Hypnotherapy has many tangible benefits when provided by trained professionals.  Some of the techniques can be used at home to help alleviate a variety of conditions.

Hypnosis Facts and Uses

Hypnosis is not just some parlor trick or stage magic.  It can be used therapeutically by trained professionals.  Hypnosis leaves a patient with a sense of “hyper-suggestibility”, if they are able to be hypnotized, after a series of hypnotic procedures.  The purpose of this state is to allow patients to “increase motivation or alter behavior patterns”, according to Dr. John Kappas, founder of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute.  Historically, in the Victorian era, hypnotherapy “employed direct suggestion” so that patients could, for example, achieve relaxation, and perhaps they could also decrease alcohol and drug use.  Milton Erickson, in the 1950s, used a “conversational approach”.  The Cognitive Behavior Therapists could also use hypnosis in their practices.  Some therapists believe that hypnosis isn’t not a “special state”, but it is really the result of “active imagination, expectation, appropriate attitudes, and motivation”.  Hypnosis can be used in childbirth, as well as pregnancy, to decrease pain, discomfort, and anxiety.  In psychotherapy, it has been found to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia, addiction, and habit disorders.¹  The state of hypnosis is one of relaxation, and patients are aware of what is going on.  Patients will not forget anything, unless they choose to.  The aim of hypnosis is to allow the subconscious to “accept positive suggestions” and it allows the mind and body the opportunity to heal itself.  It can also strengthen the will and personality aspects that the patient desires.  Hypnosis is not something that is done to the patient; in a way, it is self-induced, but it can be triggered by external suggestions.²

Hypnosis Myths Debunked

The first thing it is important to remember about the state of hypnosis is that “you cannot be hypnotized against your will,” according to Dr. Bruce Goldberg.  Secrets won’t be revealed, and hypnosis is not for weak or “unintelligent people”.  The more imaginative and strong-willed the patient, the better the subject.  People who are hypnotized are not in a deep sleeplike trance; they can think, act, hear, talk, or open their eyes in a state of hypnosis.  It is not magic.³ People will not be hypnotized forever, and hypnosis is not a “zombie state”.  Mental control and willpower will not be lost.⁴  It does not work like a “truth serum”, and it is not dangerous.  Hypnotherapy doesn’t work in just one session, and it will not fix all problems.⁵

Self-Hypnosis

For hypnosis to work, whether with a therapist or alone, a patient must be able to enter into a trance-like state, but not fall asleep.  The suggestions from the therapist (or audio CD, etc.) must be worded properly, and the actions must be within the patient’s abilities.  Patients need to do “follow up work and reinforcement”.⁶  A patient who is willing, able to concentrate, and is motivated can be hypnotized.⁷  Hypnotherapists guide the patient as a facilitators.⁸  There are many self-help audio programs that can allow patients to hypnotize themselves.  It can be effective in weight loss, smoking cessation, and many other conditions.⁹  Therapists can also teach patients self-hypnotic techniques in order to “induce relaxation and/or strengthen their self-esteem”.  Some childbirth techniques may include “glove anesthesia”, where a patient pretends their hand is numb and uses it to alleviate their pain, “time distortion”, where perception of pain is reduced, and “imaginative transformation”, where the pain is perceived as non-threatening.¹⁰

References:

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy

2, 4 http://www.path-found.com/cchfacts.cfm

3 http://www.drbrucegoldberg.com/Facts.htm

5,6 http://www.hypnotherapyservices.com/about-hypnosis/myths-facts-about-hypnosis.html

7 http://www.hypnoshop.com/hypnosis/myths-of-hypnosis/

8 http://www.asch.net/Public/GeneralInfoonHypnosis/MythsAboutHypnosis/tabid/135/Default.aspx

9 http://www.healthyaudio.com/content/uses_of_hypnosis/

10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-hypnosis

Many patients who visit chiropractors appreciate the natural ability of the body to heal itself.  Sometimes, during treatment, there may still be some sore areas, and patients may not be inclined to take internal over-the-counter or prescription medications, due to the risks of side-effects.  There are medical topical creams and ointments that can be used, but there are products that provide a more natural alternative to those:  Biofreeze and Sombra.

