Last year I started having a dull pain and slight numbness down my lower arm through to my fingers. At first I thought it might be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome caused by long hours at my computer. After a break from work and my computer, it didn’t go away.  I’ve always carried a lot of tension through my upper back and neck so it seemed I was dealing with a trapped nerve.

I started going for massage. As nice as they were, they didn’t resolve the problem. I then tried an osteopath. I love getting my back cracked. It felt great, but again didn’t resolve the problem.

After about a year of pain and discomfort, I started looking into trapped nerves on the internet. I found some great videos from a range of therapists on YouTube and rediscovered Trigger Point Therapy. I had received Trigger Point Therapy after a serious road traffic accident many years ago, but didn’t really connect it to my current back problems and I also didn’t know that there were tools available that I could use to treat myself. My massage therapist and osteopath in the UK had never heard of Trigger Point Therapy so self-care was my only option.

The two best self-care Trigger Point tools I found are the Backnobber and the Body Back Buddy. I chose the Body Back Buddy because I could buy it on Amazon in the UK and save on expensive postage from the USA, but I’m sure the Backnobber works just as well. Get the best deal!

After just a few treatments which were easy to learn on YouTube, the pain down my arm disappeared. It’s also great for getting rid of headaches, stiff muscles and aches and pains due to muscle tension.

I now use my Back Buddy a few times per week to maintain a pain free back and prevent trapped nerves in my neck and back. It works a dream and I’m no longer paying for therapies that don’t work.

If I knew of a therapist in my local area who did Trigger Point Therapy, I would seek their support and knowledge.

The best order for cleansing is:

Colon Cleanse – essential to clear your gut first! Blessed Herbs makes some great kits that are easy to use.

Kidney Cleanse – Try filtered water with fresh lemon or lemon concentrate. Sweeten with maple syrup and spice with cayenne which is a great blood cleanser. Some people fast on this, but I don’t. 7 days should do it. People with lower back pain should definitely cleanse their kidneys!

Read on for more cleansing options

Parasite Cleanse – if you’ve got pets that might have worms, this one is good.

Liver Cleanse – I’ve read a lot about Liver Flushes and tried a few, but never felt any different after one so I assume that I didn’t need them. Some were difficult and uncomfortable. If you want to try one, this one’s not too bad: http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=886965. Milk thistle and apple juice are good for the liver. I prefer to drink lots of apple juice when in season and add a bit of Milk Thistle concentrate. (Available ant any Health Food store. I do this for about a week.

Lymph Cleanse -  dry brushing, alternating hot/cold showers or alternating between the sauna and a cold shower, walking, exercise – anything that get your circulation going. Your lymph system removes toxins from your blood, but doesn’t have a pump to move the fluid around. Keeping your fluid intake up helps keep lymph fluid thin.

There are many more cleanses, but these are the basics.

More on Colon Cleansing here.

I have to say I was a bit worried this time. I’ve moved to a new city and it took me some time to settle the family and find a new dentist. I noticed something wasn’t right with a back molar and thought that I had a cavity. As it turned out, it was a broken amalgam filling which my new dentist replaced with a composite filling.

My dentist was very impressed with my dental hygiene and could not make any suggestions on how to improve it! Follow my 7 Steps to Healthy Teeth and Gums and get great results, too.

Having healthy teeth is essential for good health. Read the Dental Care page to find out more.

Take a look at what you’re eating and cut out the junk, the processed food, the mystery meat, and the refined sugars and carbs. Read Dr. Weil’s books and website. Eat healthy, stay active, relax and enjoy life.

If you invest in your health by living a healthy lifestyle, you’ll look great, your skin will glow and you’ll save on fancy skin care products and doctor bills.

Another way to save money is to take care of your teeth. I’ve put quite a bit of information on this site about dental care. It’s based on how I have stopped boneloss, receding gums, brittle teeth, decay and hypersensitivity. For the past 3 years I have only had regular check ups with my dentist – no more gum treatments, root canals, fillings or extractions. More here…

Another great way to save money (and help the environment) is to stop buying bottled water. Get a water filter and enjoy the benefits of pure water on your health. I’ve saved a few old bottles in various sizes – I fill them up and have them with me when I’m out. More here…

Back to skin care… I was using coconut oil mixed with a bit of almond oil. Over time, I noticed my t-zone looking a bit unclear so I’m trying store products bought on sale, of course.

I still use coconut oil to massage around my eyes. It feels great and keeps the wrinkles away, which is just as much about the massage as it is about the oil! The massage technique is from the ‘Complete System of Self Healing: Internal Exercises’ by Stephen T. Chang.

Complete System of Self Healing: Internal Exercises

I do miss my Dermalift, but I feel better when I’m saving these days…

What has been life altering, are the breathing exercises and the introduction to Chinese Medicine. I have since had acupuncture and herbal treatment for menopause symptoms which has worked a dream and which I can recommend. I just went to one of those chinese doctors (a husband and wife team) in a shopping mall. They were fantastic.

