Health and Medical Information

Archive for March, 2009

Lasers are one of the newer healing devices on the market today. Low level laser therapy has been shown to be effective in treating sprains and strains, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, bursitis and a host of other problems. But just how does this space-age technology actually work? How do lasers heal?

Light has been used as a healing modality for centuries. The ancient Indians and Chinese used color to heal and it is an important part of Aurvedic healing. Sunlight has long been regarded as playing an important role in healing. Some cultures even worshiped the sun as a healer.

Lasers and sunlight are both forms of electromagnetic energy. Lasers produce what is known as monochromatic light. The first laser was developed by Theodore Maiman in the year 1960. Maiman was able to produce a red light that contained one frequency. Sunlight contains many frequencies of light. You can see the various frequencies of light by sending sunlight through a prism and observing the rainbow of colors. The colors correspond to the different frequencies.

Later in the 1960’s Dr. Endre Mester thought that malignant tumors in rats would not grow if they were exposed to low level laser light. To his disappointment the laser had no effect on the tumors and they continued to grow. However, all was not lost because he made an important observation. The skin incisions made in the rats healed faster. Like sunlight, tissue healing was stimulated with lower exposures while damage occurred with higher exposures. Mester’s work laid the foundation for the low level healing lasers we see today.

Lasers heal on a cellular level. The mechanism has similarities to photosynthesis in plants. Plants take energy in the form of sunlight and store it in a molecule called adenosine triphosphate or ATP. Lasers stimulate tiny structures inside cells to also produce ATP. The result is an increase in the cell’s function which can include facilitating healing systems such as decreasing inflammation and assembling components for repair.

If we look at healing with lasers and photosynthesis in terms of information exchanges we see more similarities. Plants use the information in light in order to maintain their complexity. In other words plants take sunlight and use it to build larger more organized molecules from simpler less organized molecules. If we see damaged cells as more disorganized than normal cells then lasers work by the same mechanism. Laser light is taken in by the disorganized damaged cell and helps the cell to become more organized. As cells increase their level of organization they heal. Light then can be seen as a source of healing information.

The future is bright for low level laser therapy as studies are underway investigating its effects on a variety of problems. Perhaps lasers can become finely tuned information sources that promote healing for many conditions. Maybe even someday they will be available as over the counter devices.

Dr. Bruce Forciea is an author, educator and chiropractor. His new book “Unlocking the Healing Code” presents a new paradigm for healing. His site:
contains more information, free newsletter, free guided imagery download and New Age music downloads.

Planning you day and setting yourself small realistic daily goals is the first step towards making stress work for you instead of against you.

It can be very helpful to look for small satisfactions during the course of your working day, achieving small goals and giving your self a pat on the back in the process can really change your day and have the effect of easing the workload, rather than just hoping that at the end of your day that there will be one large one.

Setting small achievable goals, such as, dealing with a set number of emails or telephone calls can have the effect of really brightening your day because you actually feel as though you are making some serious progress. Each one of these smaller goals in turn rolls up to help you to achieve the greater goal, which is total completion of your allocated tasks. This can be an excellent source of great satisfaction for you and leaves you feeling as though your days labor has been very worthwhile and productive.

Stop dwelling on what you should have accomplished yesterday, yesterday is gone and you can’t bring it back no matter how much you might wish you could, concentrate on today, because whatever you do today shapes the course of your tomorrow.

Always be entirely true to yourself, don’t assume that you are perfect, but at the same time there is no benefit in being over harsh with yourself. Acknowledge that you are less than perfect, as are we all, but don’t punish yourself.

Look to someone you admire and if you look closely enough you will see that they also have their weaknesses and imperfections. No one is perfect, so don’t beat yourself up over it. Concentrate on what you do well and you will feel and be more successful in all your endeavors.

Using your time efficiently is the most effective way of dispelling any feelings of wastefulness you may have at the end of the day. Carefully plan your time, don’t waste it, it’s the most valuable asset you posses.

Allocate realistic deadlines for each task you have to carry out. Above all try not to under estimate the time required to complete a task as this is one of the major causes of work place stress and if not nipped in the bud early on can lead to serious bouts of depression.

