Alternative Medicine Connection Blog

The Importance of Mindset for Natural Healing and Alternative Health

Amy Tyre — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 23:27:00 GMT

I found Dying to be Me, by Anita Moorjani, an interesting read. The book provides a fascinating chronicle of Ms. Moorjani’s story of triumph over cancer - but not until having a climatic near-death experience. She explains that in the process of dying she realizes her true nature, or her “own magnificence,” as she describes it. With this new insight she shifts from being fearful of both life and death to being joyful and loving herself fearlessly. And, as she writes, it is a direct result of her shift in consciousness that her pain subsides and she quickly and ‘miraculously’ recovers from her cancer.

In the question and answer section in the back of the book Ms. Moorjani describes how difficult it is to believe with your heart and soul in something “alternative”, or outside the norm, when surrounded by people who do not believe and, in the process, instill fear. In her answer to the question below, she explains the mind–body connection that is often such a mystery and how important mindset is to the process of natural healing.

Question:

“You said that your cancer seemed to heal when you went to India and received ayurvedic treatments, but when you returned to Hong Kong, the disease came back. Do you have any thoughts as why the cancer seemed to disappear in India, but returned in Hong Kong?”

Answer:

“… I think ayurveda worked for me in India because there was no conflict. Everyone around me believed in the same thing, and what I was doing made sense to everyone. I wasn’t confused. For the first time, I felt I was on the right path. There was a lot of support in terms of ayurvedic doctors, ashrams, and so on, all of which supported this modality.

But here in Hong Kong, the choices are endless and multicultural, and all the different modalities conflict with each other! My first choice has never been conventional Western medicine, but if I hadn’t been inclined toward other methods, I would have chosen it. Personally, however, it was the last thing I wanted.

I think if I’d been born and brought up in the middle of China, Traditional Chinese Medicine would have worked for me, too – but then I might not even have gotten sick in the first place! Do you know that in Chinese culture, cancer is often referred to as ‘Western People’s disease’? Are you aware that the incidence of cancer in China, Japan, and even India is far lower than in Western countries?

Some people think it’s because of diet, but I feel that’s only part of it. Another, possibly even larger factor may be mindset - the Western belief in cancer, the fear of it, and the constant ‘awareness’ campaigns! Conventional western medicine focuses on detecting cancer, and most of their technology is diagnostic rather than promoting overall physical wellbeing and balance.”

We manifest what we think about. If we’re afraid of Cancer we’re putting our energy into Cancer. Or, to quote a friend of mine, “Worrying is praying for what we don’t want.” In contrast, Ms. Moorjani believes Ayurveda worked for her when she was in India, not just because of her belief but the collective belief there that Ayurveda is a viable healing modality.

The goal at Alternative Medicine Connection is to accumulate and share stories of alternatives for healing so each of us can feel supported and empowered to choose alternative medicine practitioners and modalities with an unyielding belief we can achieve natural healing. It embraces the belief that natural healing remedies and alternative health choices widely accepted in some parts of the world can become accepted in other parts of the world as well.

We can’t do it alone. You can help in two easy ways.

1. Please post your experience with alternative medicines, natural remedies, alternative medicine doctors or holistic health life style changes and ask everyone you know to do the same. Your genuine alternative health experience is extremely important to us. In an effort to deter fraudulent entries (see Building Trust in Online Reviews) and to provide the ability to search multiple entries from the same person we kindly request that you sign-in. Simply click on the blue button below and follow the prompts.

2. Use the social media buttons above and Like us on Facebook too to help us gain the exposure to find the people who are looking for us.

Are you an Alternative Healthcare Practitioner, Naturopath, Holistic Health Practitioner or some other type of Doctor of Alternative Medicine? Add your practice to our growing directory of alternative medicine doctors and practitioners and ask your patients to share their alternative health experiences with your practice here at Alternative Medicine Connection so more people who need you can find you. Have information to share? Consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog as well.

Top Yoga Poses for Headaches

Amy Tyre — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:59:00 GMT

Kreg Weiss, BHKin (Bachelor of Human Kinetics), a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and international presenter is a co-founder of MyYogaOnline.com. With permission, this article is republished from MyYogaOnline.com.

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Yoga can be a beneficial therapeutic tool for relieving headaches brought on by muscle tension and stress. The majority of headaches originate from muscle stiffness and imbalances emanating from the neck and upper back. When headaches set in, using a series of restorative yoga exercises can greatly relieve both the cause and symptoms. Here are our top yoga poses and exercises that naturally treat headaches.

1) Cat Pose: The flowing motion of breath and spine helps release tension from the neck and upper back while also pouring refreshing energy through the body and mind.

2) Seated Twists like Half Twist: Besides increasing circulation throughout the entire length of the spine, the twisting motion in the upper spine (cervical region) often alleviates tension coming from the scalene muscles of the neck (anterior aspect).

3) Chest Openers like Yoga Mudra Arms: Much of the tension in the back body is a result of muscle dominance from the front body (called Upper Cross Syndrome). Expanding the chest and front shoulder muscles helps break down muscular imbalances and frees the tension coming from the neck.

4) Eagle Arms: This simple crossed arm pose can be done in Mountain Pose or any natural seated posture. This back expander can reach well into the mid and upper back targeting problematic muscles around the shoulder blades and the base of the neck. Take time in this arm pose to breath slow and full into the upper back and insure that you perform this arm pose on both sides.

5) Simple Neck Stretches: Gently move through the various muscle fiber lines by allowing your head to float down to one shoulder with gravity, down across the chest and into the other side – repeat with a natural, unforced motion. Avoid letting the head fall back-keep the motion in a half circle from one shoulder to the other. Pause where you find extra areas of resistance....

6) Childs Pose: A perfect restorative yoga pose that slightly inverts the body. A gentle flow of extra blood circulates into the head helping relieve tension. With the legs slightly separated, you can easily settle into deep core and back breathing to encourage a flood of circulation to reach deep into the body. Note that the head and neck should be absolutely comfortable. If needed, keep you arms forward or bend the elbows and rest the forearms by your chest/under your shoulders so the palms face up-this will greatly unload any pressure from the neck.

7) Two Knee Reclining Twist: Unlike our seated twists, this reclining twist can be far more restorative and held longer to bring deeper focus into relaxing the nervous system while the chest expands and rejuvenates the spine. Give extra attention to releasing the shoulders into the mat to again release dominance of the shoulder and chest muscles.

8) Legs Up The Wall Pose: This highly beneficial inverted pose is great for developing hamstring flexibility and for improving circulation in the lower limbs. For headaches, the extra flow of blood to the brain and the restorative support can be deeply relaxing and nourishing.

9) Anuloma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing): The aim of alternate nostril breathing is to restore balance to the energy systems. With balance, we find release and calm. This yoga breathing exercise is easy to do for all levels and targets the nervous system by slowing brain waves, calming the mind and purging stress.

