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

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!

I stumbled across an article on the Care2 website about a lonely autistic child who was desperate for friendship and found it in a Golden retriever named Buddy.  I thought I'd share this with you since we covered animal therapy last week!  I will post a new topic later today or tomorrow.  Until then, you can read the article here!

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!

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a good week so far! Today I'm going to introduce you to Chromotherapy a.k.a. Color Therapy.  Chromotherapy uses light and color to bring balance to the body by focusing the light and colors either directly on specific areas and accupoints in the body or by prescribing color in some form to treat a problem associated with a particular ailment or problem.  There are seven main colors in the spectrum (think Rainbow colors) and each color corresponds with a specific chakra center in the body (for more information on the colors and how they correspond with the chakras, go here and scroll about half way down the page).  Each chakra or energy center corresponds with certain areas of the body and certain aspects of our health.  Therefore, focusing the right color on the right areas restores balance in the body and helps the body to heal (or to simply stay healthy).  Color Therapy goes back over thousands of years and was actually practiced by the ancient Egyptians.  Today, Color Therapists use a number of different techniques ranging from directly focusing lamps with colored bulbs (or film over the lens) on the body to prescribing the use of certain colored candles, bath products or even sun glasses with colored lenses.

The following video is a good introduction to color therapy (especially how each color effects our mood).  Tomorrow I'll cover another topic in therapy, until then, enjoy the video!

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!

I'm sure most of us are familiar with the mainstream types of therapy used to either complement traditional medical techniques in the healing process or serve as an alternative, such as Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.  However, there is a whole world of lesser known therapy techniques out there that have proven to be a tremendous aid in the healing process for both mental and physical conditions.  Next week I'm going to introduce you to some of these therapies, such as Pet Assisted Therapy, Music Therapy, Color Therapy and Light Therapy.  I'll start the series on Monday with Pet Assisted Therapy.  Have a great weekend and see you next week!

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.

• 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!

• 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

Ok, I'm a product of the 80's and therefore am a big fan of Patrick Swayze's work (although "Ghost" technically came out in '90 and my all time favorite Swayze flick, "Point Break" came out in '91).  I mean, what's not to love about movies like "Red Dawn", "Dirty Dancing" or even "Next of Kin"! I was therefore really saddened to hear that 55 year old Swayze if fighting pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst possible cancer diagnoses you can get, with only 4% of those diagnosed alive after 5 years, according to this USA Today article.  Sources say his doctor is cautiously optimistic and Swayze himself seems like a positive, upbeat person, which is a bit help in any cancer battle.  My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Anyhow, I decided to research what complementary treatments may also prove helpful in a battle with any form of cancer and I came across a great article on the Mayo Clinic website with a list of 11 complementary treatments to consider, which I will summerize for you:

1. Accupuncture.  Accupuncture might prove to be useful in combatting nausea and vomitting associated with chemotherapy and my be helpful in managing pain as well.
2. Aromatherapy.  Aromatherapy is helpful for reducing stress and may prove useful for reducing nausea and vomitting associated with chemo and may be helpful in reducing pain.
3. Biofeedback.  Biofeedback may be helpful in managing pain.
4. Exercise.  Exercise is helpful in reducing stress and anxiety and may help you sleep better.
5. Hypnosis.  Hypnosis may help the patient manage pain, reduce stress and reduce anxiety.
6. Massage Therapy.  Massage therapy is another great stress reducer and it may also aid in reducing pain and anxiety.
7. Meditation.  Meditation is another tool to aid in the reduction of stress and anxiety and potentially reducing the amount of pain.
8. Music Therapy.  (This is on my list of future topics to cover more in depth).  Music therapy may be useful in controlling pain, as well as reducing nausea and vomitting.
9. Relaxation Techniques.  These will obviously help promote relaxation and subsequently aid in reducing stress and anxiety.  Relaxation techniques may aid in a better nights sleep as well.
10. Tai Chi. (another topic on my list for future in-depth coverage).  A gentle form of exercise/moving meditation that may aid in stress reduction.
11. Yoga.  Yoga is another great stress reducer.

Until next time, stay healthy everyone. 

 

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.

• 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

Hello all!  Sorry for the delay on this one. Surprisingly, the information about ayurvedic massage on the internet is very limited.  I've had to really do some digging on this one!

At any rate, there are many different types of massage techniques practiced in ayurvedic medicine (and you can see a list of the types with a brief description of each here), but I'm going to focus on the benefits of abhyanga, a full-body oil massage that you can (and should) give yourself daily. It is performed using warm oil (usually something like organic sesame oil or herbalized massage oils, but any oil, including aromatherapy oils, that are designed specifically for massage will work fine).  It's best to store the oil in a flip top plastic container and warm the oil for a few minutes under hot running water.  Then you should apply the oil all over your body and wait a few minutes before beginning the massage in order to let the oil penetrate into your skin.  Next you massage your body using gentle strokes and circular motions.  There are more detailed instructions here.

