Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

SELF-ACTUALIZATION

“Self-actualization” (SA) is a term coined by psychologist Dr. Abraham Maslow that describes the pinnacle in the hierarchy of human needs. Individuals have one basic motivational drive, to become self-actualized (reach full potential and capabilities). SA is used today for personal development, management training and for understanding motivation.

When basic lower order “deficiency needs” are met (physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem), individuals reach for higher order “being or growth needs” (personal potential, growth, self-fulfillment, peak experiences). Most people’s motivational set includes characteristics of all levels of motivational drivers. Individuals who have reached self-actualization are spontaneous, creative, inventive, seek peak experiences, have a nonhostile sense of humor, are socially compassionate, and accepting of self and others.

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be. This is the need we may call self-actualization…It refers to man’s desire for fulfillment, namely to the tendency for him to become actually in what he is potentially: to become everything that one is capable of becoming,” writes Maslow.

Peak experiences are important moments: Creative, unifying, transcendent, mystical, which bring a sense of individual purpose. Self-actualized individuals have peak experiences frequently while non-self-actualizers have them occasionally. “Not only are these his happiest and most thrilling moments, but they are also moments of greatest maturity, individuation, fulfillment—his healthiest moments,” Maslow described when defining the episodic nature of self-actualization. “He becomes in these episodes most truly himself, more perfectly actualizing his potentialities, closer to the core of his being.”

Meditation, self-hypnosis and imagery are sources for inner exploration that can lead to self-actualization. For more information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES

Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) can lead to profound emotional and physical healings, according to EFT founder Gary Craig, a personal performance coach. EFT, a non-traditional energy psychology, involves holding a disturbing memory or emotion in mental focus while simultaneously tapping specific body points, repeating affirmations, humming, counting, and eye rolling.

EFT can lead to freedom to “…start that new business, improve your golf score, lose that weight, approach people with ease or become a public speaker,” states Craig in the EFT manual. Similar to qi in traditional Chinese medicine meridian theory, EFT defines the body in terms of an energy system. Negative emotions and health conditions are connected to the body’s energy imbalances. EFT’s essence is “The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s healing system.”

Individuals, physicians, therapists, spiritual counselors, and personal performance coaches can use emotional freedom techniques as a personal improvement or therapeutic tool. EFT consists of emotional and energetic release techniques that rebalance the energy system and produce emotional/physical healings. EFT treats allergies, respiratory conditions, anxiety, trauma, asthma, fears and phobias, pain conditions, and hypertension.

Based on the discovery that imbalances in the body’s energy system have effects on personal psychology, EFT corrects these imbalances by tapping on specific body points that correspond to meridian acupoints. Tapping while repeating affirmations (“Even though I have __________, I deeply and completely accept myself.” Blanks are filled in with the issue or progress impediment) results in energy rebalancing and causes the emotional issue to no longer hold a negative charge. Tapping and affirmations remove psychological reversals (resistances) to the healing process.

“Quality of life relates to emotional health. Emotional health is the foundation beneath self confidence and self confidence is the springboard to achievement,” writes Craig. For more information about EFT and its ability to enhance personal and professional performance, visit the EFT website at www.emofree.com. For more information call Dr. Richad Browne at 305-595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

THOUGHT FIELD THERAPY

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is a mind-body therapy that uses a combination of Oriental medicine, the body’s energy system and modern science. The concept behind TFT is that disturbances (“perturbations”) occur in what practitioners call “thought fields” as a result of negative emotion. TFT practitioners treat individuals by tapping on a series of acupressure-related points in a specific sequence (“algorithm”) in order to free the person from negative thought associated with a situation or event.

TFT’s founder, psychologist Roger Callahan, Ph.D. states that TFT “balances the body’s energy system and allows for elimination of most negative emotions while promoting the body’s own healing ability.” He gave his treatment the name Thought Field Therapy because he theorizes that when individuals think about a situation, experience or event and the related emotion, one is tuning into a thought field (invisible energy fields within the body). When the thought field is “attuned” (person dwells on situation or event), perturbations or emotional energetic blockages in the field can be detected and corrected, thus eliminating the negative charge associated with them. Untreated perturbations can lead to phobias, addictions, distress, physical illness, and nail biting.

