Down syndrome is often considered as a lifetime problem, so patients really need a lot of support and to learn coping measures to deal with the different challenges. The response of patients will differ, as well as their personal, mental and emotional ability to handle the new situations. Find out the best approaches that lead to independence and wellness.
Expert Advice
It is important that you consult the professionals first, before determining the proper approaches that lead to a better and healthier lifestyle. You may belong to an online forum or local support group. Start to talk about the situation with others who share the same concerns and sentiments with you. It is important to know that patients’ reactions can differ depending on their own personal experiences and capabilities.
Find out the most reliable ways and coping measures that worked for most patients. Talk therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other rehabilitative methods are some of the proven ways. There are also medications that may be prescribed, if other symptoms or conditions are present. These should only be used if truly recommended by the experts.
Help Starts Within
You need to start by finding the right coping measures for yourself to provide full support to your child. You may experience feelings of guilt, fear, shock and disbelief. Take note that your baby is the one who needs the most attention and support at this time. Take charge of your emotions and understand the ways to improve and adjust accordingly. You can start by rearranging the home to offer safety and security for the baby, changing your schedule to provide more time for him or her and knowing the right diet, toys and other tools for independence.
Family Support
Other members of the family should also help during the most critical stages of the child’s life. Although milestones may be reached at a later age, every person in the house should contribute to boost overall wellness. If you intend to breastfeed your baby, you should ask your physician first, since babies with Down syndrome tend to have low muscle tone or hypotonia. They may have difficulty breastfeeding properly. Breastfeeding can actually help in immunity and other functions for the baby.
Siblings can take turns taking care of the baby. Other relatives can also come over to help the child improve social skills and communicating. Take your child to different venues with different people to boost its confidence. The family should coordinate well to meet the needs of the baby until it is ready to do things alone.
Taking It Slowly
The coping techniques need to be incorporated slowly for patients to deal with the challenges and learn to become independent. Do not pressure the patient so much to reach new heights and give compliments and praise for small efforts. Parents should also be kind to themselves and stop blaming the wrong reasons. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that people truly do not have any control over.
The effects and symptoms of Down syndrome usually last a lifetime so individuals and families need to be ready for these. Parents should not also stop themselves from giving birth to more kids because they have a history of the condition. Although it is not entirely impossible, a lot of parents can actually continue giving birth to normal children despite the previous one being afflicted with Down syndrome.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Different Meditation Techniques
Do you feel that life gets a little too out-of-control sometimes? Anger, sadness, jealousy or anxiety sometimes incapacitates you. You feel you’re disorganized and forgetful more often than not. You find it hard to concentrate when you need to focus the most. Life just seems to pass you by and you occasionally wonder, “What is the point of life, really?” It’s okay if you feel that way, as it is human nature, yet a meditation teacher would say you don’t have to feel this way. Through meditation techniques, you can free yourself from negative emotions that arise and find a deep sense of calmness and self awareness.
Most of the modern techniques for mediation fall into one of two categories: Zen-based forms (which involve insight meditation) and Hinduism-based forms (which involve concentrative meditation). With Zen-based meditation, like vipassana or mindfulness meditation, you will become aware of the passing of thoughts and feelings, without becoming emotionally involved. The person meditating sits quietly and allows any thought to pass through the mind, while gently redirecting the focus to the here and now. Breathing and observing body sensations helps to block out distractions to achieve perfect concentration, although there is always a consciousness about the process of achieving meditation.
The concentrative method of meditation focuses the attention on a particular subject, such as one’s breath, an image or a sound. The idea is that clarity will be at the end of the tunnel. This type of meditation absorbs the mind on the continuous rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. While absorbed in that thought, breathing becomes even slower and deeper, as the mind becomes more and more aware. Transcendental meditation and yoga nidra (sleep of the yogis) are Hindu-based concentrative, meditation techniques and methods that encourage a retreat into the inner self.
