Static magnet therapy is believed to relieve pain by increasing circulation. The efficacy of arthritis magnet therapy for pain relief is still in question. Magnetic treatment is generally considered harmless unless it causes people to forego other needed medical treatments.

Although the simplicity of magnet therapy is attractive, the evidence that it works is scanty. The FDA hasn’t sanctioned magnets as healing devices. Magnetic therapy continues to be a controversial subject, even among people who have tried it.

Magnet therapy is based upon the idea that magnetic fields have the ability to help the body heal or simply relieve pain. Most often, pseudoscientific support is offered by claiming that magnets affect the iron in our blood, but that iron is non-ferrous, which means that it does not react to mangetic fields

Magnets have been used for centuries to treat pain, and a survey found that almost many Americans with arthritis or fibromyalgia have used magnetic bracelets for pain relief, even though magnet therapy has not been well studied. Now, a British study suggests that magnetic bracelets may provide pain relief in people with arthritis in their knee or hip, from Healthology.

Does It Work?

According to Dr. Thomas Mattioni of the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix:

“People with pacemakers or implanted defibrillators should never use those new magnet-laced mattress pads touted to ease back pain because the magnets could temporarily shut off the heart devices.”

This item was in the news for several days. You may have seen it, but I thought it important enough to warrant another warning.

But, aside from the dangers mentioned above, does magnetic therapy work?
Dr. Weil says: “These products are quite expensive, and since the claims are unproved, I really can’t recommend magnet therapy.”

“Although the simplicity of magnet therapy is attractive, the evidence that it works is scanty.” The FDA hasn’t sanctioned magnets as healing devices.

Magnetic therapy is not new. Ancient Greece had the lodestone and claimed it had healing properties. The Chinese have used magnets for healing for thousands of years. Part of the reason for the success of magnetic therapy may be purely psychological. A study that included magnets and placebos revealed not much difference in the success rate reported by the two groups.

Magnetic therapy continues to be a controversial subject,
even among people who have tried it. Nancy Fortner has been using magnets to relive pain for several months now. She says:

“I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. I experimented with putting a powerful ceramic magnet over painful areas on my body. Soft tissue pain would fade within two or three minutes. Sometimes it would return after removing the magnets, but usually it gave me lasting relief.

“I have some pain everywhere, however, and the magnets were only helping with the most acute areas. I decided to get a magnetic mattress to see if that would target all my pains. I have been sleeping on my new magnetic mattress for four nights, and I would say that the results are inconclusive. I still have some aches and pains, but I am staying asleep for longer periods. I presume that is because my overall discomfort is relieved.

“My experiences with magnets are positive enough that I would recommend that other people try them.”

Keith D. states: “I have used a Nikken magnetic pad on my bed now for 4 years. While I like the warmth of the magnets it does not a thing for sleep maintenance insomnia.”

Moonraker puts his feelings very simply: “It doesn’t work because it is a hoax.”
Jack said: “I tried using a pillow with magnets in it. Used it for a month. It did nothing except empty my wallet of $120.”

John F. says: “Let me help stress “IT DOESN’T WORK!”. Look, if magnetic therapy made a bit of difference, anyone that’s ever had an MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) should sleep like babies … talk about magnetic therapy!”

However, Barbara Bianco reports: “Sleeping on my magnetic pillow and mattress has been a pleasure. I have no doubt it affects your energy field. It was so powerful that for the first three nights, I had difficulty settling down, but since then I’ve a very relaxed and refreshing sleep.”

The controversy remains. The value of magnetic therapy has never been proven or sanctioned by the medical profession. I posted this question on several lists, and the majority reported little or no help. Before you try using magnetic therapy, ask yourself: “Is it wise to use something that affects the body’s energy field?”

Most of these magnetic devices, and especially the mattresses, are expensive. Keep in mind that nothing has been proven, and you could be wasting your money.

Above all, if you have any medical device, such as a Pacemaker, that could be adversely affected by the use of magnets, please do not experiment with magnetic therapy. The magnets could turn off or cause faulty operation of these important medical aids and lead to far more serious repercussions.

A History of Magnets in Healing

Magnets are formed from an oxide of iron (Fe3O4) This substance is also known as a lodestone and is a strong natural magnet.

