Spirituality and Health

Current scientific findings are confirming what we know intuitively to be true, that spirituality is good not only for the soul but for the body as well. A growing amount of research is beginning to define the complex connections between religious and spiritual beliefs and practices and an individual’s physical and psychological health. According to a recent WebMD article, “. . .studies have also shown that spirituality may be beneficial: People who attend religious services, or who feel they are spiritual, experience lower levels of depression and anxiety; display signs of better health, such as lower blood pressure and fewer strokes; and say they generally feel healthier.”
As a nutritionist and clinical health educator for a major HMO, I have been very encouraged in recent years by the increasing acceptance of the mind-body connection into mainstream medicine. Although we have a long way to go, I see more and more providers considering emotional, mental and spiritual causes for illness, and also those same providers referring their patients to stress management, mindfulness meditation and other programs for help in healing.
In my own experience as a hands-on healer, I’ve been honored to witness many people enjoy relief from physical and emotional pain, a reduction in the symptoms of chronic health conditions, and increased vitality and enthusiasm in their lives as a result of clearing the spiritual energy channels in the body. Spiritual healing techniques have a profound effect on enhancing the communication between the spirit and the body, and restoring a person’s natural state of joy and ease.
A spiritual focus guides us toward that truth that we are unique expressions of God, unlimited in our ability to create the best and highest that we can envision. In accepting that truth about ourselves, we are able to use our thoughts, our words, and our own spiritual practice to manifest health not only in our own body, mind and emotions, but in our world as well.
What we think, the cells of the body perceive as real. Our beliefs and expectations are expressed in our lives. It is, therefore, a very healthy practice to guard our thoughts, and release those that don’t serve our highest expression.

One method for nurturing health in mind and body is to practice a simple affirmation. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and begin to notice your breathing. Feel yourself relax as you allow yourself to breathe comfortably and deeply. As you breathe in, say to yourself “I am.” Hold the breath for a moment. As you breathe out, say to yourself “perfect and healthy.”
Another option for a breathing affirmation would be to say “God is,” with the in-breath, and “I am” with the out-breath. Do this as many times as you feel comfortable with.
As we think and speak the words of well-being, the cells of the body respond, and the infinite wisdom that is our divine nature makes it real.
May you create your most healthy self!!

Sherry Woodcock
www.DailySpiritualTools.blogspot.com
www.DailySpiritualTools.com

Practicing evidence based homeopathy

Evidence based practice (EBP) revolves around improved patient outcomes. Health professionals use the best evidence possible to make clinical decisions for individual patients. It involves complex and conscientious decision making based on the available evidence, and also on patient characteristics, situations, and preferences.

EBP recognizes that health care is individualized and ever changing. Finally, I would say EBP is the formalization of the care process based on requirements of individual patient. This individualization is practiced by homeopathic physicians for the last 200 years.

Homeopathy is a system of therapeutics founded in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann on the principle that “like cures like”. Homeopathy, since its inception, has been used to treat a wide range of illnesses based on individualisation or in a way EBP. Hahnemann was the first person who advocated this strongly. (more…)

Amy Lansky has written an insightful article to address some of these concerns, here is a link.

Also why do we need (allow) these individuals to decide if we want access to medical freedom, choices and options in our health care? Medical freedom is a necessity, not an option.

Read the article below.

On National Vaccination Day and as Switzerland braces itself for a swine flu outbreak, the Swiss Association of Homeopathic Physicians has advised against the H1N1 jab.

In a statement of Friday, the homeopaths not only said the flu was by and large harmless but they also raised concerns over the two government-approved vaccines, Pandemrix and Focetria.

Above all the association criticized the use of so-called adjuvants, chemical compounds that increase the human body’s immune response, in the vaccines, saying they could lead to dramatic side-effects. The Swiss health authorities have however already said any side-effects, if any, are minor.

The Federal Health Office has recommended inoculating certain risk groups in a first wave – beginning in mid-November – including the chronically-ill, pregnant women and health staff, but stops short of mandatory jabs. After this, the wider public will be invited to be inoculated.

On Thursday health authorities warned the swine flu pandemic was expected to hit Switzerland with full force in the coming days, with confirmed cases of swine flu tripling last week to about 2,000.