When practicing meditation techniques at home, it’s difficult to know whether you’re on the right path or just faking it. Initially, relaxation meditation does feel artificial and a bit forced. Before you reach awareness, you must first battle your mind’s natural tendency to run the show and control everything. As you focus on inner feelings, breathing and visualization, you will find your cares and frustrations melt away. Understand that as long as you are breathing slowly and rhythmically, you are likely on the right path.
Beth Kaminski is a leading expert in the treating panic disorder and has been publishing lots of information on the best panic disorder medications for years now.
Most of the modern techniques for mediation fall into one of two categories: Zen-based forms (which involve insight meditation) and Hinduism-based forms (which involve concentrative meditation). With Zen-based meditation, like vipassana or mindfulness meditation, you will become aware of the passing of thoughts and feelings, without becoming emotionally involved. The person meditating sits quietly and allows any thought to pass through the mind, while gently redirecting the focus to the here and now. Breathing and observing body sensations helps to block out distractions to achieve perfect concentration, although there is always a consciousness about the process of achieving meditation.
The concentrative method of meditation focuses the attention on a particular subject, such as one’s breath, an image or a sound. The idea is that clarity will be at the end of the tunnel. This type of meditation absorbs the mind on the continuous rhythm of inhaling and exhaling. While absorbed in that thought, breathing becomes even slower and deeper, as the mind becomes more and more aware. Transcendental meditation and yoga nidra (sleep of the yogis) are Hindu-based concentrative, meditation techniques and methods that encourage a retreat into the inner self.
When practicing meditation techniques at home, it’s difficult to know whether you’re on the right path or just faking it. Initially, relaxation meditation does feel artificial and a bit forced. Before you reach awareness, you must first battle your mind’s natural tendency to run the show and control everything. As you focus on inner feelings, breathing and visualization, you will find your cares and frustrations melt away. Understand that as long as you are breathing slowly and rhythmically, you are likely on the right path.
Beth Kaminski is a leading expert in the treating panic disorder and has been publishing lots of information on the best panic disorder medications for years now.
Eat in a Restaurant and Stay Healthy!
D. W. Brooks, MD wrote 25 easy & healthy tips for eating at restaurants. We are all aware that fast food and restaurant meals are rich in calories, in fact it was said that an average restaurant meal has over 1,000 calories. It’s enough to blow your diet.
Good news! You can actually continue to eat at your favorite fast food chains and restaurants without gaining any weight. Just follow these simple ways to prevent weight gain:us
1. If you know the menu from the restaurant you’re going to, plan what you’re going to have ahead of time. This will help save you from making a last minute decision that could result in high-calorie choices.
2. Drink at least one full-glass of water or iced tea before eating your meal. This helps your digestive process, and, because you’ll feel full sooner, you will eat less.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for the “senior citizen” special or kid’s-sized portions. Most restaurants will accommodate you — and often you’ll pay less as well!
4. Order first. That way you’re much less likely to be influenced by the choices of your companions.
5. If you’re not sure how something is prepared, don’t be afraid to ask. And if the dish is cooked in oil or butter, you can always ask if they have a “fat free” option.
6. If everything on the menu is high in fat or calories, ask if the chef could prepare a plate of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many restaurants offer a vegetarian selection, so if you don’t see it on the menu, ask.
7. When ordering meat or fish, ask that it be grilled or broiled, and prepared without oil or butter. (When you eat it, use lemon or herbs and spices to give it flavor rather than heavy sauces).
8. Order an appetizer and a salad as your meal. Or a soup and salad. For dessert, choose fresh fruit.
9. When choosing soup, remember that cream-based soups have many more calories than broth-based ones.
Good news! You can actually continue to eat at your favorite fast food chains and restaurants without gaining any weight. Just follow these simple ways to prevent weight gain:us
1. If you know the menu from the restaurant you’re going to, plan what you’re going to have ahead of time. This will help save you from making a last minute decision that could result in high-calorie choices.
2. Drink at least one full-glass of water or iced tea before eating your meal. This helps your digestive process, and, because you’ll feel full sooner, you will eat less.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for the “senior citizen” special or kid’s-sized portions. Most restaurants will accommodate you — and often you’ll pay less as well!
