August 2014 - CandleLighters.ca

Chiropractic Treatment for Severe Back Pain

Recently, a tragedy befell a friend of mine. In the middle of the night a burglar entered in his house and went searching for stuff to steal. Unfortunately my friend woke up and saw the thief, and before he knew it, the felon hit him at the back with a golf club. He went down.

He thought his problem was done when he hired a locksmith in Bromley to change locks and install security alarms. However, even days after this incident, he felt a severe pain at the lower area of his back where the thief hit him.

The pain got so severe that he couldn’t stand straight or sit still for more than two minutes. It was then that he called for help from a chiropractor.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a type of health care that manipulates the spinal cord to treat musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. This practice goes all the way back to ancient China and Greece, with ancient records dated as early as 2700 B.C. and 1500 B.C. mentioning the efficacy of spinal manipulation to ease back pain.

This practice does not involve any chemical drugs. Chiropractic physicians do the treatment hands-on – they assess the back situation, identify the problem, and treat it through, as said earlier, spinal manipulation. Then they advise the patient on healthy dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle practices to promote holistic well-being.

Is It Effective?

A growing body of research shows proofs that chiropractic treatment relieves back pain faster than other methods. In 2008, Lawrence et al synthesized researches and found that the evidence is enough to support that spinal manipulation is effective to relieve lower back pain regardless of duration of the back pain. In 2010, Dagenais and colleagues found that most studies show spinal manipulation to be more effective compared to other conventional interventions.

This is indeed the case for my friend. After only the first session, he felt a decrease in the back pain. After five sessions, the pain is completely gone. No drugs, no invasive surgeries. It was all natural, all healthy, and obtained fast results. His back pain didn’t return.

Training to be a Herbalist

It’s not difficult to become an herbalist but you do have to be dedicated and prepared for some hard work. Today I want to give you some idea of what path you need to take:

What is an Herbalist?

An herbalist is a person who uses plants in the area of healing and health. They are also, mostly, licensed as practitioners in other areas, like Chinese medicine, acupuncture of naturopathy.  Most herbalists are self-employed and have to put in a  great deal of effort to finding new clients but the job is one of the most rewarding in the world.

Requirements

The following details the basic education and skills you need to pursue a career as an herbalist:

• Graduate degree in naturopathy, Chinese medicine or another field in which hers are used
• Must be licensed in one or more healthcare fields
• Experience is useful but is not a requirement
• Must be a good listener, be able to think critically, make sound judgments and decisions. Must be good at science and be able to solve problems
• Must be able to use software for accounts, retrieval of information, making labels and for medical terms and information.

 Get a Degree

Many educational programs require a bachelor’s degree for entry, preferably in biology, botany, or another subject that is related.

Training Program

There are a number of different herbalist training programs, depending on what you want to do.  If you want to be a practitioner, the training is intensive. A Masters and/or Doctorate degree is required, studying herbal treatments for skin diseases, the integration of western and eastern medicine, botany, and herbology. From there your path is determined by the area you wish to specialize in.

Certification

This is a requirement for anyone wishing to go into herbalism as a career, especially as a practitioner.  The required certificate must be gained through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Licensing

To practice you must be licensed in whatever healthcare field you chose.  Licensing in regulated and you may need to pass exams, at either State or national level.

Continuing Education

Naturopaths must complete extra education every year if they are to meet the requirements of maintaining a practice license.  These can be got through courses, conferences or seminars.

Good luck to anyone who chooses to enter the herbalist arena, you won’t regret it. I’m off to look for Boston boutique hotels on this website, for my upcoming seminar.

How to Treat Mouth Conditions with Herbs

The one thing nobody wants to suffer is problems with their teeth or mouth. There are a number of different conditions that can affect the mouth, including:

• Gingivitis
• Inflamed/bleeding gums
• Thrush
• Toothache
• Teething
• Bad Breath

None of these is very comfortable and all of them require treatment of some kind. You don’t have to go rushing off to the dentist for every problem though. Some herbal remedies can help you no end, either to help with pain or eliminate the problem.

Calendula and Echinacea

Both of these herbs can be used to sooth your gums and help to reduce painful inflammation.  They can both also be used to treat instances of thrush in the mouth, caused by Candida albicans.

Simply dab a little calendula tincture that has been diluted with water, 50/50, onto any affected area. If the problem is with your gums, you can swill a stronger infusion around your mouth for a few minute at a time. Swallow it or spit it out, it doesn’t matter which.

Lavender Oil

This is also good for treating thrush, healing open sores and for reducing any inflammation.

Oregon Grape and Goldenseal

These are excellent for treating gums that are infected. They both contain berberine, which produces an antimicrobial effect to kill off bad bacteria.

Rosemary

Rosemary is an excellent herb for canker sored and is one of the best for using as an antiseptic as well.

