Now for some more Physical and Mental Health Information.

I'm sure that many of you have heard the saying,"Laughter is the best policy", it really is when you think about it. You must have noticed how good if feels to laugh and just let yourself go! Laughter is one of the most natural things that we do. It keeps us in the here and now allowing us to be in the moment, when we do this, we forget about our problems.  Imagine how our physical and mental health would improve if we would give ourselves more time to laugh.

Our ability to laugh, goes back to primitive times when people would greet each other by contorting their faces into smiles accompanied by grunts, snorts and other sounds. Today, it is widely known especially by those who practice holistic medicine, naturopathy and other alternative medical practices, that when we have an optimistic attitude about life, we are less likely to get ill."I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off," says Steve Wilson, MA, CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist. "They might be healthier too."(1)
Laughing on a regular basis provides an outlet for stress reduction. I know myself that after I've had a good laugh, I feel calmer, less tense and more tranquil. This happens because when we laugh we release our "feel good" endorphins, these are our internal mood enhancing chemicals. Think about this one, studies have shown that couples who laugh together usually stay together.
 

Let's take a look at some of the things that you can do at home or in a group to relieve tension, increase mental clarity and improve your overall mood.
 

• Laughing Meditation: This helps to control minor irritations. Take some deep breaths, then stretch your arms up over your head. Lower arms down to sides. Now smile, start giggling, and build up to a good belly laugh. Do this daily.
• Hasya Yoga: This is usually practiced in a group. It employs deep breathing with exercise and simulated laughter, such as "hearty", "silent", or "dancing" laughter. In response to the leader's laugh, the participants start laughing. At a certain time, they stop, close their eyes and focus on the center of their body. This type of yoga has a very quick relaxing effect, it enhances mental clarity and promotes a sense of well being. As a caution: if you are pregnant, have heart problems, a hernia, prolapsed uterus or hemorrhoids, check with your family practitioner, gynecologist,naturopathic doctor,etc.before embarking on this type of program.

Here are some "inner smile" exercises that you can do in the morning or any other time of the day that you feel nervous, tense,or stressed.

• Sit quietly and comfortably with your spine straight. Inhale deeply and exhale through your nose a few times until you feel relaxed.
• Close your eyes and count backward slowly from 10.  Focus inward, "Smile" with your eyes and feel the surrounding skin begin to relax.
• Imagine the smile sliding down inside your skull, into your throat, then down into your chest.
• Let the smile spread through the rest of your organs,to your genitals and down into the soles of your feet. Notice every part of your body as you become completely relaxed. Remember to breathe normally throughout this meditation.
• Take a few minutes to bask in the glowing sensation. Realize that you are filled with happiness.
• Slowly bring your focus back to your eyes and open them. Take a deep inhale and stretch your arms to the ceiling while stretching your legs out in front of you. Smile with your mouth now.

Try these, just for fun

• Go and see a stand-up comedian with friends, or watch him on the television.
• Rent a funny video that will make you roll over with laughter.
• Get a joke a day desk calender.
• Buy a comic book.
• Find a picture or something in the news that amused you. Hang it up where you can see it.
• Tell a favorite joke.
• Spend time with children.
• Laugh at yourself!!!

Even a smile can impact our health. It causes our brain to release neuropeptides, which are  chemicals that are associated with happiness.





So remember to show those pearly whites often!
1.....(http://women.webmd.com/guide/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter)
2.....Ibid


The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers,
     Pittsburgh, PA.
http://women.webmd.com/guide/give-your-body-boost-with-laughter
http://www.cancercenter.com/complementary-alternative-medicine/laughter-therapy.cfm

Hello everyone.  I've informed my editor over at ChaCha that I will be resigning as blogger for this blog (Alternative Medicine) effective immediately.  I just don't have the time to devote to it that I would like to and I don't feel that it's fair to you, the readers, to have to wait so long between content.  I enjoyed doing the blogs when I had time and I learned alot about the various topics I covered. Hopefully there will be someone to take over my slot soon and I hope that you will continue to support this blog at that time.  I will miss you all and I appreciate the support.

