It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

Many women have severe problems with menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. It can also help harmonize the large and small intestine. It has benefits for the spleen, stomach, and gallbladder. If you want to help your stomach problems with self-message you may also want to use warm oil with cinnamon to help warm your tummy. It can help you through your period and help with loose stools and severe abdominal cramps.

There are several moves you can do to help soothe problems in the abdominal area. Start with lying on a flat and firm surface. You may want to place a small pillow under your knees if you have problems with your lower back. Close your eyes and practice deep breathing techniques. Avoid distractions by trying to keep your mind blank not allowing outside forces crowd in and disrupt your concentration.

Begin by placing your right palm on your abdomen just above your navel. Your thumb should lie against the skin and point toward your chin. If your left hand is your dominant hand, put that hand down and place the other hand on top of your dominant hand. Feel the gentle warmth under your hands and breathe deeply in and out slowly. Begin rubbing your stomach in a clockwise motion. Repeat the motion from 20 to 40 times.

Once your have completed those motions, raise your hands to the lower part of your rib cage on both sides of your body. Massage down the length of your body into the pelvic and groin area. Repeat this massage motion five times. Then move your hand to the lower part of your abdomen in the center and repeat the clockwise motion for 20 to 40 times.

Move to a sitting position and inhale. Turn your neck and head only, not your body, and look over your left shoulder, breathe out. Then inhale as your turn your neck and head to look over your right shoulder, and exhale. Still in a sitting position, carefully place your right hand along the waist on the left side of your body while you inhale. Slowly move your palm forward along your waist to your navel while exhaling. Reverse this movement for the other side.

Next, work on your lower body rubbing your hand down the front of your lower torso over your hipbones and to the top of your thighs. When you are using this massage technique, make it one long slow motion with your palm open and flat.

Return to the first position and replace your hands in the same location rubbing to the count of six. Breathing is important for this massage technique. Breathe in on the count of three and breathe out on the count of six. Keep your eyes closed or only half open to avoid distraction.

This form of self-massage will be able to relieve the symptoms of PMS, menstrual cramping and loose stools because of cold. This form of self-massage is simple to do and may help relieve your symptoms without drugs that may have side effects.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: Massage Therapy, menstrual cramps, stomach problems

Millions of Americans suffer from mood disorders and depression. Only one third of those afflicted with depression pursue outside aid for their problem. Anxiety and depression are the most common diagnoses of all psychiatric problems. The World Health Organization believes that depression will be the second cause of disability behind heart disease as the reason for disability worldwide. Depression is most often treated with medications, but can you hopefully find another way to lift your mood? Massage therapy could be the answer for your depression problems.

Massage is said to be one of the oldest forms of treatment. It was recorded in history thousands of years ago. It has a basic element of humanity. It is human nature to pat your friends’ hand or give them a hug if they are having a hard time. Touch and therapeutic massage have been used for centuries as a cure for illness and disease.

Advances in medicine replaced a massage as the medicine of choice in the early 1950’s. New drugs and medical techniques were discovered every day and massage was replaced by technology. Massage therapy was used extensively in mental hospitals and sanatoriums but is just now regaining popularity for treatment of mental and psychological problems.

Studies have been made about the synergistic effect of relaxing massage on depression. Studies prove depression is reduced after massage therapy. Anxiety levels drop as well as stress hormones. The body releases natural endorphins during a massage. Endorphins are responsible for lifting the mood. There is a link between the body and mind and massage helps, but no one understands why. Studies have been made on depressed teen mothers. After receiving 30 minutes of massage or relaxation therapy over a five-week period the selective group showed a marked difference between emotional stress hormone levels and anxiety. Those teen mothers who took part in the study who did not receive massage therapy did not show a reduction in anxiety or depression.

Why does therapeutic massage make you feel better? Scientists are not sure if it is physical or psychological. Could it be as a response to the human touch either physically or psychologically? It could be both. Scientists believe there is a definite link between your mood and emotions and physical touch. Many people express a fundamental need for a hug, the physical link between any human. Massage is a basic and fundamental physical act that bonds us to another human being. Many genuinely believe the sense of touch is a different way of communicating through the skin.

