Acupuncture has existed in China for at least 2000 years that it has been recorded, but there is some proof that acupuncture existed 2000 to 8000 years prior to its recorded history. Its practices are rooted in Taoism, the religious and philosophical practices founded by Lao-tzu in the 6th century B.C. The acupuncture points are along life energy lines referred to as Qi meridians and fine needles are inserted into these points to relieve pain and promote well-being.

Acupuncture was an important part of Chinese medicine. The Yellow Emperor’s Internal Book of Medicine, written in 300-200 B.C., was the first time practices related to acupuncture were recorded in written language. There were two different books written that discussed things about the types of needles, and where the Qi meridians were located. Before this time, there were hieroglyphs found that portrayed practices similar to acupuncture.

Just as medicine evolves and changes through the years, the Chinese changed their acupuncture practices. Many different works were written regarding acupuncture over the years in China. It is believed that acupuncture first came about from the needles used to drain abscesses on the skin of diseased people.

It is said that acupuncture was first recognized in the West in the 16th century as a result of Portuguese missionaries who visited the East. Unfortunately, this was during the period of time that the Chinese were considering acupuncture a lost art and pseudoscience that was only practiced by those who were in lower classes or had no scientific or professional background. Despite this, a Dutch physician, Rhijne, wrote the first literature on acupuncture in Europe at this time.

When the Communist and Nationalist Civil War broke out in China, people were beginning to embrace more of the Western culture and therefore, Western medicine. It was during this time, the 1920′s through the 1940′s, when acupuncture began to see a rise in popularity as Chinese medicine was being promoted throughout the country. Also, this is when the practice began being explored in different European countries. Europeans were reading and translating the Chinese literature on acupuncture and finding out how the Chinese medicinal practice worked in conjunction with Western medicine.

Although the practice of acupuncture was becoming increasingly popular in Europe, and being married to the Western philosophy or medicine, it was not catching on in the United States. It wasn’t until the 1970′s that the practice was brought to the United States and began to become popular. With the modern rise of alternative medicine, acupuncture has become more and more popular with the people of the United States. It can even be covered by medical insurance these days.

In modern times, China is still a leader in acupuncture practices, but they have become more popular all over the world. In the U.S., there are now accredited schools where acupuncturists can attend and learn the history and medical practices of acupuncture. In the past forty years, acupuncture has made some important historical strides in the U.S. and around the world.

For more information about acupuncture go to http://www.spineandsports.com .

Whether you are treating a disease or are simply curious, acupuncture can be a good way to satisfy both. Acupuncture has been long used to treat common ailments and complex diseases. There have been no conclusive studies as to how effective it is, but many patients believe in its effectiveness.

Acupuncture first emerged in China thousands of years ago, and has been in use ever since. Ancient Chinese laws did not allow for surgery, so this technique was developed out of necessity. The basic practice is to push sharpened needles into the top layer, or just past the top layer of skin. Where the needles are placed depends on the exact diagnosis and illness associated.

After a suitable acupuncturist has been located, an extensive consultation will ensue. The practitioner will ask many questions and examine you to in order to create a detailed personal profile. You will be asked to position yourself in a reclining position before the treatment begins. A series of very sharp stainless steel needles are strategically placed into your skin. Once the treatment is completed, the practitioner will let you know if repeat visits are necessary.

It can be used to treat just about any illness. From minor injuries to serious diseases, people from all walks of life have utilized it for it’s mysterious medical benefits. For those who are apprehensive about making an appointment, it should be known that acupuncturists are trained medical professionals. No one will be criticized for seeking treatment for any ailment.

One of the best places to go for acupuncturists are big Chinese settlements. Many of the practitioners here will be both very well trained and trusted by their clientele. Another place to seek treatment are at some chiropractors’ offices. In addition to chiropractic services, acupuncture has been put into the list of available services for some. Centers of learning are another good place to look. Many times, the same types of places that traditional doctors have practices are where you can find an acupuncturist.

Just like any medical procedure, proper precautions should be taken to prevent injury. There are certain certifications and licenses necessary for practice, so be sure to ask any potential provider if they have these. Ask in advance how the needles to be used are sterilized. All instruments used need to either be properly sterilized or brand new disposables. Some minor side effects are to be expected, so ask the acupuncturist what to expect. Reasonable practitioners will not be offended by these questions.

Suffering from any medical issue whether severe or minor can be painful and stressful. Although the degree of helpfulness one can attain from the use of acupuncture is debatable, any benefit is better than none. As long as the practitioner is certified and skilled, having this procedure can possibly benefit your health.

