Painkillers are being abused like never before. The media likes to sensationalize the use of prescription pain medications being sold in dark alleys by neighborhood thugs and resident riff-raff. But what about the gentleman who just purchased the drugs legally from his local pharmacy, as prescribed by his doctor. Is he in any less danger…
One of the biggest myths about acupuncture is that “once you start, you have to go forever.” First of all, it is entirely up to you how long you choose to continue to get treatments. Of course, like any other healthy habit, the longer you maintain it, the better your quality of life. But just…
Whether you realize it or not, one of the most powerful forces in your life is your self-image. A positive, healthy self-image can carry you to heights you’ve never imagined, while a negative self-image will pin you down like a lead weight. To a large degree your self-image is influenced by the pictures and messages…
Let’s get right to the point. There is no magic bullet, the easy way out is the wrong way, and quick fixes never stand the test of time. We all know this to be true yet, astoundingly, we have been led to believe the exact opposite when it comes to our health and well-being. Medicine…
There’s an old metaphor about a frog in boiling water. If you drop a frog in a pot of boiling water, he will immediately jump out because of the sudden, drastic change in temperature. If, however, you put a frog in a pot of tepid water and slowly bring it to a boil, the temperature…
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” –Abraham Lincoln Pain killer…Check. Anti-inflammatory…Check. Anti-anxiety…Check. Antidepressant…Check. And that’s just breakfast! For many, starting the day by downing a handful of pills has become the norm, a natural accompaniment to their eggs and toast. You take pills because you are taught to, and that’s what most people are…
Summer finally arrives. The sun comes out. The flowers bloom. Most people grab their sunscreen and head outside. But what do you do? You close the windows, grab your antihistamines and hide in the house. Wouldn’t it be great if you could enjoy being outdoors? Allergies are widespread. According to WebMD, 20% of the population…
If you feel stressed just living your life, you’re not alone. Americans lead stressful lives. Jobs, relationships, health, family obligations, community responsibilities—they all take their toll. In “Stress in America 2012,” an annual survey by the American Psychology Association, 1 in 5 respondents reported an extreme stress level of 8, 9 or 10 on a…
Spring is a happy time. Bunnies hop about. Flowers emerge in long forgotten corners of your garden. The birds return and sing so loudly they wake you in the morning. This is not a time to be angry. But according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, being angry is exactly what you can expect if you don’t…
Spring is a season of awakening and of new beginnings. Making healthy choices that will carry you through the seasons is important this time of year. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Embrace yourself honestly. Assess the various aspects of your life, taking note where the stressors and weaknesses exist. Are…