Monthly Archives: January 2022

Juana Garcia/The Cougar

The current trend toward alternative medicine is often credited to the anti-vaccine movement, but the flawed U.S. health care system and companies that sell these treatments leads people to seek these other options.

While alternative medicines do not always work, instead of shaming people who seek these treatments, people should shame the companies that sell them as well as the inadequate health care system that leads people to seek other options.

There are several forms of alternative medicine such as healing crystals, essential oils and herbal supplements. These treatments are often thought of as being complementary form of medicine to the customers standard health care. However, alternative forms cannot be a complement to healthcare if there is no adequate standard healthcare to begin with.

From inadequate response to the pandemic to high costs which serve as deterrents and to reliance on crowdfunding websites for medical care, there are multiple ways in which the current standard health care system is failing. People shouldnt have to plead their case for medical bills on a crowdfunding platform or forego treatment due to the high cost.

The high costs of health care is what often leads people to turn to alternative medicines such as crystals, which are considered to be a source of healing in some alternative medicine circles. Many people joke about the trend of crystal healing and shame those who consider it to be a real treatment or a substitute for actual health care.

However, this distracts from the reality that alternative medicine can be a response to anxiety and skepticism about the health care system.

While some people have listened to anti-vaccine propaganda, many people are skeptical about health care for understandable reasons. The health care system has a racist, sexist history that continues today. Women have been known to be misdiagnosed at higher rates than men while Black women die more during childbirth than white women.

People distrust doctors often due to bad personal experiences with them where they felt unheard and gaslit. This is why people may turn to crystals, herbal concoctions and other alternative medicine products.

The blame is not just on the health care system in the U.S. but also on the companies that take advantage of desperate customers who want health care in order to maximize their profits.

Many companies that sell crystals, supplements and other alternative treatments are just taking advantage of these customers. Their goal is to make money, not treat patients. The treatments are often inaccurately advertised as well, with companies often selling fake crystals and watered down treatments. Customers who buy these treatments often do not even get what they paid for.

Rejecting these treatments should not include scorning people for engaging in the consumption but companies who market these products and the health care system that creates the demand for such products to exist.

Christopher Hernandez is an English senior who can be reached at[emailprotected]

Tags: health and wellness, health care, Medicine

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Health care system, companies are to blame for interest in alternative medicine - The Cougar - The Daily Cougar

As doctors shift away from large and frequent doses of addictive painkillers to stem a surge in deaths by opioid overdose, clinicians prescribing alternative treatments tout a range of options but agree that exercise improves almost every regimen in which alleviating pain and restoring functionality are the goals.

In Chesterfield County, opioid overdose deaths are climbing. Excluding cases in which the Virginia Medical Examiners Office also detected fentanyl, a synthetic opioid added to increase the potency of illegal heroin, Chesterfield had 66 deaths from opioid overdose in 2019, 100 in 2020 and 56 in just the first half of 2021. Opioid addiction isnt always obvious or preceded by other forms of substance abuse; many victims of overdose are people with jobs and stable lives who find themselves hooked on drugs prescribed legally.

Stacy, a 60-year-old Goochland County resident who wants to remain anonymous to protect her interests in an ongoing lawsuit, had minor knee trouble before a car crash a few years ago. She controlled the pain of an expanding airbag hitting her knee with over-the-counter analgesics and physical therapy. I had difficulty walking for any period of time. Just sitting down, getting up, the knee would catch and the last time it did, I fell down the steps, she recalls. Barely able to walk, she decided to have her knee replaced.

Stacy suffered both major categories of pain: Before surgery she endured chronic pain, the sort lasting more than eight weeks, associated with conditions like a tricky knee, bad back, arthritis or fibromyalgia. Post-operation, Stacy had acute pain, the short-term sort that comes after an incision, broken bone or deep bruise. For this acute pain, she took narcotics prescribed by her doctor.

However, she discontinued using them after a week or so. Like many, she feared the possibility of addiction. Instead, shes relied on ice to numb her healing joint and vigorous exercise on a stationary bike to keep it loose. I was very conscious of drugs, Stacy says. I knew I didnt want them.

Now, she manages her residual pain from the injury stiffness caused by inactivity by trying to exercise regularly.

Anchoring treatment for pain with physical therapy is common. Its the grandfather of drug-free pain therapy in modern medicine. Physical therapists use rehabilitative exercise, joint manipulation, massage, applications of heat and ice, ultrasound, electronic stimulation and other techniques to reduce discomfort and improve strength and range of motion.

Physical therapy is relatively inexpensive and sometimes a prerequisite for other treatments. Lisa Berman is a physical therapist at the Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Centers outpatient therapy clinic in Chester, one of seven in the region. As it gets tougher to access opioid drugs, she says, patients are desperate to find other ways to manage their pain.

Berman also uses a technique called dry needling. To the untrained eye, dry needling appears to be the same as acupuncture. In both treatments, thin stainless steel needles are pushed through the skin. The similarity ends there. Developed in China over centuries, acupuncture presumes pain and illness are caused by an imbalance in the bodys energy, and that application of needles along energy pathways can ease pain and promote healing.

Dry needling was developed in Europe in the 20th century by doctors using scientific methods. Energy pathways arent the targets. Dry needling stimulates or relaxes muscles directly. I use dry needling for recalcitrant kinds of pain, like pain that doesnt respond to other kinds of treatment, Berman says, adding that she isnt surprised that alternative treatments are growing in popularity. New therapies for pain management are attractive because people are increasingly aware of the danger of opioid addiction.

At JNT Dental, Dr. Joseph Tregaskes uses lasers as an alternative to narcotics in painful craniofacial conditions. Laser therapy was first developed in the late 1960s and involves placing a light source on or close to the skin to manipulate tissue and cells in the body.

