Understanding the Acid Alkaline Balance in the Body – Part One

Many professionals in the medical community do not agree on all aspects of what is involved in keeping a person healthy.

The one thing that many physicians, nutritionists, herbalists and alternative health practitioners can agree upon is that there are many diseases and sicknesses that are prevalent in the world today that are connected to an acid alkaline imbalance in the body.

When the body contains too much acid it can open the door to any number of health issues. What you want instead is an internal environment that is pH-balanced. This helps all of the body’s system to remain strong and in excellent working order. It also contributes to a well functioning immune system that can fight off bacteria and viruses.

A body that is in good health is one in which there are alkaline held in reserve for the times when an emergency happens and they are needed without delay. When excess acids must be neutralized from the body this is when the alkaline reserves start to drop and can cause the body to become weaker and less resistant to illness.

It has been theorized that a great many diseases of the human body are the result of autointoxication or self-poisoning which is brought about by an unhealthy build-up of acid in the body’s tissues. When too much tissue acid waste accumulates in the body it can spell trouble with a capital T.

The Definition of pH:

A clear understanding of the acid alkaline imbalance can only come about by first knowing what pH is. The acronym pH stands for “potential of hydrogen.”

It is a measure of the acidity or the alkalinity of any particular kind of solution. The pH is measured by a scale and can range anywhere from zero to 14. The lower that the pH level is the more acid there is in the solution. On the flip side, the higher the pH level is the more alkaline or alkaline base there is in the solution. A solution that contains neither acid nor alkaline has a pH of around seven and is deemed as neutral.

Water (or H2O) is the substance that is found in the human body in the highest quantity. Approximately 70 percent of our body is composed of water. The pH level of the human body is referred to as its “acid-base ratio” or its “acid-alkaline ratio.” It is the balance that exists between the acid-forming or positively charged ions and the alkaline-forming or negatively charged ions.

One of the jobs of the human body that it works tirelessly at is to balance out the pH level to keep it within a normal range. However when the pH gets out of control and is compromised, this is when health problems take root.

Be aware that the pH level we are talking about here is the one that is in charge of the fluids of the body and the body tissues. There is another type of pH that can be found in the stomach. This is not the kind we are discussing here.

Continue on to part two of “Understanding the Acid Alkaline Balance in the Body” to learn more about this important subject.

Samantha

Read Full Post »

Treat Yourself Like a Professional Athlete with a Sports Massage

If you play sports or are involved in any type of strenuous physical activity then sports massages are something to consider having on a regular basis. Similar to regular massages, these massages are not so much for indulgence but can help your performance on and off the field, track or court.

The type of sport you’re involved in whether it be a team sport or otherwise is unimportant. The important thing is that your body remains in the best shape it can be in and the same can be said for your health!

A sports massage is an excellent alternative means of relaxing your body following a workout or a game. It also provides a way for athletes to make their workouts and sports practices more effective. Another advantage of it is that it can support the healing process when an injury does takes place. Professional athletes have  massages all the time.

A sports massage is an alternative means of supporting an athlete in performing at his or her best. It does not matter whether the massage takes place before a performance, afterwards or even during. This type of massage is beneficial for every athlete but it is particularly worthwhile for one who is in training and also one who is in rehabilitation after suffering from an injury.

One way to think of a sports massage is “a manipulation in a systematic manner of soft tissues that relate to the specific muscle groups used by the athlete.” Not only can these types of massages help heal the body but it will also make the person feel calm and very relaxed! It really is a wonderful feeling to receive a massage from a trained and skilled professional.

A sports massage will soothe your body and will also do amazing things for your mind. It will put you into a tranquil state of ease, comfort and peace. It reduces heart rate and blood pressure. It also increases the flow of lymph in the body as well as the rate at which blood travels from one part of the body to other parts.

Having regular sports massages can both increase as well as maintain the level of flexibility in your body. They can also help to reduce the chances that you will hurt yourself. If you are prone to soreness or stiffness as a result of rigorous training then this kind of massage will address this issue as well. After training and/or any competitions a sports massage can do its part to assist your muscles and tendons in recovering as quickly as possible.

A sports massage is designed to help you be the most accomplished athlete that you can be. It can improve your performance and prepare you for the upcoming game. Once your body is primed and ready this will help your mind get into the right place as well. This type of massage focuses in specifically on the muscle groups that play the most essential role in the sport that the athlete is involved in.

Endurance and strength are improved upon due to regular sports massages. A sports massage also promotes coordination and reduces body fatigue. It also eliminates any swelling that has taken place and it reduces tension in the muscles. All those who play sports and even those who don’t play sports but who exercise a lot should incorporate sports massages into their busy schedules. You will be glad that you did!