Tapping sequences (algorithms) on acupressure points unblocks and balances flow of energy. Individuals are instructed to focus on the distressing thought or image while tapping on specified points in specific sequences that relate to the particular illness or issue being treated. Perturbations are based on the concept from quantum physics (active information) that small amounts of energy can affect large systems.

Negative emotion connected to a particular situation or event can thereby have a tremendous influence on health. TFT treatment can eliminate most negative emotion and neutralize perturbations through brief 15-minute treatments involving algorithm tapping sequences on points, which have a one-to-one correspondence with the related perturbation. Treatment results in energetic rebalance and release from negative emotion.

For more information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a set of techniques utilized in personal development of what works in individual performance. It is based upon the study of factors that lead to success in personal performance and enhanced communication. Many of NLP’s tools are applied to business, management, education, and training.

Adherents study or “model” (reproduce beliefs/behaviors) of those who have achieved excellence, particularly effective and successful people in business, education, sales, sports, and personal development. Features distinguishing average versus top performance are delineated. Development of a learnable/transferable model leads to personal improvement. The modeler adapts to the successful person’s structure of physiology, language, strategies, and beliefs. Modeling produces a shortcut that provides for more successful living.

NLP refers to each person’s subjective perception of reality, which is based on sensory observation as his or her “map.” Mind-body (neuro), what we say (language) interact to form perceptions, or maps (programming). Maps determine beliefs and behaviors. Objective absolute reality, if it exists, is the “territory.” Individuals can learn successful traits by incorporating aspects of successful peoples’ maps into their own. An NLP axiom refers to this phenomenon as “The map is not the territory.”

One of its major developers Richard Bandler states, “You want to become competent at whatever you do. Ask yourself, ‘Can we build better?’ To build those things we have to be able to suspend whatever belief system we already have. We’re talking about basic beliefs regarding human capability. By having people believe that they can, suddenly they can do all these things.” NLP can improve negotiation skills, eliminate phobias, influence wellness, enhance subconscious communication, and create perception changes and enlightenment.

Best-selling author and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins said that NLP is “an incredibly effective and enjoyable way to access more of the true potential of your brain.” For more information contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

GUIDED IMAGERY

Guided imagery (visualization, dream interpretation, active imagination, imagery suggestion) can be used to elicit peak performance in individuals. Visualization of goals and achievements can bring forth potentials and possibilities. Imagination of a scene, series of scenes (garden, sunset, beach, meadow, mountain) or symbols in which thoughts and suggestions are consciously directed can guide towards a focused, positive, relaxed state that may aid in creativity, learning, and healing.

Visualization of images that evoke strong sensory memory and vivid detail has a mind-body connection that can affect heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, metabolism, and immune and endocrine system functioning. To be effective, guided imagery should involve all the senses and the feeling of actually experiencing or interacting in the imagined scene rather than just visualizing oneself in it. The more vivid the detail of images (textures, colors, sounds, smells, tastes) the more effectively they work. Visualization and imagery has been applied to leadership training, business, education, behavioral medicine, and industry.

Guided imagery of goal or performance achievement can have a subconscious effect that positively modifies one’s belief system. A majority of peak performers are visualizers who envision the end result (seeing, feeling, experiencing it). Right brain power visualization (creative thinking) combined with affirmations (positive self-talk that represents an outcome or condition) for a few minutes each day can create congruence with deeper values and bring forth latent inner resources. Imagery works best in conjunction with a relaxation technique (progressive relaxation, yoga, meditation) that allows for subconscious mind activity and freedom to daydream.

Guided imagery can include messages with directions or goals communicated to the body that can be effective in treatment of health conditions. The mind-body connection can improve treatment/recovery from cancer, reduce occurrence of migraine/tension headache, assist in fibromyalgia pain management, treat insomnia, reduce osteoarthritis pain, decrease side effects of medical/surgical procedures, reduce medication intake, enhance the ability to heal, and allow for active participation in personal health care. For additional information contact Dr. Richard Browne at 305-595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

SPICY FOOD MAY PROVIDE ANTI-CANCER COMPOUND

Spicy food may offer protection against cancer. Capsaicin, the compound that makes spicy food hot could lead to development of the next generation of anti-cancer drugs that kill tumors with no side effects, according to a new UK study published in the Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications online journal.

