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How Medical Spas Can Help Manage Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects millions of people around the world, and it can be a debilitating condition that significantly impacts a person’s quality of life. While traditional treatments like medication and physical therapy can be helpful, some people may find relief from chronic pain through medical spa treatments. In this article, we will explore how medical spas can help manage chronic pain and improve overall wellness.

1. Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a common treatment offered at medical spas, and it can be particularly beneficial for people with chronic pain. Massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation, which can help alleviate pain and improve mobility. Some medical spas also offer specialized types of massage, such as deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy, which can target specific areas of pain and tension.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body. While the exact mechanism of acupuncture is still not fully understood, it is believed to work by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes and reducing pain and inflammation. Medical spas often have licensed acupuncturists on staff who can provide safe and effective treatments for chronic pain.

3. Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is another treatment option that can be helpful for managing chronic pain. Chiropractors use non-invasive techniques like spinal manipulation to realign the body’s musculoskeletal structure and improve mobility. Chiropractic care can be particularly beneficial for people with chronic back pain or neck pain.

4. Infrared Sauna Therapy

Infrared sauna therapy involves sitting in a sauna that uses infrared light to generate heat. The heat penetrates deeply into the muscles and joints, helping to reduce inflammation and improve circulation. Infrared sauna therapy can be particularly helpful for people with chronic pain caused by conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia.

5. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to extreme cold temperatures for a short period of time. This can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Cryotherapy can be particularly helpful for people with chronic pain caused by conditions like tendonitis or bursitis.

Medical spas offer a wide range of treatments that can help manage chronic pain and improve overall wellness. From massage therapy and acupuncture to chiropractic care and infrared sauna therapy, there are many safe and effective treatment options available. If you are considering medical spa treatments for chronic pain, it is important to consult with a licensed professional to determine the best course of action for your specific needs. With the right care and guidance, medical spa treatments can help you find relief from chronic pain and improve your quality of life.

Pemmican and Digestion: How It Can Improve Your Gut Health

Looking for a tasty snack that can also improve your gut health? Look no further than pemmican! This traditional Native American food is packed with nutrition and has been shown to have numerous benefits for digestion. Read on to learn more about how pemmican can boost your gut health and why you should add it to your diet today!

How Pemmican Can Boost Gut Health

Pemmican is a high-protein, high-fat food made from dried meat, fat, and sometimes berries or other fruits. Because it is so nutrient-dense, pemmican can help support a healthy gut by providing the building blocks needed for good digestion. Additionally, the fat in pemmican is rich in healthy, gut-supporting compounds like butyrate.

The Digestive Benefits of Pemmican

One of the main benefits of pemmican for digestion is its high protein content. Protein is essential for building and repairing the tissues in your gut, which can help keep your digestive system strong and healthy. Additionally, the fat in pemmican can help improve the absorption of nutrients and support a healthy gut microbiome.

Pemmican: A Delicious Gut-Friendly Snack

Not only is pemmican good for your gut, it’s also delicious! The combination of savory meat, rich fat, and sweet berries makes for a satisfying and flavorful snack that can help keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.

How Pemmican Helps Maintain Good Digestion

Pemmican supports good digestion by providing the nutrients your gut needs to function properly. The protein in pemmican helps repair and maintain the tissues in your gut, while the fat supports a healthy microbiome and improves nutrient absorption.

The Science Behind Pemmican and Digestion

Research has shown that a diet high in protein and healthy fats can support a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion. Additionally, the butyrate found in the fat of pemmican has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and gut-healing properties.

Why You Should Add Pemmican to Your Diet Today!

With its tasty flavor and numerous digestive benefits, pemmican is the perfect snack to add to your daily routine. Whether you’re looking for a convenient on-the-go snack or a way to support your gut health, pemmican is a great choice. So why not give it a try and see how it can improve your digestion today?

My Amazing Experience with Acupuncture in South Korea

I had always wondered if acupuncture worked. A couple of years ago I found out what it’s all about, firsthand. Here’s the story.

I was living and teaching in small town South Korea-Seosan, South Korea-to be exact, and I had, at the time, lived there almost a year.

I walked most everywhere I went-to the school where I taught, out to eat…shopping. If I was going somewhere, most likely I was on foot.

My feet were constantly sore from all the walking and the many hours each day I spent standing in the classroom. Then, soreness became outright pain. I developed a small knot on the outer side of my right foot just blow the angle bone. The pain was almost unbearable and walking became a most unpleasant chore. The ailment got worse by the day.

Grounding myself for rest and recovery was not an option. In Korean culture you make it to work no matter what. To do otherwise would mean “losing face” and I had never missed a day of work, been a single minute late to teach a class or even thought about calling in sick, regardless of how bad I felt.

Something had to give; my pain was becoming excruciating. The thought was born to try the Eastern route instead of seeking out a conventional doctor. After all, I was in Asia. I decided to give it a shot.