In total tens of thousands of people with flu symptoms had consulted a doctor and were believed to have come down with a mild form of the illness. So far 38 people have been admitted to hospital, including six who are still in intensive care.

swissinfo.ch and agencies
a link to the news article –>here

Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?
Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2009 Sep;9(9):1241-9
Patients with leukemia often seek additional treatments not prescribed by their oncologist in an effort to improve their cancer treatment outcome or to manage symptoms.

Complementary therapies are used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to decrease symptoms and side effects associated with cancer or cancer treatment, and to improve patients’ overall quality of life. Complementary therapies are distinct from so-called ‘alternative’ therapies, which are unproven, ineffective and may postpone or interfere with mainstream cancer treatment. Complementary therapies are pleasant, inexpensive, nonpharmacologic and effective. For patients with leukemia, the complementary therapies that are always appropriate include mind-body interventions, such as self-hypnosis, meditation, guided imagery and breath awareness. Massage and reflexology (foot massage) decrease symptoms with effects lasting at least 2 days following treatment. Acupuncture is very beneficial for symptom management without adverse consequences. Physical fitness with regular exercise and healthy dietary habits can significantly decrease side effects of cancer treatments and may prolong survival. Botanical extracts and vitamin supplements may interfere with active cancer treatments, and should be discussed with the oncologist or pharmacist before use.

Integrative Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1429 First Avenue, NY 10021, USA.

“Everybody likes you.” “I wanted that.” These thoughts led a teen to write what could be called hateful and spiteful notes in her diary of fellow classmates. She thought it was private. No one would ever know. And no one did until the fateful day that someone found the secret book and made it very public. Her secrets were now out in the open.

So what is jealousy?
Jealousy
foolish and irresistible
Meaning: (Webster)
Suspicious fear or apprehension; painful apprehension of rivalship in cases nearly affecting one’s happiness. Uneasy through fear that good will, interest, affection or the like, regarded as belonging to one’s self is transferred to another; pained by suspicions of preference given to another.
Synonyms: suspicious; anxious; envious

In the Complete Repertory, the rubric: Ailments from jealousy, lists 65 remedies. Among some of the remedies listed are Apis (honeybee), Lachesis (Bushmaster Snake) and Platina (Platinum metallicum). As you can see just from the three listed remedies, homeopathic remedies come from the natural world around us. What is important to understand is that the young lady’s jealousy was a reflection of some lack of inner peace. The cause we do not know and we are offering any type of diagnosis.

Homeopathy focuses on healing the person,their unique way of being in the world. By identifying similar substances in nature that can produce a similar pattern one is able to heal internally. Homeopathy is quite helpful in balancing emotions.

Emotions are powerful forces. Ignored the energy often remains blocked and can lead to physical ailments or further emotional problems.

Flower Essences such as the Bach Flower remedies are also very helpful for emotional balancing. The Bach Flower essences recognize 38 conditions which are aligned to the following seven headings:
For Fear
For Uncertainty
For Insufficient Interest in Present Circumstances
For Loneliness
For Those Over-Sensitive to Influences and Ideas
For Despondency and Despair
For Overcare for the Welfare of Others.
Dr. Edward Bach discovered the remedies through an intuitive process, while in the English countryside. The Bach flower essences focus on Type Remedies which relate to a personality pattern and the Helping Remedies which help to resolve transient mood of the psyche. For more information on the Bach Flower Essences click, here. And here is a questionnaire, you can explore.

One does not have to be undone by the thought pattern labeled as ‘jealousy.’ See it as a sign that you simply need some healing. Ultimately you are not your thoughts.

There are many ways that one can heal emotional states that will lead one to ultimately balance and fulfillment.

“Resentment of someone’s good will serve as a barrier to one’s own growth.”

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www.continuumwellness.org

Television commercials, offer insurance products to individuals say, over age 60. A payout benefit of $50,000 or so is guaranteed. I wonder where does the money come from? The individual has not put that amount in. How is the system structured to pay the benefit? Is it some kind of scheme?

