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NIAHC, The National Institute of Alternative Health Care announces today the first nationally coordinated alternative health care website, The Alternative Health Connection (www.althealthconnect.com).

The Alternative Health Connection was launched on May 26th in Santa Cruz County located on the central coast of Northern California, and it is now positioned to be the single point of destination for people who are seeking a path to radiant health. For the first time ever, visitors can search for alternative health care professionals, wellness centers, schools and earth conscious businesses based on geographic location, all in one place! They will even find Wholessence, our online e-zine which is filled with topics ranging from alternative therapies, to live interviews with our practitioners. It is a social live magazine where the public can interact with our wellness community and find more information on health conditions, nutrition, tips on living green and other solutions for attaining balance for mind, body and spirit... that's self-care!

President and founder, Tricia Hancock, a clinical hypnotherapist, business coach, yoga instructor and entrepreneur, observed the rapid growth of the industry and yet saw how fragmented the information on the internet was and committed to creating a cohesive borderless wellness community.

"In my own practice, I found it difficult to find a professional network of quality referrals for my clients. I met many educated, caring alternative health practitioners who were struggling to grow their practice and in need of proven marketing strategies. The watershed moment in committing to build this website came from a meeting with a lovely elderly healer who told me 'We lose an extraordinary number of gifted healers every year because they don't know how to market or build their practices.' On the public side, our market research revealed a real craving for a one-stop online wellness resource that they could trust. We simply had to provide the platform to do that."

The site is designed to bridge the public to local, qualified health practitioners, a full library of educational information, and earth conscious businesses; while at the same time offering unparalleled marketing tools that support the alternative health field.

Practitioners and earth conscious businesses are invited to join a professional community that provides them with strategic marketing tools, localized client leads and the opportunity to publish articles. Our technology platform along with local, regional and national advertising will elevate The Alternative Health Connection to top ranking on all of the major search engines, resulting in unrivaled exposure for our members.

The Healthy Marketplace is dedicated to providing visitors with top quality green goods, yoga studios and people who are passionate about health and wellness. In this section, you'll find restaurants and health food stores that support your journey in sustainable living.

We have been so well received here in Santa Cruz County, that we're excited to say we are now spreading throughout the entire state ready to go national. NIAHC was founded by a group of alternative health care and marketing professionals who are fiercely devoted to servicing the long-term needs of the public and its members with the highest degree of integrity and trust. For more information please call 1-800-670-1980.

SOURCE National Institute of Alternative Health Care

LuxSauna has teamed up with world famous "Hippocrates Health Institute" with far infrared saunas placed in HHI's private cabins. Clients of HHI are now able to take advantage of these private far infrared saunas to sweat out toxins, the source of what many doctors and alternative health practitioners believe to be the major causes of most health problems including obesity, skin problems, and even cancer, arthritis and other ailments.

Dr. Joseph of Hippocrates Health Institute stated, "We use LuxSaunas as an integral part of our main health and recovery. Your body wants to heal, but if you are loaded with toxins in your body, it's an uphill battle, so you need to clean your system out."

LuxSauna offers far infrared saunas in a wide array of styles and features; however, the benefits with these infrared saunas are more important than their exquisite style. The far infrared saunas have been researched for their true health benefits with results published by the Journal of American Medical Association on August 7, 1987, which stated, "Due to the deep penetration -- over 1 1/2" to 2" past the skin, into the fat -- the infrared rays generated by these far infrared sauna heat systems create a heating effect deep in the muscular tissues and the internal organs. The body responds to this deep-heating effect via a hypothalamic-induced increase in both heart volume and rate. This beneficial heart stress leads to a sought-after cardiovascular training and conditioning effect."

Medical researchers have shown that infrared treatments aid individuals with many ailments such as TMJ arthritis, traumatic arthritis, the relief of low back pain, accelerated healing of brain contusions, muscle pain after exercise, relaxed tight shoulders, relieved or eliminated shoulder pain, relaxed muscle tension, reduced or eliminated bursitis and more.