What are Biofreeze and Sombra?

Biofreeze is a gel that contains menthol as well as homeopathic ingredients.  Biofreeze is used to relieve sore muscles and sprains/strains, as well as neck and shoulder pain, and to reduce discomfort in joints in the knee, hip, elbow, and ankle.¹  Sombra also sells topical relieving products, including warm and cool relieving gels, oils, and lotions.  Massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors may recommend Sombra products, too.²   Both products can only be purchased through hands-on healthcare professionals.

Why Choose Biofreeze?

The latest formula of Biofreeze is “more natural than ever” and contains no parabens.  It now also contains even more botanical ingredients, including the following:  arnica, aloe, boswellia, calendula, green tea, burdock, and lemon balm.  There is even a dye-free version available.  The latest formulation has a higher percentage of menthol, and it includes vitamin E.  It is a vegetarian-friendly product.³  It works so effectively because it not only helps to manage minor pains, but it does so in a targeted way, in order to reduce the risk of toxicity and drug interaction.  Biofreeze has been around for over 20 years, and it can help people reduce pain and continue a “healthy lifestyle”.  It uses “cold therapy”, via the ingredient menthol, because the sensation of cold can inhibit the pain signals from reaching the brain, reducing pain perception, and it allows patients relief while they are recovering from injury and healing with therapy, such as chiropractic.  Biofreeze is superior to ice, because ice can cause “stiffness, skin irritation, temporary pain and numbness, and requires (the) patient to remain stationary”.  It is nearly two times as effective as ice in reducing pain, it is more comfortable, and its effects last longer than ice.  These results were found in a 2009 study called “Effects of Biofreeze vs. Acute, Non-Complicated Neck Pain”.⁴  It is important to remember that when using Biofreeze, patients should not combine it with a heating pad because it works by cooling the area, and patients could inadvertently burn themselves by applying too much heat.  Patients should also not bandage the area where Biofreeze is applied.⁵ 

Why Choose Sombra?

Sombra products include a variety of topical relievers.  There is the Original Warm Therapy, which is used to help with muscle and joint pains from injury, strains, or arthritis.  It can be used in ultrasound.  It contains camphor, menthol, and a variety of natural and botanical ingredients, such as aloe, capsaicin, grapefruit seed, green tea, orange peel, queen of the prairie, rosewater, yucca, and witch hazel.⁶  There is a Cool Therapy, which uses just menthol, with the natural ingredients, and no capsaicin.⁷  Sombra also sells Massage Gel Oil, Massage Lotion, and Massage Crème, which also contain many natural ingredients.⁸  Like Biofreeze, Sombra cooling products should not be combined with heating pads.  Sombra can, however, be used with breathable wraps and combined with ice.⁹

References:

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofreeze

2 http://www.sombrausa.com/

3,5 http://biofreeze.com/page/en/faqs-consumer.aspx#faq_47

4 http://www.biofreeze.com/page/en/How-It-Works.aspx?parent=23

6 http://www.sombrausa.com/products/warmtherapy.htm

7 http://www.sombrausa.com/products/cooltherapy.htm

8 http://www.sombrausa.com/products/massage_ingredients.htm

9 http://www.sombrausa.com/faqs/pros.htm

Shingles, a painful disease related to the chickenpox virus, has many traditional medical management options; however, chiropractic care can also assist those who suffer.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a very painful, blistering rash.  It is known that that chickenpox virus leads to shingles.  Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the “reactivation in the body of the varicella-zoster virus, the cause of chicken pox”.¹  Shingles is most likely to be found in people over 60, in those who had chickenpox as an infant, and in the immune-compromised (due to medications or disease).  The disease may be first noticed by a “one-sided pain, tingling, or burning”.   Next, red patches and a rash of blisters appear, which will last about 3 weeks.  Shingles often leads to fever, headache, soreness, abdominal and joint pain, and sores.  When it attacks the face, it can lead to drooping eyelids, muscle movement issues, and hearing, tasting, and vision problems.²