4. Order first. That way you’re much less likely to be influenced by the choices of your companions.
5. If you’re not sure how something is prepared, don’t be afraid to ask. And if the dish is cooked in oil or butter, you can always ask if they have a “fat free” option.
6. If everything on the menu is high in fat or calories, ask if the chef could prepare a plate of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many restaurants offer a vegetarian selection, so if you don’t see it on the menu, ask.
7. When ordering meat or fish, ask that it be grilled or broiled, and prepared without oil or butter. (When you eat it, use lemon or herbs and spices to give it flavor rather than heavy sauces).
8. Order an appetizer and a salad as your meal. Or a soup and salad. For dessert, choose fresh fruit.
9. When choosing soup, remember that cream-based soups have many more calories than broth-based ones.
Health Tips on Preserving Your Mind and Boosting Your Memory
I recently received an article from Harvard Health Publications entitled, “Preserving and Boosting Your Memory.†Basically, it contained helpful and simple ways to avoid forgetfulness. And I think the article is intended for me.
I’ve already talked about my memory lapses in my Xanga. Sometimes, I can even sleep with my glasses on (especially, when I fell asleep on my study table, heh!). You might think that this problem is associated only with aging, although it is said that forgetfulness is commonly encountered with senility.
The article emphasized some of the preventive and enhancing activities for the mind.
1. Be educated. Many epidemiologic studies associated higher levels of education and intelligence with lower rates of dementia. The theory states that the neurons of the intelligent and educated brain have more connections than a less intelligent, less educated brain.
2. Exercise your mind. Our mind can be compared to our physical body. Regular exercise ensues good physical health. They give these examples: When you meet a new person, for example, you are more likely to remember his or her name if you not only focus on how the person looks, but also repeat the name aloud, and note how the handshake feels and what his or her voice sounds like. Second, the activity of the brain intensifies when it is asked to process new information or attacks a routine task in a novel way. Making a new friend, cooking from a new recipe, or taking a new route to the supermarket are examples of how you might consciously give your brain fresh material to work on.
3. Avoid stress. Some researches associate lower mental performance to higher cortisol level. Cortisol, usually referred as “stress hormoneâ€, is released when the body is put under stress.
4. Get enough sleep. Apparently, our mothers were right when they asked us to sleep early to get a brighter mind when we were kids. Remembrances can have a dreamlike quality and dreams can certainly dredge up long-buried thoughts, but sleep in general also seems to play a big part in maintaining the brain’s workaday memory functions.
5. Stay physically active. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a link between exercise and healthy human thinking.
In the article, it was also pointed out that hypertension can cause significant memory because this condition may result to damage of the small blood vessels in the brain which could affect cognitive functions.
Reference:
1. www.health.harvard.edu (Newsletter)
I’ve already talked about my memory lapses in my Xanga. Sometimes, I can even sleep with my glasses on (especially, when I fell asleep on my study table, heh!). You might think that this problem is associated only with aging, although it is said that forgetfulness is commonly encountered with senility.
The article emphasized some of the preventive and enhancing activities for the mind.
1. Be educated. Many epidemiologic studies associated higher levels of education and intelligence with lower rates of dementia. The theory states that the neurons of the intelligent and educated brain have more connections than a less intelligent, less educated brain.
2. Exercise your mind. Our mind can be compared to our physical body. Regular exercise ensues good physical health. They give these examples: When you meet a new person, for example, you are more likely to remember his or her name if you not only focus on how the person looks, but also repeat the name aloud, and note how the handshake feels and what his or her voice sounds like. Second, the activity of the brain intensifies when it is asked to process new information or attacks a routine task in a novel way. Making a new friend, cooking from a new recipe, or taking a new route to the supermarket are examples of how you might consciously give your brain fresh material to work on.
3. Avoid stress. Some researches associate lower mental performance to higher cortisol level. Cortisol, usually referred as “stress hormoneâ€, is released when the body is put under stress.