Have a great weekend!

Last week, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass) was diagnosed with the most common form of malignant brain tumor called a glioma (you can read his story here). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the prognosis for someone diagnosed with this type of brain tumor is poor.  Of course, individual results depend on the age and overall health of the patient, how advanced the brain tumor is and the location of the tumor itself.  The typical treatment for gliomas starts with the administration of steroids to reduce the swelling of the brain and anti-convulsants to control seizures, if this is an issue.  From there, the treatment consists of radiation treatments and/or chemotherapy and possibly surgery (again depending on the factors I listed earlier).

Many patients opt to incorporate many of the same types of complementary and alternative medicines used to treat other types of cancers, such as the ones I discussed in my article about Patrick Swayze and his battle with pancreatic cancer. These could include acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage therapy, to name a few.  There is one unique treatment being explored for use in treating patients with gliomas however; the use of Scorpion venom!  Actually, to clarify, researchers have created a synthetic version of a peptide found in the venom of the giant yellow Israeli scorpion which carries radioactive iodine directly to the malignant tumor cells.  It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, right?  Initial trials have found that the treatment is well tolerated and may be very effective in treating gliomas.  To read more about this fascinating potential new treatment, you can go here (for the overview-lay persons version of the story) or here (for a more detailed, scientific discussion of the research). 

Until next time, I hope you had a great holiday weekend!

Hi everyone!  I'm making a trip to D.C. for some work related training and won't have any spare time this week to get a post up.  I will be putting together a piece on Alternative and Complementary treatments for Brain Tumors (Glioma) (in light of Senator Ted Kennedy's diagnosis yesterday) over the weekend and should have that up the first part of next week.  I'm also researching Native American approaches to medicine for a piece and am looking at alternative treatments for fibromyalgia and some other good stuff.  As I've said before, alot of the information I put out for you is new to me as well and it takes quite a bit of time to put some of the information together.  I appreciate your patience with me and as always, if you have ideas, please pass them along!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and I'll be back online next week.

Today I'm going to continue the series highlighting some of the therapies used in complementary and alternative medicine by introducing you to music therapy.  According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is the "clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program".  In other words, music therapists first evaluate a patient to assess physical health, emotional well being, social functioning, cognitive and/or communiction skills and then prescribe therapy using music to address that patients needs while participating in interdisciplinary treatment planning, evaluation and follow up. 

The types of treatment prescribed by a music therapist may include listening to music, writing and/or performing music, music evaluation and learning through music.  It's used to aid in the treatment in a number of conditions, including alzheimers, depression and other mental issues, developmental issues, physical problems, substance abuse and brain injuries.   I even read in an article in Prevention magazine many months ago that they are using music therapy to help COPD and emphysema patients develop lung capacity by having them play a recorder or similar instrument.

We all know from personal experience that music has an impact on our lives in many ways, from soothing us when we are feeling blue to helping us celebrate, exercise or otherwise enjoy the positive things in life. Music therapists understand the profound impact music can have on our overall well being and incorporate it into helping their patients achieve healing and balance.   The URL I linked to above links to the American Music Therapy website's frequently asked questions sections, which goes into the history of music therapy as well as providing more detailed information on how the therapies are applied, where music therapists work and a whole host of other information, if you are interested.  The following excellent video also shows how music therapy is used.  Enjoy!

Hello everyone!  I'm back and ready to begin my week long series covering some of the various types of therapies used in alternative and complementary medicine.  To kick off the week, I've chosen to start with Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), in honor of my sister's graduation from Veterinary School this coming Saturday (Hurray!)!  Animal Assisted Therapy is defined as "the deliberate inclusion of an animal in a treatment plan".  Animals are non-judgemental and often help people recover from a number of ailments just by being there and giving unconditional love and attention.  They are used to relieve stress, anxiety and/or depression in hospitilized patients (and this subsequently lowers blood pressure in patients as well), to comfort burn victims and to help learning disabled children (including those with severe autism) develop faster.  They aid in psychological healing for victims of Post Traumatic Stress disorder and are often brought in after disasters.  These are just some of the many ways that Animal Assisted Therapy is used, the list goes on and on.

