It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

Far Eastern cultures have been using alternative treatments for thousands of years. In most places of the world, natural medicine is the first line of defense against sickness and disease, not a last resort like many people see it today. Even in technically advanced countries, such as China and Japan, there is an appreciation of effectiveness and simplicity of natural medicine and alternative treatments. We could learn a lot from the practice of reflexology and how it can benefit our lives.

Reflexology is a complimentary protocol that works in conjunction with other techniques. It is particularly popular among naturopathic and holistic practitioners. Although the techniques have been proven to be beneficial for a multitude of problems, your reflexologist cannot diagnose or claim to cure any diseases. Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. When your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness. Reflexology can help prevent that from occurring if used on a regular basis.

One of the most common uses for reflexology is for stress relief. In our fast-paced society today, everyone is looking for a way to unload stress. The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases. Stress is a silent killer.

In addition to its uses as a stress reliever, reflexology is also a beneficial tool for improving circulation, relieving pain, and as an immune and to stimulate the nervous system. Many people with illnesses such as allergies, chronic sinus problems, acid reflux, migraines, PMS, menopause, insomnia, fertility problems, fibromyalgia, depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

So how does reflexology work? By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, reflexology enhances blood flow and eliminates toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. It is not a complicated technique, although it does have to be learned. And some even say that intuition plays a part in the techniques.

Once you have made the decision to visit a trained reflexologist, you may be wondering what you can expect from him or her. Your therapy session will begin with a questionnaire or one-on-one question and answer session. The purpose of these questions is to get your personal history and determine where your therapy should be most concentrated. For example, if you are going in suffering from frequent migraines and neck pain, your reflexologist will concentrate on the areas of the feet and sometimes the hands, in areas that deal with the head and neck. Of course, you will be treated in all areas of the feet. In order to bring your body to a state of well-being, you must detoxify your organs and this is what happens during reflexology therapy.

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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 Reflexology.

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Tags: Depression, Fertility, fibromyalgia, immune system, Menopause, Reflexology, 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

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

Are you approaching menopause? There are so many changes that happen to a woman as she nears this phase of her life.

In order to deal with these changes, it is important for a you to change your her diet to cope with the changes to your body. As we get older, our bodies require different foods. While this does not mean that you can no longer enjoy the foods you once did, you must learn how to incorporate foods with the necessary nutrients into your diet.

There are even some foods that can help you deal with your menopause symptoms. For example, choosing foods with high potassium content, like bananas, will help you balance water and salt retention issues. Dried fruits like figs and apricots can do the same thing. You may also want to add dark, leafy green vegetables to your diet like cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach and collard greens. Try to increase the amount of “right” whole grains in your diet, like soy beans, brown rice, wheat germ, and lentils.

In addition to adding these foods to your life, you may also want to increase your consumption of foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Sardines, trout, tuna, salmon, and herring are just a few examples of foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Studies have also shown that eating soy products can be quite beneficial to women going through menopause. Yogurt, tofu, soybeans, and soy milk can help in this area. Nuts work well with your new nutritional needs, so throw in some sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.

Choosing the right kinds of oil is an important part of your diet planning: include flaxseed and canola oils.

Try seaweed—it’s great on rice or as an additional vegetable. Kimbu, Arame, Nori, and Wakame (available at your local health market in the seaweed section) are other helpful choices since they have naturally occurring chemicals and hormones that are very good at combating natural menopause symptoms.

These foods are not only helpful for menopause; they are part of an overall healthier diet. As we age, blood pressure rises, as does the risk of higher cholesterol levels. These diet changes can help us to improve our overall health. Instead of fighting with the side effects of prescription drugs, you can handle these risks by eating well and maintaining your ideal body weight, which can help your heart deal with its age as well. Remember that you don’t have to strictly hew to your new diet—just a tendency in these directions can improve your overall health.

There is little reason why you can’t have a slice of your birthday cake, or sneak a cookie in with your afternoon coffee once in a while. You might even try learning to bake with different kinds of ingredients. As you start working on your diet, you may not even notice the sheer number of things that have changed as you will be changing, too. You may feel better, have more energy, and have more concentration. These diet changes will help you to have fewer hot flashes, night sweats, heart palpitations, and other menopause symptoms.

