Massage Therapy: Physical and Psychological Effects on Stress and Pain
Stress
Stress can have many triggers and many different effects on people. In our modern world, people are often under daily pressure to achieve increasing numbers of tasks in shorter periods of time.
Stress may contribute to lowered immunity and can be a significant factor in the development of symptoms of both physical and mental illness.
One common physical symptom of stress is muscle tension. This often results in pain such as headaches, backache and a sore neck.
Common psychological symptoms of stress are depression, anxiety, or general difficulty coping with everyday tasks.
Stress can also increase the severity of existing health complaints such as problems with digestion, period pain, and asthma.
Often, the physical symptoms of stress themselves can lead to further feelings of stress, which can result in a vicious cycle. This cycle can put people at risk of serious health problems such as stomach ulcers or severe anxiety and depression.
By treating the physical symptoms of stress, your Massage Therapist can help reduce muscle tension and pain. This allows you to feel physically more comfortable and can help make things seem easier to cope with. Massage Therapy can also make sure that the systems of the body (eg: digestive/ respiratory/ circulatory), are all working efficiently and effectively to help reduce other symptoms that may be caused or aggravated by stress
Massage Therapy can also have a profound effect on the mind. It can help to improve the circulation of “feel good” hormones around the body, affecting the way you think and feel. This can help to promote a sense of calm and wellbeing.
Soothing touch encourages a natural and positive psychological response. A mother comforting a crying child by gently rubbing its head would be an example of this.
Massage Therapy can help to soothe your stress away.
Pain
Pain relief can be brought about by a reduction in muscle tension.
The following types of pain can be treated by your Massage Therapist by reducing muscle tension in muscle groups surrounding/ connected to the area of pain:
Headache
Backache
Period Pain
Muscle Strain
Some types of Arthritis
Some other types of pain may also by reduce by massage therapy:
Cramps can be reduced by reducing the involuntary contraction of muscles.
Abdominal pain caused by digestive problems may be reduced by improving the efficiency of the digestive system.
Sinus pain can be reduced by encouraging the drainage of fluid from the face, thus reducing pressure build up.
In cases of severe pain and discomfort, the area may be too painful to allow your Massage Therapist to touch the affected area. In such cases, you must discuss this with your massage therapist, who may advise you to consult your doctor.
daveclark
How to Increase Your Energy Levels – a Psychotherapist Explains
With today’s busy lifestyles and the constant demands on our time and energy from work, family and our social life, it’s easy to feel as if our batteries are constantly being run down and depleted.
It’s only too easy to feel a little drained and out of energy.
The popularity of ‘high energy’ drinks, – so often loaded with caffeine, stimulants and ‘quick fix’ simple sugars like fructose and sucrose – is testament to our desire to boost our energy levels by almost any means.
And often we do this so that we may continue with the very things that are depleting our batteries and causing us to feel so drained in the first place.
All of this, of course, can so easily intensify and increase low energy levels and feelings of fatigue. And this in turn can so easily lead to feelings of stress, anxiety and, if we allow it, even depression.
In approaching energy levels, it’s important to understand that fatigue is our body’s way of telling us to slow things down. It’s nothing more or less than effective bio-feedback: Feedback that we would be wise to listen to.
Rather than going for the ‘quick fix’, drinks and drugs, it just makes sense to take care of some of the basics when it comes to energy levels.
1. First off, we need to make sure that we are eating well. Without proper nutrition, we simply cannot function at our optimum energy levels. You’ve heard it before, probably over and over again, but it’s worth repeating once more: NEVER skip breakfast! It really is the most important meal of the day.
Regardless of whether you have an appetite in the morning or not, make sure that you start each day with some kind of raw fruit and then follow this up with some kind of complex carbohydrate – wholemeal bread, oatmeal, muesli etc – which will provide the slow released energy that you need to tide you over until lunch.
2. Clean out all of the junk food! That’s right, go ahead and get rid of it – it really does you no favours. In fact it has an energy depleting, rather than an energy enhancing affect on the body.