Western practitioners have tapped into the acupunctural market by training individuals – doctors and non-physicians – in an art of the ancients. To find out more free information on how you can benefit, visit our website now at http://www.AcupunctureInsight.com

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Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland. It is believed to play a role in anti aging, as well as helping with jet lag and insomnia. But caution is well advised with using melatonin as a supplement, given how powerful its effects are.

One of the problems with melatonin is that most of the studies were done on animals, like rats, and not humans. Animal studies are used by the scientific community to indicate whether a substance has promise, and can yield valuable results even though they are ethically reprehensible and other alternatives exist. One such study was done at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Whilst it was funded by a grant from the California Walnut Industry, these scientists were able to establish not only that walnuts contained melatonin, but that it was able to be absorbed – at least by rats. But they believe humans would also be able to absorb melatonin from walnuts. Unfortunately, they don’t know how many walnuts you’d have to eat to get the benefits they established as a potential in this study. It might be a lot! But using food as a source of melatonin is a good option given that it is much safer, particularly if suffering from serious illnesses.

University of Texas scientists also found that melatonin had an antioxidant effect. Antioxidants protect our cells from damage by oxidation. Antioxidants slow down the aging process, and interestingly, melatonin levels often decrease with age.

The antioxidant effect of melatonin has been presented before. Dr Reiter, also of the University of Texas Health Science Center, believes it can protect the central nervous system as well as the body generally from free radicals. He also thinks melatonin can increase the body’s own production of another antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase.

People who should not take melatonin supplements are:

* children
* pregnant women
* breastfeeding mothers
* couples trying to conceive
* people with serious allergies
* HIV and cancer patients

Whilst it is not recommended that people with cancer take melatonin, this is primarily for the reasons that not enough research has been done on humans, at least according to Dr Kenneth Cooper. But some of the research that has been done with people suggests that melatonin may be very helpful – if it is taken with the supervision of a doctor. And herein lies the crux of the problem – melatonin is a very powerful substance. Only small doses are needed to create improvements. For example, Dr Cooper cites the example of dosages as small as 2 to 3 mg only, for some people suffering insomnia.

Overall, melatonin is very promising, and may well help people with serious illnesses like cancer and multiple sclerosis. In the meantime, increasing our dietary intake of foods like walnuts that potentially supply us with this wonderful nutrient, may have a host of protective health benefits as well as slowing down the aging process.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about various topics for http://kitchenaide.net

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Body detox is among the best ways of keeping ourselves clean and healthy, besides other methods such as special diets, vitamin supplements, natural therapies, and so on. An important step in a full body detox is to restore or also to replenish energy levels to make you more alert in different areas of your life, such as at work. A body cleanse or body detox is also a great way to give your body a boost after a night of over-indulgence, eating all the wrong foods and consuming more alcohol than is healthy. That is why body detox is needed because some mortals are having this kind of lifestyle.

The human body has a built in detox system that removes harmful substances from the body through excretion but when we put pressure on it by eating unhealthy foods, drinking too much alcohol and not getting enough sleep the system is weakened. At one time, the need for a natural body detox seemed to apply only to those who suffered from some form of drug or alcohol dependency. The pollution your body is exposed to daily, and your consumption of various types of junk food, coffee, aerated drinks, alcohol etc leads to the accumulation of various toxins in your body. Initially known for elimination of excessive alcohol and drugs from the body, detox is now being used more extensively for the process of elimination of any kind of toxins that may be present in the body. A full body detox diet plan using raw vegetables and fresh fruits is especially recommended for young individuals whose bodies have been subjected to high levels of alcohol, burgers and pizzas.

Todays refined diets, stressful lifestyles antibiotics or other health problems can deplete the body’s natural store of these little miracle workers and upset the delicate balance or eubiosis. There are numerous other methods to detox your body, such as through herbal tea and supplements, in addition to specialized diets and spa programs. Body detox diets vary but typically involve eating or drinking nothing but raw, steamed or gently stir-fried vegetables and fruit, pulses, sprouted seeds, thin soups, juices and plain cereals such as brown rice, millet or buckwheat. Mediterranean diets are low on fat and carbohydrates and they provide us with healthy alternative to the oily food we consume every day.

Start using the benefit of exercise to cleanse and detoxify your body. Exercise increases oxygen to your system and raises your body temperature, in effect combining oxygen therapy and hyperthermia. Exercise detoxification is an effective method of cleansing many vital organs simultaneously and should become a regular part of your life. There are tons of exercise programs and plans out there, or just walking for at least 12-15 minutes a day is beneficial to the colon function. The simplest form of administering oxygen therapy is through a simple deep breathing exercise.

