Are you constantly online, texting or twittering? Worried about the long term impact of increased computer and gaming time on the brain? Many people believe the technological age will have a negative impact on memory, concentration and general brain function over time. Below are 5 simple ways to improve your brain function.

1. Acupuncture is a great way to reduce stress, improve sleep and allow the body to enter deep relaxation which will enhance rejuvenation. There are even certain acupuncture points which can impact the brain directly, as well as scalp acupuncture which targets specific areas of the brain. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective enhancing brain function involves strengthening Kidney Essence, nourishing Heart Blood and tonifying Marrow, which is the spinal cord, brain, bones and bone marrow.

2. Chinese herbs can be used to promote cognitive function or help balance organ systems which may contribute to declining brain function later in life. Common herbs used to prevent mental decline are gingko biloba, ling zhi, ginseng, gou ji berries and others used more in traditional Chinese medicine formulas to strengthen the Kidney essence such as he shou wu, rou cong rong and wu wei zi.

3. Diet plays an important role in overall health including brain health. The nutrient luteolin which is found in vegetables and herbs such as carrots, peppers, celery, rosemary, peppermint and olive oil has been found to decrease inflammation in the brain which can be responsible for decreased memory and cognitive function. Whereas a Finnish study found that seniors with higher levels of B12 in the body had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. Certain foods are also considered to be brain tonics, such as walnuts, blueberries, kiwi, kidney beans and supplements like vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids which can be found in salmon, tuna, halibut as well as some nuts and plant sources.

4. Lifestyle is also an important factor in maintaining brain function, getting regular restful sleep, managing stress and finding time for relaxation will give the brain a chance to recharge. Activities such as yoga, meditation, tai chi and breathing exercises are all beneficial. If you prefer active sports like biking, skiing, skating and contact sports definitely protect your head as trauma to the head has shown to increase the chance of developing Alzheimer's later in life.

5. Learn a new skill to create neural pathways in the brain which will keep it healthy over time. Language and dance are often touted as good activities for the brain and recent research on bilingual children confirms it. Multilingual children were found to adapt to changes easier and focus better in confusing environments. In one study bilingualism helped to slow the onset of dementia, including Alzheimer's by about 4 years.

3 Ways to Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress which helps people cope with isolated situations such as an exam or new job, however according to the National Institute of Mental Health there are roughly 40 million American adults over the age of 18 that have an anxiety disorder in any given year. This means approximately 18% of the adult population suffers from some type of anxiety disorder whether it be post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder or phobias. Anxiety can occur at any time but many people find the holiday season particularly stressful when dealing with difficult family situations, work pressures, money issues and overbooked schedules. Below are some alternatives to treating stress and anxiety.

1.Acupuncture is very effective for treating anxiety as treatment promotes a deep state of relaxation which will calm the nerves, quiet the mind as well as enhance clarity and focus, often people coming in for other conditions will report they feel calmer, more centred and able to cope with stressful situations better. Acupuncture like Chinese herbal medicine is based on an individual's diagnosis and a point prescription will be formulated accordingly. There have been some studies that show both body and ear acupuncture have some benefit for reducing anxiety symptoms. Auricular acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in reducing preoperative anxiety, which could also be used for other anxiety inducing situations.

2. Herbs in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions are combined in a formula to maximize the efficacy and minimize side-effects and toxicity. 

Although the prescription is based on the individual's constitution and symptom analysis there are some common herbs used in prescriptions based on which organ systems are involved. According to Chinese medicine theory anxiety is primarily related to imbalances in the Heart, Kidney and Lung organ systems. Herbs such as, dan shen (salvia), hu po (amber), he huan pi (mimosa tree bark), fu xiao mai (wheat), long yan rou (dragon eye flesh fruit), fu ling pi or fu shen (poria fungus skin or around root), wu wei zi (schizandra fruit) and lian zi (lotus seed) are frequently used in formulas used to treat anxiety.

Herbal teas or supplements such as Valerian, passionflower, chamomile and even green tea all have calming properties. A recent study confirmed positive effects of passionflower and kava along with nutritional supplements on anxiety and anxiety related disorders, while lingzhi or Reishi tea and Bach Flower Remedies are also popular remedies.