Avoid excessive eating – small amounts of fresh, unprocessed food will provide all you need to nourish and sustain you throughout the day.
3. Reduce alcohol intake, as this is a central nervous system depressant and though it may, at first, seem to provide an energy boost, it really can deplete your real energy.
4. Exercise regularly: You don’t need to join a gym or participate in time consuming organised exercise. A skipping rope can work just as well — provided you use it! Simply by walking up stairs instead of taking the elevator or escalator; parking your car just a little farther from your place of work so you’ll have to walk that bit more, you really can add to your fitness – and your energy levels.
Remember, energy is a bit like money, it can take it to make it.
5. Learn to pace yourself: Trying to get everything done at once is an overwhelming and unrealistic task; it’s an almost sure fire way to bring frustration and depleted energy levels.
Prioritise things and work your way through them, first things first. Ask yourself whether you really do need to get everything done right now, or whether some things might just wait their turn.
6. Develop a positive mental attitude and energise yourself mentally. Talk positively to yourself every time you look in the mirror. Get in the habit of smiling back at your self on a regular basis and notice how infectious this really can become! If you just don’t feel like smiling, well, go ahead and do it anyway. Act ‘as if’ and notice the results!
You are here and you are alive and you are learning what it is that makes you satisfied and happy.
7. Set yourself realistic goals and work steadily towards those goals. The clearer and more enthusiastic you can be about your goals – your dream – the more energy you will manifest.
The world is full of inspirational stories of people who, just like you, have succeeded in realising their heart’s dream. Read about others who are or have been passionate in pursuit of their dream. Passion and energy just go hand in hand together.
8. Allow yourself to feel. When we switch off emotions, we can become stuck. Simply attempting to adopt ‘a stiff upper lip’ approach can only work for so long – and it really does come at an emotional cost, an energy depleting price. Remember that ‘what we resist persists’.
If you are having trouble coping with emotions, consider working with a professional therapist who can help you to process them. Let be and then let go is the healthiest approach and we sometimes need a little help in achieving this.
9. The single most significant change that you can make is to change your attitude. This alone can realign and re-energise every atom of your being.
One of the most effective and quickest ways of doing this is to work with a qualified hypnotherapist who knows how to help you process things at the subconscious level and move on in a balanced manner. All the energy you need is there inside you and it is available to you. It’s simply a question of knowing how to access that energy in an effective way.
Working with a knowledgeable professional really can help you when it comes to having more energy – and enjoying your life more fully.
10. Let go and let God. Do your best and then move on. You’re not God — stop judging yourself and others as if you were. Do this and just watch your energy increase!
Peter James Field
Herbal Remedies for Depression – Did You Know There Are Alternatives to Prescriptions?
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a pervasive sense of sadness and hopelessness, and inability to enjoy life. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: fatigue, irritability, crying spells, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. People dealing with depression need to know that recovery is possible and that it is more than a case of the “blues” that they can shake with willpower, as well-meaning friends or relatives may suggest. Depression is a real disease.
Anyone can suffer from depression, though women tend to get it more than men. In children, the rates are similar between the sexes. Those with a family history of depression are more likely to have it. Severity can range from situational depression, which is caused by a stressful life event; to dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting form of depression; to major or clinical depression. There is also seasonal depression that occurs when exposure to natural light is limited, postpartum and premenstrual depression that occurs due to hormonal changes, and other less common forms.
The cause of moderate to severe depression is now widely agreed to be biochemical imbalances in the brain. While very mild or situational periods of depression may resolve on their own, most cases require some kind of intervention. Traditionally, modern psychiatry offered only talk therapy and medications with severe side effects for sufferers. Since the discovery of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) like fluoxetine (Prozac) in the 1980′s, many people have found relief from the symptoms of depression.
But with society leaning much more toward “greener” lifestyles, holistic methods of health are more popular than ever. There are several tried-and-true herbal remedies for depression. St. John’s wort, for example, has been used extensively in Europe for decades, prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists for their patients suffering from depression. Study after study – over twenty – have proven its effectiveness. Gingko biloba also helps with depression by increasing blood flow to the brain, which increases mood and memory.
