In a recent survey from UCLA and the University of California, San Diego, researchers measured medical students' attitudes and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and found that three-quarters of them felt conventional medicine would benefit by integrating complementary and alternative therapies. … Read More

Acupuncture as well as massage can aid in maintaining and optimizing health, whether you are seeking care for an acute or chronic condition or looking for ways to reach health goals. Acupuncture for depression has also been shown to be effective because it promotes relaxation and stress reduction. … Read More

Massage therapy helps ease chronic low back pain and improves function, according to a new Annals of Internal Medicine trial. This is the first study to compare structural and relaxation (Swedish) massage. The trial found that both types of massage worked well with few side effects. … Read More

When we look to the future of medicine – at the techniques and practices of modern healthcare and the next generation of treatments and cures – it can be helpful to look backward. A look back in time reveals ancient practices that have stood the test of time, and that have continued to grow in application and effectiveness. … Read More

Perineal massage is a massage technique used to stretch and prepare the skin of the perineum, (the skin between the vagina and anus) for birth. By preparing the perineal tissues for the stretching encountered in birthing, there is less likelihood that they will tear. Women who practice perineal massage on a daily basis for 10 minutes tend to experience less of the stinging sensation that occurs during crowning. Additionally, women who do this massage technique familiarize themselves with the stretching sensations that will occur during birth. … Read More

Students of massage therapy as well as established massage therapists use instructional massage and bodywork videos. These videos can improve creativity, productivity and heighten energy. Massage videos can focus on various types of massage—including Thai, reflexology, Shiatsu, Swedish, and clinical massage.They can also focus on massage techniques such as deep and soft tissue. Whether beginning massage therapy training or already practicing, these videos can assist individuals in becoming more knowledgeable in specialized types and techniques of massage. Extended volume video sets of massage can also provide clear demonstrations of virtually any tissue technique the massage therapist will practice. Live demonstrations on video also enhance learning capabilities beyond what is possible to demonstrate and describe in books alone. Videos can explore general demonstrations of specific massage techniques as well as go into further detail to describe subtleties of working with tissue. Individualized videos as well as sets designed to serve as full supplemental study courses for massage therapy students are available for those wishing to expand their skills. Several massage video resources exist, including general video outlets, computer and electronic stores; massage magazines, and online sources such as Amazon.com. … Read More

Indian head massage (IHM) is a Hindu massage technique, tracing back to the ancient ways of Ayurvedic Indian health care. Used for over 4,000 years to improve overall health, this massage has become more and more prevalent in recent years. It is also known as champissage or shiroabhyanga. How the IHM works Many European spas and holistic health clinics offer Indian head massage. The practice focuses on the parts of the body that are most prone to tension and stress: scalp face neck arms shoulders upper back Indian head massage combines techniques to include various massage strokes and acupressure points. Treatment includes kneading and probing of the neck and shoulder areas. The scalp is then massaged, using squeezing, tapping, rubbing or prodding motions. The therapist will also manipulate facial pressure points to relieve sinus pressure, increase alertness and stimulate circulation. A patient's ears may then be pressed and tugged, and their hair tousled. Conditions IHM helps treat Through a variety of massage movements, Indian head massage also restores joint motion and aids in the condition and health of hair resulting in improved hair growth. Indian head massage is used by massage therapists to increase mental clarity and rejuvenate the person receiving the massage. Although treatments include massage of the back, arms, shoulders and neck, head massage and face massage make up the main parts of the treatment. The massage therapist typically performs IHM through the clothes. As the technique is easy to apply over a blouse or shirt, Indian head massage is ideal for people who are modest or for less able bodied such as the elderly people, or those who have arthritis or a disability. Some treatments may include the use of special oils, which are also beneficial to hair growth. Therapeutic and relaxing, Indian head massage is effective in treatment of stress-related ailments like migraines and headaches. It can be performed almost anywhere and requires less time than a body massage treatment, typically lasting about thirty to forty minutes. More benefits of IHM The benefits of Indian head massage include that it helps release of toxins from tense and knotted muscles, and improves oxygen flow to the brain. It also reduces jaw ache, stimulates lymphatic drainage and aids sleep. By stimulating the release of endorphins IHM also aids in reducing stress and anxiety, and alleviating mental tiredness. The treatment is especially effective in relieving tightness around the neck and shoulders. Degree programs at massage therapy school can include Indian head massage as part of the curriculum. Courses may include additional study in the areas of chakra energy and balancing techniques as well as contra-indications and stress management. Are you looking to study massage therapy in south Florida? Contact the Acupuncture and Massage College, where you can complete a program in less than a year at (305) 595-9500. … Read More

Health professionals and chiropractors in treating muscle aches and pains use back massagers. Individuals also use them as personal care products for therapeutic massage. There are a variety of back massagers available, ranging from hand-held to full size. Different back massagers also come in heated, nonheated and spa product versions. Both traditional and more modern hand-held product types exist. Designs straight from the Orient include body sticks and tapping balls, known as bongers, which tapped along the body, provide a Shiatsu-type percussion massage. These back massage products stimulate circulation. Levels of massage therapy vary as well, from light touch to intensive muscle treatment for pain relief and increased energy. Some back massagers feature a multi-rotational device that glides along the surface of the body, to contour up and down the spine. … Read More

There are presently 54 schools, accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, (ACAOM) for potential students of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to choose from. By attending accredited schools, students receive training that enables them to become licensed and legally practice in the majority of states. … Read More

Similar to the acupuncture techniques used to regulate imbalances of energy in the meridians of the human body, earth acupuncture, (geopuncture) techniques work to balance the earth's energies. Earth energy lines can have a detrimental effect on an individual's health, when they lie beneath home or workspace. … Read More

Oriental medicine is a holistic approach, which is based on the treatment of all bodily systems. Acupuncture benefits the improvement of physical health conditions as well as affective disorders and instills a feeling of increased mental clarity.Acupuncture works directly with the body's energy or qi, as acupuncture practitioners believe that all illnesses are a result of the natural flow of energy through the body becoming stuck, depleted or weakened and thus making the individual susceptible to illness. Acupuncture benefits the rebalance of qi through treatment of specific acupoints related to symptoms or illness present. Treatment is effective in removing these energy obstructions. … Read More

Acupuncture treatments for weight loss improve the functioning of two neuroendocrine pathways, which regulate the metabolism. Acupuncture, when combined with an effective diet regimen, exercise routine, and stress reduction techniques, can decrease excessive appetite, lower body weight and body fat, and make it easier to control overeating. … Read More

Acupuncturists work in a variety of settings, including independent practices, hospitals, treatment centers, and community health centers. Acupuncturist practitioners also work in specialist and complementary health care clinics for asthma, pain management, addictions, and stroke rehabilitation. … Read More

What is Anxiety? Anxiety is most easily categorized as a disease that is caused by stress which brings on fear, worry, and/or other symptoms. Anxiety covers different forms of abnormal and pathological fears. Current psychiatric diagnostic criteria recognizes a wide variety of anxiety disorders. Episodes of anxiety usually flare up during times of high stress, which can be present from an early age or begin suddenly after a triggering event. Anxiety episodes are usually accompanied by physiological symptoms such as sweating, muscle spasms, palpitations, and hypertension, which in some cases lead to fatigue or even exhaustion. … Read More

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that by 2020 or sooner, the entire nation could have laws banning smoking in all indoor areas of private sector work sites, restaurants and bars. These places are major sources of secondhand smoke exposure. … Read More