Any pet or companion animal can be used in Animal Assisted Therapy and although dogs (Canine Assisted Therapy) and Horses (Equine Assisted Therapy) are the most common, other animals such as hamsters and rabbits, birds and even lizards have been used. 
The following video is a good introduction to AAT.  The Delta Society Website is also another good place to look, if you'd like additional information.  Until tomorrow, enjoy the video!

Since breathing is so important to your physical and mental health, especially during exercise, I decided to devote this blog to it. As we inhale, oxygen goes through our lungs and is absorbed by the bloodstream. We exhale carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. If our breath is shallow, our body is unable to eliminate enough carbon dioxide through the mucous membranes that line our lungs. This causes a disruption of cellular respiration as well as cell metabolism, which in turn causes a decline in mental ability since the brain does not get enough oxygen.  By learning proper breathing methods, you will feel better because you will sleep better, your body's metabolism will increase and you will have a healthier immune system. In addition to this, correct breathing will help to alleviate stress, anxiety, nervousness, and tension.



Let us now take a look at an exercise to enhance your abdominal breathing.

• Lie down on the floor with your calves resting on a chair or stool.
• Place 3 books on your belly over your bellybutton. Breathe deeply and calmly. Feel the weight of the books on your abdomen.
• Remove one book, notice that your stomach feels lighter and your breathing is deeper. Remove each book one by one, pausing in between to notice the feeling you have from deep breathing.
• Finally, place your hands on your abdomen and consciously breath from your belly for a few minutes. You should feel very relaxed.

More Breathing Exercises

• To make you feel more energetic, clasp your hands in front of your abdomen with palms facing up. While inhaling, lift your hands to chest level. Turn your palms down as you exhale while pushing your arms and hands down until they are straight. Leave your hands clasped and inhale as you bring your arms forward and up over your head. Slowly lower your arms as you exhale. Repeat 3 times.
• To relieve stress and tension, place your arms and hands on either side of your body.Breathe in deeply while extending your arms outward and sideways. Lift your arms until your body forms a "Y" shape. Breathe out forcefully and audibly from your mouth while allowing your arms to sink slowly down on either side of your body. Rest for a beat and repeat 3 times.

Breathing exercises for people with heart problems

• Inhale deeply through your nose, then purse your lips and breathe out through your mouth. This helps to enhance relaxation, it lowers blood pressure and helps distribute oxygen through your blood. This particular exercise may be used in conjunction with medical, or alternative treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Breathing Exercises for hyperventilation

• When we are anxious,or tense our breathing becomes quick and shallow. This in turn causes a depletion of carbon dioxide which may lead to hyperventilation. When we hyperventilate we become very nervous and tense because it is a scary feeling not being able to catch our breath. For severe hyperventilation, you should hold a paper bag in front of your mouth and inhale the exhaled air a few times, this increases your carbon dioxide which in turn will make you feel better. Afterward, it is essential that you breathe calmly and slowly while paying attention to your slow exhalation.

A couple of weeks ago, the world lost a great actor, Charlton Heston.  Although the cause of death hasn't been officially announced, Mr. Heston did suffer from Alzheimer's disease.  Below is Charlton and his wife, Lydia, being interviewed by Peter Jennings in 2002, just after Charleton announced to the public that he had the disease (more following the video):


Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease that was discovered by (and named after) German physician Alois Alzheimer who first made note of the condition in 1905. The disease destroys brain cells and is the leading form of dementia, with over 5 million people suffering from the disease.  No one reason can be cited for causing the disease, but there are certain risk factors to be aware of:

• Age-persons over the age of 65 are at the greatest risk and once a person reaches 85, the risk of contracting Alzheimer's jumps to 50%
• Family History- Persons having a close blood relative that has Alzheimer's, such as a child, sibling or parent, are at greater risk for contracting it
• Genetics- Genes play a role in determining whether someone will contract the disease and scientists have identified a gene called apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4) which contributes and they believe there are many others that have not yet been discovered.