Tregaskes treats headaches temple mandibular joint pain, muscular issues, nerve issues, ligament and tendon issues, and cervical spine issues. Adjusting a lasers power, pulse and wavelength allows the lights energy to penetrate the skin and reach places where pain begins, according to Dr. Nelson Marquina of Laser Biotech International, a Richmond-based company that sells the equipment to the medical market.

It stimulates at the cellular level, Tregaskes explains. And it works really well on pretty much all tissues. You work on nerve tissues, vascular structures, your ligament and tendon issues. Lasers can also reduce inflammation. Because the energy is delivered at the cellular level, lasers can even stimulate broken bones to heal, he says.

Doctors also promote therapies that target how we feel about ourselves when burdened by pain. These include meditation and even hypnosis.

Dr. Benjamin Seeman at Integrative Pain Specialists in Henrico says theyre essential: Mindfulness is incredibly important Studies have demonstrated the link between stress and pain, and mindfulness can be an excellent way to reduce stress.

Seeman says attitudes about opioids are changing among both practitioners and patients. When we are able to convince a patient to try a different approach, or at least decrease their dosages, they find they are able to enjoy an improved quality of life and decreased pain.

Berman says insurance companies usually require a patient to try other mitigations for pain, such as physical therapy, before authorizing more novel approaches, which can be more expensive.

Whether drugs are part of a pain management therapy or not, she emphasizes the power of exercise. Motion is lotion, she says. Even going for a walk is extremely therapeutic. I really encourage people to just be active. Im big into yoga Im big into any kind of movement.

Seeman agrees: Exercise is very important. I encourage all my patients to stay as active as possible.

Opioids arent the only solution.

Originally posted here:

In response to the opioid epidemic, some health care providers are rethinking pain management - Chesterfield Observer

Meditation has long been used to promote calm and relaxation, cope with stress and illness, and manage anxiety and depression. As its list of positive effects grows, so too has the percent of adults in the United States who reported meditatingfrom 4% in 2012 to 14% in 2017, according to the most recent National Health Interview Survey.

Runners often call their time logging miles their moving meditation. However, if the disappointment of a slower-than-expected mile split or panic over unexplained tightness in your calf can derail your race or ruin your workout, adding a formal meditation practice to your training routine can better prepare you to handle these feelings and emotionsboth on the run and in life. Just as lifting weights can strengthen your hips or hamstrings, meditation can strengthen your mind, enhancing your running and overall wellbeing.

Here, we will explain what meditation is, the benefits to your health and performance, and how you can make it a part of your training plan.

Meditation is a set of techniques used to bring awareness back to a specific focus when your mind wanders. These techniques can help your mind process emotions, contributing to your overall wellness and stress management.

A meditation practice typically involves focusing your attention while in a comfortable posture, such as sitting, lying down, or walking. And ideally, its practiced in a place with limited distractions.

Once youve checked those boxes, the meditation exercises themselves are simple. Focus on your breath by counting or repeating a mantra. Or you can scan your senses and observe what your body sees, hears, tastes, smells, or feels to center your attention.

When distracting thoughts ariseThis is boring; My nose itches; Were out of milkcome back to that focus. There is no time requirement to make the meditation count, so meditate for as long as you feel comfortable. Though the more you make an effort to meditate, the more you will get out of it.

Dont be fooled though; while the practice itself is simple, meditating is not always easy. What meditation is not is peace and stillness from the moment you begin, so dont get discouraged if your first few attempts feel awkward.

Rebecca Pachecothe author of the book Still Life The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living, and a meditation and yoga instructoracknowledges that it will, at times, feel difficult for even the most experienced meditators. You may find you are bored, anxious, or fidgety, and thats okay, Pacheco, a two-time Boston Marathon finisher, tells Runners World. Youre not doing it wrong.

Meditation also is not self-improvement, but by practicing awareness and self-compassion, some people may argue that meditation can help you improve yourself. Your thoughts are not bad or wrong; the key is to approach them without judgement.

Meditation is self-acceptance, says Pacheco. The purpose is to give you a place where you dont have to get it right. And the irony is that things often will improve.

Mindfulness and meditation are sometimes used interchangeably, though the two boil down into more specific descriptions: meditation is the practice, while mindfulness is a state of being. Practicing meditation trains your mind to pay attention mindfully.

Mindfulness training uses meditation exercises in combination with informal practices, such as running, to incorporate mindfulness into daily life. Together, these practices train your mind to focus less on negative thoughts, emotions, and memories, and instead makes space for it to concentrate on the present, without getting ahead of itself.

Dr. Keith Kaufman, a clinical sports psychologist and co-developer of the Mindful Sports Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program, describes mindfulness as a nonreactive approach. The challenge is that humans naturally react to feeling uncomfortable and try to minimize it. He related it to the discomfort felt in a race.

Its called an ironic mental process, Kaufman tells Runners World. If you are saying, Im in so much pain right now. I shouldnt feel this pain, I dont want to feel this pain, what it does is actually bring more of your focus to the pain and can actually make it worse. Mindfulness training gives us a way of accepting [the pain and helping us think], Right now, my body is in pain. Right now, this is how my body is feeling, but I can still feel this, and I can still proceed.

The benefits of meditation have been widely studied and researchers are continually finding positive effects on a variety of health conditions. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some of those benefits include reducing high blood pressure, helping symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis flareups, and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Meditation has also shown promise when it comes to managing pain and improving insomnia, and it may help people quit smoking.

For some, these benefits may be enough to convince you to start meditating. But for those runners who need the extra nudge, research has shown sports-specific benefits associated with mindfulness-based interventions.

