Trying Acupressure To Improve Menstrual Pain Of Women

Do you know that there are a lot of things that help with period discomfort? There are numerous methods available to alleviate the discomfort associated with period pain. Acupressure to improve menstrual pain is one of the effective and natural approaches, which can alleviate discomfort and make it a better experience. This ancient Chinese technique involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, thereby promoting relaxation and pain relief and providing several benefits to women’s health.

Trying Holistic Approach In Our Women Problems Like Menstrual Pain

It may surprise some individuals that such a non-invasive and holistic practice can substantially relieve menstrual pain. This method offers physical benefits like alleviating menstrual pain, and contributes positively to your mood and within the realms of your health, allowing for a more productive and focused life despite difficulties. And all it takes is for a therapist to apply pressure using their thumb and index finger!

Source: flickr.com

According to a study, 84% of women experience it. Women smokers also have a high possibility of experiencing period cramps. Let’s discuss this further.

Out of all these women having period cramps during their monthly period, 55% seek medication to ease abdominal cramps, while others prefer to bear with it as it is and treat it normally.  OTC drugs are not the only available relief for this. Women could also seek the help of therapists to help manage their cramps.

Chinese Traditions That You Should Understand About

In improving menstrual pain, Acupressure Therapy traces its roots to traditional Chinese medicine. They believe that a vital life force known as qi is central to a person’s health and well-being. It flows through the body via 12 invisible meridians, creating a coordinated system within the body from the fingertips to the brain.

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of vital energy or Qi.

These points, also known as acupoints, are located along pathways called meridians, such as the spleen meridian, which runs along the inside of the leg alongside the shin bone. A trained acupressure therapist can locate this point  and, using their thumb and index finger, alleviate period symptoms such as primary dysmenorrhea.

One powerful point on this meridian can be found on the second toe, about four fingers from the base. Another effective point is located on the other foot’s big toe, connected to the large intestine meridian.

Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment that can help relieve pain, reduce stress, improve quality of life, mitigate the negative symptoms of the menstrual cycle, and promote overall wellness. The acupuncturist may use a combination of needles, finger pressure, and massage to target specific points, often using the thumb and index finger to apply pressure a point in addition to the needles.

Once the flow of the Qi through the meridians becomes disrupted, stagnant, or stuck, a person starts to feel menstrual pain. What acupoint therapy does is seek to restore the balance of qi by targeting the points that can be found in the body’s meridians.

It is critical to establish the legitimacy of acupuncture in treating certain conditions.

It has been endorsed by the United States National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

How Does The Type Of Therapy Treatment Work?

For acupressure, no longer needles but body parts such as the index finger, palms, elbows, or feet, or specialized devices used to apply pressure on specific points, which lie along the body’s meridians. The patient lies in full clothes on a massage table as the therapist presses on the points. This therapy lasts for about an hour. At times, it may also require a little stretching or pressure massage.

Effective Treatment Options For Various Health Conditions

Acupuncture as a form of medicine has been the subject of numerous research studies and has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for various conditions. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, such as the San Yin Jiao point on the leg or the Tai Chong point on the foot, to stimulate the flow of vital energy or Qi.

It is a low-risk treatment option that can alleviate symptoms related to digestive issues, liver problems, and period symptoms, among others. Additionally, acupuncture can target points along the large intestine meridian to help alleviate digestion and bowel function symptoms.

Source: pxhere.com

Acupressure can enhance blood flow to a woman’s uterus, allowing the muscles around it to relax. It then decreases the contractions in the womb, or what is usually called menstrual pain or cramps. That is how it helps to improve menstrual cycles and alleviate pain.

Regarding hormone regulation for young women, this process boosts the level of endorphins in the body, thereby reducing cramps, emotional stress, pain intensity, agitation, and mood swings.

Where Are The Critical Pressure Points?

The most critical acupressure points for period cramps relief are the abdominal muscles. About two finger-widths below the navel is an area called the “Sea of Energy.” Applying its stimulation in this area helps to normalize irregular cycles, ease cramps and breast tenderness, treats problems with vaginal discharge and even constipation, and offer pain relief. At the same time, it also relieves the body from digestive cramps and even headaches.

Source: pixabay.com

Another two finger-widths below the sea of energy is the “Gate Origin.” It also improves primary dysmenorrhea, cramping, pain, and irregular periods. In addition, it relieves the body of reproductive problems and incontinence. Moreover, just as additional data, it helps with treating impotence.