Traditional Treatments

“Exposure to children with chickenpox helps act like a booster shot to the immune system”; however, the elderly and the immune-compromised are at risk for developing shingles. The fact that the aging population has increased may demonstrate that hospitalization from shingles could be on the rise.  The general medical thought is that the chickenpox vaccine will decrease the future incidence of shingles; however current studies are being done to see if that will be the case.  The shingles vaccine is a stronger version of the chickenpox vaccine.³  Medical treatments tend to focus on antiviral medications to shorten the disease’s course, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.  In addition, doctors may also prescribe anti-inflammatory steroids, antihistamines, pain medications, and a capsaicin (pepper extract) cream called Zostrix.  The disease, while the sores are oozing, is infectious.  A complication of shingles, postherpetic neuralgia, can lead to years-long pain in the area that had the rash.  While the virus can clear up in weeks, and it rarely recurs, some patients can have permanent nerve damage, weakness, or paralysis.  Other complications of shingles can include bacterial infections, deafness, and blindness.⁴

Chiropractic Help

Medications can carry serious side effects.  Chiropractors aim to minimize the use of medications and invasive procedures.  Instead of treating symptoms, they work towards resolving or mitigating the underlying problem.  While medical doctors may prescribe creams, painkillers, and anti-depressants, chiropractors work with the patient on strengthening the immune system.  Patients may be asked to take supplements, or alter their diet, to change the ratio of lysine and arginine.  Lysine needs to exceed the arginine.  Spinal adjustments can help with the misalignment and subluxations of the patient.  For topical relief during an outbreak, patients can use more natural treatments, such as apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper on a rag, with some heat applied.  During shingles outbreaks, lysine supplementation may be appropriate, as well as colloidal silver and vitamin C, to boost the immune system.⁵

References:

1,3 http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/03/health/03vaccine.html?_r=0

2,4 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001861/

5 http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/370-how-to-eliminate-shingles-quickly-and-naturally-using-alternative-holistic-methods.html

People with eating disorders can be difficult to treat, and rehabilitation therapy may last many years.  Chiropractic can be a helpful part of an overall treatment plan.

Anorexia and Bulimia

Anorexia is a disorder marked by weight obsession, eating refusal, exercise abuse, and it can sometimes contain a component of binging and vomiting (or other elimination methods, such as laxatives), called bulimia.  Anorexics tend to be perfectionists who fear getting fat.  They may lie about eating, as well.  Some studies say a zinc deficiency may be part of these disorders.  People who suffer from these disorders may also have food allergies and amino acid imbalances.  Teenage girls are the most likely population to have anorexia and bulimia.  Menstruation can cease in females, males may become impotent, the body can waste away, the skin can yellow and dry, and there can be anemia, low blood pressure, sleep problems, and frequent pain and sensitivity from touch.1  Bulimics may additionally have gum disease and tooth decay from vomiting.  Some anorexia may have its roots in rigid thinking patterns, sexual abuse, or obsessive-compulsive disorders; controlling food is a coping mechanism.  Certain brain chemical imbalances may also be involved.  Aside from the short-term effects of the disease, long-term medical problems can result:  dehydration, ulcers, malnutrition, diabetes, heart and kidney failures, osteoporosis, and liver and pancreas failures.  This may lead to hospitalization and rehabilitation.2

