Wednesday, November 27, 2013

How does acupuncture help relieve pain?

To understand how acupuncture helps relieve pain, one must understand what acupuncture is. It has been used by people of Asian descent for centuries. Over the last few decades it has gained popularity in our country because of the relief that it brings without side effects. It is an alternative form of treatment invented by the Chinese. It is based on the concept that the energy or life force of a person flows through their body in channels which are referred to as meridians.

Qi 

This energy that flows through the body is referred to as “Qi”. This is pronounced “Chee”. When the Qi or life force is not flowing normally through the meridians of the body, the force gets disrupted giving rise to various problems. Practitioners of this complementary form of medicine believe that with acupuncture the nerves of the body can be stimulated causing a reversal and bringing the Qi back to normal.

What methods are used in acupuncture? 

Practitioners of acupuncture use fine needles that are inserted at various pressure points throughout the body. These points will differ from person to person as the point where the needle is inserted depends on the nature of the complaint, and the body type of the person among other factors. The patient will only feel a pin prick as the needle is inserted because the width of the needle is extremely thin. The practitioner also has to be very experienced to make sure that the needles are inserted efficiently and effectively.

What kind of illnesses does acupuncture cure? 

Acupuncture is used in a variety of illnesses and is gaining popularity and followers at a rapid speed. This is because acupuncture provides pain relief, and a cure for other illnesses and maladies without any side effects. Let’s take a look at some of the afflictions that acupuncture can provide relief for.

Backache 

Acupuncture has been so effective in providing relief for people who suffer from chronic back pain that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends acupuncture as a treatment option. This is based on research and scientific evidence. It also provides relief for other kinds of joint pains. The kind of treatment that you are given will depend on which part of your body needs pain relief.

Migraines

People who have suffered debilitating migraines have found a lot of relief after starting acupuncture treatment. Studies have shown that the insertion of the needles in certain parts of the head stimulates the nerves and helps rid a person of migraines.

Chronic obesity 

There has been quite a large percentage of success for chronically obese people who have lost a lot of weight after starting acupuncture. It is also used in obesity related diseases like diabetes, heart problems, hypertension and cholesterol and those who have used it have shown dramatic improvement.

Cancer 

There have been cases where people with cancer have gone into remission after acupuncture. It is very useful for people who are terminally ill with cancer to help relieve the pain that they are undergoing.

Depression


Many folks with mental disorders have found relief after undergoing an acupuncture treatment. Obviously, mental disorders originate in the brain. By using needles to stimulate the nerves in the brain, practitioners are able to help people deal with all kinds of mental illnesses.
There are those who scoff at acupuncture and call it quack medicine. But there are enough cases and enough proof to show that acupuncture is a safe and reliable treatment for many illnesses. It is important though, to find an acupuncturist who is well known, recommended and experienced.

Reference: 

Why are immunizations important?

Immunizations start in the womb itself. Shots are given during pregnancy and this protects the mother and child till the baby comes to term, and through labor. As soon as the baby arrives, the next round of immunizations starts. The hospital gives you a list of immunizations that your baby should be given. The pediatrician will keep you updated on the other vaccines that your child should take and when they should be given. In fact, there are government agencies that check to see if children have been given their shots correctly. If they have not been administered, health inspectors or social workers may even make house calls to remind you that you have to inoculate your child. Because of this strict policy of immunization, many diseases that used to be fatal or cause irreparable damage are almost fully eradicated in our country now.
What are the diseases that you should have vaccinated your child against?
·         MMR
·         Polio
·         DTaP
·         Hib vaccine
·         HBV
·         Pneumococcal vaccine
·         Varicella

MMR 

The acronym MMR stands for mumps, measles, and rubella which is German measles. This immunizes a child against these infections. Follow up shots need to be given at the appropriate age.

Polio 

Polio has been eradicated in most countries thanks to the polio vaccine. The polio vaccine comes in the form of drops. Babies and young children are susceptible to polio. The first polio drops are given during the first month for the baby. The follow up polio drops are equally important and must be given at the right time, as prescribed by your doctor.

DTaP 

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are diseases that still strike children in our country, albeit occasionally. For the most part, pediatricians and parents make sure that children receive these immunizations at the right time.

HiB vaccine 

This is a relatively new vaccine and is such a boon as it protects children against a deadly childhood illness, spinal meningitis. The vaccine whose full form is Haemophilus influenzae type b protects children against this disease.

HBV 

This vaccine has also been around only for a while. It protects children against hepatitis B which is a serious type of jaundice that can affect the liver.

Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) 

This new vaccine helps protect children against pneumonia, infection in the blood, and meningitis. The introduction of this vaccine has decreased child mortality rates in the country.

Varicella 

For the longest time, chicken pox was just one of those diseases that parents and doctors alike accepted that a child went through. But now, there is a vaccine to protect your child against chicken pox.

Immunizations for adults 

There is a growing number of immunizations that health care advisories ask adults to take. In fact, children are stronger than adults when it comes to fighting diseases. When one of these childhood illnesses manifest in an adult, it manifests in a stronger mutation and it can lead to complications and could be fatal. Some adult immunizations are vaccinations for mumps, measles, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis.

Check with your doctor regularly 

The problem about virus and bacteria is that they mutate. Research on these diseases has to be ongoing because as soon as a vaccination against them is found, the virus starts mutating and becomes immune to the vaccine. A different vaccine has to be developed to combat the mutated vaccine. Scientists, doctors and social workers work hard to keep people updated on the latest immunizations.
Be a responsible parent and adult and get your child and the rest of your family immunized against diseases!

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Congratulations to our 2013 American Indian Hero Vernon Medicine Cloud Assiniboine/Turtle Mountain Chippewa

Vernon Lee Medicine Cloud currently works for the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley where he is the Grants and Contracts Analyst.  He is currently the President of the American Indian Alliance of Silicon Valley and is also a Director for the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Management Corporation.  Vernon was recently added to the San Jose Police Chief's Community Advisory Board as the liaison for the American Indian community.  Vernon's credits who he is and who he has become to his mother, the great Karen Lynn Medicine Cloud, his grandmother, Lavina Loves Him, his grandfather, Orville Loves Him and the almighty Creator.


Watch this video to learn more about him and the amazing work he's done for our community.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYqIit4yAfk