Tim Lim

Archive for March, 2011

Chiropractic Therapy and Craniosacral Therapy – Alternatives for Fibromyalgia Patients

There is a plethora of alternative therapies for Fibromyalgia.  Each FM patient is unique in so many ways.  We all vary in our degrees of pain, where we hurt most, what medications work, what therapies work, what over-lapping conditions we might have…the list goes on forever!  It is important to know what is available to us and educate ourselves in order to better our quality of life and help manage our pain.

The idea of Integrative Medicine was developed to help medical and other health professionals to expand their practices by and integrating accessible, effective Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) protocols for the treatment of their patients. This would bring patients more complete care and give them all the help that is available to improve their overall health.  I will be focusing on Chiropractic Therapy and Craniosacral Therapy in this article.

The word “chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means “done by hand.”  Chiropractic treatment for Fibromyalgia fuses the aspects of the body, mind and spirit.  A Chiropractor deals particularly with the muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems (muscles, joints, bones & connective tissues), focusing in the region of the spine. To know if chiropractic therapy will work for you it is a good idea to get regular treatments for at least a 6-8 weeks before determining if it provides relief of your FM symptoms. 

Chiropractors have found that interference with Neuromusculoskeletal Systems impairs normal bodily functions, lowering its resistance to chronic pain and diseases such as Fibromyalgia. Chiropractic care works to remove misalignments in the vertebrae, release pinched nerves to allow the body to heal naturally.

Spinal manipulation is done through a variety of techniques.  The chiropractor may use his or her fingers or hands to apply pressure to and move the vertebrae slightly beyond their normal range of motion. Treatment may also involve gentle twisting of the head, shoulders, and hips. Heat, ice, corsets, ultrasound, biofeedback, strength and conditioning exercises, and relaxation therapy may be used in addition to spinal manipulation.

My mother now sees a chiropractor who uses a gentle method of adjustments along with natural supplements to relieve her Fibromyalgia symptoms and loves it!  She relies on this doctor’s method to help manage her pain and, as a result, she is much more active and her range of motion has dramatically improved.

Craniosacral Therapy was developed by osteopathic physician, John E. Upledger, following extensive scientific studies at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Bio mechanics. 

CST compliments the body’s natural healing processes, and is being used more and more as a preventive health measure because of it’s ability to strengthen resistance to disease, and is effective in the treatment of many conditions associated with pain and dysfunction, including: migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, motor-coordination impairments, central nervous system disorders, orthopedic problems, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, infantile disorders, learning disabilities, chronic fatigue, emotional difficulties, stress and tension-related problems, neurovascular or immune disorders, Fibromyalgia and other connective-tissue disorders, autism, colic, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), post-traumatic stress disorder, and post-surgical dysfunction.

Patients can perform one type of craniosacral therapy at home using a “still point inducer”.  The inducer is placed on the back of the head at the line of the ear, and the patient rests on it for five to 20 minutes.

There are many other alternatives out there. I will continue to write about them all because I want to give Fibromyalgia sufferers the shortcuts to the information I didn’t have when I was first diagnosed.  I constantly watch for new information and treatment options so that we can make informed choices and better our lives!

Related Alternative Therapies Articles

Alternative Medicine for Treating Cancer

Cancer is the name given to any illness resulting from one of our body’s own cells growing out of control. There are many processes that control a cell’s growth and division, each of which can go wrong. Several of these control mechanisms need to be damaged before a cell becomes cancerous. There are more than 200 different types of cancers, which are categorized in to carcinoma, sarcoma, lymphoma and leukemia based on the cells from which they arise.

The principles involved in treating cancer are either directly destroying the cancer tissues or indirectly destroying them by depriving them of blood supply and/or their nutrition. But the irony is that whatever conventional treatment is used to destroy cancer cells do affect to some extent the normal cells also. They may damage the skin, liver, intestine the bone marrow and other rapidly multiplying cells. Sometimes the effect of the treatment is more devastating than the disease itself.

Role of Alternative Medicine in treating cancer

A larger study of Alternative medicine use in patients with different types of cancer was published in the July 2000 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. It was found that nearly 70% of the patients used at least one form alternative medicine along with the conventional treatment. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) are sponsoring a number of clinical trials at medical centers to evaluate alternative medical therapies for cancer.