While receiving a massage, the body responds to the relaxing of the muscles and tendons. Toxins stored in the muscles have been massaged out of the muscles and are flushed out of the body. Natural endorphins the body makes goes through the body easing minor aches and pains. Psychologically, the body responds to the gentle touch of another human being. You don’t feel you are the only one in the world, and massage makes you feel pampered and cared for. This is a fundamental part of how individuals are made.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: anxiety, Depression, Massage Therapy, natural endorphins, relaxation therapy, stress, toxins, world health organization

Shiatsu is a type of pain relief that evolved from Oriental Therapy and has been around for an estimated 5000 years. Shiatsu is a healing art that makes use of assisted stretching techniques as well as pressure, and it is comparable to other types of holistic therapies such as acupressure, osteopathy, massage, physiotherapy, lymphatic drainage, etc. Shiatsu is a kind of healing treatment that is effective at stimulating lymphatic fluid flow as well as the circulation of blood. The practice of shiatsu is also effective at releasing toxins and tensions from the muscles and stimulating the useful system of hormones into energetic action as well as the Immune system. Shiatsu goes to work on the autonomic nervous system and makes it possible for a person to relax as deeply as possible In order to facilitate the necessary process of healing.

Shiatsu has been used to treat a number of health problems including anxiety, back pain, headaches, Insomnia, constipation, skin problems and many others. The number one thing shiatsu is good for is decreasing and relieving stress levels as well as relaxing the demanding work of the nervous system and encouraging the immune system and the circulatory systems to operate to their optimum best. Any stress related disorder can be greatly helped by the regular practice of shiatsu, such as problems with the digestive system, back pain, headaches and Insomnia.

Shiatsu is beneficial in stimulating the hormone system and also plays a crucial role in stimulating the digestive system and the reproductive system. Shiatsu can help free a person from some, and sometimes all, of the symptoms that accompany many health problems, and it is effective at correcting behavioral imbalances in the body as well as postural imbalances that have been around for a long period of time and can be deemed as chronic. Shiatsu can make it possible for the awareness of the mind and body connection to be improved upon and for an improved sense of well-being and a peace of mind that is as strong and healthy as it possibly can be.

Sometimes all it hopefully takes is one session of practicing shiatsu to get rid of a health problem but some people prefer to have a number of shiatsu sessions. Shiatsu makes it possible to boost the energy flow along all channels of the body. After practicing shiatsu it is highly recommended by alternative healthcare practitioners that you make some healthy alterations to your daily diet and incorporate as much exercise into your life as possible.

Be aware that shiatsu brings on a tremendous relaxation response in the body and through that it elicits a healing reaction to kick into gear. It is common to experience symptoms after practicing shiatsu - such as the feeling that you are coming down with the flu or a head cold accompanied by aches and pains as well as headaches. This may not be comfortable, but it is very normal and is the body’s ways of ridding itself of toxins so do not be alarmed if you develop these types of symptoms. The symptoms should recede in a day or two and the more shiatsu treatments you have the fewer symptoms you will experience.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: acupressure, anxiety, autonomic nervous system, constipation, headache, immune system, insomnia, Massage Therapy, stress, toxins

Do you suffer from the symptoms of menopause? In addition to herbal and pharmaceutical remedies, there are massage methodologies which can help. This article deals with shiatsu’s beneficial effect on women in menopause.

The origins of the practice of shiatsu derive from the full oriental medical system which looks at the human body as a network or series of meridians. These networks allow the positive energy or vital life force (or chi) to flow through it. According to shiatsu practitioners, an individual becomes sick due to the flow of chi or energy becoming sluggish or disrupted in one way or another. This however can be easily remedied. The energy imbalance can be corrected by way of applying pressure to particular points on the body that correspond to a given meridian. This is all good news for women going through menopause, as the practice of shiatsu is an excellent one to try to help relieve your symptoms.

Treating Menopause Symptoms

In order for shiatsu to work at treating the symptoms of menopause, first an accurate diagnosis of the symptoms must be done by the qualified practitioner.

When patient with menopause symptoms experiences ringing in the ears, pain in the shoulder and/or dizziness, shiatsu can address the meridian of the small intestine, which can aid in the health of the ovaries.

