Try Colon Therapy For Improved Health

Keeping your large intestines healthy is important in maintaining one's overall health. Remember that the large intestines play a vital role in the disposal of waste from the body.

And to keep the intestines healthy, it is important to eat food rich in fiber and phytochemicals. In addition, obesity, smoking and excessive drinking must be avoided.

Aside from these preventive measures, colon therapy is another option in maintaining the health of the intestines. Colon therapy is defined as the method of cleansing and flushing out wastes from the large intestines or colon. The process, also referred to as colonic hydrotherapy and colonic irrigation, is somewhat similar to enema, except that the former flushes out the entire five-foot long long intestine.

During the process, which could last up to an hour, the patient is made to lie on his or her back. The colon therapist will then insert a disposable soft plastic tube into the anus. Body-temperature filtered water is then pumped into the colon which contains enzymes, herbs and other substances for purification. In order to release the fecal matter from the intestines, the abdomen will be massaged. Lastly, the pump is reversed and the fecal matter from the colon is vacuumed into an enclosed waste system. One does not have to deal with any mess or bad odor. An approximate of 20 gallons of water will be used until the end of the session.

Patients say that after undergoing colon therapy, they feel more energized, cleaner and lighter. Others feel dizzy, nauseous and exhibit flu like symptoms, which passed within a few hours.

Colon-cleansing therapies have been practiced for thousands of years. The very first recorded therapies were accredited to Egyptian physicians who came up with devices similar to the ones used in enema today. The French also believed in the importance of cleansing the colons. During the 17th century, it was considered fashionable to have as many as four enemas daily.

However, colon therapy only became very popular during the 19th century when Ilya Ilich Mechnikov, a Russian microbiologist, introduced the idea of "autointoxication." He argued that when the colon is filled with hardened stool owing to constipation, poor diet or other gastrointestinal ailments, toxic waste can build up. This waste buildup often leads to stagnation and eventual decay of fecal matter in the colon. While the fecal matter is decaying inside the colon, hosts of bacteria and toxins are produced. When absorbed into the colon lining, these toxins will eventually find their way into the blood stream. This will cause a number of illnesses such as heart diseases etc..

The autointoxication theory was embraced by Dr. John Harvey Kellog. His followers espoused his fitness and health regimens in addition to colonic irrigation. In his article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1917, entitled "Should the Colon Be Sacrificed or May It Be Reformed?", Kellog claimed to have prevented thousands of gastrointestinal surgeries owing to the effectiveness of colon therapy in his sanitarium.

This started the trend in colon therapy in the medical world. In fact, doctors started recommending colon therapy for different ailments such as heart disease, arthritis, depression and high blood pressure.

However, colon therapy was not saved from skepticism and criticism from other doctors. Some believe that there is absolutely no reason to cleanse the colon except in cases of constipation and as preparatory for colonoscopy. According to them, the best way to cleanse the colon is to let its own natural physiological methods to take place.

Modern physicians also point out that waste products are not toxins even though they stay inside the colon for long periods of time. Colon therapy, they added, interferes with the body's natural detoxification process. It outbalances the number of helpful microorganisms which keep the intestines functioning properly. In addition, no scientific studies have been conducted to support the therapeutic claims of colon therapy.

Nevertheless, colon therapy continues to gain wide popularity nowadays, specially among alternative practitioners who utilize colon therapy as an essential part in their detoxification programs. In additions, US companies continue to manufacture new designs and devices in colon therapy.

Despite the two views on colon therapy in the medical world, all sides still agree that avoiding fatty food and red meat, in addition to a healthy and fiber-rich diet, are surefire ways of keeping the colon healthy.

Dry Skin Therapy

There was a time when dry skin therapy actually followed dermatologist recommended protocols, but not anymore. A lot of this is because of the marketing ploys from some of the companies selling dry skin remedies. What you see in the television and magazine ads, may not be an accurate representation of what that product will actually do.

There are several things that you need to do in order to have an effective dry skin therapy. First you have to go through some steps one by one, until you figure out exactly what the problem really is. It could be any number of things from your diet, vitamin intake, current skincare regimen, how much water that you drink, to showering in unfiltered water.

Let's start first with your diet. A low fat diet is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but how low is too low? The oil of your skin, sebum, cannot be efficiently produced unless there is a certain percentage of fat in your diet. One of the best dry skin remedies is to strive for is for your daily fat intake to be around 30%.

Before you think that you're going to blow up like a balloon if you do that, hear me out on a couple of things. If done correctly, you will not see any noticeable increase in your body fat percentage. This is because with this dry skin therapy we're going to raise that percentage using fish, and olive oil.