10) Relaxation Pose: After doing a series of restorative yoga poses, take some time to simply relax and release in Savasana. Turn the focus away from the symptoms of your headache and settle into the sensation of mental and physical release. You may find a light eye pillow helpful in moving tension/pressure out of the eyes and forehead. Increase your comfort by placing a bolster under the knees and a thin pillow under the head. To complement the chest openers and reclining twists, lay with the arms open to the sides/palms facing the ceiling.

Take advantage of restorative yoga exercises to treat your headache. Before jumping for a chemical medication that usually just masks the symptoms, see how these key yoga poses can first work to naturally eliminate the cause of the headache and free you from the discomfort arising from imbalances and stress.

Have you tried yoga or some other natural healing modality like ayurveda or homeopathy for heachaches? If you have experiences with alternative medicine to share please click the button below, sign-in and answer a few questions.

Are you interested in alternative medicine blog writing or have an alternate medicine blog or alternative medicine blogs that you'd like re-published? Or, are you a holistic health practitioner or alternative medicine doctor or author with integrative alternative medicine or natural therapies information to share? Consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog. Click on the button below to submit your articles or ideas.

Natural Happiness: The Truth About Exercise and Depression

Amy Tyre — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 14:41:00 GMT

James Clear writes about using behavior science to master your habits and improve your mental and physical health. If you enjoy this article, then join his free newsletter. With permission, this article is republished from JamesClear.com.

We all want to be happy.

But is there anything you can actually do to feel happier more often? Or at the very least… can you limit the likelihood that you’ll feel sad and depressed?

There isn’t a single perfect answer, of course, but research is starting to reveal the incredible connection between our physical actions and our mental health. In fact, it’s very possible that what you do can have a significant impact on how you feel.

As an example, let’s take a look at the link between exercise and depression.

Dealing With Depression: Exercise vs. Medication

James Blumenthal is a neuroscientist at Duke University who specializes in depression. In one of his most famous experiments, published in the Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, Blumenthal gathered 156 adults who had mild or moderate cases of depression.

The patients were split into three groups.

Group 1 was treated with sertraline, an antidepressant drug. You probably know sertraline by it’s trade names Zoloft and Lustral. In 2011, over 37 million sertraline prescriptions were written to treat a wide range of issues, including major depressive disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, panic and social anxiety.

Group 2 used a combination of exercise and medication. They were prescribed the same dosage of sertraline as Group 1. Additionally, Group 2 exercised three times each week for 45 minutes. They followed the same exercise program that is described for Group 3 below.

Group 3 used an exercise only treatment. Three times per week, they performed 45 minutes of exercise. This included 10 minutes of warm up, 30 minutes of walking or jogging at a pace that would maintain a heart rate that was 80% to 90% of their maximum, and then 5 minutes of cool down.

Here’s what happened…

Each patient received treatment for 16 weeks (4 months) under the supervision of the researchers and professional staff. At the end of the treatment period, the researchers were surprised to find that all three treatments delivered essentially equal results.

Treating depression with exercise was just as effective as medication, and vice versa. Furthermore, combining the two treatments yielded the same success rate as doing either one individually.

But then the researchers decided to track the long–term progress of each patient and this is where the study gets really interesting…

Exercise and Depression: The Long–Term Impact

After 16 weeks of treatment, there were 83 patients (spread evenly across all three groups) that were declared in remission and free from depression.

The researchers decided to let these patients spend the next six months without receiving any treatment from professionals. The patients were welcome to continue their treatment on their own or to try something new entirely.

When the researchers followed up with the patients six months later, here’s what they found…

In the medication only group, 38% of patients relapsed into depression.
In the exercise and medication group, 31% of patients relapsed into depression.
In the exercise only group, only 8% of patients relapsed into depression.

You can see the results of the study in the graph below. Notice that over 85% of patients in the exercise only group remained depression free after 6 months on their own.

What made the difference?

Why Exercise Outperformed Medication

Dr. Blumenthal and his colleagues described the differences between exercise and medication like this…

One of the positive psychological benefits of systematic exercise is the development of a sense of personal mastery and positive self–regard, which we believe is likely to play some role in the depression–reducing effects of exercise.

In other words, exercise confirms your new identity to yourself. It changes the type of person that you believe that you are and proves that you can become better. (I’ve previously said that the self–confidence that comes with exercise is one of the biggest benefits of weight training.)

This philosophy directly aligns with our community’s focus on identity-based habits. It doesn’t matter if you’re battling depression, working to lose weight, or trying to create work that matters. Your identity — the type of person that you believe that you are — is what dictates how far you’ll go in any endeavor.

When it comes to beating depression over the long–term, this is what makes exercise more powerful than medication. It’s not that medication doesn’t work — it does. But exercise does something that medication doesn’t. It proves a new identity to yourself. Each time you finish a workout, you reap the benefits of an increased sense of self–confidence. The cumulative impact of these “small wins” is enormous.

In the words of the researchers, patients who only used medication had the following internal thoughts…

Instead of incorporating the belief “I was dedicated and worked hard with the exercise program; it wasn’t easy, but I beat this depression,” patients might incorporate the belief that “I took an antidepressant and got better.”

It seems small, but this subtle shift in empowerment and self–confidence is huge. It’s your identity that carries you to success.

If you believe that you’re the type of person who doesn’t miss workouts, then you’re going to get in great shape.
If you believe that you’re the type of person who overcomes uncertainty, then you’ll succeed when you face a challenge.
If you believe that you’re the type of person who puts others first, then you’ll live a life of service.

But no matter what, it’s your identity that carries you to long–term success. And this is where medication falls short. It treats your symptoms, but doesn’t rebuild your identity.

Cut Your Risk of Depression by Half

As the researchers sorted through the data, they discovered that for every 50 minutes of exercise added each week, the rate of depression fell by half. In other words, if you’re not exercising right now, then adding just 1–hour of walking per week will cut your risk of depression by 50%.

The same holds true if you’re already an exerciser. Let’s say that right now you exercise for 5 hours each week. Bumping it up to 6 hours will cut your personal risk of depression by half.

I’m sure there is an upper limit to this at some point, but the evidence is clear: exercise often and it’s more likely that you’ll enjoy the rest of your life.

How You Can Apply This To Your Life

If you’re struggling with depression, then the application of this article should be obvious. (And if you know someone battling with depression, then please share this research with them. It might help them turn the corner.)

But even if you consider yourself to be a happy person, the principle of proving your identity to yourself can apply to virtually any goal you want to achieve.

Pick a daily habit that will strengthen your sense of self–worth and solidify your identity. For example, you could try meditation, exercise, writing, or creating art.

Whatever you choose, pick it now, start small, and begin proving to yourself that you can become the type of person you want to become. Tiny habits, when repeated consistently, can be the difference success or failure, confidence or doubt, and even happiness or depression.

