Having depression comes with the feeling of being helpless when medication is your only option. Thankfully, you are not limited to this and there are a number of therapies that can be used. These therapies can do a lot to fight back and they range from direct effects on brain chemicals responsible for mood, mind-body …
Gradually we are moving from spring to summer and the combination of sun, fresh flowers and warm air, but for some its means puffy itchy red eyes, runny noses, sneezing and headaches. Good News! although the seasons are unavoidable, the need for antihistamines and a constant supply of tissues can be avoided with a few …
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic conditions of the digestive system found in around 1 in 5 people. Women are 2-3 times more likely to develop IBS. It is characterised by bouts of abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea and/or constipation. The severity varies from one person to another. They can last from a few …
Having to change to a gluten-free diet can be very challenging for those who eat Chapatti (flat-bread) as a central part of their diet. For anyone with an allergy or intolerance to gluten, the chapatti / paratha / puri is by far the most missed item, particularly in an Indian meal. On its own gluten free flour …
The importance of vitamin D has been often highlighted in recent years. A new study published in Dec 2015 by the University of Sheffield has found a significant link between vitamin D and the severity of irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, and perceived quality of life. The trial on 51 IBS patients found that 82% …
Stress is a normal response of the body to unwanted stimuli. These can be physical, mental or environmental. When stress becomes continuous with little reprieve it can elicit negative body responses. Often it can affect your health without you realizing it, e.g. headaches, heartburn, insomnia and memory problems. Thoughts and feelings are also affected which …
Part 9: Mechanical signaling as a mechanism for Acupuncture To date much of the acupuncture mechanism of action has been related to the nervous system, linking it to the medical physiological concept of ‘‘Gate control theory of pain’. Based on this theory acupuncture needling or electrical stimulation is said to activate relevant neural pathways. However …
Part 8: Arrival of Qi (De Qi) The phenomenon of “Arrival of Qi” (De Qi) has been described as a vital part of the effectiveness of an acupuncture treatment. It is described as a sensation of soreness, numbness or a feeling of distension around the point after the needle is inserted to a certain depth. …
Part 7: Do Meridians lines lie in fascia? Fung (2009) hypothesized that TCM meridian system upper boundaries are the skin with dense sensory receptors of various types, while the lower boundaries are another layer of connective tissue with intersititial fluid flowing through. Numerous other studies suggest the most probable location is the fascia just beneath …
Part 6: What are TCM meridians ? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) text Qi flow in a network of meridian channels found all over the body, but despite scientific efforts we have yet to find the modern biomedical equivalent. There are 12 major meridians, supported by 8 extra meridians, 15 collaterals and others. Each …
