Interesting info on Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy employs botanical oils to help treat a variety of conditions. Regardless of how it is applied – to the skin, inhaled or infused – it is known as a complementary treatment approach that enhances mood, alleviates anxiety and depression, invigorates the senses, and encourages relaxation. Each scent provides a specific set of benefits.

The Benefits of Individual Scents

Geranium: Alleviates anxiety
Jasmine, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, ylang ylang: Improves Mood
Peppermint: Relieves nausea
Roman chamomile: Reduces inflammation
Eucalyptus: Alleviates headaches and migraines
Thyme: Relieves cold and flu symptoms

However, individual scents may provide myriad other benefits. For example, lavender is helpful in treating depression, nausea, and insomnia.

How to Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used various ways, and each method provides specific benefits.

Typical methods of using essential oils include:

A pillow:  Apply a few drops of oil on a tissue or handkerchief, and put it under your pillow. This helps alleviate sleep disorders.

Steam inhalation:   Boil a pot of water, and wait for it to cool. Place a few drops of the oil(s) in the pot. Wrap a towel over your head, and create a “tent” between you and the pot. Carefully lean your head over the infusion, being careful not to get too close. Take deep breaths of the aroma for 10 minutes.

A room diffuser: Place a few drops of the scent into the room diffuser, or humidifier.

A room spray: Mix a few drops of the essential oil with 250 ml of water in a spray bottle, then shake the concoction, and spritz the room. You may also use this concoction to soothe skin irritation.

Inhalation is especially recommended for the treatment of respiratory problems, and to reduce anxiety.

Topical Applications

With topical applications, you must first dilute the essential oil with a so-called “carrier” oil, such as grapeseed or olive.

A bath:  Mix a few drops of the essential oil into a tablespoon of the carrier oil, then place the mixture into the bath. Adding Epsom salt may also help alleviate muscle fatigue, and maximize relaxation.

A massage: Place a few drops of essential oils into the carrier oil, applying it slowly during the massage.

Topical applications are also good for skin conditions, such as acne.

Contact your Peoria Chiropractor

Although it is very beneficial, essential oils may interact with some homeopathic remedies, so it advisable to seek chiropractor Peoria  advice as to the appropriateness of its use for your individual case.  Moreover, essential oils should be 100% pure to offset negative reactions, and provide a more potent version of their intrinsic benefits.

Your chiropractor Peoria can offer invaluable advice on how to integrate aromatherapy in your daily life. Be sure to discuss it in your next visit!

Share

Geriatrics and Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care offers an individualized treatment approach, which is vital in geriatrics since many conditions benefit from sustained, specialized care. Moreover, techniques employed by chiropractors are deemed to be viable alternatives to surgery and pharmaceutical drugs.

The Benefits of Chiropractor Peoria Care for Seniors

Chiropractic care has been shown to play a significant role in disease prevention. As a holistic practice considered safe and effective for geriatric patients, it counts on high patient satisfaction to treat neuromusculoskeletal conditions, such as that of low-back and neck pain.

Even seniors who are in good health stand to benefit from learning about specific pain-relief techniques aimed at improving their overall quality of life. And in cases involving chronic illnesses and severe conditions, chiropractor Peoria care helps to relieve long-standing symptoms when employed over a prolonged period.

In addition to spinal manipulation, specific exercises may be recommended. Exercise helps to maintain healthy muscles, as well as increase flexibility, endurance, and mobility, which in turn helps to reduce joint inflammation and its resulting pain.

A good nutritional regimen also keeps inflammation at bay, curbing the progression of various conditions.

Contact your Peoria Chiropractor

Chiropractic care offers mild to significant pain relief aimed at boosting one’s lifestyle, and slowing down the progression of advanced degenerative conditions. Results vary according to the severity of each case; however, patients afflicted with a wide variety of conditions at varying stages benefit from chiropractic care.
Seniors receiving chiropractic care receive flexion-distraction therapy, as well as spinal manipulation, and soft-tissue massage.  The techniques used, and the regularity of treatment, varies from patient to patient.

In addition to spinal manipulation, your doctor of chiropractic can create an individualized exercise and nutritional program for your needs.
Contact your chiropractic doctor for an evaluation and prognosis of expected treatment results.

Share

Osteoporosis and Chiropractic Care

Around 20 million American women are afflicted with symptoms of osteoporosis, many of whom remain unaware of having the condition.

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that progressively strips away bone tissue, causing fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist. The condition can be devastating for the elderly, as it can lead to disability and even death resulting from fractures. I see a lot of it in my Chiropractor Peoria office.

However, the symptoms of osteoporosis are commonly mistaken for arthritis; many people, in fact, wait until the condition has reached an advanced stage before seeking medical assistance. Another reason for a late diagnosis is that the condition is almost painless until a fracture occurs. As such, it is vital to assess the condition of your bones throughout your life, and be aware of preventative measures to avoid it.

How to Keep your Bones Healthy and Strong

Be careful when bending or lifting heavy objects. When lifting, bend with your knees. If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, however, avoid hunching.

Take calcium supplements. The National Institute of Health recommends 1,500 mg a day for post-menopausal women who don’t take estrogen, and 1,000 mg who do take estrogen. For men, the recommended dose is 1,000 mg a day.

Drink a cup of yogurt and another glass of low-fat or skim milk daily.

