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Down syndrome is a genetic disease that affects around 6,000 babies every year in the United States. The cause of this disease is still unknown but science is learning more every year. The disease was officially discovered in 1866 by John Langdon Down, an English physician. There are three types of Down syndrome: nondisjunction, translocation and mosaicism. Nondisjunction, or trisomy 21, is the most common form. This type of Down syndrome is caused by an error in cell division during development. In trisomy 21 the embryo ends up with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the two normal copies. Down syndrome causes distinct facial appearances and intellectual disabilities, as well as many other developmental problems.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are acupressure points located along energetic pathways or meridians. Each of these meridians is associated with an internal organ. And every meridian has its own set of properties because of the organ it is associated with. TCM treats any kind of genetic disease as a disease of the kidney energetic meridian. When the energy of the kidney meridian or Qi (pronounced “chee”) is weak, it means there is a deficiency of yang in the body. This can lead to an overabundance of dampness. In Down syndrome sufferers, this can manifest as poor muscle tone, a puffy face and protruding tongues. An overabundance of dampness can also affect people mentally, causing learning disabilities and emotional outbursts. Over time, the dampness creates blockages that build up and generate heat. This pattern is characterized by restlessness, overactivity and red cheeks.

Acupuncture is one way to help manage the symptoms of Down’s syndrome sufferers. There are multiple acupressure points that can be used to decrease the aforementioned symptoms and make life much more bearable for Down syndrome patients. These acupressure points can be used alone or in conjunction and many of them can even be stimulated without actual acupuncture needles. For instance, there is a point on the top of the head that can help with restlessness, as well as improving memory and cognitive performance.

Certain herbal formulas can also be very beneficial to the patient. These formulas treat the symptoms and the root cause of the disease from the TCM viewpoint. As mentioned beforehand, TCM views genetic disorders and a deficiency of kidney yang. To combat this, a TCM practitioner might suggest using herbs such as angelica root, cinnamon and Chinese yam in a combination that will increase the kidney yang over time.

Lastly, nutritional counseling may be required to help treat Down’s patients. Foods cold in nature, such as watermelon, cucumber and dairy products are not good choices because they further deplete the kidney yang and increase the dampness within the body. But as with every type of food, moderation is the key.

While there is no cure for Down syndrome, it is a disease that has become much more manageable. And because of medical management through methods such as acupuncture, the life expectancy and the quality of life for Down’s patients can be improved greatly.

According to the Worldwide Breast Cancer Association, breast cancer affected nearly 1.5 million women and men in 2010. And unfortunately, that number hasn’t decreased by much since then. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, worldwide. The United States and the United Kingdom have the highest incidence rates globally, primarily due to excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and improper health habits. Because of this, regular screening is highly recommended. But what should you do if you already have or have had breast cancer? Consider incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture into your healthcare routine.

Using sterile, hair-thin needles and placing them into specific pressure points on the skin, a licensed acupuncturist can tremendously affect the way a person’s body deals with cancer cells or the sometimes harsh medical treatments you may be undergoing to fight the disease. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous and immune systems to release natural painkillers and infection fighters. Studies have shown acupuncture can help relieve fatigue, control hot flashes, decrease nausea and vomiting and decrease pain levels.

Acupuncture is just one facet of TCM. There are other practices, such as tai chi or qi gong that can help keep you healthy or increase your immunity while fighting a disease. Research confirms that being too sedate and inactive can actually attribute to the body becoming diseased. Everybody has cancer cells in their bodies. But these cells only proliferate when given the right set of conditions. By incorporating things like qi gong or tai chi, you can still get the exercise your body needs, which helps increase long-term immunity, thus warding off disease.

For those who are already suffering from breast cancer, Traditional Chinese Medicine can indeed help. If surgery has been performed to remove the tumor(s), acupuncture along the scar lines can stimulate blood flow, relieve pain and increase mobility that may have otherwise been impeded due to skin tightness. Acupuncture treatments can increase collagen in the skin and this helps relieve added tension along the scar lines. This can also allow for cancer patients to undergo more aggressive physical therapy that will help them heal faster and return to a normal life.

