August 2, 2017
Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with some or all of the following symptoms: a depressed mood, a loss of interest in things that once brought pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep patterns, changes in appetite, a lack of energy, and poor concentration. These symptoms lead to impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities and can become chronic or recurrent.
According the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is common worldwide, affecting about 121 million people. Untreated depression can lead to suicide, and the WHO estimates that 850,000 people worldwide commit suicide every year. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and was the 4th leading contributor to the global burden of disease for the year 2000, according to the WHO. Their estimates project that depression will rise to 2nd place in the global burden of disease listing by the year 2020.
In many patients, mild to moderate depression can be successfully treated with a variety of naturopathic and holistic options, such as dietary changes, dietary supplements, exercise, massage, herbs, and sunlight.
July 26, 2017
A newborn baby girl lies swaddled in a receiving blanket in her isolette. While shehas ten fingers and ten toes, rosebud lips, and a great shock of dark hair, this baby somehow doesn’t look or act ’right’. Weighing only 6 lbs (2722 g) at birth, her muscles tremble and twitch whenever she turns her head towards lights, hears a noise, or is picked up for a diaper change. She frequently vomits her formula, cries unceasingly from morning until night, and she’s even had a seizure. The reason for these symptoms: the baby girl’s mother had opiates in her system when she was born.
June 25, 2017
In 2017, 1,688,000 new cancer cases are anticipated in the U.S., with more than 600,000 deaths projected from the disease, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society, Cancer statistics, 2017.
Massage therapy can play a role in pain-and-stress relief—and since 2011, Oncology Massage Alliance volunteers have done just that for 9,000 cancer patients throughout Oregon and Texas.
Often, new patients don’t want to be touched during radiation or chemotherapy treatment, but once they see fellow patients relaxing and enjoying a free oncology massage, they, too, usually want one, said massage therapist Geri Ruane, L.M.T., the Oncology Massage Alliance’s director of operations.
April 30, 2017
By Dr. Eric L. Zielinski
A beautiful annual flower, helichrysum is from the daisy family, named for its appearance – not unlike a burst of sunshine! Helichrysum is actually a whole species, with many varieties beneath it. Many are cultivated in the US for their ornamental beauty, but they are native to the Mediterranean region. Other helichrysum are from as far south as South Africa, and as well-established as to be part of traditional medicine in that region, as well.
In historical terms, helichrysum has been selected for centuries, sometimes indicated as a gift to the Greek gods in the form of dried flowerheads. Now, it is more aptly considered a gift to us, with age-reversing capabilities and healing factors packaged in a delightful, bright flower.
When it wasn’t being offered to the residents of Mount Olympus, helichrysum had traditional applications for a number of conditions. Respiratory ailments, skin trouble, liver and gall bladder issues, inflammation, insomnia, and infections all came with a “prescription” for helichrysum. Not all of these uses have been confirmed yet, but one by one the scientific community is discovering that the ancients were wise when it came to their choice in remedy.
Helichrysum italica and H. angustifolia are the interchangeable names for the commonly used essential oil, though we can look at the whole species when gaining an understanding of the general components it carries. Within the essential oil, flavonoids, ketones, and terpenes exhibit strong effects, and while these components are typically indicators that caution should be used, helichrysum is an incredibly safe and versatile oil in terms of application.
The effects that have been researched are convincing, and it’s no wonder that helichrysum is also called “immortelle” – the fountain of youth was an antioxidant-rich, essential-oil filled flower all along!
April 17, 2017
Based on the evidence, massage therapy can be effective for reducing pain intensity/severity and anxiety in patients undergoing surgical procedures. This is the conclusion of a collaborative meta-analysis of research on massage therapy for pain conducted by Samueli Institute and commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association. This review and analysis is published in the September issue of the journal Pain Medicine.The study concludes that patients should consider massage therapy as a therapeutic option to help manage their pain and anxiety from surgical procedures.
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