Ask the shiatsu specialist to apply pressure to the stomach and spleen meridians if you find yourself suffering from any type of nervous or stomach disorders or if you have a tendency to eat too much because of anxiety and frustration.

The meridians for the heart, bladder and kidneys need to have pressure applied to them if as a menopause patient you suffer from any type of nervous disorders or heart palpitations.

If constant fatigue is a problem or if you suffer from headaches, then you need to look to the triple heater meridian.

If you suffer from constant weight gain or obesity and/or hormonal imbalance then you need to look to the gall bladder meridian for the help you need for relief.

In order for shiatsu to work at treating the symptoms of menopause, first an accurate diagnosis of the symptoms must be done by the qualified practitioner.

If you suffer from anxiety and a great deal of tension on a regular basis then look to the shiatsu technique described below to bring relief:

• First you must find the middle point that exists between the eyebrows and to make it easier for you, this point is to be found directly above where the bridge of the nose is found.
• Apply a circular type of massage technique to this area and count slowly from one to 30 and while so doing make sure to exhale as well as inhale as deeply as you can for maximum benefits.
• Do this once and then repeat the process again. To get as much relief as possible from this technique, shut your eyes and then take the time to pay close attention to both your steady breathing and your heartbeat.
• Do this technique as many times as you feel it is necessary to do.

Choose the type of massage that works best for you whether it be smooth, pulsating or a stroking type of massage. Always go with what works best for you as not everyone will respond well to the same kind.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: anxiety, fatigue, Massage Therapy, Menopause, nervous disorders, obesity, shiatsu, stomach disorders

Shiatsu is an excellent pain reliever for many health conditions such as stress related disorders, endometriosis, menopause (and accompanying symptoms), and constipation. Shiatsu can decrease both the level of fatigue (or tsubo) and stress that has built up in the human body. Shiatsu can improve the circulation of both lymph and blood systems. Shiatsu helps to decrease the stiffness of muscles and joints as it lowers blood pressure. Shiatsu also helps to improve a person’s level of energy (or qi), vitality and stamina.

When you decide to begin practicing shiatsu, always dress in loosely-fitting, comfortable clothing that is made of natural as opposed to synthetic fibers. Doing this helps to encourage the flow of positive energy in the body or what is referred to as “ki.” Always make sure you practice shiatsu in a room that has plenty of empty space and is uncluttered, clean and very neat. Also make sure the room you practice in is warm and quiet. If you do not do these things then it can have a negative impact on the flow of energy.

The practitioner of shiatsu should lie on the floor for treatment. It is recommended that the person lie on a futon (which is also a quilted form of a Japanese mattress) or else a floor mat. If the patient needs them, pillows and/or cushions can make them even more comfortable.

It is always important to be as comfortable as possible when you are having a shiatsu treatment. Shiatsu is not good to have after a large meal. A lightly-loaded stomach is important for both the receiver and the giver of shiatsu treatment as well. It is best to wait a number of hours after a large meal to have shiatsu or to perform it on another person.

Shiatsu is not recommended for those who have varicose veins. If one does have this problem, one should make sure that no undue pressure is exerted on the sore and swollen veins. In turn no shiatsu pressure should ever be applied to injuries or traumas to the body such as cuts, tears, bruises or breaks in muscles or bones.

Shiatsu is perfectly safe for women who are pregnant. There are four areas, however that should be avoided for pregnant women: the stomach, the legs from the knees and down to the feet, the area at the left and right side of the neck where the shoulder begins and the fleshy area of the skin that is a web like and is located between the thumb and the index finger. It is important to tell the shiatsu practitioner that you are pregnant or that you could be pregnant. It is always important that a pregnant woman about to engage in a shiatsu treatment be both relaxed and as calm as possible.

Shiatsu is a generally safe practice but it should not be performed on everyone. Individuals who suffer from serious health diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and heart disorder should not engage in shiatsu. In some cases an experienced shiatsu practitioner can work on a person with a serious disease but only if he or she has been apprized of the person’s health situation and their prognosis.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: blood pressure, constipation, fatigue, Massage Therapy, Menopause, shiatsu massage, stress

Do you feel that a massage is a luxury and something you should only have as a treat to yourself? Therapeutic massage is certainly a luxury you can enjoy, but it is also a great way of relieving pain and promoting range of motion. This article will help you understand what therapeutic massage is, the benefits and the risks of receiving a massage.

