These are Some of the Ways of Treating Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain can very very painful. In fact, your life can be painful with the irritating low back pain. You will rush to doctor to find out the solution. But you must be aware that this problem has solution which will improve the situation in long term. There is no magical medication for the lower back pain.

You will get option of treatments with the expert's advice but the more help can be done yourself. The treatment includes the heat and ice application, anti inflammatory drugs, exercises to strengthen the muscles around spine and lower back.

Apart from the conservative treatments there are other methods like muscles relaxants, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic and pain killers.
Low back pain is often accompanied with hip pain. This situation is more difficult because daily movement is also impossible.

Sometimes Low back pain is result of kidney infection. Actually the pain is from kidney but it is always misunderstood as back pain. Doctors can perform some tests to find out the exact cause of low back pain. If it is due to the kidney infection it will go down as soon as infection is healed.

Low back pain in pregnancy is common. Due to increasing body weight there is strain on spine. The hormonal changes make the muscles flexible for baby's out. This causes pressure on spine that results in back pain.

Aging causes the low back pain with hip pain. Since this problem has no successful solution, it is very painful to perform routine activities with growing age. The diseases like arthritis and Osteoporosis also cause low back pain.

Low back pain can be treated in many ways. Doctors must need to decide the cause of low back pain. In different situations treatment will be different. For low back pain in pregnancy the simple exercises are recommended while low back pain with kidney infection are sorted out once the infection is reduced or kidney stone is passed.

Low back pain with hip pain is treated in different way. It makes the pain bearable for the patient though there is no ultimate solution.

Whatever the treatment is given to the patient, he needs to face the pain for sometime as it will not be reduced immediately. Simple exercises instead of lying down in a bed will help more. Some of the simple exercises are Pelvic tilt, Knees to chest, cat stretch, camel stretch, hamstring stretch.

Some sports like swimming, walking, are also good for making the muscles strong enough. If obesity is the reason for low back pain then the weight loss is the solution. Then weight loss over long term period is profitable in such cases.

Pain can be classified from 1 to 10 scales. Normally 1 scale pain is not noticed. When people go to doctors they usually face the pain with 7, 8 or 9 scale. Such pain is with swelling in particular part. The treatment recommended depends upon the intensity and scale of pain.

However, when you are recovered from the low back pain, always continue the exercise routine to avoid the recurrence of the same problem in future.


Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Back Pain for Years. For More Information on Low Back Pain, Visit His Site at LOW BACK PAIN





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Stevens Johnsons Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment

Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is a dangerous problem of the skin. It is thought to be a hypersensitivity complex affecting the skin and the mucous membranes.SJS is an immune-complex–mediated hypersensitivity disorder that may be caused by many drugs, viral infections, and malignancies. The skin rash of SJS consists of erythematous (red) papules, vesicles, bullae. There may also be iris lesions. The mucosal lesions include conjunctivitis as well as oral and genital ulcers. The most frequent complications of SJS are keratitis, uveitis, and perforation of the globe of the eye all of which may result in permanent visual impairment. SJS is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of around one case per million people per year.

SJS occurs with a worldwide distribution similar in etiology and occurrence to that in the United States. These skin diseases can cause massive pain, suffering and anxiety. People that have taken or are taking medications such as the ones mentioned above are urged to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of SJS (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Viral infections, diseases that decrease your immunity, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and systemic lupus erythematosus a chronic inflammatory disease increase your risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Avoid medications that cause this skin disease. Complete care is very effective and in starting treatment of Stevens Johnsons Syndrome is just like burns.

Cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide can be used to reduce Stevens Johnsons Syndrome. Treatment with corticosteroids is controversial since it might aggravate the condition or increase risk of secondary infections. Other agents have been used, including cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine, but none have exhibited much therapeutic success. Use of antiseptics and anesthetics may help in treatment of SJS. In severe cases, immunoglobulin intravenous (IGIV) to halt the process of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis is a revolutionary treatment which involves the usage of the patients own mucosal cells from the buccal cavity as a culture over the eye and placing a cylinder crafted from the patients canine tooth{ also called as the eye toth } in the place of the pupil.


Juliet Cohen writes health articles for skin diseases and skin disorders. She also writes articles for health tips.


