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Acupuncture for Arthritis – Benefits, Cost, and More

Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints in the body. In most cases, it causes inflammation and pain. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the main symptoms of the condition include joint pain and stiffness, which can worsen with age. Luckily, there are various treatment methods for arthritis, and acupuncture is one of the most popular methods to relieve arthritis pain and other symptoms.

Acupuncture for Arthritis – Benefits, Cost, and More

What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a widespread technique within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and involves inserting very fine needles into the skin or muscle at specific acupuncture points in the body. Some evidence suggests that acupuncture can help ease the symptoms of arthritis and improve the patient’s quality of life. According to practitioners and experts, a blockage in the flow of qi results in illness. Hence, they use acupuncture body charts and needles to stimulate more than 2000 important acupuncture points and restore qi. This helps alleviate symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, acupuncture practitioners have used the method to treat various problems; these include neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain, headaches, dental pain, and even post-surgery pain.

How does acupuncture work?
While acupuncture practitioners recognize bodily energies such as qi and meridians, Western culture has its hypothesis and conclusions on the workings of acupuncture. One of the most popular explanations of acupuncture is that inserting needles into the skin at different points in the body may signal the brain to release endorphins to relieve the pain. Furthermore, acupuncture can also provide health benefits such as stimulation of blood flow, regulation of the immune system, muscle tone relaxation, and stimulation of the production of cortisol to counter inflammation. Moreover, acupuncture is also an effective treatment method for treating peripheral neuropathy.

How does acupuncture affect arthritis?
Usually, acupuncture practitioners tailor the treatment to the patient’s condition and needs. However, a systematic review done in 2018 concluded that acupuncture alone or in combination with other treatment methods is beneficial for managing rheumatoid arthritis. Further, it also stated that acupuncture could improve the function and quality of life of arthritis patients. Moreover, another 2022 systematic study investigated the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupuncture-related treatments (ACNRT) in managing rheumatoid arthritis. This study concluded that the people who received other treatment methods in combination with ACNRT showed improvements in the following :

  • Disease activity
  • Swollen and tender joints
  • Self-reported pain
  • Inflammatory markers in the blood

What are the benefits of acupuncture for arthritis?
Many people who have undergone acupuncture to relieve arthritis symptoms have reported improved quality of life. Moreover, according to Arthritis Foundation, acupuncture aids pain relief by stimulating the release of endorphins and oxytocin. Some of the other benefits of acupuncture for arthritis include the following:

Less pain
As acupuncture needles are inserted in different vital points in the body, one may notice a gradual improvement in health and a reduction in pain. Moreover, inserting needles into the identified pressure points helps release endorphins that help with relaxation and relieve unbearable pain.

Improved hand and arm strength
Various studies have shown that acupuncture may be safe and effective for short-term reduction in pain. Furthermore, it has also been noticed that acupuncture treatment also aids in functional improvement in the hands and wrist.

Better overall health
As mentioned above, acupuncture does not only aid in pain reduction but also improves immunity and lowers the level of inflammation in the body. In return, this helps maintain overall health and helps the body fight against illnesses and bacteria. Moreover, the stimulation of blood flow also helps all the body parts to receive the needed nutrients for their function and growth.

Improved quality of life
Most arthritis patients report pain and decreased mobility, severely affecting their ability to carry on daily activities. This plays a negative role in their quality of life. However, treatment alternatives, such as acupuncture, help the patients regain their lost mobility and even reduce the pain, thus improving their quality of life.

What is the cost of acupuncture as a treatment method?
On average most acupuncture sessions may last anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes per session. Moreover, during the treatment, the acupuncture needles are usually left in for a period of 10 – 30 minutes, giving the body time to relax. Furthermore, according to national studies and observations, the average cost for an acupuncture session may fall between $70 – $150. However, the initial consultation fee is charged separately, ranging from $100 to $300. Additionally, the charges per session may also differ from one state to another as these costs heavily depend on the patient’s location.
Hence, an acupuncture session in large cities may be more expensive when compared to the costs in rural and less populated areas.
In addition to the above, the prices for specific ailments may also differ according to the severity of the condition and the treatment plan devised by the acupuncture practitioner.

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6 simple benefits of meditation
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6 simple benefits of meditation

