Be aware that in order for the practice of shiatsu to work at treating the symptoms of menopause first an accurate diagnosis of the symptoms must be done by the qualified practitioner.

The origins of the practice of shiatsu derive from the full oriental medical system which looks at the human body as a network or series of meridians and these networks allow the positive energy or vital life force (or chi) to flow through it. According to shiatsu practitioners, an individual becomes sick due to the flow of chi or energy becoming sluggish or disrupted in one way or another. This however can be easily remedied. The energy imbalance can be corrected by way of applying pressure to particular points on the body that correspond to a given meridian.

This is all good news for women going through menopause, as the practice of shiatsu is an excellent one to try to help relieve your symptoms. When the patient of menopause experiences any of these symptoms which include ringing in the ears, pain in the shoulder and/or dizziness it is the small intestine meridian that must have pressure applied to it because of its connection to the work of the ovaries.

Apply pressure to the stomach and spleen meridians if you find yourself suffering from any type of nervous or stomach disorders or if you have a tendency to eat too much because of anxiety and frustration. The meridians for the heart, bladder and kidneys need to have pressure applied to them if as a menopause patient you suffer from any type of nervous disorders or heart palpitations. If constant fatigue has become your lot in life or if you suffer from headaches then you need to look to the triple heater meridian. If on the other hand you suffer from constant weight gain or obesity and/or hormonal imbalance then you need to look to the gall bladder meridian for the help you need for relief.

Be aware that in order for the practice of shiatsu to work at treating the symptoms of menopause first an accurate diagnosis of the symptoms must be done by the qualified practitioner.

If you suffer from anxiety and a great deal of tension on a regular basis then look to the shiatsu technique described below to bring relief:

• First you must find the middle point that exists between the eyebrows and to make it easier for you, this point is to be found directly above where the bridge of the nose is found.
• Apply a circular type of massage technique to this area and count slowly from one to 30 and while so doing make sure to exhale as well as inhale as deeply as you can for maximum benefits. Do this once and then repeat the process again. To get as much relief as possible from this technique, shut your eyes and then take the time to pay close attention to both your steady breathing and your heartbeat. Do this technique as many times as you feel it is necessary to do. Choose the type of massage that works best for you whether it be smooth, pulsating or a stroking type of massage. Always go with what works best for you as not everyone will respond well to the same kind.

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The drug bupropion is marketed as Zyban®, Wellbutrin® SR and Wellbutrin® XL by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and is a prescription-strength anti-depressant that is used to help people quit smoking by reducing their nicotine withdrawl symptoms.

There are many aids for quitting smoking they include: nicotine and non-nicotine-based quit smoking aids. There are also gum, inhaler, nasal sprays and nicotine lozenges. You can also use acupuncture, bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin), and hypnosis.

The drug bupropion is marketed as Zyban®, Wellbutrin® SR and Wellbutrin® XL by GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and is a prescription-strength anti-depressant that is used to help people quit smoking by reducing their nicotine withdrawl symptoms.

NRT’s are Nicotine Replacement Therapy and can take the form of patches, injections, inhalers or gum. The patch is known as a nicotine transdermal system. It is one of the most popular NRT. NRT’s are not recommended for long-term use. In order for NRT’s to work, the person must be committed to quitting and willing to use them as directed.

A popular nicotine gum is Nicorette®. The gum is not to be used for more than 6 months and works best when used with a program. Do not swallow the gum or use more than 30 pieces a day.  The Lozenges are for those who prefer not to use gum. Zyban® is a prescription medicine and is used along with the patch or gum. When using Zyban® and the gum together you must be monitored by a healthcare provider. The nasal spray comes in a pump and should not be used for more than 6 months. The inhaler is administered through the mouth but does not pass to the lungs; but through the mouth and throat where it then is absorbed through the mucus membranes.

If you are experiencing angina, any type of dental disease, have been diagnosed with diabetes, have high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat, an overactive thyroid, a previous heart attack, have experienced stomach problems or have had an allergic reaction to nicotine, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives you should notify your healthcare provider. You should also let your provider know if you are or suspect you may be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.

