Over the last year, sleep became a bit of a national obsession, with the trend showing no signs of slowing down in 2019. Time and time again, experts emphasize the importance of routinely getting a good night’s rest, and considering that one third of Americans aren’t getting enough regular sleep, according to a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the trend doesn’t exactly come as a surprise. But for many people, the quest for a good night’s sleep involves some kind of sleep aid, whether that’s good sleep hygiene, exercise, melatonin, or cannabidiol — aka, CBD. If you’re interested in potentially trying out a new sleep aid, it’s worth understanding how melatonin and CBD differ when it comes to helping you sleep.Read more
SOUND HEALING – FEBRUARY 10th at 5:00pm-6:30pm
Join Portal 108 – Mark Kastner and Ray Mathews for an unique Sound Healing Experience on February 10th at 5:00pm-6:30pm
Experience music that is created by using ancient and modern instruments. Skillfully combining frequencies that resonate deeply thru the body & mind. Like a magic recipe that feeds your soul, their medicine music is just what the doctor ordered.
For event information and listen to the Healing Medicine Music on Soundcloud visit:
Portal 108
THE BENEFITS OF FREQUENT MASSAGE
There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.
Researchers say the incredible benefits of massage are doubly powerful if taken in regular “doses.” Professionals at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami explain the more massage you get, the greater benefits you reap. Here’s why: Continue reading
Practice Mindful Exercise To Stay Satisfied with Your Workout Routine
A new study suggests that by paying more attention to the experience of exercise itself, we are more likely to continue an exercise program. This is important, especially to reluctant exercisers.
Research confirms that one of the most reliable indicators of whether people will continue to exercise is that they find exercise satisfying. They gain enjoyment from being active!
A recent study hoped to shed light on what makes exercise feel pleasurable to some and like drudgery to others. Specifically, they were interested in the role of mindfulness, a deliberate awareness of what is happening in the present moment. To test this relationship between mindfulness and satisfaction with exercise, Dutch researchers interviewed 398 women and men who identified themselves as physically active. Continue reading
FINDING A QUIET SANITY
Winter is a time of returning inside. The days are shorter and the nights longer. It’s traditionally a time of reflection and introspection in preparation for a new year. It is an opportunity to find stillness inside and hear its voice. Yet, with lives that are increasingly busy, and holidays around the bend, how do we make time for the quiet that is calling to us? Give yourself 5-10 minutes every day for a time of silence. Continue reading
SCOLIOSIS – A SINGLE YOGA POSE
The researchers, including Dr. Loren Fishman of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY, publish their findings in the journal Global Advances in Health and Medicine.
Scoliosis – a condition in which the spine curves to the side – affects around 6 million people in the US and is accountable for more than 600,000 doctor visits each year. Although scoliosis can affect all age groups, onset is most common between the ages of 10-15. Continue reading
ACUPUNCTURE EASES PAIN FOR CHILDREN
A Stanford University study finds acupuncture safe and cost-effective for relieving pain in children. Dr. Golianu, MD (Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University), et. al., note research confirming that acupuncture is “useful in chronic pain conditions” adding that it may be clinically valuable in an integrative medical setting – The research documents acupuncture’s ability to stimulate natural pain killers within the body, dynorphins and endorphins, along with several other important biological responses involved in pain management. The researchers cited multiple findings of acupuncture successfully relieving headaches, migraines, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), acute post-operative pain, and post-operative delirium.
Children Accept Acupuncture
The Stanford University research team cites findings that “53% of children were initially apprehensive of acupuncture needles, following their first needle 64% felt it did not hurt, and furthermore would recommend it to someone else.” In adolescents, 67% report acupuncture as “pleasant” and 70% report that acupuncture reduced pain levels. The receptivity to acupuncture may be due, in part, to acupuncture’s ability to induce deep relaxation in patients combined with lasting analgesic effects. Continue reading
AROMATHERAPY FOR INSECT REPELLENTS
Use tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass or citronella in a vaporizer or in candeles to keep flies and mosquitoes away, and use patchouli and cedar wood for moths. Add a drop to a cotton ball and place near stored clothing.
CALMING TEA
Take a moment and sip this calming concoction that uses soothing herbs.
Mix one teaspoon of the following herbs:
* Whole chamomile flowers
* Dried spearmint leaves
* Dried hops
* Honey or Stevia
Add all the herbs and bring to boil, simmer for 5 minutes. Strain into a mug or cup and serve, sweetening with honey or stevia. Enjoy!
CT SCANS CONFIRM ACUPUNCTURE POINTS
A recent study shows that differences exist between the anatomical structure of acupuncture and non-acupuncture points, according to research published in the Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena.
Researchers used in-line phase contrast CT imaging with synchrotron radiation on known acupuncture points and non-acupuncture points. The scans showed that ST36 and ST37 acupuncture points contain fine, high-density structures and an increased number of large blood vessels. Non-acupuncture points did not exhibit these properties.
According to Chinese medicine, life force energy is carried through the body through a complex system of blood vessels called meridians. If the movement of blood is restricted, it causes disharmony in the way organs function. However, manipulating the body through acupuncture points helps blood flow freely again.
The authors said the study results provide scientific proof of the existence of acupuncture points, which appear to be connected to locations in the body that correspond with areas with higher concentrations of blood.
For more information
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0368204813002405 /