3. Diet and lifestyle can play a role in keeping anxiety levels in check. Maintaining a regular exercise schedule which includes some type of relaxation or calming activity is beneficial. Try yoga, walking meditation, deep breathing exercises or even other alternative therapies such as Reiki, massage and music. With regards to diet avoid grabbing quick snacks and eating more processed, refined foods as they can exacerbate anxiety, instead take time to prepare a meal and enjoy it making sure to include high quality protein, whole grains and a variety of fresh vegetables which will help to calm nerves and ease the mind. As with any condition it is recommended to consult your healthcare practitioner to assess which therapy will be most beneficial for your condition.

A Tip Form a User on Combining Two Powerful Tools Against Pain

It is always interesting to see people show their creative side and make good thing even better. This time - about an approach of combining an acupressure mat and heating pad to create a powerful weapon against pain and tension. The newly discovered usage of two powerful tools might be a new trend in well being!

Browsing through the web one can find many interesting articles about people finding their own, personal and very effective methods of dealing with different problems and conditions. Michelle Panagos recently sharing her experience of a revolutionary approach in using an acupressure mat and healing pad combined to reach better results - on the company's blog. Here's what she wrote:

"I discovered a technique that enhanced my Pranamat experience exponentially... a heating pad!I use a heating pad on occasion and found myself last night trying to decide between my heat pad or the Pranamat and had a revelation that perhaps I could have both! So I placed my heat pad underneath the mat and turned the heat up high. It feels absolutely phenomenal!
A little concerned about how the materials, especially the coconut, would be affected by the heat short term or long-term.
In any event it feels GREAT!
Enjoy!..."

A bit on how it works.

Many sources reveal that most pain comes from muscle strain of exertion, which then creates tension in both muscles and soft tissues. The tension constricts circulation and sends pain signals to the brain.

What heat application does is dilate the blood vessels around the pain area and increase the blood flow to help damaged muscle tissues with more oxygen and nutrients. The heating pad also stimulates sensations on one's skin and by this decreases the pain signals that our body sends to the brain. Warmth flexes the soft tissues and muscles in the injured area releasing tension and stiffness.

Various types of heating pads allow them to be used at home, work or while traveling. And, as suggested by Michelle, it also works well with the Pranamat Eco.

The acupressure mat Pranamat Eco is known to work in a very similar way. It stimulates bioactive points and skin receptors to relieve tension and increase blood circulation, also triggering endorphin release to reduce pain. The natural sense of warmth that is caused by the increased blood circulation also loosens the muscles and warms them up in order to stretch the muscle fibers.

Basically, what Pranamat Eco does is releasing your body's natural power of self-healing and rejuvenating processes. Using these two devices can bring a faster relieve and, as pointed out by Michelle, is also very pleasant.

What about materials?

Now, what Michelle is concerned about is that the heat might damage the mat. Where's what can be found on blog(dot)advaitaart(dot)com:

Electric heating pads mostly heat up till from 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 82 °C) (please see the manual for specific information on the pad you are using). This temperature cannot harm or damage the materials that are made for intensive use and are highly durable.

Acupressure mat is made of natural materials - cover is stitched from 100% linen, the inner filler cover is made of 100% undyed cotton and the mat filler is a 100% natural coconut fibre. Here's a bit on each of the components used in Pranamat Eco.

Linen is a material known for its durability. It allows free air circulation, is anti static and hypo allergenic. As any natural fiber textile it is prone to temperature changes.

Lotuses, made of medically tested and toxin-free plastic H.I.P.S., are prone and safe for use in close contact with skin. The plastic does not contain heavy metals and massagers are attached to the mat without any glue. That means that no hazardous vapors are released during the use. Lotuses are attached with a patented heating technique and can hold high temperatures.

Coconut fibre is a natural material that allows free air circulation and does not absorb any odors. It is also temperature resistant, does not emit any chemicals and is hypo allergenic.

