August 13, 2010 in Massage Therapy, Wellness by empoweringwellness

9 natural “cures” that may actually work

I recently came across an article written Jean Weiss from Prevention Magazine titled “9 natural cures you can trust.” Jean cites research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on complementary, alternative medicine (CAM). According to Josephine Briggs, MD, director of National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the NIH (NCCAM), “the science shows which approaches work.”

Here’s a list of 9 alternative cures that act as a safe adjunct to medication and other conventional treatment.

Massage therapy can help with depression. Chronic mental and emotional stress, both of which can lead to depression, are eased by massage, so it’s hardly a surprise that a number of studies conclude that massage therapy helps lift the blues.

Tai chi can help with insomnia. Tai chi, the slow, meditative exercise regimen, originally developed as a martial art in China more than 2,500 years ago and practiced widely across Asia today, improves sleep quality in adults with moderate insomnia, CAM researchers say.

Bromelain can help with swelling and inflammation. The indigenous peoples of South America have used bromelain for centuries to dress and treat wounds. Now, recent research confirms that a medicinal compound (today taken in a pill) extracted from the stem and juice of the pineapple plant speeds healing of acute injuries such as cuts and bruises. It works by stopping the production of prostaglandins, hormonelike compounds that are by-products of inflammation, improving blood circulation at the injury site.

Acupuncture can help with chronic pain. A rash of new research affirms this ancient therapy as a powerful head-to-toe pain reliever for a wide range of conditions.

Glucosamine/chondroitin can help with joint pain. Does it work? There has been a lot of conflicting research. But, the NCCAM study analyses finally bring clarity to the issue: Glucosamine is most effective in sulfate form; combined with chondroitin, it reduces joint pain in people with moderate-to-severe arthritis but is less helpful for those who have mild discomfort.

Cocoa can help with hypertension. Delectable news: Consumed daily for at least 2 weeks, cocoa (the darker the better) can reduce blood pressure among people with severe hypertension.

Green tea may help with rheumatoid arthritis. Although the findings so far are limited to laboratory animals, intriguing new research points to green tea’s ability to marshal the body’s defenses against rheumatoid arthritis.

Rhodiola can help with anxiety attacks. One reason we know that rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) works is because it’s been used worldwide for centuries, especially in Russia, Scandinavia, and Iceland (it grows in extreme northern climates), to quell anxiety and strengthen mental stamina.

Hypnosis may help with hot flashes. Women who were hypnotized during five weekly sessions reduced both the frequency and severity of their hot flashes, according to fascinating new research.

Read the full article, “9 natural cures you can trust.”

August 12, 2010 in Coaching, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Rewarding (not so) bad behavior

Every day, we are bombarded with endless advice about how to live our lives, what to eat, what not to eat, how much we should exercise, and more. As an Intrinsic Coach, people come to me asking for help and advice on a myriad of topics, such as,

- I need to find time to exercise more
- I want to improve my diet
- I want to achieve greater balance in my life

All of these things are good. We should try to exercise and eat the “right” things. and we definitely need balance in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. But sometimes, I want to pull a “Steven Slater” if I receive just one more “self-help” tip from some guru or coach.

So, I was really encouraged when I saw this article that highlights new research that shows that these 6 “naughty” habits may actually be good for you!

1. Getting pissed off can keep stress in check – Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that anger — as opposed to fear or anxiety — can prompt your brain to release less cortisol, the powerful stress hormone linked to problems like obesity, bone loss, and heart disease.

2. Downing coffee could cut your cancer risk – Studies show that drinking daily joe may minimize your risk for Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

3. Being a slob may help you breathe easier – Environmental and internal medicine expert Kenneth Rosenman, M.D., says you should focus on keeping your home reasonably clean, not entirely pristine.

4. Drinking beer may benefit your heart and bones – Go ahead, crack open that brewski: Research indicates that beer could be an even better heart-disease fighter than red wine, says Charles Bamforth, Ph.D.

5. Surfing the Internet might tune up your brain – A new study at the University of California at Los Angeles found that just one week of frequent Web browsing can fire up your brain’s complex-reasoning hubs.

6. Chewing gum can keep you trim – Recent research shows that chomping on gum — ever so politely, of course — can improve both short- and long-term memory (scientists are still figuring out exactly why).

So, go ahead. Have a beer. Eat some chocolate, Don’t make your bed today, and spend time on Facebook chatting with your friends. As your mom or grandmother might have said, most things are ok for you as long as you practice a little moderation!

Peace.