practitioner through a directory of practitioners in your area and set up an appointment. The International Center for Reiki Training Web site provides a good starting point (see Resources below).





2


Tell your practitioner the purpose of your visit is to relieve stress. While your practitioner may also target other areas of your body, stress reduction is believed to be almost inherent in any Reiki session.





3


Lie on the massage table with all your clothing on. Unlike other types of healing practice, Reiki is done over or above the body.





4


Expect to feel heat or warmth emanating from your practitioner's hands as he or she holds them above you. As your practitioner begins to move his or her hands, the sensation of heat may seem to travel through different parts of your body.





5


Experience the flow of energy from your practitioner's hands to your body. Reiki is considered a treatment for both the client and the practitioner, so the energy flow from your practitioner's hands to your body will vary.





6


Expect your Reiki session to last anywhere from a half-hour to two hours, depending on your stress level, age and state of emotional and physical health.





7


Relax your body. You may fall asleep, have a spiritual experience, think deeply, see images or simply meditate for the duration of the treatment.





8


Plan a budget for this treatment. While beginning sessions are fairly inexpensive, weekend retreats and long-term sessions increase in price.





9


Continue to relieve your stress through Reiki after your Reiki treatment by learning the hand positions of Reiki and performing Reiki on yourself. See diagrams of hand positions at the Reiki.nu Website (see Resources below).





10


Experience a long-distance or remote healing to relieve stress by contacting a specialized remote Reiki practitioner.





11


Learn more about Reiki and self-treatment by visiting The International Center for Reiki Training Web site.








Tips & Warnings










Wear loose clothing to experience the full benefits of your Reiki treatment.








Holistic and alternative medicines are not designed to treat all ailments. If you are experiencing severe chest pain or stress-induced panic attacks, consult a physician immediately.








Reiki is not a proven science and results do vary.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031607_relieve-stress-through.html

How to Relieve Headaches Through Chinese Medicine

How to Relieve Headaches Through Chinese Medicine



Whereas your standard, over-the-counter painkillers simply address the symptoms of headaches, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments aim to address their root cause, held to be a deficiency of energy and restricted blood flow in the head. If you have nagging, chronic head pain, TCM offers a number of natural treatments. TCM employs herbal remedies and acupuncture, as it has for thousands of years. Follow these steps to use it to relieve headaches.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Know the Basics




1


Learn the fundamentals behind traditional Chinese medicine at the "TCMBasics" Web site (see Resources below). The concepts of Yin and Yang, the body's Meridian system of energy routes and the idea of "Qi," or "life energy," are all important.





2


Read more about Chinese diagnostic principles. To relieve your headaches, a practitioner will have to identify their root cause by using the four diagnostic techniques: smelling and tasting, touching, direct observation and inquiring about your history and habits.





3


Understand that headaches are thought to be the result of poor blood circulation or depleted Qi reserves in your head. You will relieve your headaches by addressing whatever problem your practitioner determines to be their cause.



Treat Headaches Using Chinese Medicine




1


Make an appointment to talk to a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine. He or she will need to diagnose the type of headache you have through the use of the four diagnostic principles. There are two main types of headaches in traditional Chinese medicine: excess headaches and deficiency headaches.





2


Consult an expert in Chinese herbology. There are a wide variety of herbal treatments through which you can relieve your headache, but the herbs you will use will depend on the type of headache you were diagnosed with.





3


Consider acupuncture therapy. Practitioners believe that acupuncture opens up clogged meridian pathways, allowing for an improved flow of qi through the body, which will in turn help relieve your headaches.





4


Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet with more emphasis on natural, unprocessed foods. Any Chinese medicine practitioner will tell you a healthy lifestyle only improves the flow of Qi and, therefore, your overall well-being.








Tips & Warnings










Be aware that appointments with most traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are comparable in cost to the price of a visit to a walk-in medical clinic. Expect rates to be moderate.








Seek immediate medical attention if your severe headache leads to fainting or vomiting. This is a sign that something more serious may be wrong.








Chronic headache conditions, such as migraines, should be discussed with your physician.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031555_relieve-headaches-through.html

How to Decide If You Can Benefit From Naturopathy

How to Decide If You Can Benefit From Naturopathy



Naturopathy, a medical science that treats everyday health problems as well as chronic disease, is the choice of many who seek more holistic care than traditional medicine can provide. Naturopathy attends to patients' entire well-being and to specific conditions, emphasizing prevention and natural remedies over surgery and drugs. Allergies, headaches and digestive problems are some of the ailments that respond well to naturopathy.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet access







Learn How Naturopathy Can Benefit You




1


Learn how naturopathy differs from traditional medicine in treating a wide range of conditions and in maintaining lifelong health. Andrew Weil's popular book "Natural Health, Natural Medicine: The Complete Guide to Wellness and Self-Care for Optimum Health" is a good place to start (see Resources below).





2


Consider how active you want to be in decisions regarding your health. Naturopathic physicians can be more involved with their patients in searching for the causes of health problems. They will expect you to take responsibility for monitoring, maintaining and improving your physical condition, rather than simply relying on prescribed medications. Learn more about the doctor-patient relationship from The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (see Resources below).