A habitual process, mediation helps to train the mind to be more focussed by redirecting thoughts. Many people use meditation techniques to increase self-awareness. Some people use mediation as a way to alleviate stress and increase concentration levels. Whatever be the purpose of mediation, the process comes with a lot of benefits. Here are some of the well-known benefits of mediation and how it affects the brain. Improves sleep cycle Nearly everyone suffers from insomnia once in a while. Some experience a persistent lack of sleep. The reasons for a disrupted sleep cycle can be severe stress, anxiety, and worrying. Often racing thoughts and severe emotional distress can also cause insomnia. Medication helps in dealing with insomnia. However, by focusing all thoughts, meditation can be beneficial in controlling racing and runaway thoughts. Moreover, it will release the tension and help the mind and body relax, leading to improved sleep quality. Those who meditate often have better REM sleep and tend to fall asleep in a shorter time. Reduced perception of pain Everyone’s brain perceives pain with different intensities. However, when one is extremely stressed out or anxious, one’s perception of pain may be higher than usual. Pain receptors are directly linked to the emotional state of mind. When one incorporates regular meditation in their everyday routines, it can be effective in controlling pain sensations. With mindfulness meditation, pain can be alleviated. Moreover, the quality of life also improves. Those who suffer from chronic pain may find meditation useful as it lowers the risk of depression. Those who meditate have been known to develop higher tolerance towards physical pain. Improved concentration levels Mindfulness meditation increases the ability to focus on the present. It is similar to weight-lifting, but for the brain. This can improve concentration levels required for the other tasks in everyday life. According to research, mindfulness is linked to one’s ability to process new information. It gives a boost to emotional regulation, memory, and learning ability. Moreover, this can help in reversing patterns of worrying and wandering minds. All of this can give more clarity, allowing greater decision-making capability. Meta-awareness and attention can be trained through mindfulness meditation and focused-attention meditation. Lower risk of age-associated memory loss With meditation, there is improvement in attention. In addition, there is improved clarity of thought. A form of meditation that involves repeating a chant or mantra has been known to improve neuropsychological performance. Along with chanting, the meditating process also involves repetitive motions of the fingers. This helps to focus thoughts. Moreover, different forms of meditation have been known to boost memory, attention, and mental agility, especially in older adults. Along with slowing down age-related memory loss, meditating can help to control stress that is often a major contributor to memory loss. Better management of depression and anxiety Dwelling on anxious thoughts is one of the major factors contributing to depression. With mindfulness meditation, the mind can be trained to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness over a longer duration can alleviate anxiety. It also helps in easing symptoms of depression. In many cases, meditation is often a part of comprehensive mental health treatment plans. From correcting troubled sleeping patterns, appetite loss, and moodiness, mindfulness-based mediation can go a long way in making it easier to manage anxiety and depression. Better self-esteem Mindfulness and meditation encourage a person to slow down. These practices help to follow deeper self-reflection. Along the way, a person gains the ability to discover positive attributes about themselves. A person is able to examine their feelings, emotions, and thoughts without any judgment. This boosts self-awareness. It also helps in improving social anxiety symptoms. All of these help in gaining a better sense of self-esteem.
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Important things to know about prayer beads
Tibetan prayer beads

Important things to know about prayer beads

If you have been practicing meditation or yoga for a long time, you probably have come across prayer beads. You can find these Buddhist beads, alternatively referred to as Tibetan prayer beads, in sculptures or paintings of Buddha where he is seen holding these beads. Although it is quite a common sight, few actually know about Tibetan prayer beads. This article elucidates on some important points related to prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used across the globe for thousands of years. They play a vital role in various cultures and countries for meditation purposes. Some records claim that beads were first noticed in Nepal and India. They have been used across different religions, such as Catholicism and Hinduism, among others. Advantages of prayer beads Prayer beads can help you with various aspects of meditation, a practice that provides numerous health benefits. Meditation can contribute to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels. However, many people face difficulties while meditating, particularly at the start. This is when prayer beads prove to be useful, as they keep you focused while meditating. The constant movement of your fingers around the beads helps in grounding you. When you touch each bead, you say a chant so you can keep a count of the number of times you have repeated the chant. Composition of prayer beads Traditionally, they consist of 108 beads along with a guru bead, which has a tassel and is bigger than all the other beads. How significant is the number of beads Usually, traditional Tibetan prayer beads have 108 beads. This number is considered sacred in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, if you feel that 108 is a lot, you can purchase a necklace with 27 or 54 beads. Some necklaces have beads of different shapes after the 27 th bead. So, you can keep track of your repetitions efficiently. Such prayer beads also allow for shorter meditation periods. How can you use prayer beads for meditation? Breath control and repetition of the chant are two key starting points while using prayer beads during meditation. It is advisable to focus on your breathing while meditating. You can use prayer beads for managing your breath by: Holding the prayer beads in one hand Allowing the beads to drape around your fingers so that you may move them with ease Inhaling and exhaling one full breath Moving the fingers to the next bead; breath in and out once for each bead Concluding at the guru bead to finish 108 breaths Moving your fingers in the other direction until you again reach the guru bead if you wish to do another round. While following these steps, you may repeat a chant, which can be a sound, word, or phrase to be aware of during meditation.
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Health

Healing Prayers and Their Health Benefits

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Over time, this may lead to low immune function and raise the risk of conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s: Spiritual practices such as praying and meditation may also act as a natural buffer against age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and arthritis. While praying may not be enough to prevent the onset of these conditions, it may help delay them, reduce symptoms, or slow down their progress. Based on research and anecdotal evidence, prayers appear to have several healing qualities – both physical and emotional. To introduce this practice into one’s daily life, here are some tips that may help: Form a habit: Praying at the same time every day may help one establish some time apart for connecting with themselves and the powers they believe in. Set aside five to ten minutes daily to pray or meditate, and do it consistently. Keep it simple: Praying and meditation do not require significant investments. 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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality
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Natural Remedies That Boost Sleep Quality

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Buy bean bag chairs to relax in style

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Health

Natural Remedies for Depression

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