Now, Hippocrates Health Institute is combining their health and recovery therapy with the LuxSauna far infrared saunas in their private cabins so all guests will be able to benefit from the benefits that are experienced with the detox spa in the privacy of their cabins while staying at the health institute. The private saunas chosen by the Hippocrates Health Institute are LuxSaunas, otherwise referred to as Luxspa suites, offering individuals the comfort of a spa in the privacy of their own room, while detoxing their bodies for overall better health through detoxification, ridding the body of harmful toxins with the theory that a clean, toxin-free body can more ably and quickly repair itself.

Aromatherapy is a popular alternative therapy used widely due to is feel good factor. While it is not necessary to learn about its origin and mode of action to enjoy its benefits, understanding the healing potentials of the essential oils does expand our choices for treating common ailments. Aroma oils can be used in various ways including massages, mouthwashes and gargles, inhalations, compresses, oil burners, and bath. The oils should not be applied to the skin undiluted or administered orally without an expert's prescription. Here we have listed a few oils that are widely used and readily available.

1. Peppermint- This refreshing clean scented oil is beneficial for the digestive and respiratory system. It is also reviving and can help cure fatigue, headache, and migraine.
2. Ginger- Is warming and drying and can be used in arthritis and muscle pain, is a good remedy for nausea.
3. Jasmine- A luxurious oil is a perfect skin balancer, a few drops of oil in the bathing water releases stress, and fatigue, relieves from pain and aches, leaving you feeling uplifted and relaxed.
4. Lavender- One of the most widely used oil which is healing and very refreshing, it soothes sun burn, skin injuries, and is a good treatment for eczema, fungal infections, and flaking scalp.
5. Lemon- Antiseptic and refreshing, it can be used to treat infectious diseases, especially feverish colds. It is good for circulation, can also be helpful in curing migraine, and can be inhaled for nosebleeds.

Pic courtesy Eggybird on www.flickr.com 

Everyone loses minerals from their skeletons from around the age of 30 and about 4- 5 % of women and 1- 2 % of men develop osteoporosis (brittle bones) the biggest cause of fractures in elderly people. The best solution for this problem is doing regular exercise in the form of yoga, meditation, and relaxation, stretching, besides jogging, dancing, and skipping help maintains the mineral density of the skeleton.

The diet should include Phyto- estrogens, which is found in soya products, sprouted seeds, and grains may be beneficial. Extra calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper have a positive effect in maintaining the bone strength. The Rescue Remedy would be invaluable for relieving the pain and shock linked to a fracture.

Homeopathic remedy that should be administered twice daily for up to three weeks is Symphytum6c. This is particularly used for any fracture that is proving slow to heal. The established disease can also be treated with drugs that help to remineralize low-density bone with calcium and phosphorus salts.

Pic courtesy eyeliam on www.flickr.com

 

You are in your teens and are feeling shy to go in public all because of a bad skin. Acne mainly affects the adolescents, reflecting the hormonal changes at this age. The glands in the skin of the face, chest, shoulders, and upper back secrete more of the lubricant sebum, the skin's natural oil. Glands blocked with sebum and dead cells become swollen and infected, forming pus- filled pimples and red spots.
A whole food diet and exercise are considered to be of vital to increase the flow of oxygen to the surface of the skin. Exposure to sunlight as a source of vitamin D is recommended, and intensive hydrotherapy as steam is suggested. A fresh mixed juice of carrot, celery, and grapefruit should be taken twice daily. Boil a sprig of rosemary or thyme in a pint, after cooling ads some lemon juice and use the water for bathing.
Chamomile tea helps to allay the anxiety and stress that often triggers acne. If your skin is normal mix 50 ml soya oil and 1 tsp of almond oil with 10 drops of your chosen oil, for extra sensitive skin add 5 drops wheatgerm and apply twice daily, followed with a hot compress. Avoid oily or junk food, apply anti- acne cream, remember not to squeeze or pick spots as it spreads the infection and causes scarring.
Acne can be cured and improved- do not get depressed about it.