You will begin to notice some health benefits almost immediately after you quit smoking. These benefits are:

• Easier breathing
• More energy
• Better endurance
• More confidence
• More money to spend
• Clothing loses that awful smell
• Self-confidence and self-esteem return
• Exercise becomes easier
• Coughing subsides
• Eating habits improve because cigarettes used to replace healthy foods
• The sence of smell returns
• Your complexion may improve
• The heart muscle may feel more relaxed and more efficient
• You may experience less heartburn or indigestion
• You may also gain more respect for yourself
• Your vehicle and home will smell better
• Your teeth will start to look whiter
• Your thinking patterns should improve
• You won’t experience guilt over exposing family, friends, loved ones and others to secondhand smoke anymore.

It is important to discuss all options with your healthcare provider and to weight all facts, side effects and risks with your provider before deciding on a course of action. The health benefits are many and you will enjoy your smoke-free life, you do however need to consider the route at which you arrive there to assure that you do not harm regarding methods chosen to get there.

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There are a number of alternative therapies that can be put to good use when it comes to patients who suffer from endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a serious health condition whereby the tissues that are found lining the uterus, which are known as endometrial tissue are also to be found in other locations such as the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the pelvic cavity. This condition can worsen over time If It Is not diagnosed and treated right away. Endometriosis can lead to severe pain, scarring and heavy bleeding and In Its most advanced stage it can damage both the ovaries as well as the fallopian tubes.

There are a number of alternative therapies that can be put to good use when it comes to patients who suffer from endometriosis. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believe that the causes of endometriosis can be the stagnation of qi, blood stasis, dampness as well as phlegm, damp heat or in some cases a combination of any number of these problems. TCM practitioners also believe that endometriosis could come about as a result of bodily organs that are not as strong as they should be or ones that are too empty. According to these practitioners the majority of the time the problem is related to vacuity, a concurrent Insufficiency In a variety of areas or else negative patterns that have developed over time.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the herbal treatments given can be combined with the practice of acupuncture and together they can help to regulate the endometriosis as well as the speed at which the blood is stagnating. Taken In concert this can get at the cause of the endometriosis and can work to eradicate it.

Aromatherapy deals with healing oils and can be beneficial to women suffering from endometriosis. The adhesions caused by endometriosis can be decreased by way of a variety of oils, the most helpful being chamomile, neroli, rose, jasmine, and lavender. All of the aforementioned oils are both healing and antispasmodic in nature and can work wonders on the tissues and muscles.

Osteopathy is another alternative method that can aid endometriosis patients. Osteopathic techniques can be conducted by qualified osteopaths by way of the vagina In order to decrease a number of adhesions due to the disease. These techniques will make it possible to drainage areas of the pelvis as well as to relieve pain that occurs during the menstrual period as well as decreasing congestion in the uterus.

Shiatsu massage is another alternative practice that has been found through research studies to help relieve pain that is related to endometriosis. Rolfing Is effective at Improving circulation and it also clears as much space as possible around the reproductive organs and thereby helps to encourage a soothing and relaxing response. Naturopathic medicine can also be used in this Instance as it provides nutritional support as well as supports the process of detoxification such as fasting to release toxins from the body. 

Hypnosis, whether It be self-hypnosis or hypnosis conducted by a qualified hypnotist has been shown to bring benefit to a patient of endometriosis as It relieves pain and helps to bring about a sense of relaxation. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing are worthwhile in relieving endometrial pain while biofeedback is commonly used as well.

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When you decide to begin practicing shiatsu, always dress in loose fit, comfortable clothing that is made of natural as opposed to synthetic fibers.

Shiatsu is an excellent pain reliever for many health conditions such as stress related disorders, endometriosis, menopause (and accompanying symptoms), and constipation. Shiatsu can decrease both the level of fatigue (or tsubo) and stress that has built up in the human body and it can improve the circulation of both lymph as well as blood in the body. Shiatsu helps to decrease the stiffness of muscles and joints and it is lowers blood pressure. Shiatsu also helps to improve a person’s level of energy (or qi), vitality and stamina.

