Recent estimates claim up to 70 million Americans have sleep disorder

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) claims that up to 70 million Americans are affected by sleep disorders with up to 50% of these sleep disorders being chronic conditions.

How often do you get enough sleep? You might say that your lifestyle doesn’t permit you to get very much. For millions of Americans, it’s not a choice; researchers say that sleep disorders are becoming an increasingly common health issue in the US, with an estimated 70 million Americans suffering the consequences of not being able to get enough rest.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) found that of the 70 million sleep disorder sufferers, nearly 50 percent had chronic disorders. Experts at Mind Body Spirit Wellness Center, a Georgia-based clinic specializing in alternative well-being methods, have given their best tips for reducing stress and harmonizing mind, body and spirit to get the most out of bedtime.

While the modern and hectic lifestyle of today’s working adult might place sleep and quality rest low on the list of priorities, it’s important to remember just how essential a good night’s rest actually is. The average adult needs seven or eight hours’ sleep to function normally – those that go without, risk disturbances to their emotional well-being, their ability to cope with stress and even digestive issues.

Wellness expert Dr. Maiysha Clairborne understands the importance of healthy sleep as well as the role routine plays within a good sleep pattern. She says: "It’s essential to carve out a bedtime routine that works for you and your body – it’s the best way to get yourself ready to make the most of your resting hours." She suggests setting boundaries for the bedroom and banning smartphones and tablets from use at bedtime, as these give out an artificial light which can trick our bodies into believing that it’s actually daytime. This prolongs the process of falling asleep and can encourage light, shallow sleep rather than the deep REM sleep that we need in order to feel revived and recharged in the morning.

Diet also plays a role in a successful sleep habit. Avoiding food with high levels of sugar and caffeine-laden drinks is a good for health in general, but avoiding consumption of these in the early evening is especially important. The ‘high’ created by these can play havoc with natural sugar and energy levels, so it’s important to wind down naturally in order to get to sleep.

Regular exercise is another example of good health practice that has sleep benefits. While it can boost energy levels in the day, it can also help to create a natural sleepiness that kicks in when you’re ready to sleep. Gentle stretching and yoga can also be beneficial in the hours before going to sleep.

Acupuncture holds benefits for those who need extra help with gehttp://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10929581.htmtting quality sleep. Dr Clairborne adds: "Acupuncture can have a really positive effect on those with insomnia and can help relieve anxiety, which can play a big role in sleep disorders." This is just one of the many treatments offered by the experts at MBS Wellness Clinic, which also specializes in stress management, weight loss and well-being life coaching.

Read more here

Study claims acupuncture can treat headaches

A study shows that acupuncture can effectively reduce the intensity and duration of painful headaches and may be more effective than migraine medication.

A new study concludes that acupuncture is effective for relieving headaches. Investigators note that acupuncture reduces the intensity and duration of headaches. In addition, they suggest that acupuncture can reduce the need for “drug therapies and is a valuable option for patient suffering from CDH [chronic daily headache].”

In this controlled study, verum acupuncture was compared with sham acupuncture. The verum acupuncture group improved significantly over the control group. Verum acupuncture significantly reduced the frequency, intensity and duration of chronic daily headaches. The research notes that acupuncture is effective for reducing the intensity of pain for chronic tension headaches and migraines. In addition, patients suffering from nausea due to headaches and migraines showed a significant decrease in nausea levels.

In related recent research, acupuncture was found more effective and safer than a migraine medication. Researchers discovered that acupuncture effectively reduced migraine pain intensity levels and no adverse effects occurred. In the same study, patients receiving the medication valproic acid did not have the same level of clinical benefits as acupuncture and with nearly 50% of patients experiencing adverse side effects from the drug.The outcomes were measured six months after the study had been completed. This demonstrates that acupuncture has long term benefits for patients with migraines and that it is both safe and effective.

A massive meta-analysis study measuring patient outcomes of nearly 18,000 patients concurs with the researchers. The study finds that acupuncture effectively treats neck, back, osteoarthritis, headache and shoulder pain. Published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the researchers concluded that, “Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option.” US Navy sports medicine Dr. Stuessi concurs, “I’ve found phenomenal, off-the-charts results doing acupuncture for sleep, for dizziness and headaches.”

Acupuncture for pain control has received a great deal of attention in modern research. A study conducted at the University of California (San Francisco) discovered that acupuncture provides the same level of pain relief as morphine. The laboratory experiment revealed that needling ST36, an acupuncture point located on the lower leg, significantly reduces jaw pain. After one minute, the pain level reduced by over 20% and after thirty minutes of acupuncture treatment the pain level reduced by 30%. This acupuncture procedure provided the same level of pain relief that is made possible by one dose of morphine.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, acupuncture point ST36 is located along a channel of other points starting in the head and terminating in the feet. ST36 is on the Stomach channel, which is also referred to as the Foot-Yangming Meridian. This acupuncture channel originates at another acupuncture point, LI20, runs to the inner canthus of the eye to an acupuncture point called UB1 and then descends to the gums and joins with yet another acupuncture point called DU26. The Foot-Yangming channel then circles around the mouth, meets with acupuncture point CV24 and then follows the angle of the jaw. Other details of Chinese medicine theory demonstrate that the various branches of the Foot-Yangming Stomach channel connect to the head, mouth, gums and jaw and therefore are consistent with the research demonstrating that acupuncture point ST36 relieves jaw pain.

The mounting evidence from both primary and secondary research demonstrates that acupuncture has significant effective actions in controlling pain. Acupuncture is a covered benefit in many health insurance plans, is used by the US military for the treatment of pain and PTSD and is supported by a deluge of research from prestigious universities. That, combined with publication of supportive research published in important medical journals, suggests that acupuncture is now entering a more mainstream branch of medicine.

Read more here