 

Heart attacks are very common not only among the older generation but even among those who are in their 20's or 30's. One of the reasons of a cardiac arrest is high blood, millions have been spent in researching the causes, developing new drugs to control and establish preventive measures.

Hypertension is a silent killer as it is often symptom less. The best prevention is to exercise regularly, shed those extra pounds and maintain a healthy lifestyle with good eating habits. Preparations of motherwort are prescribed to reduce blood pressure, and infusion of broom for diuretic properties.

Extract of kava kava relieves pain and calms emotional upset, and is especially useful for hypertension- related headaches. Bach flower remedies and Olive remedies are also beneficial to a person suffering from BP. Inhaling essence of ylang- ylang can calm you vexed or upset. Go for regular check ups as untreated hypertension damages kidneys, eyes, heart muscles and other organs.

Pic courtesy Doctor Swan and Eduardo Hulshof on www.flickr.com

Fever Influenza, Viral, Cough, and Cold, are common ailments of a common man. Of these flu claims lives among the frail and elderly who are prone to secondary bacterial infections, causing pneumonia and bronchitis. The symptoms of flu include severe pain within eyeballs, high temperature, muscular pain and tenderness.

First and the foremost thing is to increase your fluid intake, and take ample rest. Warm water baths brings refreshments and warm water gargles eases the throat infection. Carrot, apricot, cantaloupe melons are a good source of beta- carotene. Try a mustard footbath, to relieve toxic feelings; credit is given to the antibiotic properties of the mustard seeds that enter the blood stream through the blood vessels of the feet.  

 
Inhale essence of eucalyptus, naiouli to reduce fever and general discomfort in the upper airways. Eat extra healthy food to boost your immune system.

Pic courtesy Gaetan Lee on www.flickr.com

Another toffee and Bubbles will have a toothache, here goes the siren and your child already has a terrible toothache. Toothache is a common pediatric problem that results from pressure upon dental nerve at the tooth's centre. Chalky tartar around the base of the teeth causes numerous problems, including bad breath.

To combat mouth acid and reduce decay, reduce the intake of sugary foods, chewing nuts, apples, and raw vegetables strengthen the teeth. Teeth need calcium, but the absorption of calcium is aided by vitamin D made in the skin when exposed to sunlight.
Sweeten bad breath by chewing a small handful of parsley. Cloves being an antiseptic fights bad breath and eases sore gums, you can also add 1 drop of essential oil of myrrh, a precious resin with powerful analgesic and antiseptic properties a tumbler of water and use as a mouthwash.

Of course follow a strict routine of brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal, use toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride. Use disclosing tablets to reveal tartar build up and visit the dentist at least once in six months.

Pic courtesy I'm Fantastic and Elenadan on www.flickr.com

 

Having a problem talking and even eating your regular meals, well I can understand because a friend of mine had the same problem. He worked late nights had a disturbed sleeping pattern and also ate oily and junk food, due to which he perpetually had mouth ulcers or peptic ulcers.

Ulcers can be really horrifying and painful at times, developing into big and very sensitive wounds which take long to heal. But you can try these home remedies which have been tried and tested for many years.
1. Eat dry grated coconut, or keep it in the mouth where there is an ulcer.
2. Apply tomato juice to the ulcer as it soothes the pain.
3. Drink raw cabbage juice as it has an anti-oxidant property and is very helpful in treating ulcers.
4. Avoid citrus fruit juices and citrus fruits as it is already acidic in nature and may aggravate the burning sensation.
5. Besides these simple home remedies you can also apply an anti- ulcer gel, take B-complex tablets, which relieves the pain faster.

Try these tips and let me know how it has benefitted you.