When you decide to begin practicing shiatsu, always dress in loose fit, comfortable clothing that is made of natural as opposed to synthetic fibers. Doing this helps to encourage the flow of positive energy in the body or what is referred to as “ki.” Always make sure you practice shiatsu in a room that has plenty of empty space and is uncluttered, clean and very neat. Also make sure the room you practice in is warm and quiet. If you do not do these things then it can have a negative impact on the flow of energy.

The patient of the practice of shiatsu should lie on the floor for the treatment. It is recommended that the person lie on a futon (which is also a quilted form of a Japanese mattress) or else a floor mat. If the patient needs pillows and/or cushions in order to be as comfortable as possible then they are permissible. It is always important to be as comfortable as possible when you are having a shiatsu treatment. Shiatsu is not good to have after a large meal has been eaten as it is better after a light meal or preferably when the stomach is empty. This is most important fro the receiver of the treatment but the same cane be said fro the person who gives the shiatsu treatment as well. It is best to wait a number of hours after a large meal to have shiatsu or to perform it on another person. Another option is to do it before the meal has been eaten.

Shiatsu is not recommended for those who have varicose veins but if it is performed on a person with these kinds of veins then make sure no pressure is exerted on the sore and swollen veins. In turn no shiatsu pressure should ever be applied to injuries or traumas to the body such as cuts, tears, bruises or breaks in muscles or bones.

Be aware that shiatsu is perfectly safe for women who are pregnant, however there are four areas of the body that should be avoided for sure as these areas include the stomach, the legs from the knees and down to the feet, the area at the left and right side of the neck where the shoulder begins and the fleshy area of the skin that is a web like and is located between the thumb and the index finger. It is important to let the shiatsu practitioner that you are pregnant or that you could be pregnant. It is always important that a person about to engage in a shiatsu treatment be both relaxed and as calm as possible.

Shiatsu is a generally safe practice but it should not be performed on everyone. Individuals who suffer from serious health diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and heart disorder should not engage in shiatsu. In some cases an experienced shiatsu practitioner can work on a person with a serious disease but only if he or she has been apprized of the person’s health situation and their prognosis.

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When you undertake anything of this magnitude you really need a plan to follow; something that will be a map to help get you from point A to point B. Steps such as the ones outlined can help you to think about the process in such a way that will help you to be prepared for any event that may pop up to derail you. Preparation is the key to success.

There are several steps to follow when you want to quit smoking. Each step will take you closer to your goal and are necessary to be able to succeed. Do not skip any of the described steps below.

Step One - Rid your home of any telltale signs that a smoker ever lived there. This includes throwing out all unused packs of cigarettes. Clean all fabric items to rid your home of the tobacco odor. Get rid of or throw out all ashtrays, or anything that reminds you of smoking. Completely wash all clothes and bed linens so that there will be no lingering smell of smoke that may tempt you to light up.

Open windows to let in fresh air and spray air freshener. Do not leave any trace of tobacco smell anywhere.

Step Two - Quit on a weekend if you work away from home, because the stress of the office is usually too much for those trying to quit. Inform all family member, friends and co-workers of your goal to quit smoking. Stay away from friends, family members and co-workers while they are smoking and excuse yourself when you are with them and they start to light up. When you are trying to quit and you see someone light up, you will feel intense cravings and may not be able to resist.

Step Three - Do not let anyone smoke in your home or vehicle. Your vehicle quarters are too small and the sight and smell will be too much of a temptation. Any smoking that happens in your home will necessitate another through cleaning to again rid it of any evidence of cigarette smoking.

Step Four – Make yourself an appointment at the dentist for a cleaning, so that your teeth will be really clean. This will also motivate you to keep them clean. Chew gum or candy to help you work past the urge to smoke. Try to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages during the first month because the association between drinking and smoking is too great. Avoid entertainment places where smoking is popular as this will likely be too tempting for you, especially in the beginning.