4. Get enough sleep. Apparently, our mothers were right when they asked us to sleep early to get a brighter mind when we were kids. Remembrances can have a dreamlike quality and dreams can certainly dredge up long-buried thoughts, but sleep in general also seems to play a big part in maintaining the brain’s workaday memory functions.
5. Stay physically active. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a link between exercise and healthy human thinking.
In the article, it was also pointed out that hypertension can cause significant memory because this condition may result to damage of the small blood vessels in the brain which could affect cognitive functions.
Reference:
1. www.health.harvard.edu (Newsletter)
Did You Know: The Best Way to Do with Hot Leftovers
Did you know that refrigerating hot leftovers, immediately, instead of cooling it first at room temperature, is the best way to avoid spoilage and invasion of bacteria, in contrast to what previously claimed?
It was always thought that leftovers, especially the hot ones, should be cooled at room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. Accordingly, allowing food to cool at a slower rate reduces the likelihood that it will spoil. Another theory suggests that hot food can somehow interfere with the circulation of cold air in the refrigerator.
But according to the Food and Drug Administration (as reported by NYTimes), leftover food (particularly meat) should be refrigerated immediately after serving, and certainly within two hours of cooking.
It was always thought that leftovers, especially the hot ones, should be cooled at room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. Accordingly, allowing food to cool at a slower rate reduces the likelihood that it will spoil. Another theory suggests that hot food can somehow interfere with the circulation of cold air in the refrigerator.
But according to the Food and Drug Administration (as reported by NYTimes), leftover food (particularly meat) should be refrigerated immediately after serving, and certainly within two hours of cooking.
Food bacteria can double every 30 or 40 minutes, and several outbreaks of food poisoning have been linked to meat cooked and left to cool at room temperature for too long.
Generally, the bacteria that contaminate food thrive at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, so leftovers should always be stored in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees or below.
When the quantity of food is large, it should be separated into small containers for quicker cooling, and reheated no more than once.
Source: NYTimes.com
Hand Washing 101: Plain water and soap combination is still a good way.
Hand washing is undoubtedly the best way to prevent spread of infectious diseases. Soap manufacturers always come up with innovative products that “enhance” this preventive techniques. We see ads on TV about how effectively hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps prevent germs which almost always convince the consumers. Recent studies however say that washing hands with ordinary soap and water for 15 seconds reduces bacterial counts by about 90%. But even people who are conscientious about washing their hands often make the mistake of not drying them properly. Wet hands are more likely to spread germs than dry ones. Harvard Health Letter
Soap manufacturers found a good way to convince consumer more in buying their products through antibacterials additives. But experts fear that antibiotic resistance, which is now one of the major health concerns, might result from use of these antibacterial soaps. Further, research shows that these additives don’t add much on hand hygiene. Thus, this serves as a useful reminder that antibacterial soaps aren’t the all-purpose germ fighters that many people think they are.
A more recent innovation is the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Consumers find it the most convenient way to prevent infectious when water and soap are out of reach. But alcohol does not kill everything, and people should be reminded that it should not be the only cleaner available in health care settings.
The newsletter gave tips on how to effectively kill germs through hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer:
1. Spread cleaner over hands.
2. Clean backs.
3. Clean fingertips.
4. Clean fingernails.
5. Clean thumbs.
6. Clean between fingers.
7. When using hand sanitizer, be sure that you use a large amounts of it.
Bottom line is, your ordinary soap and clean water are already sufficient to prevent infections without spending more on these new products.
Soap manufacturers found a good way to convince consumer more in buying their products through antibacterials additives. But experts fear that antibiotic resistance, which is now one of the major health concerns, might result from use of these antibacterial soaps. Further, research shows that these additives don’t add much on hand hygiene. Thus, this serves as a useful reminder that antibacterial soaps aren’t the all-purpose germ fighters that many people think they are.
A more recent innovation is the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Consumers find it the most convenient way to prevent infectious when water and soap are out of reach. But alcohol does not kill everything, and people should be reminded that it should not be the only cleaner available in health care settings.