Sound crazy? Well it's not. Olive oil is one of the best dry skin remedies and one of the healthiest oils that you can use to increase the fat content in your diet. Fish, which you may already be eating to a certain extent, is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, just what you need to get your fat percentage right where you want it.

Another step that you may need to take in your dry skin therapy is to overhaul your vitamin regimen. You need to purchase yourself a good multi-vitamin, because you may have a vitamin deficiency which is causing the problem. Try also a good fish oil supplement to help you to obtain your omega-3.

Next we have to look at the current skincare regimen that you are performing. Do the products that you are using contain ingredients such as alcohol, petrolatum, or mineral oils? Well then toss those products in the garbage, and look for some all natural dry skin remedies to use from now on, preferably ones containing vegetable oils.

Keeping up with your water intake is the best dry skin therapy that you can give to yourself. You should be taking in about 3.5 liters, or 118 ounces per day, in order to maintain healthy skin and proper bodily functions. Since the body is comprised of about 70% water, hydration may be the best medicine for almost any ill.

Try all of the dry skin therapy ideas listed above, either one at a time, or try to change them all at once. It couldn't hurt you, as they are all healthy suggestions aimed at fixing your personal dry skin problem.

Herbal Therapy - Best Herbs for a Healthy Diet

One of the easiest ways of using herbs for health is in your diet. Herbs not only make food more palatable, but they offer a wealth of nutritional benefits as well. Although the nutritional value of herbs we consume in our meals may be small, limited by the relatively small amounts involved, their therapeutic benefits are likely to be large by comparison. Most herbs we use in cooking today were first used medicinally, so including some herbs in your diet will give you the added benefit of their medicinal properties.

Here are 12 herbs that should be part of a healthy diet.

Basil- A very mild flavour, slightly sweet. A good addition to pasta sauces, pesto etc.

A natural tranquiliser that improves digestion, acts a tonic, an antioxidant, relieves stomach cramps and calms the nervous system. Eases colds, flu, fever,, constipation, vomiting and headaches.

Bay - Amild flavour, slightly sweet. Used in soups casseroles and stews and an important ingredient in a bouquet garni.

Stimulates and aids digestion

Borage- Leaves often used in salads.

Aids respiratory infections

Chervil- Tastes slightly like parsley with a hint of aniseed.

Stimulates digestion. Chervil is a good source of antioxidant, treats headaches, sinusitis, peptic ulcers, and infections.

Chives - A member of the onion family but much smaller and milder. Popular in soups and stews and as a garnish to many dishes such as potatoes.

Used to stimulate the appetite and aid digestion

Coriander - Strong pungent flavour is suitable for curries, in sauces and dressing salads.

Leaves, when eaten raw, act as a tonic for the stomach and heart. Both seeds and leaves are used to treat the urinary tract and avoid infections.

Current research indicates, coriander may help to lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

Dill - Predominately used with fish, in soups and for pickling.

Has Antioxidant, antimicrobial and diuretic properties. Effective in the relief of gripes and flatulence.

Fennel - Has a strong aniseed flavour. Used widely in sauces and in stuffings, especially for fish dishes.

Aids digestion, helps prevent excessive flatulence, nausea, vomiting and insomnia. Fennel has antibacterial properties.

Oregano - Strong distinctive flavour, used extensively in cooking, in stuffings, sauces and is particularly popular in Italian dishes.

Aids digestion and aids relief of flu, colds and coughs. High levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants

Rosemary - Mild sweetish flavour. Good flavouring for many cooked meats, especially Lamb.

Stimulates the nervous and circulatory systems, helps relieve headaches, neuralgia and colds; can boost energy and improve memory. High in antioxidants, antimicrobials and beneficial in eliminating free radicals.

Sage - Particularly good with Pork and in stuffings for meat, chicken and fish.

Has antiseptic, anti-perspirant and antifungal properties, calms indigestion eases diarrhoea, excessive sweating, eases sore throats, coughs and colds.

Thyme - Has a strong aromatic flavour making it very popular in cooking.

An antioxidant, antiseptic and expectorant.

Herbs owe their flavours and medicinal properties to the essential oils they all contain. By eating a healthy diet containing herbs, we make use of their therapeutic properties and tap into the holistic approach of herbal therapy which seeks to maintain our health and wellbeing and not wait for the onset of illness before seeking a cure.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Weight Problems

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that is evidenced to be effective at helping people overcome and manage difficulties such as anxiety, depression, OCD, agoraphobia, and other such problems. Cognitive behaviour therapy is a short-term talking therapy, meaning that you will not require input for long periods of time.