Honestly I haven’t been too engaged in listening to the debate. In my humble view, we are asking the wrong questions. The players, meaning the doctors, hospitals and perhaps the government seem to have agendas. Health, is in my view, precious and shouldn’t be bandied about in any kind of one up manship. The public is advised to poo-poo anything out of the mainstream, when it comes to health care. All of the dollars are for drugs, pills, surgery, vaccines and high tech medical devices. The health care model is not focused on health. It thrives on people being sick. This model hasn’t produced the most healthiest citizenry. And it is so expensive. Some Americans live longer now. Women still live longer then men. But with the health care system currently in place, Americans are fatter, diabetes is epidemic and juvenile diabetes is growing, more people are depressed and the drugs are showing up in the public water supply. The only health approach suggested is check-ups and vaccines. When a healthy diet is suggested food industry groups lobby because they don’t want anyone to say for example avoid dairy milk, or drink less milk or eat less cheese, sugar or any other commodity. How as a nation can we be healthy when we want to corral people into being mindless automatons?

Instead of national health care, why not promote national responsibility? Why is our food supply always being tampered with? Instead of debating insurance coverage, let’s debate responsibility. Why not allow the public real choice? Provide the public with real food from healthy soil.

First you have to locate a trained, qualified homeopath. Homeopathic care is not licensed in the US and most states do not oversee the practice. Search national organizations such as the North American Society of Homeopaths or the Council for Homeopathic Certification. Both are sources of qualified homeopaths. A certification is not a license or a recommendation. What it demonstrates is a certain amount of education, training and the ability to meet certain requirements. However, there are excellent homeopaths who may choose not to be included in a directory. Ask family and friends if they know of someone. Check for local workshops given by a practitioner.

At the minimum you want a homeopath who has undertaken training at a school run by homeopaths. It is even better if the school had a training clinic whereby there was mentoring. In the final selection, just like any health practitioner make sure there is appropriate rapport between you. Ask questions. Check to see if they have training in other therapies. What kind of success have they experienced?

Healing is a process and it happens on many levels. You have to allow yourself time for it to develop and manifest. It can be rapid or it may take more time, especially if someone is beset with deep seated or multiple ailments. Homeopathy has been helping people for centuries.

Help for High Blood Pressure

Enter the Polypill.  Researchers want to create a pill a 3 in one that can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure in one.  article here
Truth is it has been created or should I say they have been. When we eat whole foods, contained therein is a synergistic blend of vitamins, proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, solar and lunar energy and maybe even (hopefully) love from the gardener. We cannot get this from a pill.

Run This Way

Instead of running from nature, run to nature. Nurture yourself with learning how to live in balance. It’s free. It’s the healthiest choice for yourself and the planet. Give it a try. Polypill? Try basking in the sun, or hugging a dear friend, cook yourself a meal with a big dose of love in it…you’ll be glad you did, for benefits no Polypill could ever provide.

At Continuum Wellness we offer homeopathic care and wellness coaching to promote wholeness, health and well-being.

There truly is nothing new under the sun.  At times when I read “medical research,” it is often only resurfaced wisdom.  I tend to think it is ‘ego’ at work, to claim your work as “new”.  When it is not new.  The idea of small doses has been in use that we know of for hundreds of years, it is a cornerstone of homeopathic treatment, homeopathy uses infinitesimally small doses.

Isopathy prescribes a remedy made from the causative agent or products of a disease from the same disease or substance. In this research, to treat the food allergies small substances were used of the allergen are used.  Hahnemann spoke of the isopathic method and credits any success due to the simillum, but argues against this approach for various reasons.

Eliminating the Aggravation

This is a brief excerpt as to how tolerance to the allergen is ameliorated.

The starting doses were very small, as little as 1/1000th of a peanut. The doses increased until the children ate the equivalent of up to 15 peanuts a day about 10 months later, and then they stayed on the daily therapy while they were monitored.

The researchers of course suggest that this is a highly refined approach, left to trained professionals.  Read the article below and check out the link to learn more about their work.
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Exposure to Peanuts May Build Tolerance to Allergy

The therapy is still experimental, and more research is needed, study says

Doctors may have found an unlikely remedy for some peanut allergies.

Teams at Duke University Medical Center and Arkansas Children’s Hospital gave nearly microscopic pieces of peanut to a group of about 30 children with non-life-threatening peanut allergies daily.

After two years, nine kids were still able to tolerate the treatment, and four appeared to be completely allergy-free.

The researchers say this is the first study to show limited exposure can help someone with a food allergy become tolerant of that food. Read more at arkansasmatters.com.