Erin, a 28-year-old graduate student, lives with chronic upper back problems. The pain is brutal sometimes, and her back locks up for no reason. she tried many different remedies and found that chiropractic care and acupuncture both work well. after a session of either, she feels immediate relief. still, she must have regular treatment or her back will seize up again. Erin, who asked that her last name not be used, is far from alone — chronic back pain is one of the most common maladies affecting Americans. according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nine of 10 people experience back pain during their lifetimes.

What Causes Back Pain?

Some sore backs result from a car accident or trying to pick up something heavy. most common, however, is back pain arising from “the cumulative microtrauma through years of living,” in the words of Appleton, Wis., chiropractor Matthew Lederer.

Other experts echo those thoughts.

“In our culture, long hours in a car and seated at a desk are a recipe for eventual back problems,” said David Saum, an acupuncturist with Southview Acupuncture Clinic in South St. Paul, Minn. “The most common causes of back pain are overwork and trauma — sometimes the first leads to the second.”

According to an overview of back pain from the National Institute of Health, the back is uniquely complicated. It is made up of dozens of bones, muscles and nerves, all of which must be in harmony. a slight strain in one muscle or a slight misalignment between two bones can constrict a nerve, causing back pain.

Chiropractors such as Lederer take X-rays to ensure that patients’ spines are in need of realignment.

“What I see most often in the X-rays I take are spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease or other conditions,” he said.

Treating The Pain

Surgery may be necessary for more serious cases of back pain, but Lederer emphasized that it is only an option after more conservative options have been exhausted. He cited a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association that showed back surgery and certain exercise programs yield about the same results.

Manipulation from a chiropractor is a much less drastic method for helping resolve the imbalance that causes the pain. Chiropractors go through years of training to learn how to adjust joints enough to restore a normal range of motion.

Spinal manipulation — often accompanied by the “pop” of air being moved from a joint — is not a full solution by itself. according to Lederer, “chiropractic care now and exercise later” is the best approach. He gives patients exercises to perform that will strengthen back muscles, and he also emphasizes the need for periodic adjustments.

Long-Term Solutions

Of course, if your job is contributing to your back problems, it may be necessary to change the conditions in which you work.

“Most commonly, people do not realize the ergonomic measures they should be taking,” said Lederer. “People often wait until a problem emerges rather than doing preventative care.”

Your employer may offer an ergonomic assessment that can rearrange your workspace and put your back in a better position. Ergonomics experts can teach you how to work in a way that does not strain your back.

They can also give you equipment that lessens the strain on your body such as ergonomic mouse pads and keyboards. good back health involves more than just sitting straight — hand strain can contribute to back pain, and vice versa.

Does Poking Work?

In the U.S., more and more people are finding traditional Chinese medicine to be a helpful remedy. In his work in alternative medicine, Saum takes a broad, holistic approach to patient care.

“Our training tells us to look for supporting factors or constitutional weaknesses that can be treated as well,” said Saum. “This leads to a better, more effective treatment.”The treatments vary according to the types of pain and the predilections of the patient. We treat the symptoms and the cause, or ‘root and branch.’”

Perhaps the most prevalent treatment in Chinese medicine is acupuncture. Acupuncture involves piercing the skin with very small needles. The needles themselves are so thin that they seldom cause a “stinging” sensation, but they are noticeable.

“Each patient has to be treated individually according to their constitution,” he said.

Mainstream medical opinion is generally favorable of acupuncture, provided it is done by a trained expert. According to WebMD, many rigorous studies, including several by the National Institutes of Health, have concluded that acupuncture is effective in lessening pain.

However, the medical community has few accepted explanations for why it works.

