MITCM

Archive for the ‘Healthy Tips’ Category

The next time you fall ill, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check if your personality had something to do with it. According to traditional Chinese medicine, personalities give important clues to the state of one’s physical health and tendency to fall ill. A personality-based assessment is becoming increasingly common in many alternative modern health medicine techniques.

As per Chinese thinking, every person has five elements in their birth chart. The relative weight of each element will determine the personality, and since all elements are present, a person will always have a mixed personality. The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element has its good and bad sides.

Metal is the element that signifies righteousness and intellectual sharpness. Metal persons are detail-oriented perfectionists, and pursue their goals with single-minded devotion. Since Metal types are prone to respiratory illnesses and eczema, they are advised to take up aerobic exercises. Water types are known as deep thinkers, and are generally considered to be far ahead of their time. Such persons tend to be philosophical, and enjoy solitude and tranquility. They are likely to develop problems of the kidney and bladder if they do not have an adequate liquid intake or socializing opportunities.

Wood persons have Type A personalities, and are high on vitality, energy, and ambition. They are extremely driven and focused, and quite likely to assume positions of leadership or athletic supremacy. Wood personalities are therefore prone to stress and tension related ailments, and would do well to learn meditation.

Fire persons are the life of any group they’re in, and are fun, sociable people who love to read and travel. They are extremely gifted communicators. Fire types can maintain their health by taking time to nurture themselves, and limiting the intake of spices. Earth persons are compassionate nurturers, who are also natural peacemakers owing to their empathy. They are likely to suffer from weight gain, food allergies, and fatigue, and must learn to maintain the right balance in their food habits and emotions.

Knowing your personality type is the first step to making traditional Chinese medicine work effectively for you.

There are countless of new creams and potions coming out onto the market every year but there is something that is very likely in your own kitchen or cupboard that has been known as a health and beauty staples for both men and women for thousands of years. Honey! Yes, honey. You might not think of it but honey has been known as a beauty and health aid for some of the most famous people of all time. Cleopatra is thought to have used it as a mask and in medieval Germany people even used honey and beeswax as a form of currency.

There are many reasons for honey’s longevity in history. It has been used as a topical ointment in the treatment of wounds and scars for thousands of years. Honey is natural antiseptic and has many anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties which make it a perfect topical solution in the aid of these wounds. And who hasn’t been told to drink tea with honey when experiencing a cold or cough.
Honey is also known to be a natural mood stabilizer and energy booster. Due to the way our body metabolizes honey it becomes an instant energy boost that dissipates naturally rather than spiking our mood and energy such as a spoon full of sugar. If you need energy boost then try a spoon full of sugar and you won’t experience the crash and burn feeling many other energy enhancers tend to give you.

There are many studies which suggest honey is a natural weight loss enhancer. It is known as an appetite suppressant because it boost your energy so therefore you are less inclined to reach for the late day snack of sugar and ruin your diet in the process.
The health benefits of honey cannot be ignored and even if you are a skeptic then try a spoonful of honey everyday either way the taste can’t be beat.

There are several good things about having health and car insurance. Having coverage can be the difference between being able to make it through an emergency and being inconvenienced or ill for an extended period of time. With insurance, your provider will pay for a certain portion of expenses you incur because of an illness or a car accident. Why is this a good thing? Not many people set money aside every month.

When a tragedy strikes, it can quickly deplete what emergency funds you do have. Often, emergency expenses exceed your monthly income. What happens when you total a $43,000 car? You have still have to pay off the loan, and you need a replacement car. Insurance covers the gap. Health insurance works the same way. When you need a medical procedure that costs thousands of dollars, you pay your co-pay and your percentage of the bill. Your insurance company pays for the majority of the expense. This can bring a $4,500 medical expense down to an affordable few hundred dollars.

Insurance also protects your assets. Say you’re throwing a party at your house and someone falls down the stairs. If the person doesn’t have medical insurance, you will have to pay for the expense because the injury occurred on your property, unless you can prove the person acted irresponsibly. While your health insurance won’t cover the expenses, your homeowners insurance might. If you’re in a car accident that injures another person, your coverage will pay for that person’s medical expenses.

Many people fail to realize all the ways insurance helps and protects a person. Once you realize the benefits to coverage, you can find the policy that works best for you. You can pick a higher deductible and a lower monthly payment or a higher monthly payments with a lower deductible. Regardless of the policy, you can get the protection you need.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medical practice where fine needles are inserted into specific parts of the body for the purpose of curing an illness. When the needles pierce through the body, they release blocked energy which is responsible for causing imbalances in health. This alternative medicine technique has been practiced in China for thousands of years and has been used to effectively treat health problems.

During an acupuncture session, the patient will lie flat on the table while the practitioner will insert needles into the body at various points. These points are gateways for the body’s energy flow. Acupuncture points redirect the energy to areas that are deficient. The needles inserted will be at an angle of 15 degree to 90 degrees. These needles can be manipulated by hand and they will be twisted depending on what the practitioner considers as right. Other motions that can be used include vibration, heating, cooling, and gentle electrification.