Abhyanga massage pacifies the vata dosha and helps to balance the Kapha dosha.  It also improves overall circulation, helps lubricate your joints, makes your skin softer and smoother and helps aid in a restful nights sleep, just to name a few of the benefits. 

Below is a link to the first video in a series of "how to" instructions on giving this type of massage to another person. 


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And here is a link to the page with a list of the rest of the videos in the series.

Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back next week with a new topic!

• Developmental pediatrician who treats health issues of children with delays and handicaps in development.
• Child psychiatrist is an MD who may aid in the initial diagnosis, provide help with behavioral issues, emotional adjustment and socialization. He/she may also prescribe medication if need be.
• Clinical psychologist is a specialist who understands the effects of developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders. He/she might give your child psychological and assessment tests which are invaluable aids for treatment. In addition to this, a behavior modification program, as well as a program to teach social skills may be set up by your therapist.
• Educator or Educational Consultant to help set up an effective learning program.
• Occupational therapist who will focus on self-help skills such as teaching your child to dress him/herself, to eat properly, etc. Your little one may also need help with fine motor skills, movement coordination, and sensory integration which can be done in an occupational therapy setting.
• Physical therapist who can help your child to develop muscle strength by improving the use of bones, muscles, joints and nerves as well as motor skills and coordination.
• Speech/language therapist will help improve speech and language skills allowing your child to communicate more effectively.
• Social worker who will provide support as well as understanding, and/or become a case manager to help arrange treatment plans and other services needed.

1. Will the treatment result in harm to my child?
2. How will failure of the treatment affect my child and family?
3. Has the treatment been validated scientifically?
4. Are there specified assessment procedures?
5. How will the treatment be integrated into my child's current program?

1. How successful has the program been for other children?
2. How many children have gone on to placement in a regular school and how have they performed?
3. Do staff members have training and experience in working with children and adolescents with autism?
4. How are activities planned and organized?
5. Are there predictable daily schedules and routines?
6. How much individual attention will my child receive?How is progress measured? Will my child's behavior be closely observed and recorded?
7. Will my child be given tasks and rewards that are personally motivating?
8. Is the environment designed to minimize distractions?
9. Will the program prepare me to continue the therapy at home?
10. What is the cost, time commitment, and location of the program?

A listing of schools for autistic children

Social Phobias

Social phobias are fears and avoidance of situations in which a person may feel open to other people's judgement or inspection. Social phobia and shyness are different. Shy people are most likely able to participate in social functions to the extent where they feel comfortable. People with social phobia areare disabled by their condition to an extreme point. Their ability to function at work, socialy and in relationships are severely afected. Males and females are affected equally with this disorder.

Some of the most common fears of people with social phobia include:

Adapting with changing environments
Meeting new people
Speaking in public
Eating, drinking in public
Using public restrooms
Attending social events


It seems that Social Phobias begin forming in late childhood and adolescence. This is a time  when the individual is commonly faced with dealing with social situations needing the use of their own skills. If such needed skills are not developed in early childhood the person feels inadequate an unprepared to respond, creating fears and anxiety. Fear of scrutiny and judgement is always present and often paralyzing. Subsequently in order to avoid further anxieties  the person recoils from social interactions. The most common cause is generaly associated with overprotective parents and/or limited social interaction.

Treatment is aimed to help the person function  effectively in social situations. One way of treatment is the use of systematic desensitization. The person is asked to breakdown all the components of their fear. These components are then addressed one by one working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Seeing the total phobia in smaller manageable steps helps to not feel overwhelmed and over anxious over the whole process. Of course the most effective solution is to find and address the actual source of the anxiety, but this is not always possible since they were likely formed at a younger age and the motive might be long forgotten.

What You can do:

Does anything in particular make you anxious especially in a social environment? Well be pro-active. Keep a diary of the experiences and thoughts that seem to be related to your anxiety. This is a way of systematic desensitization. Next to it write down ways you feel you could have handled the situation. You will be amazed how next time  you are facing a similar situation you will fell better prepared and have some tools to handle it.

Often, just talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety. But if you feel more in-depth help is needed or if your fear is crippling your quality of life then you can seek professional help. Taking measures to improve your self esteem can be helpful as well.

A professional therapist may recommend social skills training, role playing and modeling. Exercises in  social contact within group therapy situations help practice social skills. Also, anti-anxiety and anti-depressive medications are sometimes used to help relieve the symptoms associated with phobias.

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if you feel fear, unexplained anxiety and social phobia is affecting your work and relationships with others. There is help.