Chiropractic Assistance

Chiropractors can help anorexic patients by suggesting vitamin supplements, such as zinc, vitamins E and D, and B12.  Besides the nutritional therapy and changes in diet, chiropractors can assist with helping immunity, resolving allergies and gastrointestinal issues, and balancing hormone levels.  Depression and suicidal thoughts may also be helped with chiropractic care.  For those with bulimia, aromatherapy may be recommended, as well as hydrotherapy, and there can be Ayurveda foods, supplements, and herbs recommended, along with massage.  Chiropractors may also suggest magnetic field therapy, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, and Chinese Medicine components.3  Nutrition Science News suggested that a B1, or thiamin, deficiency can lead to “depression, mood swings, and loss of appetite—symptoms typical of anorexia nervosa”.4  Chiropractors believe in overall, holistic health.  In doing so, they may recommend not only nutritional support but exercises.  A study showed that anorexic patients who practiced healthy exercise during treatment “gained 40 percent more weight compared to those who did not exercise”.  Unlike the excessive exercise that might have been practiced by the anorexic or bulimic for weight loss, the researchers found that healthy and rehabilitative exercise should be focused on promoting “positive attitudes about the body” and helping to establish a “mind-body connection” to reduce “physical and mental stress”.  The exercises in the study included Pilates, yoga, resistance training, partner work, and sports conditioning.  The patients were encouraged to focus on breathing and how their body felt during the exercises, instead of comparing oneself to others.6  Chiropractic adjustments may also assist in resolving subluxations in patients.7

References:

1, 3 http://chiropractor.com/anorexia-nervosa-eating-disorder/#.UHhRY8XA95Y

2 http://www.foxvalleyphysicalmedicine.com/tabid/6921/mid/10923/ContentPubID/18/ContentClassificationGroupID/-1/Default.aspx#TOP

4 http://www.chiro.org/nutrition/FULL/B1_Lack.shtml

5 http://www.chiroeco.com/welcome.php?url=http://www.chiroeco.com/news/2004/july/exercisecrit.php

6 http://www.chiroeco.com/news/2004/july/exercisecrit.php

7 http://www.bartonchiro.com/custom_content/c_120370_anorexia_nervosa.html

]]> http://www.echiropractor.org/chiropractic-for-eating-disorders/feed/ 0 http://www.echiropractor.org/pregnancy-and-infant-massage/ http://www.echiropractor.org/pregnancy-and-infant-massage/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:05 +0000 echiropractor http://www.echiropractor.org/?p=9959

Many people may think of massage as something that occurs at a spa, after some form of sports injury, or to periodically reduce tension in muscles.  Two other kinds of massage can be incredibly helpful, however:  massage during pregnancy and massage for infants.

Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal massage can alleviate many of the physical discomforts that come with the pregnancy territory.  Special training is needed to make sure that the mother and unborn child are safe during massage.  Some massage therapists are actually certified in prenatal massage.  The American Pregnancy Association sees many benefits of prenatal massage.  Obviously, anxiety, depression, and stress are reduced at the same time as pains in the joints and muscles are alleviated.  According to the APA, Swedish massage, which improves circulation and reduces tension in the muscles, is the “recommended prenatal massage method…because it addresses…skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts”.  Studies have actually shown that cortisol and norepinephrine (“stress hormones”) are reduced.  This can benefit not only the mother-to-be, but there may also be fewer birth complications and less risk of low birth weight and other problems.  Pregnancy massage can help to treat edema (joint swelling) by stimulating soft tissues to release fluids.  The lymphatic system will also remove waste more efficiently.  Massage can be helpful in treating sciatica nerve pain, caused by the uterine pressure.  There are even a few other side benefits from prenatal massage, including “improved oxygenation” and “better sleep”.  Of course, high-risk pregnancies, hypertension, pre-term labor risk, and severe swelling would require consultation with a medical professional before seeking massage therapy.¹

Infant Massage

While a professional masseuse can be sought for infant massage, it is also something parents can incorporate in their own child care regimen.  Daily massage for an infant is good for bonding, can help the baby sleep and relieve colic, and may also “enhance an infant’s immune system, motor skills, and intellectual development”.  Gentle stroking motions and working section-by-section are key elements.  Simple techniques can be taught by video, and they can give a new parent the confidence they need in massaging their baby at home.  The abdomen can be stroked in a clockwise motion, the baby can be rocked gently side-to-side, the head and face can also be massaged, and the parents can finish off with the chest, arms, back, and legs.  Building massage into the daily schedule, just a few minutes at a time, can be beneficial.²  If parents prefer to seek a professional to massage their infant, there are organizations that specialize in this.^3,4,5

Massage and Chiropractic

Massage can be a complementary procedure to go with chiropractic care.  Chiropractors also treat pregnant women and infants.  DCs can use special techniques to help women pregnant with a breech-positioned baby, for example.  Other types of chiropractic procedures include special positions used for pregnant women.  The moments after birth can also be treated with chiropractic care, both for the mother and child.  Massage is a wonderful companion therapy that can be used in these special times of life.