Did you know that CBT is also useful at helping people with weight and eating problems? A CBT approach is not about faddy diets but rather you developing an understanding of the psychological blocks that keep you locked in unhealthy eating and weight problems. Most approaches to weight-loss focus on changing your eating and activity behaviours, e.g. through diet and exercise. These approaches do not take account of the internal psychological factors behind your eating and activity behaviours - your thoughts and feelings. I am an occupational therapist and I use CBT Edinburgh to help people who want to overcome weight problems.

CBT therapy will teach you about the link between your thoughts, feelings and your eating behaviour. You will learn to be able to recognise the thinking and feeling patterns that keep your weight problem going. This will include being able to separate emotional signals from genuine hunger signals and as a result learn how to meet emotional needs in new and appropriate ways.

You will learn how to monitor your thinking and challenge disturbed patterns of thinking and errors in how you process information. You will become aware of your "automatic thinking". This refers to habitual thinking that hinders your attempts to be healthy. You may have negative automatic thoughts that relate to food, exercise, body-image, your ability to cope, motivation and how you reward yourself.

CBT teaches you how to interrupt and challenge negative patterns of thinking in relation to eating. Your therapist can support you in doing this and you will learn a range of strategies most suited to you. You will also develop new healthy patterns of thinking in relation to food, activity and yourself that will support you in losing weight and becoming healthy.

At my CBT Edinburgh sessions, the focus is on your self-esteem, and well being as a whole, not just weight-loss. You will gain insight into the ways you view yourself and how this impacts on your motivation and behaviour. As your self-acceptance increases, you are likely to find that your motivation to treat your body in healthy ways will also improve. You will also learn NLP techniques (another type of cognitive therapy) that you can use to boost your motivation and soothe your emotions.

CBT can teach you how to cope with difficult emotions such as loneliness, anger, boredom and stress. You can learn how to prevent your emotions from escalating, therefore brining more calm and stability into your life.

CBT approaches to weight problems also show you how to develop eating and activity plans, which are realistic and achievable. CBT, Edinburgh is a practical and commonsense approach to overcoming weight problems. You develop the skills to become your own therapist so that you can continue to help yourself long after therapy finishes.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy - How is Shiatsu Different from Modern Western Massage?

There is common ground between Shiatsu and Western massage. Both systems are wonderful ways of relieving stress and promoting health and they focus on the body of the person to be treated. Further, neither system uses any sophisticated electronic or mechanical machinery in the diagnosis or implementation of treatment. The third common ground is that both Shiatsu and massage are classified in most of the Western World to remain outside the bastion of Western medicine, which is based on current Western mainstream scientific tradition. Outside Japan both Shiatsu and Western massage share the outfields of non-traditional treatment or alternative medicine with Healing, Reiki, Hypnosis or Crystal Healing.

Shiatsu practitioners tend to distance themselves from the bandwagon of alternative treatment approaches like Reiki or faith healing by demonstrating their usage of anatomy, physiology and pathology in the same vein as Western medicine. This could be one of the explanations for the great popularity of Shiatsu in the West as it bridges the West and the East.

When we explore the differences between Shiatsu and Western massage, we notice four main differences.

1. The historical evolution of the treatments.
2. Technique used and ingredients in treatment.
3. The philosophy behind the approach and the essence, which every practitioner attempts to capture.
4. The nature of derivative systems that have emerged.

Body massage might be one of the oldest forms of medical care known to man. Though we may not know what the ancient Egyptian practitioners actually believed in, Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, recommends massage of skin and flesh as the appropriate treatment for many ailments. Ayurveda, the 5000-year old traditional Indian system of medicine, greatly stresses the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices. Writing in the 8th century BC, Homer of Greece mentions massage being used commonly also for Olympic athletes in the same way as it is used today.

1. The History and Evolution of Shiatsu

Though the earliest modern reference to the term Shiatsu in a publication might be the 1915 Japanese book, Shiatsu Ryöhö written by Tenpaku Tamai, Tokujiro Namikoshi's (1905-2000) followers consider him to be the founder of Shiatsu. His approach was entirely different from the Chinese meridian or Qi-based therapies. Namikoshi at age seven in 1912 independently developed a technique of pressing with his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. Namikoshi's influence on Shiatsu can be compared to the role of Picasso in art because he not only created an important genre, but also became an inspiration for many other creators of derivative therapies.