Other herbal remedies for depression can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Valerian root, for example, can help promote the high-quality sleep that is so often elusive when depression hits.
The importance of a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise in maintaining and improving health can never be overemphasized. In addition to promoting overall fitness and endurance, exercise increases production of the body’s “feel good” hormones, which elevate mood. A balanced diet containing omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals can improve mood and alleviate depression.
Untreated depression can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones. But there is help available that can lift the veil of depression and allow the sun to shine in again.
Shannon Pollock
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/herbal-remedies-for-depression-did-you-know-there-are-alternatives-to-prescriptions-521079.html
Popular Home Remedies for Acne From your Kitchen
I used to have acne when I was a teenager. It was frustrating and annoying. Going out was often the cause of anxiety, because the acne – horrible red inflamed spots – covered my face. Gradually, when I got older, the acne went away. Imagine my relief.
However, acne is not just an adolescent’s problem. Adults get them too. It is not just a matter of genetics but a slew of problems playing a part in triggering these awful red spots.
Basically, acne is caused by the clogging of skin glands or spores, which in turn become infected. Acne in adolescents is triggered by the onset of puberty making the hormones work over-time and causing the oil glands to increase – gasp – the production of sebum, an oily substance. Sebum lubricates the skin but if it breaks the skin wall, it causes inflammation and pus. That’s right, you get a pimple.
For some, the problem of – argh! – acne follows them right into adulthood. Now, our life-styles are now more hectic and crazy. Stress will sometime trigger flare-ups of the dreaded acne.
What should we do about acne? Conventional skin care products are sometimes useless against an acne onslaught. Perhaps, you might want to start looking in your kitchen.
Yes, your kitchen. I am talking about home remedies for acne. What, My Kitchen!
If you are the type who only uses the kitchen for cooking, be amazed that it is also a source of home remedies for acne (and other things – but that’s another story). Simple herbs and plants found in your pantry or window-sill might just do the trick for your acne problem.
Let’s take a look around the kitchen, shall we?
Crystal-Clear Water
My mother used to tell me to drink a lot of water when I was a teenager (with the acne problem). She told me that water would flush out the poisons and toxins that caused the acne.
Water is a great purifier. Eight glasses is the recommended number for adequate water-intake. Your skin is an organ and water keeps it well hydrated.
You can also make herbal water by infusing the hair of one corn with water. The natural sweetness of the corn will make the water go down well. The hair of corn is a “cooling” agent and it will reduce the inflammation.
Of course, washing your face regularly with clean water is a wise choice.
Use Your Fruits and Vegetables
Our mothers were often right when they told us to eat our fruits and vegetables. Now, we can use them on our skin. It is as simple as opening up your fridge and looking at the types of fruits and vegetables. Our good old fridge is a good place to start looking home remedies for acne.
Cucumbers are a excellent choice. You can juice them, slice them or turn them into masks. Drinking cucumber juice is a good and tasty way to reduce pimples or acne. You can also mix in carrots and lettuces.
For fruits, you can try using fresh apricots. Juice an apricot and apply the juice on your skin. You can also eat the apricots. Yum!
Getting Serious With Cereals
Even your humble breakfast cereals can be a source of home remedies for acne.
Mix buttermilk and bran together to form a good paste. You can use the paste for cleansing. You can also use oats if you do not have bran in your kitchen. Bran and oats are great for masks as well. They also smell heavenly on the skin. Who says home remedies for acne cannot be delicious at the same time?
Convinced?
Convinced that your kitchen can be a great source for home remedies for acne? You can start by doing the basic – moderating your diet and including more fruits and vegetables. A healthy body will also ensure less acne and other skin problems. However, if your skin is unusually sensitive or you are unsure about using home remedies for acne, you should seek professional advice. This article is written as a general introduction to home or natural remedies for acne and should not be taken as absolute truth. Be discerning. Have fun in your kitchen!
Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/popular-home-remedies-for-acne-from-your-kitchen-250126.html
Are You Taking Elavil For Headache Relief?
Headache is a mass disease. At one time or the other, you must have gone through the ordeal of it. Many a times, it is a passing feature! It doesn’t require any treatment at all. It comes, takes its time, tests and bothers you to the extent it can and departs away! All that you need is to have patience and understanding then!
This much about the normal headaches! The real problem starts when it becomes chronic. The severe pain will drive out all understanding and patience within you and you feel that you must have instant relief, otherwise the head will break!
Scientists and researchers all over the world are worried about such headaches and are trying out various combinations to combat this. They have come out with several products depending upon the nature of headaches and Elavil is one of them!
Elavil, in the first instance was prescribed to treat bulimia (an eating disorder). Subsequently it was used to control chronic pain and to prevent migraine headache.
Does Elavil cure the headache directly? Perhaps it is not its direct function; it is only a responsive action! It is a member of the group of drugs called tricyclic anti-depresasants. Doctors prescribe Elavil to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis.
Utmost care is to be taken about taking the doses as prescribed by your physician! Go strictly by the quantum of the dose, and do not skip doses. Even if you feel like not taking the dose, due to depression or any other factors do not skip the dose. If you miss a dose for any reason, do not take two doses the next day, to make up for the shortfall. When you start the therapy, the side effect at the initial stage, may be drowsiness. Do not panic and give up the doses. This condition will disappear after a few days. Rewards are promised for the patients who have patience for 30 days. The thumb rule is that never take 2 doses at a time. It is dangerous.
The side effects of Elavil are thoroughly discouraging. The side effects reported are: constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, rapid heart beat, and a greater danger of sustaining a nasty fall!
Owners of Elavil, be careful! One wrong decision and your headache may prove to be too costly.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/are-you-taking-elavil-for-headache-relief-57221.html
Learning to Breath: Lessons in Stress and Anxeity Management
Have you been watching the news lately? I know I have. It seems the world is coming apart at the seams! The economy is in trouble, the war is creating uncertainty, politics are getting more and more nasty and everywhere we turn, there is a crisis threatening the future.
Okay. So life is tough right now. In large terms and probably in smaller terms too. But if YOU fall apart at the seams then the responsibilities you have will fall to the wayside and nothing will be accomplished. So. Take a moment. And Breathe. Slowly.
Anxiety can be one of the most destructive of moods and emotions. It can make a strong man freeze in his shoes and an accomplished woman turn into a puddle of tears. But if you know how to manage your anxiety it will put you back in the driver’s seat and help you in those moments of crisis. Anxiety occurs when we are not certain what is happening around us, or are uncertain of the outcome of any particular situation. We can have anxiety about small things, like whether it will rain on the morning we have a golf game scheduled, or about big things, like whether our son will sign up for the military during this time of war.
The symptoms of anxiety are increased shallow breathing, racing pulse, feeling like your heart is pounding, sweaty palms, shaking/trembling, nausea, chills/hot flashes and even feeling like you might die. Of course, you don’t have to have all of these symptoms to know you are anxious! Sometimes, we can have a generalized anxiety, which is a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness that encompasses pretty much everything. Or we can have a specific anxiety, which is about a particular event. A panic attack can feel like having a heart attack and we might even feel like we are dying, when in fact we are just having a severe anxiety episode. Any experience of anxiety can be uncomfortable and disruptive.
So how do we deal with anxiety? Well, the answer is that it depends on the anxiety. How often are you experiencing anxiety? Is it severe or is it mild? Is it about specific things, or is it an overall feeling?
If the anxiety is about relatively small things, then we learn how to stop, take a moment, breathe or take a break, and then refocus on what is important and needs to be dealt with immediately. Or we learn to disconnect from whatever is provoking the anxiety and distract ourselves with something else, until we are ready to return and take care of business.