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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 Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: blood pressure, cholesterol, coffee, Menopause, Nutrition & Health, omega 3 fatty acids, sunflower seeds, whole grains

You cannot reverse the signs of aging but you can certainly make the process less painful. When you know what to expect, you can begin to prepare for it. Growing old is more than just wrinkles and gray hair. There are a few more aches and pains to go along with them!

The oldest documented living person was 122 years old. That is quite a life expectancy! Many people are living longer thanks to better health, medications and living conditions. At the turn of the century, the average life expectancy was around 55 years of age. My, how society has improved … with age of course!

You should expect that your body is going to show those signs of aging. However, you don’t have to take them lying down. You can take as many preventative measures as possible to greatly slow the process. Many older adults are successful. The key to success is a realistic view of old age, a healthy diet and of course, safe exercise for endurance, flexibility, strength and weight.

Brain power

Many older adults worry most about losing their minds to Alzheimer’s or dementia. As long as you eat healthy, exercise and challenge your brain frequently, you should be able to avoid this problem. Keep in mind that some forgetfulness is natural though!

The thinning process

As you age, there are quite a few things on and in your body that tend to thin. Your hair gets thinner as well as your skin. You lose a bit of elasticity as a result. Repeated sun block and moisturizers help a lot.

Your retina thins out affecting vision and your auditory canal thins affecting your hearing. Some blood vessels like capillaries thin, which along with thinner skin, makes you more prone to bruising.

Slowing down

Many body processes start to slow down. You digestion slows which may be the reason why you get heartburn or indigestion. In addition, your metabolism slows which means gaining weight, unless you keep up with exercise to burn calories.

Your joints, muscles and bones contribute to the slowing down process. Bones become less dense and weaker while your joints get stiffer and your muscles weaker. This slows down reflexes. Only through exercise can you greatly slow down this slow body downturn.

Other body issues

Some older adults may experience incontinence because bladder muscles weaken. Sex may be a problem thanks to menopause or erectile dysfunction. Sleep becomes disrupted and you may not get as much as you need to rejuvenate your body and mind. Heart, kidneys and bladder also work less efficiently so you have to compensate with better diet and exercise.

All in all, growing older seems like a raw deal all around. This doesn’t have to be true however. Many older adults have a great time in retirement and love being older and wiser. A lifetime a good habits will buy you a better lifestyle in retirement. Just remember that it is never too late to adopt healthier habits like a better diet and exercise.

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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 Healthy Retirement.

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Tags: aging, brain power, exercise, healthy retirment, Menopause, older adults

Stress related back pain is one of the most common health related complaints today. But what if anything can be done about it? If you can find an effective way of relieving your stress, often the symptoms will disappear as well. For this purpose, we are going to look at managing back pain caused by stress.

Stress is a silent killer. In fact, stress is so commonplace in our society today, that associated behaviors such as road rage are becoming an acceptable part of everyday life. Research has shown that high stress levels not only increase negative hormone levels, the ones responsible for inhibiting sickness and disease, but it also suppresses the immune system. But in such a fast paced society, how do we relieve stress? I guess I should make the point that you can’t necessarily get rid of stress. You can, on the other hand manage it quite effectively before it gets out of control.

Complimentary therapies such as reflexology have shown very positive results in relieving the stress associated with back pain. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, reflexology enhances blood flow and eliminates toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. And, not only is this form of self-help therapy one of the most relaxing therapies available and provides immediate relief in many cases; it is free of charge and extremely convenient if you learn to do it yourself.

Outside of using it for stress relieving purposes, reflexology is also a beneficial 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; fertility problems, fibromyalgia; depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

Reflexology is fairly simple to perform and even simpler to incorporate into your daily routine, which is important since stress is a part of everyday life. It is recommended that you use it both on yourself and with members of your family. Making it a family affair can be very beneficial. If everyone feels less stress, there will be more harmony in the family. There are many online guides and diagrams that you can study and practice with. Or, if you prefer to have the information at your fingertips, there are many great books you can even get at your local library that will walk you through the process of reflexology treatment. I would also recommend going to a reflexologist at least once to get a professional treatment. This way you will feel the techniques first hand. It tends to make learning easier.

In the fast paced society that we live in today, I highly recommend that you take some time out of each day for yourself. We always seem to be on the go and cut ourselves short of the time we need to recoup. Set aside a specific time early in the morning or before you go to bed and practice deep breathing and reflexology techniques. Before long you will notice a big difference in how you see life and that you are able to manage the stress of your day so much better.