Alzheimer's has no cure, but it is one disease where alternative and complementary treatments are being experimented with.  The herb Ginko Biloba is showing great promise so far and is being studied for use in treating dementia and Alzeimer's by the University of Pittsburgh as well as several other facilities.  Huperzine A, an extract from moss that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries is also showing great promise.  Small studies show that it may be as effective as some of the medications currently being used to treat the disease.  Furthermore, Omega 3 Fatty Acids may play a role in preventing the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's and further studies are merited.  To read about these treatments and others that have been examined, take a look here.  Until next time, stay healthy!

• Ujjayi breathing is used during yoga to hold and focus on a posture. Sit cross-legged while inhaling slowly with your mouth closed while constricting the back of your throat making the sound of the ocean waves. Exhale slowly while keeping the back of the throat constricted.
• Kapalabhati breathing has you kneel on your heels keeping a straight back. Take a deep abdominal breath and hold it for a few seconds. Release the breath in slow small bursts from your nostrils until there is no more air. Let your abs fill with air again.
• Abdominal breathing occurs by siting or lying on your back with your hands on your stomach just below the navel. Keeping your hands on your abs pay attention to the rising and falling of your breath. This is also a good way to meditate.
• Rib-cage breathing is when you sit or lie on your back with hands placed on either side of your rib cage. Inhale into your lungs and next into your rib cage. Feel the expansion of your ribs while your chest opens up. Exhale as slowly as you can.
• Complete breathing is accomplished by sitting or lying on your back while exhaling completely. Inhale slowly, filling your abdomen, lungs and then your chest. Exhale very slowly.

1. Stand with feet hip length apart. Bring your palms together in front of your chest.
2. Inhale and slowly raise your arms above your head while gently arching your spine backwards.
3. Exhale and bend forward from your hips. Place your hands on both sides of your feet and bring your chest to your knees.
4. Inhale and stretch your right leg straight behind you into a lunge with your hands on the floor.
5. Exhale and put your left leg next to your right leg in a push up pose. Keep it straight and inhale.
6. Exhale while bending your knees and touching your chin and chest to the floor. Keep your hips raised.
7. Inhale and slide your chest forward as you stretch your legs. Arch your upper back with your elbows tucked close to your sides. Keep your shoulders back.
8. Exhale and curl your toes to the floor, raise your hips to form an inverted "V".
9. Inhale and place your right foot next to your hands and make a lung position on the other side.
10. Exhale and slide your left foot next to the right, then bend forward from your hips.
11. Inhale and roll up slowly from the spine. Extend your arms overhead to stretch your spine.
12. Exhale and return to your original pose, repeat as many times as you like.

A note of caution, Surya Namaskar can be hard on your lower back. If you experience back pain you should consult with your doctor before attempting any of these positions. You may also want to consult with a yoga instructor who can help you modify the poses to fit your particular needs. Finish each workout by going into child's pose which helps to relax and release your back muscles.

In case you haven't noticed, there is a reoccurring "theme" that is prevalent in the complementary/alternative medicine field: the need for the energy in the body to be balanced before healing can occur.  Polarity therapy is definitely not the exception to that rule!  In fact, energy balance is the sole purpose of this type of therapy.  The Polarity Therapy model states that good health occurs when:

1.  Energy Systems function in their natural state and
2.  Energy flows smoothly without significant blockage or fixation.

The therapy was founded by Dr. Randolf Stone who studied energy in relation to the healing arts over the course of his 60 year career.  He found that many things affect the bodies energy field (either positively or negatively) including diet, exercise, sound, relationships, life experiences and environmental factors, to name a few.  Therefore, Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive system that incorporates energy based body work, diet, exercise and self-awareness in order to release blockages in the bodies energy field and restore the body to it's natural healthy state.