Have you successfully used exercise or some other alternative remedy to improve your depression? Do you have experiences about alternative medicine you think others might be interested in? Please take the time to share your experience with alternative medicine or natural therapies. Alternative Medicine Connection was created, so others can benefit from your experience. Simply click on the link below, sign-in and answer a few simple questions.

Are you an alternative medicine doctor, holistic health practitioner or author with integrative alternative medicine or natural therapies to share? Are you interested in alternative medicine blog writing or have an alternate medicine blog or alternative medicine blogs that you'd like re-published? Consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog. Click on the button below to submit your articles or ideas.

What is Triphala?

Amy Tyre — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 15:42:00 GMT

This article was written by Mike Gerard. Mike is a keen follower of trends in Ayurveda and specifically triphala powder. He is the founder of TriphalaPowderBenefits.com.

For thousands of years Ayurvedic Medicine has paid great attention to longevity and rejuvenation of the body. To learn more, see What is Ayurveda?.

One of the most commonly used ayurvedic herb formulas is Triphala. Triphala is a made up of three Ayuverdic herbs. Listed below are the three ayurvedic herbs and their individual benefits.

Amalaki is one of the strongest anti-aging herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine. It is referred to as “Dhatri”, which translates as “the nurse”. This title is not accidental. The medicinal properties of the Amalaki herb, both powerful and versatile; are said to provide care for a human being better than the care of a nurse. It provides healing effects on the tissues of the body and the immune system and is used to:

Cleanse the mouth and makes teeth stronger
Stimulate the growth of hair and nails
Help with fatigue
Stimulate mental ability
Increase blood circulation
Improve digestion and excretory functions
Improve sexual life

Bibhitaki is beneficial to the digestive, nervous, respiratory and excretory systems. It cleanses the intestines and tones the stomach and is useful for the accumulation of mucus in the digestive system. Bibhitaki is used to:

Aid overall rejuvenation
Improve one’s vision and voice
Remove parasites from the body
Promote excretion of kidney stones

Haritaki is another ayurvedic herb that is often called “The King” in Tibetan medicine. It is one of the most important plants in ayurvedic medicine. It feeds the nervous system tissue and brain and cleanses the mucous membranes. It is a key component in triphala guggulu, an ayurvedic formula often prescribed for weight loss. Haritaki is used to:

Regulate colon functions
Improve digestion
Enhance vision and voice
Increase mental abilities
Prolong life

A combination of the three herbs Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki make up Triphala. Triphala benefits include alleviating constipation, improved eyesight, toning the gastrointestinal tract, purifying the blood and detoxifying the body.

For best success, proper usage is important. While taking Triphala, spicy, heavy and fatty foods should be avoided. Triphala tastes slightly astringent and spicy, and it provides the best results when used with milk. Most people feel an immediate impact after taking Triphala.

Ayurvedic herbs, in general, do not have any serious side effects. However, taking a prolonged triphala dosage may lead to damage of colon muscles, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and dysentery. Other possible Triphala side effects include difficulty in sleeping and discomfort. It is best to avoid them if allergic to any of the individual herbs, during pregnancy and when certain psychiatric conditions are present.

Have you already had experience with the benefits of Triphala? Please take the time to share your first hand experience. Simply click on the button below, sign-in and answer a few questions.

If you are an alternative medicine practitioner or author with alternative healthcare information to share or have alternative medicine blogs that you'd like re-published consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog. Click on the blue button below to submit your articles or ideas.

Photo Attribution: eocs on www.sxc.hu/photo/1005737

Yoga for Fibromyalgia

Amy Tyre — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:40:00 GMT

I've written before about alternative healing through yoga in Yoga for Alternative Healing and Is Yoga Alternative Medicine? Yoga and help Fibromyalgia as well. Try it yourself. Here's a easy to follow video to get you started.

And please let us know how it works for you.

Have you healed with yoga or some other alternative therapy? Please share your alternative healing experience to inspire others. Simply click on the link below, sign-in and answer a few questions.

Have you used or provide alternative healthcare?

Amy Tyre — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:40:00 GMT

We’re looking for early adopters.

Alternativemedicineconnection.com was created to help alternative medicine practitioners find more clients AND to help people who are searching for help find the alternative medicine and practitioner who is right for them among the vast array of alternative healthcare.

We are looking for forward thinking practitioners who understand the tremendous value of having their clients share their experience with their practice as a model to others of what is possible.

Are you a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Wellness Ayurveda or some other type of alternative healthcare? Take the time to list your practice in our practitioner directory and then ask your patients whose lives have dramatically improved as a result of your practice to share their experience. And consider sharing what you do by submitting an article to our alternative medicine blog.

Have you gotten better using some form of alternative medicine? Have you used an alternative medicine practitioner that you think others should know about? Please take the time to share your experience to inspire others.

Not a practitioner and don't an alternative medicine experience to share? You can still help by helping us find the early adopters by forwarding, liking, reposting and tweeting this to everyone you know. Who knows who might benefit?

Building Trust in On-Line Reviews

Amy Tyre — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:18:00 GMT

Word of mouth has been the source for finding services from plumbers to hair-dressers to massage therapists. The most common way people find a alternative medicine modality; practitioner or remedy is by asking their network. Sometimes, they can’t find a referral. And trusting only a few or even one person’s experience is difficult when considering something new and unfamiliar.

I am in the process of creating a better and fuller resource to connect users to the services they need that enlarges and builds upon word of mouth. Harnessing the power of the Internet, Alternative Medicine Connection is a space for individuals to share their alternative medicine experience and for practitioners to clarify their services and to provide clear and informative information.

Alternative Medicine Connection is a resource to identify and promote practitioners, treatments, remedies and even foods that are making a positive impact in people’s lives. I've yet to find an alternative treatment that can compete with the multi-million dollar marketing budgets of big pharmaceutical companies who hold lucrative patents.

For example, if eating yams helps with menopausal symptoms is there an incentive anywhere to promote that type of information? Maybe for the yam farmer. But then wouldn't you wonder about the validity of the information because the marketer or yams clearly has a vested interest? But what if 19 out of 20 individuals shared their personal experience that yams helped them? Would you consider giving yams a try?

The ideas is to bring all the alternatives- Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Classical Homeopathy and other all natural remedies together in one place and find out what's working and what's not.

But, I asked myself, what about bogus reviews - people promoting their own products or services? A recent New York Times article titled The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy highlights this issue specific to the book market.

"Consumer reviews are powerful because, unlike old-style advertising and marketing, they offer the illusion of truth. They purport to be testimonials of real people, even though some are bought and sold just like everything else on the commercial Internet."

The article goes on to quote a data-mining expert who estimates that about one-third of all consumer reviews on the Internet are fake and that it is impossible to tell. Is it impossible to tell?

Do you read reviews? Do you make an internal determination of whether you think a review is manufactured or real? Do you look at both the positives and negatives and consider the perspective of the person writing the review and then come to your own conclusions?