Relieving Cramps And Protecting Reproductive Health

On the pelvic area, at the center of that point where the legs join the trunk, is a pair of pressure points known as the “Mansion Cottage.” Applying relevant pressure from the palms on this area relieves the body from painful menstrual cramps and the other pains a woman feels during the monthly period. Same as the gate origin, this also helps treat infertility.

Emphasis On Rushing Door Points

Just below the points of the mansion cottage are the points called “Rushing Door.” Just like the mansion cottage, these points also relieve abdominal cramps and ease the cramps associated with bloating and cramps. They also treat hernias and dysuria.

Final Thoughts

Acupressure is generally safe with no known side effects, similar to when females take OTC medication.

Acupressure is a natural way to manage menstrual pain and different kinds of pain all over the body. However, special conditions require consultation with doctors and licensed therapists, such as those available online, like BetterHelp. It’s also important that you find reputable providers, and watch out for any health insurance agent red flags. What better way to relieve pain from the menstrual cycle than doing it safely and naturally?

Frequently Asked Questions

How does acupressure relieve period pain instantly?

What pressure point gets rid of intense menstrual cramps?

Can acupressure be done during periods?

Can acupuncture help with painful periods?

Where should I massage to stop period pain?

Where is the pressure point for period pain?

Does acupressure help with period pain?

What relieves period pain fast?

Can we do acupressure during periods?

Why is my period pain unbearable?

Cardiovascular Diseases In Women

February is traditionally celebrated as the love or heart month; thus, the American Heart Association aptly considered this opportunity to raise awareness of the cardiovascular disease among women. Every year, the National Wear Red Day is celebrated all over the country as part of the strategy to make cardiovascular health as a priority. The numbers describing the seriousness of this condition is already enough to make you reconsider taking the steps towards optimum heart function.

source: thehealthsite.com

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Diabetes In Women

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized by high blood sugar levels. The increase in serum blood glucose can result in numerous signs and symptoms in a person’s lifetime. Although the condition affects both men and women alike, specific symptoms are unique to women only. Naturally, because of the physical structure and hormonal reasons, this article will present these unique symptoms and how to manage them once detected.

source: apollopharmacy.in

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Money Talk: The Insurance World’s Little Regard For Mental Health

Source: gbsindependent.org

Congress passed and made the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) a law some ten years ago. With its passing was the rising hope that individuals who suffered from mental health maladies and substance abuse could get treatments as quickly as those who have other conditions.

But almost a decade later, that hope has clipped wings.

“Financial wellness is a component of overall wellness,” according to Joe Lowrance, PsyD.

The Issues

Many people who have mental health conditions have difficulty finding therapists who accept insurance. Additionally, looking for treatment facilities for PTSD and bipolar disorder that’ll take insurance for inpatient therapy can be very challenging.

 

Why is that?

The answer lies in how insurance companies are treating mental conditions and substance abuse as well as the treatments appertaining to these said health circumstances.

Milliman, a healthcare consulting firm, found two significant inequalities in the way the insurance market treats addiction and mental health compared to their physical counterpart.

 


Source: tampatherapy.com

 

Stacy Notaras Murphy, LPC said “Finances just might be the great equalizer in the counseling room.”

 

The Disparities

In their analysis of about 42 million medical claims records from various major insurance players, they discovered that:

 

  • Firstly,  four to six of ten Americans have to employ out-of-network mental healthcare, and the most likely cause is that a lesser number of psychologists and psychiatrists accept insurances.
  • Secondly, for therapists who are in in-network psychological health care, the reimbursements they receive from insurers are significantly less than what primary or specialty care providers get for similar treatments. Example, in 2015, primary medical professionals collected approximately 20% more than mental health professionals did from insurance companies meaning that for every $1 the former got, the latter only had 83 cents.

This common insurance company practice has created an imbalanced system for both mental and physical healthcare and could become the chief reason why psychological therapists wouldn’t accept insurance in the future. And it’s happening as the country is grappling with the rising number of deaths through suicides and overdoses. In fact, the current rates for these two are at their highest in over ten years!

 

Put Teeth To the Law

2008 saw the passing of a landmark mental parity law. Its goal was to make psychiatric health care and abuse treatments more accessible to people by preventing insurers from erecting blockades to therapy services, something they wouldn’t usually do for physical medical care.

For instance, the law prohibits insurance companies from determining payment caps for addiction and depression treatments, restraints that wouldn’t otherwise be present if the said ministrations were for physical maladies such as an injured foot.