I have also found a book called the ‘Complete System of Self Healing: Internal Exercises’ by Stephen T. Chang. I had heard the the eye exercises were very good. I’ve needed reading glasses for a while, but this year I’ve needed glasses for driving and my night vision is also getting worse. I’ve been doing the eye exercises for about 7 weeks. My eyes feel much better. The exercises are great for tired eyes, after work or after a long drive. You can even do them while driving. If I’ve had any improvement with my vision, it has been very subtle, but the book does say you need to do them for 3 to 6 months.

Complete System of Self Healing: Internal Exercises

I’m also doing a few of the other internal exercises. They work with Chinese concepts like meridians and chi (energy or life force). They are easy to do and fit well with Dr Weil’s program.

Dr Weil has an online program which I may start when the weather gets a bit better.

The book is an excellent example of a sensible approach to healthy eating and living. Nothing new or ground breaking, but instead an approach that is easy to understand and follow. What I love about it is that it not about dieting. I have always believed that as soon as we start to diet and deprive ourselves of things we like to eat, we want them even more. What we resist persists!

Dr Weil promotes eating whole foods, getting moderate exercise and managing stress through breathing techniques. He also considers our spiritual side and suggests simple things like creating beautiful and orderly surroundings.

I’m in my first week and really enjoying it. What’s very different than what I have been doing over the last few years is his approach to supplementation. He doesn’t suggest taking high doses of supplements, but rather low to moderate doses based on research on how much our bodies are able to absorb.

He focuses heavily on cholesterol, but acknowledges a growing body of research showing that other factors such as triglycerides and inflamation are more likely to cause heart disease. He makes no mention of coconut oil or any other tropical oil, I suspect because they are saturated fats which he suggests keeping low (this is the one area where I disagree with him). I was very relieved to read his advice on poly-unsaturated vegetable oils – don’t eat them – throw them away and use olive oil instead.

Dr Weil is also a proponent of drinking filtered tap water for the same reasons we outline on out water page.

I’m looking forward to my eight weeks. The breathing exercises are a revelation and I am learning more about the power we have to heal ourselves.

Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, Revised Edition: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body’s Natural Healing Power

I was worried that I would wrinkle up over night. But I haven’t. A few wrinkles do seem a bit more pronounced, but overall my skin looks great. Mixing coconut oil with almond oil is fantastic for my 50+ skin. It feels supple and even has a dewy look. I mix it in my hand and apply it to my face, neck, arms and hands.

It’s no fuss and very low cost.

When the crunch is over I go back to Dermalift and an antiaging skincare regime, but until then I’m very happy with the results of this completely natural and very inexpensive skin care.

The Underground Acne Secret – What Causes Your Acne
By Jack Venta

Most acne sufferers don’t realize what causes their acne! I used to suffer from chronic acne, and it wasn’t until I found out about the underground secret acne causing factor that I began to really clear my skin. Today I have perfectly clear skin…

So what is this secret to destroying acne?

Food is a major cause of your acne. Like it or not what you eat every day determines whether you get acne. Eat the wrong foods and you will never clear your skin.

No amount of money spent on cleanser ’systems’ or ‘miracle’ acne pills will stop your acne unless you have an extremely mild form of acne. And if you are reading this article I would bet you have worse acne than that!

So you need to make some changes to your diet IF you want the clear skin you desire. There other factors to why you get acne, but at least 75% of your acne is caused by food. This is a fact that all nutritionists know, but your dermatologist will never tell you (and they probably don’t even know themselves!)

So what changes must you make to clear your acne?

The most important change is avoiding a general type of food called vegetable oil. Vegetable oil causes hormonal inflammation that usually results in the nastier breakouts that you suffer from. That being said, it should be the first food you avoid, starting today!

When I quit consuming vegetable oils like sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and soy bean oil, my skin improved so dramatically that people were commenting on how good my skin looked all of sudden! If you do anything new today to clear up your skin, start cutting out vegetable oil from your diet.

To find out more about how I cleared my skin visit my free website now.

Jack Venta has set up a free website for you that reviews the best acne cures available and reveals how he cured his acne 100% within 1 week. Check out his website at Acne Solved right now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Venta
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Is your mouth trying to tell you something? Do your gums bleed? Do you have sensitive teeth? Are your teeth brittle? Do you have tooth decay despite regular brushing and flossing? Has your dentist noticed bone loss? Has a tooth fallen out?

The health of our mouths is an indicator of our overall health. If you have any of the above problems, you should be looking for the underlying causes. Proper regular brushing and flossing is important, but if it doesn’t resolve the problems, you need to do more. If you don’t, you could be increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Bleeding gums and plaque bacteria, or periodontal disease, can increase the risk of a heart attack seven fold. Research has shown that the plaque bacteria found in the heart is the same bacteria found in the mouth. It is thought that the bacteria enters the bloodstream through bleeding gums. It then invades the blood vessel walls and causes atherosclerosis which can cause heart attacks and strokes.