Keeping a stress diary is a very good idea, keep a log of each days stressful encounters and go over it at the end of each day, analyze it and look at alternative ways to accomplish stressful tasks.

If certain duties appear too stressful for your comfort, break them down into smaller and more manageable tasks and you will be surprised at the speed with which you accomplish even the most unpleasant of jobs.

Be totally and completely honest with yourself in your diary, it’s only you that is going to see it, so there is no need to dress it up in any way. Don’t forget it’s for your eyes only, that is unless you wish to discuss it with your partner or a close friend. If you do decide to discuss your problems ensure that the person you choose is a trusted confidant, otherwise you may only serve to unnecessarily exasperate your situation.

Forward planning is the key to alleviating stress in the workplace, always put aside some quiet time to plan your next day in advance ensuring that you definitely allow yourself adequate time to accomplish all that you have to.

You will soon realize that what at first caused your stress levels to rise is in fact simply down to bad time planning and as you become more accustomed to keeping and dealing with your stress diary you will find that previously stressful situations can now easily be taken in your stride.

Continual daily stress can have devastating effects on both your work life and your home life. Remember it pays to divide the two. Where ever possible don’t take your work home, if this is unavoidable ensure that your family and friends are aware that you need to spend some time working and ask for their consideration so that you an complete the tasks more quickly.

Co-operation and not conflict is the key to handling stress, and setting aside some time for simple planning will allow you to achieve much more in the same amount of time, and your stress levels as well as your mental fatigue levels will be much lower, and you and all around you will be all the happier for it.

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Here is a secret to revitalization, particularly effective for the afternoon blahs: Treat yourself to a tall glass of water.

Water has wonderful restorative properties. It is a natural, fat free appetite suppressant that contains no calories and no cholesterol. It is low in sodium, helps the body metabolize fat, helps maintain skin and muscle tone, and improves energy levels.

Every physiological function depends on water. Water helps regulate body temperature, transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and antibodies; helps eliminate toxins and other wastes from the body; and lubricates your joints as well as your hair, skin, mouth, nose, and eyes.

Water protects organs and tissues; increases the efficiency of proteins and enzymes essential to metabolism; and relieves water retention (though it may seem counterintuitive, when you are retaining water, the best course of action is to drink more water, not less).

If you allow yourself to get dehydrated, every part of your body suffers. Dehydration has been linked to asthma and allergies, constipation and heartburn, hypertension and headaches, poor muscle tone, and inefficiencies in digestion, metabolism, and organ function.

Warning signs of dehydration include mental confusion, pain in the joints, stomach, and back, and low energy.

Keep your energy levels up, particularly after a workout, by making sure you get enough.

How much is enough?

Here is a good rule of thumb: drink one half of an ounce of water for each pound of body weight. So if you weigh 140 pounds, you need 70 ounces per day.

Keep in mind that your body needs 16 ounces of water before, 4 to 8 ounces every 20 minutes during, and 24 ounces following your workout.

As with most major lifestyle changes, check with your doctor before significantly changing your water intake. Certain medical conditions call for restricted or increased water consumption.

When you first begin to re hydrate, you may feel like you are spending all of your time in the bathroom. But within a few weeks, your body will adjust and you will urinate less frequently. Just avoid heavy water intake right before bed to avoid midnight trips to the bathroom, which can interfere with sleep patterns.

Here are some common excuses for not getting enough water:

1. “I am not thirsty.” You may notice that, when you drink more water, you find yourself thirsty, but when you live on caffeinated soda, you are not thirsty at all.

The truth is, thirst is not a good indicator of water deprivation. A lack of thirst may actually signal dehydration, and “dry mouth” thirst is a sign of extreme dehydration. When your body is deprived of water, it adjusts by disabling the body’s thirst sensor. Once you start hydrating yourself, thirst kicks in again.

2, “I do not like water.” Here are some tips for downing the day’s water:

Make it readily available. Keep a water bottle in your car and at your desk. Stash another bottle in your bag and carry it with you.