Most cancer patients who opt for chemotherapy and radiation also become severely immunocompromised, making it harder for them to recover and more susceptible to other infections. Utilizing acupuncture during and after cancer treatments can be very beneficial and stimulate the body’s immune system. However, receiving acupuncture treatments as preventive care, just like eating healthy foods, can help keep the body free from disease to begin with. And once the cancer is in remission, continuing with regular acupuncture treatments will increase the immune system’s ability to remain strong.

Breast cancer is no laughing matter and it can be a death sentence. But it doesn’t have to be. While mammography is the standard form of early detection, thermography is a much safer option and it is gaining ground. Thermography is a tool that monitors breast health, assesses breast cancer risk and does not expose the patient to radiation. These are all things that mammography cannot do. Along with the use of early detection, regular acupuncture treatments can greatly increase the chances of never hearing those words from your doctor, “You have breast cancer.” So what are you waiting for? Find a licensed acupuncturist and start your preventive care today!

A study published in Anesthesiology: The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., tested electro-acupuncture for its effectiveness in treating persistent pain. Although the subjects used in the study were animals. However, the findings can be easily translated and adjusted so the same methods can be used to treat human beings. The studies showed electro-acupuncture can greatly decrease several types of pain, including neuropathic, inflammatory, cancer-related and visceral pain. The studies showed solid evidence that electro-acupuncture can indeed be used for analgesia in patients that are suffering from chronic pain, regardless of the type of pain.

Acupuncture is a modality used in Traditional Chinese Medicine in which a practitioner inserts hair-thin, solid, stainless steel needles into the body, under the skin along energetic pathways. These energetic pathways, or meridians, are invisible lines that run throughout the body. These meridians allow energy or Qi (pronounced “chee”) to flow throughout the body, keeping the body in balance and alignment. For optimal health to be achieved, Qi must flow freely without any blockages. Blocked or stagnant energy can result in disease or decreased vitality.

Electroacupuncture is a variation on acupuncture. Electroacupuncture works the same way as regular acupuncture, but it uses the needles as conduits that administer small jolts of electricity that invigorate the skin and muscles of the body. Electricity increases the effects of acupuncture. This can lead to increased energy, pain relief, and much, much more. The electrical charges encourage additional physiological processes that go beyond the mere stimulation of Qi. Acupuncture coupled with electricity, encourages the body to release neurotransmitters that can act as natural painkillers. Because of this, electroacupuncture is becoming more common in the treatment of pain.

Electroacupuncture is especially useful for conditions in which there is an accumulation of Qi, such as chronic pain. This type of acupuncture can be used as a pain reliever for muscle spasms, neurological disorders and possibly even heart disease. There is evidence that electrical stimulation of acupressure points can activate the endorphin system. This can actually lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease.

Electroacupuncture produces a rhythmic, non-painful muscle twitch just below the needle through the use of a very small milliamp current. This stimulation triggers perfusion of blood flow locally. This blood flow carries essential nutrients that promote muscle regeneration. The use of electroacupuncture can break pain cycles, while smoothing the way for a person’s own pain-relieving mechanisms. Electroacupuncture also relaxes muscles.

Electro-acupuncture does come with risks and it is not appropriate for everybody. Anybody who has a history of seizures, epilepsy or stroke, would not be an ideal candidate for the use of electro-acupuncture. Also it is not recommended for people who have pacemakers, as it can interfere with the electrical current of the devices. Before trying electro-acupuncture, the practitioner should verify you are not at risk. If they do not, it is vital for the patient to bring this up to avoid any complications.

A study published by the Journal of Sleep Medicine shows acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for insomnia sufferers. The study group was composed of 72 patients with primary insomnia. Acupuncture treatments were given three times a week for four weeks and the patients were required to wear sleep monitors, as well as complete regular questionnaires. The outcomes were measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, sleep efficiency, sleep awakenings and total sleep time. The Insomnia Severity Index of the patients improved greatly, as did the sleep efficiency and the total sleep time. This study provides evidence acupuncture can be of great help to insomnia sufferers.

Insomnia is a pathology that affects an estimated 32 million people in the United States. Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by an inability to obtain sufficient sleep, due to difficulty falling asleep or difficulty staying asleep. Insomnia can be either acute or chronic in nature. Acute insomnia is brief and can happen because of certain stressful life circumstances. Chronic insomnia is disrupted sleep that occurs at least three times per week and continues for at least three months. Of the two, chronic insomnia is the worst to experience. Chronic insomnia can lead to fatigue, mental sluggishness, brain fog, irritability, depression, anxiety, excessive worry, difficulty focusing and even accidents.