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Arthritis Cure Secrets - Most Popular Home Remedies for Arthritis

The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of joints.' It comes from two Greek words, athron meaning joints and itis meaning inflammation. It is a chronic disease process. In the early stages, the whole body is usually involved and one or two joints may become completely deformed, leaving the patient handicapped and somewhat weakened. It is mostly seen in the elderly. Inflammation is the main feature of arthritis, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form of damage or injury and it highly affects joints and bones.

Types of Arthritis

There are more than 150 different types of arthritis and all affect joints and bones. The most common forms of arthritis are:

1. Osteoarthritis

2. Rheumatoid arthritis and

3. Gout.

Osteo-arthritis:- it is the most common degenerative joint disease and occurs after the age of 40. In this the bones increase in size and the space between them decreases, making the bones rub against each other, causing pain. It also results from structure changes in the particular cartilage, in the joints, mainly of spine and knees.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:- It is a serious disease that can occur at any stage of life. It is more disastrous then osteoarthritis as it destroys the ligaments and tendons that join the bones and muscles. It affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees and feet but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder where synovial membranes that line the joints, get inflamed and thickened, leading to pain and deformity of joints.

Gout:- It is caused by an excess of uric acid that accumulates in the system forming crystals that are caught in the spaces between the joints and cause inflammation and irritation. An excruciating pain is created in thumb, knee or elbow and most commonly the big toe.

Arthritis Symptoms

Arthritis refers to the more than 100 distinct diseases that cause pain and swelling, and limit movement in joints and connective tissue. It is the main cause of severe pain and disability, which limits physical activity. The main symptoms of arthritis are:

1. Joint pain

2. Joint stiffness

3. Inability to move the joint freely and

4. Joint swelling

Other symptoms can include fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, lower extremity rash, and nodules.

Arthritis Causes

Many are of a view that living in a damp, cold climate increases the possibility of becoming afflicted with this very painful and debilitating condition and others ascribe it to overuse, for example typists whose fingers become knotted, athletes with swollen knees and troublesome hips, ballerinas with painful feet. It can also be caused by bad fall, a severe jolt or the trauma of an accident. The variety of other factors that cause arthritis are :

1. Joint instability:- Severe or recurrent joint injury from heavy physical activity, excess overweight-excessive body weight, exercise activities such as long-distance running, basketball, etc. performed over many years will result in the development of arthritis

2. Age related changes

3. Hormonal factors:- higher proportion of women suffer from this disease as compare to men and this is the result of hormonal changes which take place during the menopause.

4. Environmental factors:- like some are of the view that damp conditions increases the possibility of arthritis.

5. Psychological factors:- like stress that disturbs the body's hormonal balance and makes the immune system weak.

6. Food allergy:- a diet rich in animal products, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and wheat.

7. Nutrient deficiency:- calcium, magnesium, manganese, protein, essential fatty acids.

Arthritis Treatment - Home Remedies for Arthritis

1. Try a red flannel wrapped gently around painful joint and leave it overnight.

2. A gentle massage with warm live oil as soon as the pain starts is cheap and effective. One of the good home remedies for arthritis.

3. Garlic, juniper, lavender, cajuput, sage, rosemary, thyme, or sassafras Any one of these oils diluted in the proportions of one part to 10 parts of olive oil and used to massage the painful joint will bring immense relief. One of the well liked home remedies for arthritis.

4. The patient should be given a lukewarm enema for a few days to cleanse the bowels as the first step to prevent arthritis is to relieve constipation.

5. Steam baths and massage once a week are beneficial in the treatment of arthritis.

6. All general cold-water treatments, such as cold baths and cold sprays, should be avoided.

7. An extra supplement of calcium, zinc and vitamin C is often recommended and is worth trying at an early stage.

8. Sea bathing is considered beneficial in the treatment of arthritis.

9. The water should be drunk in the morning with an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes and dilute it with water on 50:50 basis make it the first thing in the morning. One of the well liked home remedies for arthritis.

10. Dandalion is the remedy of choice--its leaf has diuretic quality that increases output from the kidneys, while its root is a mild laxative and liver tonic that enhances bowel movement.

11. Circulation around the joints can be improved through tissue-cleansing properties of essential oils, of Juniper, Cypress and Lemon, whereas oils of lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile have mild analgesic and high anti-inflammatory properties.

12. Take 1-2 capsules of cold liver oil daily, use hot/cold water according to local weather conditions.

13. Take four peeled pieces of garlic, and two grams of Sprague. Powder both and dip in 30 grams of mustard oil and heat slowly. Massage daily with this oil on pains. One of the effective home remedies for arthritis.

