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FAQ About Holistic Medicine and Pain Relief Part Two

The more you know about holistic pain relief the better off you will be in the long run. Let us look at some holistic therapies and how they help to combat the big "P", otherwise known as pain.

Is meditation for pain useful?

Yes, it certainly is. Mediation is much easier to do than the general population actually believes it to be. In fact most people at some point in their lives have used one chosen kind of relaxation in one way or another. When you attempt to manage pain, you meditate by relaxing your mind in order to cope with what you need to. When you take a practical approach to pay attention to your breathing, such as when you engage in deep breathing, you are attempting to take your mind away from any worries or problems and take it to a better place where you are able to relax and be as calm, peaceful and centered as it is possible to be.

What can acupuncture help in my body?

Acupuncture can treat a multitude of health conditions. Some examples are a myriad of respiratory ailments and diseases such as acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and the common head cold. Acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma are both bronchopulmonary diseases that acupuncture has been shown to have excellent results in improving as well as the pain that often accompanies then. The eye disorders acupuncture helps include acute conjunctivitis, cataract that has no complications, myopia, and central retinitis. The mouth disorders acupuncture helps to include toothaches, gingivitis, pharyngitis, and pain or discomfort that sometimes takes place after a tooth is taken out. The orthopedic disorders acupuncture helps include periarthritis humeroscapularis, tennis elbow, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica.

Is herbal medicine worthwhile to look into for health problems?

Absolutely. Herbal medicine in the form of herbs have been used for many centuries, dating back thousands of years for their unique ability to help relieve pain. There are different herbs that are recommended for different health problems. For example for spasms and cramps reach for angelica, kava, rosemary, valerian root and cramp bar whereas if nerve pain is your problem then turn to chamomile, capsaicin, licorice, white willow and gotu kola. If you are bothered by back pains then turn to the herbs wood betony, passionflower or hops for relief. For headaches reach for spearmint or peppermint whereas for migraine headaches in general turn to linden, skullcap or feverfew for help. If it is joint pain that is causing you problems then sea cucumber and ginger are what you need to help you through the rough spots.

What is the difference between a Swedish massage and a deep tissue massage?

A Swedish massage can be an effective method of relieving pain. At a massage session a qualified massage therapist will apply special massage oil to the skin and will then use her hands to make long and smooth strokes across the skin. Swedish massage is for the soft tissues of the body. Deep tissue massage on the other hand, reaches deep into the tissues and it is meant for painful and extremely strained and tight muscles that have been that way on a chronic basis. Deep tissue massage is also effective for repetitive strain as well as problems that have developed as a result of bad posture. This form of massage is useful at getting to problems that are connected with connective tissue and the deeper layers of muscles.

Should holistic methods of pain relief replace conventional Western medicine?

Holistic methods of pain relief are best used in conjunction with Western methods as opposed to on their own. Speak to your doctor for greater clarification on this subject.