Tokujiro Namikoshi opened his first clinic for Shiatsu Therapy in 1925 in Hokkaido using the system that he perfected. In addition to founding in 1940 the first school of Shiatsu Therapy in Tokyo (Now known as the Japan Shiatsu College), Namikoshi was involved with the legal recognition of Shiatsu in Japan, which may account for his emphasis on Western medical theories. Namikoshi achieved fame and successfully treated many high-ranking persons such as the former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida. As his fame spread foreign celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali sought his treatment. Currently in Japan, Namikoshi's system enjoys special legal status. Starting from 1947, after an eight-year clinical investigation period to ascertain which of 300 treatments could be legalised, the Ministry of Health of Japan acknowledged Shiatsu Therapy, as it proved effective. Shiatsu was placed in the same category with Anma and Western Massage in 1955.

In 1964 Shiatsu was acknowledged as a separate therapy on its own in Japan. Everyone practising Shiatsu in Japan should obtain a licence from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Licensing also requires that Shiatsu practitioners study a 2,500-hour educational program of Shiatsu therapy lasting about three years in the universities or colleges authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and pass the national exam.

2. Technique used and ingredients in treatment

The second difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is in technique and in the use of ingredients like oils and spices. Shiatsu technique relies on finger and palm pressure, while western massage uses a rubbing motion. Since shiatsu does not involve rubbing, no oil or lotion is ever used during a treatment.

3. Philosophy of Western Massage and Shiatsu

The third and main difference comes from the philosophy behind Western Massage and Shiatsu.

The principal difference between Shiatsu and other modern Western forms of bodywork, e.g., Swedish massage, is that Shiatsu is a form of holistic healing while modern Western massage is based on conventional Western views of wellness and healing. Western massage usually considers the human body the domain of the masseur while the mind is the domain of psychology and psychiatry. Adapting a holistic approach, Shiatsu regulates the nervous system and promotes natural healing by stimulating chemical responses in the body.

Western massage is based on the idea that muscle tension and improper alignment may cause or worsen physical, mental and internal imbalances. Massage techniques attempt to reduce tension within the body to facilitate the free flow of blood and energy. This in turn makes the major systems of the body (immune, circulatory, nervous, etc.) to be better able to naturally heal disease and promote health and well-being.

In Shiatsu, there are 838 basic shiatsu pressure points, or Atten in Japanese, located on the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessels, bones and endocrine glands. Depending on the condition of the body, the therapist applies proper types of pressure. The tighter the muscles are, the lighter the pressure. As the muscles relax, the pressure becomes deeper but is always firm and steady. This triggers the release of hormones and body chemicals necessary to heal, to soothe and to make you mind and body perform optimally. This method of triggering the own healing system of the body does not produce side effects or toxins and is thus a totally healthy way of getting relief from ailments.

Looked at casually from far Shiatsu whole-body charts can be confused with Qi or meridian charts used in Chinese medicine. But Namikoshi Shiatsu practitioners are quick to point out that Namikoshi's style of Shiatsu places emphasis only on regions based on anatomy and physiology rather than on energy channels/pathways/meridians. Shiatsu works the whole body (including doing stretches).

4. Derivative treatments

The last area of difference between Shiatsu and Western massage is that of derivatives. Derivative Shiatsu usually refers to the other current styles of Shiatsu, which have evolved after Namikoshi Shiatsu, such as Meridian Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, Tao Shiatsu, Tsubo Shiatsu, Ohashiatsu and Quantum Shiatsu. None of these derivative styles are recognised by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Within Western massage there are many styles and techniques, which focus on particular areas of the body (e.g., deep tissue massage, tendo-muscular massage, scalp massage, etc.). However, Western Massage can be broadly grouped into three camps, sports massage, well-being massage and erotic massage. Sports massage aims to get the athlete in fit shape and ensure superior performance. Creating a certain type of ambience with candles, colours, incense or music is very important to well-being and erotic massage but almost totally absent in sports massage. The camp of well-being massage displays the widest divergence in different types of derivative forms like aromatherapy, reflexology or deep tissue massage.

Sensuous massage or erotic massage has been a derivative of traditional massage for centuries in all parts of the world but to date there is no sensuous or erotic Shiatsu therapy.

Shiatsu and Western massage do have common ground but differ much in theory, philosophy and practice. However, in spite of the differences, the aim of both systems is the same - a balanced, healthy and happy individual.

