Acupuncture, Lifestyle Changes Lower Blood Pressure

Before we get started on this topic, let me say this: if your doctor has prescribed blood pressure medication for you, you need to take it. No if's, and's or but's. Both acupuncture and lifestyle changes are effective tools to lower blood pressure, but they are not a substitute for medication. If you are diligent with natural methods, you doctor may choose to lower your dosage or discontinue your medication, but it's not a decision you, the patient, are qualified to make.

That said, I was excited to read about this 2007 German study that is the first rigorous, randomized study in the West on blood pressure and acupuncture. It concluded that properly performed acupuncture reduces blood pressure as much as an ACE inhibitor. Reasearchers concluded that the reduction isnot massive, but it is significant.

In addition to regular acupunture, the American Heart Association recommends the following lifestyle changes for individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure:

1. Get Moving - Regular physical activity means a healthier heart, period. Depending on your individual health profile, you may need a specific exercise program. Be sure to check with your doctor.

2. Avoid Alcohol - Limit yourself to one drink a day if you're a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man. Anything more can increase blood pressure.

3. Avoid Salt - This doesn't just mean don't add salt to your food, it mean reading labels and avoiding restaurants. Fresh fruits, fresh veggies and whole grains prepared without salt are excellent choices.

4. Check Your Blood Pressure Often - This will let you know if you've got your pressure under control. If you don't have a machine at home, go to a local pharmacy. There is usually a cuff in the waiting area that you can use free of charge. Write down the results, and report them to your doctor on your next visit.

Staying Healthy During the Fall Season

I just got back from AAAOM Convention in Chicago, and I brought back more than a conference binder, a book on channel theory and free smaples of needles and herbs - I caught a cold.

No big surprise there. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the fall season is the season of the Lung, the most delicate of all the major organs. The Lung is the first organ to be affected to external pathogens like colds and flu, and, therefore, an integral part of your immune system.

Here are some tips for keeping your lungs healthy this season:

Stay Warm - Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes that significant changes in temperature weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds and viruses.

Spice Up Your Food and Drink - The spicy taste is good for the lung, and most common spices - garlic, ginger and cinnamon, to name a few - have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

Get Acupuncture - According to the National Cancer Institute, studies show that acupuncture improves the immune system response in cancer patients.

Eat Chicken Soup - Evidence suggests that it's more than comfort food.

Get Rid of Money Stress with Acupuncture

According to the American Psychological Association's annual survey, 80 percent of Americans are stressed about the economy and personal finances.

In past years, the top stressors have included personal finances, work issues and problems raising children. The association's executive director noted that the inclusion of the economy is unusual.

The health of the overall economy is something that we as individuals cannot control, so if you are experiencing anxiety about the economy then it's important to find a way to cope so that the stress does not affect your physical health. Following are a few coping strategies:

• If you can't stop thinking about the economy, try one of these Ten Strategies to Stop Worrying.
• Exercise, or, in Chinese medicine terms, move your qi.
• Know that you aren't alone. 80 percent of Americans are feeling the exact same thing.
• Get Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ideal treatment for relieving stress, including post-traumatic stress, without drugs, especially effective for new moms.

Natural Methods for Coping with Baby Blues

The term "baby blues" is not a flippant dismissal of post-partum depression: it describes a mild, short-lived depression that affects 80 percent of new mothers.

Typically, symptoms begin three to four days after giving birth and go away about 10 days later. Unfortunately, 10 percent of new mothers do not experience relief, and the condition develops into a more serious post-partum depression.

Symptoms of baby blues include exhaustion, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, irritability, sadness and mood swings. Psychologists at the University of West England concluded that these emotions are part of the transition to motherhood during which a woman grieves the freedom she had before giving birth.

As long as symptoms are mild and short-lived, it's possible to cope with baby blues using the following simple techniques:

1. Get as Much Rest as Possible - Give yourself as much time as possible to relax. Take naps whenever you feel tired. Even 15 minutes can make a huge difference.
   

2. Express Your Feelings - If you feel like crying, go ahead. Don't judge yourself for being emotional. It's normal at this time.

3. Find Someone to Talk To - Talk to your spouse, family and friends about how you're feeling. You can also join a new moms support group to talk to others going through a similar transition.

4. Ask for Help - Don't be shy about needing assistance. Accept help when others offer it. Learn to put off tasks that can wait so that you have time to take care of yourself.
   

5. Keep Visitors to a Minimum - Wait until you're rested and feeling well.

6. Eat Plenty of Nutritious Foods - Don't worry about baby weight until you're back on top of your game. It's been found that low blood sugar can make your symptoms worse.

7. Start Moving Slowly - Exercise is a natural mood booster, but don't go all out until you're feeling stronger.
   
   
8. Write It Down - If you're feeling overwhelmed, keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings.
   
   Most of all, take care of yourself. Your baby needs you, but your baby needs you to be healthy and strong.

McDonalds Hamburgers Do Not Appear to Decay

I know it sounds strange, but it's being documented by two separate sources. McDonald's hamburgers do not decay. At least, not at the rate of normal food products.

Karen Hanrahan, a Wellness educator and nutritional consultant, has a plain McDonald's hamburger that she has kept preserved in Tupperware for 12 years. Purchased in 1996, the hamburger looks almost identical to one purchased this year.

Another individual, Len Foley, has been collecting burgers for 19 years. He displays what he calls "Bionic Burgers" under glass with no preservatives.

Most of us allow ourselves the "indulgence"of junk food from time to time. We grew up eating these foods as a treat or reward, which gives us pleasure at a cognitive level. But does this food really make our bodies feel good? Really?

I don't know about you, but I'm gonna make my own hamburgers from now on.