14. Take 10 grams of camphor and 200 grams of mustard oil. Mix in a glass bottle and close with a tight cork and keep the bottle in the sun till the camphor dissolves. Massage the affected area daily. One of the best home remedies for arthritis.

15. With feet massage eyesight improves and dryness, swelling and Oil massage should be done at least four times a mouth.

16. The patient suffering from arthritis should not sit idle nor over-exert himself or herself. Immobility may lead to stiffness of joints and over-exertion may be lead to damage of ligaments.

17. Epsom salts (4 TBSP) should be added to bathing water, to reduce inflammation and stiffness of joints.

18. The body should be kept warm at all times. Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits movement and interferes with the free circulation of blood.

19. The patient should relax for 30 minutes every night in a tub of warm water in which cupful of sea salt has been mixed.

Arthritis Diet

The diet can go a long way in curing diseases. The diet of the arthritis patient should be planned along alkaline lines and should include fruits and vegetables for protection, proteins and carbohydrates for energy. Red meat and dairy products are destructive whereas a vegetarian diet, or one including fish, with plenty or raw fruit and vegetables can do miracles. Cabbage, carrot, celery, cucumber, lettuce, onion, radishes, tomatoes and watercress may be used for raw salad. The cooked vegetables may include asparagus, beets, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, celery, brinjal, mushroom, onions, peas, beans, spinach, tomatoes, squash and turnips.

Author has an Exclusive website on Herbal Home Remedies and Natural Treatments. Visit Home Remedies for Arthritis and Natural Treatment for more Information


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Lean The Causes Of Arthritis Pain

The word "Arthritis" indicates the singular form, though the disease arthritis is a combination of the 100 or more than diseases. Arthritis is accompanied by the joint pain or the inflammation. The join pain often referred as the arthralgia. According to the Arthritis Foundation near about 40 million people in the US have been searching for pain relief formulas from this debilitating disease along with the pain and inflammation. There are different parts of the body that can be affected by the arthritis, but the common parts that the Arthritis affects are:-

Tendinitis - targets tendons
Sclerodermal - thickening of the skin and connective tissue
Fibromyalgia - muscles will be sore and tender to the touch
Articular or joint types of arthritis - gout and lupus, tend to be the most painful

People can be affected by Arthritis at any point of time of their life span. By far the two of the most common form the arthritis are Osteo arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis. Both kind of arthritis share the common symptoms like persistent joint pain and the back pain, though these two forms of arthritis have different causes, risk factors and effects with the life. There are also many types of lower back pain relief products on the market for people who suffer from these symptoms.

Osteo Arthritis- This is the most common form of the arthritis in US resulting 21 million people affected by this disease. The main thing about this arthritis is that it generally affects the joint cartilage with the stiffness and swollen limbs. OA commonly affects the joints of the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Other joints affected less frequently include the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles. When OA is found in a less-frequently affected joint, there is usually a history of injury or unusual stress to that joint. The work related repetitive injury and the physical trauma in the early age may lead to the development of QA. When the queries come on the symptoms of the Osteo Arthritis these are common things that a physician noticed.

a) Steady or intermittent pain in a joint.
b) Stiffness after periods of inactivity
c) Swelling or tenderness in a single or more joints.
d) Crunchy feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone (called crepitus) when the joint is used.

An X-ray is the basic test to determining the disease Osteo arthritis. A collection of serial X-ray can be formed to dictate the terms of deformation of the cartilage and its tissue. Another form of the test is to diagnosis is the joint aspiration for determining the QA. The doctor may take the synovial fluid from affected joints using a needle for doing the Joint Aspiration.

A complex autoimmune Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by the chronic joint inflammation and progressive joint pain. This process begins with hyperplasia, or excessive increase in size and thickness, of synovial tissue. Along with provoking cartilage and bone destruction, this abnormal tissue growth is resistant to apoptosis, the natural cell death vital to the generation of healthy new cells.

Some of the natural arthritis products do enormous good to this chronic debilitating disease like Olive oil, ginger, and cod lever oil. These are the well affordable and renowned ones.