The increase in the amount of toxins in the body results in stress in the immune system that eventually breaks down due to overwork. If you are interested in the idea of detoxing and want to receive the fastest results possible, then what you are going to want to do is find a quick detox diet, a body detox that is going to offer you quick results. Some methods are used individually as body detox solutions while other individuals use several methods together to achieve the best possible results. If you want to receive optimum results from your detox, you should consider taking some supplements for detox. It is also good for keeping track of detox intervals or a detox schedule, body detox is not just a one time thing, for best results it should be done on a regular basis throughout the year.

While our body is not totally defenseless against toxins as we have an effective built-in natural detoxification system but body detox is still a must to help keep your body free of toxins. One of the much-desired benefits of body detox is weight loss. Liver and Kidneys detox is excellent to use before and during a weight loss program, as it will improve weight loss results. In conclusion, making your own home remedy for body detox is much better and less expensive way to pursue long term health as compared to eating detox pills.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about various topics for http://kitchenaide.net

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Far too many “doctors” are more talented at scribbling prescriptions than finding real answers. Far too many patients are all too happy to choose pills over real lifestyle changes. For those of us who know that real health solutions don’t come in bottles, here are 12 all-natural ways to lower blood pressure:

1) Stop smoking. Tobacco hardens your arteries and the walls of your blood vessels. If you don’t have the willpower to quit cold turkey, ask your doctor for help in developing a plan. Plus, let’s face is… smoking is so… last century.

2) Time to get some exercise – normally an average of at least 30 minutes a day. You don’t have to join a health club and start grunting in the weight room – even moderate walking is great.

Ask your doctor to help you develop a plan that’s right for your needs. Exercise is a habit just like any other, once you get in the swing, you’ll get addicted to feeling great.

3) Watch the salt (sodium). You’ve probably heard this advice before, and it’s true, but not for everyone. Around 58% of people with high blood pressure are “salt sensitive.”

If you are salt sensitive, it’s best to keep sodium intake to no more than 2,400 milligrams a day, or ideally under 1,500 mg a day. Processed and fast foods are packed with sodium. If you keep a “salt log” for a single day you’ll be amazed at just how much is in our diets. You can easily exceed the entire days recommended amount in a single fast food meal.

4) Eat your potassium. Most people eat a sodium to potassium ratio of 2:1 – we eat twice as much sodium as we do potassium. Many physicians feel that the ideal ratio for blood pressure control is 1:5 – we should be eating five times more potassium than sodium. Ask your doctor about how much potassium makes the most sense for your diet.

Excellent foods rich in potassium include: apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, kiwis, lima beans, milk, oranges and OJ, potatoes, prunes, spinach, tomatoes and squash.

5) No more “Heavy Metal”. Now, we’re not talking about the music here – we’re talking about lead, cadmium and mercury – all of which are linked to hypertension. For example, if you live in an old house with lead pipes, you might have lead poisoning – which can impair the liver and cause high blood pressure. Smoker? Cigarette smoke contains cadmium. Dental fillings? Many, but not all, contain mercury.

You can find out if you have unhealthy levels of heavy metals in your body through a simple test called ‘hair mineral analysis.’

6) Time to get your weight on target. Do you know what your ideal weight is? Most people don’t. Simple solution: ask your doctor. Added pounds make your heart work overtime.

In nearly all cases, high blood pressure is reduced or eliminated along with unwanted weight. Losing weight isn’t one size fits all (no pun intended), everyone is different. Ask your doctor to help you develop a custom plan that’s right for you.

7) Avoid refined carbohydrates (sugar). Sugar is a key factor in atherosclerosis (a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of the arteries). Sugar causes spikes of the hormone insulin. Elevated insulin, in turn, is associated with increased triglycerides, cholesterol, higher risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and… high blood pressure.

8) Time to watch that alcohol. No more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Watching your alcohol is also clinically proven to prevent cocktail party gaffes.

9) Avoid Caffeine. In some, but not all people, caffeine triggers blood pressure spikes.

10) Eat fresh, eat healthy. Check out the DASH Diet (DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) for an overview of the fruits, veggies, whole grains and “low-fat, high-protein” smart options.

People who followed this diet in a clinical study had average blood pressure reductions of 11.4 systolic and 5.5 diastolic. You know the all too true old cliche – You are what you eat.

11) Get enough sleep. Emerging research suggests that sleep deprivation and high blood pressure are linked. What’s more important – that last hour of late night TV or waking refreshed and feeling great?

12) Manage your stress. We live in a time when people are exposed to more stress than frankly our bodies were designed to handle. Just like you wouldn’t skip a shower, or brushing your teeth, or not eat for a whole day, you need to make time every day for some DEEP relaxation. TV time and surfing the net don’t count – those are the potato chips of the relaxation world.

What does count is deep relaxation techniques such as Guided Breathing – it’s clinically proven to permanently lower blood pressure as much as 36 points systolic and 20 points diastolic. Guided Breathing is one of the most powerful ways known to lower blood pressure naturally without drugs.