Galway Advertiser, December 01, 2011.

the World Health Organization lists hundreds of conditions that can be treated with acupuncture. Some of the conditions that affect breathing are infections, such as colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma, and eye, ear, nose, throat, and sinus infections. Patients with lung cancer could find acupuncture useful to strengthen their immunity and reduce the side-effects of conventional medicine.

according to traditional Chinese medicine, chronic respiratory conditions can arise from lung, spleen/pancreas, liver, or kidney deficiencies. Proper diagnosis is made from patient history, as well as examination of the tongue and pulse. Chinese medicine offers an effective adjunct to standard medical therapy. by regulating the internal deficiencies, boosting the functioning of the respiratory system, increasing circulation, and the vitality of the body, Chinese medicine will mitigate the development of this disease process. In addition Chinese medicine can help manage such symptoms as wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, and phlegm congesting in the lungs.

Contact Care & Cure clinics for a free consultation or phone Ling at (086) 215 9282 for further information.

more Stories most Popular

(WINDSOR, ON) – the thought of warm sunshiny days and clear blue skies makes most of us want to run out to enjoy the great outdoors. however for some, avoiding Mother Nature is seemingly more appealing. More than 60% of Canadians are affected by allergens from pollen, mold, pet dander and dust. Not only do the symptoms cause severe discomfort, it has also been linked to decreased productivity in the workplace.

Many allergy sufferers rely on oral anti-histamines from Western pharmaceuticals for temporary relief of allergy symptoms like sneezing, running nose and cough, over time; these medications lose their effect and come with their own set of side effects, drowsiness being the most common. Studies have shown that Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture may provide effective treatment for allergies sufferers as well as long-lasting results. These traditional healing methods not only help to provide relief from allergy symptoms, but also stimulate the body’s own natural capacity to process toxic allergens by strengthening the body’s immune system.

The mechanism of an allergy

Simply stated, an allergy is an overreaction of your body’s immune system. Exposure to a normally harmless substance in the environment can cause allergy-ridden individuals to react as if the substance was harmful. when these substances begin to cause allergic reactions, they are referred to as allergens. Allergens trigger the body to release two chemicals: 1) Histamines – stimulate mucous production and causes congestion, redness, swelling and inflammation and 2) Prostaglandins – constrict airways causing difficulties in breathing and enlarge blood vessels. once these two chemicals are released, the related symptoms can last for hours and even days.

Natural Remedies

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, sinus allergies are due to weakness of the Lung and Kidney Defensive Qi. As discussed in a previous article, defensive Qi is the “energy” which protects our body from external disease. With Chinese medicinal herbs and acupuncture, we are able to both strengthen and nourish these organs. Allergy-related immune cells have shown to be less active after Acupuncture treatments, likely dampening their reaction. the treatments also prompt the brain to release endorphins and other chemicals that improve blood circulation which helps to relieve congestion.

Huang Qin (Radix Scutellaria Baicalensis)

Harvested during the autumn months in the Jilin Province of China, this herb is commonly used for its detoxifying properties. With its cooling nature, it helps to clear heat in the upper respiratory tract and therefore eliminate mucous formation which causes nasal congestion as well as opening airways to facilitate easy breathing for asthma patients. Clinical research has also shown the alkaloids extracted from Huang Qin to possess strengthening effects on the immune system by producing anti-histamine effects to prevent the release of enzymes from mast cells. the healing properties of this herb are vast, its use has also demonstrated much success in lowering blood pressure, promoting lipid metabolism to decrease cholesterol levels as well as helping with irritability and anxiety.

Xin Yi Hua (Flos Magnoliae)

The magnolia flower is referred to as an “exterior-releasing” herb, one which helps the body to release and eliminate disorders lodged within the layers of the body. Often times, Traditional Chinese Medicine treats diseases by bring the disease to the surface of the body so that it may be released from the pores in the skin. Xin Yi Hua is commonly used to treat conditions such as headaches, chronic sinusitis, nasal congestion, mucous accumulation and red, irritated eyes. This herb enters into the Lung and Stomach meridian channels which both travel onto the face within the nasal area. It is for this reason that Xin Yi Hua is so effective in opening up nasal congestion to treat sinus problems. Research has also found topical application of this flower beneficial in decreasing mucous production in the nasal cavity, as well; it can be applied onto the skin to eliminate dark facial spots.