Meditation can help you get in the zonewhen you are so absorbed in your run that it feels effortless, an experience that has been associated with peak performance. A 2009 study in the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology, following long distance runners who used the MSPE program co-developed by Dr. Kaufman, showed improvements in mindfulness and awareness, and decreases in sport-related worries and perfectionismfactors that may aid runners in reaching that flow state.

If youre thinking about your time and if youre thinking about the end result of the race, its really hard to get into that rhythm, its really hard to get into that flow. By letting go of the outcome and instead focusing on whats happening right now, which is one of the big targets of attention that we talk about, then that can help us get more into the state of flow, Kaufman says.

Meditation can also improve your perception of pain and fatigue, which may prevent you from giving up or slowing down on the run. A 2020 study in Neural Plasticity showed athletes who completed mindfulness training improved endurance performances by having a higher threshold for exhaustion. And a 2021 study in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that following the completion of a mindfulness-based training program, female college students reported decreases in their perception of exercise intensity and other negative feelings, such as fatigue, following an 800-meter run.

The takeaway here: If your brain thinks you have more gas in the tank, your body can push harder, or at least enjoy the run a bit more.

Additionally, meditation can get you back on your feet sooner following a workout or injury. A 2021 study in the Journal of Athletic Training found mindfulness training, in conjunction with traditional physical therapies, reduced pain while running, improved coping strategies, and decreased pain catastrophizing in patients with knee pain.

And a 2000 study in the Journal of British Sport Medicine showed that runners who practiced meditation exercises as part of a relaxation training significantly decreased their blood lactate concentrationwhich is an indirect marker for fatigue in exercising musclesafter exercise. This is just another reason to take a rest day, and using some of that time off from running to meditate may get you back on your feet sooner.

But will meditating make you run faster? A 2011 study in the Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology showed improvements in runners mile times one year after the mindfulness training program was completed by participants.

However, Kaufman cautions, It would be way overstating the science of meditation to say if you meditate, youre going to be faster. But by meditating, it can change the way you pay attention in competitive moments. It really can change the entire trajectory of your performance if youre not getting stuck in a reaction to something. You can stay present, and you can keep making choices that are best for your performance, and in that sense it could help you run faster.

It would be way overstating the science of meditation to say if you meditate, youre going to be faster. But by meditating, it can change the way you pay attention in competitive moments.

Both Kaufman and Pacheco agree that using running as an informal way to practice mindfulness is important because the goal, ultimately, is to integrate these skills into daily life. However, much like your training plan may include easy, tempo and long runs, Kaufman believes a formal meditation practice can help you develop the range of skills necessary for remaining mindful on your run, or life, as a variety of situations are thrown your way.

Here are a few tips to start your meditation practice:

Start small. If you were starting to run for the first time, you would not go out for a ten-mile tempo run. The same goes for meditation. Start with three minutes, says Pacheco, Then try to string together days, then weeks. A little can go a long way.

Just begin. The hardest part of a run is often getting out the door. Set yourself up for success by designating a time to meditate when you might actually do it, like immediately after a run. And then actually do it! Just as it might take a mile or two to settle into a run, so too may it take a moment to get settled into a mediation practice.

Often if you keep going, something clears and the run turns around. And even if it doesnt, you often feel better than when you started. Meditation works the same way, Pacheco says.

Use available resources. Apps like Headspace, Calm, or Insight Timer have libraries of guided meditations if you feel you dont know where to start. Dr. Kaufmans podcast, Mindful Sports Performance, begins each episode with a mindfulness exercise. Find what works for you.

Fit meditation into your day in a way that works best for you. If you cant sit down on a meditation cushion with incense burning to meditate, thats okay! Meditation doesnt have to look a certain way. All it takes to be a good meditator, is to meditate, Pacheco says.

Pacheco suggests using existing moments in the day to meditate, such as while waiting in the exam room for your doctor or while sitting in your (preferably parked) car if you arrive early for a meeting or date. Or the next time you are about to mindlessly scroll on your phone, try two minutes of breathwork instead. There is no right or wrong way to meditate.

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Benefits of Meditation for Runners - Why Runners Should Meditate - Runner's World

I am writing this in response to the Brain Supplements section of your article Ask Science (GT, 1/5), which I feel is not accurate, and is misleading to your readers.

I am a Ph.D Nutritional Scientist and researcher with over 45 years experience and author of several hundred published articles, and was previously a columnist for the Press Banner.

The article has a quote from a neurologist who I am sure is very competent in her field, but lacks credibility in her comment: There really isnt evidence to suggest that any particular vitamin or supplement can help improve or reverse cognitive changes.

I am very sorry Dr. Hellmuth, but you seem to have missed hundreds of scientific studies that disprove your statement.

I have included several studies in this letter, but I am prepared to provide additional scientific studies to prove my point.

The following findings were presented at the 14th Clinical Trials on Alzheimers Disease (CTAD) on November 10, 2021, in Boston. The placebo-controlled study included 2,262 adults aged 65 and over without dementia who underwent cognitive tests at baseline and annually for 3 years. The average age at baseline was 73 years, and 40.4% were men.

Daily multivitamin-mineral supplementation appears to slow cognitive aging by 60%, or by 1.8 years, said study researcher Laura D. Baker, PhD, professor, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She continues Our study provides new evidence that daily multivitamin supplementation may benefit cognitive function in older women and men.

In a Feb 2017 study published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, researchers analyzed 5,269 men and women, and compared to non-supplementers, those who supplemented with vitamin C and/or vitamin E had a 38% lower adjusted risk of all-cause dementia and a 40% lower risk of Alzheimers disease. They also had a 23% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment.