 

Our body is very intelligent as it knows how to bring itself back to wholeness in proper given conditions. Life Force Energy (LFE) also described as the Prana in the eastern culture powers the brain, all the vital organs, and every aspect of the anatomy.
Without enough Prana our bodies will gradually deteriorate and stop functioning eventually falling sick and bed- ridden. Thus we need to amplify and balance the LFE clearing all the emotional, spiritual, and physical blockages in order to allow the free flow of the Prana to our entire body.
All we need to is to redirect our energies in the correct direction and this can be done with the help of the healing power of Quantum Touch, which not only helps in treating an ailment but also has long lasting effects

Among the many alternative therapies, Ayurveda rules the charts in his century. This science is very much in harmony with nature, as its basic roots are linked with nature. It views every individual as a unique being made up of mind, body and soul which exists in harmony with environment. Evolved about millions of years ago this is one science with no toxic side effects. Ayurveda gives stress on the internal and external harmony because if this goes hay wire the doors to illness open and the guests take a long time to go.
Ayurveda means holistic healing, there are about 200-300 alternative therapies for treating different types of illness. Some of them are acupuncture, acupressure, reki, meditation, yoga, pranayam, folklore and many more which are easily available and very accessible besides the fact that they are also very afforhdable. This science offers karmic healing also and people can get relief from chronic illness which is really unbelievable.
The medicines are made from natural herbs, flowers and leaves, so there are fair chances of them being non toxic and cheap. All these medicines and therapies are backed by scientific research so are also reliable. The medicines are usually bitter and have to taken keeping certain diet restrictions in mind.
Healing is thus a process of re-engineering the balance of an individual. Ayueveda tells is how our lives can be influenced and molded without interference of age and any type of ailment. Where most modern science might fail to give an answer Ayurveda is the answer. 
Pic courtesy www.flickr.com at Mansoon Treatment@Athreya Ayurveda Resorts and hoffman's club

Our feet grow only till a certain age of our life. After we have settled into an adult shoe size, these dependable appendages are likely to stay the same till the very end. But the amount of weight they have to bear becomes quite different at different times. From being thin and lithe athletes, we may turn into middle aged dumplings - with the same sized feet! Little wonder then, that feet are often the signs of our health, or lack of it. The bottoms of our feet begin to lose their rounded character as we grow older and carry more weight. They flatten, and acquire a weary look. Feet also become susceptible to many ailments - fungal infections due to poor hygiene and little opportunity for feet to 'breathe', corns and sore spots, painful ingrowing toe nails, and of course, ulcers and lesions associated with the condition known as 'diabetic foot'.

From the simple pedicure that removes dirt and revives our feet with a moisture laden massage to more treatments and products aimed specially at feet, any strategy that pays attention to these vital ends of our bodies is welcome. Pampering the feet feels great at any time - after a long and tiring walk, during a bad cold, and even after a bout of enjoyable but strenuous dancing!

Care of the feet becomes even more important when one is suffering from a degenerative disorder like diabetes. This is emphasized by every physician you visit to monitor a diabetic condition. Apart from this, so much is revealed by feet that they deserve special care at all times. Cracked heels, feet puffed with fluid due to water-retention, feet marred by ill-fitting footwear - all these reveal a reluctance to care for ourselves in an important way. Do your best for your feet, and you will find they never let you down. Forget them, and your signature tune could well become, 'My feet are killing me!'.

24th to 30th September is World Reflexology Week, and if you haven't yet had your feet and hands treated by a reflexologist, you could be missing something. In 1913, Dr. William Fitzgerald introduced what he called 'zone therapy' to the West. He had noticed that different areas of the feet and hands were linked to other organs of the body in the same zone. In the 1930s, it took physiotherapist Eunice Ingham, with her path-breaking book 'Stories the Feet Can Tell' to bring reflexology well within the reach of ordinary people seeking relief from a variety of disorders ranging from arthritis and migraine to digestive problems and stress.

The strange thing was, although Ingham is credited as the founder of reflexology, because she pointed out the direct connection between treating specific reflex areas in a person's hands and feet in order to relieve and influence other organs, ancient cultures as far back as Egypt in 2330 B.C seemed to have had their own form of reflexology. Get answers to your queries about reflexology or find out more about reflexology history, schools and practitioners .