Cang Er Zi (Fructus Sibirici Xanthii)

During the months of August and September, this fruit is harvested when ripened. With its sweet, yet slightly bitter taste, Cang Er Zi enters into the Lung meridian channels to open up the nasal passages, breakdown mucous and eliminate headaches associated with sinus congestion. Cang Er Zi is also a source of Vitamin C, a vitamin which promotes and enhances immune function to protect against illness. Vitamin C is also necessary for healthy connective tissue, bones, teeth and cartridge.

Though the herbs discussed above are both common and beneficial to those suffering with sinus allergies, they may not be for everyone. Be sure to seek a trained Chinese Medical Doctor and herbalist to find the right herbs for you.

Don’t be stuck inside during the spring and summer months. the combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can provide symptomatic relief of allergies for sufferers of all ages. once symptoms are under control and relieved, it is then possibly to address the underlying balances that keep attacks returning season after season. Strengthening ones immune system will help to build up a weakened respiratory system to prevent further occurrences of sinus allergies while allowing the tissues of the nasal cavity to heal.

Mable Cheung, Acupuncturist at Cheung’s Trading Co. ltd. for more information, feel free to contact Mable at 519.252.9228 or at mailto:cheungstrading.com

These days, acupuncture, which is an Asian remedy, is being extremely utilised in look for depressive disorders treatment. in Canada, people who suffer from this or people that have depressed acquaintances are suggested to attend acupuncture in Toronto. It is the use of needles to activate the neurons in the body. Since depressive disorders is a mind condition, acupuncture can actually support so much. There are doctors along with other medical professionals who even suggest their sufferers to attend an acupuncture medical center.

Having issues is part in our everyday lives. Via the a long time that Lord presented us the gift of life; we encounter several issues rooting from numerous distinct things. According to some folks, issues are challenges that God intently give us to test our belief. There are some people who can handle issues really easily. There are also some who finds it really difficult to cope with distinct life scenarios.

Difficulties have numerous roots. Some students locate it really difficult to balance activities and academic subjects. Additionally experience issues when it comes to distribution of requirements. Included pressures from the family and peer are also a large issue. Experts are really much prone to issues due to the technical issues of the things they’re doing. There are some professionals who also handle so much stress from the family and work. Individuals who lack relaxation but carries loads of stresses are anticipated to face bigger issues. when they actually fail to handle it all, it leads to a condition known as depressive disorders.

Depression is currently regarded as as a disease. Tension and complaint are the common reasons why folks suffer from this. However, other elements like lack of nutrition and heredity can also be regarded as. It takes away so numerous things from a person. It makes him drop his high self esteem. in addition , it doesn’t enable a person to be as socially secure as he can. Typically, depressive disorders is being treated through anti-depressant drugs. However, not all folks can normally adapt to drugs. There are some who’re also not permitted to take any type of medicine due to allergy or any other medical ailments. There still other solutions for depressive disorders. Toronto active release therapy is yet another very good choice.

While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to be seen by many as the panacea, its safety profile has plummeted since research in 2002 linked it with a higher risk of breast cancer, stroke and blood clots (even though for most women the risk of these is still small – see box).

A million women quit HRT virtually overnight and by 2006, only 15 per cent of those aged 50-plus were taking it, compared to 40 per cent in 2000. Only this month, figures from Cancer Research UK pointed to HRT as the cause of the small rise in breast cancer over the past decade.

Since then, not much has emerged as an effective treatment for menopause symptoms. the latest research suggests that acupuncture may help ease hot flushes, with women who had needles inserted at various points on the body reporting fewer of these symptoms than those who had sham treatment. the theory is that this traditional Chinese treatment may help stabilise the body’s temperature controls. But, with only 53 women participating, the findings are far from proven.

For women in demanding jobs like Layward’s senior management role, this time of life can be particularly tough. At work she did her best to hide her symptoms, despite feeling lousy much of the time. “there was no way on earth I would have gone to HR and told them about how I was feeling,” she says. “it would have felt like professional suicide.”

And with hot flushes visibly obvious, she didn’t wish to become a figure of fun to some of her more ribald colleagues. “In the past, I’d seen women at work teased when they were having hot flushes” she says.