In a 2020 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, researchers concluded: Vitamin D supplementation for 12 months appears to improve cognitive function through reducing oxidative stress Vitamin D may be a promising public health strategy to prevent cognitive decline.

Researchers in a randomized controlled trial published in a 2021 issue of the Journal of Alzheimers Disease reported: Folic acid and DHA [from Omega 3 fish oil] improve cognitive function.

Research findings in Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine (2011) indicate that Lions Mane (a nutritional mushroom) may have potential in stimulation of neurons to regrow in the treatment of senility, Alzheimers disease, repairing neurological trauma from strokes, improving muscle or motor response pathways and cognitive function.

I appreciate the honest and accurate information your paper usually provides; however, your article on brain supplements has more holes than swiss cheese.

I would hope you would provide your readers with accurate information on how nutritional supplements can benefit their lives and improve their brains.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.

Richard Goldberg

Felton

This letter does not necessarily reflect the views of Good Times.To submit a letter to the editor of Good Times: Letters should be originalsnot copies of letters sent to other publications. Please include your name and email address to help us verify your submission (email address will not be published). Please be brief. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and to correct factual inaccuracies known to us. Send letters to [emailprotected].

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Letter to the Editor: Supplemental Information - Good Times Weekly

Whether one buys basic health insurance or a critical illness policy, it is no longer a question of debate if one requires health coverage in todays day and age. Ones income and savings may not be able to match up to the high costs of hospitalisation and treatment in India. Besides, there is always the looming threat of lifestyle diseases, pandemics and critical illnesses striking one at any time. Health insurance helps pay the cost of future health concerns, and gives one the required peace of mind knowing that they have taken concrete measures to safeguard the health of themselves and their loved ones.

Did you know that there are some hidden benefits in your health insurance plan that you are possibly not aware of? We list 5 of them:

#1 Restoration benefit.

Also known as a reset option, the restoration benefit effectively replenishes the sum insured amount when it is exhausted against a claim. The policy with a restoration benefit automatically restores the sum insured during the same policy year. Suppose you have a coverage of Rs 5 lakh and it is exhausted with treating a serious accident. If you have exhausted the entire coverage and require more coverage in the same year, the insurance provider will cover the new claim as well. This is beneficial for those who are likely to require lengthy or repeat hospitalisation, or those who have aged parents with pre-existing health conditions likely to require hospitalisation.

#2 Wellness benefits.

The best health insurance plans incentivise maintaining good health and fitness with a range of wellness benefits. These might include a reduction of premium for a no-claim year, or reward points that can be redeemed for specific benefits in your city, or reimbursement for certain outpatient procedures (under certain conditions), fitness programmes in association with gyms and fitness centres in your city, etc. These are all aimed at keeping the policy holder and their family members in good physical health, so that they may avoid hospitalisation and treatment for as long as possible. Besides, the health insurance provider will offer health insights to better care for your health with advice on exercise, sleep practices, nutrition, diet, mindful living, etc.

#3 Including AYUSH treatments.

Lately, people have started reposing greater faith in alternative medicine. Not every person is content with undergoing Allopathic treatment, not least because of the expense involved and the possible side-effects. However, health insurance in India has traditionally not covered alternative medicine treatments. This picture has now changed, with leading health insurance providers including AYUSH treatments in their coverage. AYUSH is a term to encompass the alternative medicine streams of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy. Apart from these, AYUSH also covers Naturopathy treatments. Consultation, medicines and other procedures under AYUSH are covered by leading health insurance plans in India.

#4 Day-care procedure coverage.

Indian health insurance also did not cover treatments that were discharged on an OPD basis. Even today, most generic health plans entertain claims for 24-hours or more hospitalisation only. But leading insurers cover treatments administered under day-care or OPD, which are made possible due to technological advancements and which do not require 24-hour hospitalisation.

#5 Almost immediate cashless settlement.

If customers have one grouse against insurance policies, it is that the claims are processed slowly and the process is tedious. However, the best health insurance plans settle cashless claims in about a couple of hours from the time of receiving the claim. This means that you or a family member can undergo the treatment you require without having to worry about settling the bills yourself.

Read more from the original source:

The 5 Hidden Benefits Of Health Insurance In India - The Hindu

It's a sobering statisticmore than 100,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in just one year's time. And the CDC says it's getting worse each year.

Kayla Pramik knows the struggle all too well.

"There's no face that goes with addiction. It can hit you, it could hit your closest family members," she said. "My entire life I have struggled with mental health, I've struggled with addiction. It wasn't a fun go for me for about 26 years of my life."

Pramik was introduced to alternative medicine and was able to overcome her battles. She now uses her experience to help inspire others to heal.

"I know what it's like to be in a very dark corner in life and really not having anybody who understood what I was going through. So it makes my heart feel so full it makes my heart explode that if I can help one person, even if it's just one person," she said.

Pramik is also a passionate advocate for those silently struggling because she's seen the other side of the disease. Her sister lost her battle.

"She ended up passing away in 2013. It was a fatal mixture of heroin, cocaine, and Klonopin. Ever since then I knew there was something had to be done," Pramik said.

She turned her pain into a plan and started lighting the way for others. She donates part of the proceeds of her homemade candles to help others.

Kayla wants them to know it can get better, just as it did for her.

"You're not alone, there's more of us that have gone through it not than have not, we will sit with you and listen to you and do everything in our power that we can to make sure that you make it out alive because that's the most important part,"Pramik said.

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Woman sells candles to help light the way for others struggling with drug addiction - 69News WFMZ-TV

As were aware, Asia is big on spa and wellness. From onsen to flotation therapy, here is a list of seven exotic spa and wellness treatments to explore in Asia.