Alternative medicine includes therapies like herbal remedies, vitamins, special diets, and acupuncture among others.

Acupuncture: effective in the management of chemotherapy associated nausea and vomiting and in controlling pain associated with surgery. Now used in a trial to reduce the symptoms of colorectal cancer

-Homeopathy

-Ayurveda

-Shark cartilage: Being tried in non-small cell lung cancer. it prevents new blood vessels growth

-Hyperbaric oxygen: In patients who had larynx removed for larynx cancer

-Massage therapy: for cancer related fatigue

-Pancreatic enzyme therapy along with specialized diet for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

-Mistletoe extract: for the treatment of solid tumors

-Wheatgrass therapy

-Macrobiotics: The macrobiotic diet is strictly vegetarian and requires you to consume about half of your daily calories from whole grains, about a quarter of your calories from vegetables, and the rest of your calories from beans, seaweed and soups

-Bioelectric therapies

-Moerman’s Anti-Cancer diet

-Hoxsey herbal therapy

-Essiac herbal therapy: Essiac is a herbal tea mixture that relieves pain and reduces the size of tumors. It contains four herbs- burdock, rhubarb, sheep sorrel and slippery elm

-Pau D’Arco herbal therapy

-Chaparral herbal therapy

-Laetrile (amygdalin): a chemical found in lima beans, raw nuts and the pits of many fruits. Amygdalin produces cyanide, which proponents claim kills cancer

-Alkaline diet: such as fruits and vegetables and restricting acidic foods

-Antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables

-Vitamins A, C and E: These are very good anti oxidants

-Detox therapies including Gonzales nutritional metabolic therapy, colon therapy, and Gerson therapy

The most successful practitioners integrate various components of the alternative cancer treatments for a better outcome.

Seniors Move Toward Holistic Therapies To Heal Their Aches And Pains

As more seniors are becoming frustrated with traditional health care for one reason or another, many are turning their efforts towards nature’s remedies. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) shows that more people are using alternative therapies to treat pain. As a matter of fact, 38% of American adults are using some form of holistic medicine, vitamin supplement or alternative therapy and collectively spending billion on it each year.

“I think people in general are more aware of the possible side effects of prescription medication and I find that people are looking to feel good as they age and do not want to be on a long list of medications,” says Naturopathic Physician Dr. Laura Futterman.  ”They want a better quality of life.”

To understand the holistic health options available and recommended for seniors, we first must understand exactly what “holistic” means. According to The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA), holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. The organization explains that the practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and alternative therapies to prevent and treat disease, and most importantly, to promote optimal health. Holistic medicine encompasses all safe and appropriate modalities of diagnosis and treatment. It includes analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, spiritual and lifestyle elements.

“Holistic medicine includes a number of factors, such as dealing with the root cause of an illness, increasing patient involvement, and considering both conventional and complementary, or alternative, therapies,” says Suzan Walter, President of the American Holistic Health Association.

“Seniors should consider whether or not they want to be off medications and free from the harmful side effects they cause,” says Dr. Scott Brunengraber.  “Many seniors truly believe their lives depend on the myriad drugs being pushed on them.  Some may need them; some are ready for a change.”

For those ready for change, let’s take a closer look at some of the therapies and medicines involved with holistic health.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine practice in which small needles are set in designated places on the body without giving a patient even the slightest discomfort.  It is used in western medicine as an addition to traditional therapies. Generally it is safe for seniors but it is recommended that seniors be sure to mention current medications and other health concerns upon consultation so that their acupuncturist will be able to ensure maximum safety for each patient. Basically, this method targets acupuncture points within the body. In doing so, it stimulates the blood circulation and flow of natural healing energy each body possess, thus naturally healing the body. But does acupuncture work just as well on seniors as it does on younger folks?

“It can, but there is a possibility of the treatments being too stimulating, depending on the individual, including their current health status, age, bone health, and medical conditions,” says Dr. Futterman.  “It is important to seek a qualified practitioner who is familiar with working with seniors and who would be willing to discuss treatment plans with their physician.”