What can acupuncture help to treat? Acupuncture can strengthen the body’s immune system. This makes the body strong and also resistant to various illnesses such as infections, flu, and cold and so on. It can be used to treat psychological disorders such as phobias, eating disorders, anxiety, addictions and so on. Studies show that depression can be cured through acupuncture.

After surgery, acupuncture is highly effective in increasing vitality and body energy. Those with hypertension will find acupuncture to help them to control the problem and also give better energy levels. Today, everyone is interested in looking slim, but losing weight is not an easy task. Acupuncture is highly effective in bringing down weight by suppressing the appetite.

Those who have to take drugs for fighting off pain will find acupuncture to help reduce the need to take them frequently. It improves body circulation and in doing so energizes the body and strengthens it to fight off diseases. It has been noted that where various health medicines have failed to give adequate treatment, this form of Chinese medicine has proven to be quite effective.

When did it become standard practice for health professionals to issue prescriptions for the symptoms of an ailment rather than addressing the actual problem?

It seems that Americans have become inured to the concept of the “source” ailment. They are quick to recognize and treat symptoms, but overall, the underlying problems are overlooked. Hence, over-the-counter medicines are used at frightening rates to “fix” health issues—but what is really fixed?

Pills for everyday symptoms—headache, sneezing, cough, fever, allergies, fatigue, and so on—have become commonplace. If you have an ailment and can’t make it to your doctor right away, chances are good that you can run to the supermarket and get something to tide you over for a while. When you do get to the doctor, he or she will prescribe another medication. You will stand in another line, to see another druggist, to take yet another pill.

Good health is a precious commodity, and it is fortified by good living, good exercise, and good food. Unfortunately, society approves of pharmaceuticals as the general be-all and end-all of health maintenance, and the dollars spent annually on prescription drugs prove it. Health professionals have been taught that most ailments can only be addressed with drugs, to the point that a well-rounded diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats has been ruled out as a solution to anything.

Medicines have their place in helping people recover. In an alcohol rehab center or a drug rehab center, pharmaceuticals used to manage withdrawal symptoms make a great deal of sense. Pharmaceuticals have their place in situations of trauma and severe disease. However, the general belief  that disease is best assuaged by drugs is startling, especially when the most basic tenets of healthy living are pushed aside.

“Take personal responsibility” is the modern day mantra of so-called life coaches. Taking responsibility for each area of your life including health, career, and relationships will make you successful and a contributing member of society. There is increased awareness of one’s influence on one’s own environment. In this era of mutated superbugs, our personal hygiene has an impact on other people’s health and the amount of time and money they will waste on medicines. Corporate social responsibility is on the rise too. It’s not unusual to see advertisements from beer companies advocating responsible drinking and encouraging only people who are age 21 and over to drink.

Smoking is connected to various diseases including cancer and heart ailments. There is ample evidence that passive smoking, the inhalation of secondhand smoke, pretty much causes the same level of harm that active smoking does. However, new technological advancements like electronic smokes help people to indulge in their smoking habits without creating smoke that can harm the people around them. They are touted as the healthier, smokeless, and odorless version of traditional cigarettes. These electronic cigarette kits deliver different levels of nicotine in the form of vapor and give the “smoker” a better experience. People nearby need not worry about passive smoking at all!

At the end of the day, your health is in your hands…Literally! When care is taken to improve hygiene and when one is concerned about the ecosystem in which one lives, there are bound to be improvements in public health. With increased social responsibility exhibited by individuals, corporations, and communities at large, there’s a better chance of combating diseases. Prescribing medicine is a reactive step that’s taken after someone is sick. The goal should be to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. That is the best way to fight the newer strains of the numerous diseases that are emerging around the world.

If you’re a parent, one of your biggest nightmares is probably your child becoming ill and you not being able to get him the care he needs. Unfortunately, that’s a reality for some parents who don’t have a lot of money and aren’t sure where their next dollar is coming from. If their child gets sick, they have no insurance to use, so they try to avoid the doctor. Sometimes that’s not possible, and they end up with medical bills that they aren’t sure how to pay. You can end up in that situation all too easily, but there are options available to you.

If you have friends and family members who can help you, consider borrowing from them to pay the medical bill, so you don’t have to pay late charges and have something negative on your credit report. You can also dip into savings if you have any, or check out emergency loans if you have a steady, verifiable job. No matter what you choose to do, your child needs medical care if he’s sick. You can always find a way to pay the bills off, but don’t let your child’s health suffer. Take him to the doctor and let the doctor know you have no insurance and little money.

Ask if there are any discounts available or charities that can help. Ask about payment plans and other arrangements. Depending on the doctor, there might be a lot of options or only a few. The important thing to remember is that you won’t know unless you ask. People can’t be turned away when they seriously need medical care just because they don’t have any money. If your child is sick, be sure to seek treatment. You can figure out how to pay the bill once you know that your little one is going to be all right.