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Handling Exercise-Induced Muscle Fatigue and Pain

Everyone has experienced muscle soreness or fatigue associated with exercise. For some, this may act as a deterrent from working out or participating in physical activity, but understanding how to prevent and treat those aches and pains can be the key to enjoying exercise and staying motivated in an exercise routine.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, muscle fatigue and soreness, which occur a day or two after an activity, results from microscopic muscle or connective tissue damage. These aches and pains should be minor, and are simply an indication that the muscles are adapting to your fitness regimen. "Health and fitness professionals are the first line of defense for people misinformed about exercise," said Carol Torgan, Ph.D., FACSM. "It's really important they have the background knowledge to describe initial muscle pain and soreness so the person doesn't treat it as an obstacle to exercise."

According to Torgan, exercisers should not interpret muscle fatigue and soreness as being sorely out of shape. "Some people think they have no business exercising because exercise is painful," she said. "The soreness is there simply because your muscle is learning something new, and the benefits of exercise far outweigh any initial discomfort."

It's also important to keep in mind that gentle stretching helps to restore some flexibility. Massage may also offer some pain relief. Applications of creams and balms, such as AcheAway, as well as the use of ice and warm water can also provide relief. Products containing ibuprofen may also help to lessen the discomfort. It's a good idea to take it easy for a few days while your body adapts.

However, do not avoid physical activity because of muscle soreness. In fact, it's important to keep the muscles in motion with light exercise, which can also be beneficial as it helps to keep the muscles flexible and warm. If the pain persists, or if you have additional concerns, talk to your health care provider or fitness instructor for more information or advice.
Muscle cramps, intense, involuntary contractions of the muscle, often occur toward the end of a long workout or competition. Cramps are thought to stem from dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. But this is not always the case.

While athletes and exercisers often experience painful cramps, they are not the only ones. "Musicians often get cramps, but they do not have a large sweat loss," said Torgan. "Cramping is likely the results of using a muscle repetitively so that it becomes fatigued." This repetitive use may trigger abnormal neural activity that causes involuntary muscle contractions. While some unknown factors regarding muscle cramps remain, researchers believe that the main cause of muscle cramps is muscle fatigue.

There exists no real cure for muscle cramps. Still, there are things one can do to help alleviate the problem. Stretching regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, and staying hydrated can assist exercisers in being conditioned for exercise. When cramping does occur, it helps to hold the muscle in a stretched position until the cramp subsides. Although considered an urban-legend remedy, some athletes swear that drinking pickle juice or pinching the upper lip or nostril are an effective in alleviating muscle cramps.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to stop exercising immediately and seek the treatment of your physician:

1. Sudden, severe pain
2. Swelling
3. Inability to place weight on leg or foot
4. Extreme muscle fatigue or weakness
5. Inability to move a joint through its full range of motion
6. Visible dislocation or broken bone
7. Numbness or tingling - a possible sign of nerve compression

For any muscle pain or fatigue, the R.I.C.E. method, recommended by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, can help reduce damage and speed healing:

R - Rest: Stop what you are doing that is causing the pain. Rest the sore muscle group for a day.
I - Ice: Cold therapy helps reduce inflammation and the risk of further damage it can cause. Wrap ice, or an ice pack, in a towel and apply it indirectly to the affected area for 10 to 20 minutes, four to eight times a day.
C - Compress: Wrapping the injured limb in a snug elastic bandage can help to reduce swelling.
E - Elevate: Raise the injured limb above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.


Acheaway is now available for home use to soothe the aches and pains associated with arthritis, psoriasis, tired joints and sore muscles from an active lifestyle. Thousands have benefited from the pain relieving power of these safe, natural, non-prescription treatments.



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Natural Pain Management: Exercise & Chronic Pain

Copyright 2005 Tanja Gardner

When you find yourself living with pain every minute of every hour of every day, just getting up in the morning can seem like too much to ask. When you find it hard to remember the last time you weren�t in pain, it�s not unusual for fear and depression to take hold and drag you into a downward spiral that makes the pain even worse. Even on good days, exercising can still be the last thing you feel like doing.

There�s evidence, however, that exercise may be one of the best things you can do to help manage chronic pain. A recent (2000) study by Martin Hoffman found that moderate exercise reduced the amount of pain people suffering from chronic back-ache perceived they felt. Other anecdotal studies and reports have confirmed that sometimes, activity can work wonders.


THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXERCISE & PAIN RELIEF

Experts have suggested four possible reasons for the pain-reducing effect of activity. The first has to do with endorphins. These are chemicals your body produces naturally during exercise, which have the same kind of effect as opiates like morphine and codeine. Endorphins actually block the perception of pain, and create a general feeling of wellness, both of which are invaluable to someone with chronic pain.