References:

1 http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/prenatalmassage.html

2 http://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/how-to-massage-baby/

3 http://infantmassageinstitute.com/

4 http://www.liddlekidz.com/infant-massage-certification.html

5 http://lovingtouch.com/training_details

Chiropractors have many tools at their disposal in order to help clients during adjustments.  While regular chiropractic, and even massage care, can be important to maintaining alignment and health, what people do at home contributes to the overall efficacy of their therapies.  Exercises, stretches, and proper ergonomics are all important.  Some products, such as Foot Levelers, can also be helpful.

Over-the-Counter Foot Orthotics

Regular orthotics can be purchased in many drugstores and grocery stores.  Foot orthotics are special inserts that are placed in the shoe.  They provide support and distribute pressure, while helping to align the joints during standing and other activities.  They can help with symptom relief of pain caused by injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, or they can help to prevent foot ulcers in diabetics.¹  Other types of injuries and pain that may be relieved by orthotic inserts include arch pain, ball of foot pain, heel pain, and achy/tired feet.²  Over-the-counter products can be made with various foams and gels, and in many different thicknesses.

The Plantar Vault

The foot doesn’t just have one arch—it has three.  These three interconnected arches are called the “plantar vault”.   The plantar vault includes the inner arch (Medial Longitudinal Arch), outer arch (Lateral Longitudinal Arch), and the area across the balls of the feet (Metatarsal or Anterior Transverse Arch).³

What are Foot Levelers?

Foot Levelers are “stabilizing orthotics” that are designed to balance the feet.⁴  What makes this stabilizing orthotic device different from other types of orthotics is that they help to balance the body by supporting the arches via the “plantar vault” (all three interconnected arches of the foot).  Over-the-counter orthotics and shoe inserts are not made specifically for the patient.  Foot Levelers were designed with the idea that people wouldn’t take prescription medications or eyeglasses prescribed for someone else; therefore, orthotics should also be personalized to the individual body.  If the feet are in balance, then the pelvis and spine can maintain proper alignment.  Instead of just symptom relief, the patient can achieve overall stability and balance.⁵  Foot Levelers “support the more than 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments in your foot”.⁶  Foot Levelers provide shock absorption and come in a variety of materials to fit into different types of shoes.  They are also designed for the individual person’s foot and for various activities.  Different Foot Levelers can be used for dresswear, day-to-day use, or active sports.⁷  Once the Foot Leveler is sized for the patient and shaped properly to the shoe, it takes time to “break-in”.  Patients should wear them only 3 hours a day at first, in order to get used to them.  There may be “mild discomfort” at first, as patients adjust to the new support.  This is normal; it can take up to 45 days to break them in.⁸  Inserts aren’t the only option with Foot Levelers.  There are many shoes that have support built right into them.  Foot Levelers has “teamed up” with many varieties of footwear.⁹  Some chiropractic offices can assist clients in finding the right Foot Leveler for them.

References:

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthotics

2 http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/conditions/index.jspa#foot

3,6 http://www.footlevelers.com/about/the-comparison

4 http://www.footlevelers.com/

5 http://www.footlevelers.com/about

7 http://www.footlevelers.com/products/stabilizing-orthotics

8 http://www.footlevelers.com/products/stabilizing-orthotics/break-in-period

9 http://www.footlevelers.com/products/orthotic-footwear

Medical treatments for those with muscle spasms may include medications, such as Flexeril.  Chiropractic care can provide a safer alternative to this kind of medication.

What is Flexeril?