Parsley

Parsley is commonly used as a breath freshener and, if served up with your meal, can be nibbled on after eating.  As well as sweeter smelling breath, parsley will also give you a dose of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium.

Licorice

This is also used as a breath freshener and sweetener and is often found in herbal mouthwashes and toothpaste.

Fennel

Fennel works in the same way as licorice and, as an added bonus will help if you have problems with gas as well.

Obviously, for any major problems with the mouth and teeth, especially if they don’t heal up, you should seek the help of a professional dentist. I can highly recommend Desert Vista Dental in Arizona as one of the best practices around.

Naturaly Ways to Treat Damaged Hair

Several of the cosmetic and skin care products being sold today contain toxic chemicals that are not beneficial to one’s health. However, consumers still use them because these products accomplish what they want – clean teeth, fresh breath, smooth skin and shiny hair. When it comes to hair care, people, especially women, strive to have locks that are not only clean but also shiny, bouncy and generally healthy. Fortunately, there are alternative ways to achieve excellent mane condition with the use of natural ingredients.

Avocados. When it comes to hair conditioning, avocados can compete with the best products out in the market today. The fruit contains a lot of fat; and, when used on the hair, avocados can moisturize and make it less prone to breakage. Nutrient-wise, it contains Vitamins B and E, which can help strengthen hair and promote growth. To make a hair mask, mash a ripe avocado with a tablespoon of honey to make a paste. After shampooing, apply the paste to the hair, leave on for ten to thirty minutes and rinse with warm water. The result is moisturized hair with shine.

Eggs. There are many hair products on store shelves today that boast of containing keratin. Well, there is an item in the pantry that can be just as effective as those hair products – eggs. Keratin is a protein which forms the main component of the hair. Eggs are very rich in protein, containing three to six grams per egg. Hence, a conditioner made of eggs can make a very good treatment for badly-damaged hair. The protein content in the eggs can repair the weakened areas in the hair shaft. To make this hair-strengthening DIY conditioner, blend three eggs with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply the mixture to your hair, leave it on for twenty minutes and rinse with cold water.

Beer. Beer is another natural ingredient that has a lot of protein because of the malt and hops that it contains. Similar to eggs, the popular drink can strengthen and restore vitality to the hair. To use as a conditioner, warm a cup of beer and mix it with jojoba oil. After shampooing, pour the beer-oil mixture while giving your hair and scalp a massage. After a few minutes, rinse with warm water.

Alternatively, you can use beer as a setting lotion. It can be a used in lieu of the commercial styling gels and is a healthier alternative. Just pour the beer into a spray bottle and apply on the hair before styling. Apparently, you also need to use good-quality styling equipment to get the best results for your hair. For instance, if you prefer the volume that curls give, use the right curling iron. With the numerous brands available today, this can be a difficult choice; however, you can get help from sites that provide information on the best curling iron like http://www.woocurls.com/. Another useful site on the best curling wand is found on http://www.woocurls.com/what-is-the-best-curling-wand-for-your-hair/.

Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar of ACV is popularly known as a health food, which can help relieve the symptoms of many types of illnesses. However, it can also be employed by those who want to have very clean and shiny hair. ACV’s cleansing properties come from its acidity, which is similar to that of natural hair. Hence, rinsing with vinegar will remove hair buildup and make it deeply clean. ACV also coats the cuticle of each hair strand, making it more shiny and smooth.

The hair is indeed one’s crowning glory; and, as such, it deserves the utmost care. Fortunately, keeping it in top shape does not need to run counter to what is beneficial to the health; thanks to the simple, readily available, natural and effective ingredients that can be found in the kitchen.

Growing Your Herbs on Your Roof

I can tell you many a great thing about why it is good to be an herbalist, and why it is essential to use herbal medicine. For me, it isn’t just a pastime anymore, it is my passion and way of life. I simply cannot live without speaking about the plethora of factors herbs are able to do for our health. I believe in herbal medicine so much that I have even encouraged the people around me, including my friends and family, to embrace it too.

I have recently become a homeowner and I am also happy to say that my house is very eco-friendly. I have made it so because I, too, am concerned about our planet, and going green is the least we can do to preserve it. Through my environmentally-friendly house, I have been able to save money on power as well as on the materials that make up my home.

One of my favorite places in my home is the yard. It is where I am most at peace, and where I can tend my garden of special plants and herbs that I use to keep a sound mind and body; I have already given up on prescription medicine, as they cause more harm than good to our body. But even with the growing number of plants I own and take care of, I feared that there wasn’t enough space for it in my yard. One of the best solutions I discovered was to put them on my roof – a green roof!