Step Five – Stay focused and motivated. Keep pictures around you of why you are quitting and when you feel a weak moment, get out your pictures. Reward yourself with a reward for every milestone along the way. Make these rewards something that is fun and not related to smoking. Celebrating every small victory will bring you closer to the real celebration when you know that you have successfully kicked the habit. When you have reached your goal of being smoke free for X number of months then throw yourself a huge smoke-free party.

Step Six – Surround yourself with support from family and friends, community support groups and others who are quitting or whom have successfully gone smoke free. Chatting with others who truly understand your temptations can inspire you and give you strength.

Therapists who practice the holistic approach believe that the human body contains a very strong life force, life energy or vital force.

The holistic approach to pain relief does not break the body down into sections but instead looks at it as one whole integrated part. In a very basic sense, holistic is defined as, “Care for the whole person, mind, body and spirit.” When it comes to the mind, this means the brain, which is the logical, rational side of ourselves that processes thoughts. The body is what we see, it is our physical home or physical shell. The spirit defies a logical explanation. The spirit is not an easy entity to define or describe. The spirit is what gives our personality life as well as our morals, values and dreams. The spirit is who we really are and it is the most unique part of us. The spirit is believed to be where our conscience comes from as well as the root of all feelings.

The holistic approach to health and to pain relief is different from traditional Western medicine in that it takes into consideration an entire human being, looking at the mind, body and spirit as a unit and does not just look at individual symptoms in isolation.

Therapists who practice the holistic approach believe that the human body contains a very strong life force, life energy or vital force. It is believed that it is this vital force or energy that helps to guard the body against any number of ailments and diseases and helps to encourage healing when something in the body does break down. This is what we know to be called the body’s immune system and without it a person would be sick all the time, as he would succumb to every kind of virus or bacteria that crossed his path. It is believed by holistic therapists that when the immune system is out of synchronicity and the balance is upset that the symptoms of any number of diseases crop up. It is the goal of holistic medicine and holistic therapies to keep the balance of the body in check and to restore it to normal when it does go awry.

Holistic therapists believes that stress is one of the greatest causes of many health problems such as tension in the muscles, fatigue, anxiety attacks, insomnia, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, depression, heart problems and so on. The list of stress related disorders are long and exhaustive. Stress is defined as, “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other demands placed on them both at home and in the workplace.”

Stress can lead to illness and illnesses have symptoms. It is when symptoms crop up that most people go to see their doctor. Realize that you can nip many health problems in the bud simply by giving yourself the time to relax, unwind and recharge your batteries. The holistic approach is a great way to get at stress before it turns into an illness. Holistic practices take many forms so you can try one or try a variety and they are designed to work in unison with one another. For example massage and seeing a chiropractor are both good for the body but doing both is even more beneficial.

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The emotional aspects of the smoking addiction also need to be addressed for the smoker to be successful in quitting. To address this issue, cognitive therapy is helpful.

There are two addictions that keep a smoker chained to the smoking habit - the addiction to nicotine and the psychological need to smoke.

The first way to quit smoking by addressing these addictions is to use nicotine replacement products. There are many of these nicotine replacement products on the market today. They come in several forms. Common nicotine replacement products are in the form of patches or gum. These are available without a prescription and are usually found where you find pharmaceutical products at your local grocery or discount store.

The emotional aspects of the smoking addiction also need to be addressed for the smoker to be successful in quitting. To address this issue, cognitive therapy is helpful.

One way to help wean you off of the cigarettes is to buy brands that have less nicotine in them. This approach is called “nicotine fading”. This system allows your system to get used to the decreased levels of nicotine and you won’t experience severe withdrawal symptoms. A good rule of thumb is to introduce a new brand of lower nicotine every 3 weeks. Start with a brand that is 30% less nicotine, than 3 weeks later switch to a brand that is 60% less and then 3 weeks later you switch to a brand that is 90% less nicotine and then you should be able to come off.

Another popular approach to dealing with addiction from smoking is to you the “relapse prevention” method. This is a method that requires that the smoker be able to identify what triggers their smoking urges (situations, events, people or emotions). Common triggers are parties, stress, anger, school, work, or a new job. Once identified, it then becomes important to be able to design a coping mechanism for each trigger. If for instance every time you see your mother-in-law you just have to have a cigarette because of the anxiety she creates in you; a creative coping method may be to develop a code word for when someone in the family spots the mother-in-law approaching and then the smoker can make a quick exit, or learn how to make excuses for leaving the room.

