OrganizedWisdom Health - Mind-Body Modalities

Relaxation Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

AndreaMB1978 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:51:45 GMT

Relaxation therapy is said to be helpful in reducing stress and improving many chronic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Relaxation therapies are often categorized into a group of therapies called mind-body techniques. Mind-body practices have led to significant improvements in RA pain, disability, overall psychological state, coping, and belief in one's own ability to handle situations. Mind-body therapies appear to be more helpful for people who have had RA for a shorter period of time, rather than those who have suffered for a longer time.

Fast Facts:

Types of relaxation techniques include: rhythmic breathing, deep breathing, visualized breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, music relaxation, and mental imagery relaxation.
Tai chi, an approach from traditional Chinese medicine using certain postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and slow movements, has been studied in regard to the treatment of RA.
Mind-body techniques have virtually no risks, and can be done at a time and place that is preferred by each individual.
Stress is said to weaken the immune system, which in turn can cause RA symptoms to become worse.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Relaxation_Therapy_for_Rheumatoid_Arthritis

Meditation May Treat Insomnia

AmyS — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:35:51 GMT

A new study reveals that meditation may be a cure for insomnia. Those who suffer from primary insomnia have reported that they sleep better after meditating. Primary insomnia is a difficulty in falling, and staying, asleep.

Fast Facts:

The study looked at 11 healthy adults between the ages of 25 and 45.
Participants were divided into two groups, group 1 doing Kriya Yoga, and group 2 undergoing health education.
These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Meditation_May_Treat_Insomnia

High Blood Pressure and Meditation

KenyottaE — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:33:15 GMT

Meditation has proven to be a safe and effective way of controlling high blood pressure. Participants of a study on the effect of mediation on high blood pressure were able to either reduce the amount of medications they were taking or eliminate the use of them altogether. Transcendental meditation was shown to be the most beneficial meditative technique.

Fast Facts:

Approximately 50 million people in the United States have high blood pressure.
Untreated high blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
Meditation is most effective in treating high blood pressure if practiced daily.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/High_Blood_Pressure_and_Meditation

Meditation and Bipolar Disorder

Jkg0679 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:41:19 GMT

Meditation can be used to treat depression, one of the phases of bipolar disorder. Brain scans of individuals while meditating have shown that people become more aware of their emotions during meditation. This awareness reduces the risk of depression.

Fast Facts:

Meditation is a mental state that allows people deep relaxation.
Meditation is also used to reduce stress and pain.
Meditation can alter metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and brain chemistry.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Meditation_and_Bipolar_Disorder

Biofeedback for Rheumatoid Arthritis

KenyottaE — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:23:12 GMT

Some believe that biofeedback can be used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Muscle and temperature biofeedback has shown to help reduce the chronic pain that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. By improving blood flow through temperature biofeedback, it may be possible to decrease inflammation and swelling.

Fast Facts:

Research has shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of biofeedback for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Biofeedback may require 30-60 minutes sessions that will help you learn the proper technique.
You should discuss using biofeedback to treat rheumatoid arthritis with your health care provider.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Biofeedback_for_Rheumatoid_Arthritis

Bipolar and Hypnotherapy

Crdelucas — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:18:51 GMT

Hypnotherapy can be a complementary therapy to help with behavioral feelings associated with bipolar disorder. Relaxation, concentration, and focused attention are the primary goals of hypnotherapy. It is important to consult with a licensed hypnotherapist to ensure the patient is an ideal candidate for therapy.

Fast Facts:

Follow your physician's orders and do not stop taking medications. Hypnotherapy is used to aid with treatment of bipolar disorder, not to cure the disease.
Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are excellent options to help with stress and anxiety.
Individuals require "open" minds for hypnotherapy to be effective.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Bipolar_and_Hypnotherapy

Osteopathy

JRafferty — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:36:33 GMT

Osteopathy is a type of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on the person and emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal system. It was introduced in the United States in 1874 It is a holistic approach to medicine that relies on the body’s own powers to heal through manipulation of the muscular structure.

Fast Facts:

A physician that specializes in osteopathy is referred to as a osteopathic physician.
Founded by Andrew Taylor Still.
Some conditions that can be treated using osteopathy include back pain, whiplash, stress, depression, asthma, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and arthritis.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Osteopathy

Meditation and Anxiety

JRafferty — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:57:47 GMT

Meditation may be able to help people who have anxiety disorders. Meditation allows a person to focus and gain more control over their thoughts. This allows them to focus on thoughts that are calming and relaxing and not so negativive and distressing.

Fast Facts:

Recent studies suggest that people with anxiety disorders may have a hard time meditating.
Anxiety can be the result of a variety of issues such as a mental illness, health conditions, or drugs.
Meditation may also help people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Meditation_and_Anxiety

Craniosacral Therapy for Autism

KevinB — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:07:26 GMT

Craniosacral therapy is a possible treatment plan for autism. A physician will design a custom treatment plan for the individual, with a focus on improving the central nervous system and promoting relaxation. Craniosacral therapy is a gentle touch therapy, where the physician's hands are placed on the neck, feet, jaws, and sacrum of the patient.

Fast Facts:

A craniosacral therapy session lasts about one and a half hours.
Gently touching those points on the body is meant to promote a balance for cerebrospinal fluid and the tissues surrounding the spine and brain.
There are no scientific studies with strong experimental designs and results that support the effectiveness of this therapy.
Prospective patients should know that cranjiosacral therapy is untested and will likely be ineffective in treating autism.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Craniosacral_Therapy_for_Autism

Psoriasis and Acupuncture

KenyottaE — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:32:36 GMT

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating psoriasis in some people. Although the method is not specifically aimed at treating psoriasis, it has been a side benefit of treating other conditions. There has been little research conducted on the benefits of using acupuncture for psoriasis.

Fast Facts:

Those using acupuncture should combine their treatment with a cleansing diet.
The benefits of using acupuncture may take several weeks.
Before beginning acupuncture to treat psoriasis, please consult with your primary care provider.

Visit http://organizedwisdom.com/Psoriasis_and_Acupuncture