Why does a foot massage feel so good even when done by an amateur, such as your partner or lover? Reflexologists certainly know how to reach every bit of you - through the soles of your feet!

As twenty first century beings subject to our share of stress and pollution, we often struggle to achieve that balance with the universe that marked the lives of our ancestors. Lunar cycles, seasons, and the very air we breathe may be viewed as external factors by us, instead of helpful components in an enriched existence. However, harnessing the energy that seems to permeate all living things around us, and achieving a state of wellness through this, is taught in many ancient systems of medicine and healing.

Qigong, normally pronounced 'chi kung', is a practice that uses  “Qi”, or air, breath of life, the vital energy of the body, with  “gong” that is the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement. Meditation, relaxation, physical movement, mind-body integration, and breathing exercises are all part of Qigong. Practice of Qigong helps people develop an awareness of qi sensations (energy) in their body and use their mind to guide the Qi. When this practice has become sufficiently advanced, practitioners can direct or emit external Qi for the purpose of healing others.

In fact, Qigong is sometimes classified as Medical, Martial and Spiritual, depending on the focus and use it is put to. Find out more about this ancient Chinese art of healing that has taken hold all over the world, with European countries like Germany and Denmark embracing it with enthusiasm.

Even a quick massage of his neck and shoulders, or a gentle rubbing of his forehead, scalp and temples was a great pick-me-up for my husband in the early days of our marriage. His response to massage of any kind was so gratifying that I took the trouble to learn some basic massage techniques, and when we had more time at our disposal, would work on his back, arms and hands with moderate success. Needless to say, this form of touch helped us to feel very close, and took away some of the sting of the arguments we had plenty of, in the first year we were married.

Massage is not only great between lovers or partners, but has always occupied an important place in healing and restoring the human body. The benefits of massage undoubtedly have a lot to do with circulation - the massage of soft tissue improves the flow of blood and the supply of oxygen to each cell of the massaged area. How massage invigorates our bodies can be understood and applied at any stage, not just when we are feeling low or depleted.

However, at such times massage can work to even better effect. The basic techniques of Swedish massage can be learnt by most of us, and the great part is that recipes for making oils to be used in Swedish massage are also available online.

What has made the application of massage more exciting in recent times is the use of  different techniques such as Thai massage and Native American massage using basalt stones that have been heated and cooled. With so much variety, there is a better chance of finding a particular kind of massage that suits you and helps you re-balance.

However, what leads many people to massage is undoubtedly the desire to shed some weight, since many forms of massage, specially Indian Ayurvedic massage, promise the streamlining of the body with the help of massage done with medicinal oils.   

Does massage really help to lose weight? It would appear it helps to squeeze fat cells and redistribute it under the skin, leading to a disappearance of 'dimples'. By toning the soft tissue, and improving circulation, it is also imparting some of the benefits of exercise.

If this aspect of massage really appeals to you, and you are interested in learning more about Ayurvedic massage oils and techniques, you might consider a course that makes you understand the principles on which Ayurvedic massage is based and how it helps to balance the body's energies.

Perhaps what makes massage so attractive among different therapies for well-being is that it centers on touch - so important for us humans and often difficult to find because it is loaded with so much baggage. All of us need to touch, and be touched.

Voltaire said, “The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease.”

Today medical science is discovering that laughter truly is a means to stay healthy.

Helpguide.org has the following snippets:

“When we laugh, natural killer cells which destroy tumors and viruses increase, along with Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells (important for our immune system) and B-cells (which make disease-fighting antibodies). As well as lowering blood pressure, laughter increases oxygen in the blood, which also encourages healing.” 

“Science of Laughter” Discovery Health Website

“Without humor one’s thought processes are likely to become stuck and narrowly focused leading to increased distress.” 

Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor

“Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times.” 

University of Nebraska

“Nothing is good or bad. It is thinking that makes it so.”

Shakespeare

“By the time a child reaches nursery school, he or she will laugh about 300 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 17 times a day.” 