Magnetic healing is not new. Back about 350 B.C., Aristotle spoke of the therapeutic uses of magnets for healing. In 200 B.C., Galan, a Greek physician used magnets to bring about healing. In 1000 A.D., Persian physicians were using magnets to treat muscle spasms.

Paracelsus in the 1500s, advocated the use of magnetic therapy. Paracelsus also dabbled in homeopathy and astromedicine (determining healing methods using the placement of the stars at the time of the patient’s birth – a form of astrology.)

Franz Mesmer “cured” his patients (usually women) by placing them in a magnetic bathtub filled with iron filings, Mesmerism (hypnotism) and what he referred to as a magnetic trance. Elisha Perkins, in the eighteen hundreds, cured patients using “tractors,” three inch nail-shaped pieces of magnetic metal with which he touched the body. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, also had a belief that magnetic therapy was a feasible treatment for numerous conditions.

Dr. Albert Abrams was the inventor of radionics, the use of an electronic magnet to detect vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body. The Scientific American in 1924, had this to say:

The American Medical Association (AMA) believed Abrams’ methods and claims were ridiculous on the face of it, and it therefore wasn’t worth the time and money to investigate it.

Apparently things have changed, as Radionics has made great strides and some of the technology has received FDA clearance. It’s now known as radiation therapy.

Other recent uses of magnetic therapy:

1. In 1982, JAMA (the Journal of the Medical Association) discussed the use of magnets with some success in the healing of “unhealable” fractures.
2. NASA has started adding magnets to space capsules to reduce symptoms of weakness in astronauts.
3. Since 1980, there is some evidence of curing cancer with magnets.

What is Electromagnetism?

It’s the force that causes the attraction of like to lie and the repulsion of unlike electrical charges. Many studies have been conducted on the use of electromagnetism for the purpose of healing. Unfortunately, the results are often contradictory. Magnetic therapy has worked to heal wounds and fractures in guinea pigs and rats. Researchers in India report success in healing plantar ulcers using magnetic fields. Some Russian doctors have had some success using magnets to treat ulcerative wounds in diabetic patients. Still, the general consensus is that no acceptable link has been established.

The general public, however, still believes in the power of magnets. Every year, thousands of dollars are spent on magnetic accessories, and the interest is growing. Products such as jewelry, mattress pads, shoe inserts and bandages. There’s even water for sale that’s been treated magnetically, and magnetic therapy is becoming popular in treating animals. Some professional golfers use magnets in their shoes and clothing to reduce pain and strains, and these products have become popular in Pro shops.

There has also been a study at the University of Virginia Rehab center in February, 2001 using magnets for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Results showed that magnetic therapy might have limited use in the treatment of this troublesome and elusive disorder.

Another experiment, at Baylor College of medicine in Houston showed some positive results when magnets were used to treat post-polo pain. And, as mentioned earlier, magnetic therapy is now being tested in the treatment of cancer.

WARNINGS!

1. Don’t choose magnetic therapy as your first form of treatment. See your doctor. Talk over treatment with him and try more conventional methods first.

2. When using magnets, do it only under a doctor’s supervision.

3. Always be careful. If you notice any adverse effects, stop! Although there are no known harmful. effects, it’ too soon to tell what the results of long time use might be
.
4. Never use magnetic therapy of you have a pacemaker.

5. Don’t overdo it. If you have a magnetic mattress, never use it for more than eight hours.

6. Don’t use magnetic therapy on the abdomen area until at least an hour after eating.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified medical provider for all medical problems prior to starting any new treatment

Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

:: Seoul     :: Shanghai          :: Phuket         :: Penang       :: Kyoto

Seoul Places

• Gyeongbokgung (Palace)
• Other Stuff
• Korean Folk Village
• Namsan (South Mountain) and Seoul Tower
• Changgyeonggung (Palace)
• Namdaemun (Great South Gate)
• DMZ – DeMilitarized Zone
• Korean War Memorial
• Insadong
• City Hall

Shanghai Places

• The Bund
• Yuyuan Garden & Bazaar
• Shanghai Meseum (People’s Square)
• Lujiazui / Pudong
• Nanjing Lu
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Xin Tian Di
• Zhou Zhuang