A second reason is that regular activity helps to improve both the ease with which we fall asleep, and the quality of our rest once we do. Pain, can become more or less difficult to deal with depending on our resource levels. Most sufferers experience difficulty sleeping when the pain is bad, which can prompt another downward spiral. Something that helps us sleep better, means more energy and resources, which in turn, allows us to cope better with the pain we experience.

A third is that exercise helps release tension (see Exercise & Stress for an explanation of why). Tension, stress and frustration, as any sufferer of chronic pain will attest, increase pain levels. This means that anything that helps relax the body will also usually help reduce pain levels.

Finally, if the chronic pain occurs after an injury, targeted exercise can strengthen the muscles around the injury site, taking pressure off the injured tissue. Of course, the wrong kind of exercise can actually re-injure the area too, so it�s important to get professional guidance from a physiotherapist, or a personal trainer who specialises in rehabilitation work, rather than trying to go it alone.

USING EXERCISE TO HELP YOU MANAGE PAIN

An important disclaimer: this article is written assuming that, if you�re experiencing chronic pain, you�re already working with a healthcare professional to manage it (and if not, you need to be!) Check any suggestions you want to try with that professional, and follow their recommendations. Also, if an activity increases your pain levels, don�t do it. It�s OK to have muscles that are tired and slightly sore the day after. It�s not OK to experience any joint pain or sharp, stabbing pain during or after exercise, or anything that makes your chronic pain worse. If you experience any of these, seek advice from your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

That said, the most beneficial kind of exercise depends very much on the individual. One of Optimum Life�s key principles is that activity will always do more good if it�s something you enjoy. This is even more important when you experience chronic pain, when something you start dreading or tensing up about can quickly make your condition worse. Additionally, it helps if you choose activities that give you a good range of aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises. Good potential choices to start with include walking, swimming, stationary cycling, yoga or t�ai chi.

Can Chronic Pain come from Food Additives?

It is always amazing to me when I find a food substance that when taken in excess can cause pain the body. And sometimes these foods, and food additives that are regulated by the government, are supposed to be safe. When I test clients and their supplements, or ask about their dietary habits, or chemicals in their work environments, we often discover chemicals or foods that are causing their chronic pain symptoms. When these chemicals are removed, much of their pain subsides.

When I talk to clients, I often ask if they can decipher what foods tend make the pain worse or better, and if they crave certain foods in their diet. One of the foods I am always listening for are diet soft drinks with aspartame (Nutrasweet). From personal experience, I have been relieved of constant headaches when I was convinced to stop drinking Diet Pepsi. I was a regular user and once I stopped drinking it, the nagging headaches that I had for a long time totally cleared up. So if you are drinking diet soft drinks, STOP NOW, and see what difference it makes. I have had quite a number of clients feel much better just a couple weeks after abstaining from soft drinks.

Recently, we have been introduced to the new fake sugar called Splenda. Advertising for Splenda says that is made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar. But this doesn�t tell the whole story. Splenda is made by taking out 3 of the 6 molecules that make up sugar, and adding chlorine molecules. If you are avoiding chlorinated water because of chlorine toxicity, then you should be avoiding Splenda. You are getting chlorocarbons from Splenda that can cause immune system problems, such as thymus gland shrinkage, and other genetic and reproductive damage.

The FDA approved Splenda in 1988 as a sucralose sweetener that tastes just like sugar. But the sugar flavor is artificial, since Splenda is about 600 times sweeter than natural sugar, so the sugar flavor is forced out of the partial sugar molecule. And our body cannot use the sugar in Splenda as fuel for our brains. It does not turn into the glucose we need for brain function and energy production. Early studies show many of the same side effects, such as headaches and chronic pain, as found with aspartame.

Soft drinks have surpassed water as the number one choice of beverage in the United States. Aspartame is not the only problem. When you have fibromyalgia or any other autoimmune disease, you need good minerals in your diet to distress the immune system, and the phosphoric acid in the dark soft drinks will rob your body of calcium. The sugar version is not better for you either, since sugar stresses your adrenals, especially when it comes in concentrated doses, like it does in any sugar-laden soft drink.