As it happens, green roofs are not at all uncommon these days. With the many people opting for a greener and healthier way of living, they have found this kind of roofing option to be most useful. And I find it very helpful myself. I contacted my roofing Toronto company, and they were able to help me set up a green roof; they even let me choose which plants I wanted to grow. My local roofer was more than glad to help me with the materials to use for my roof, and he was even accommodating when I wanted to make some custom changes.

The best thing about having that installed was that it was preventing the heat from the sun from entering my home, as my herbs and plants absorb the heat. And on rainy days, I have not experienced water runoff, as the soil from the green roof absorbs the rain water. My plants are healthier growing on top of my house and I able to grow more both in my yard and my roof.

As far back as I can remember, I have always considered herbal medicine as the key to living a healthier and happier life. Truth be told, I am living that kind of life now! And part of the reason why I have been so successful in my efforts is because I can grow my own herbs at home. Although it was expensive working with my roofing company to set up my green roof, I cannot thank them enough for the wonderful work they have done!

Relaxing and De-Stressing with Massage

A relaxing massage is something that every person deserves after a hard day at the office. Sadly, the only time people get a massage is when they go to a spa on weekends, or after they go to a gym. Few people understand that a massage is a necessity for people who work in a high pressure environment. A massage is not just a way to relax, it actually forces relaxation on a person. Tense muscles are kneaded until they turn soft. The released tension allows the body to be comfortable again, and for the mind to de-stress.

Admittedly, a massage can be a health regimen, but it is not a passive muscle toner or a weight loss program on its own. Nobody has ever claimed that having a massage will help lose weight. There are, however, various static devices which does work, like the one mentioned in It Works Body Wraps Reviews.

There is a healing component to massage, as well as a meditative, hypnotic and trance-like response. It is the repetitive kneading of muscles which induces the mind to turn off distractions. With deep tissue massage, the hard kneading forces the lactic acid in stressed muscles to dissipate. Although lactic acid builds up with exercise and other strenuous activities, the effects also manifest themselves when the body is in a stressful environment, like the office.

The massage experience starts when you step into a spa. It should be clean and invites a calmness from within. The moment you are on the massage table and you close your eyes, you would feel like everything has changed. It is true that for some massage techniques, there would be some pain, especially for those who are unfamiliar with shiatsu, Thai, or Chinese foot massage. However, after a while, the massage experience takes over and the relief begins. The muscles start to soften, the mind starts to wander, and most people at this point would start to doze off.

The health benefits of massage are understated, but for those who enjoy it, they know that this is something that they would not miss.

Guide to Setting Up a Reiki Clinic

Reiki is fast becoming one of the most accepted forms of alternative medicine. Back in 2007, a survey by the National Health Interview Survey showed that 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children underwent one or more Reiki sessions. The American Hospital Association also stated that 15% or about 800 American hospitals offered Reiki sessions.

We are expecting this trend to continue for the next several years given the increasing interest of consumers to search for alternative medicines. They are now more aware that commercial medicines are not the only way to treat illnesses. Because of Reiki’s holistic approach to healing, more and more patients are acknowledging its effectiveness. So if you’re thinking of a good business idea, setting up a Reiki clinic is a good one. You’re guaranteed to have regular patients for the coming years. Here are some basic guidelines to help you start your Reiki business:

1. Get certified as a Reiki expert. Usui Reiki is the traditional Reiki system although there are other variations. Usui Reiki has three levels of basic training but you only need to be certified in the first level in order to set up a professional Reiki clinic. If you wish to conduct Reiki classes, you need to pass the next two levels.

2. Practice what you preach. Before treating other people, you need to know Reiki on an intimate level. Treat yourself, family members, or friends so that you will have a firm grasp of how Reiki heals. Reiki believes in the philosophy that physical illnesses are manifestations of inner imbalances; therefore, it gradually clears away life imbalances. Use Reiki to put your own life in balance first before trying to heal others.

3. Getting legal. The certification mentioned above may not be sufficient legal documentation for your business in some U.S. states. Some states require Reiki practitioners to be certified as ordained ministers since Reiki is a spiritual healing practice. You can inquire at the city hall or local office of commerce for other required documentations. It will also do you good to get a liability insurance to protect you from possible law suits.

4. Search for the location. You have three options for potential locations: hospitals/clinics/spa, commercial space, or home-based. Out of the three, the easiest path is to set up shop in hospitals or clinics. It is more accessible for patients having regular checkups. Appointments and insurance filings will also be taken care of for you. Renting or buying a commercial space may be more challenging financially. Practicing at home is very convenient for you but it poses threat of letting insiders into your private quarters.

5. Clinic equipment. Once you’ve decided your location, make a checklist of equipment you may need. This may include massage table, clean linens, blankets, pillows, table accessories like face rest and bolster, bottled water, and others. You may also want to get business phone systems like VOIP phone systems or Hosted PBX Systems for appointment bookings and meetings. You can check out Equipment Base here for more details.