The study is also the first by the newly established Nottingham UK-China Collaboration on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which consists of researchers from the University of Nottingham and the Chinese National Academy of Sciences working in conjunction to develop active ingredients from herbal remedies. Capsaicin, the active component of chilies, has produced “startling” results to kill a variety of tumor cells including lung and pancreatic cancer.

“This is incredibly exciting and may explain why people living in countries like Mexico and India, who traditionally eat a diet which is very spicy, tend to have lower incidences of many cancers that are prevalent in the Western world, “ said lead researcher Timothy Bates, Ph.D. Capsaicin belongs to a family of compounds (vanilloids) which kill cancer by attacking the mitochondria (energy containing chemical) of tumor cells. By binding proteins in the cancer cell mitochondria, capsaicin triggers apoptosis (natural cell death) without harming surrounding healthy cells.

“It’s also possible that cancer patients or those at risk of developing cancer could be advised to eat a diet which is richer is spicy foods to help treat or prevent the disease,” said Bates. “As these compounds attack the very heart of the tumor cells, we believe that we have in effect discovered a fundamental ‘Achilles heel’ for all cancers. We are currently seeking industrial partners to enable these agents to be used in clinical trials to treat a variety of cancers.” Capsaicin is currently found in treatments for muscle strain and psoriasis and could possibly be an active ingredient in an adapted topical treatment for certain types of skin cancer.

For more information on Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese food therapy contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE AND CAM

Is evidence-based medicine (EBM) sufficient for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research? The December special issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies presents articles that explore EBM and alternative strategies to EBM for evaluating CAM and in particular, options for conducting CAM research on cancer.

EBM is widely accepted as the “gold-standard” for scientific studies. Over the years, EBM has both supported and denied the value of allopathic medicine practices, while having less association with CAM practices. Since most CAM practices are complex and focus on healing rather than cure the question arises as to whether EBM principles are sufficient for making clinical decisions about CAM.

“While evidence-based medicine’s emphasis on randomized controlled trials has many benefits, researchers and clinicians have found that this focus may be too limited for complex systems such as complementary and alternative medicine, and other approaches to healing,” said Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the Samueli Institute and this special issue’s guest editor.

This issue discusses whether clinical research on CAM using randomized placebo-controlled trials designs is the best strategy for making evidence-based decisions in clinical practice, and describes strategies that use “whole systems” and “integrated evaluation models” as potential new standards for research on CAM.

The accompanying editorial delineates the issue’s theme and main question “whether ‘top of the evidence hierarchy’ approaches—clinical and laboratory research—have, so far, moved us toward answering relevant questions about the use of complementary medicine and to explore alternatives to those approaches in complementary medicine for cancer.” The issue also explores whether studies that lay the groundwork for similar studies on integrative medicine systems that include a comprehensive approach to disease and treatment might result in development of “a new gold standard for practice decisions.”

For more information on CAM for wellness and treatment contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

ELECTROACUPUNCTURE LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
Electroacupuncture can lower blood pressure elevations by as much as 50 percent, according to a UC Irvine study. Researchers at the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine found that electroacupuncture using low electronic frequencies administered in 30-minute treatments reduced blood pressure rates in conditions that raise blood pressure during hypertensive states.
The study findings indicated that electroacupuncture could become part of a therapeutic long-term health care regimen for hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. “This study suggests that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments, especially those for treating the cardiac system,” said John Longhurst, Ph.D., director of the Samueli Center and lead author. “The Western world is waiting for a clear scientific basis for using acupuncture, and we hope that this research will lead to the integration of ancient healing practices into modern medical treatment.”
The researchers found that electroacupuncture applied to specific wrist, inner forearm and leg acupoints triggered release of brain opioid chemicals that reduced excitatory cardiovascular system responses. Electroacupuncture to these specific sites resulted in heart activity/oxygen intake decrease and lowered blood pressure. The researchers concluded electroacupuncture could be beneficial for various cardiac ailments.
Electroacupuncture applied in high frequencies had no effect on blood pressure levels. Low frequencies lowered blood pressure but did not bring it to normal levels.
“This type of electroacupuncture is only effective on elevated blood pressure levels, such as those present in hypertension, and the treatment has no impact on standing blood pressure rates,” said Longhurst. “Our goal is to help establish a standard of acupuncture treatment that can benefit everyone who has hypertension and other cardiac ailments.” The Center specializes in CAM wellness and prevention research and education. The study appears in a recent issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology.
For more information about acupuncture for treatment of hypertension, myocardial ischemia (irregular blood flow to the heart) and other cardiac health conditions contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

