Finding Chronic Pain Relief Through Acupuncture
Acupuncture is getting some well-deserved recognition as a legitimate way to reduce the symptoms of chronic pain. It is no longer a foreign “alternative” treatment option, as millions of people are using acupuncture these days to relieve their pain. In fact, a recent study showed that around 3 million Americans use acupuncture every year and the number seems to be growing. Although the true benefits of acupuncture in treating pain is still up for debate, all research that has been conducted shows an improvement in condition when acupuncture is applied, compared to when it is not. Here we take a look at how acupuncture works and how it is used to treat chronic pain. (Continue Reading)
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Support groups are one of the most overlooked ways of treating pain. Many suffering from daily pain rarely explore support groups as a way to feel better, which is unfortunate considering the multitude of benefits a person can receive from these groups. Some pain sufferers are nervous about meeting new people, especially if they feel their symptoms might make it difficult to even attend a support group. For those entertaining the idea of attending support groups for pain, you’re headed in the right direction. These groups are often undersold on just how useful they are in making those suffering from chronic pain feel better. 
There are some who deal with pain on a day-to-day basis. Chronic pain can result from numerous types of illnesses and conditions, and those suffering are always searching for ways to take the pain away. Despite what type of pain you are experiencing, whether it be from an injury or a degenerative condition, most of us are willing to take any steps necessary to feel better and return to normalcy. For those who are dealing with conditions that present painful symptoms every day, the path to recovery may involve more than simply treating the symptoms. Conditions like arthritis, joint and bone deterioration, fibromyalgia, gout, sciatica, and other such disorders may take a different approach to preventing their painful symptoms. When we visit our physician, we often hear two words that may mean everything when it comes to you feeling better: lifestyle choices. 
Is your normal office chair causing you pain, discomfort, or improper posture? Any chair that you sit in long enough can have negative effects from long-term use if the chair doesn’t support and align the body properly. Even high-tech ergonomic chairs can create certain posture problems that you may not notice until it’s too late. This is one of the main reasons millions of people are switching to stability balls while they work or sit for long periods at a time. These are simple inflatable balls that you sit on, which force you to use correct posture to balance yourself.
It’s no surprise that sleep plays a huge role when it comes to physical health. But to what extent? Most medical professionals will agree that adequate, restful sleep is crucial when it comes to staying healthy and preventing disease. Those who experience sleep difficulties for long periods of time, have a higher risk of developing conditions such as hypertension, depression, diabetes, 
Did you know that your posture could be the root cause of a lot of your aches and pains? Researchers have performed numerous studies and found that the way we hold our bodies drastically affects how we feel. They have linked poor posture habits to high stress, depression, circulation issues, increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and slowing of intestinal activity, which leads to lots of other problems.
There are signs and symptoms that stem from the lack of vitamin D; one of them is depression. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood elevation rises with more exposure to light. There are many determining factors that place you at risk for a deficiency in Vitamin D. For instance, those with darker skin are more at risk for Vitamin D deficiency. The darker your complexion, the more exposure you need from the sun; almost 10 times more exposure than what you would consider as enough for a pale person. Someone may also have a deficiency in Vitamin D if they are 50 years or older. The older you get, the less your skin responds to sun exposure, resulting in less production of Vitamin D in the body. The kidneys also become less efficient at converting Vitamin D into something usable by your body. Those who are over 50 (especially if they are retired) may also spend more time indoors compared to a younger adult. Sometimes those who come into the doctor’s office complaining of aches and pains in their bones, often end up being misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, but what they may be experiencing is a Vitamin D deficiency. Ten to fifteen minutes of direct sunlight per day can help the body produce an adequate amount of vitamin D. Some researchers have concluded that Vitamin D helps to relieve pain by aiding in the absorption of calcium, which aids in bone repair and growth. Research has estimated that a majority of people with unexplained sources of pain were found to be deficient in vitamin D levels. There seems to be a correlation between Vitamin D and living with pain. A physician or nutritionist should know enough about Vitamin D, and if they believe you may have this deficiency, they should work with you to develop a treatment plan that includes regular sun exposure and possibly Vitamin D supplements.
Emu Oil is a hypo-allergenic oil and has no known harmful side effects. It is also effective when it comes to relieving pain and numerous other discomforts of the skin. Even Dr. Oz has recommended the use of Emu Oil for sore muscles and joints. Laboratories in the United States, as well as Australia, have proven that Emu Oil is very effective at reducing inflammation and joint pain. This is because it contains high concentrations of linolenic acid and oleic acid. The other fascinating thing about Emu Oil is its ability to penetrate deep into the skin, this is what is referred to when you hear someone say that Emu Oil is a Transdermal oil. This quality of Emu oil means that it doesn’t just nourish the surface layers of your skin, rather it absorbs down through the skin and nourishes every layer. Perhaps, this is why so many people find relief when they apply products containing Emu Oil to their swollen, sore, aching, dry, itchy, red, irritated, cracking, peeling, or inflamed areas. When you combine Emu Oil with numerous other natural ingredients known to reduce inflammation and pain, this ability to penetrate the layers of skin is phenomenal because it means all of these beneficial, nourishing ingredients will be carried to the exact area where you feel discomfort.
Suffering from pain? Did you know that menthol is one of Nature’s Natural Ingredients that can provide relief? Numerous studies have validated this information. In fact, one study discovered that menthol is so effective that it relieves pain by 95%. Menthol’s analgesic properties come from the ligands that absorb into the skin and activate k-opioid receptors, producing a numbing effect in the area it was applied. Menthol stimulates the skin’s receptors, which interpret the sensation as a cooling experience.