At Alternative Medicine Connection we're collecting “word of mouth’ stories about alternative medicine remedies and practitioners. We are doing everything possible to validate the information we collect and are working on revamping our questions in an effort to collect more detailed information that you want to know. I've questioned whether to abandon the project because some false reviews may get through. But, at least for now, I don't think we'll throw the baby out with the bath water. If we can collect enough experiences, the real answers will shine through. Think the idea has merit?

Here's how you can help.

1. Forward, like, share and tweet this and ask everyone your know to share their alternative medicine experiences to help us collect real experiences from real people.

2. Tell us what reviews you trust and why. Have suggestions on how to maximize the "real" reviews and minimize the fakes? Please comment below.

3. Have you had experience with alternative doctors, holistic healing or alternative healing modalities like Chinese medicine, Ajurveda or Classical Homeopathy? Is so, please take the time to share your "real" alternative healing experience. Good, bad or indifferent we want to know your experience. Simply click on the yellow button below, sign in and answer a few easy questions.

What is Ayurveda?

Amy Tyre — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:47:00 GMT

Ayurveda, sometimes spelled Ajurveda, is an ancient Hindu medicinal system that combines herbal treatment, nutrition and yogic breathing. Some healing scientists consider Ayurveda to be the oldest methodology around, dating back 5000 years. It is designed to help people live balanced, healthy and long lives. The ultimate goal is to prevent disease. In Western culture, Ayurveda is considered an alternative medical treatment.

According to Western medicine, Ajurveda mainly works on preventing disease by lowering stress levels. Studies have shown that Ayurveda has worked with lowering blood pressure, heart disease and cholesterol levels, hinders the aging process and speeds recuperation times from a number of illnesses.

Central to Ajurveda is the belief that people have a unique energy pattern specific to their emotional, mental and physical characteristics. This energy source is known as a dosha, of which there are three basic types: Vata, Pita, and Kapha. Even though everyone has elements of all three in their body, in general, one or two doshas make up the majority of a person's energy source. When doshas are out of balance, illness and/or disease occurs. (To discover your dosha go to The Dosha Quiz).

Depending upon the condition that needs treating, a number of Ajurvedic treatments exist. Over 20 types of treatments exist in this specialized science. Deep breathing, yoga, herbal remedies, mantras, cleansings, and gentle rubbing are commonly used methods to aid the body back to a naturally balanced state.

Since the treatments are naturally based, there are fewer side effects than treatments involved in Western culture. Some of the herbs used, however, can interact with medications. It is important to check with your doctor before starting any Ayurveda program and/or treatment.

A patient visiting an Ajurvedic practitioner for the first time can expect to have his or her detailed medical history discussed, pulse taking, abdomen checking and exams of her tongue, skin, nails and eyes. The professional will also listen to her voice and tone. Questions will be taken about her lifestyle, dietary habits, general health and surroundings. Then, recommendations will be made about how to best restore her dosha balance.

For more detailed information about Ayurveda wellness, visit the National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine. To find a practitioner near you, in addition to our growing practitioner directory, see The National Ayurvedic Medical Association.

Have you had personal experience with Ayurveda or another alternative medicine modality like Chinese medicine or Classical Homeopathy? Please take the time to share your experience and tell us about any providers you've used so others can benefit from your experience. Simply click on the yellow button below, sign-in and tell us about your experience.

Are you an Ajurvedic practitioner or practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Classical Homeopathy or some other alternative modality? Help people find you and understand if you are a good match for them by adding yourself to our growing practitioner directory and asking your clients to share their experience with your practice.

http://www.niam.com/

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ayurveda-000348.htm

Yoga for Alternative Healing

Amy Tyre — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:18:00 GMT

In a previous blog article, I shared Arthur Booman’s incredible story. A disabled veteran of the Gulf War for15 years, Arthur was told by doctors that he would never again be able to walk on his own. Through yoga and tremendous determination Arthur is not only able to walk but run. For more about his amazing recovery see the blog post “Is Yoga Alternative Medicine?”

William J Broad in the book The Science of Yoga: The Risks and Rewards sets out to prove the many claims and dispel the many myths surrounding yoga. Included is a chapter dedicated to the healing aspects of yoga. He highlights the work of Dr. Loren Fishman, an MD in New York City that uses yoga to help people heal. Below are specific examples:

Yoga, specifically, B.K.S. Iyengar’s Supported Head stand, or Salamba Sirasana in Sanskrit, was shown to cure rotator cuff injuries. (In Light on Yoga, Iyengar gives specific instructions how to do this pose safely for both beginners and experienced practitioners). According to Iyengar, once in headstand “The shoulders should be kept as high above the floor as possible by moving them up and stretching them sideways.” Loren concludes that this posture trains the body to use other rotator cuff muscles not usually used and brings the range of motion back to normal. Broad tells us, 9 out of 10 people tested improved so much they decided to forgo surgery.

Yoga’s stretching, creates stress on the bone and stimulates it to grow denser and stronger improving osteoporosis.

The increase range of motion from yoga helps fight the stiffness of arthritis. Want more information? Dr. Fishman co-authored the book Yoga for Arthritis.

Other examples where yoga was used as therapy include degeneration the macula (resulting in poor eyesight), bunions, herniated disk, various abdominal problems and Multiple Sclerosis. (Fishman co-authored another book Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis)

Broad points out that Dr.Fishman is an MD and therefore has access to diagnostic procedures other therapists likely do not. And, he cautions, although Dr. Fishman studied with B.K.S, Iyengar, he has no formal yoga therapy license or corresponding requirement for continuing education.

In fact, there is no regulatory body for yoga in the United States or in most countries. Broad reports that yoga professionals use the title RYT to mean Registered Yoga Therapist but there is no such thing. There is a yoga alliance title of RYT which stands for Registered Yoga Teacher.

Have you achieved holistic healing with yoga or some other alternative healing modality like Chinese medicine, Ajurveda, Classical Homeopathy or some other all natural remedy or treatment? Is so, please share so others can benefit from your experience. Simply click on the yellow button below, sign-in and tell us about your experience.

How does a Patient choose the Best Alternative Treatments for them?

Amy Tyre — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:08:00 GMT

The Annie Appleseed Project, founded by Ann Fonfa, provides information, education, advocacy, and awareness for people with cancer. Although this project began as Ann's personal answers to questions regarding alternative healing possibilities, it has become a nationally recognized organization that provides information on all natural remedies, lifestyle issues and complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) from a patient's perspective. For more about Ann's story see the article Annie's Song.

In the video below, Ann shares her perspective on how a person goes about choosing an alternative remedy that is right for them. She explains that in the alternative healing world what works for one person might not work for another. We're all different and cancers are different therefore people choose based on what appeals to them, she says. They discover something by word of mouth, from reading an article or they develop a particular interest and start with that. "And, if you pick something that doesn't work for you, then you pick something else," she says. "There are a lot of choices - a lot of possibilities."