Virtually no one in Seosan speaks English, but luckily I had a cool Korean friend who went by the name “Bluebird” who I could rely on for help in dealing with everyday affairs in this faraway land. So, I told Bluebird of my troubles and she said “problem no.” It was a date; she would take me to the best Chinese doctor in town.

The following Saturday came and Bluebird had an appointment set for mid-afternoon. We met at her boutique and she had some traditional Korean food delivered for lunch. It was delicious. We headed downtown-on foot, but of course.

Upon entering the doctor’s office, I took pause and looked around the small waiting room as Bluebird approached the reception desk and checked us in. The small room, in turn, looked back at me. I was used to the stares. The room was dimly lit and every square inch possible was lined with comfortable seating. I noticed much of this seating had electronically-controlled massaging features. We sat in the last two positions available.

Soon, a young girl appeared from the only door leading into the small individual patient rooms. She had super-model features as so many Korean women do. She smiled and led me into this room where, once again, I took pause and soaked up the surroundings. I noticed right away there was modern medical equipment such as electronic devices and whatnot that were definitely not derived from ancient methods. Ummm, I thought-a blend of Western as well as Eastern technologies. I didn’t have much time to ponder this.

The doctor entered the room. He spoke limited English (to my great surprise) and had a kind and wise demeanor. I felt comfortable as I used a combination of sign language and “Tarzan English” making my point as clear as possible that my right lower ankle was the culprit-the reason I was there. Suddenly, as if from nowhere-out came the acupuncture needles.

If my memory serves me well, the first needle went in my forehead just above my one of my eyes. These tiny pointed needles were painless as they entered my skin and the doctor stabbed me with the confidence of tightrope walker balancing over double safety nets. This was by no means his first rodeo….or even close.

Next, a combination of things happened. More needles were placed in my body and a few were even carefully positioned near my ailing ankle. The doctor left the room. Another super-model-looking assistant came in and the next thing I knew I had a suction device on my ankle that was putting out a small amount of electrical current. This procedure took maybe a half-hour with the assistant checking in often to make sure the device was in place and I was okay.

The visit ended with a second entry into the room by the doctor and a few more needles and more examining. He told me he needed to see me again in three days. I paid for my visit. It cost me 12,000 Korean won (about $12.00 at the time).

Bluebird and I left the office. I was impressed with what had taken place and was eager to see if relief was on the horizon. We went and had beers.

Three days passed and it came time for my mid-afternoon appointment that had been scheduled during a long lunch break after my morning classes. This time I was alone. I had some downtown landmarks etched in my mind so I could find the place. I did so staying within my normal margins of error. I was received well and took my seat with the other waiting patients-this time with a slight air of confidence.

Super-model one showed me into another small patient room. Super-model two greeted me with more suction cup electrical currents. The doctor entered the room with a confident, warm smile and, of course, more needles. But this time I was to be led into a secondary room-the doctor’s personal examination and procedure room. What happened next I never would have imagined.

There I was in the doctor’s main office, on my back, my foot in his hands. The next thing I knew he actually inserted a different kind of needle directly into the knot on my ankle. I felt no pain but was surprised at the nature of this procedure. He informed me all would be well and I would experience a little redness and some itching but that the issue was all taken care of. I thanked him and his staff and paid an additional 12,000 won.

I made my way back to my school in plenty of time for my afternoon classes.

I experienced a little redness and some itching. The knot in my ankle disappeared in short order. I was completely healed-no more pain.

I would strongly suspect that I would have had an altogether different experience on every level had I sought out a western-style podiatrist. In any case, the treatment worked and opened my eyes to the ancient practice of acupuncture.

Can acupuncture be done without needles?

For some that are curious about acupuncture, the use of needles may make them hesitant to try the technique. While acupuncture needles are very small, and do not cause painful sensations when they are used, some people cannot get past the thought of needles.

There are other options for acupuncture-type treatments, even for those with a phobia of needles.

• Cupping – The use of partial vacuum by placing cups over the body has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and also in Aryuvedic medicine, the ancient healing art of India.
• Moxibustion – Moxibustion is the treatment of diseases and other conditions by stimulating the acupuncture points using heat. Sometimes medicinal herb cones are burnt – mugwort is a popular herb choice. The deep heat created by the herbs stimulate the acupuncture points.
• Acupressure – Another way to stimulate the meridians of the body without the use of acupuncture needles is through acupressure. Similar to the Japanese bodywork tradition of Shiatsu, acupressure works when the massage therapist uses direct pressure on the meridian points. Bodyworkers often use their fingers, elbows or fists to apply pressure to the meridian points.

Even those who are afraid of needles can enjoy the healing benefits of acupuncture. With so many conditions and complaints eased through the use of acupuncture, more and more clients are seeking qualified acupuncturists.