If the anxiety is an all-encompassing feeling or as severe as a panic attack, then it’s time to go to your primary care doctor and talk to them about what you are feeling. There are medications to alleviate anxiety that are very effective, but like most medications for emotional/mood issues, they are most effective when used in combination with psychotherapy or counseling. Simply taking a pill is not going to completely get rid of your feelings of anxiety. What the medication will do, however, is help get the symptoms enough under control for you to be able to function and work with a therapist to determine what is provoking your feelings of anxiety. Once you know what is provoking the anxiety, then you can begin to work on better coping skills.
Anxiety is a feeling everyone experiences. Stress is a part of the modern world and with stress comes anxiety. Like all feelings, it is neither good or bad, it’s simply a feeling. By recognizing and acknowledging what makes us anxious, we can better deal with our lives and help those around us.
Marigold Merenda
Natural Herbal Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction or ED is the inability of a male to get and/or maintain an erection. There are various causes of weak erection. In this article, we will explore erectile dysfunction causes and treatments.
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is primarily caused by a physical disorder, which in turn causes improper blood flow to the penis. When blood flow is restricted, erection problems may occur. Some of the medical conditions that may cause erection problems include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- High Cholesterol
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Atherosclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Thyroid problems
There are also psychological issues that may cause erectile dysfunction such as:
- Andropause
- Depression
- Anxiety
There is a possibility of developing erectile dysfunction if a man has one or more of these ailments.
Erectile Dysfunction Herbal Remedies
Some popular herbal treatments for erectile dysfunction are ginkgo, ginseng and saw palmetto. Ginkgo biloba promotes overall better blood flow, which includes the pelvic region. By increasing blood flow to the affected area, an erection should be easier to create and maintain.
Other herbal treatments for erectile dysfunction include horny goat weed, cuscuta seed extract or semen cuscutae, tribulus terrestris or puncture vine, damiana or turnera aphrodisiaca.
I hope I have discussed some of the common natural cures for erectile dysfunction that will help you to solve your erectile dysfunction problem naturally with no harmful effects.
Enjoy the excitement of feeling young by treating erectile dysfunction before it spoils your sex life!
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.
Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.
Reignite your libido by taking powerful super strength Herbal male enhancement supplements. Read information on Erectile dysfunction treatment for better erection. Also know Premature ejaculation cure to play longer.
Nick Mutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/men’s-health-articles/natural-herbal-remedies-for-erectile-dysfunction-675510.html
Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms – Find Out What are the Main 3 Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms
One of the reasons why you might think that you’ve never had an anxiety panic attack is because you might have either attributed to something else, OR you might not have realised what it was!
1. Have you ever had heart palpitations, also called rapid heartbeat, having your heart beating ‘up your ears’? Well that is the most common anxiety attack symptom ever. And the most misunderstood one as well. People tend to take anxiety panic attack symptom for a heart attack. If you’re really having a heart attack, the main sensations is different: strong crushing sensation inside the chest and a continuous sort of pain. I bet you’ve had the first, but not the second one? It’s because anxiety panic attacks do tend to happen more often than heart attacks. Be glad about it!
2. Shortness of breath. Now this is the second main symptom of an anxiety panic attack. Unfortunately, it’s one of the worst one to have as well, simply because we humans need air to survive. That’s the number one survival instinct. And not getting air…you get the idea…
3. Excessive sudden sweating. How embarrassing. Imagine you’re at the office, at work, and suddenly, out of nowhere you start sweating like a sauna addict, with no visible reason for it. You haven’t been jogging, haven’t been in a fitness training club, haven’t run up and down your office stairs. You simply sit at your desk in front of your monitor, or in store behind the desk, and start sweating. And other start noticing. Yikes. Has it ever happened to you? If not, you’re lucky. If yes, you’re shuddering just remembering the episode(s)…
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, there’s much more to it. Maybe you have experienced other symptoms as well, and you’re curious what they are, and how to avoid them. In that case make sure you read what other Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms exist, and see what is the best Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms Cure exists at the moment that gets you symptoms free!
Marcia Gallik
EFT For Public Speaking – Get Rid of Your Fear Today!