We created alternativemedicineconnection.com specifically to provide people with a wider array of "word of mouth" experiences to explore. Our mission is to compile individual experiences with all natural remedies, holistic healing and alternative healthcare over time and place and make those "worth of mouth" testimonials easily accessible to people who are searching for help. But it starts with building our database of people's first hand experiences.

If you think this is a good idea, please help us in our efforts in two easy ways:

1. Share your story, good bad or indifferent, with alternative healthcare, all natural remedies or life style changes. Simply click on the blue button below, sign-in and answer 6 simple questions.

2. Help us build this community of like-minded people by liking us on Facebook and using the social media buttons above to share this with everyone you are connected to.

If you are an alternative medicine practitioner or author with alternative healthcare information to share that would be of interest to our readers or have alternative medicine blogs that you'd like re-published consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog. Click on the button below to submit your articles or ideas.

20 Anti-Aging Foods for Alternative Healing

Amy Tyre — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 21:11:00 GMT

While most of us wouldn’t consider food alternative healthcare what we eat, or don’t eat, is a means to alternative healing. If you’re not convinced, see my previous posts Could Food be Alternative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis?, Why Do Kids Today Have More Allergies Than We Had? and Could your diet be doing you more harm than good?

While there is no one size fits all diet there are some foods that are commonly considered good for us. Many of these are likely already familiar to you. But if any are not and you’d like more information see 20 Anti-Aging Foods from Livestrong.com for the complete article.

Here is a summary of the recommendations:

Blueberries

Wild Salmon

Pistachio Nuts (in the shell)

Whey Protein

Greek Yogurt

Coffee

Barramundi

Oats

Red Wine

Spinach

Corn

Whole Grains

Cinnamon

Dark Chocolate

Curcumin

Sweet Potatoes

Green Tea

Watermelon

Hemp

Rainbow Trout

Various readers commented on the original article and gave additional suggestions. You can see by clicking on the links that they all have merit.

Amla Indian goose berry)

Flaxseed

Do you have additional recommendations? Please share them by commenting below.

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When it comes to your health, who do you trust?

Amy Tyre — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 21:16:00 GMT

When my children were young the vaccine list was nearly three quarters of a page long. As they grew the vaccine list grew too. It made me wonder if all those vaccines were necessary or a business opportunity for the vaccine manufacturers?

My homeopath and an acupuncturist I met with recently are vehement in their view that vaccines are not only unnecessary but also dangerous. “Read the research,” they preach.

“But, what about eradicating polio and other horrific debilitating and potentially deadly diseases?” I think to myself. And, I wonder, do they have the luxury of not vaccinating their children because everyone else does? When I question the traditionally trained medical personnel in the pediatrician’s office they point to the recent rise in outbreaks of whooping cough (pertussis) as proof of what can happen when people stop vaccinating their children.

That seems like a logical conclusion.

But in this recent article, Mounting Evidence Shows Many Vaccines are Ineffective and Contribute to Rise of Outbreaks Caused by Mutated Viruses, Dr. Mercola explains “… 81 percent of 2010 California whooping cough cases in people under the age of 18 occurred in those who were fully up to date on the whooping cough vaccine. Eleven percent had received at least one shot, but not the entire recommended series, and only eight percent of those stricken were unvaccinated.” The research he explains shows the vaccine provides very little, if any, protection from the disease and that those who have been vaccinated may be more likely to get the disease.

He goes on to explain that the US varicella (chicken pox) vaccine has failed to provide long-term protection from chicken pox and has increased the incidence of shingles. In regards to Gardasil, the quadravalent vaccine for HPV, he turns to a "study" he says "is nothing but marketing maquerading as science" and he goes on to explain that "at least five individuals on the seven-member team making these over-the-top claims are paid speakers and consultants for Merck, or have received research funds from Merck to develop this vaccine."

For more about vaccines read the complete article or at the least skip to end where he recommends specific pages on the National Vaccine Information Center website)

But you may ask, as I have, isn’t the FDA there to oversee drugs in the US and protect us from false claims and faulty research?

In another article: Collusion Between Pharmaceutical Industry and Government Deepens, Dr. Mercola goes on to describe two situations in which government agencies are lead by persons who have strong conflicts between protecting the public and promoting the pharmaceutical industry. He gives two specific examples. The former director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) became President of Merck’s vaccine unit. Merck produces 14 of the 17 pediatric vaccines and 9 out of 10 adult vaccines recommended by the CDC.

Mercola contends such dual-agency is a “blatant disregard for proven vaccine safety”.

Second, the former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human services, is now head of Sanofi-Aventis’ research labs, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, a member of the Board of Trustees at Mayo Clinic and a senior fellow for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. Controversy regarding conflict of interest has followed him too. (See the complete article for details.)

So the question remains, what is each of us to do? I wish there was an easy answer. But these controversies underscore the importance that each of us takes responsibility for our own health, by questioning, researching, and exercising the power to make our own choices.

Who or what research, studies or bodies of knowledge do you trust and why? Please share your thoughts by commenting below.

In addition, have you had experiences in regard to alternative health or alternative healthcare you think may help others on their path to holistic health? Have you had first hand experience with chinese medicine, classical homeopathy, ajurveda or any means of holistic healing or alternative healing. If so, please take the time to share your experience by clicking on the yellow link below.

Are you an alternative healthcare practitioner? Do you practice chinese medicine, classical homeopathy, ajurveda or some other method of holistic healing? Add yourself to our growing practitioner directory and consider explaining the potential benefits of what you do by contributing to our alternative medicine blog. Get started by clicking on the green link below.

Why Alternative Health Options Are Growing in Popularity

Amy Tyre — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:52:00 GMT

Written by Dan Tyre. Dan is an executive at Hubspot and a trusted advisor to Alternative Medicine Connection.

Alternative medicine treatments, or trying solutions to treat medical conditions outside of traditional Western medicine, have been gaining in popularity in recent years.

The study Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine from The Journal of the American Medical Association attempts to explain why. The authors put forward three hypotheses for the growth in interest. They explain people seek out alternatives because:

(1) they are dissatisfied in some way with conventional treatment;

(2) they see alternative treatments as offering more personal autonomy and control over health care decisions; and

(3) the alternatives are seen as more compatible with the patients' values, worldview, or beliefs regarding the nature and meaning of health and illness.

I would suggest a few more...

4) they have exhausted potential options through conventional treatment

5) they don’t trust the medical establishment

6) they have personal experience regarding successful treatment

Why are you interested in alternative medicine?

Do you have a story about chinese medicine, classical homeopathy, ajurveda or some other all natural remedies you can post to help us archive this movement? Start by clicking on the yellow button below.

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Vitamin D for Cancer Prevention

Amy Tyre — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:28:00 GMT

This article was written by Dr. Jonathan Psenka, a licensed Naturopathic Physician practicing in Phoenix, Arizona. He also serves as adjunct faculty at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Kaplan University and is a frequent lecturer and writer, often presenting at medical conventions and health expos. Dr. Psenka's practice focuses on helping people with diseases such as cancer, viral conditions, and environmental toxicities. To find out more click here.