Flexeril is cyclobenzaprine.  It may also be known as Fexmid and Amrix.  As a muscle relaxer, it blocks pain/nerve sensations that are headed for the brain.  It is used to help treat musculoskeletal conditions, and it can help reduce pain during the patient’s recovery from the spasm or injury.

Contraindications and Side Effects

Flexeril should not be used by those prescribed MAO inhibitors, or in people who have had heart disease or thyroid overactivity.  It is not safe to combine with alcohol, and caution should be taken when driving.  People with glaucoma, liver disease, or an enlarged prostate should also be cautious.  There are certain medications patients take that can interfere with Flexeril, such as bronchodilators, motion sickness pills, bladder medications, and irritable bowel prescriptions.  People on Flexeril could have an allergic reaction, or other types of side effects.  These may include chest pain, heart arrhythmia, weakness, headache, faintness, confusion, seizure, nausea, hallucinations, blurred vision, digestive problems, dry mouth, or bruising.¹

The Chiropractic Alternative

Flexeril is a “central-nervous-system depressant”, and it hasn’t been shown to be more effective than anti-inflammatory medications or typical painkillers, according to Dr. Sidney Wolfe in Worst Pills, Best Pills, written in collaboration with the AARP.  It can be dangerous, since it acts more like an anti-depressant, with serious side effects, and it is addictive.  Many chiropractors believe that muscle spasm is caused by reflexes of the spinal cord due to pain.  Pain may originate in muscle damage, inflammation, and joint dysfunction.  Herbs, such as skullcap and valerian root, are anti-spasmodic.  Bromelain and fish oil might be helpful as anti-inflammatory agents.  Of course, massage and ice also assist with these issues.  A conservative alternative to potentially dangerous and addictive medications would be chiropractic care.  Chiropractic adjustments address the underlying cause of the spasm, and they resolve the subluxated joint so that the spasm can be halted at the source.^2,3  Dr. Nicolas Campos, a chiropractor, says that the mainstream route of treating neck pain is to take X-rays, give an anti-inflammatory medication, add in Valium or Flexeril, and consider surgery.  Some practitioners advise patients to “wait it out”.  Neck pain, however, is caused by muscle spasm and subluxations in the spine, per Campos, and that is why a “chiropractic adjustment along with muscle work is a must”.  Neck pain doesn’t go away on its own, and chiropractic care can provide relief better than other treatments:  “…not physical therapy, not medicine, not yoga, not Pilates, nothing”.  Both the spasms and the subluxations should be addressed at the same time in order to provide relief.⁴

 References

1 http://www.drugs.com/flexeril.html

2 http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=53899

3 http://www.edlibichdc.com/About_Muscle_Relaxers.html

4 http://www.drnickcampos.com/health-newsletter/Torticollis.htm

Spondylosis and spondylolisthesis can be extremely painful conditions.  Many treatments are available, including chiropractic.

What are Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylosis is a form of degenerative osteoarthritis of the vertebral column.  It can cause muscle weakness, motor and sensory disturbances, and paresthesia and pain, due to the pressure on the nerve roots.  In a severe case, the patient may end up with loss of bowel/bladder control, loss of balance, and “global weakness”.¹  Spondylolisthesis is the posterior or anterior displacement of the vertebra relative to the vertebrae below. It can be referred to as “slips” in the lumbar spine.  Patients suffering from this may have a stiff back and hamstrings, giving them a waddling gait and causing them to lean forward.  This leads to “shocks of shooting pain” from the buttock down to the lower leg, via the sciatic nerve.  There can also be numbness and tingling.²  These disorders are different than spondylitis (a vertebra inflammation and “a form of spondylopathy”)³ and spondylolysis (a vertebra defect in the “pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch”)⁴.