Consider taking vitamin C, D, zinc, magnesium, and silica. Be sure to consult with your chiropractor doctor about a good supplement regimen for your individual needs.

Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Avoid drinking alcohol, baked and processed goods, and junk food.

Reduce your intake of animal protein and fats.

Exercise. Swimming, tennis, walking, aerobics, bike riding, and dancing are all excellent choices. 20 minutes of exercise per day, three times a week, can already do wonders for your bone health. Tai chi may be especially helpful for those who suffer from advanced stages of osteoporosis.

If you are considering lifting weights, however, be sure to talk to your chiropractic doctor to ensure that you follow a regimen that does not place strain your bones.

Consult your Peoria Chiropractor

Your chiropractor peoria can offer invaluable advice on ways to prevent osteoporosis, and improve the health of your bones overall. If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, he can design the right treatment for your needs.

Share

Chiropractic Care for Inflammation

In my Chiropractor Peoria office. I see inflammation linked to many health problems, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer.  In an effort to cope with the painful symptoms of inflammation, around fourteen million Americans take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In fact, these medications reduce headaches, menstrual cramps, allergies, pain, and swelling. However, the benefits of taking NSAIDs come at a high price, as long-term reliance may result in serious health problems.

The good news is that there ways to effective reduce the inflammation without reliance on medication. It involves making lifestyle and dietary changes – changes that produce a powerful effect on your overall health and wellbeing.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids help restore the body’s balance, and have anti-inflammatory properties which alleviate chronic pain and inflammation. Moreover, they also help to counteract some of the harmful substances consume, lowering the detrimental effects of exposure to chemicals and pesticides.

Omega-3 acids are found in green leafy vegetables, flax products, and canola oil, with high concentrations coming from seafood, seaweed and fish oils. In addition, the DHA contained in seafood is essential for cognitive health, and the retina of the eye.

Lifestyle Changes
A balanced diet helps to offset inflammation and the risk of developing chronic diseases. A low-calorie diet that is rich in vitamins and nutrients include the intake of lean meats, fish, skinless chicken, vegetables, fruit, as well as grains and nuts.  Taking a multivitamin, as well as vitamin D, magnesium, and probiotics can provide additional benefits.

Overall, a healthy lifestyle is essential for helping to reduce inflammation and the possibility of developing a chronic disease. Moreover, research indicates that many different factors can aggravate inflammation, such as inadequate amounts of sleep, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and strenuous exercise.

Alternatives to Anti-inflammatory Medication

In acute cases, however, inflammation requires relief. Fortunately, there are natural anti-inflammatory products that provide relief without detrimental side effects.

Turmeric, for example, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. You can include turmeric in your diet by eating curries. The use of herbs, however, has to be chosen on an individual basis in accordance with the person’s medical history. A physical examination is also recommended.

Consult Your Peoria Chiropractor

Be sure to consult your Chiropractor Peoria. He can help you create an individual lifestyle and dietary regimen to reduce your symptoms, and boost your overall health. With the right treatment for your needs, you can start managing your pain and inflammation without reliance on medication.

Share

Chiropractic Care for Stress

Stress is so prevalent that many people consider it natural – just a part of life. In fact, moderate amounts of stress can act as a stimulant, helping us become more efficient. The problem arises when stress becomes chronic, in which case it actually interferes with performance, making us more prone to illnesses, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

Chronic Stress

Stress acts as an alarm on our body, forcing it to release adrenaline. When this occurs, the heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels all speed up. Glucocorticoids also gets released, producing anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing effects.

However, when too much of these hormones get released it can actually do more harm than good. Excessive amounts of glucocorticoids lower our immune system, and raise our risk of developing a wide range of conditions. In addition, the constant presence of stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues, which in turn aggravates pain, leads to headaches, sleeping problems, and other conditions.

Ways to Relieve Stress

Regardless of one’s sources of stress, it is vital to find healthy ways to manage it. Here are a few tips to help reduce stress.

Keep it Light – Positive thinking can do wonders. As difficult as it can be to summon happy thoughts, a few psychological approaches can help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example, helps change destructive thinking patterns into more positive, constructive perspectives. The role of humor in reducing stress is also instrumental. Among its many benefits, laughter boosts the immune system, helps regulate blood pressure, and raises one’s tolerance to pain.
Go out in Nature – Spending time in nature is shown to produce a wide range of beneficial effects. Among its many benefits, going out in nature can have a powerful effect on the nervous system, as well as improve memory, and lower aggression.
Try aromatherapy – Aromatherapy is widely recognized as a beneficial, complementary approach to stress management. Orange and lavender essential oils, in particular, are noted for promoting relaxation and alleviating anxiety.
Drink Tea – Research shows that drinking tea reduces cortisol levels while increasing relaxation. Moreover, drinking tea produces a range of other benefits, such as lowering inflammation and improving heart health.
Get a Massage – A massage can reduce pain, ease depression, anxiety, and help with sleep disorders. Massage is especially helpful for people with lower-back pain.

Chiropractor Peoria Care

Your Peoria Chiropractor is fully knowledgeable in stress management techniques, which include exercise tips, massage, spinal manipulation, and nutritional advice. Your chiropractor Peoria can help you find ways to manage daily stressors, creating a tailor-made approach to increase your wellbeing.

Share