It is pretty amazing that a deficiency of a single vitamin can double a person’s risk of dying from a particular disease. This is exactly what a group of researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, NY found out when studying the effects of vitamin D in a population of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

During this study researchers determined that out of 390 patients with known CLL 119 of them (30.5%) were found to be deficient in vitamin D. Thirty percent is a fairly large number, and is most likely indicative of the chronic vitamin D deficiency that exists throughout society. In fact, the authors of this research study cited reports of both vitamin D’s anti-cancer properties, and it’s widespread deficiency as reasons why they felt this research was important to perform. Another goal of this study was to investigate the relationship that vitamin D might play in CLL, as past research had not fully investigated this relationship.

Vitamin D is unique in that our bodies have the ability to synthesize this vitamin when our skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It has been estimated that 400 IU can be achieved with the exposure of 30% of a person’s skin surface for 30 minutes at moderate latitudes (Recommended Daily Allowance is 400-800IU/day). However, most people don’t receive this kind of exposure. Vitamin D can also be obtained by eating foods that contain vitamin D such as fish liver oil, morel mushrooms, and egg yolks. Additionally vitamin D can be obtained by eating foods that have been fortified with this vitamin: milk (cow, soy, and rice), Cheerios, and some cheeses. Vitamin D is also often taken in supplement form.

It is important to understand that excessive dosages of vitamin D can produce toxic side effects. The National Academy of Sciences has determined that dosages up to 2000 IU per day are safe, although some studies have found that higher dosages can also be used without toxicity. However, as with most vitamins it is not wise to assume that “natural means safe,” and it is a good idea to seek the guidance of a qualified health practitioner when considering the use of higher dose vitamins.

It is quite easy to determine if you are one of the people who would benefit from taking some additional vitamin D, as vitamin D levels can be obtained via a blood test. It is a good idea to ask your physician to include vitamin D testing when having your blood drawn. If you have CLL, or any other kind of cancer, you should check your vitamin D level. If found to be deficient then returning it to a normal level may be a very important part of your overall treatment.

Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective

"It is projected that raising the minimum year-round serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to60 ng/mL would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year..."

Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis

"According to the pooled analysis, individuals with serum 25(OH)D of approximately 52 ng/mL had 50% lower risk of breast cancer than those with serum levels less than 13 ng/mL."

Vitamin D and prevention of colorectal cancer

"Intake of 1000IU/day of vitamin D, half the safe upper intake established by the National Academy of Sciences, was associated with 50% lower risk."

Have you healed cancer or another ailment through a change in diet or lifestyle, the addition of supplements or some other form of alternative medicine? Pleases share your first hand experience to inspire others. It's easy. Simply click on the yellow button to get started.

Natural Remedies or Prescription Medications?

Amy Tyre — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:05:00 GMT

My husband just celebrated his 54^th birthday. I went along with him to his yearly physical. No joke, the doctor looked in his chart and said, “No Medications? We’ll see what we can do about that.”

Sometimes I think physicians feel if you leave their office empty handed they haven't provided value. Or perhaps they can control a prescription but can't control what their patients do (or do not do) with lifestyle change recommendations. Or maybe, patients are so accustomed to a quick fix, they feel gypped somehow walking out without a scrip in hand.

We left the office thinking if he had recommended a medication, the type you go on and never go off, would we fill the prescription? My husband felt strongly he’d opt out. But we asked each other, realistically could he achieve alternative health with more natural remedies like lifestyle changes?

Around the same time, I came across the following newspaper article Know Your Numbers, 3 Key Stats Help us Make Better Lifestyle Choices. “The Big Three,“ as the article referred to them, are total cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar (glucose).

The article states, “Of course, there are medications that help with these conditions…. But if you can do it naturally, with lifestyle changes, and let your body do its own balancing act, that’s better.”

The article outlines normal or target ranges, why it matters, and what you can do about it. The gist of it is as follows. (For more detail click on the link to the article above)

Blood Pressure:

Target: Less than 120/80

Why it matters: High blood pressure, the article explains, is probably the biggest risk factor for stroke.

What you can do: Maintain a healthy weight, elevate your heart rate through exercise 4-5 days, and eat a healthy diet.

Cholesterol:

Target: Less than 200; HDL 40 or higher for men, 50 or higher for women; LDL less than 100; triglycerides less than 150.

Why it matters: For preventing and reversing heart disease.

What you can do: Exercise, take fish oil supplements and keep blood sugar at safe levels.

Blood Sugar:

Target: Fasting Below 99, non-fasting below 140, hemoglobin A1C 5.6 or lower three-month average.

Why it matters: Avoid diabetes and blood vessel damage.

What you can do: Exercise and diet.

At the end of each of the big three the article explains, “ If lifestyle changes aren’t enough… your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medication. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medicine. If more help is needed, your doctor may prescribe insulin to control glucose levels.“

Prescription or lifestyle changes? What do you think?

Have you had success achieving alternative health through lifestyle changes or other all natural remedies or methods of holistic healing? Have you had first hand experience with chinese medicine, classical homeopathy or ajurveda? If so, please share your alternative healing experience to inspire others. Simply click on the blue button below to get started.

Top 14 Food Ingredients to Avoid

Amy Tyre — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:57:00 GMT

I was talking with a friend recently and she told me she had a list posted in her kitchen of food ingredients that are contrary to holistic health. I thought it was worth sharing with those of us who are concerned about alternative health.

Top 14 food ingredients to avoid* (in order of importance):

Partially Hydrogenated Oils or Hydrogenated oils (if there is less than one gram per serving of Trans Fats they don’t have to be listed on the front of the package)
MSG also listed as hydrolyzed protein, spices, glutamate, glutamic acid, autolyzed yeast, natural beef flavoring, whey protein, maltodextrin, soy protein isolate, soy sauce extract, natural flavorings, seasonings.
Aspartame
Splenda or Sucrulose
Sodium Benzoate/Benzene
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Nitrates or Nitrites
Natural or Artificial Flavors
Refined Oils
Dextose, Sucrose, Fructose
Artificial Color
Enriched Bleached Flour or Enriched Bleached White Flour
Soy Protein Isolate
Sugar

And one bonus

15. BHA and BHT (commonly found in breakfast cereals)

Have you achieved alternative health by altering your diet or by some other alternative medicine? Please share and rate your experience so everyone can benefit. Start by clicking on the yellow button below.

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*Noelle Stanley, Owner of My Body Balanced, a company that creates innovative ways and ideas to inspire individuals and organizations to incorporate holistic health by combining the best of ancient and modern nutrition created this list. You can find out more about Noelle and her company at mybodybalanced.com

Easy Ways To Protect Yourself From Cell Phone Radiation

Amy Tyre — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:05:00 GMT

In a previous blog post 13 Ways to Reduce Cell Phone Radiation point #2 was: "Try not to keep your phone turned on next to your body throughout the day. Or, if you must, position the cell phone so that the antenna, which emits radiation, is facing away from you."