More than half of the body is made of muscle whose main role is to keep the body moving. Muscles give the body shape and help to protect internal organs. The tendons are attached to the muscles and the muscles are connected to the brain with nerves. The brain sends the message to the muscles to move. When the muscle moves it causes the muscle to contract and that motion pulls the tendon.

Massage therapy is manipulation of the soft tissue of the body including muscles, connective tissue, the skin and tendons. Connective tissue is the soft tissues that surround, separate, and connect the different organs and parts of the body.

What can cause muscles and the connecting tissue to become stiff and sore? There are many things that can do that: repetitive motions, too much pull on a specific muscle, stress, bad posture, surgery, injuries, and even doing nothing at all and relaxing on the couch can make your muscles sore and tender. Manipulating soft tissue, muscles, and other connective tissues are massaged by applying pressure to parts of the body.

Researchers and scientists are not sure why massage therapy works for some people but not for others. There is a good deal of evidence that massage has beneficial effects in three ways: physically, physiologically, and psychologically. Physically the pressure of the massage on the skin can loosen stiff muscles. Physiologically it can improve the functioning of the organs. Psychologically it can release endorphins and develop an overall feeling of well-being.

Therapeutic massage can stimulate the body to release certain chemicals that help improve your mood, improve circulation and help your body expel toxic substances that build up in the muscles. Psychologically a massage can feel pampered and taken care of. It gives a person a feeling of self-worth and helps the client connect with another human. The touch and the contact are important ingredients to the psychology of a person’s health and welfare.

There are many types of therapeutic massage based on different techniques and focusing on areas of the body that heightens relaxation and relieves stress. Many people use massage therapy as a way to relieve stress and relax stiff and sore muscles. It can help improve the function of the lymph system helping to move waste products out of the body. Massage strengthens muscles and allows the joints to move more freely. Range of motion is improved and therapy promotes recovery from injuries, fatigue and minor pain.

Massage therapy may increase blood circulation and help boost the immune system. It also is great for stimulating the skin and giving it a fresh healthy glow.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: fatigue, immune system, Massage Therapy, stress

There are many types of massage therapy. Almost everyone can benefit from massage therapy whether they are young or old, sick or healthy, male or female. Massage’s benefits can range from simple relaxation to healing. Which massage therapies are available, and how can they benefit you?

Massage therapy techniques can help a person to heal better by aiding the person’s ability to heal. It can help with headaches and help to relieve tension and stress. It is truly remarkable the healing power of touch and massage. There are many massage techniques and complementary therapies and we will explore some of them briefly here.

What are some of the main categories of massage professions?

• Medical massage
• Energy massage

What are some of the therapies that complement massage?

• Osteopathy
• Aromatherapy
• Reflexology

While these are a few of the complementary therapies to go with massage the two main professions can further be divided by specializations and uses. Some of the medical profession uses massage to assist with:

• Sports healing
• Certain stretching massages with exercise
• Orthopedic
• Massage that is for the neuromuscular area

There are massage techniques focused on energy in the body. These include:

• Touch therapy
• Reiki
• Polarity which can be a combination of touch and polarity

There are many types of massages that can be used by a professional therapist for general problems, as well as therapists who practice only a specific therapy. What are some of the massage therapies and what do they seek to accomplish in general? Let’s take a look.

Some oriental massage therapies are:

• Acupressure: is based on acupuncture only it doesn’t utilize any needles at all and utilizes some deep tissue massage with pressure being applied along certain points or areas of the body. However it does not normally use any lotions or oils.
• Shiatsu: the goal is to combine some acupressure and some massage and is focused somewhat on relieving discomfort and balancing one’s energy.