High-profile celebrities such as Oprah and Kim Cattrall (whose character, Samantha, experiences hot flushes in Sex and the City) may be “coming out” about the menopause; but new research reveals that, as in Layward’s case, “the change” is still something working women prefer to keep to themselves, out of embarrassment and fear of being seen as less competent.

The study, just published by the University of Nottingham, has shown that nearly half of women going through the menopause have difficulty coping with symptoms at work; yet two thirds say they would not dream of disclosing their menopausal status to their bosses, male or female. this was particularly true of those in demanding jobs – which might involve giving presentations at lengthy meetings, for example. half of these said they would also avoid mentioning hot flushes and other symptoms to colleagues, especially if these were men or younger women,

It is understandable that people want to keep intimate health details to themselves, says lead researcher Amanda Griffiths, Professor of Occupational Health Psychology at Nottingham. But with 3.5 million women over the age of 50 working full-time, the challenge of the menopause is fast becoming an occupational health issue and should be treated as such, with more support from employers, she says.

“If women don’t feel they can speak openly, then they won’t get the support they need,” she argues. Prof Griffiths’s study is the basis of new guidance published by the TUC on how support for menopausal women can be increased, through more awareness, more flexible working hours and, crucially, improvements in workplace temperature control and ventilation.

“If you need to take a break and have a lie down, you are entitled to ask for it. it should be understood that you may need a fan, to sit by an open window or have time out,” she adds.

Jenny Hislop, senior researcher in primary care at Oxford University, who has recently conducted extensive interviews with nearly 50 menopausal women for the charity website, Healthtalkonline, agrees that women are reluctant to talk about some of the difficulties.

“We found that menopausal symptoms are at odds with the self-confident, professional image women want to convey at work,” she says.

Her interviews include one senior police officer who contemplated early retirement when she felt her hard-won authority was being undermined by menopausal symptoms. “I was suffering frequent panic attacks and very frightening problems with concentration and memory loss. it felt as though somebody had taken the chip out of my brain,” she says. Another woman, working on a Tesco checkout, felt it was better to join in male colleagues’ laughter at her hot flushes than show her feelings. “Deep down, you’re upset, but it’s happening in a public place so what can you do? You get your blonde jokes, you get your menopause jokes,” she says.

It doesn’t help that the menopause is largely neglected in medical education and GP training, says Oxford GP Sally Hope, a specialist in women’s reproductive health. “the consensus among GPs today is that menopausal symptoms are trivial – and most doctors don’t have time to offer the support needed or talk through the complex issues surrounding HRT.”

Layward, who is now working as an independent scientific consultant, eventually decided to take HRT after carefully weighing up its risks and benefits, and says she has never regretted it. “My symptoms disappeared as quickly as they had arrived and six years later, I still feel great. anyone who tries to take it off me will have a fight on their hands.”

Just in case any younger women are now dreading the menopause, there is a liberating upside to this time of life, she adds reassuringly. it is not just that her children are grown up and flown the nest. “not having to worry about getting pregnant or the menstrual cycle is lovely, and I feel I have a lot more confidence and experience.”

healthtalkonline.org

Menopause: what works?

Eight out of 10 women suffer from menopausal symptoms, linked to fluctuations in hormone levels as fertility comes to an end. These include hot flushes, memory loss, mood swings and vaginal dryness.

HRT is effective but has risks for every 1,000 women using HRT in their 50s, there will be six extra cases of breast cancer, blood clots or stroke. Regulatory bodies advise taking the “lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time”.

Tibolone, a synthetic hormone, can help but, like HRT, it increases the risk of stroke and breast cancer. Clonidine is sometimes used to treat hot flushes but has side effects. Testosterone, combined with oestrogen, may occasionally be given as implants for low sex drive.

Some women take plant oestrogens, available as supplements, but one study from 2007 found no good evidence for these. some experts worry that these could increase the risk of hormone-related cancers. Researchers are not sure if herbal remedies, such as agnus castus and black cohosh, are effective.