Naturopathy, also known as naturopathic medicine, is a fast growing alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the body’s vital ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees. Homeopathy is a modality of naturopathy.

Mind-Body Medicine is another modality of holistic health. Guided imagery is one of the strongest modalities in Mind-Body Medicine and is gaining popularity, especially with seniors.

“Related to meditation, hypnosis and visualization, imagery allows patients to influence bodily functions normally regulated by the autonomic nervous system such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure,” says integrative psychotherapist Leslie Davenport.  “By developing imagery skills, patients can help optimize the body’s natural healing abilities.”

Davenport explains that The Center for Disease Control estimates that 88% of people over age 65 have at least one chronic health condition. Because of the range of conditions that imagery can assist with, she says it is a valuable health enhancing modality that most seniors could derive direct benefit from.

“The connections between the mind and physical health have been extensively studied and well documented,” she says, “Research supports the benefits of guided imagery in a number of applications, including relaxation, minimizing side effects of medications or medical procedures, preparing for and healing from surgery, and coping with chronic illness.  Imagery is known to enhance sleep, boost the immune system, alleviate pain, control high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and decrease pulmonary symptoms such as asthma, allergies, and emphysema.”

Natural supplements are an important aspect to holistic health and have also been growing in popularity over recent years.  Seniors are increasingly turning to supplements as a way to fight off diseases such as Arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes and Prostate Cancer. Recently Oprah’s protégé, Dr. Mehmet Oz, described his belief, on several national TV shows, that the substance Resveratrol could substantially slow aging. It’s found in the skins of grapes and in red wine. But to get enough Resveratrol from wine you’d have to drink 24 bottles of wine a day. Dr. Oz explained that natural supplements that are based on Resveratrol allow you to ingest only one pill a day for the same results. According to Forbes Magazine, Dr. Oz’s glowing endorsements of Resveratrol spawned an overnight industry of these supplements. Other supplements have made the headlines as well. Clinical studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is helpful in treating cases of mild depression; Ginkgo appears to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in patients with the disease, and Flexcin with cetyl myristoleate (CM8) can do wonders for arthritis and joints as it can reverse the damage caused by arthritis. Acting like a WD-40-like lubricant for joints, CM8 can promote optimal joint health by helping to stimulate the lubricating fluid in the joints, support stronger cartilage and increase total mobility.

Vitamin supplements are becoming more popular as a replacement to prescription pain medications because they’re less expensive, there’s no need to maneuver around confusing health insurance, and there’s no dangerous side effects since they’re manufactured with all-natural ingredients. But with all the choices of supplements on the market, how do you pick the right one?

Do Your Research!

Customer reviews give you important insight into the dependability of the supplements. Of course, not every supplement is going to work exactly the same on each patient, but if you come across pages of negative customer reviews, you may want to keep looking. On the other hand, if you see customers who are sharing their success stories online you can feel confident that you are onto something good. As with any kind of online purchase it’s important to do research on the company and product to make sure it has plenty of credibility and reviews from others who’ve tried it with success. You wouldn’t purchase a consumer electronics gadget online without reading what others has to say about it, nor should you with any kind of supplement.

In addition to customer reviews and success stories, another sign that the supplement is made by a reputable company is media coverage that the product and/or company has received. This is not to be confused with advertisements that are paid for by a company. These are true news stories that journalists have published in magazines or newspapers or aired on TV news stations. Because journalism is unbiased, being featured in the news holds a great deal of credibility for the company and its product.

Older Americans are finding great success with natural supplements, but doctors do ask that their patients consult them before trying anything new because they need to consider possible interactions with their current medication.

If you are considering holistic health care options, discuss your options with a health-care provider, and ask their advice on using holistic therapies and dietary supplements to treat your condition once it’s diagnosed. The ultimate goal is for seniors to enjoy their “Golden Years”, not simply “deal” with the pain associated with aging.

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Editor’s Note: Tamer Elsafy is the CEO and founder of Flexcin, the only natural vitamin supplement with the cetyl myristoleate ingredient (CM8) clinically proven as an arthritis treatment to help repair joints from arthritis and other forms of joint pain. For more information on Flexcin with CM8 please visit http://flexcin.com. 

