7 minute read
DISCOVER
Improve Sleep
WITH ACUPUNCTURE
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By S. J. Merens
Many men and women try several suggestions for curing insomnia and become frustrated when nothing works. They may be unaware that acupuncture helps some individuals solve this problem. Just a few sessions can make a significant improvement in the ability to fall asleep and avoid waking up far too early.
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE ENHANCE SLEEP? This method appears to increase the body's nighttime production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate the sleep cycle. The body normally increases melatonin production as daylight fades, leading to drowsiness at night when most people want to sleep. Melatonin supplements are available, but they cause side effects in some individuals. They also have negative interactions with many prescription drugs. The supplements are not effective for everyone. Another benefit of acupuncture is the possible increase in the brain's levels of serotonin. Like melatonin, this hormone and neurotransmitter is also important in the sleeping and waking cycle. Serotonin helps with the waking process and with feeling alert and active during the day. Low serotonin levels can lead to lethargy and fatigue. This is one reason why some antidepressants are designed to increase serotonin levels in the brain.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN
ACUPUNCTURE SESSION
The practitioner evaluates the patient's physical condition and asks questions about general health and sleep issues. Typically, the person lies face down on a padded table while the acupuncturist gently places thin needles at specific points. Depending on what the practitioner believes is best for a particular client, the treatment might last for up to 30 minutes. People generally find these sessions to be relaxing. They may need two or three sessions before positive results are experienced, but some notice improvement after only one appointment.
Research has confirmed that acupuncture helps many individuals resolve their problems with insomnia. Anyone ready to try this strategy for sleep problems should schedule an appointment with an acupuncturist.
WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY?
A review of studies that was published in 2009 verified the effectiveness of acupuncture for enhancing sleep. The authors included 46 randomized trials with about 3,800 participants. They found acupuncture to be significantly more effective than no treatment for insomnia. Combining this therapy with prescription sleep medication boosted sleep quality as compared with medication alone. The same was true for combining acupuncture with herbs recommended for sleep enhancement. This review appeared in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
A more recent review of studies was published in 2016 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Thirty randomized controlled trials were included with a total of nearly 2,400 participants. This review confirmed that true acupuncture was more effective than fake treatment. It also was superior to pharmaceutical treatment using benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam and diazepam.
By Chet McDonahue
Vacation isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days of stale resorts catering to the masses. Now travelers around the world crave fresh and exhilarating experiences. Enter glamping, a portmanteau of camping and glamour, that infuses the best of both worlds. Glamping gives people an opportunity to get back to the basics of camping without compromising the luxury of vacationing. It's an eco-friendly approach to lodging that allows travelers to immerse themselves in a region. Getting close to nature is a special moment, but existing within nature is unique in way that can only be experienced. NATURE RENEWAL YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT
Not many people ever get the chance to sleep in a tipi in a secluded forest. This isn’t specifically marketed as a couple’s retreat, but whether or not you go with a loved one, self-love always thrives in nature. Make it a girls trip–glamping in style.
The tipis are furnished with linens and beds for a glamping experience. If you’re not quite ready to dive into the tipi life, they have a few cabins available as well. Gourmet meals are served on the patio or by the creek. Between yoga sessions, soak in the hot tub on the property or connect with the abundant wildlife from afar. You’ll share the space with deer, turkey, elk and many other beautiful creatures. A local swimming hole is a 15-minute walk from the property; bring your mineral sunscreen!
The healing power nature has on humans is being studied on many levels. It’s not uncommon to hear about forest bathing being prescribed for nature deficit disorder. This retreat tucked away in the Mohawk Valley east of Eugene, Oregon offers nourishment for your mind, body and spirit.
The Natural and Zen Style Tipi Village in Oregon July 30 - Aug 1, 2021 $250 deposit Total TBD
Foods TO AVOID FEEDING YOUR
ADHD CHILD By Dr. Marty Alexander
AN ALARMING PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN ARE DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD–ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER–EACH YEAR. WHILE THE PARTICULAR CAUSES, ALONG WITH A PERMANENT CURE, REMAIN UNDISCOVERED, MANY PARENTS ARE SEEKING NEW TREATMENT METHODS, AS THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM EFFECTS THAT COMMONLY APPLIED MEDICATIONS, SUCH AS RITALIN, MIGHT HAVE ON THEIR CHILDREN'S HEALTH. THANKFULLY, A POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT EXISTS.
Throughout the past decade, innovative research material has provided proof for the existence of a strong connection between the consumption of specific kinds of food and many ADHD neurological malfunctions. According to a recently-conducted Dutch study at the ADHD Research Centre in Eindhoven, in approximately 64 percent of the participating children, the symptoms of the mental disorder were primarily triggered by food.
The recommendation of a nutritionist or a psychiatrist isn't necessary to conclude that excessive amounts of sugar shouldn't be a part of any child's diet, let alone a child who suffers from ADHD. However, the potential threat that sugar-like substances also pose to the latter is still widely unrecognized. Such substances include high fructose corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, erythritol, lactitol, maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
Sodium is another commonly consumed substance which should be excluded from the diet of a child suffering from ADHD. Scientists believe that excessive amounts of sodium hinder neurons' ability to function properly, and since most ADHD symptoms are also believed to be caused by the malfunction of certain neurological processes and neurotransmitters, it is best to avoid salty snacks and foods whenever possible.
The next substances on the list are food dyes and preservatives. Researchers at the University of Southampton have published a scientific study which revealed a powerful link between artificial food colors, the preservative sodium benzoate and hyperactivity. Obviously, food dyes can be found in any colored food, snack or drink, but they are not limited to these products; vitamins, salad dressings and barbecue sauces are not exempt from this category. The latter, along with carbonated drinks, are also carriers of the preservative sodium benzoate and should be avoided at all costs.
Blueberries Apples
Cauliflower
Raspberries
Cucumbers Mushrooms
Avocados
Salicylates are natural chemicals, abundant among fruits and vegetables. They can also be found in aspirin and other pain-relieving medications. Despite their harmless appearance, according to a study conducted by Dr. Benjamin Feingold, the elimination of foods containing salicylates from his patients' diets reduced their ADHD symptoms by up to 50 percent. These chemicals are most common in apples, blueberries, raspberries, avocados, cauliflower, cucumbers, mushrooms and radishes.
Lastly, it is strongly recommended to avoid allergens, such as wheat, milk, peanuts, soy and fish. Mental health professionals suspect that a slight sensitivity towards these substances can greatly affect brain functions. The popularity of the above-displayed food items might make it quite difficult to avoid them. Therefore, in order to maximize the effectiveness of the diet and reduce the complications that might arise from such a drastic dietary change, it is suggested to eliminate one food item at a time, while simultaneously tracking and recording any changes in the child's behavior.
In a study conducted in 2007, it was discovered that those children who consumed Ritalin on a regular basis for three years were, on average, one inch shorter and approximately four pounds lighter than the majority of their peers. While scientific investigations on the subject of food-related ADHD symptoms are quite limited, and the results of dieting may vary from one person to another, considering the universal health benefits which the avoidance of the above-displayed food products can promote, it is definitely worth a try.
