Health & Beauty

Health Campbell Style
Acupunture
A Form Of Chinese Medicine

By: Mary Campbell

Preventative care is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise is on the top of the list. However, there are plenty of other ways as well. Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine, is one of the items on this list. Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating threadlike needles into various points on the body for therapeutic purposes or pain relief. It is a customizable, comprehensive health care system.

The word acupuncture comes from the Latin words acus meaning "needle" and pungere meaning "to prick." Acupuncture is not used to cover up symptoms, but to reach the origin of the problem. Acupuncture follows the theory that there are 14 main electrical meridians that let a life energy or "qi" flow through the body. Sometimes these points get blocked just like a locked gate due to stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise. Acupuncture points are like the keys that release these blockages (open the gates) to allow the qi to flow freely. If the qi is free to flow, there should be a total harmony of physical, emotional, and mental well being.

I recently spoke with licensed acupuncturist Krystal Pearson about this people-oriented total health care system and learned that it's not just all about being poked with needles. There are many facets to ensuring the maximum benefits of acupuncture. Krystal practices electro-acupuncture using a microcurrent along with the needles. There are techniques called cupping and gua-sha; also, there is Chinese dietary therapy and Chinese medicinal herbs:

Cupping is a treatment used to ease pain, detoxify the body, and loosen muscles.
Gua-sha is where a piece of jade is used to scrape toxins to the surface and is often used to help relieve sore throats and congestion.

There are also the many uses of Chinese medicinal herbs such as: branches, twigs, leaves, and minerals that can be blended together to create 1000's of formulas to aid in the treatment of specific situations such as:

infertility,
depression,
anxiety,
gastrointestinal issues,
headaches,
migraines,
allergies, and
sinus issues.

"Krystal, also, treats a variety of conditions with acupressure using ear seeds (small seeds or metal balls) that produce constant stimulation of pressure points in the ear." This treatment has been used as a way for people to quit smoking and treat other addictions. To determine her course of action, Krystal uses the methods of inspection and palpation to diagnose clients. This includes inspecting the tongue size, shape, color, and coating, and checking the pulse.

After our conversation, I knew that Pearson had found her passion in acupuncture. She has travelled to China to further her studies as a licensed acupuncturist. She, also, plans to travel to Bali to learn to use acupuncture along with OB/GYNs or fertility treatments and in pediatric care. Krystal has a background in biopsychology and uses that to her advantage with her clients.

There is a sense of ease about her. Pearson can use tuning forks tuned to the ohm frequency to help relax those that need further coaxing. If you have further questions regarding acupuncture, please refer to Krystal Pearson L.Ac. at Blue Jasmin Acupuncture & Herbs via her website www.bluejasminacupuncture.com

Posted: 03-01-10

The Beauty Connection
Extensions

By: Mary Campbell

Most people know that you can go from short hair to long hair with hair extensions. However there are many different types of extensions, from the origin of the hair and texture to quality and application style. The first decision to make is the choice of synthetic or natural. Synthetic can be much more inexpensive than natural hair; but, since it is synthetic, it cannot be styled with hot tools or dyed. Natural extensions can be treated just like your own hair. Synthetic and natural come in a large variety of colors, but natural ones can be custom colored to match any shade.

Synthetic extensions can be found in just about any texture from stick straight to unlimited possibilities for curl patterns. Natural hair extensions usually come in straight or wavy. In addition, they can be found in other textures depending on the manufacturer.

Quality of hair natural extensions can vary from virgin to remy. Virgin hair is hair that has not been colored or processed in an way. Since this hair has never been chemically damaged and is harder to form into extensions, it can be more expensive. Remy hair has been treated with a layer of keratin to keep it shiny and less resistant to tangles. Remy hair extensions are the most commonly used in salons.

There are multiple ways to apply hair extensions depending on the style of extensions you choose.

First, wefts can be sewn into braids or glued in at the scalp; however, sewn in wefts can cause hair loss if the braids are too tight.
Second, temporary wefts can be clipped in the hair.
Third, individual extensions are applied with a glue, metal clamp, or aspecial keratin bond that is applied through heat. Individuals are best applied with the keratin bond; it offers a less noticeable, less damaging way to extend length.
Fourth, invisible hair extensions are gaining popularity for the virtual no damage and extremely natural results. However, invisibles can get very costly as they attach strand to strand.
Fifth, there is another type of extension which is more for filling in thin hair and/or for covering hair loss due to alopecia or even cancer treatments. This is called hair integration. Integration is a system that works by adding a hairpiece that is integrated with your own hair. You can extend length some with this system; however, it is more for hair loss. It works by attaching a "halo" of anchor beads around the hairline. Then a hairpiece (which resembles a hair net but with hair already on it) is sewn on the the head and held in place by the anchors. Once the piece is attached, your natural hair is pulled through the holes in the net being integrated with those in the hairpiece. The pieces some with various densities of hair affixed to it depending on your needs.

Extensions can be fun and add variety to your life, but they can also be something more than that. They can be used as a tool for boosting self-esteem as well as adding a little more beauty to your life.

As for those with short hair, it has its beauty too. I'm one too - short haired. Beauty is not measured by the amount of your hair cascading down your shoulders. Beauty is, of course, measured from within. However, think of extensions as a means of fun and/or an addition to your already beautiful self.

For answers to more questions
about hair extensions?
Contact: Mary @ Tangerenz and/or
Jannae @ Tangerenz
(805) 648-5564 and/or
Email: maryhda@hotmail.com

Posted: 03-01-10

Swine Flu Prevention Tips

Happy Breathing From An RN Friend

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS, DRM, DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Saifee Hospital, Tata Memorial, etc. Presently, he is heading ourn Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all of you to know.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

In order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections WHILE YOU ARE STILL HEALTHY and not showing any FLU SYMPTOMS of H1N1 infection, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap). 3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asana to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Posted: 10-12-09
Health & Beauty Archives

Health & Beauty

Health Campbell StyleAcupunture A Form Of Chinese Medicine

The Beauty ConnectionExtensions

Swine Flu Prevention Tips

Health Campbell Style
Acupunture
A Form Of Chinese Medicine

The Beauty Connection
Extensions