Phuket Places

• More beaches and caves
• More excursions and shows
• Phi Phi islands
• Phang Nga Bay
• James Bond island
• Temples
• Promthep cape
• Patong beach
• Phuket town
• Floating village

Penang Places

• Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
• Kek Lok Si (Buddhist) Temple
• Khoo Kongsi (Khoo clan temple)
• Burmese Temple (Dhammikarama)
• Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
• The Botanical Gardens (monkey park)
• Reclining Buddha temple (Wat Chayamangkalaram)
• Beaches in Penang
• Gurney Drive (sea-watch & hawker food)
• Goddess of Mercy (Quan Yin) Temple

Kyoto Places

• Kiyomizu Temple
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
• Gion (Geisha district)
• Nijo Castle
• Kyoto Station/Tower
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• Ryoan-ji
• Heian Shrine
• Arashiyama
• The Philosopher’s Walk

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only .

Top 10 destinations

:: Bangkok :: Kuala Lumpur :: Beijing :: Singapore :: Tokyo

:: Seoul :: Shanghai :: Phuket :: Penang :: Kyoto

Bangkok Places

1. Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew
2. Wat Pho
3. Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
4. Chao Phraya River
5. Floating Market
6. Chatuchak Weekend Market
7. Jim Thompson’s House
8. Shopping / Local Markets
9. Wat Traimit – Golden Buddha
10. Chinatown

Kuala Lumpur Places

1. Petronas Twin Towers
2. VT Meetings
3. Batu Caves
4. Menara Telecommunications Tower
5. Chinatown
6. Merdeka Square
7. Churches, Temples & Mosques
8. Parks and Gardens
9. Sultan Abdul Samad Building
10. Putrajaya

Beijing Places

1. Forbidden City
2. Great Wall
3. Tiananmen Square
4. Summer Palace
5. Temple of Heaven
6. Beihai Park
7. Hutongs/Bell and Drum Towers
8. Lama Temple – Yonghegong
9. Ming Tombs
10. Peking Opera

Singapore Places

1. Sentosa Island
2. Singapore Zoological Gardens & Night Safari
3. Botanic Gardens
4. Chinatown (Niu Che Shui)
5. Esplanade (Theatres by the Bay)
6. Little India
7. Jurong Birdpark
8. Boat Quay
9. Orchard Road
10. Raffles Hotel

Tokyo Places

1. Asakusa
2. Disney Resort
3. Ueno Park
4. Imperial Palace
5. Ginza
6. Odaiba & Rainbow Bridge
7. Shinjuku
8. Tsukiji Market
9. Cultural / Traditional
10. Tokyo Tower

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only

A face pack not only cleanses your skin and pores but it also helps to maintain the tautness of your skin and its balance. Here are some face packs for different skin types know your skin type and choose the pack that’s just right for you.

Oily skin pack:

Oily skins have very active sebaceous glands that secrete more oil leaving the skin look dull and greasy thus attracting a lot of dirt which then clogs the pores. It needs a thorough cleansing routine to remove the surface grime and unclog blocked pores. For this you need a pack that rejuvenates, tightens and exfoliates skin. Mash six strawberries with a teaspoon of Brandy, two spoons of breadcrumbs, two spoons of fuller’s earth and a few drops of rose water. Mix well and apply a thick layer on the face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Since strawberries have Vitamin C and a certain acidic properties they leave the skin sparkling clean. Breadcrumbs help to exfoliate dead skin while fuller’s earth will tighten the pores and brandy would help to add some glow.

Dry skin pack:

Dry skins are usually flaky and dull looking around the eyes and cheeks. It also needs constant moisturizing. Wash your face with milk and oatmeal instead of soap as milk nourishes the skin while oatmeal acts like an exfoliater while soap dries of the skin further. For extra moisturizing, make a pack with a mixture of 10 almonds, two spoons oatmeal, four tablespoons of full cream milk, two spoons china clay, juice of half a lemon, and one mashed avocado. Apply on face and leave it for 20 minutes. Dampen cotton wool with cold milk and wipe it off. Splash your face with cold water and apply a light moisturizer.