Font Size:

Sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes–they’re all symptoms of seasonal allergies. Some sufferers try everything to feel better, but it doesn’t always work.

But some alternative doctors have found unique ways to treat symptoms, like ancient Chinese medicine, using the body’s own ability to heal itself.

“Acupuncture is not going to go in an suppress anything it’s going to help the body to go back into a batter balance,” says Cheryl Meltzer, OMD, owner of Stevens Point Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Meltzer says allergies are related to an imbalance in the organ systems of the body. so acupuncturists work to bring the body into balance, by targeting acupressure points.

“We’re thinking of how that point is going to make deep inner connections along all of the deep inner energetic pathways that aren’t on the surface,” Meltzer says.

Another treatment also uses acupressure points, with a laser therapy technique, targeting allergens in the body.

“The brain has made an inappropriate association with those substances it creates histamine,” says naturopathic doctor Betty Ann Peters, NDPhys, owner of Wausau Wellness Center.

Peters says the machine picks up the frequency of the allergen and associates it with a positive response in the body.

“What it does is it reduces the stress on the nervous system so that the body can work naturally,” Peters says.

Stevens Point chiropractor Wally Schmitt says chiropractic adjustments will improve the body’s nervous system, boosting overall health.

“You look at allergies, it’s an overactive response to the immune system and what controls the immune system, the nervous system,” Schmitt says.

These alternative therapies all use different methods, but they have one thing in common–a whole body approach to treating allergies.

“When you start looking at natural ways, that’s just allowing your body to do what it normally does but just supporting it in a way that it can accomplish that,” says Schmitt.

Their goal: to get patients to where they are not reliant on any constant medicating of themselves. And these doctors say their methods work naturally in most cases.

“One of the things I’ve noticed that’s been a common thread of everyone that’s been in here is that their energy level goes through the roof they feel wonderful,” says Peters.

Allergists we contacted to declined to comment on these alternative methods. they instead recommend traditional treatments, such as medicines or shots.

‘Fighting the menopause’: a survey suggests acupuncture can curb the severity of hot flushes and also relieve mood swings

Acupuncture can help women suffering from the most common symptoms of the menopause, it is claimed.

A study suggests the ancient Chinese needle therapy can curb the severity of hot flushes and also relieve mood swings among women receiving it regularly.

Hot flushes can suddenly produce an uncomfortable feeling of intense heat, while frequent flushes at night can disrupt sleep. 

The symptoms are caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the skin and are linked to hormone imbalances, but they are still not fully understood.

Medication proven to combat flushes includes Hormone Replacement Therapy and some antidepressants, which appear to damp down the body’s blood vessel system.

In the study, which was published in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, Turkish researchers looked at 53 menopausal women.

Twenty seven received acupuncture twice a week for ten weeks. this involved placing needles at certain points on the body to boost energy and release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

The remaining volunteers were given ‘dummy’ acupuncture with blunted needles.

At the end of the trial, those receiving genuine treatment had lower scores for the intensity of the hot flushes and mood swings they experienced – which progressively improved over the treatment period – compared with those given dummy needles.

The researchers said the effect on endorphins might curb flushes by stabilising the body’s temperature controls, but they were unable to say how long the effect lasted after treatment finished.

The researchers admit the trial was small but claim the complementary therapy could be worth trying for menopausal women unable or unwilling to use HRT.

In a different study, from Norway, women reported a reduction in frequency and intensity of hot flushes both by night and by day having used acupuncture for 12 weeks.

However David Sturdee, president of the International Menopause Society, said: ‘the evidence is not strong from previous studies and this a small trial.

‘we need to have much bigger numbers to prove this really can help women going through the menopause.’

Looking for new tools to fight fibromyalgia? Natural remedies – from exercise to acupuncture – can treat symptoms and ease pain. here are 6 techniques to try….

When fibromyalgia stiffens limbs and makes muscles and joints tender and sore, you may assume pain medication is your only bet.

Fortunately, there’s new evidence that natural solutions – including breathing techniques, exercise and supplements – may assist your treatment of fibromyalgia’s symptoms and reduce stress, a common pain trigger.