Imagine sitting in a calm place while your mind and body are in sync with the surroundings. Doesnt that just feel relaxing? Such are the effects of aromatic wellness spa treatments that help you de-stress your body and mind to create one of the most serene and heavenly experiences.

Though a periodic trip to the spa or a wellness retreat is quite common these days, what adds to the whole experience is the luxurious and exotic way we get these spa therapies. Exclusive and tailor-made options, which were once available only at high-end treatment centres and wellness retreats, are becoming increasingly common.

The concept of a wellness sanctuary that sets customised wellness goals and promotes a healthy lifestyle is what many are looking for. Availing luxurious massages through holistic programmes by professional therapists, who not only provide beauty treatments but also aim at establishing emotional balance while appealing to all the senses, is what defines a modern-day luxurious spa.

While there is an array of services in many international markets, those found in Asia have become quite popular with their unique rejuvenation and spa treatments. While some of these might be new, others are ancient practices. From authentic hammams, Onsen and crystal massages to floatation and chocolate therapies, the endless options are as luxurious and exotic as they get.

The method of Toji bathing or the ancient Japanese practice of onsen is one of the most surreal experiences where you bathe in a hot spring. The term onsen literally translates into hot water cure and refers to the medicinal values involved in this balneotherapy.

Prolonged stay in a relaxing hot water spring at a ryokan, or a Japanese inn, enables the body to absorb the healing properties from the mineral-rich water. Medicinal benefits include relieving joint pains, relaxing tired muscles, improving skin quality and blood circulation as well as inducing better sleep.

In todays time, a ryokan setup consists of onsen, along with rooms for guests to stay and unwind for a couple of days.

Sound baths, or the use of your auditory senses, as a medium to stimulate or relax your mind and body is becoming extremely popular among urban dwellers. It may come across as a modern therapy, but reports suggest it goes back to over 2,000 years.

To answer the most basic question of whether there is water involved in the therapy, the answer is no. This is because a sound bath cleanses your mind using sound notes.

The soothing vibrations produced by instruments, like Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, windchimes and crystal bowls, will not only calm your senses but also enable better stress management.

As the sound waves and vibrations pass through the body, you will feel serene and completely relaxed. Sound bathing is also considered to be a wellness journey that has a lightening effect on the body.

Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the vibrations in the dimly lit relaxing studio and feel the stress leave your body and mind. You will be one with yourself and the environment.

Enjoy a sound bath individually or in a group, but consciously absorb all the goodness of the spa treatment. Typically, an individual session goes on for an hour, depending on the routine or session you opt for.

Medicinal benefits of this treatment include reduced stress and anxiety. According to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, regular sound bathing can also reduce systolic blood pressure.

A sound and lightproof pod, floating without feeling the body weight and relaxing in complete silence, with very little light, make up this therapy. Although this might sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, floatation therapy is one of the most extravagant body treatments.

Float on your back on about 12-inches-high Epsom salt-saturated water inside a pod, which is set at a skin surface temperature, and feel the surroundings fade away. Feeling weightless and focusing on your heartbeat and breathing characterise this new-age wellness therapy.

The sauna-like feeling of floatation therapy is great for relieving stress, anxiety, hypertension, soothing your senses and relaxing your mind. It also helps in nervous stimulation, brain synchronisation and much more.

Experts are of the view that such a heightened state of total relaxation doesnt kick in until the first 30 minutes, but the effects can stay for over a day. Thus, Dr Justin Feinstein, clinical neuropsychologist and director of the Float Clinic and Research Center at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, suggests this as a short term remedy for anxiety and depression.

Traditional Arabian style of cleansing the body, having deep tissue massages and taking your mind off in a humid sauna room sums up a typical hammam bath. Originating in the Middle East, the roots of this spa therapy can be traced to Turkey and Morocco where people visit local hammams for periodic cleansing.

In the steam sauna room or Hammam, a tellak or an attendant will first pour water on you before applying a black soap and exfoliating your skin with a kessa glove.

The treatment detans your skin and opens up the pores, releasing accumulated dirt. The massage exfoliates dead cells to give a healthy glow to your skin.

The nourishing elements of the exfoliator, often combined with a mud bath, enrich the body with minerals and the massage relieves joint pains and stressed muscles for an overall soothing effect.

Cannot resist the rich, decadent aroma of cocoa? Then this spa and wellness treatment is for you. Lathering rich cocoa butter and chocolate all over your body, a spa treatment couldnt get more delicious than this.

Soak in the rich essence of chocolate therapy and embrace its calming effect on your body and mind. With its rich exfoliating, deep nourishing and moisturising elements, chocolate and products infused with chocolate become the most sought-after choice for services like body massage, pedicure, manicure, facials and hair removal.

The immensely popular spa treatment is one of the most luxurious and premium wellness programmes.

Using crystals, precious and semi-precious stones help in attaining inner balance, as well as reducing stress and anxiety.

Although the practice of using crystals has been around for ages, its been gaining prominence again, with celebrities, like Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson, speaking about them.

Solely targeted at mental well-being and providing tranquillity, crystals and gemstones promote healing energies when used to align various aspects of life. Placing crystals on pressure points and getting a deep massage relieves stress and joint pains.

Different kinds of crystals have various roles to play. For instance, rose quartz helps in promoting self-love, benevolence, happiness and compassion, while Lapis Lazuli is beneficial in truly knowing yourself and thereby feeling free, as well as improving immunity.

Those looking for a more holistic wellness approach to health and mental wellbeing may choose crystal healing.

This therapy finds its roots in ancient Chinese medicine. An alternative medical treatment, acupuncture helps to provide cranial relief and healing wounds by inserting thin needles into the area that needs to be treated.