Article Sources:

The American Holistic Health Association is a free, impartial clearing house for self-help wellness resources. You are encouraged to explore their website at www.ahha.org

Dr. Laura Futterman is a Naturopathic Physician at the Stamford Center for
Natural Health.

Leslie Davenport is an integrative psychotherapist and author of Healing and Transformation through Self Guided Imagery.

Dr. Scott Brunengraber is a Chiropractor at Smithtown Wellness and has more than 10 years of Chiropractic experience.

Alternative Therapies – Reflexology 4 of 6 – BBC Health Documentary Series Alternative Therapies Join Kathy Sykes on a personal journey of exploration into the controversial world of alternative therapies. Are there lessons for mainstream medicine to be learned from these increasingly popular therapies? Reflexologists claim that rubbing the soles of your feet can help you with medical conditions ranging from back pain to infertility. And it’s becoming big business. There are now some 30000 reflexologists in Britain working on about one million feet a year. In this programme, Kathy Sykes explores reflexology. She finds out about its basic idea: that the entire body is mapped onto the sole of the foot. Reflexologists claim that by using this map it is possible to detect problems in particular parts of the body and by pressing specific areas of the foot they can improve the health of those parts, including organs such as the lungs, the liver and the kidneys. Kathy’s journey starts with a surprise. Despite the often widely held view that reflexology’s origins lie deep in ancient Egyptian or Chinese medicine, it really began in upstate New York in the 1930s. Kathy then travels to Florida to meet the nephew of the woman who first coined the term reflexology. She also finds out about a reflexologist in Sheffield who believes that she has used the discipline to help bring over 100 babies into the world. But Kathy also meets mainstream scientists who are troubled by reflexology …
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Alternative Medicine Vs. Conventional Medicine

Conventional Medicine:

                             Our current medical “industry” subscribes to us getting a disease, becoming sick, going to a doctor, getting Diagnosed, taking our prescribed medication and if deemed necessary have an operation. Conventional treatments of a disease are simply a Band-Aid. We as a society have bought hook line and sinker into conventional wisdom that a medical doctor is the last word, they know what is best for us, and they are concerned about our best interest. There are doctors who are genuinely involved in your best interest but they are few. Prescription drugs are made man poisons that habitually addict us to there use. Furthermore, prescription drugs prevent our bodies from functioning properly. Side effects from pharmaceutical drugs are devastating, debilitating, and sometimes deadly. Approximately 180,000 Americans die {killed} in hospitals every year by some doctors. Many of these deaths happen because drugs were prescribed because a lack of understanding of specific patient needs. They were killed because it is so easy and personally lucrative for doctors to prescribe, prescribe, and prescribe!

Alternative Medicine:

                                Alternative medicine is nothing new in fact it is as old as mankind. In fact it originated with our very existence on this earth. That’s right God gave us all we need to be healthy in all earth’s resources and in our very own immune system in our gloriously designed bodies. In some cultures alternative medicine is not only practiced but also deeply imbedded in generations of respectability. Western medicine reacts with much disdain against the use of “natural methods” to improve and sustain good health. Furthermore there is an exhorted effort by “big drugs” to shut the door on the natural supplement industry. With that said alternative medicine is now growing in popularity thanks to many bold natural nutritionists, holistic practitioners and the like. People are being educated through the web and by authors who are speaking out loud and clear. It has become clear that living a vibrant healthy lifestyle with good nutritious food, clean water, plenty of sunshine, and pure natural supplements will go a long way in keeping you healthy for a long time. If you get sick get more then one diagnosis and seek all natural supplements to heal your body.

In Conclusion:

                                 Conventional medicine certainly has its place in our society and without it we would be for the worse, but it is not there to cure any disease. Trust in your body to cure itself given the necessary ingredients. Build up your immune system so you won’t get sick. Concentrate on staying healthy. Think intelligently before taking ANY made man drug, think about what you’re putting into your body. Don’t let some self-serving doctor decide what is best for you, your better, then that. Lastly, indulge yourself in nutritious foods and find a reputable natural supplement company and begin a program that will ensure that your body {immune system} is working optimally.