The newsletter gave tips on how to effectively kill germs through hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer:
1. Spread cleaner over hands.
2. Clean backs.
3. Clean fingertips.
4. Clean fingernails.
5. Clean thumbs.
6. Clean between fingers.
7. When using hand sanitizer, be sure that you use a large amounts of it.
Bottom line is, your ordinary soap and clean water are already sufficient to prevent infections without spending more on these new products.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Why They Say Chocolate Has Health Benefits
Does chocolate have health benefits at all? Few studies and researches made not too long ago suggested it has. In fact, a lot of chemicals containing chocolate were found to be beneficial to the people's health. So, it does contradict the old myth and half-truths surrounding the saying that anything that looks and tastes good is bad.
The health benefits are particularly true to cocoa, dark chocolate, and minimally-processed chocolate foods. Aside from the copper and magnesium, which aids in regulating blood pressure and heartbeat, they contain flavonoids, the ones that you also found in high-antioxidant green tea. As you probably know it already, antioxidants are good for the health as they accomplish a number of health benefits, such as the following:
- Improve circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Stimulate kidneys, improve digestion
- Can help patients with poor appetite, kidney stones, and anemia
- Improve endothelial functions
- Guard against free radicals and other destructive molecules, which are known to trigger stroke and heart disease.
- Lower heart disease-related deaths
Flavonoids have two different kinds, the epicatechins and catechin. The catechin has been found to be rich in minimally processed chocolate foods and cocoa. This is known to aid in preventing heart disease illnesses and possibly cancer problems. It is also aid to boosting an individual's immune system, this one also was recently discovered by the experts. Catechins can be found triple in amount in chocolates as compared to those found in teas.
But despite the discovered health benefits of chocolate, you have to be cautious at what type and amount of chocolate food you consume. As anything excessive can be bad to health, and that applies to chocolate too. Eating high quantities of chocolate can still cause weight and eventually trigger illness especially if you consume the less healthy type of chocolate.
In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences, you have to choose the right type of chocolate when consuming as not all kinds are good. For example, highly-processed chocolate food kind such as those in candy and bar forms have high calories, sugar, and fat contents, therefore, must be avoided at all cost. Healthy kinds are dark chocolate, cocoa, and any other minimally-processed chocolate food.
This is in relation to studies demonstrating possible effects by eating chocolates done by the experts to groups of participants. In a particular study, half of the group ate dark chocolate while the other white chocolate. One ones who ate white chocolate, showed no change in blood pressure, while the other who ate dark chocolate, significantly lowered their systolic blood pressure.
At another conducted Pennsylvania State University study,a different group of participants received low fat diet, except that the half got high-carb snack and the other consumed low fat chocolate bar for a certain length of time. The two split groups didn't show difference in levels of bad or LDL cholesterol afterwards. However, those that ate chocolate bars did show increase in triglycerides, a type of heart-risk blood fat, and good or HDL cholesterols.
From these studies, it showed how chocolate can actually be a good diet food. However, note that the participants were only fed in minimal quantities of chocolates, therefore it is still not advised to consume this sweet treat more than what is required for you to take. Also, remember to avoid chocolate foods that are high in artificial flavorings, with dairy products, and sugars. Remember this: the less that it is processed, the more that health benefits you will get from chocolate.
The health benefits are particularly true to cocoa, dark chocolate, and minimally-processed chocolate foods. Aside from the copper and magnesium, which aids in regulating blood pressure and heartbeat, they contain flavonoids, the ones that you also found in high-antioxidant green tea. As you probably know it already, antioxidants are good for the health as they accomplish a number of health benefits, such as the following:
- Improve circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Stimulate kidneys, improve digestion
- Can help patients with poor appetite, kidney stones, and anemia
- Improve endothelial functions
- Guard against free radicals and other destructive molecules, which are known to trigger stroke and heart disease.
- Lower heart disease-related deaths
Flavonoids have two different kinds, the epicatechins and catechin. The catechin has been found to be rich in minimally processed chocolate foods and cocoa. This is known to aid in preventing heart disease illnesses and possibly cancer problems. It is also aid to boosting an individual's immune system, this one also was recently discovered by the experts. Catechins can be found triple in amount in chocolates as compared to those found in teas.