Acupuncture experts examine the area and insert tiny needles into the skin, the number depending on the body part and the intensity of the pain. These pricked needles send a signal to the body that the area is affected and the immune cells must act upon it.

The wellness treatment has had several positive effects in helping those with chronic pain, insomnia and migraine, among other ailments.

However, it is advised to consult a licensed practitioner before choosing this treatment.

[Hero image credit: The Anam/ @theanamcxr/ Unsplash; featured image credit: RODNAE Productions/Pexels]

This story first appeared on Prestige Malaysia.

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7 Exotic Spa and Wellness Treatments to Explore in Asia - Prestige Online

Butterfly Ayurvedas range of immunity boosters are some of its innovations that help enhance immunity, improve respiratory and overall health.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought into perspective the fragility of our existing healthcare ecosystem. While the healthcare industry is soughting answers to make it more inclusive, holistic, and affordable in the post-pandemic world, Ayurveda has been playing a significant role in shaping the discourse around the new-age healthcare system. The current crisis is a powerful reminder of the need for more sustainable healthcare solutions, and Ayurveda is the saving grace weve all been looking for. Before we proceed, lets delve a little deeper into the science of life.

INTRODUCTION TO AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is an age-old science that has prevailed in India since the pre-Buddhist era. It comprises a holistic understanding of health and caters to the whole body-mind-spirit complex. It is a life science that throws light upon corrective diet and lifestyle measures, with somatic practices like Yoga and meditation, use of herbal remedies and medicine, and rejuvenation therapies like panchakarma, self-massages, etc. It seeks to eliminate the root cause of health issues and caters to every individuals unique body constitution.

AYURVEDA, AN EVIDENCE-BASED SCIENCE

Many believe that Ayurveda has gained a broad perception of being mostly belief-based. However, a close study of the Vedic texts and interactions with learned Ayurvedic practitioners say otherwise. Ayurveda is established on the principles of an evidence-based, rationalistic, and holistic approach. The ancient texts show that Ayurveda has a unique, well-elaborated, and documented pharmacology, pharmacognosy, anatomy, and detailed understanding of disease pathogenesis.

In the words of Sushruta Samdosha samagnischasamdhatu malkriya. Prasanna aatma indriya manaswastha iti abhidhiyate. This roughly translates to: Optimum health in Ayurveda is a state of equilibrium between the doshas, metabolic fire, bodily tissues, excretory products combined with a cheerful mind, high intellect, and keen senses. Disturbance in this equilibrium leads to a diseased state.

BAS CORE IDEOLOGY Herbal healthcare manufacturers like Butterfly Ayurveda, an emerging health and wellness brand of India, have played a vital role in educating the masses about Ayurvedic herbs and their use in everyday life with products like Ayurvedic teas, herbal powders, supplements, tonics, and immunity boosters.

Butterfly Ayurveda is an organization engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of Ayurvedic products. Be it healthy snacks, calming teas, nourishing kadhas, or clinically evaluated medicines, BA offers a whole new spectrum of modern, yet authentic, Ayurvedic products that help integrate the power of Ayurveda into our everyday lives. BAs R&D department is the backbone of the organization. The departments approach could be termed as, Validation of Divine Ayurvedic Wisdom through Scientific Knowledge in the Current Era. Dedicated to providing qualitative and effective herbal solutions, the R&D department is committed to product development, quality control, and standardization which offers their customers safe and efficacious Ayurvedic medicines and food products.SOME OF BAS BEST-SELLERS ARE

Ratri Chai, a nighttime tea that helps unwind and restore energy levels at the end of the day.Pancreofly, an Ayurvedic medicine that helps regulate blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol.

Diabe Choice Cookies, a diabetes-friendly cookie made with coconut palm sugar that is full of flavor, fiber, antioxidants & anti-inflammatory properties.

Suprabhat Chai, a cognition-enhancing good morning tea that helps balance Kapha dosha.

IMMUNITY BOOSTERS

I-Immune, Ayurvedic capsules that help expedite recovery, and increase platelet and white blood cell count.

Bronchiofly, an Ayurvedic cough syrup that helps clear respiratory tracts, protects the lungs and throat against infections

Vita-M, an Ayurvedic medicine designed for men that helps rejuvenate and restore the bodys strength, improves stamina, and increases vigor and vitality.

While these supplements soon became crowd favorites, BA understood the alarming need of the hour and redirected its resources towards developing herbal hand sanitizers, Hello Aloe and Tulsi Neem. Effective and gentle, these sanitizers became a common favorite with the running clinics and nursing practitioners.

DEVELOPMENT OF COVIFLY

BA soon recognized the need for an Ayurvedic medicine that not only boosts immunity but helps treat the symptoms of Covid-19. After thorough research, the R&D team at BA developed an Ayurvedic formulation made with a blend of potent herbal extracts that helps boost immunity against COVID-19, treats flu-like symptoms, and has a broad-spectrum antiviral action. Coronafly/COVIFLY is Butterfly Ayurvedas contribution to the world in the fight against Covid-19. This Ayurvedic formulation helps people recover and alleviates symptoms like high fever, sore throat, dry cough, shortness of breath, body pain, and weakness.

BAS SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE

Raw Material Sourcing

From the sourcing of raw materials to designing the packaging, they ensure eco-friendly practices are followed throughout. All their raw materials are sourced from the most reliable vendors, who either own certified farms or do contract farming with farmers, ensuring the use of sustainable methods for cultivation and harvesting. The tea leaves used in the teas are procured primarily from the Glenburn tea estate in Darjeeling and Khongea tea estate in Assam. All their raw materials are tested for quality and are given a certificate of analysis before being considered for production.