Also all soft drinks are very acidic, with an average reading of 2 to 3 pH. Acid urine and saliva pH readings are related to immune system stress, and joint and muscle stress. So if you want to have your urine and saliva pH levels stay in balance (in the 6.4 pH range or higher) avoiding soft drinks is very important. Coffee is another acid drink, along with beer. Green tea is the only relatively popular alkalizing drink. Or you can add lemon or lime to your water (without sugar) for flavoring.

Other substances also can cause chronic pain. Fillers, preservatives, food additives and coloring agents in supplements can build up as toxins in the tissues. This often makes it harder to lose weight, and can create pain when these toxins are stored in your tissues disrupting your nervous system pain response. This is why it is important to use high quality nutritional supplements without a lot of fillers. Too many over the counter vitamins and minerals seem to have more fillers than nutrients on the label, and these are the ones to avoid.

When choosing foods for your daily diet, or supplements that support your daily diet, look for foods and supplements that do not have fake sugars, preservatives like propylene glycol, and any food colorings.


Copyright 2005 Jane Oelke

Back Pain

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I work at the computer for 14 hours a day. One of the main problems I have is back pain. It isn't so much the pain of sitting in the chair, it is the inability to fall asleep at night. I use this type of support, with a proper office chair, to solve the problem.

Take Control of Your Body to Reduce Stress

Approximately 80% of to day’s diseases are the direct result of stress. Stress can cause anything from insomnia and ringing in the ear as a result of tense neck muscles while you sleep, to cardiovascular problems.

Stress is a part of our daily lives, a fact-of-life that has never been faced on such a wide scale as it is faced now. However, the body is an amazing machine that can control itself and even heal itself. You can improve the quality of your life and your health by following a few basic


Breathing Exercises

Any athlete, dancer, or martial arts expert can accomplish extraordinary feats. Everything they can do filters down to breathing and diet. Without proper breathing, their muscles will lack oxygen and tear.

Breathing is the ultimate stress buster, when done right. Fear causes people to breathe erratically. People hold their breath and then repair oxygen deprivation with quick, shallow gasps for air.

Research proves that heart rate shallow breathing increases feelings of anxiety, something you don't need when facing danger, a job interview, or a date.

All it takes to lower your heart rate and create a state of calm is to practice slow, rhythmic belly breathing. Blow out all the breath in your lungs in a big sigh. Then put your finger on the point 2 inches below your navel. Inhale, as if you are filling up a bottle with liquid, letting the air fill the bottom and then slowly move up to the lungs. When your bottle is full, breathe out slowly starting at the navel and moving up. When done right, your belly will flatten. Ten breaths will relax your body.

This takes practice. You are not only relaxing your body, and learning how to relax, but you are training your body to take control and force itself to relax whenever you start to breath.

This way, as soon as your boss says ‘I need to talk to you, come to my office’ you can restore your calm within ten breaths.

Loosen Muscles

Many people have experienced one time in their lives where they were so tense that their muscles tightened uncontrollably. Most of those people can remember one time in their life when they woke up with their heads completely off the pillow, suspended in air, held there by tense muscles.

Many people hunch their shoulders, frown, tighten the muscles in the back of their necks, and tighten their jaw. Most do not know they are reacting this way until they hear a ringing in their ears, feel pain, develop a headache, or even have muscle spasms.

Worse than the pain, tension increases our feelings of stress and negative thinking. This creates a vicious cycle that can eventually lead to depression.

If this is a chronic problem in your life then you need to practice tightening and releasing muscles until you regain control over your own body. The problem is that it is hard to get started. It hurts to release the knots. If you touch parts on the back of your head or back and feel a sharp pain, then you should have Shiatsu treatments. Better – you should learn to treat yourself.

Start learning to control your muscles with three to five shoulder shrugs, Inhale while you tense your shoulders, using the above breathing method. Lift your shoulders toward your ears and exhale as they relax and move down.

Then lower your chin slowly to your chest for five breaths, letting your head relax and droop a little bit more with each exhalation.

If these cause pain, you need a Shiatsu treatment.

Exercise

Exercise relieves stress. It gives you a safe way to vent unhealthy emotions and teaches you to control your body. It improves your health and wellbeing, improves your digestive and cardiovascular system, and last, improves your self-esteem. All of these things decrease stress.

Be fair. Give yourself at least four months before you give up. These three things have the power to change your life forever.

Reducing stress can also reduce adult acne, and wrinkles.