Traditional Chinese Medicine acknowledges adequate sleep as vitally important for physical, as well as mental well-being. TCM usually views insomnia as an imbalance of energies throughout the body. These energies are known as Qi (pronounced “chee”). There are multiple energetic pathways or meridians that run through the body. A person suffering from insomnia may have imbalances in one or more of these meridians. Most typically, the imbalances occur along the heart, liver and kidney meridians. Stress, poor diet and a lack of exercise can produce a blockage or stagnation of Qi in the body. This stagnation can create heat and deplete fluids or yin in the body. One of the ways to bring balance back to these meridians is through the use of acupuncture.

Acupuncture can be used very effectively, to treat all types of sleep disorders and with none of the toxic side effects associated with medications or sleep aids. Because acupuncture is very customizable to the individual, there may also be beneficial side effects associated with the treatment of insomnia. Many patients report after receiving acupuncture treatments for insomnia they also notice an overall improvement of both their physical and mental wellness.

There is not just one set of points to treat every person with insomnia. Also the root cause of the insomnia may stem from one or multiple issues. Each person is treated holistically with TCM and their bodies are considered unique. Qi may flow differently in some people due to previous surgeries and medical implants. These are things the TCM practitioner considers before determining the treatment plan for each patient.

If you or somebody you know is suffering from insomnia, it might be worth the time to locate a properly trained and fully-licensed acupuncturist in your area. With licensed acupuncturists in nearly all fifty states, restful sleep may be just a few pin pricks away.

Negative ions can provide surprisingly positive effects on the body and mind. The negative ionization of waves near the beach, and other forms of moving water are known to cleanse both body and soul due to some unique scientific properties.

Negative ions have been proven to enhance mood, improve the appetite, quell allergic reactions, stop headaches and provide essential relief for a number of other ailments.

Let’s take a look at the science behind the positive absorption of negative ions.

By stimulating the reticuloendothelial system negative ions spark the defense cells in this system in order to bolster and increase our resistance to disease. In addition to bolstering our disease defense system, negative ions increase the amplitude of our brain waves, which contributes to an overall higher awareness level throughout our body.

Ion counts exist in many different areas on earth, especially those with high quality fresh air, but the negative ion counts are highest near moving water. Visiting and spending time next to waterfalls and waves is the best way to absorb the rejuvenative powers of negative ions. In a place with fresh air there is generally between 2,000 to 4,000 negative ions per each individual cubic centimeter. In a place with moving water there can be over 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter.

Cities can be detrimental on your negative ion count. For example, due to most cities experiencing an ample amount of pollution, negative ion counts can be as low as 100 negative ions per cubic centimeters in urban areas. So what is the solution to overcome this? Get outside of course! Make sure to create some time to leave the city, decompress and reap the positive benefits of absorbing negative ions.

There are some neat tricks to getting your dose of negative ions when you can’t make it outside. Get a negative ion generator, put a fountain or moving water source in your home or even just taking a shower can increase the negative ion count around you.

It is important to absorb negative ions regardless of how you get them. Their healing and rejuvenating properties are beneficial for everybody.

Three Ways to Get Negative Ion Benefits

Negative ions produce many benefits for our everyday health. From helping cure allergies to decreasing the amount of airborne viruses, the benefits are vast and diverse. You may be wondering how to get more negative ions in your life. Well, don’t worry, it isn’t that hard. Check out these three ways you can receive the benefits of negative ions in your life today.

1. Go to the Ocean

Negative ions are the most abundant in wild places, especially by the sea. Wherever there is moving water expect negative ions aplenty. So go to the beach and soak up some negative ions in addition to soaking up the sun.

2. USB Stick Ionizers

Technology never ceases to amaze. If getting out into nature is too hard for you because of your daily commute and job, don’t worry, there is a simple a solution. USB stick ionizers plug right into your computer and you can reap the benefits of negative ions even while at your office.

3. Ionic Light Bulbs

Another miracle thanks to the tech industry is ionic lightbulbs. Ionic light bulbs can be used in a variety of different locations: the home, the office, the garage, your workshop, really anywhere with a light source is a good place to put on ionic light bulb. These light bulbs will produce negative ions whenever they are turned on and have you feeling revitalized in no time.