| |
How Heat Therapy Works
Many episodes of lower back pain result from strains and over-exertions, creating tension in the muscles and soft tissues around the lower spine. As a result, this restricts proper circulation and sends pain signals to the brain.
Muscle spasm in the lower back can create sensations that may range from mild discomfort to excruciating lower back pain. Heat therapy can help relieve pain from the muscle spasm and related tightness in the lower back.
Heat therapy application can help provide lower back pain relief through several mechanisms:
Heat therapy dilates the blood vessels of the muscles surrounding the lumbar spine. This process increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to heal the damaged tissue.
Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that applying heat to the lower back will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain and partially relieve the discomfort.
Heat application facilitates stretching the soft tissues around the spine, including muscles, connective tissue, and adhesions. Consequently, with heat therapy, there will be a decrease in stiffness as well as injury, with an increase in flexibility and overall feeling of comfort. Flexibility is very important for a healthy back.
There are several other significant benefits of heat therapy that make it so appealing. Compared to most therapies, heat therapy is quite inexpensive (and in many circumstances it’s free - such as taking a hot bath). Heat therapy is also easy to do - it can be done at home while relaxing, and portable heat wraps also make it an option while at work or in the car.
For many people, heat therapy works best when combined with other treatment modalities, such as physical therapy and exercise. Relative to most medical treatments available, heat therapy is appealing to many people because it is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical form of lower back pain relief.
What are the benefits of Accupressure?
Pain Relief
A growing body of research proves that massage and acupressure are effective non-pharmacological forms of pain relief. The latest research concludes:
Acupressure is more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies.
Acupressure promotes relaxation and alleviates the perception of pain and anxiety among cancer patients.
Acupressure stimulates the brain to produce endorphins (the "feel good" brain chemicals)
Acupressure reduces post-traumatic headaches and migraines
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has suggested acupressure as a non-pharmacological therapy that can be used successfully in pain management
Acupressure and anxiety
There is now a body of research that demonstrates the beneficial effects of acupressure in relation to the alleviation of the physiological and psycho-logical aspects of stress
Acupressure and stress/anxiety in children
Studies have found that acupressure may offer considerable help for children suffering from stress-related disorders. The children were more likely to feel comfortable receiving the therapy as it can be done fully clothed, and were taught the self-acupressure techniques that enabled them to calm themselves when needed.
Acupressure and Smoking Cessation/Drug withdrawal
Attempts at smoking cessation are usually met with severe withdrawal symptoms. Acupressure has been shown to reduce anxiety, stress hormones, cravings and improve mood.
Acupressure and Weight Management
Acupressure has been shown to be effective as an adjunct to a nutritional and activity plan for weight management. Acupressure can reduce the foods cravings and anxiety associated with the lifestyle changes necessary for successful weight management. The improvement in both the physical and emotional being leads to better compliance with these changes.
Other benefits of Acupressure
Work Performance, Increased Alertness, Decreased Stress, Reducing Anxiety, Increased Athletic performance, Reduced Blood Pressure, Reduced Headaches, Alleviate pain in Cancer Patients, Alleviate TMJ, Improved Pain Management, Increase Immunity, Faster recovery from injuries, Reduce palpitations, Reduce Menopausal symptoms, Reduce chronic skin problems like eczema, etc., Shorter recovery time after surgeries, ADHD behavior in children, Decreased respiratory infections, Arthritis Spinal/muscular problems, Sinus issues
Accupressure stimulates the brain to produce endorphins, providing for a feeling of peace, calm and well being.
The Benefits Of Massage
What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:
Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
Ease medication dependence.
Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow―the body’s natural defense system.
Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ―the skin.
Increase joint flexibility.
Lessen depression and anxiety.
Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
Reduce spasms and cramping.
Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
Release endorphins―amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
Relieve migraine pain.
A Powerful Ally
There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:
Decreased anxiety.
Enhanced sleep quality.
Greater energy.
Improved concentration.
Increased circulation.
Reduced fatigue.
Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.
Profound Effects
In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:
Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
Asthmatic children show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.
High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
Preterm infants have improved weight gain.
Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch―which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat postsurgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.
Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your practitioner to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.
What is arthritis? Arthritis refers to more than 100 different muscle/skeletal conditions. The most common diseases of those more than 100 are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout and increasingly, fibromyalgia.
Most of the symptoms of arthritis are characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. For most people arthritis pain and inflammation cannot be avoided as the body ages. In fact, most people over the age of 50 show some signs of arthritis. Joints naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can be managed through a combination of therapy, medication, exercise, rest, nutrition, and, in some cases, surgery.
Far Infrared therapy has proven to be one of those therapies that can effectively help you manage the pain of arthritis. Far Infrared Ray (FIR) can penetrate up to [3.5] inches beneath the skin and directly apply to the area that cause the pain. Among Far Infrared (FIR) healing benefits are its ability to:
improve blood circulations;
enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body's soft tissue areas;
remove accumulated toxins by improving lymph circulation;
relax muscles and spasm.
In the ends, those effects all work towards relieving arthritis and pain caused by it.
MS
In a small 1998 study of MS patients, Hernandez-Reif et al. found massage lowered anxiety, improved depressed mood, and increased self-esteem and body image.3 Another study by Siev-Ner I et al. (2003) of 53 MS patients showed the effectiveness of reflexology for improving spasticity, paresthesias (numbing and tingling sensations), and urinary symptoms.4 A 1999 Feldenkrais study of 20 MS patients found benefits of decreased perceived stress and lowered anxiety.
For the past 15 years, Migun has devoted its time and resources on research and development to produce the world’s finest alternative health care products. As part of its development efforts, Migun products have been clinically tested at four major hospitals in China
and two university hospitals in Korea. Currently, the University of California, Irvine, School of
Medicine, is performing an extensive study on the health benefits of Migun products.
The focus of the clinical studies at the various institutes was to see how Migun improved
health conditions. All tests proved that no negative clinical effects were shown to the body
when Migun was used. It was also shown that Migun not only improved physical health conditions, but psychological and social health conditions as well.
In an increasingly competitive market, Migun realizes the importance of meeting the requests
of our growing consumer base. At Migun Research Institute, the researchers are continually
re-evaluating the Migun products to create more user-friendly and cost-effective products.
The following survey on clinical effects of Migun is done by the University of California,
Irvine’s research team:
Retrospective Surveys on Migun Thermal Massage Bed by University of California, Irvine, Research Team
The UCI/Migun study examined aspects of health promotion and lifestyles. With this type of
data collected by the UCI/Migun collaboration, Migun could set the standard for outcome
measures in health promotion and health lifestyle assessments in Korea and international
markets.
|