But despite the discovered health benefits of chocolate, you have to be cautious at what type and amount of chocolate food you consume. As anything excessive can be bad to health, and that applies to chocolate too. Eating high quantities of chocolate can still cause weight and eventually trigger illness especially if you consume the less healthy type of chocolate.
In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences, you have to choose the right type of chocolate when consuming as not all kinds are good. For example, highly-processed chocolate food kind such as those in candy and bar forms have high calories, sugar, and fat contents, therefore, must be avoided at all cost. Healthy kinds are dark chocolate, cocoa, and any other minimally-processed chocolate food.
This is in relation to studies demonstrating possible effects by eating chocolates done by the experts to groups of participants. In a particular study, half of the group ate dark chocolate while the other white chocolate. One ones who ate white chocolate, showed no change in blood pressure, while the other who ate dark chocolate, significantly lowered their systolic blood pressure.
At another conducted Pennsylvania State University study,a different group of participants received low fat diet, except that the half got high-carb snack and the other consumed low fat chocolate bar for a certain length of time. The two split groups didn't show difference in levels of bad or LDL cholesterol afterwards. However, those that ate chocolate bars did show increase in triglycerides, a type of heart-risk blood fat, and good or HDL cholesterols.
From these studies, it showed how chocolate can actually be a good diet food. However, note that the participants were only fed in minimal quantities of chocolates, therefore it is still not advised to consume this sweet treat more than what is required for you to take. Also, remember to avoid chocolate foods that are high in artificial flavorings, with dairy products, and sugars. Remember this: the less that it is processed, the more that health benefits you will get from chocolate.
The Wide Holistic Benefits Of Shiatsu Massage
Using the application of pressure and power of touch, shiatsu massage became popular and widely patronized by different people all around the world to get the benefits it was believed to provide as far as medical, mental, and spiritual well being is concerned.
If by chance you still don't have any idea what shiatsu is, it is the massage technique that Chinese medicine has been practicing and utilizing the meridian healing system since 2000 years ago to provide health and wellness benefits to the people.
The principle of shiatsu is focused on balancing the energy found in the body by increasing its blood circulation or opening it up. The chi, which is the energy found in the body, needs to flow freely along the meridians of the body in order to achieve proper balance.
There are fourteen meridians found in the body, twelve of which are used as channels or passageways for the healing. The liver, kidney, stomach, bladder, spleen, gall bladder, small and large intestines, the pericardium, body temperature regulator, and the heart are some consisting the twelve meridians associated to body organs that serve as passage for the chi to flow to balance out the body.
Shiatsu massage is not only beneficial in improving health condition of the above body organs but likewise to other illnesses such as tension, stress, and even aches resulting from long term repetitive motions such as the arm using for writing, typing on the keyboard, and computer mouse.
Specifically, the therapy is known to treat various disorders including:
- headaches, migraines
- back pain, back problems and stiff/frozen shoulders
- sciatica nerve pains
- whiplash injuries
- carpal tunnel
- abdominal pain, , gastrointestinal disorders, and joint pain
- tennis elbow, herniated or bulging discs
- dizziness, weakness, and vertigo
- muscle pain disorders
- anxiety disorders, fatigue and stress
Additionally, it is also known to prevent progression, if not to treat, long list of health disorders. It includes:
- providing complete relaxation
- reducing overall anxiety and stress
- improving blood circulation and preventing diseases
- getting rid of body toxins and waste
- increasing mental, spiritual, and mental well-being
- increasing flexibility and mobility of the body
- balancing the menstrual cycles of the women
- increasing sexual exuberance
- clearing the mind
- relaxing the musculoskeletal in the body structure
The explanation for the improvement and treatment provided by shiatsu massage therapy is when the body becomes imbalanced the immune system tends to become weak and consequently vulnerable enough to easily contract diseases.
If the body shows loss of energy, it experiences weakening, meaning the organs in the body are not functioning well while the body tissues are slowly failing. In shiatsu principle, it shows that the energy, chi, is already losing its capabilities as well to freely flow.