Make sure you reward yourself for successfully avoiding the trigger with something fun.

One simple way of quitting is to draw up a “quit smoking contract” with yourself that spells out when you will quit. Build in rewards for achieving mini goals and over time each mini goal will lead to the big goal, which is to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Keep a journal of when and how you reach your goal.

You can also combine ideas from each of the above approaches to create a unique method that is tailored to your unique situation. No matter which approach you use, the success will be yours, if you adhere to the principal that you must address both the nicotine issue and the psychological issues.

Experts often suggest that while trying to quit smoking you avoid the “oral” situations such as taking a drink, he may start to try to find out what is down there.

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Tools:
Have a plan. The plan should state that you are going to quit smoking starting at a certain date and that you will be tobacco free by another date. The plan should outline what you will do to avoid situations where smoking will be a temptation.

Many people tell stories of how they tried to quit smoking. Many have tried and failed only to start smoking again. The nicotine in cigarettes is habit forming and the more you smoke and the longer you smoke the more you feel like you can’t do anything without a cigarette in your hand. Even when you badly want to stop smoking, the need for nicotine drives you back and keeps you in slavery to that puff of smoke. The habit drags you down mentally and can drain you physically, it can even make you deathly ill; yet thousands quit for good worldwide every year. How do they successfully quit? What tools do they use that allows them to do what others cannot? Here are a few of the tools that successful past smokers have used to kick the habit.

Tools: Have a plan. The plan should state that you are going to quit smoking starting at a certain date and that you will be tobacco free by another date. The plan should outline what you will do to avoid situations where smoking will be a temptation. The plan should list support groups and persons whom you can turn to when you need help getting past a rough spot. The plan should outline all the behaviors and situations where you are the most tempted to smoke and how you plan on avoiding or overcoming these situations.

Consult with your medical professional so that your current health can be assessed and a exercise plan can be devised that will support your efforts to quit smoking. Any patches or nicotine inhalers that may be helpful to you can be obtained through information gathered from your medical professional.

Speak with all of your smoking buddies and explain to them about your plans to quit smoking and ask for their support. Do not be surprised if not all of them will be able to support you in your efforts to quit smoking.

Let family, friends and co-workers know about your plan to quit smoking so that they can be supportive in your efforts. It may surprise you that life can be so much easier when you are surrounded by positive influences that can uplift you and give you support. Even if you do not know of such persons at first, you can always find a support group if you ask your medical professional, community center or local church to direct you to groups that can help those who have decided to quit smoking.

Education is one powerful tool. Equipped with information about what happens physically, mentally and emotionally to a person who is withdrawing from nicotine can be very useful to you. Knowing what to expect is half the battle because you can then prepare yourself and overcome any obstacle.

Seize the control that is available for you to seize today. Don’t worry about tomorrow or next month or next year. Concentrate on achieving your goals for today. They can be as simple as making it through breakfast without a cigarette, avoiding the cigarette machine at work, getting up and walking away from the lunch table when others finish up their meals and get out the packs and light up. Take each tempting moment one at a time and have a plan for how you will get through each of them and when they present themselves use your plan and conquer each moment, for just that day. Congratulate yourself as you climb into bed and get a good night rest. Think about tomorrow and what will be when tomorrow gets here. Fight the battles you can win today and leave the war for your tomorrows.

Have an attitude for gratitude for all the positive things that will come from your not smoking. Keep your mind focused on the positive and see yourself winning each battle as they present themselves.

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Your list of reasons to quit smoking should include both physical reasons and physiological reasons. Reasons to quit smoking can be personal and they can involve others and it can include the environment.

Usually the reasons to quit smoking are personal but there are some that seem to be universal and some pretty darn good reasons to make that commitment to quit. Here is a list to help you with making your own list of reasons to quit smoking.