The town of Baoding in China can be credited with what is possibly the cheapest and simplest health medicine ever. Baoding balls, originally called Iron balls, were first made in the time of the Ming Dynasty and have been used ever since by all classes of people to improve overall health and dexterity.

It is important to remember that the Oriental perception of the human body is very different from that of Western medicine. The importance of Baoding balls in Chinese medicine is rooted in the same theories that support acupuncture. The human body is seen as an interconnected set of systems; therefore ailments that manifest themselves in one part may have actually originated in another.

Modern-day Baoding balls comprise of one hollow sphere within the other which chimes when moved. Lesser sound while using a pair is taken to be a sign of increasing dexterity. The balls in a variety of diameters to suit different hand sizes. Lightweight balls are used to aid recovery from hand and arm injuries.

The most basic exercise is to rotate a pair within the palm of a hand, gradually increasing the speed and minimizing contact between the balls. As skills increase, the number of balls used can also be increased. Baoding balls gained popularity as a meditation aid and tool for improved health, as they are believed to stimulate vital acupuncture points on the hands.

According to Chinese medicine, Baoding balls improve the flow of Chi, or vital energy, when used over a period of time. This is because they keep the meridians, or pathways, in the body free of damage and blocks, thus preventing stagnation and illness. The nerve endings of the fingertips are massaged and stimulated by the regular exercise, and this positively impacts the vital organs of the body connected to these nerve endings.

Baoding balls are a small investment, but a very effective alternative to expensive therapies. Used regularly, they can help combat age-related degeneration, physical ailments, worry, and stress.

A cure for the common cold is still a fantasy, but some alternative medicine systems are better equipped to handle those bouts of sniffling and sneezing better than others. Modern health medicines suggest many ways to keep a cold at bay, but traditional Chinese medicine is particularly effective at fighting a cold even after it makes its entry.

Chinese medicine’s understanding of the common cold is in line with its philosophy of energy medicine. The common cold is seen as an invasion of Wind in the body. Accordingly, there are two major categories of colds; Wind cold and Wind heat. The former is characterized by chills and sensitivity to cold. Sneezing and a runny nose are also associated with Wind cold. Wind heat, on the other hand, is more like a fever. Coughing, thick mucus, irritability, and a rapid pulse are features of Wind heat.

Like other Eastern medical systems, Chinese medicine targets the immune system, unlike Western medicine which tries to eliminate the pathogen. The reasoning is that a strong Chi, or vital energy, will make it more difficult for a pathogen to take control or worsen.

For Wind cold conditions, sweating therapy is recommended to flush out the toxins from the body. A good supplement is miso soup with spring onions and ginger. Ephedra concoctions with ginger and cinnamon are also prescribed by practitioners. However, this must be taken only under medical supervision, as Ephedra is a very potent drug. Green tea is used if the cold is accompanied by nasal and head congestion.

In case of Wind heat, herbal formulas containing chrysanthemum, peppermint, mulberry, and licorice are prescribed. Ginseng and caffeinated drinks are strictly prohibited at this time as they can worsen the condition. Yin Qiao San is a very popular Chinese remedy which is also used to treat influenza and tonsillitis.

Acupuncture is also good for immediate relief from the common cold. Points along the lung and large intestine meridians are targeted, as they are directly linked to the well-being of the immune system. Like any other treatment, Chinese herbs should be taken only as per the instructions of a qualified practitioner.

Migraine victims are a harried lot. Managing their condition, while simultaneously working or going about their daily chores is next to impossible. As a result, migraine is the leading cause of employee absenteeism in the U.S., with 157 million workdays lost each year. Moreover, medication and related expenses eat up approximately 50 billion dollars a year.

Conventional medication can only give temporary relief from migraine, so many sufferers are turning to alternative treatments, diets, and lifestyle changes to treat the root cause. Traditional Chinese medicine has come as a ray of hope to many, as it focuses on a more holistic approach to curing an ailment. Acupuncture particularly has come under the spotlight as an effective treatment for migraine. Some might be inclined to dismiss it as just another health medicine fad, but it helps to remember that acupuncture as a method of healing is more than 2000 years old.

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, metallic needles at specific points of the body. One of the reasons for its rising popularity is that the effects are cumulative; a patient would need fewer sessions with the passage of time. Acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins, which provide relief from pain.

Many patients suffering from migraine undergo acupuncture to complement their current medications. Studies have shown that in most cases, patients report a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of headaches after acupuncture. Such improvement translates into huge savings for individuals, employers, and economies, as migraine patients need no longer be restricted by their condition.

Acupuncture is fast gaining ground as a treatment for chronic pain, especially for headaches. The system has a growing user base in the U.S. Acupuncture is already well entrenched in Germany. Nearly all private insurers there reimburse acupuncture treatment costs.

Migraine can soon be a thing of the past if one uses the services of a licensed acupuncturist or traditional Chinese practitioner. Acupuncture, when done correctly without re-using needles, has practically no side-effects. It is also less expensive than most other migraine treatments.