“Science of Laughter” Discovery Health

So, do you feel like a laugh? Visit Aha! Jokes

Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” An astute observation indeed. In order to estimate the power of imagery, you need only recall the last time you saw a horror movie and broke out in goose bumps, or remember the last time you waited in anticipation to eat your favorite food and felt yourself salivating at the thought of the tasty meal.

Both these are instances of the body reacting to a mental picture or your imagination. For the sake of defining this facet of imagination, perceive it to a sequence of thoughts that are practically and directly linked to your sense organs, or faculties of hearing, touch (feeling), taste, sight and smell. 

Imagery’s relation to health is direct in that it affects your physiology by allowing you to access your body’s chemical processes. A true yet easy to establish mind-body connection. Positive imagery implies using positive thoughts (affirmations) that focus positive healing energy on your body’s cells.

As a medium for health, positive imagery that follows positive thinking falls under a branch of medicine that is referred to as psychoneuroimmunology, using the mind to influence the body’s well-being.

In the words of Dr. Martin Rossman, co-founder of the Academy for Guided Imagery, “The imagination is probably a person's least utilized health resource.”

Even though it is a resource that is freely available and extremely cost-effective. So why are positive affirmations and imagery so rarely used?

Perhaps the reason for this is a lack of awareness of the mind-body connection, as well as a poorly developed mind eye, the eye that is the key to unleash the power of imagination. How well do you envision yourself and your future through the eye of your mind?

Just as a task that has been visualized through to its every logical step, becomes easier to implement, so to a body that is constantly and clearly visualized as healthy is one step closer to actual health. The keys are constant and positive visualization or imagination. Health needs to be worked at, albeit easily by affirming a state of wellness. Allow your mind to work on your body as a canvas by projecting a healthy you.

Picture courtesy: www.flickr.com

It is now well known that an individual’s belief systems play a pivotal role in his or her relations with the external world that is, culture, economics, religion, society etc. So too, your belief sets have a profound impact on your inner world, which encompasses your mind, which in turn has a bearing on your body that practically manifests as health or illness. A small yet significant, style-related component of your belief set that affects your judgment and projection power is whether you veer towards being an optimist or pessimist?

It is safe to state that positivity in various degrees is the core of an optimistic belief set. When juxtaposed with health, this aspect is paramount because it has the potential to influence, positively or negatively your state of well-being.

Find this hard to believe? Think of the scientific reasoning for the positive effects of a placebo on health. A placebo is a medicine that is ingested or treatment applied that offers no benefit per se, other than allowing the recipient to believe that he or she has received medical assistance and will therefore heal.

There lies the crux. Healing is a positive process. A placebo sets in motion a positive mental response that in turn, serves as catalyst to initiate the patient’s self healing process. It’s all in the mind, as they say.

The mind has the capacity to stimulate the body’s immune system. However, as it would be beneficial not to have to resort to placebos, your mind needs to be able to project affirmative statements on a continuous basis to your body, irrespective of whether you are healing a sick body or maintaining a healthy body.

Picture courtesy: www.flickr.com

Dean Ornish, MD, is the founder, president, and director of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California where he holds the Safeway Chair. For the past 28 years, Dr. Ornish has directed clinical research demonstrating, for the first time, that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse even severe coronary heart disease, without drugs or surgery.

The core components of the Dr. Dean Ornish Lifestyle Modification Program as elucidated on the PMRI website here, are as follows: (1) a very low-fat, whole foods diet, (2) moderate aerobic exercise, (3) stress management techniques, and (4) support groups.

Visit this page for a list of the PMRI’s program sites as well as to read up the details of the program.

Obviously then, alternate methods of treatment are being advocated by mainstream medical practitioners too. So it is no wonder that nowadays many physicians perceive meditation, an immensely useful stress-reducing tool as a key element of an integrated health program aimed at an individual’s overall well-being.

WebMD has this interesting article on the benefits of meditation as elucidated by Dr Dean Ornish, or more specifically in response to a query, Can Meditation Help Lower My Cholesterol?