Assess Your Health Needs and Decide




1


Prioritize your health concerns--from respiratory conditions to weight loss/gain to chronic pain. Decide whether your current medical practitioner has been able to address those issues effectively.





2


Confirm your personal diagnosis by consulting a naturopathic practitioner. Find a doctor through a local alternative medicine center or use the locator at American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. A first visit will be moderate to slightly expensive in cost, about the same as with a medical doctor.





3


Consider what you learned about the state of your health and ask yourself if you think naturopathy will provide benefit to you if you add it to your current health care regime.








Tips & Warnings










You won't be alone if you embrace naturopathy. A 2006 survey by Thomson Medstat indicates that over 37 percent of Americans use some form of alternative medicine.








Some herbal or homeopathic remedies can interact with prescriptions drugs that you may be taking. Always consult a naturopathic physician before choosing remedies or supplements.








Considering naturopathy is a long-term solution. If you have pressing physical symptoms, such as chest pains or shortness of breath, get emergency help.








Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about how alternative medicine practitioners can be professionally licensed. If you decide to visit one, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization. Consult your primary health care provider about your decision first. Keep your doctor informed about the alternative medical technique you undertake.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2031464_decide-naturopathy-benefit.html

How to Dress Fashionably in 2008

How to Dress Fashionably in 2008



Foreseeing trends of 2008 can be a challenge. By picking up a few magazines or browsing various internet sites, you can plan for fashion in 2008 and purchase a few key items to update your wardrobe. Follow these steps and get these must-haves. Read on so you will know how to master 2008 fashion before the New Year rolls in.







Things You'll Need:





Something quilted



Thick belt



Patterned tights



Balloon dress or skirt



Layering tops







Shop for 2008




Step
1



Do your research before heading to the mall. Check out InStyle magazine or O the Oprah Magazine. Here you can find affordable and fun fashion tips and items under $100.




Step
2



Make a list of all things you will purchase such as the list above: Something quilted, thick alligator belt, balloon skirt.




Step
3



Ask someone for help at the store. Say you are looking for a balloon skirt. He/she will help you find what you are looking for and recommend a top to match. Maybe even shoes, too.




Step
4



You have an ensemble to build upon. Starting with one chic item and pairing it with other accessories is the way to go.







Tips & Warnings









Layering is in. Purchase tops that can be layered.








Have something quilted on your list.








Add a belt or other accessory to juice up your ensemble.








Make sure you have the right undergarments. This makes a HUGE difference in the fit.








Avoid matchy items such as sweat suits or sweater sets.








Buy the right size. Too tight or too large can make or break an outfit.








Also have a list of your wish items.








Create a budget before stepping outside your door.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2129907_dress-fashionably-in.html

How to Dress Emo on a Budget

How to Dress Emo on a Budget



Lucky for you, trying to dress emo doesn't have to break the bank. With just a few trips to the thrift store, you can create the look on a budget. Besides, the less you spend on your wardrobe, the more emo you'll look.







Things You'll Need:





Slim jeans



Band pins



Slim t-shirts



Canvas sneakers







Get Emo Without Going Broke




Step
1



Hit up the thrift store for used tees, Western-style shirts, jeans and shoes. You might also be able to find a number of other accessories--pins, glasses, belts--while you're hunting for clothes. Check thrift stores in less populated areas if the ones near you have already been picked over.




Step
2



Skip the expensive jeans and get slim fitting, dark colored, straight-leg jeans from the Gap or Levis instead. Most of the inexpensive brands are now producing emo-looking jeans.




Step
3



Visit the sporting good stores to find canvas sneakers. While department stores and hip boutiques are charging high prices for shoes, you can find similar styles at a regular sneaker store.




Step
4



Dress yourself in kids' clothes. Since most emo looks require tight-fitting shirts and sweaters, buy kids' versions, which are cheaper. Also, the childish graphics are often ironic enough to be cool.




Step
5



Buy band tees after the tour ends. While prices at the concert might exceed your t-shirt budget, you may find the same shirt later for half the price, and no one will be the wiser.




Step
6



Scour online tee stores for full-bleed shirts, which feature graphics in unusual places. Many online stores now let you customize your emo tees without killing your budget.




Step
7



Make your own clothes and accessories. If you want to dress emo on a budget, the do-it-yourself look is your friend. Pick up a screen-printing kit from the art store to make your own shirts.




Step
8



Adapt your current clothes for the emo look. Since overdoing any style will make you look like you are wearing a costume, be sure to mix in your own style with your new emo look. Your old clothes can be modified for less than buying new clothes.







Tips & Warnings









For you men out there, get a truly slim fit by wearing girl's jeans.








Save even more money by dyeing your own hair. The asymmetrical haircut needs to be done by a professional, but you can save a few bucks if you do the color yourself.








While thrift stores offer great prices, be sure to check the clothes thoroughly for loose seams, fraying hems, pocket holes and stains.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2103002_dress-emo-budget.html