In a typical Polarity Therapy Session, the practitioner uses several techniques to assess the current state of that person's energy field, including observation, interviewing and palpation.  The practitioner then uses "Energy Touch"  which typically involves soft touching and rocking as well as some point specific energy work.  A typical session lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

The video below shows an example of a Polarity Therapy session and the site I've linked to above is the official Polarity Therapy website with a wealth of additional information.  Until next time, enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago I did a piece on complementary medicine and how it can help in the fight against cancer.  Another thing that people often do when fighting cancer (or many other diseases for that matter) is they make major changes in their diet.  People with cancer, heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure for example are often guilty of not eating a very healthy diet.  Once disease strikes they take steps to lower their sodium, eat more vegetables, cut down on fat, etc.  Some people, when faced with a life threatening disease, take things a step or two further and go on a more extreme version of a healthy diet, such as a macrobiotic diet.  The macrobiotic diet is a high fiber, low fat diet (which is the type of diet often recommended for cancer and aids patients) but it's very strict as far as what you can and can't eat.  Here's the lowdown:

The macrobiotic diet is really more of a lifestyle that is meant to balance our bodies while living in harmony with/helping to balance nature.  It was introduced to the U.S. from Japan by George Ohsawa and further refined by Michio Kushi.  The nutritional aspect of the diet (or their version of the food pyramid is broken down like this):

50-60% Whole Grains:  brown rice, barley, oats, wheat, millet, etc.  Note that Yeast is avoided on this diet, so only yeast free breads may be consumed.

20-30% Vegetables:  Any vegetable is acceptable except for Potatoes, Tomatoes and Eggplant (which originated in the tropics-all tropical food and vegetables are avoided on this diet, as they are thought to contribute to immunity loss.  Also, lettuce, cucumber, celery, chives and dill are only consumed in moderation).  Locally grown and/or organic produce is favored on this diet. Notice that fruit is NOT in this category.

5-10% Soups-usually soy based soups such as Miso and Shoyu.

5-10% Beans-Cooked beans or bean products such as tofu or tempeh.

Limited amounts of fruit (locally grown, no tropical), nuts, seeds and fish may be consumed as well.

Poultry, beef, pork, cheese (and other dairy), alcohol, refined or simple sugars, molasses, honey, vanilla and caffeine are NOT part of this diet and are to be avoided.  Another component of the diet is to take your time eating and to thoughtfully and thoroughly chew every mouthful (chewing at least 50 times) and to eat in a relaxed environment.

That's the macrobiotic diet in a nutshell.  It IS NOT endorsed by the American Cancer Society, because it's low in protein and they feel that might impede the recovery from surgery or cause problems related to chemotherapy.  Many nutritionists also feel that it's lacking in some essential vitamins and minerals, such as B-12. 

The diet is a tad too extreme for my taste, though I certainly see many, many healthy components to this diet, which so many Americans don't incorporate at all.  Most of us need to eat more whole grains, get more of our protein from leaner sources (fish and beans, primarily) and cut out refined sugars and what not. 

Until next time (and I'm so sorry I'm sporadic as of late, I've had a bit much on my plate and haven't had as much time the past couple of weeks.  Things appear to be calming down some, so I'll try to do better).  PLEASE, if you have ideas or topics you would like to see covered, LET ME KNOW!   I want this to be relevant to your interests, health concerns, etc.  Have a great weekend!

To get the most benefit from meditation, you should do it daily, the more you practice, the easier it will become. Each practice should be at the same time and in the same place, preferably a comfortable spot where you will not be bothered. Your sessions do not have to be very long, but you need to let go of any stress that you may have and stay focused on relaxation. Then you will be able to achieve inner tranquility. Continue doing the same routine for a few weeks before you begin another type of meditation. There are many classes that you can take with a certified instructor if you are unsure how to begin.

Guided Imagery with meditation, which I told you about in my last blog, is a very effective technique for helping you to calm your nerves. You may want to purchase relaxation tapes with quiet music and colorful stories to take you away from your everyday worries and stress. They will help you to achieve a peaceful state of mind. Other things that may be helpful include concentrating on an object or reciting a mantra.