The aim of the shiatsu massage now is to restore that chi so that everything will follow suit until all the body organs are able to function better again. The technique that the massage therapist uses boosts the immune system so that the body is freed of the negative conditions.
It is amazing that the shiatsu massage technique only uses pressure method applied by the fingers, palm, thumbs, and sometimes by the elbow, knees and feet, but it is all about the amount of pressure administered into the pressure points of the body. The amount of pressure releases the hindered energy so that your overall well being improves significantly.
If by chance you still don't have any idea what shiatsu is, it is the massage technique that Chinese medicine has been practicing and utilizing the meridian healing system since 2000 years ago to provide health and wellness benefits to the people.
The principle of shiatsu is focused on balancing the energy found in the body by increasing its blood circulation or opening it up. The chi, which is the energy found in the body, needs to flow freely along the meridians of the body in order to achieve proper balance.
There are fourteen meridians found in the body, twelve of which are used as channels or passageways for the healing. The liver, kidney, stomach, bladder, spleen, gall bladder, small and large intestines, the pericardium, body temperature regulator, and the heart are some consisting the twelve meridians associated to body organs that serve as passage for the chi to flow to balance out the body.
Shiatsu massage is not only beneficial in improving health condition of the above body organs but likewise to other illnesses such as tension, stress, and even aches resulting from long term repetitive motions such as the arm using for writing, typing on the keyboard, and computer mouse.
Specifically, the therapy is known to treat various disorders including:
- headaches, migraines
- back pain, back problems and stiff/frozen shoulders
- sciatica nerve pains
- whiplash injuries
- carpal tunnel
- abdominal pain, , gastrointestinal disorders, and joint pain
- tennis elbow, herniated or bulging discs
- dizziness, weakness, and vertigo
- muscle pain disorders
- anxiety disorders, fatigue and stress
Additionally, it is also known to prevent progression, if not to treat, long list of health disorders. It includes:
- providing complete relaxation
- reducing overall anxiety and stress
- improving blood circulation and preventing diseases
- getting rid of body toxins and waste
- increasing mental, spiritual, and mental well-being
- increasing flexibility and mobility of the body
- balancing the menstrual cycles of the women
- increasing sexual exuberance
- clearing the mind
- relaxing the musculoskeletal in the body structure
The explanation for the improvement and treatment provided by shiatsu massage therapy is when the body becomes imbalanced the immune system tends to become weak and consequently vulnerable enough to easily contract diseases.
If the body shows loss of energy, it experiences weakening, meaning the organs in the body are not functioning well while the body tissues are slowly failing. In shiatsu principle, it shows that the energy, chi, is already losing its capabilities as well to freely flow.
The aim of the shiatsu massage now is to restore that chi so that everything will follow suit until all the body organs are able to function better again. The technique that the massage therapist uses boosts the immune system so that the body is freed of the negative conditions.
It is amazing that the shiatsu massage technique only uses pressure method applied by the fingers, palm, thumbs, and sometimes by the elbow, knees and feet, but it is all about the amount of pressure administered into the pressure points of the body. The amount of pressure releases the hindered energy so that your overall well being improves significantly.
What Benefits Can You Get From Shiatsu Massage Chair
First, we need to know what shiatsu is and what it can do for you. It is a form of oriental medical treatment known to be started by Chinese people thousands of years ago, and became a powerful yet gentle healing art of the Japanese, with shi, meaning finger, and atsu, as pressure. It has the philosophy that the flow of energy must be re-established to benefit overall well being of the person by focusing on the network of meridians found in the human body.
The shiatsu has a literal meaning of "finger-pressure." It uses fingers, palms, thumbs, knees, elbows and even feet to apply the pressure to the body energy points. Through the use of these pressure-applying parts, shiatsu can serve as preventative therapy, addressing the underlying roots as well as the symptoms of various diseases. The meridians, which as shiatsu principle elaborates, are associated to most major body organs, like the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, and others.