Suggestions for usage

Heating pads are mostly used in treating pain and relieving tension. These are also one of the most common uses of Pranamat Eco. Try to enforce the effect by using a heating pad and acupressure mat combined.

Acupuncture: Live A Painless Life

It was in 1972, when President Nixon, along with James Reston, a New York Times reporter, visited China that acupuncture started gaining popularity in the US. James was suffering from post-operative pain, for which he had received acupuncture and found it quite effective. Upon his return, he wrote about acupuncture in the New York Times, as he was very impressed by the pain relief. James' case is not the only one. Tens of thousands of Americans have been able to get relief from different types of pains and ailments via acupuncture. If you are a resident of Dallas and are suffering from some bodily pain, then acupuncture in 

Dallas is your best bet to live a painless life.

Acupuncture in Dallas: Get Relief from Major Diseases

You can get relief from different types of pains, as well as abnormal physical conditions, by receiving acupuncture in Dallas. Based on the traditional Chinese concept of 'Chi', this procedure stimulates mandarin points to balance the body's energy and encourage the healing process. Traditionally, acupuncture practitioners used bone, wood, or metal needles or bian stones to treat patients. With advancement in medical technology, fine acupuncture needles are used for treatment, directly or with laser. This procedure is widely used to treat the following diseases:

* Fibromyalgia

* Back and neck pain

* Women's issues, such as cramping and menstrual troubles

* Cysts

* Acute conditions and wounds

* Psoriasis

* Arthritis

* Frequent headaches

Depending on the physical anatomy of a specific body part to be treated, the treatment procedure may vary. Also, the number of visits will vary from case to case. While some cases get resolved in one visit, cases of chronic disease may take longer. The procedure is practically painless, since the needles are as thin as a human hair. Many times, patients fall asleep during the treatments, as it relaxes them. However, it is crucial that you get acupuncture in Dallas only from a trained, licensed professional to ensure safe treatment and complete relief. Preferably, contact a practitioner who provides both needle and non-needle treatments.

How to Use Acupuncture: 1 Way to Become the Architect of Your Life

Acupuncture energy works to open pathways in our consciousness that maybe closed. The mind can reveal itself to us as our channels are opened, our health improves and our body relaxes. Acupuncture works to facilitate healing on all levels -- physical, emotional and psychological. When we open our bodies in new ways, we open ourselves to new ideas. In this way we create opportunities for moving forward in our lives and for changing our patterns of behavior. This is the real beauty of this medicine and the joy of being a practitioner.

Recently I am moved by the fact that we are the architects of our lives. We create what we focus on. We chose what we focus on and so we create what we chose.

It takes time to decide where we chose to invest our time our energy our life. By that time, some of us are tired because we have spent so much of our lives going down dead end streets or de-railing ourselves from goal we thought were impossible, not easy to achieve. We lose our interest when our goals take time and all goals do.

It's important to choose goals that inspire us, to set goals, even if they appear to be impossible to achieve. This is the fruit of inspiration. This is what keeps us going through the everyday, routine that becomes our life. Create inventive goals, fun, inspiring goals and then create the details of how we are going to achieve them. This is the attitude that keeps the heart floating and in joy. We have our existential selves, our day to day lives. And we have our dreams, our longing. This longing, this striving, keeps us connected to life, to people to the world outside ourselves. Choose to approach our days with something to look forward to.

When we feel we have achieved our goals it's wonderful. As we age, most of us create fewer goals, simply because our vision of all our life can become gets a bit smaller. This is backwards. As we age, we have more experience in the world and so our dreams and ideals can grow to suit our expanding nature. We project what we think our into the world. If we see limitations we project that. If we see expansion we project that.

In being the architect of my life, I choose to continue to expand my opportunities, my joys and my life.

What are your thoughts? Send me a comment!

 Many patients who are suffering from long-term illness or pain seek aid from an acupuncturist in order to find a solution to their condition. The process of acupuncture has been disputed for many years; while some people fully endorse this medical procedure, others claim that the relief caused by acupuncture treatments is purely a placebo effect, and that acupuncture in itself has no real medical value. Scientific researchers continue to study the effects of acupuncture today to try to determine the true effects of this procedure.