The potential for natural treatments is great, says Howard Schubiner, M.D., director of the Mind Body Medicine Center at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich.

“In our research [a combination of mind-body approaches], 25% of patients were symptom-free after six months.”

However, these treatments do require participation from the patient, Schubiner notes.

“Some people like being an active part of their own healing, while others feel it’s too much work. much of the successfulness of a program depends on what you think will be effective,” Schubiner says.

Read on to find out which science-backed alternative approaches are best for you.

1. Yoga
How it works: Besides lowering stress, yoga helps reduce chronic inflammation, which many researchers believe is a main cause of fibromyalgia-related discomfort.

In fact, women who practice yoga have lower blood levels of cytokine interleukin-6 – a protein causing inflammation that’s also linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes – according to a 2010 Ohio State University study.

Danielle Miller, 45, of Lancaster, Pa., tried “every medication on the market” to treat her fibromyalgia pain. When a friend suggested a yoga class, she was reluctant at first but soon became hooked.

The meditation, breathing and stretching exercises increased her flexibility, improved sleep and even eased her irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder often associated with fibromyalgia.

“After 6-8 sessions, I began feeling better,” she says.

How to get started: Look for a yoga instructor experienced with fibromyalgia. (Your physician may be able to refer you.)

Start slowly and build to a regular routine you can stick with.

“When I attended classes randomly, I was in more pain,” Miller says.

2. Nutritional supplements
How they work: Supplements can decrease chronic inflammation, which in turn may reduce pain, says Shawn M. Talbott, Ph.D., research director for Supplement Watch, an organization that evaluates scientific evidence for nutritional supplements.

Anti-inflammatory supplements include grape seed extract, resveratrol (a chemical found in red wine and grape juice), bromelain (an enzyme obtained from pineapples), ginger, turmeric (the yellow spice used in Indian food), boswellia (an herb common in Ayurvedic medicine), decaffeinated green tea and purified fish oil.

How to get started: Supplements can vary in quality, cause stomach upset or interact with medications, so consult your rheumatologist about which brands are best.

Also, check labels for information on purity and strength of active ingredients.

Changing your diet is another way to reduce inflammation.

Eat lots of colorful fruits and veggies. Trade refined carbohydrates for moderate amounts of whole grains. Lower consumption of saturated fats and increase the amount of “good fats” (including monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids) you eat with foods such as nuts, avocados, olive oil and fish.

3. Acupuncture
How it works: Acupuncture has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years to relieve pain related to a variety of conditions. new research shows it may also be effective for fibromyalgia.
In a 2009 University of Michigan study, women with the disorder were treated with either acupuncture or a “sham” (fake) version, in which their skin was pricked with a sharp device to simulate acupuncture sensations.

Brain imaging showed that those who received real treatments got more relief from pain-killers with codeine and morphine (opiates).

“We’ve seen a drop in 5-10 points on the pain scale [a 1-10 scale doctors use to assess discomfort levels] from fibromyalgia patients who’ve used acupuncture,” Harris says.

Annette Poizner, a 47-year-old psychotherapist in Toronto, Canada, says acupuncture reduced her discomfort. But those results took a long time, and she warns against looking at the ancient Chinese treatment as a quick fix.

“It’s a gradual recovery, not a 10-session miracle,” she says.

How to get started: Find a licensed practitioner.

Ask your doctor or look online for local clinics. The website for the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine maintains a list of qualified acupuncture practitioners.

4. Mindfulness meditation
How it works: Mindfulness – defined as a calm, nonjudgmental focus on the present moment – can be a powerful stress-reduction method. When combined with meditation, it may reduce fibromyalgia pain and other physical complaints, according to a recent University of Basel, Switzerland study.

Researchers found that it helped patients cope better with the anxiety and depression that often go along with the disorder.

When women with fibromyalgia enrolled in an eight-week program of mindfulness-based stress reduction, they had significantly more relief from symtoms than those who received only physical or emotional support from loved ones and peers.
A follow-up found they were still benefiting from the mindfulness program three years later.

