Acupuncture & Massage College

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Massage Therapy Schools Miami

Therapeutic Massage In Health Care One of the oldest healing arts, massage therapy has been used over a time span of some 3000 years to treat and cure a wide range of common ailments and health conditions. Therapeutic massage effectively treats: • Lower back and neck pain. • Sprains and muscular strains. • Fatigue and stress. • Arthritis and inflammation. • Circulatory and digestive conditions. Today, therapeutic massage is utilized in a variety of health care settings, such as clinics, alternative health care environments, medical offices, and hospitals. Therapeutic massage is also incorporated into specialized treatment for orthopedics, geriatrics, chiropractic care, sports medicine, and physical therapy. Holistic practitioners tailor therapeutic massage techniques to enhance energy work. … Read More

Tai Chi For Stress

Tai chi, a low impact martial art, has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions. A review of the health effects of tai chi, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found that tai chi does appear to have positive psychological effects. "Tai chi, the Chinese mind-body exercise, has been practiced for centuries for health and fitness in the East and is currently gaining popularity in the West. It is believed to improve mood and enhance overall psychological well being,” says Dr. Chenchen Wang, Associate Professor, from Tufts University School of Medicine. Wang and colleagues pooled results of 40 tai chi studies to assess the mental health effects of tai chi. She found that practicing tai chi was associated with reduced stress, anxiety, depression, and mood disturbance, as well as increased self-esteem. "More detailed knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of tai chi exercise may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions, and further explicate the mechanisms of successful mind-body medicine,” says Wang. Benefits of tai chi: • Reduces stress. • Improves balance and flexibility. • Lowers blood pressure. • Increases energy and endurance. Tai chi improves cardiovascular fitness and is suitable for all ages and levels of physical ability. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Military Service And Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Military service is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder in some veterans and is also associated with multisymptom illness, gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric problems such as anxiety disorder, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine, the latest update in a series of reports on the Gulf War and veterans' health. Some veterans suffer a range of symptoms whereas others experience specific, isolated health problems or no ill health. It is likely that post-traumatic stress disorder and multisymptom illness result from the interactions between environmental exposures and genes, and genetics may predispose some individuals to illness. Veterans who continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and multisymptom illness deserve the very best that modern science and medicine can offer to speed the development of effective treatments, cures and prevention. Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, veterans can receive free acupuncture treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic, located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms including: • Insomnia. • Stress. • Anxiety. • Depression. If you are a veteran, call today to schedule your free acupuncture appointment at (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Physical Activity For Weight Maintenance

For long-term weight maintenance, women who are middle-aged or older must exercise daily, incorporating at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity into their schedule, according to a new Journal of the American Medical Association study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. … Read More

Essential Oils Combat Bacteria

Essential oils can be an effective alternative to antibiotics and may have potential to combat drug-resistant superbugs, according to a new Society for General Microbiology study. The antimicrobial activity of eight plant essential oils was tested by Yiannis Samaras and Effimia Eriotou, M.D., from the Technological Educational Institute of Ionian Islands. They found that thyme essential oil was the most effective and was able to almost completely eliminate bacteria within 60 minutes. The essential oils of thyme and cinnamon were found to be particularly efficient antibacterial agents against a range of Staphylococcus species. Strains of these bacteria are commonly found on the skin and can cause infection in immunocompromised individuals. Drug-resistant strains are extremely difficult to treat. "Not only are essential oils an effective treatment option for antibiotic-resistant strains, but decreased use of antibiotics will help minimize the risk of new strains of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms emerging," says Samaras. Essential oils’ therapeutic properties have been utilized for hundreds of years, although very little is still known about how they exert their antimicrobial effects. Tea tree oil has been used to treat colds, sore throats, skin infections, and insect bites and has been used as a medicinal antiseptic since the early 20th century. “The oils, or their active ingredients, could be easily incorporated into antimicrobial creams or gels for external application,” the researchers state. Essential oils are: • Capable of being antiseptic. • Are probiotic, aiding the body to combat infection. • Are stress reducing and have a sedative effect. • Are synergistic when blended together. … Read More

Health Benefits Of Chocolate

Posted May 18, 2010 by Acupuncture & Massage College & filed under Holistic Medicine

Chocolate has health benefits, in small quantities and if it’s dark chocolate. New research appearing in the European Heart Journal indicates that one small square of chocolate daily can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Researchers in Germany surveyed over 19,000 people and found that those who ate the most amount of chocolate had lower blood pressure and a 39 percent lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke compared to those who consumed less chocolate. “Small amounts of chocolate may help to prevent heart disease, but only if it replaces other energy-dense food, such as snacks, in order to keep body weight stable,” says Brian Buijsse, M.D., a nutritional epidemiologist at the German Institute of Human Nutrition. Flavonols in cocoa may be the ingredient in chocolate which produces the beneficial effect on blood pressure and heart health. Because there is a greater amount of cocoa in dark chocolate, dark chocolate may have an increased health benefit. Health benefits of chocolate: • Lowers blood pressure. • Increases endorphin production which improves mood. • The serotonin content in chocolate regulates sleep and acts as an anti-depressant. • Reduces LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol. Flavonols may improve heart health by increasing the availability of nitric oxide from cells that line the blood vessel walls. Nitric oxide causes the muscle cells of the blood vessels to relax and widen, which can contribute to lower blood pressure. … Read More