The American Academy of Periodontology says that “it is thought that periodontal infections are related to increased plasma levels of inflammation such as C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is now thought to be a stronger predictor of heart attacks that high cholesterol.”

If you have a history of heart disease in your family take a closer look at your family’s dental history. You may be surprised at what you find.

On top of regular brushing, the following these three steps will help you stop the cycle of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Step 1 – Nutrition

Eat healthy food. Poor nutrition compromises the immune system making it harder for you fight off infections like periodontal disease. Make sure you get enough calcium. Getting enough calcium can significantly reduce periodontal disease, rebuild the enamel on your teeth making them less sensitive and susceptible to cavities and reduce bone loss by improving the bone density of the alveolar bone that supports your teeth. If you already have dental problems you will most likely need to take calcium supplements to turn things around. Try a daily dose of 800mg of calcium, 400mg of magnesium and 400iu of vitamin D3. This is an effective mix that supports absorption into your body. Try this for 3 to 4 months. You should notice a difference.

Step 2 – Cleaning

Use a Sonicare or any similar type of toothbrush. They stimulate and massage the gums far better than a manual toothbrush and are not harsh on tooth enamel. Alternatively, or additionally, use a soft toothbrush and brush with gentle circular movements. Use a light touch. Holding your toothbrush with two fingers (thumb and forefinger) will keep you from brushing too hard. Use natural non-abrasive toothpaste, preferably without glycerine. Glycerine may interfere with rebuilding enamel. It also leaves a slick film on your teeth making it difficult to feel if your teeth are clean. Floss once or twice daily using unwaxed dental floss. Glide is very easy to get in between close teeth. Use interdental brushes for cleaning pockets (the gaps between your teeth where the gums have receded). Food tends to get stuck in pockets and flossing doesn’t always get it out.

Step 3 – Hydrogen Peroxide

Clean with a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide once or twice a week. The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacterial plaque and it also whitens your teeth. After regular brushing dip your toothbrush into the solution and brush it onto your teeth. Then dip your interdental brushes into the solution and get it into it your pockets. It will foam up when it comes in contact with bacteria. If you like mouthwash and find it helps you then continue using it. We find that the above regime, and in particular the use of hydrogen peroxide, is enough to maintain a healthy mouth.

Caution: You must dilute Hydrogen Peroxide to 1%. If you don’t you can burn your gums. If you buy a 3% solution, use 1 capful of Hydrogen Peroxide and 3 capfuls of water. If you buy 6%, use 1/2 capful to 3 capfuls of water. If you have any irritation, stop using it until the irritation goes away and try again using less or doing it less frequently.

Please visit your dentist and hygienist regularly.

Find out more useful information on dental care at http://www.How2GetHealthy.com/getting-healthy/dental-care

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Martin
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By Seppo Puusa

The key thing to understand is that acne is not a disease or illness itself, but merely a reflection of the condition your body is in. It’s a signal that something is wrong with your body. Thus to cure your acne you have to address its cause.

Detailed explanation of the cause of acne is beyond the scope of this article. But in a nutshell your body is out of balance. Improper diet, pollution, chemicals in food, pharmaceutical drugs, etc have exposed your body to more toxins that it can handle.

Step 1 – detoxify

The first step to correct the situation is to help your body to get rid of the toxins that are causing your acne in the first place.

The good thing is that your body does this automatically – once you step out of the way. As a double-whammy benefit your body will also clear your acne. For your body to do its job you have to give it sufficient rest and eliminate all harmful substances from your diet for a period of 3 to 7 days. The most effective ways to do this are fasting or so-called detox-diets.

Step 2 – topical treatment

While detoxing, you can help your body with topical treatments. Your skin is one of the main organs for eliminating toxins from your body. Different topical treatments help to keep the pores in your skin open and toxins to leave your body faster. Topical treatments can also kill the bacteria on your skin that lead to acne.

Try to avoid chemicals that dry your skin and just block the pores even further. Instead, try herbal steam baths or skin brushing. Both are excellent ways to help your skin to expel toxins. Sauna can also help you. To kill the bacteria try some herbal lotions from your health shop. Topical treatments are only complimentary to detoxing. So don’t go overboard here.

Step 3 – towards healthier lifestyle

The last thing you should do is to gradually change your lifestyle towards a healthier one. Detoxing and topical treatments will clear your acne. The purpose of this last step is to keep acne from coming back. You should gradually work to eliminate unhealthy substances from your life. Some examples of things you should avoid are: animal flesh, dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and sugar.

It’s important to remember that it takes time to change your lifestyle. So go easy on this one and work to eliminate one substance at a time.

Discover how you can get rid of your acne and still have time and money left to enjoy your life visit Natural Acne Solution.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seppo_Puusa