Your health care needs are unique. Ask your physician how any of these ideas might help you reduce or eliminate your “need” for high blood pressure pills.

To learn more about Guided Breathing and other natural ways to control your blood pressure without drugs, visit: http://www.LowerBloodPressureDrugFree.com.

Andy Krals is the creator of the Breathtaking Nature Method and founder of Lower Blood Pressure Drug Free.

Here’s an overview of the current research on the natural foods and herbs that show the most promise…

1) Garlic. A few smaller studies seem to suggest that garlic might help lower your blood pressure. Larger, more clinically sound studies are needed to establish a definite connection.

2) Cocoa. Cocoa is packed with antioxidants known as polyphenols. Some studies have shown people who eat chocolate have median blood pressure reductions of 4.7 points systolic and 2.8 points diastolic. Results like this are in line with what you might expect from some common blood pressure medications. There are some catches though…
1) Chocolate also contains oxalate, which binds to calcium and inhibits its absorption into our bodies.
2) Further complicating the picture, sugar might be linked with blocking calcium too.
3) Chocolate is also very high in saturated fat.

Maybe you might want to consider some other foods that are rich in polyphenols like: apples, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, grapes, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, celery, onions and parsley.

3) Blond psyllium. The research is inconclusive, but 12 grams of soluble fiber per day might help reduce your blood pressure. A good source of soluble fiber is blond psyllium husk.

Other top sources of fiber are beans (pinto, lima, kidney, etc.), peas (black-eyed, etc.) and lentils.

4) Calcium. Diets low in calcium have been linked to an increased incidence of high blood pressure. But… taking calcium supplements has not been associated with preventing high blood pressure.

Excellent natural sources of calcium include: Milk; yogurt; cheese; sunflower seeds; sesame seeds; dark green leafy veggies; fortified tofu; and fish with small edible bones (like sardines and salmon).

5) Vitamin D. Recent research shows some promise that Vitamin D might help protect against high blood pressure by helping maintain healthy levels of calcium and phosphorous in the blood.

Excellent food sources include: cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, milk, egg yolks, beef liver, cheese and dairy, and tuna or sardines canned in oil. Plus, ten minutes a day of sunshine helps your body make its own natural Vitamin D.

6) DHA and EPA. These are Omega-3 fatty acids, most often associated with fish and fish oil capsules. Some research shows a small reduction in blood pressure with these fish-derived Omega-3 fatty acids. There are some risks associated with the higher doses that might be needed to get any benefit though, including internal bleeding.

7) Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Alpha-linolenic acid is the veggie-derived precursor to Omega-3. One study suggested that flaxseed (high in ALA) might reduce blood pressure, but right now the evidence is less compelling than that with fish-derived Omegas.

Excellent sources include: flaxseed oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, olive oil, canola oil and walnut oil.

8) Coenzyme Q-10. This vitamin-like coenzyme with antioxidant properties is a key part of cellular energy production. Low levels have been linked with high blood pressure, but it’s not clear if this is a cause or effect. More studies are needed before a conclusive connection can be made.

9) Anti-ACE peptides. This all-natural supplement is derived from the ‘bonito’ fish. Three clinical studies have shown that two thirds of people with high blood pressure respond significantly to it. Better yet, not a single person in safety studies has reported any negative side effects.

*Now, which common candy can make your blood pressure go up? Licorice. It contains glycyrrhetinic acid (say that three times fast) which is linked to sodium and water retention – and therefore increased blood pressure. Of course in today’s world of artificial flavorings, you might be hard pressed to find real licorice. Good news – the fake stuff isn’t linked to blood pressure issues.

As yet another interesting side note: DGL – which is licorice which has had that (glycyrrhetinic) acid removed, is clinically proven for treating peptic ulcers and reflux disease. In double-blind tests, it beats Zantac and Tagamet.

So, getting back to the main question of what herbs and supplements might lower your blood pressure… Does this mean that you can eat things like a sesame seed encrusted piece of salmon, drizzled in garlic infused olive oil, served on a bed of leafy greens with a side of lentil soup and your blood pressure will go down? YES… and it’s been clinically proven through studies such as the DASH diet.

Your needs are unique. Overdoing one thing can create unforeseen issues elsewhere, especially with drug interactions. Vitamins and supplements are dangerous in high doses. The best place to start is to meet with your doctor and see what dietary changes make the most sense for your whole health picture. Drugs listed are the trademarks of their respective manufacturers.

To learn more about natural ways to control your blood pressure without drugs, visit: http://www.LowerBloodPressureDrugFree.com.

Andy Krals is the creator of the Breathtaking Nature Method and founder of Lower Blood Pressure Drug Free.