As shiatsu principle teaches the people, it is the sole responsibility of the person to take care of their own well being and health. It is in contrast with the Western medical belief which earlier told us that it is the medical practitioners who are primarily responsible for the health of the people. In the Western awareness, the unique characteristic of tough therapy has been lost that it is believed that only the medical experts can give cure and treatment to people suffering from diseases.
While to most extent, it is necessary to trust one's well being into medical practitioners, it is not right to forget that there exists essential benefits between touches of two human beings delivering the needed communication that can also serve as therapy to improve one's health and condition. It is a good thing the western culture has now seen the significance of this touch therapy that it finally has recognized the beneficial effects of massage therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture methods, such as the shiatsu massage.
As the world recognized the essence of shiatsu massage method, out born the shiatsu massage chair for the people who want to improve their health condition and seek a more convenient way to do it. Shiatsu massage chairs are designed to provide the people a medium to improve their overall being without going outdoors. What they get from the massage therapy sessions administered by the shiatsu specialists and practitioners can be obtained by using a shiatsu massage chair.
Obviously, shiatsu massage chairs have principles the same as that traditional shiatsu massage finger-pressure techniques provide. All the same, the massage chairs work to strengthen and improve the immune system so that when practiced or used more consistently, can become your instrument of preventive health care.
Many people can benefit from shiatsu massage chairs. As have been used by many celebrities like Henry Kissinger and professional dancers around the world like Martha Graham, Ivan Nagy, and others, this device is truly a magic working its way to provide better life not only to them but to people who are suffering from certain disorders and those wanting to relax their body.
The shiatsu massage chairs are a great way to relieve the patient from their muscle pains, especially at the back, legs, arms, and others parts of the body that are in constant rigid mobility, as well as other unhealthy conditions. The chairs will restore the vitality and energy so that the patient will always be ready to face the challenges even the harshness of their daily activities.
The shiatsu has a literal meaning of "finger-pressure." It uses fingers, palms, thumbs, knees, elbows and even feet to apply the pressure to the body energy points. Through the use of these pressure-applying parts, shiatsu can serve as preventative therapy, addressing the underlying roots as well as the symptoms of various diseases. The meridians, which as shiatsu principle elaborates, are associated to most major body organs, like the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, and others.
As shiatsu principle teaches the people, it is the sole responsibility of the person to take care of their own well being and health. It is in contrast with the Western medical belief which earlier told us that it is the medical practitioners who are primarily responsible for the health of the people. In the Western awareness, the unique characteristic of tough therapy has been lost that it is believed that only the medical experts can give cure and treatment to people suffering from diseases.
While to most extent, it is necessary to trust one's well being into medical practitioners, it is not right to forget that there exists essential benefits between touches of two human beings delivering the needed communication that can also serve as therapy to improve one's health and condition. It is a good thing the western culture has now seen the significance of this touch therapy that it finally has recognized the beneficial effects of massage therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture methods, such as the shiatsu massage.
As the world recognized the essence of shiatsu massage method, out born the shiatsu massage chair for the people who want to improve their health condition and seek a more convenient way to do it. Shiatsu massage chairs are designed to provide the people a medium to improve their overall being without going outdoors. What they get from the massage therapy sessions administered by the shiatsu specialists and practitioners can be obtained by using a shiatsu massage chair.
Obviously, shiatsu massage chairs have principles the same as that traditional shiatsu massage finger-pressure techniques provide. All the same, the massage chairs work to strengthen and improve the immune system so that when practiced or used more consistently, can become your instrument of preventive health care.
Many people can benefit from shiatsu massage chairs. As have been used by many celebrities like Henry Kissinger and professional dancers around the world like Martha Graham, Ivan Nagy, and others, this device is truly a magic working its way to provide better life not only to them but to people who are suffering from certain disorders and those wanting to relax their body.
The shiatsu massage chairs are a great way to relieve the patient from their muscle pains, especially at the back, legs, arms, and others parts of the body that are in constant rigid mobility, as well as other unhealthy conditions. The chairs will restore the vitality and energy so that the patient will always be ready to face the challenges even the harshness of their daily activities.