Dr. Devra Davis, from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, has a long list of credentials including a PhD in Science Studies from the University of Chicago and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from Johns Hopkins. In the following video she presents the research and explains why cell phones should not be kept close to the body. She calls our attention to the fine print in the iPhone 4s Product Information Guide which clearly states "When carrying iPhone, keep it 1.5 cm (5/8 inch) or more away from your body to ensure exposure levels remain at or below the maximum levels."

Perhaps prevention is the best holistic medicine. Avoid carrying your cell phone in your pocket and don't hold it right up to your head. When talking on your phone use a headset or speaker phone.

For more information about the dangers of cell phones and to protect your natural health watch this compelling video.

Do you think protecting ourselves from cell phone radiation is an important step toward holistic health? Please comment below with your thoughts.

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If you have knowledge or information you think is of value to others please consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog.

For Alternative Health: Unlock our Self Imposed Prisons

Amy Tyre — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:23:00 GMT

Dr. Wayne Dyer, author of The Power of Intention talks a lot about how our thoughts create our reality. Perhaps this subject isn’t specifically alternative medicine but it is a key to achieving holistic health, natural health, alternative health or whatever you choose to call good health and well-being.

I recently came across the following article written by Jeff Martens, Co-owner of Innervision Yoga, Master Level Yoga Teacher and Dedicated Student of the world’s sacred texts.

In the article Placeholders he does a great job of explaining how and why we can become a prisoner to our own thoughts much like an addict. He describes our thoughts and subsequent reactions as an addition. He states, “If you have a physiological reaction there is an addiction, ” and goes on to say “The most powerful pharmacy in the universe is between your two ears.”

He concludes that each of us can break our addictions and free ourselves by reconnecting with our intention. “All that is necessary is to reorient yourself toward what it is that you truly want. Notice when the storm of emotion swells and switch your focus and remember what you really want. It is a practice,” he says.

He goes on to quote Pantanjali, who said “this practice must be continuous, sustained, and cultivated skillfully over a long period of time. This is the only work that matters. It is the work that hides behind all the other work that you think is oh-so-important.”

If you’ve achieved holistic healing by dissolving a self-created prison please take the time to share your experience to inspire others. Share your alternative healing stories using chinese medicine, classical homeopathy, ajurveda or any other all natural remedies. Please share to provide others the benefit of your experience. Simply click on the yellow button below.

Alternative Medicine Blog Writing

Amy Tyre — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:42:00 GMT

Are you a master in your alternative, complementary, or holistic medicine field?

Are you an author of alternative medicine related books or articles?

Are you looking for more exposure to potential customers?

Our passion is to help people find the right alternative medicine to help them when they don’t know what they need or where to turn. Alternative Medicine Connection is a website created to bring all the various alternative medicine modalities together in one place to help people who are searching for help. One important component is explaining what alternatives are available, how they work and when and why someone might be interested in giving them a try.

The site www.alternativemedicineconnection.com includes an unbiased space for end-users to share and rate their experiences; a practitioner directory; an alternative medicine blog for practitioners to share what they do and the benefits to potential patients; and a forum for people to ask (and respond to) questions and begin a conversation.

Would you like help finding the people who are looking for your services or expertise?

Consider contributing to our alternative medicine blog.

Do you have a personal experience, good bad or indifferent, with alternative medicine to share?

And please help us to build this community of like minded people by liking and talking about this on Facebook, and tweeting or forwarding to anyone you think might be interested.

Soy: Health Food or Waste Product?

Amy Tyre — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:53:00 GMT

I believe food is one of the building blocks for good health. But how do we know what food is best for us?

Take soy as an example. Many people, in search of improved health, follow a vegetarian diet and some avoid animal products all together in favor of a vegan diet (especially after viewing the film Forks Over Knives). In many cases high protein soy products are substituted for the eliminated animal products. But is this a healthy alternative?

Here in Phoenix, there is a new chain of smoothie bars with stores regularly popping up and touting the benefits of “soy protein isolate” which is used in the majority of the chain’s "meal replacement" smoothies. I came to understand soy protein isolate should be avoided some time ago, but I can’t remember what I read or where I read it.

This week I came across the article "Why We Don't Serve Soy" from Chakra 4 Herb and Tea House, a local Phoenix vegetarian restaurant. The article does a good job of explaining how soy food products are not all the same. It explains why some soy foods are potentially beneficial and why others can be hazardous. If you eat a lot of soy or know someone who does, it's worth a read.

Please tweet, re-post or forward to others who can benefit from this information. Post your responses as well. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Are soy foods good for you? The answer is: it depends.

Is Yoga Alternative Medicine?

Amy Tyre — Mon, 07 May 2012 01:15:00 GMT

Yoga has been getting a lot of press lately especially since the New York Times article "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body" was published earlier this year. The article was adapted from The Science of Yoga: The Risks and Rewards, by William J. Broad. The article highlights the potential dangers of yoga.

Perhaps the title is controversial to simply to sell more books. However, Broad makes some valid points. For example, yoga, like any form of exercise, leaves the practitioner open to injury. And, there is really no one size fits all approach. As a 10+ year practitioner and beginning teacher, I agree that Asana (physical postures) is not a panacea or a cure-all, but what a shame if people "throw the baby out with the bath water" so to speak for fear of injury.

By comparison, here is Arthur Boorman's story. He shares in the video below how he was a disabled veteran of the Gulf War for 15 years, and was told by his doctors that he would never be able to walk on his own, ever again. Well, never say never. Watch his inspirational story below:

Could yoga be considered a form of alternative medicine? If it leads to healing without drugs or surgery, I'd say yes. See my previous blog post Alternative and Complementary Medicine Defined (or not).

Do you have an alternative healing experience you can share that might inspire others? Please share your experience now by clicking on the blue link below.

If you want to start or continue practicing yoga it can be done with caution. Here’s my advice: (1) find a qualified teacher that feels right for you, (2) listen to your body and (3) always check your ego at the door.

Is “Alternative Medicine” more widely accepted outside the U.S.?

Amy Tyre — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:07:00 GMT

I just returned from a trip to Paris. I was struck by how more accepted some “alternative” medicine practices are there than in the US. In the pharmacies homeopathic and herbal remedies sit side by side with more conventional remedies. For example, Arnica gel (a homeopathic remedy) was prominently displayed by the cash register as an impulse item.

I talked with anyone who would listen about Alternative Medicine Connection and how I was working to gather individual experiences with alternative medicine in an effort to discover what remedies are working well for what types of ailments. I got a variety of responses.

One kind woman from the UK told me that she thought traditional (or western) medicine was limited and lacked compassion. She explained that her doctor had little interest in how she felt or what she had to say, but dictated to her with authority what she needed to do. She felt alternative medicine was of great value. She went on to tell me that it is widely known that the Queen of England uses homeopathy.