Because high stress levels can trigger or worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, it makes sense that reducing it brings relief, says Schubiner.

Still, he adds, meditation alone may not be enough.

“Results depend on how you incorporate these practices into your life,” he says. “If you have a lot of stress at home, for example, you can reduce it with meditation. But you’ll need to address root problems too.”

How to get started: some hospitals and medical clinics offer mindfulness programs for patients.

You can also buy meditation CDs (such as those by Jon Kabat-Zinn) in stores and online, or find free downloads from UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center.

5. Breathing exercises
How they work: Deep-breathing exercises have been shown to lower stress, thereby easing symptoms.

Even slowing down breathing can reduce fibromyalgia pain, according to 2010 research at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

Patients with fibromyalgia were subjected to moderately painful heat pulses on their palms. When they slowed their breathing rates by 50%, some reported a reduction in pain intensity.

The patients’ attitude was a contributing factor: Those with a positive mindset saw results.

But those who said they felt overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and depression weren’t helped by the breathing exercises.
Researchers suggest that people with fibromyalgia have a stronger connection between pain and emotion.

How to get started: If chronic depression is part of your disorder, talk to your doctor about treatments.

For mindful breathing, Schubiner recommends a daily session in which you take long, slow breaths and pay attention to each one.

“You simply notice each breath, and then let it go,” he says.

Many yoga classes incorporate breathing exercises, and many books and CDs on breathing are available.

Try this simple technique by Dennis Lewis, from his book Free Your Breath, Free Your Life (Shambhala Publications):

The Smiling Breath
1. Sit comfortably on a chair or cushion and smile, even if it feels forced at first.

2. Imagine directing this smile inwardly throughout your whole body.

3. as you inhale, sense yourself inhaling through your smile, allowing the energy of the smile to combine with the energy of your breath, and direct this energy down to the painful area.

4. Exhale through pursed but relaxed lips (as if gently blowing on a candle without blowing it out). do this for a minimum of five minutes.

6. Exercise
How it works: Physical activity is an important fibromyalgia treatment, but don’t dive right in to an intensive exercise program.

“too much too soon can have a rebound effect, where you’re worse off than before you started,” Harris says. “The key lies in finding the right amount.”
The proper dose is moderate bursts of exercise that add up to 30 minutes a day, 5-7 times a week, according to a 2010 Johns Hopkins University study that found that patients following this regimen had reduced pain and less trouble functioning after 12 weeks.

How to get started: begin slowly, exercising for as little as three minutes at a time.

Gradually increase activity level to 20-30 minutes a day, recommends Rae Marie Gleason, executive director of the National Fibromyalgia Association.

“Exercising helps you gain some control over your life, something often missing in those with fibromyalgia,” Gleason says.

How much do You know about Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is one of the world’s oldest medical mysteries.

I've heard that acupuncture helps reduce parkinson's disease symptoms and medication dosage as well. Anyone has experience with this and would you please share the details of the treatment, how long you've been on it and your function now?

Acupunture can be very effective as a pain control method. Parkinsons is a degenerative condition and I feel it is very unlikely acupunture would be of any value.

Many claims made by alternative medicine practicioners are highly exagerated. Very few have been tested carefully using the scientific method. also to establish proven value as treatment more than one study is needed.

I do not like pills much, however for some conditions there is nothing else available that comes close to the effectiveness of modern medications. in the case of Parkinson's, adjustment of dosing and trying different combinations of medications can lead to reasonable control of symptoms with few side effects. unfortunately the meds involved with Parkinson's treatment currently, often cause side effects, and it may be impossible to eliminate them in some cases.

you end up having to make a compromise, is getting rid of symptom A worth suffering side effect B.

I would suggest doing some research at a university library that has a medicine and or nursing faculty. when using the net stick to non-profit information providers.

Large amounts of info on the web is put there by the companies selling the drugs, and therefore cannot be trusted to be unbiased.

better nutirition of all things non pill like is good for everything.

Perhaps try a search on Michael J Fox Parkinsons – search for a cure, I think stuff will come up if you search it and you can probable email them as well for ideas.