Do you have nightmares about addressing a crowd and getting humiliated? Does your mouth go dry and your hands shake and turn cold when you walk up the podium and see the audience? Do you freeze as your turn to speak in public finally comes? Then you’re suffering from what 65% of the population are also suffering from: fear of public speaking. Many people have tried to get rid of their fear of speaking in public but to no avail. The situation may seem hopeless to you but the truth is, overcoming your fear is not a fruitless task, especially with the advent of Emotional Freedom Techniques or EFT. If you’re desperate to win the battle, EFT for public speaking might just be what you have been waiting for.
EFT has proven itself worthy in treating persons who have reservations or issues about public speaking. Created by Gary Craig during the 1990s, EFT is a method that continues to treat a variety of fears – even phobias – that affect the way a person lives his or her life. In essence, EFT is a kind of therapy that aims to address the mind through the body. If you want to get rid of your fear of public speaking, you could turn to an EFT practitioner, who will direct you to tap on several strategic areas of your body. Simultaneously, the EFT practitioner will help you target and focus on a specific situation that produces fear, in this case public speaking, until you experience low levels of anxiety when you imagine yourself speaking in public. EFT for public speaking has helped many people who have had the same fear you have now. As the procedure continues, the fearful situation will no longer generate any level of anxiety, allowing you to become part of the real world without the fear of public speaking anymore.
Studies of EFT for public speaking have shown the procedures involved to be effective and, in some cases, long- lasting. Anecdotal pieces of evidence gathered by other therapists and coaches who have used EFT in treating other fears suggest and recommend EFT to get rid not only of the fear of speaking in public, but also of the fear of performing in public and handling public attention and scrutiny. There are several websites that provide a list of EFT practitioners in different states. You can use search engines to help you locate an EFT practitioner in your area so you can start dealing with your fear right away.
Of course, EFT practitioners do not claim EFT for public speaking to work for everyone, no matter how effective it has proven out to be for many. There are two other methods you can try out, namely the Neuro-Linguistic Programming or NLP and The Lefkoe Method or TLM. Created by scientists Paul Grinder and Richard Bandler, NLP uses visual, aural, and kinesthetic procedures to alter reactions or feelings toward public speaking. On the other hand, TLM by Morty Lefkoe postulates that human behavior is governed by what an individual believes to be true, and works on this philosophy to find and stamp out negative beliefs about public speaking.
StewartRobertson
Break Free From Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety or uneasiness over something is natural if it does not cause you any harm or if it does not prevent you from doing things you normally do. But if the anxiousness is disabling you, then you are having anxiety disorder and you have to know how to break free from anxiety attacks.
It is a difficult situation to be controlled by intrusive thoughts from time to time and do not know what to do. It becomes a part of your life even if you do not want it. You have intense fear or phobias over something that you cannot control. This should not be the case and you should learn how to break free from anxiety attacks and take control of your body and mind.
Anxiety attacks have disabling symptoms like trembling, sweating, pounding heart beat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, choking sensation, hot flashes, feeling of losing your mind and disconnection from reality. See the picture? Imagine experiencing those symptoms while in a public place or while driving. It is important to break free from anxiety attacks to live without fear over irrational things and improve the quality of your life.
To break free from anxiety attacks, you have to understand that anxiety disorder is not life threatening and it is a treatable disorder. Seeking help is important for you to understand what you are dealing with and to know what you can do to break free from anxiety attacks.
You have to take the steps to break free from anxiety attacks. It may not happen overnight but you have to take the first step and take things one at a time and you will have progress in controlling your mind and body.
Learning how to relax is one way to break free from anxiety attacks. Your mind will follow if you will learn how to relax your body. Yoga and muscle relaxation are two ways to relax and release tension.
Diet also plays an important role if you want to break free from anxiety attacks. There are foods that aggravate anxiety and there are calming foods.
There are numerous ways to break free from anxiety attacks. If you cannot handle it yourself, it is better to seek professional help. Did you know that anxiety and panic attacks can be cured using easy to follow steps and techniques? To find out how visit Easy Calm Real Anxiety Relief
To know more health remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty
anonymous
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