References:

• Tokujiro Namikoshi, Japanese Finger-Pressure Therapy Shiatsu. Japan Publishing - (1974)
• Tokujiro Namikoshi, SHIATSU; HEALTH AND VITALITY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Japan Publishing - (1971)
• The Canadian College of Shiatsu Therapy
• The Shiatsupractor Association of Canada

Things You Need to Know About Schools, Courses and Workshops in Massage Therapy

Do you know why the issue of tight versus loose muscles has been gaining limelight since the last decade? The issue, more commonly known as Massage Therapy, is one of the most effective therapeutic techniques in initiating an innate healing process. Practitioners now emphasize on medicine-free lifestyle as much as possible for it helps you extract more value out of Nature for yourself. This is one of the reasons that they now recommend massage therapy as a cure for tensed muscles, which eventually lead to a disturbed, unhappy and less productive life.

The trend of availability of massage therapy as a distinctive service only in spas or beauty salons has decreased to almost extinction and now, it is available everywhere. Non-ending lists of institutions are now providing professional training to individuals. These institutions more commonly referred to as Massage Therapy Schools. Institutions like, beauty homes, medical colleges, community centers & schools, Universities providing training about natural sciences all come under the category of Massage Therapy Schools. These schools have waived the perception of it being a limited science or knowledge. Now, individuals are adopting it as a career too as it contains a world of relief in it.

Massage Therapy Schools provide courses, training and workshops in just about all types of massage therapeutic techniques. These techniques, which come from different cultures like Thai, Asian, Chinese and even Western research, can be used to specifically cure different muscle problems and even prevent many of them that might lead to nervous and even psychological problems. The phrase; Healthy Body has Healthy Mind, stands valid everywhere. It even explains the necessity of massage therapy in our lives. For a weak and tensed body will be prone towards diseases and tensions, hence, not enjoying life to its fullest.

There are 10 most popular and wide-ranging massage therapies today including; hot stone massage, reflexology and sports massage. Massage therapy training Schools provide you with a list of all of them and leaves choosing which technique to specialize in, on you. Keeping you affordability in view, there are such institutions that provide low-cost, yet quality training to eager individuals. The training is so comprehensive that it can be taken up as a career and profession; or one can learn only to know about basic techniques to take care of one's immediate family and save on therapist bills.

Massage Therapy Schools multiplied like mushrooms and now they exist in such close proximity that approach to them is not a problem anymore, to anyone. However, one still needs to do a bit of research based on one's goals, benefits sought, time available, etc; because the course duration ranges from a few months of training to an intense 4-6 year program. The later one would lead to a certified massage therapist who can work parallel to a general physician. So, decide today, about how to enter into this respected field and search from the list of Massage Therapy Schools, for the one that best suits your needs and constraints.

Successful Bulimia Treatments - Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy (or CBT) is one of the most widely used psychotherapeutic approaches used for bulimia treatments. This kind of therapy tries to resolve the dysfunctional emotions and consequent dysfunctional behaviors that bulimics typically display. Since your emotions are at the root of your eating disorder, this kind of therapy is vital to try and work through those emotions and feelings.

The aim of CBT when used as a treatment for bulimia; is to alter perceptions about body image, about food and about eating and to help create healthier eating patterns. Since eating disorders are typically ongoing situations (mine went on for 20 long years), the therapy could last up to a year or longer. I underwent CBT briefly as part of my bulimia treatments and have now been in recovery for 6 years.

There are no known risks of cognitive behavior therapy; whereas the benefits may be many. In fact there is evidence to show that CBT is the most effective treatment for bulimia nervosa. Consider all that you can gain from this therapy;

• As a bulimic you get to understand your eating disorder better - the symptoms, the situations or people that trigger episodes of binging and purging, so that you are better able to predict your own behavior by talking with a therapist.


• You learn how to systematically chart events where you binged and/or purged, and to record these episodes in a journal. This can help you see a pattern emerge so that you can tackle your disorder with greater vigor once you know more clearly the source of the feelings.


• Part of what bulimia treatments try to achieve is to reduce the hold that your disorder has over you. This is done in therapy by changing the way you think about eating and about your symptoms. Shining a light on your emotions and behavior brings awareness and eventually leads to changes in behavior.


• In therapy, you will learn the benefits of eating a healthy diet and spacing your meals properly. Regular meals and healthy snacks up to 6 times a day (rather than our traditional 3 meals a day) are shown to be a healthy way to eat for everyone, not merely bulimics.


• Stresses and the inability to handle them and ineffective coping mechanisms were the root cause of my eating disorder. I learned new ways and means of managing my emotions to feel better without resorting to eating and gradually found that I regained control over my life. Overcoming my self-destructive thought patterns went to the root of my eating disorder and this is what helped me regain control over my actions.


• As a result of undergoing cognitive behavior therapy as part of my bulimia treatments, I found that I was able to change not only how I thought and felt, but ultimately how I managed my life.