During acupuncture treatment, extremely thin needles are used to create multiple insertions in the patient's skin. The location of these insertions varies depending on the acupuncture session's specific purpose. For instance, a patient who is suffering from leg pain would likely receive the bulk of his or her treatment in the afflicted area, while a patient who has a serious respiratory infection would receive most of his or her treatment around the chest and lungs. These insertions are so minute that they cannot even be seen with the naked eye. Furthermore, the insertions themselves tend to cause no pain unless they interfere with a preexisting injury. Supporters of acupuncture claim that the injection of needles into specially diagnosed areas helps to relieve pressure in several key points, giving the body a more balanced and relaxed system. These theories are derived from traditional Chinese culture, which has used acupuncture treatment for several thousand years.

Because so many people endorse the treatment procedure of acupuncture, scientific researchers have performed innumerable studies regarding the subject's effectiveness. As of today, most experiments have found no definite connection between acupuncture and pain relief, although new hypotheses are still being tested. Some researchers suspect that acupuncture may be connected with the body's release of pain-reducing hormones such an serotonin and endorphins. Other scientists believe that acupuncture treatments may facilitate the loosening of stiff or sore muscle tissue, yielding a relaxing effect in the patient.

While the benefits of acupuncture are largely disputed, most professionals agree that the procedure has no adverse effects so long as sterilized equipment is used. Acupuncture has been gaining popularity in recent years, and most people can find a trained acupuncturist in his or her area. 

The city of Richmond, Virginia possesses several different acupuncture specialists and clinics. All of these acupuncture practices have received extensive training and education in the field of acupuncture medicinal treatment. In order to locate an acupuncturist in Richmond, one should consult his or her health care provider or perform a simple Internet search on the subject.

Acupuncture As A Natural Remedy

Having been practiced by Chinese healers for many centuries, acupuncture has now grown in popularity in other parts of the world as well. It is being hailed for the various health benefits that it offers as well as for the absence of any negative side effects. People have even begun to promote acupuncture as a natural remedy for arthritis, probably because Chinese doctors hold the belief that arthritis is caused an imbalance in your body's energy. Acupuncture is believed to restore your natural energy balance. It has, in fact, been shown to promote the secretion of endorphins, which naturally block pain.

Forms of Arthritis
The most common forms of arthritis where acupuncture is used for are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is very common in the United States, affecting about 21 million adults in the country. It is caused by the deterioration of the joints and cartilage and results in a feeling of stiffness and considerable pain. Rheumatoid arthritis may be more painful because it affects not only the joints, but also some major organs. It can cause severe inflammation in your joints' lining, which results in swelling, stiffness, and a lot of pain. This form of arthritis also causes you to lose your joints' normal shape and range of movement. It often goes into remission for some time and then suddenly flares up again. Acupuncture is very effective in relieving the pain caused by both forms of arthritis.

How It Is Done?
Acupuncture begins with the cleansing of your skin using alcohol. Sterilized, stainless steel needles are then inserted either directly into the painful area or in other areas known as energy channels. The number of needles and the depths of insertion can vary according to the severity of your condition. If the number of needles that need to be inserted in a single area is significantly large, then a hypodermic needle may be used. The acupuncture needles will then be twisted, electrically energized and then left in place for somewhere between a few minutes to an hour.

How It Feels
Of course, you can expect to feel some pain when the needles are inserted, the degree of which is the same as that of receiving a vaccination shot. You may also feel a warming effect as the needles are electrically energized. This effect actually increases the benefits that you get from the treatment. Among the most common complaints are numbness and a tingling sensation when the needles are left in place. Some people may also feel sore and experience heaviness in the areas where the needles are inserted. Acupuncture as a natural remedy for arthritis is usually required twice each week because it normally takes several treatments for you to completely feel the benefits.

Several studies have proven that acupuncture can indeed relieve pain, which makes it the ideal treatment method for arthritis, being a condition characterized primarily by pain. Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States and acupuncture as a natural remedy is your safest alternative to drugs and other treatment methods.