The simple act of deciding to be happier and focus on the positive will improve your health. Just as negative emotions can weaken the body's resistance level, positive emotions can give us strength, or at least allow our bodies to function normally. Therefore, the simple act of deciding to be happier and focus on the positive will improve your health. In fact, the phenomenon of your thoughts affecting your physical health is so strong that all medical studies have to be designed with it in mind. Researchers call this 'the placebo effect.'
Many people believe that the term 'placebo effect' means that the effect is only imagined - that it is not real. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Medical studies have to include a control group - people who receive placebos instead of the medicine being studied - because the simple act of people making the decision to take action to improve their health leads to measurable physical improvement in their condition. To determine the effects of a particular medicine, researchers have to measure the change in the group who underwent therapy and subtract out the amount of change seen in the placebo group. Otherwise, there is no way to know whether a particular treatment was beneficial or whether it was merely the change in attitude in the study subjects that made the difference. In many instances, the placebo effect turns out to be stronger than the treatment itself! The point is that if you want to have a healthy body you also have to have healthy thoughts and emotions. Just as it is important to avoid toxic chemicals, it is also necessary to avoid toxic thoughts to enjoy optimal health.
Over the hill at age 65? Ready for the rocker at 70? Not these days. Americans are living longer and making more of their later years. One key is exercise. "Perhaps the most debilitating influence in people's health as they age is a sedentary life," said Dr. Jerome McAndrews, national spokesperson
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
You never know until you hurt it how much you use your lower back all day long. When your lower back is injured, every movement becomes painful. Simple actions, such as getting out of a chair or bending over the sink, become excruciating, and your daily routine becomes difficult and frustrating.
Back
It used to be that osteoporosis was considered a disease that affected
only the elderly. We particularly associated osteoporosis with older women
whose backs were slightly hunched over or those who could no longer stand
up straight. Today, the truth is that an estimated 20 million American
Stress, sleep deprivation and fatigue have been no small component of
Dr. Michael Benson’s life. As a fetal surgeon, Benson is often up
for 24- to 36-hour stretches at a time looking after patients. He has little
time to rest or eat regular, healthy meals. It’s no wonder he has
If you have a headache, you're not alone. Nine out of ten Americans suffer
from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing,
and some cause debilitating pain and nausea.
What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your
teeth
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Who hasn't had neck pain at one time or another? What's more, many of us have experienced on-going neck troubles at some point during our lives. Looking at human anatomy, it's no wonder pain strikes us so often in this vulnerable area. While the neck structure gives us an amazing range of movement with
So, it's a New Year, which traditionally means it's time for a fresh start.
This year, why not make a resolution to improve your health? It's time
to start the self-improvement plans we've been putting off for so long.
Following these ten tips will increase your chances of living longer
Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today's
society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing
designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might
not always be practical or even comfortable.
The look of the season
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on businessor on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a caror an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore."Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch, immediate past president
When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out, says the
American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Winter recreational activities
and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not
in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can
The day after Thanksgiving is a milestone of sorts in America. It reminds
us of just how quickly the year has gone by— and how close we are
to the holiday season. This realization— coupled with the fabulous
sales at major department stores and malls everywhere— helps make
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Household
chores can be a pain in the sacroiliac. Unless you're careful, routine
activities around the home— washing dishes, vacuuming, even talking
on the phone— can strain your back, including the sacroiliac area
near the tailbone, and result in debilitating discomfort.