How Massage treatment Beats Meds for Back Pain

A new study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute of Seattle suggests that massage therapy may be better than conventional medicine alone when it comes to treating back pain. Researchers recruited 400 patients with chronic back pain and found that those receiving a series of either relaxation or structional massage spent fewer days in bed and were more active then those receiving there usual medical care ranging from painkillers to anti inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants to physical therapy. Lead study author Daniel Cherin, director of the institute concluded "if your having continuing problems with back pain, even after trying usual medical care, massage may be be a good thing to do. I think that the results are pretty strong"It has also been well documented that massage has many other additional benefits as well for example massage helps to improve our circulation which is very beneficial in relieving sore and tired muscles as well as any aches and pains that are associated with every day use. Funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the U.S. National Institutes of health, this study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Taking Steps Against Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a reminder that by taking the necessary steps, many Americans can prevent incurring the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 79 million of us have pre - diabetes and may develop diabetes later in life. For example I am at risk for diabetes myself because of my family history. New research suggests that inactivity along with eating foods that are high in refined sugars impairs the body's ability to control your blood sugar levels and may play a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

We now have evidence that physical activity is an important part of the daily maintenance of glucose levels,' advices John Thyfault, Ph D, an assistant professor at the University of Missouri - Columbia, whose new study monitored the activity levels and diets of healthy and moderately active young adults. He concluded that, "Even in the short term, reducing daily activity and ceasing regular exercise causes acute changes in the body associated with diabetes, which can occur before weight gain and the development of obesity."

The CDC reports that 25 percent of Americans have inactive lifestyles, taking fewer than 5,000 steps per day, instead of the recommended 10,000 steps. Seventy - five percent do not meet the weekly exercise recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate activity combined with a muscle - strengthening activity twice a week.

While regular exercise is crucial in preventing the disease, so is diet. Research led by scientist Patrice Carter at the University of Leicester, in England has found that cutting down on high fat , high sugar foods and refined grains while eating more leafy greens vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Her study, published online in the British Medical Journal, states that an extra serving of green leafy vegetables a day can reduce the risk of diabetes by 14 percent in the average person.

THE NEW COCONUT OIL

Most of the older studies that gave coconut oil a bad rap involved partially hydrogenated oil which is loaded with trans-fatty acids. But the unrefined virgin coconut oil now available in many health food stores is not chemically treated and is trans - fat free. According to the American Diabetic Association which is a non profit organization of nutritionists, explains that the main saturated that is in virgin coconut oil is lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid that can help increase levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

Go Loco for Cocoa

Science indicates that cocoa possesses impressive disease fighting properties. It appears to help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol and even cancer. Cocoa comsumption is also associated with reduced cognitive decline of old age. The Kune indians of Panama experience very low blood pressure, live longer than other Panamanians, and experience less heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. One outstanding feature of their diet includes a very high intake of cocoa.

Today people have many options in how they consume cocoa. They can eat high cocoa content chocolate bars, use organic cocoa powder, or take hogh flavanol cocoa supplements.

Living Abroad Boosts Creativity

Students that have lived abroad appear to be more creative than their peers that have not had such an experience, according to a study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Enhanced Creativity was linked directly to the students" open minded approach in adapting to a new culture in another country. The results indicated that multicultural learning is a critical component of the adaptation process which acts as a catalyst for creativity.

6 ways to ease arthritis pain

Supplements, herbs, and exercise can help when it comes to treating arthritis. Arthritis you may know it as a stiffness in your fingers or an ache in your knees, but it takes many forms, it encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues, typically causing pain, swelling, and tenderness. The condition progresses and can become debilitating as cartilage that protects the ends of the bones gradually wear away. But exercise and dietary changes can significantly help alleviate discomfort.

Here is s list of 6 things that will help you to alleviate arthritis pain from your body.

1. LOSE WEIGHT: This is the first step toward easing arthritis pain according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Being overweight is directly linked to osteoarthritis of the knee which is the most common form of the disease. The CDC says that losing about 1 pound can cut a women's risk of knee osteoarthritis in half. Losing weight can also reduce stress on weight bearing joints. In fact each one pound increase in weight translates to a two to three pound increase in the overall force on the knees.

2. GET MOVING: Low impact exercises such as cycling and swimming 30 minutes a day are great for arthritis patients. Walking, water aerobics, and t'chi are other good options. Staying active can keep joints from stiffening and help to manage pain, and stronger muscles keep joints from rubbing against each other.

3. EAT HEALTHY FATS: The Arthritis foundation says that diet is increasingly seen as an antidote to arthritis pain. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be particularly beneficial. Abundant in cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel omega 3s are also available in supplement form. The body converts them to anti inflammatory compounds. Krill oil supplements have recently been shown to be effective in easing pain and swelling caused by arthritis. Olive oil has also been proven to be effective as well in easing pain and swelling caused by arthritis.

4. BE AN EGGHEAD: Eggshell membrane contains compounds that are necessary for maintaining healthy joint and connective tissues. A Study published in 2009 found that taking 500 milligrams daily led to significant reductions in joint pain and inflexibility. Positive responces were seen after seven days and continued throughout the 30 day trial leading researchers to conclude that eggshell membrane is a possible new effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of pain and inflexibility associated with joint and connective tissue disorders.

5. TRY THESE HERBS: Two herbs from India appear to reduce chronic pain and inflammation. Curcumin is an active compound in the spice turmeric, and boswellia is a tree that emits a medicinal resin. Curcumin was shown to be at least as effective as ibuprofen at relieving knee osteoarthritis pain in a recent study it also appears to protect cartilage from breakdown. Boswellia is an effective pain reducer and antiinflammatory agent.

6.GET NUTTY: Extracts from the seed of the African Shea tree appear to offer multiple beneficial activities in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knees and hips, according to a study published in 2010. Participants experienced significant decreases in inflammation and cartilage breakdown after the 15 week trial the nuts have been used traditionally in West Africa for the treatment of arthritis.

Go Green For Bone Health

Vegetables appear to be a good source of calcium, particularly for people who do not consume much milk. Korean scientists recently analysed the diets of postmenopausal women and determined that "high dietary intake of calcium, especially plant calcium, reduces the risk of osteoporosis and increases bone mineral density. Vegetables may be an important source of calcium and may also provide vitamins and minerals that exert additional beneficial effects on the bone". The body does not produce calcium. This mineral is abundant in dark green vegetables, including kale and broccoli.