Packaging

The vibrant packaging represents the vitality of life, while BAs conscious efforts to zero down plastic packaging and use materials locally available such as the wonderful jute string to carry the tea pouches. Another such example is their biodegradable tea bags made of corn and wheat starch. BA ensures that all the ingredients and certifications are listed on the product packaging itself. They believe that transparency empowers the customers to embrace Ayurveda evermore readily and help them make a better choice.

Manufacturing

Blending the wisdom of traditional Ayurvedic methods with modern science, BA develops exciting products while maintaining the purity of ingredients, safety and efficacy of the formulations, and adhering to pharmacopoeial quality standards. All their products are manufactured in GMP-certified units and are licensed by the State Dept. of AYUSH, or by FSSAI. BA has also collaborated with several renowned manufacturing units like Charak Pharma, Blue Star Laboratories, etc. for new product development and large-scale production.

THE ROAD AHEAD

BA aims to harness the growing market potential to become an Ayurvedic wellness hub and generate awareness about the benefits of infusing the goodness of Ayurveda into peoples everyday life.

In its humble endeavor to offer the natural preventive and curative benefits of Ayurveda, BA introduced a holistic range of infusions: Heart Strong infusion, Diabe infusion, and Love your body infusion. These herbal infusions are a delight to drink and help support a healthy heart, manage blood sugar, aid weight management. All of BAs products are targeted to help with lifestyle-related disorders.

Akshi, founder and CEO of BA says, Ayurveda is the future of global healthcare, as it helps treat the root cause of a health issue, not merely the symptoms. Moreover, it focuses on rejuvenation therapies that promote the whole body-mind-spirit complex.

THE TURNING TIDE

The healthcare industry is witnessing a new trend. People are now turning to alternative medicines for prolonged relief and Ayurveda is at the top of the list. The resurgence of public interest in herbal remedies led to a substantial demand shift to herbal products in the last couple of years. In 2019, the Indian market for herbal products stood at INR 4.2 billion and by 2026, that number is expected to increase at a CAGR of 38.5%[1]. Similarly, Indias nutraceutical market is poised to be a global leader with a growth rate of 22% every year. Preventive healthcare has become an important line of defense during the pandemic, proving the nutraceuticals sector to be a strong economic partner to the people. This boom in the industry serves as the perfect opportunity for BA to explore strategic partnerships with nutraceutical companies on the lookout for herbal product manufacturers.

[1] https://www.ibef.org/blogs/high-demand-for-medicinal-plants-in-india#:~:text=The%20market%20for%20medical%20plants,assessed%20at%20US%24%20120%20billion.

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Ayurveda, The Future of Global Healthcare - Outlook India

Partner Content

By Sauce Staff // January 7, 2022

The New Year is always a great time to set your intentions for the future. Whether youre looking for some delicious, nutrient-rich food and drinks, a healthy medicine alternative or some self-care at a spa, these local businesses will help you reach your goals.

Fresh Thyme Market at City Foundry STLGet a fresh start to your year at Fresh Thyme Market! Proudly located at City Foundry STL, Fresh Thyme is your new neighborhood grocery store. Theyre focused on bringing fresh, affordable and local products to Midtown St. Louis and beyond. Youll love the full grocery selection, meat and deli counters, as well as the extensive natural and organic options. Be sure to visit the in-store caf, home to Iron Drop, which features artisanal scratch-made biscuits and carefully curated craft roasted coffee menus, and Ace Sushi with delicious sushi made fresh daily, hot food options and boba tea. Check out the $5 sushi rolls every Thursday.Fresh Thymes food doesnt only look, smell and taste good its also good for you. Get all the nutrients you need and all the flavors you crave while supporting trusted partners, brands and farmers. Shop confidently and let your appetite guide the way knowing that every item in the store has been hand-selected with care.Stop by the natural living section this January for a sale on vitamins and body care, when you can get 30% off all those items in the store from Jan. 5 to 11, 2022 take advantage of this amazing deal!3701 Foundry Way, Suite 201, St. Louis, 314.597.4400, freshthymefoundry.com

Fresh Gatherings Cafe + Farm at Saint Louis UniversityFresh Gatherings Cafe + Farm is a student-run cafe operated by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics that is open to the public and located on SLU's Medical Campus. The cafe sources from its organic urban farm on campus and from local farmers and growers in Missouri and Illinois. It is open for breakfast and lunch with a full-service coffee bar. Fan favorites include oat milk lattes, breakfast burritos and croissants, but there are also daily hot lunch specials, grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods. Fresh Gatherings Cafe + Farm exemplifies SLUs Jesuit principles in support of development of the whole person. They believe in the value of good food to nourish the mind, body and spirit. The leading program in nutrition and culinary arts allows students to combine their two passions into a career.3404 Rutger St., St. Louis, freshgatheringscafe.com, @freshgatherings, @slunutrition1818

Fulfill Food & BeveragesDr. Angela Zengs belief that food is better medicine prompted her to develop a line of great tasting, functional juices and smoothies using whole plant ingredients. She hopes to inspire customers' awareness of the possibilities of integrative and holistic medicine. From her delicious Karuna smoothies to her Karviva ACE Sport drinks and new Karviva Unwined alcohol-free wine alternative, each beverage is inspired by ancient wisdom and backed by modern science. The companys wellness beverages offer a vast array of product benefits ranging from restoration of digestive and immune health with prebiotics and antioxidants to delivering clean protein and providing sustained energy. The drinks can be found in local stores including Schnucks, Whole Foods Market, Dierbergs, Straubs and Fresh Thyme. mykaruna.com