Free Veteran Clinic on Fridays

Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, veterans can receive free acupuncture treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic, located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami. Call (305) 595-9500 to schedule an appointment. Classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD can result from the experience or witnessing of traumatic or life-threatening events such as terrorist attack, violent crime, torture, genocide, natural disaster, and military combat. Symptom clusters of PTSD include re-experiencing of the event (intrusive memories, flashbacks), emotional numbing, behavioral avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and hyper-arousal (difficulty sleeping, irritability, being easily startled). According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD, a categorization of PTSD more difficult to treat than PTSD caused by other traumas. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD, alleviating symptoms. PTSD symptoms acupuncture treats include: • Insomnia. • Stress. • Anxiety. • Depression. If you are a veteran, call today to schedule your free acupuncture appointment at (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Counting Calories May Cause Weight Gain

Reduced calorie diets may make it more difficult to maintain or lose weight. Cutting calories in the diet can increase levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol can lead to additional abdominal fat. “For the first time in humans, we are finding out that cutting your calories increases cortisol,” says Janet Tomiyama, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, and lead author of a new Psychosomatic Medicine study examining diet and weight gain. "We think this may be one reason dieters tend to have a hard time keeping weight off in the long-term," she says. Counting calories and reducing calories in the diet leads to the weight retention caused by increased levels of cortisol. "No matter how you cut calories, whether that's doing it on your own, or doing something like Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig, it doesn't matter, it's still going to increase your cortisol level," she said. Nearly 65 percent of people gain back more weight than they lost while dieting and nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults are currently dieting. The study examined four groups of women, some assigned to calorie-tracking and reducing their calories. At the start and end of three weeks, cortisol and stress levels were measured. When calories were restricted, cortisol levels increased and calorie-tracking caused higher levels of stress. Burning more calories than you consume is the only way your body loses weight. The most effective way to lose weight is to modify lifestyle habits to incorporate regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Lose weight by: • Eating well and being active. • Joining weight loss support groups. • Avoiding diet pills and diet fads. • Reducing stress with relaxation techniques. … Read More

Managing Your Seasonal Allergies

Posted May 12, 2010 by Acupuncture & Massage College & filed under Holistic Medicine

Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, is caused by airborne pollen and mold spores, and is experienced by over 35 million Americans. Symptoms often include runny nose, stuffiness, itchiness, watery, red eyes, and sneezing. These symptoms are caused by your immune system, which recognizes pollen and mold as allergens, and produces antibodies that release chemicals to combat them, leading to an allergic reaction. Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are often caused by grasses during the late spring and early summer. Certain nutrients can help to ease symptoms. The flavonoid quercetin can aid in controlling the release of the histamine that causes the allergic response. Foods containing quercetin include broccoli, red onions, citrus fruits, red grapes, tomatoes, apples, and berries. Tips to manage your seasonal allergy symptoms: • Limit exposure to pollen and molds by staying indoors when the pollen count is high. • Close car windows when driving. • Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves. • Keep home windows closed and use air conditioning to limit pollen in the house. • Avoid line-drying laundry to limit exposure to pollens. Conventional therapies for seasonal allergies often include medications or allergy shots. Using holistic therapies, like acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, can aid in symptom management. Acupuncture can be used as a primary or complementary therapy for seasonal allergies and produces no adverse side effects. … Read More

Diet Linked To Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Posted May 11, 2010 by Acupuncture & Massage College & filed under Holistic Medicine

Individuals whose diet includes more fish, poultry, nuts, fruits, salad dressing, and vegetables and fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats and butter may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study appearing in the JAMA journal Archives of Neurology. “Evidence linking diet, one of the most important modifiable environmental factors, and risk of Alzheimer’s disease is rapidly increasing,” the authors write. “However, current literature regarding the impact of individual nutrients or food items on Alzheimer’s disease risk is inconsistent, partly because humans eat meals with complex combinations of nutrients or food items that are likely to be synergistic.” Several dietary patterns were identified with varying levels of seven nutrients previously shown to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease risk: Saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B12, and folate. One dietary pattern was significantly associated with a reduced risk of the disease. This pattern involved high intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, fruits, and dark and green leafy vegetables and low intakes of high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meat, and butter. The combination of nutrients in the low-risk dietary pattern reflect multiple pathways in the development of Alzheimer's disease, the authors note. "For example, vitamin E might prevent Alzheimer's disease via its strong antioxidant effect and fatty acids may be related to dementia and cognitive function through atherosclerosis, thrombosis or inflammation.” … Read More