Those who have smoked for more than 15 years can honestly say that they can “feel” several reasons to quit and they are all health related. They may include:

• Feeling a pressure or heaviness in your chest when you wake
• Having a consistent morning cough
• The absence of a once beautiful or rich singing voice
• Experiencing breathlessness when talking or reading out loud
• An unpleasant irritation in your mouth
• General fatigue
• Headaches
• Getting those cigarette hangovers from spending an all-nighter
• Knowing that if you want to exercise at all each day, it had better be in the morning before you inhale all that smoke.
• Sleep deprivation from hacking and coughing or waking with that tickle in your throat.
• The presence of smoke filled rooms can create a barrier that separates you from those you love.
• You being immersed in a feeling of self-hate or self-loathing. A complete loss of self-esteem.
• Feeling guilty for the physical damage you are doing to your body and the second hand smoke you are exposing others to.
• The fear that someday your children or others may have to care for you due to the ravishes you put your body through with your smoking.
• Feeling limited in where you can go publicly now that cigarettes are banned. This takes the enjoyment out of going out.
• To regain self-esteem and to feel good about life again.
• Health consequences that smoking exposes you to.
• Stop being addicted to nicotine
• Feel that you have received a reprieve from a death sentence
• To save money, cigarette packs are expensive.
• To like whom you see in the mirror
• To get rid of that awful smell on your clothes and in your home.
• The feelings of being weak and needy that goes along with nicotine dependency.

Now that you have read this common list of reason why smokers should quit smoking, use this list to brainstorm some good reason for why you should quit smoking. Keep the list in a convenient place so that you can refer to it often especially during your first week of non-smoking.

Your list of reasons to quit smoking should include both physical reasons and physiological reasons. Reasons to quit smoking can be personal and they can involve others and it can include the environment. You should use your list to inspire you and to help keep you on track.

Carry your list around with you where ever you go and when another reason inspires you, write that down on your list too. The bigger your list the more committed you will feel to achieving your goal of quitting.

Your mind has to be focused on all the reasons for quitting before your body will except the need to take action; action to stop smoking for good.

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For those of you who are avid cooks, even amateur ones, a well equipped kitchen is undoubtedly a necessity. Speaking of necessities, things like a good gas or electric burner system, a refrigerator, a microwave and other electrical appliances like mixers, grinders, mashers, stirrers, blenders and the like are absolutely essential. As are vessels and cooking implements. A good amateur chef would do well to invest in a fine set of culinary knives. A more accomplished chef could also go ahead and invest in a custom set of utensils. But one thing that most amateur and professional chefs overlook, and which would add more value than any of the items listed above, is an indoor herb garden.

An indoor herb garden, contrary to popular belief is not an indulgence. While it is true that an indoor herb garden demands a lot from the chef in terms of maintenance and upkeep, it is in fact the secret ingredient that adds taste and flavor to ones cooking. So whether you have the fancy kitchen equipment or implements, whether you are a skilled cook or a beginner, it would make a lot of sense for you to have your own Indoor herb garden.

An indoor herb garden is not very difficult to maintain. Most people assume that in order to successfully maintain an indoor herb garden, they would need space and that this space would need to be substantial. But the very fact that it is an indoor herb garden means that it is meant to be in a confined space. All you need to successfully set up an indoor herb garden is a couple of pots, some potting soil and the right kinds of herbs from a herbarium or nursery.

And what kinds of herbs should one plant in an indoor herb garden? Well, the most commonly used herbs would a good bet. Coriander is an herb that is excellent with all kinds of vegetables. Thyme too is a great addition as it can lend flavor to all kinds of cuisines. Basil is also an excellent addition to an indoor herb garden. And lemon grass can also be comfortably grown in the confines of an indoor herb garden.

A few people have also been known to grow medicinal herbs in their indoor herb gardens. After all, not all herbs are meant exclusively for food related uses. A number of herbs also cater to the needs of the body. Care must be taken however that these herbs are segregated from the rest of the herbs in the indoor herb garden. For some of the medicinal herbs are not for consumption, but meant to be used as external application aids.

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