Causes and Diagnoses

Repetitive stress injury can trigger spondylosis.  RSI can be caused by poor ergonomics at home, work, during a commute, using a computer, or other lifestyle choices.  It can typically be caused by degeneration related to age, although people of any age can get spondylosis.  It can only be scanned by MRI, not by X-rays.  Other forms of diagnostic tests include Lhermitte sign (a “feeling of electrical shock with neck flexion”) and Spurling’s test, where head rotation with pressure can show “neck or shoulder pain on the ipsilateral side”.⁵  Repeated hyperextension, such as the type shown in regular athletes, can cause spondylolisthesis.  Heredity also plays a role in that it runs in families.  There are 5 different types of spondylolisthesis: “Dysplastic, Isthmic, Degenerative, Traumatic, and Pathologic”.  These categories refer to how the disorder developed (congenitally, during childhood years, during elder years, from injury, or via disease).⁶

Medical Treatments and Chiropractic

Typical medical courses for spondylosis include anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs, Tylenol, etc.) and behavior/activity modifications.  Surgery is a last option.⁷  For spondylolisthesis, the treatments are similar, and there may also be steroid injections and the inclusion of orthosis devices.⁸  Because medications and surgeries introduce risk, alternative therapies may benefit people with spondylosis.  Yoga, acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care can provide patients with relief.  The degeneration cannot be cured, but pain relief can be achieved.  Posture modification can help patients benefit from the adjustments, flexibility exercises, and decompression treatments (i.e., traction and manual mobilization).⁹  In the case of spondylolisthesis, chiropractic care can also help with posture and flexibility, and it can help treat movement compensation and associated tightness.  Chiropractors may employ techniques such as “thermal treatment, electrical stimulation and lumbar traction”, and therapeutic exercises.¹⁰

References

1,5,7,9 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylosis

2,6,8,10 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylolisthesis

3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylitis

4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylolysis

Meditation is a drug-free method of achieving relaxation, energy, and focus.  It can be used in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as an adjunct practice, as well.

Meditation History and Types

Meditation helps people train their mind in order to promote relaxation, build energy, or to work on a variety of spiritual pursuits (i.e., spiritual guides, connecting with God, astral projection, or receiving “psychic visions”).  The exercises involved in meditation allow the practitioner the opportunity to have emotional healing, such as patience, compassion, and forgiveness. Most meditate in a sitting position, and some use prayer beads or other “ritual objects”.  The origins of meditation come from the Old Testament Hebrew phrase that referred to “sigh or murmur”, which translated into the Greek word melete, and eventually the Latin Bible term meditatio (meaning “to think contemplate, devise, ponder”).  It has been historically used in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Taosim, Islam, Judaism, Jainism, New Age, and many other spiritual and religious practices and traditions.  Secularly, meditation is also used in the West, in order to achieve “mindfulness”.  Meditation can be used for multiple purposes.  For example, prayer and meditation are linked in the Bahá’í Faith, where prayer is for “turning toward God”, while meditation is a “communion with one’s self”.  Buddhism focuses on meditation in order to achieve “serenity or tranquility” as well as “insight”.  Certain religions perform meditation in order to deepen the spiritual connection to God.  The New Age practice of meditation is to blank out the mind from conscious thinking, often by “chanting a mantra or focusing on an object”.  In Taoism, meditation is incorporated into “internal martial arts” in order to achieve calmness in the “tai chi form”.  It can disperse “qi” (life energy) throughout the body.¹ 

Basic Styles of Meditation

Mantra meditation uses chanting words that are repeated throughout the session.  The sounds become the focus.  Focused meditation uses objects (or sounds, mantras, or thought) in order to stay committed to that key object instead of various other thoughts and stressors.  Spiritual meditation is about communicating with God, while becoming calm and quiet before focusing on questions or problems.  Movement Meditation involves incorporating flowing movements into the sitting meditation.  The movements are repetitive, and they (with the breathing) become the focus of the session.  Mindfulness Meditation is the most common form of the practice known.  It is when the person doesn’t focus on any particular thought; instead thoughts “flow”.  There is an awareness of the surrounding sensory input, but it isn’t dwelled upon.²