Combination pack:

This type of skin is usually oily on the nose and forehead and dry around the eyes and cheeks. Cleanse the center zone with an astringent while dab the rest of the face with cold milk. Apply a pack made of half a cup of powered, dry peas, mixed with three spoons of curd, juice of one lemon and half a cup of papaya pulp. Apply it for 20 minutes and wash your face with ice- cold water. Better still rub an ice cube dipped in rose water over the T-Zone. It prevents enlarged pores and blackheads. Freeze tray with rose water ice cubes so you can rub your face with them any time of the day especially after a bath as it opens the pores.

The truth about facials:

• Pollution, sun rays and stress all combine to ruin your skin and lead to pre mature and early wrinkling. Facials are deep skin treatments with real benefits to counteract the ravages of pollution and the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Besides, facials are useful as mild treatments to take care of skin and, of course, the dreaded wrinkles.

• Facials can deep cleanse, re hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. With the appropriate techniques and products, these face treatments can have a lasting revitalizing effect.

• The four important steps of a facial are:

1) Deep and thorough cleansing, exfoliating the top layer of dead skin so that the skin looks healthier.
2) Rejuvenating the skin by aiding in faster cell renewal
3) Providing in depth moisturizing
4) It accentuates the good effects of the appropriate products.

• What most people do not realize is that with regular treatments, a lot of skin problems can be prevented and reduced. We sail through our 20′s thinking sagging skin will never happen to us. Confidence begins to falter in the 30′s and by the time we have reached the 40′s and 50′s it may be too late.

• Each facial will vary depending on your skin type, the kind of treatment you have chosen and the products used. What facials help to do is remove the dead , dull outer layer of cells that make-up the skin’s surface or epidermis along with pollutants. Thus, the newer and younger cells underneath are revealed, giving the skin a youthful glow. The actual massage helps blood circulation, which in turn aids lymphatic drainage, the system, which removes our waste and toxins. The massage relaxes the face, which has over 120 muscles and to delay wrinkles it is very important to massage them consistently

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified medical provider for all medical problems prior to starting any new treatment

Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

You probably learned in school that your skin is your body’s largest organ. What you probably weren’t taught is how to properly care for your skin. The truth is no matter your age or skin type, the minute you start taking care of your skin — keeping it clean, nourished & pampered — it will respond in gratitude & you will reap the benefits. Here I show you tips on how to properly care for your skin, from the right way to wash your face, to the best moisturizers & UV protection.

Before we start with the proper daily 4-step skincare routine, you’ll need to know your skin type. How you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. Check out this article to determine what skin type you are.

The Basic 4-Step Skincare Regimen

You need to find a good cleanser that

• your skin responds well to, and stick with it. Avoid soap at all costs. According to Rona Berg, in her book, ‘Beauty,’ a French cosmetics executive once told her ‘soap should only ever touch your skin from the neck down.’ Most cleansers contain oil, water & surfactants. The oil dissolves oil on your face, surfactants dissolve dirt & makeup & the water washes it all away. The secret is finding the right mix of oil. Too much on your skin will clog pores, while too little will dry it out. This is why you need to know your skin type.

Most women need only clean their faces at night. In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need. However, if you apply moisturizer at night, you will need to cleanse in the morning, too. Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both hot & cold water causes broken capillaries) & never go to bed with makeup on, you run the risk of clogging your pores. Also be careful about over-cleansing your skin.

Step 1: Cleansing Simple is key here.

Here’s the best way to wash your face: Use warm water to loosen dirt & clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser & gently apply it in a circular motion, then rinse with cool water. Cool water tends to tighten the pores. You’ll also want to take off your makeup with a proper makeup remover.

Step 2: Exfoliate

The most important thing you can do for bright, glowing skin is gentle daily exfoliation,’ Katie Rodan, clinical assistant professor at Stanford University, said in Allure’s April 2005 issue. ‘Not weekly, daily. Do it in the shower every morning, a routine like brushing your teeth.’

Every 3 weeks, skin cells are replenished, meaning new skin cells make their way up from the lowest level of the epidermis. The secret to exfoliating is to make way for new skin cells by getting rid of dead skin cells. Removing dead skin cells helps give your skin a youthful, fresh appearance not only because new skin cells are fresh & plump, but because getting rid of the dead skin allows your skin to absorb moisturizer more readily. Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their daily skincare routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating your skin, you will notice an almost immediate difference.

So how much should you exfoliate?