In addition to the above, there are a number of other well-known techniques:

• One of the most basic massages is Swedish massage. It utilizes long and basically gentle strokes that can be used on all the various groups of muscles. It is mainly used to help ease and relieve tension and is known for improving circulation.
  Along the same lines as Swedish massage is relaxation massage as it utilizes a flowing and smooth technique.
• There is workplace massage.
• A very specific massage of therapeutic value to the cranium called Cranial Sacral massage therapy. This is applied to the neck and the head.
• A very medical application called remedial massage. It emphasizes a paramedical treatment that helps to achieve the restoration of and function of the soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, muscles that have been injured. This utilizes many types of massage and includes self treatment at home.
• To achieve a balance in the body there is a therapy that uses the reflex points in the feet. These points have matching or corresponding areas in the body. The therapist or if doing this yourself will apply pressure to these points with the thumb and fingers.
• Certain massage therapies can be benefited or enhanced with the healing powers of essential oils and this would be called aromatherapy massage.

The massage therapy that involves deep tissue massage has several different massage techniques that apply some of the methods used in deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage involves many different types of strokes and involved some of these techniques such as;

• Sports massage
• Massage of the Connective Tissue
• trigger point therapy
• Neuromuscular massage Techniques
• Finally, there is Hot Stone Massage which helps to increase blood flow to the muscles and is sometime used in conjunction with a Pilates workout.

There are many uses for massage therapy. Find a technique that helps you achieve overall well-being and helps you achieve the health goal you seek. Even a massage from a good pal will be beneficial.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, deep tissue massage, energy massage, Massage Therapy, orthopedic massage, Reflexology, Reiki, stress

Do you need to relax? Everybody needs to relax sometimes. Stresses of life, turmoil, and physical exercise will take a toll on the body. Although the practice of therapeutic massage is sometimes largely ignored or treated as a form of recreation, massage can be a perfect way to relax and unwind. It is becoming more accepted in today’s society as a means of taking the kinks out and relieving stress.

What is massage? It is a systematic stroking, kneading, and rubbing soft tissue in the body to induce relaxation. The modern world increasingly is accepting the practice of massage to relieve minor medical conditions. Therapeutic massage strengthens all the body’s major system and helps them to remain stable. A massage can affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, nervous and respiratory in a positive and helpful way.

Muscle relaxation and the release of tension allow the body to heal faster and improve circulation. Athletes know the importance of stretching muscles and relaxing them before a major sports event and the same principal is applied to the muscles. A good massage will relax the muscles, ease tension, loosen joints, and it improves circulation. A therapeutic massage will also ease pain.

Massage is great for helping accident victims recover. It speeds the recovery process of healing by loosening muscles and helping the patient regain control of their body. It is recommended that therapeutic massage should not be used in place of medical treatment. Massage does have positive medical effects but not to be used as replacement for the attention of a doctor.

Massage therapy dates from the beginnings of recorded history. “Laying of hands,” therapeutic massage, or some form of touch has been used to heal the sick. The Greeks and Romans used touch and massage therapy for healing and for easing pain. Hippocrates wrote about the power of massage in the early fifth century and Julius Caesar was given massage therapy to help control his epilepsy.

It is believed that therapeutic massage started in the Far East, probably in China. It was later brought to the western world and the first massage related college course was offered in Stockholm, Sweden in 1813. The techniques of massage have evolved over the few years and today you will find many therapists using therapeutic massage as part of helping the patient to relax.

If you are a little tense or stressed out, a good massage may help the muscles relax and tension eased. It is becoming more and more accepted as a good way to relax and relieve tension and helps your physical and mental health. A loving back rub or gentle massage can help you relax enough to have a good night sleep or ease the muscles so they will relax and allow you to sleep. Don’t underestimate the power of the gentle touch of a massage therapist or someone who loves you to help you regain control of your emotions and release the stress and tension of the day.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: epilepsy, Massage Therapy, stress

Thai medicine, which is comprised of diet, medicinal treatment and manipulation techniques, is very effective in treating sickness and disease. Thai massage, like traditional Chinese medicine, focuses on treating the whole person by correcting the imbalance of the body’s energy flow.

Thai massage is made up of four techniques including a therapy similar to shiatsu. The focus is to stimulate energy channels, referred to as “Sen” in Thailand and meridians in ancient Chinese medicine. Shiatsu and Thai massage are very similar, however the main difference is that Thai massage uses pressure along energy channels in both directions, whereas shiatsu only moves in one direction.