I met a couple of travelers from Germany who were split. With a bit of a language barrier, he explained he didn’t believe in alternative medicine. I think he was telling me he needed scientific proof. (I found this perspective particularly interesting since the Father of Homeopathy was German.) His colleague, on the other hand, had seen the benefits of alternatives first hand. She said growing up in small village they used primarily alternative methods and were rarely sick.

I tried to explain that whether you’re a believer or non-believer your experiences have equal value. I'm working to bring together in one place what has worked and just as importantly what has not. The goal is that with enough experiences, patterns of what really is working for people will emerge. Maybe with enough experiences we can move past the need to believe.

Have you had personal experience with alternative medicine like Homeopathy, Ayurveda or Acupuncture? Or had experience with an alternative medicine practitioner like a Holistic Physician, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chiropractor that you can share?

Please take the time to share your experience(s) by clicking on the blue button below:

Top 5 Health Risks and Prevention Tips

Amy Tyre — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:36:00 GMT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society the top 5 health risks are:

1. Heart Disease

2. Cancer

3. Stroke (for Women), Accidents (for Men)

4. Chronic lower resipiratory diseases

5. Alzheimer's disease (for Women), Stroke (for Men)

Prevention recommendations from Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare include:

1. Don't Smoke

2. Eat a Healthy Diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins

3. Physical and Mental Activity

4. Maintain a healthy weight

5. Limit Alcohol

6. Manage stress

7. Keep up routine health care

Although basic, these are good reminders for all of us. After all, prevention is the best alternative health remedy. What do you do for preventive wellness or holistic health that others might learn from. Please share your experience(s) for the benefit of others at Alternative Medicine Connection.com by clicking on the blue button below.

Could Food be Alternative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis?

Amy Tyre — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 01:34:00 GMT

In 2000, Dr. Terry Wahls was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic disease for which there is no known cure. A physician, she sought out the best doctors and the latest drugs. But, her condition continued to decline. Once a Tai Kwon Do champion, she descended to a world of disability relegated to a tilt recline wheel chair on the verge of being bedridden.

In an effort to help herself, she turned to the research. She learned that brains afflicted with MS shrank over time. So every night she read the latest research about diseases in which the brain shrinks including Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. She learned that in each of these diseases, the Mitochondria do not work well. She found studies in mice that showed fish oil, creatine and co-enzyme Q 10 were beneficial. She extrapolated the doses for humans and used herself as a guinea pig.

Encouraged as her decline slowed, she continued to study brain cell biology. In medical school, she explains in the video below, she memorized countless reactions involving the mitochondria but she didn’t learn which vital compounds her body could manufacture and which she needed to consume.

Additional study led her to add B vitamins, sulfur and antioxidant supplements to her daily regiment. But, she concluded if she got the nutrients she was seeking from food she’d probably get many more “unidentified” nutrients that might be beneficial as well. She adopted an ancient hunter gather (or Paleo) diet of organic, local and fresh leaves, roots, berries, meats and fish. She was careful to include all the nutrients she needed for her brain cells and mitochondria.

Her diet included three cups of green leaves, three cups of sulfur rich vegetables (includes cabbage family of broccoli, cauliflower and kale and onions, mushrooms and asparagus), three cups of bright colors (ie peppers, carrots, beets, berries and brightly colored fruits) grass fed meats, organ meats, wild fish and seaweed.

Three months after adopting this diet she could walk between exam rooms using one cane, five months later she rode her bike for the first time in a decade and nine months later she rode 18 miles.

“These ancient peoples know more about eating for optimal health and vitality then we physicians and scientists.” She says. For more information, there are many books about ancient diets including The Paleo Diet or The Primal Blueprint.

Do you have your own story of natural healing through diet or alternative methods either on your own or with the help of an Alternative Medicine Practitioner that. Compiling and sharing experiences is what Alternative Medicine Connection is all about. Please share your experience by simply clicking on the blue button below.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Explained

Amy Tyre — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:41:00 GMT

Many of us equate Traditional Chinese Medicine (or TCM) with acupuncture. While acupuncture is one form of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine there is a lot more to understanding TCM.

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine grew out of Taoist concepts of balance and harmony with the universe. It explains health and illness in terms of the circulation of qi, or energy force, throughout the body. Different sources provide varying dates. Let's just say it's old - having evolved over somewhere between 2000 to 5000 years. While Chinese Medicine is considered an alternative health modality in the West it is a part of mainstream medical care in East Asia accounting for an estimated 40% of medical care in China.

The Basics

There are eight principles based on opposing values that explain health and illness:

Interior and exterior describe location. Acute, short-lived and superficial invasions of pathogens cause exterior conditions affecting hair, skin, peripheral nerves and blood vessels, joints, and muscles. Interior conditions affect brain, bones, spinal cord, deep blood vessels and body organs.
Xu, or excess and shi, or deficiency describe severity and duration. Deficiencies such as lack of qi, fluids or blood cause chronic illnesses. An excess of qi or blood causes an acute condition.
Heat and cold measure energy. Cold is associated with sluggish metabolism and pale skin, and heat with high fever, flushing, and heightened energy.
Yin and yang are the two fundamental forces that oppose yet complement each other, and shape all life as they interact.

There are five elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine; air, earth, water, fire and wood. Each corresponds both to seasons and to body parts. For example, wood is associated with the liver, the gall bladder, and spring. Each of these elements exists in everyone, but one element usually predominates and describes that person.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Practitioners diagnose by reading the six different pulses in each wrist, examining the tongue, and interviewing the patient. Diagnosis comes from gathering information, both the patient's symptoms and overall characteristics, and forming what the Chinese call a "pattern of disharmony" which describes a situation of "imbalance." Treatments, individually tailored to each patient, include acupunture, herbs, massage, cupping, moxibustion, dietary therapies or tai chi.

Acupuncture - is considered generally safe and possibly effective by Western Medicine.

Massage - uses the same channels, and is sometimes described as acupuncture without needles.

Herbs - are described in Chinese Medicine in terms of nature, affinity, taste and primary action. An herb can be warming or cooling in nature. They are thought to have affinities for different organs. They dispel, purge, tonify (strengthen), or astringe (restrain). Herbs with salty, spicy, bland, bitter or sour tastes treat different types of conditions.

Foods - a food's energy refers to its capacity to generate sensations in the body. The five energies of foods are cold, hot, warm, cool and neutral. Diet selections depend on current health conditions. A patient with an illness that is hot and dry should not eat warming foods, for example. Food directly affects qi, along with heredity and environment. Like herbs, in traditional Chinese medicine diet is used to increase qi, blood and moisture, promote good digestion, and support organ function.

Have you had personal experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine? Some other alternative medicine or natural healing modality? Please take the time to share your experience. We want to know what is working and perhaps what is not. Just click on the blue button below, sign-in and answer 6 easy questions.