Secular Benefits of Meditation

“Meditation may…increase calmness and…relaxation, to improve psychological balance, to cope with illness, or to enhance overall health and well-being,” according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.  Jon Kabat-Zinn’s modern form of achieving mindfulness (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program), helped people become aware of daily practices in a way that removed judgmental thoughts.  In doing so, depression and anxiety could be reduced, and happiness and emotional balance could be increased.  Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation assisted people in tensing and releasing muscle groups “in a sequential pattern while concentrating” on their feelings.  This could help to reduce anxiety.  Today, meditation is incorporated into therapy and counseling.  The relaxation techniques used now include hypnosis, biofeedback, and meditation.  Mindfulness Meditation has demonstrated researched benefits including the reduction of depression, headaches, blood pressure, stress, and anxiety.  Meditation has also been shown, in research, to improve memory, focus, and attention span.³

References:

1, 3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

2 http://www.fitsugar.com/5-Types-Meditation-18949375

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Yoga has uses far beyond just exercise and flexibility.  It is a practice that can holistically affect the entire person and assist with achieving overall health and wellness benefits.

Yoga’s Roots and Present Uses

Yoga is actually a series of disciplines that incorporates spiritual, mental, and physical aspects.  It is part of the Hindu philosophy.  Yoga also has roots in Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.  The most common form, since the Middle Ages, is “Hatha yoga”, which “concentrates on health and purity of the body”.  It wasn’t until the 19^th century that Hindu monks introduced yoga to the West.  Today, it can even be used as a complementary therapy for asthma, cancer, schizophrenia, and heart disease patients.  Yoga has even been utilized to assist people with back pain, which helps reduce a dependence on medications.  Research has confirmed the health benefits of yoga.  As with any form of stretching or exercise, people should consult with professionals before engaging in the activities.  The typical sports injuries that can be associated with yoga include “torn muscles, knee injuries, and headaches”, although there can be a risk of more serious injuries.  The positions most likely to cause injury are forward and backward bends, headstand and shoulder stands, handstands, and lotus/ half lotus positions.  This is also why trained yoga practitioners advocate that some exercises should not be performed by pregnant or menstruating women, or nursing mothers.  Breathing exercises and meditation, however, are welcomed.  The most likely time for injuries to occur is if the instructors are newly certified or the clients overestimate their ability to perform poses.¹

Types of Yoga

There are several different types of yoga available.  Anusara is an “accepting” form of yoga where clients “express themselves” through poses, instead of the standard positions.  It is ideal for newcomers and for those seeking mood enhancement.  Ashtanga is a rapid-posing form of yoga.  It is meant to be used for weight loss and cardio fitness, and it involves “six established and strenuous pose sequences”.  Bikram is the yoga performed in a hot and humid room.  It is also useful for weight loss.  Hatha is the main form of yoga performed.  It is used for calming stress-reduction, and it incorporates nearly all of the other yoga types, where people work at their own pace.  Iyengar uses props (harnesses, blocks, straps, incline boards, etc.) to help people achieve the necessary positions.  Its nickname is “furniture yoga”.  This is helpful for those learning the poses, and for those who are seeking “muscle definition”.  Jivamukti is a traditionalist yoga, which is very physical, and it incorporates spiritual practices (i.e., social, political, and animal rights, non-violence, devotion to God, and meditation).  Kripalu is about body acceptance and knowledge, as well as “breathwork”, “empowerment”, and “self-discovery”.  Kundalini involves “invigorating poses” and constant movement.  It is designed to make clients feel energetic and focused.  Power yoga is an athletic form of the exercise, and poses are not done in the same sequence.  It is made for calorie burning.  Prenatal yoga is intended for pregnancy, with safe poses that keep the “core strong”. Restorative yoga is for relaxation, stress/injury rehabilitation, and “psychic cleansing”.  Teachers should be consulted so that they are aware of clients’ injuries and which poses to avoid.  Sivananda is 12 basic poses that are meant for spiritual boosting.  Viniyoga is for “personalized practice” so that clients adapt poses to their needs.  It is designed to reduce the risk of injuries; it’s ideal for those with back pain and sciatica.  Finally, Yin (“taoist yoga”) is for quiet meditation, with passive, relaxing poses.²

References:

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga

2 http://www.womenshealthmag.com/yoga/types-of-yoga

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