1. Sit in a comfortable and relaxing position. Focus deeply and concentrate on the flame.
2. Relax and breath quietly and slowly through your nose. For a few minutes, don't think about anything. Watch as your abdomen rises slowly and falls with each breath and notice how the air moves through your whole body. You may want to place one hand on your stomach.
3. Allow your thoughts to wander quietly. Welcome each thought like a good friend, but don't dwell on it. The relaxing light produced from the candle will help you to forget about your daily problems. Any tension that you are feeling will abate as you relax and ease your mind.

Hello everyone!  Happy Monday!  A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog outlining various complementary medicinal practices that can aid in the battle with cancer.  One of the things on that list was Tai Chi (or Tai Chi Chuan).  Tai Chi is actually a martial art (yes, like karate or tai kwan do) that has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine.  The practice helps keep the Qi (life force) in balance. Tai Chi was originally developed not only for self defence (hard to believe when watch it in some of it's forms, but it was indeed) but to also promote and sense of calm and well being.  There are many forms of Tai Chi, but essentially each type combines a number of movements (and the number of movements there are varies depending on the style that is being practiced) that flow seamlessly and meditatively from one to the next.    The focus is on mind, breath and movement.

The article I've linked to gets much more in depth into the history and the various types of tai chi (as well as it's many health benefits, the BIG one being, of course, reduced stress) if you are interested.  I've also included a video to introduce you to the subject.  If after you've done some more reading and watched the video and you decide you would like to take up the practice, there are a number of great DVD's available for beginners (and advanced practioners as well).  Some of my favorites are the one's put out by David Carradine of Kung Fu (the t.v. show) fame.  I've linked to one of them on Amazon.com here.  There may be classes offered in your community as well.  It's a practice that's appropriate for a person of any age and at any fitness level (but always check with a physician before beginning a new exercise program).  Enjoy the video and I'll be back in the next day or two!

• As a daily ritual, perhaps before you get out of bed, visualize your goals enveloped in pink bubbles that float into space. Pretend that they are absorbing the positive energy in the universe that you need to realize your dreams.
• For life changes such as a move, picture yourself in your new home, try to visualize where you will put your furniture, etc, and imagine yourself happy there.
• For relaxation find a comfortable and quiet location, either sit, or lie down. Begin by breathing deeply and go to a place in your mind that gives you total peace and contentment. Next, visualize a bright white light that envelopes and shields you from negative energy.
• For cancer and other illnesses, find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down and close your eyes. Relax and breathe deeply. Put yourself into the part of your body where there is cancer and imagine that the chemotherapy treatments are annihilating the diseased cells. Observe how the immune cells surround the cancer cells and sweep them away. Watch as the tumor shrinks and visualize your complete return to health. For other types of illnesses, modify the process to suit your needs.

1. Create specific goals and break them down into manageable steps. Initiate a method to progress from one step to the next.
2. Envision one of your goals in precise detail, as though it is already a reality. Imagine yourself delighted and successful in achieving this goal.
3. Repeat this activity twice a day for 15-20 minutes. Visualize your dream in fine detail creating a mental picture, like a movie, with you as the main character.
4. Utilize all of your senses to create more focused images. You can do this by thinking about the following things: the aromas that you smell, the flavors that you can taste, the skin and body sensations that you feel, the temperature and weather, as well as  the sounds that you hear.
5. You may want to purchase cassettes, CDs and videos that you can use during your sessions.

Guided Imagery-Stress Management & Over-All Health
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer Treatment
Cancer Imagery

You are over the pain of diagnosis, and have accepted the fact that your child is autistic. A treatment plan has been set up that you are satisfied with, so, what's next? You need to learn how to live with your little one at home, and keep your sanity. Today I will give you some helpful hints for your mental health and that of your family.

You will have to change your expectations because one of the biggest challenges to overcome is that your child will probably never be on par with his/her peers as far as development and appropriate behavior goes. Nor will he/she become the lawyer that you had hoped, but there are attainable goals, they are just not the ones you had dreamed of. With this in mind, begin with small steps as far as expectations. Be patient because with your help, your child can reach his/her unique potential.