If you have oily or combination skin, you’ll need to exfoliate 4 or 5 times a week, after you cleanse. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, it’s recommended that you exfoliate once or twice a week. You’ll actually need to exfoliate more in summer & any hot months because sweat acts like glue & will cause your dead skin cells to stick together and coat your skin. Many women with mature or sun-damaged skin (a sure sign: wrinkles) have turned to different types of hydroxies which act as deep exfoliants. According to Berg, one of the reasons men’s skin looks more youthful than women’s is because men tend to exfoliate daily when they shave.

Should you use a toner?

Some people swear by toners, but many beauty experts do not. Toners are meant to remove all remaining traces of oil, makeup & dirt, but a good cleanser should do this. So go ahead, skip it & save money. Turns out only copy machines really need toner.

Step 3: Moisturize

A basic law of beauty is that everyone, no matter her skin type, should moisturize. Even if your skin is oily, it will benefit from moisturizers. (The only exception is those with acne). Why? Moisturizers attract moisture & draw it into the skin. They also seal in moisture (Berg calls this the ‘Saran Wrap effect’) & plump skin cells. So how much should you moisturize? Your skin will tell you. When your skin is tight, it’s crying out for moisture. Be careful not to overmoisturize — this can cause pore-clogging. For the skinny on great moisturizers for your skin type, check out this article.

Step 4: Apply sunscreen

The #1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it’s important to use sunscreen from your early years on even in winter & on cloudy days. A great trick is to purchase 2 moisturizers: one for nighttime & one for daytime that includes UV protection. Don’t use moisturizers with sunscreen at night, the ingredients are not meant to be used 27/7 & can aggravate the skin. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it contains 1 of 3 ingredients as an ‘active ingredient’: titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified medical provider for all medical problems prior to starting any new treatment

Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

Your skin type is determined by how much — or how little — oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication & even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

To determine what skin type you have, take the ‘skin test.’

To do this, wash your face & pat it dry then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper & press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick, pick up oily spots & become translucent. If the paper doesn’t stick or pick up any oily spots, your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose & chin) then you have combination (or normal) Skin. About 70 percent of women have combination skin.

Here are the 5 different skin types & their characteristics.

• Type 1: Oily

Oily skin tends to shiny with enlarged pores, and is prone to blackheads & blemishes. You might experience some tightness.

• Type 2: Combination/normal

This skin type has medium pores, a smooth & even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone
.

• Type 3: Sensitive

Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic & can be rashy.

• Type 4: Dry

Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing, & have fine wrinkles, flaking & red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.

• Type 5: Aging or sun-damaged

This skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone — especially around the cheeks & jawline — with leathery texture & broken capillaries.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified medical provider for all medical problems prior to starting any new treatment

Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

The cord blood stem cells are now used wisely for the treatment of the severe diseases. These are used for curing more than eighty diseases that includes blood disorders and cancers and many other diseases. The cord blood bank is present to avail its services for storing cord blood safely. They would ask you for some fees for keeping it safe. The cord blood cells easily replace the body cells for many reasons. The blood is easily collected when the cord is cut down. It has no risk to the mother and child, so don’t worry and opt for the cord blood storage that would be used in future effectively.

The Procedure

There are three primary types of bariatric surgeries. These are malabsorptive procedures, restrictive procedures and mixed procedures. Each type actually has many variations.

• Malabsorptive procedures, like all bariatric procedures, achieve a certain amount of their affect through reducing the size of the stomach. However, the intent of malabsorptive correction is to alter the effectiveness of the digestive system’s ability to absorb food. This is usually done by diverting a length of the small intestine or by inserting an impermeable sleeve into the intestine.

• Restrictive procedures directly reduce the size of the stomach. The surgeon performing the procedure can either staple the stomach at such points that very little of the stomach is available for receiving food from the esophagus or they can insert a band that similarly reduces stomach size. 

• Among mixed procedures is the variation of bariatric surgery known as gastric bypass surgery. This is the most popularly known type of this procedure. The surgeon uses staples to create a smaller version of the stomach. He or she then attaches a length of intestine directly to this pouch.

After Surgery

The success of bariatric surgery still depends on the commitment of the patient to a change in lifestyle. Weight loss can be dramatically quick immediately after the procedure. However, the stomach will grow in size again if a person abuses their eating habits again.