Massage For Back Pain

Many people experiencing back pain utilize massage therapy for pain management. Back pain often affects the lower back and can become a physical and psychological burden. "The cause of back pain is not always immediately clear," says Peter Sawicki, director of the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. "But back pain usually gets better on its own within a few weeks." Back pain is only rarely caused by a more serious health problem. If low back pain does not improve on its own, massage therapy can be a treatment option. "Research suggests that classic (Swedish) massage can relieve low back pain that has lasted longer than several weeks," says Sawicki. People experiencing back pain can benefit from a combination of massage, exercises and stretching. In addition to back pain, therapeutic massage is effective for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions and their symptoms, including stress, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, asthma/bronchitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. Massage can reduce muscle strain, alleviate discomfort of ailments, restore balance, rejuvenate, and maintain wellness. Massage can speed the body’s healing process after surgery, illness or injuries. Therapeutic massage may incorporate techniques from Swedish, Shiatsu, deep tissue, trigger point, and medical massage. Benefits of therapeutic massage include: • Reduced muscle tension and stiffness. • Faster healing of sprained ligaments. • Reduced blood pressure. • Improved posture. • Decreased heart rate. • Balance restoration. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers massage, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of back pain as well as for a wide range of other health conditions. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Fitness And Fatness Increase Cardiovascular Risk

Posted May 07, 2010 by Acupuncture & Massage College & filed under Holistic Medicine

Obesity and physical inactivity are both associated with major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol, according to a recent study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Both overweight and physical inactivity are independently associated with cardiovascular risk even in healthy women, suggesting that both “fitness” and “fatness” matter for women’s health. Women with a high body mass index (BMI of 25 or greater), or a low level of physical activity (less than 30 minutes per day of moderate activity), are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. However, women at any weight, or with any BMI, have lower cardiovascular risk with higher levels of physical activity. “A woman’s best preventative tool for lowering her cardiovascular risk is to maintain a normal BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 and to meet the current CDC guidelines of two and a half hours of physical activity per week, which could be a brisk walk 30 minutes most days of the week,” says study author Samia Mora, M.D. “A woman’s weight is more closely associated with cardiovascular risk as reflected in cholesterol levels, and as your weight increases, so does your risk.” “However, women who are thin but unfit or have low levels of physical activity may still have high risk. This means that women may significantly improve their cardiovascular risk profile by increasing their level of physical activity, and women who are physically active can lower their risk by maintaining an optimal weight.” Fitness matters for those who are thin as well as those who are overweight. It’s not only weight but exercise that matters. Cardiovascular risk can be reduced by: • Quitting smoking. • A diet low in sodium. • Reducing stress. • Regular exercise. • Maintaining a healthy weight. … Read More

Women And Arthritis Risk

Increasing numbers of American women are becoming obese and physically inactive, leading to more women experiencing arthritis. While women in the United States have an arthritis prevalence of over 23 percent, women in Canada have a significantly lower rate of 19.6 percent, according to a new Toronto Western Research Institute study, which compared data from both countries. “Our study results suggest that the higher prevalence of arthritis in the U.S. may be a consequence of greater obesity and physical inactivity in that country, particularly in women,” says lead author Elizabeth Badley. “Public health initiatives that promote healthy weight and physical activity may benefit from including arthritis concerns in its message, and could potentially reduce the incidence of arthritis,” Badley says. The study appears in the March issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research. Certain factors have been shown to be associated with a greater risk of arthritis. Some of these risk factors are modifiable while others are not. Modifiable risk factors include: • Overweight and obesity. Excess weight can result in knee osteoarthritis. • Infection. Microbial agents can infect joints and contribute to the development of multiple forms of arthritis. • Joint damage. Injury can result in the development of joint osteoarthritis. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy can aid in alleviating the pain, stiffness and inflammation associated with all types of arthritis. Traditional Chinese medicine uses a multidimensional approach, treating arthritis with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, bodywork, diet modification, and supplements as necessary depending on the type of arthritis and the symptoms. … Read More

Massage For Anxiety

Individuals receiving massage show an improvement in symptoms of anxiety in as little as 10 massage sessions, according to a new study appearing in the journal Depression and Anxiety. The improvement in symptoms is comparable to the improvement produced by psychotherapy and medications, or both. The benefits of massage may be due to a generalized relaxation response. Massage therapy is among the most popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for anxiety. In addition to treating generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, health benefits of massage therapy include: • Immunity boost. • Treatment of depression. • Pain management. • Stiffness. • Blood pressure regulation. Massage therapy can treat both physical and psychological symptoms of the disorder. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for the treatment of anxiety as well as a wide range of other health conditions. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation (TM) can produce a unique state of restful alertness, according to a new study conducted on college students at American University. The transcendental meditation technique activates the natural default mode “ground state” of the brain, producing significant brain wave differences and a greater alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, suggesting the brain is working as a whole. Different meditation techniques entail various degrees of cognitive control, including the TM technique. TM can also enhance an individual’s sense of self. A consistent practice of transcendental meditation promotes longevity and may be beneficial for various diseases and ailments such as cardiovascular disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, headaches, arthritis, and asthma. Transcendental meditation can be used for: • Stress. • Pain. • Anxiety. • Insomnia. • Overall wellness. Health benefits of TM include: Improved concentration, circulation, increased energy, lowered blood pressure, and slower respiratory rate. Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director. … Read More

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