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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 Reflexology.

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Tags: Depression, Fertility, fibromyalgia, immune system, Menopause, Reflexology, stress, toxins

When the digestive system experiences imbalances, the whole body gets thrown for a loop. Many diseases and even common problems such as constipation and gas result from having digestive system malfunctions.

So, what causes digestive malfunction and imbalance? There are many causes, however stress is the most common and most destructive. Stress targets the digestive system and if it gets a hold there, the rest of the body is in for a rough ride. Most diseases start from a digestive system problem, which is something that has been studied and proven true. To cure the diseases of today, we must dig into the digestive system and fix the problem at the source.

One of the best alternative treatment options for colon health and many other problems is reflexology. Reflexology is simply the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the reflexes of feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs.

Just like the teeth, the feet and hands are a map to the health of our entire body. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding areas of the body. Furthermore, reflexology stimulates the lymphatic system and encourages the release of endorphins, the natural feel good hormones that are well documented in relieving the effects of stress.

Reflexology is meant to bring your body to a state of well-being. Only in this state is your body able to heal itself. When your body is full of toxins, your immune system is severely compromised, making you much more likely to succumb to sickness. Reflexology is a beneficial 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, fertility problems, fibromyalgia, depression and even arthritis report significantly improved conditions as a result of the treatment.

If you don’t want to go to a trained reflexologist, but still want to experience the benefits the detox can bring, try the herbal foot detox patches. They are quite affordable and very effective. By simply applying them to your feet at night before bed, you will help detoxify all of your organs at the same time. Not only are well-known healing oils and tree extracts used in these patches, but also there are no side effects, making them a very popular choice.

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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 Reflexology.

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Tags: colon health, constipation, Depression, fertility problems, fibromyalgia, immune system, Menopause, Reflexology, stress, toxins

At the onset of menopause, women may find that they experience periods on a very erratic basis. This is a very normal symptom of menopause. One of the first signs of change that woman will notice is that during post-menopause they have gone twelve consecutive months without a period or a menstrual cycle. At this point in a woman’s life, she is considered to be fully menopausal.

During menopause, women can still bleed occasionally. Once she has finished menopause, though, bleeding, even erratic bleeding, is not considered normal. If you do experience any bleeding after you have been through menopause, something very serious might be occurring on an internal basis. The most common problem that causes bleeding after menopause is when the tissue inside the vagina becomes swollen or torn. This can cause bleeding. Sexual intercourse while that tissue is in poor condition can make the bleeding much worse.

If you have gone twelve consecutive months without bleeding, and your doctor considers you to be post-menopausal, you should be concerned about any bleeding you experience. If you do experience any bleeding, you should meet with your family doctor or your gynecologist for a thorough examination. He or she will probably want to run some blood tests and do a pelvic exam. In most cases, the bleeding after menopause is not severe. It could be something quite minor. However, just to be on the safe side, it is important to get it checked out, because it could be the first sign of something quite serious.

Many women experience bleeding after menopause because of the continued hormonal imbalance in their systems; others have started birth control pills and begin to experience bleeding. Still others have benign growths in the lining of the uterus that can get irritated or irritate the tissue around them that causes bleeding. Uterine fibroid tumors can also cause mild to serious bleeding. On the other hand, though, bleeding can be a good indicator of serious cancer that could be a threat to your life in the long run.

If you do experience bleeding, and you do end up with cancerous cells, they can be identified and controlled if they are caught in time. However, if you wait too long, those cells will multiply and begin to cause other cancers in the body. If you ignore the first simple signs like unusual bleeding, you could be setting yourself up for a fall. Many women think that menopause means they can stop their yearly pap smear. This is not the case. In fact, this has caused the deaths of many women because they believe this essential exam is no longer necessary. Just because you no longer have a period does not mean that you are no longer at risk for serious cancers like uterine or vaginal cancer. That is the primary reason for having a pap smear. As a result, you should be active in your cancer prevention strategy.

If you have begun to notice the early signs of menopause, it is best to educate yourself as to all of the symptoms of the condition. Moreover, it is essential that you see your doctor to identify your condition early so you know what to expect before, during, and after this normal change in a woman’s life.

Tags: Menopause