CAM USE MOST LIKELY IN MIDDLE AGE

Middle-aged people are more likely than younger or older individuals to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for health maintenance, according to a Wake Forest University School of Medicine study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Aging and Health. The study is the first to estimate age-related differences in whether CAM is used for treatment of an existing health condition or for illness prevention.

The researchers carried out a survey on 20 types of CAM medicine divided into four categories: Alternative medical systems (acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy); biologically based therapies (folk medicine, herb use, megavitamins); body-based methods (massage, chiropractic); and mind-body interventions (meditation, yoga).

“A greater percentage of midlife adults, principally those aged 45 to 54, used at least one CAM modality within each of the major categories in the past year than did younger or older adults,” wrote lead investigator Joseph Grzywacz, Ph.D. “Midlife adults entered adulthood at a time of more widespread use of CAM in the population and when public health policy was shifting toward individual responsibility for health and health promotion.”

Data results were drawn from 31,044 participants in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a national sample conducted annually by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. The study sought to determine distinct types of CAM in terms of age-related usage (no usage, for treatment only, for prevention only, for both treatment and prevention). About 40 percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 64 reported they use CAM for either treatment, illness prevention or both.

“Some types of CAM, such as alternative medicine systems (acupuncture), are used primarily for treating existing conditions,” Grzywacz said. “Others, such as mind-body interventions (meditation, yoga) are used primarily for illness prevention.” For more information on CAM for both treatment and health promotion contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT FOR NECK DISORDERS

Acupuncture reduces chronic neck pain, according to a recent systematic review of research literature completed by a group of Canadian Cochrane review authors to determine whether there is evidence that it is effective in treating neck disorders. The review was part of a series designed to summarize current scientific evidence on treatments for neck disorders due to whiplash, muscle strain and other “mechanical” causes.

The review included 10 trials (661 participants) that examined the effects of acupuncture on chronic neck pain (lasting at least three months). One study included individuals with neck pain that lasted for at least six weeks but considered chronic. Some trials compared acupuncture to sham acupuncture, waiting list or other sham treatments (sham laser) while others compared acupuncture to other treatments (mobilization, traction, massage). Most of the studies included at least five treatment sessions.

The authors concluded that for chronic mechanical neck disorders, there was evidence that acupuncture was more effective for pain relief measured immediately post-treatment and at short-term follow-up when compared to some sham controls (laser, acupuncture needles placed in the wrong acupoints). For chronic neck disorders with radicular symptoms (pain symptoms radiating to the arms), there was evidence that acupuncture was more effective for pain relief than a wait list control at short-term follow up. “The specific effects of acupuncture have important clinical treatment benefits,” conclude the review authors.

“What we need now are some trials that include greater numbers of people and look at the long-term effect of the treatment,” said lead review author Kien Trinh, M.D., of McMaster University in Canada. Trinh calls for larger and longer trials, preferably at least 500 patients and follow-up after a year or more, to further determine benefits of acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is effective in treatment of chronic neck pain but there is no cure for the musculoskeletal system disorder. For some patients, acupuncture may be the best treatment, while different combined therapies may work best for others. For more information on acupuncture treatment for neck disorders contact Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. It can be used as long as credit is attributed to the author by including the following section :

“Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Browne

http://www.amcollege.edu

http://www.acupuncturistmiami.com”