It is important to monitor sensory input since many autistic little ones become agitated by over stimulation. Learn to interpret body language so that you know when your child is becoming overwhelmed. For example, if he/she starts screaming, rocking, holding their ears, etc., a tranquil retreat will help. You can accomplish this very easily by setting up a safety zone or creating a private space for your child where he/she can relax, and feel secure. You may also want to set up  boundaries that your child will comprehend. You can use visual clues like colorful tape to mark the areas that are off limits. If your little one is prone to tantrums you will have to child proof your home so that there are no accidents.

Channel unusual actions into socially acceptable behavior. If your child engages in spinning, climbing on furniture, rocking to and fro, etc., try to turn this around into something that is acceptable, like climbing on a jungle gym, or spinning on a tire swing. Don't take him/her to the grocery store if you know that it will cause discomfort and inappropriate responses.

When you want your child to do something, make sure that you give simple, step by step directions verbally, visually and by offering physical support, as needed. Since autistic children have difficulty understanding facial expressions, body language and voice tone, you need to be very concrete and explicit when offering feedback and directions.

Always reward good behavior with some type of positive reinforcement. Try to "catch your child doing something good". Be aware of his/her strengths and build on them so that you can tap into ways to help them succeed. Allow plenty of time for practice. Give praise when their behavior is appropriate, or when they have learned a new skill, be very specific about what you are complimenting. Find out what they would like for a reward and give it to them when deserved. Pay attention to the positive rather than the negative whenever you can.

Remember that consistency is the key to success while helping your child to learn. Talk to the therapist and try to mimic the techniques that are being used in therapy. Set up a schedule that you will be able to stick to since autistic children thrive in a highly structured environment. Set up a routine with regular times for eating, therapy, school, and bedtime. Avoid schedule changes whenever you can so that your little one feels safe and secure.  If a change in routine is unavoidable, prepare in advance for it.

Since you know your child best, help siblings by teaching them about autism. Once they understand how to relate to each other, life at home will be much easier. Make sure that the family interacts with your autistic little one in such a way as to get a positive response from him/her. By acting in this manner, your autistic child will learn how to relate to others in an acceptable way. Getting along and acting appropriately in the home setting helps build socialization skills for the outside world.

Spend time having fun with your child. There has to be life after therapy and school. You know the old saying,"all work and no play makes Roger a dull person". Think of ways to play together. Most importantly, enjoy your child's company.

Lastly, you have to stop worrying about what others will think or say. They may see autistic behavior as weird, odd, or unruly. It really doesn't matter what they think, you know that you are doing the best that you can. "Normal" behavior is relative anyways.

There is a saying that pain eases with time, so it goes with autism, the early years are the most difficult, as your little one gets older, things will improve. So keep the faith and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Remember to be patient and stay optimistic, things are not hopeless. Your child  has a lifetime to learn and grow. You can help to make it happen.

St. John's Wort is thought to be a safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate depression and SAD.  However, the problem with it (and so many other herbal remedies) being available over the counter, is that people automatically assume that they are perfectly safe to take, no matter what else they are taking. Therefore, they don't discuss potential drug interactions with their doctor or pharmacist before taking it (a NO NO, as I discussed in an earlier blog entry).   The fact is, St. John's Wort is safe, if it is taken by itself. However, studies show that St. John's Wort also boosts the liver enzyme called CYP3A4 which may metabolize a number of drugs before they have a chance to do what they are supposed to do.  This list includes Chemotherapy and HIV drugs, birth control pills and some anti-anxiety medications.  It may also increase the side-effects of other depression medications if they are taken together.  For more information on what drugs St. John's Wort may interfere with, please check here.  Remember, herbal remedies can be safe and effective in a lot of instances, but ALWAYS check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Much of this discussion is reflected in the book You: Staying Young by Dr. Mehemet C. Oz, who is often featured on the Oprah show.