Reflexology, another technique used in Thai massage therapy, is based on the belief that applying pressure to reflexes on the feet and hands can effectively treat the entire body. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, reflexology stimulates blood flow and eliminates toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. Reflexology is a beneficial tool for promoting relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; chronic fatigue, fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments.

The third technique used in ancient Thai massage is blood stopping. I know, it sounds a little weird, but according to theory, cutting off a major source of circulation for up to one minute will result in increased pressure at first. This will make the heart slow down contractions in order to bring down the blood pressure. Then, when the pressure on the artery is released, a fresh supply of blood is rushed to the area, allowing for revitalization and relaxation.

And lastly, Thai massage involves passive stretching exercises. If you are not familiar with passive stretching, this means that the therapist does all of the work. It is done in short intervals, gradually working up to a full range of motion. By stretching and extending your range of motion you ultimately increase blood flow throughout the body.

Far Eastern cultures have been using alternative treatments for thousands of years. Furthermore, in most places of the world, natural medicine is the first line of defense against sickness and disease. Even the most technically advanced countries such as China and Japan, appreciate the effectiveness and simplicity of natural medicine. In fact, we could stand to take some of their knowledge to heart these days. In our society today, one that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs, psychotherapy and surgical procedures to “heal” the sick, there has never been a better time to look into such alternatives. Where conventional medicine has failed, natural medicine can make a real difference. If you are new to alternative medicine, reflexology treatment is a good place to start. It is extremely beneficial; often results are felt after just one treatment. Furthermore, if you opt to learn it yourself, it is free medicine!

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: blood pressure, chronic fatigue, Fertility, Massage Therapy, Menopause, Reflexology, stress, thai massage therapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Shiatsu is a holistic and alternative pain relief therapy. Shiatsu can benefit a person suffering from a variety of diseases and disorders.

Many turn to the practice of shiatsu for everything from anxiety to endometriosis. While shiatsu is an excellent practice, there are other therapies that are closely linked to shiatsu that might prove just as beneficial. Let us take a look at five other alternative therapies that work very well.

Acupressure. Acupressure has been used successfully in China and Japan for over 3,000 years. This is a form of therapy that makes use of the combination of acupuncture and massage, and may have been a precursor to shiatsu in Japan. When acupressure is done the practitioner massages the points on the body deemed as acupoints as firmly as possible with his fingertip or thumb. The pressure exerted from acupressure can be done in more than one way. Some acupressure practitioners use their fingers while others use their thumb, the palms of their hands and even their knees in some cases. How soon a person will experience relief from pain depends on the cause of the pain. Chronic persistent types of health problems will take longer to show Improvement while other problems can show Improvement fairly quickly.

Do-In is a type of alternative therapy is an excellent precursor to an acupressure treatment. Do-In is a system that utilizes stretches, exercises, beginner acupressure techniques and special breathing techniques. This is an excellent way to start with alternative health therapy if you are new these natural ways of healing.

Acu-yoga combines yoga with acupressure for pain relief. In this case yoga postures are used In order to stimulate acupressure points on the body. In this practice the entire body is used for this relaxation and not just the hands. Acu-yoga is meant to be done at home. The yoga stretches are particularly good if you want to get to hard-to-reach spots on your body and your back.

Jin Shin Jyutsu is a Japanese method of acupressure that you can do yourself. Jin Shin is not about massage. Rather, it uses cradling or touching the body for pain relief. The aim of this practice is to calm and harmonize the body as well as the spirit and mind. This is done by way of touching what are known as 26 “safety energy locks” that are located in the human body along various energy pathways. A Jin Shin Jyutsu can even involve cradling or a combination of touches or it can be as basic as holding one or two fingers over certain parts of the body.

Zen shiatsu is a strenuous involved practice that incorporates yoga-like stretches and mediation on a daily basis. Zen is a type of Buddhism that got its start In Japan. The yoga-like stretches are designed to open up the meridians of the body. Practitioners of this alternative therapy also may use of heavy pressure on their body and they put their entire body weight into relaxing the muscles. This kind of vigorous shiatsu cannot be done at home—it takes a practitioner several years to become proficient.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Massage Therapy.

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Tags: acupressure, acupuncture, anxiety, Massage Therapy, yoga