Becca Scott

Read Full Post »

Alternative Treatments for Those Diagnosed with ADHD

ADHD is the acronym for “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” It is a developmental disorder and medical condition that often first appears during an individual’s childhood years (and generally before the age of seven). The main characteristics of the disorder include hyperactive-impulsive behavior and inappropriate levels of inattention.

It can place a tremendous stress on not only the child but the parents.

The person who has been diagnosed with ADHD will have a difficult time attending to tasks and remaining focused on that task for the length of time needed to complete it. Besides having problems concentrating the child may also demonstrate behavior that is aggressive, disruptive or overstimulated. These children often seem to do things to extremes, such as excessive restlessness, running or talking, etc.

It has been estimated that ADHD affects an estimated eight to 10 percent of all school age children. It is also more commonly seem in boys than in girls. Why this is the case is at present not clear to the medical community.

ADHD can be treated with medication but many of the drugs have come under scrutiny and are controversial in nature. As well many of them have been shown to have some adverse side effects that are not beneficial to the developing mind and body of a child. Examples of these drugs include Adderall, Concerta and Ritalin. As a result of this some parents turn their attention to the world of holistic medicine to find help for their ADHD children.

Alternative treatments for ADHD can help the brain and the body to find the equilibrium it needs. Balance is an important aspect of mastering this condition, as well as many others similar to it. Natural treatments do not just treat the signs and symptoms of this health issue but they do their part to support and encourage healing.

When a course of treatment is decided upon for a patient the disorder must be looked at but so must a host of other relevant factors. Examples of these include the personality traits of the person, their diet and exercise habits, their lifestyle in general and the environment that they live in (and go to school or work in).

Herbs are the most popular form of alternative treatment for ADHD sufferers. There is an array of them that holistic practitioners can recommend to help relieve the symptoms of the health problem. The most common of these include ginkgo biloba, gotu kola and skullcap.

Ginkgo biloba has been used in alternative medicine practices in North America for the last two decades. However it has been around for much longer than that in other parts of the world. This herb improves the work of the circulatory system and by so doing increases the rate at which blood reaches the brain. This can be very beneficial for an ADHD patient.

Gotu kola is a very strange name but this herb is also very healing and soothing for the brain and the nervous system. It has been shown to improve both concentration as well as attention span. This makes it an excellent choice for those who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Skullcap is another unusual sounding name. This natural remedy for ADHD is relaxing and calming at the same time. It calms the overexcited feelings in those with ADHD and it is also beneficial in relieving the signs of anxiety and depression which can accompany this disorder.

ADHD is a chronic illness which means it’s for life.

As always discuss these options with your Doctor before stopping or changing medication.

Becca

Read Full Post »

Soothe Yourself with Epsom Salts

Epsom salts can provide a way to soothe inflamed and aching muscles and joints. A cup or two of this cheap and amazing salt dissolved with water in a pan or bath can help to relieve pain.

In particular it can help with muscle pain that comes from over-exertion, as well as fibromyalgia and myofascial pain (such as muscle knots or trigger points). It can also encourage healing to take place for sprains and tendonitis.

Why Epsom salts work is a mystery. While many people have experienced the therapeutic effects of this salt, there is no scientific evidence to prove that it does indeed have any effect at all. What is undeniable is the relief it can bring to skin and to the aches and pains that are so common to so many of us.

Epsom salts are chemically known as magnesium sulphate heptahydrate (but are often shortened to magnesium sulphate). They got their start in Epsom, England when mineral waters were boiled down. While Epsom salts are referred to in the plural as opposed to the singular they are a form of salt like any other.

Whether Epsom salts are a folk remedy or an old wives tale there are countless people the world over who believe in its ability to detoxify the muscles by way of osmosis as well as to provide relief for aching muscles.

It is important to note that Epsom salts are meant to soak in and are not to be consumed orally. Do not eat or drink these salts as this can lead to magnesium poisoning which can in its most extreme cases be fatal.

In the world of alternative medicine Epsom salt draws pain and achiness from the body. In other words it helps to lessen inflammation and pull it away.  It has been theorized that the higher specific gravity of the dense quality of the salt solution as well as the extra kinetic energy join  together to transport heat to the sore area and put it on the fast track to healing.

Epsom salts can be used for everything from soaking a sore finger or foot, to soothing a sore neck, shoulder or back. Bath water takes on a softer and silkier feel when these salts are added to warm water. You should make the water you are planning to soak in as warm as you can stand it. The salts then work with the heat of the water.

Epsom salts can be purchased at drug stores and grocery stores. They do not cost much but can be used for many purposes. Some come with essential oil such as lavender or chamomile. If you buy the plain Epsom salts then you can add your own oils to it as you see fit.

Epsom salts are an excellent way to wind down from a long day at work. They provide relaxation for nerve tissue and muscles. Make sure you add a cup or two of salts to the water. Many people make the mistake of not adding enough to their water. If you have not experienced the soothing remedy that Epsom salts bring with it then you are missing out!

Becca

Read Full Post »