• Facilitated Communication is a technique used to help a child express feelings by having them to type their inner thoughts on a computer. Studies have shown that the messages typed describe the thoughts of the support provider. Recently there was a news blurb on television about a young autistic girl who could only communicate by typing on her computer. Amazing, isn't it.
• Holding Therapy is a technique in which a child is hugged by his/her parent for long periods of time, even if there is resistance. Proponents of this method believe that it helps to develop a bond between child and parent. Others say that it helps stimulate the brain by allowing the child sense his/her body boundaries. As of yet, there is no scientific evidence to support this.
• Auditory Integration Therapy is a technique in which a child listens to different sounds with the aim of improving language comprehension. Those who advocate this method believe that it helps those with autism receive more balanced sensory information from their surroundings. After scientific testing, this method has proven to be as effective as listening to music. Some parents have stated that they have seen behavior and language gains from this program.
• Dolman/Delcato Method is a program where children are made to crawl and move as they did through every stage of their early development. This is done so that they can learn some of their missed skills. Unfortunately, their is no scientific evidence to support this.

• A food plan that has been successful with some families consists of a gluten-free, casein-free diet. To eliminate these products however, is difficult because gluten (which is a casein-like substance) is found in cereal plants like wheat, oat, rye, and barley and casein is the major protein in milk.
• If you, as a parent would like to place your child on a special diet please consult with your pediatrician, and a nutritionist, before embarking on a program of your own.

• Herbal Mindsoothe Jr. available in capsules for adults or drops for children. This has been proven clinically to help balance serotinin levels and it works in a similar way as the Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors or SSRI's that are made synthetically.
• Pure Calm is an herbal formula which has been specially formulated to calm and soothe children and adults. This remedy comes in a liquid form so you disperse it with a medicine dropper for both children and adults. It may be taken for quick relief of sudden symptoms and is safe to use with most prescription drugs and herbal medicines. Unlike synthetic tranquilizing drugs which can become addictive as individuals build up a tolerance resulting in the need for higher dosages, Pure calm will not cause an addiction.
• Focus ADHD Formula helps to treat those who are hyperactive and can't concentrate. This natural remedy comes in a tincture that you can take with juice or water.
• Bright Spark is for severe cases of ADHD as well as anger management and defiance issues and can be used by itself or in combination with the Focus formula.
• Tantrum Tamer is an effective remedy for children who have extreme temper tantrums, sometimes with no provocation, or for those who become frustrated because they are unable to communicate their needs,etc. This particular formula helps to eliminate and/or reduce these symptoms. Tantrum Tamer has a pleasant taste and most children will take it willingly.

• http://www.autismspot.com/
• http://www.thetole.com/Autism.html
• http://www.theolympian.com/113/story/321945.html
• http://autism-programs.com/
• http://www.patientcenters.com/autism/news/holistic.html
• http://www.feelgoodcounseling.com/autism.htm

Many people, myself included, suffer from chronic back, neck and or shoulder pain.  The causes of the pain vary from person to person, of course, but pain can result from auto accidents, slips and falls, sports or dance related injuries, obesity and, of course, stress!  There was a time (many years ago now!) when you had just three options for dealing with this pain:

1. Learn to live with it or ignore it
2. Take medications to mask the symptoms and the pain, whether it be over the counter medications like ibuprofin or prescribed pain medication
3. Visit an orthopedic surgeon and have surgery to correct the problem

Of course, there still may be instances where an orthopedic surgeon is still necessary, but more an more people are opting for a much less invasive way to deal with the problem, a Chiropractic Physician (Chiropractor).  It seems odd that Chiropractors are still considered alternative or complimentary medical practioners, since they are so mainstream and many insurance companies are now covering all or part of the cost of chiropractic care.  They are, nonetheless, still lumped into the alternative category. 

If you've never been to a chiropractor, the first step is to find a good one!  You should also feel very comfortable with the practioner you choose (just as you should feel with any health care professional)!  I found a wonderful article that outlines what to avoid when choosing a chiropractor (and consequently, a good one will do the opposite).  You can read the article here.  After you've chosen your practioner, what can you expect from a chiropractic adjustment? 

Well, as the practioner you are about to see will tell you, there are HUNDREDS of different techniques used in chiropractic medicine, so your visit may be a little different than someone elses.  However, this video gives a great overview on what to expect.  Enjoy and I'll be back tomorrow with another topic!