Liven up ordinary water with a squirt of lime or lemon juice. Sometimes, I add a splash of fruit juice to the water. Try to go easy on the juice, though. Most juices are high in sugar, which adds calories and stimulates the pancreas.

Purchase an inexpensive water filter, such as the Brita water filter. For about $30, you can enjoy great tasting water all the time. Plus, when you have cold, refreshing water ready in the fridge, you will be more likely to pour yourself a glass.

Find an elegant container. Every drink looks more refreshing in an elegant crystal goblet.

Know thyself. How is water made most appealing to you? Do you prefer an ice cold glass with fresh lemon slices? Then make sure it is easy to prepare.

Experiment. Put a glass mug in the freezer before bed or freeze a half filled water bottle, and fill it with water before you go out for the day. Then enjoy the cold water as the ice thaws.

When you are properly hydrated, you will experience an energy boost and you may find that you eat less, too.

Susie Cortright is the founder of several popular websites, including Susies-Coupons.com, BestSelfHelp.com and Momscape.com, where you can register to win gift cards from top online merchants.

In the world of skin care, there is no larger or more menacing problem that wrinkles. They are a fact of life, but not everyone is anxious to be referred to as looking distinguished. In fact, the battle against the signs of aging consumes a large portion of each day for many people. There are remedies abound, and it seems as though every expert has a different opinion about how to deal with this threat to our once youthful appearance that we would like desperately to maintain. As in any conflict, to gain an upper hand you have to have the right weapons.

In recent years modern science and technology may have finally caught up with Father Time, as we have more ways than ever to combat the advent of wrinkles. Wrinkles can occur for a number of reasons, and they come in different varieties.

For the most part we can define wrinkles by placing them into two categories; Static wrinkles or dynamic wrinkles. Static wrinkles are always there. They are truly the result of the passage of time, and often deepen as we get older. Dynamic wrinkles are the result of facial movements, which would include smiling, frowning, moving our brow, or squinting our eyes.

Different problems require different solutions, and fortunately there are now a variety of options at hand to help deal with wrinkles. One of the most popular solutions for fine lines and wrinkles is Botox.

Botox is a pharmaceutical product manufactured by Allergan, Inc. that is injected into the facial muscles by a physician or medical professional. The purpose of Botox is to serve as a neuron-toxin to interrupt the signals sent through the nervous system to indicate to a muscle that it should contract. If the muscle does not receive the message, then the muscle does not move.

Less movement means fewer wrinkles. Botox presents a temporary resolution to the problem, and follow-up or maintenance treatments are required about every four to six months on average.

Static lines or wrinkles are a different story. Static lines do not move, and are typically the result of a decreased density of collagen in the skin. Collagen is what makes the skin soft, supple and elastic. If there is not enough collagen in an area, we can simply put more in.

This procedure is known as the introduction of a dermal filler. A dermal filler is either a natural or, more often, a synthetic product that is injected into the skin to fill a void. Products used as dermal fillers include natural or synthetic collagen and hyaluronic acids, such as the brand name products Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and more.

Some people, however, flat out do not like the idea of needles or the sound of the word neuron-toxin, which can be a bit intimidating. Fortunately there are alternatives. Traditional skin care products that are designed to rejuvenate the skin are commonplace and have been around for years. These products can certainly be helpful, but they are not going to offer the same impact or effect as more significant services or procedures.

Topical skin care products are, however, always a great way to maintain the health and appearance of the skin. If you are seeking a significant cosmetic enhancement without the use of needles or surgery, then an energy based technology treatment, such as a laser, is the way to go.

There are emerging laser technologies that now allow skin care professionals the opportunity to actually stimulate the growth of your own natural collagen to increase the overall collagen density, thus resulting in the elimination of wrinkles and a substantial rejuvenation effect. These services are commonly offered by many of your local medical spas, so visit a medspa directory today to find one near you. The future is here, so lets get rid of the signs of the past.

With more than 15 years in the medical spa industry, Jason Begley has developed theMedSpaDirectory.com to serve as the leading source for providers of Botox, laser hair removal, and more. To find a medical spa in your area, please visit http://www.themedspadirectory.com