Indigo Massage & WellnessAt Indigo Massage & Wellness, a soothing experience starts as soon as you walk in the door. Clients often tout how relaxing the space is with its gorgeous blue and green dcor, defused lighting and pleasant aromas, as well as the comfortable seating and the professionalism of the staff. Choose from a range of services, from therapeutic massages, CBD facials and acupuncture to body wraps and reflexology. Join the Indigo wellness program for a monthly credit for a discounted therapeutic massage; this membership can even be shared with your partner. Plan ahead for Valentine's Day and book a massage or get a couples massage gift card. In addition, all staff members at Indigo are fully vaccinated to help put your worried mind at ease.1901 Arsenal St., St. Louis; 7200 Manchester Road, Maplewood, 314.276.9882, indigomassagetherapy.com

Jane DispensaryJane Dispensary is a medical cannabis boutique on the Delmar Loop that provides a sophisticated experience while educating the public and helping to remove the stigma of cannabis, which can be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Marijuana has a plethora of health benefits and particularly helps with inflammation both in the general population and for those with inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and many more. When aiming to reduce inflammation with cannabis, its imperative to choose a product with a high CBD to THC ratio as CBD is the most effective anti-inflammatory cannabinoid. Stop by the Jane storefront to speak with a cannabis consultant to find the best products to meet your needs.6662 Delmar Blvd., University City, janedispensary.com

Lonas Lil Eats If you enjoy Asian soul food with a flare but want to indulge in a healthy manner, Lonas Lil Eats homestyle meals are light yet satisfying and keep your body fueled all day long. There are plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and customization is encouraged. Sauces which range from sweet or savory to sour or spicy provide full-bodied flavors, and any entree can be made into a salad if youre trying to work more veggies into your diet. Plus, everything is made fresh with no preservatives or MSG. To up your antioxidant intake, complete your meal with the vast selection of teas, from green and white to oolong and black.2199 California Ave., St. Louis, 314.925.1888, lonaslileats.com

RootberryInstead of setting impossible goals loaded with sacrifice and compromise, how about you just eat more plants more often? Rootberry is St. Louis new plant-powered food company that features a rotating menu of chef- and nutritionist-developed entrees, shareables and desserts that are ready to eat or heat in minutes. Get well with these restaurant-quality, nutrient dense meals such as Rootberrys shepherd's pie, winter squash risotto, Aztec enchiladas, tikka masala and more. And, while Rootberry offers salads, they are totally unexpected like Spring Roll In A Bowl or the soy-ginger superfood salad. The best part? Rootberry is available for delivery to your home or office. Visit their website, choose what sounds good to you, select your delivery day and time, and enjoy. (No subscription required, BTW.) You can also find it in the prepared foods section in the deli of all Dierbergs Markets. Rootberry is a local company making delicious food thats not just good for you its good for the planet too. So dont worry about being vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian this year simply enjoy eating great food that just happens to be 100% plant-based. St. Louis, rootberry.com

Source JuiceryFinding healthy options outside the city can sometimes be a challenge, but Source Juicery lets you enjoy the convenience of clean eating on the go. And with the pandemic still surging, theres never been a better time to focus on staying healthy. Source offers a plethora of nutritious grab-and-go options, from cold-pressed juice and wellness shots to nut milks, smoothies, salads and breakfast staples like oats and parfaits. Try a one- to three-day juice cleanse with the option to add meal packs or protein packs like grilled chicken and power bites. All items are gluten-free, and there are many vegan options too. Source offers an easy online ordering system with curbside pickup or contactless home delivery to the Edwardsville area. Walk-in ordering is also welcome.228 N. Main St., Edwardsville, 618.650.9080, sourcejuicery.com

TerrabisTerrabis is a medical cannabis dispensary in OFallon, Hazelwood, Creve Coeur, Springfield and Kansas City. Did you know a research study on cannabis and physical activity was published in Frontiers in Public Health? It found that 80% of cannabis consumers mix cannabis and exercise. 78% say it increases enjoyment. 70% say it boosts recovery, and 52% say it motivates them to exercise. Healthy living and supporting an active lifestyle is everything were about. The name Terrabis combines the word Terra, which stands for Planet Earth, and the word Bis, which are the last three letters of their favorite plant, cannabis. Together, Terrabis stands for a healthy planet and represents their adventurous spirit. They encourage you to #ExploreMore of the outdoors, as well as their products, to live a healthier and happier life.Multiple locations. terrabis.co, @terrabis_hq

The Healing HamsaWhen it comes to healthy lifestyles, self-care is a vital aspect that should not fall to the wayside. The Healing Hamsa is a place where medical aesthetics meet magical experiences with treatments ranging from a variety of facials and chemical peels to microneedling and beyond. Wellness weekends, private events and couples experiences are also available, and the Healing Hamsa is extremely proud to be inclusive and prides itself on the continuing education to serve clients of all ethnic backgrounds. In addition, the spa provides robes, cozy slippers and bottomless beverages while you wait for your treatment(s) to begin. So next time youre needing a little extra self-care, come check out this business built on high-end experiences and an emphasis on being able to retreat and relax. 4400 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis, 314.450.8399, healinghamsa.com

The Pasta House Co.The Pasta House Co. has long been synonymous with Italian food in St. Louis as its celebrating 48 years in business, but did you know the home of the golden toasted ravioli also has a variety of healthy options? From an assortment of salads and vegetable-forward dishes like eggplant parmigiano to an entire gluten-free menu, Pasta House aims to offer something for everyone. Try a family meal starting at just $29.99 and includes pasta, their famous salad, toasted ravioli and bread and butter. At Pasta House, you can dine in, order takeout for curbside pickup, or even get delivery. For larger parties, inquire about catering options.Multiple locations, pastahouse.com

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11 St. Louis businesses that focus on self-care for a fresh start to the new year - Sauce Magazine