In theory, the law would make broader insurance coverages for mental disorders and addictions while lessening the barriers people seeking psychiatric care might encounter.

 

But it seems all of that would have to stay on paper.

“I am quite surprised it was this bad,” said a health services company’s former CEO who has worked on parity for a decade now. “I thought we were doing better, but these numbers just proved that insurance companies are still giving mental health little regard after all these years, even after the passing of that landmark law.”

 

 

And The Hurting Shows

 

Source: inquisitr.com

 

Caryl suffers from borderline personality disorder while wrestling addiction issues at the same time. She sees a therapist for both conditions weekly. Before, she had a co-payment of $25 for every session she has with the said professional. But in 2015, however, the latter refused to accept her insurance which upped her therapy payments to $110 for every session.

She called ten other therapists asking them if they’re willing to take insurance from new patients and all flatly said no.

“I make $30,000 annually, so those $110 therapy sessions are like luxury items to me. There were weeks I had to choose groceries over visits to my therapist and for someone (like me) who are struggling with jobs, making friends and living, that’s just so wrong,” she lamented. “It feels like I’m not worthy enough to be helped.”

As what one mental health advocate stressed out: “Two of the main reasons why people don’t seek mental health treatments is the scarcity of the providers and the cost for each session. And this reality is hurting a great number of Americans.”

According to Brad Klontz, PsyD, CFP, “If you’d like help managing financial stress and your family’s financial behaviors, consider talking to an expert.”

5 Reasons To Get Your Kids Vaccinated

When it comes to the topic about vaccinations, there is still much debate going on. Is it safe enough? Do we need it? Years of scientific research points to “yes” for both of those questions. Some parents are still on the fence about getting their kids vaccinated. Well, here are the top reasons that show that it is beneficial not only for your children but also the whole family.

They Protect Your Child

Source: pixnio.com

Prevention over cure—one of the most obvious reasons to get your child vaccinated is that they protect your kids. Vaccinations were created to save people from getting illnesses. Many diseases are now preventable because vaccines were designed to prevent them.

And we are not just talking about common diseases such as the flu here. Polio was once one of the deadliest diseases, particularly in the United States. Since scientists came up with a vaccine, the number of known polio cases has been decreasing annually.

Thus, vaccinations do not just keep your children sniffle-free; they can also save their lives.

Science Shows That They’re Safe

Most of those who are against vaccinations claim that they are dangerous for children. One of the common arguments against such is that kids are too young for vaccines. Check also the article about this in Babble. Some people think vaccines are too strong for babies’ bodies to handle.

However, vaccines are heavily regulated. They go through much testing before they are given the green light and released to the public. It’s true that vaccines have side effects. After all, they are injecting you with a controlled version of a disease. However, these side effects are never as harmful to your kids as the actual illness.

Also, much of public concern and distrust seem to stem from a 1998 paper that links vaccines to autism. The journal that published the paper later retracted this in 2010. So far, this has been the only reported paper that puts vaccines in a negative light.

They Save You Money In The Long Haul

Source: flickr.com

We all know that it’s never cheap to be sick. Hospital bills, medicine, and other expenses can pile up. It also uses up time that you could spend doing something else. When your kids are sick, they’ll have to stay at home. It means they’ll be missing out on valuable school time and you might have to miss out on work to take care of them.

Getting your kids vaccinated avoids this. Vaccinations are thus an investment that’s worth having. The amount you’ll be spending there will be significantly cheaper compared to the expenses you’ll incur from serious illnesses. Sometimes, insurance companies will even cover vaccines, so that’s even less cost for you.

They Safeguard Future Generations

Vaccines also protect future generations. Although your great-grandparents once worried about their children having polio, we don’t have that same concern anymore. As mentioned earlier, vaccines are the reason why we don’t have to worry about diseases such as polio anymore. Because significantly fewer people have it now, this means that it’s less likely for anyone to have it in the future.

If we continue to vaccinate our children, this could lead to the eradication of certain preventable diseases. Imagine the relief you’ll feel if you didn’t have to worry about your grandchildren developing measles or mumps. That is what will happen if everyone trusted vaccines enough to get their children vaccinated.

They Protect Other Children As Well

Source: maxpixel.net

The sad news is that some vaccines are still out of reach for some people. Those in the lower-income brackets and developing countries do not have easy access to immunization. There are also children who are allergic to certain vaccines and thus can’t get necessary shots.

Thankfully, there’s something we can do. Getting your kids vaccinated can help others as well through a concept called herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when vaccinated individuals help stop the spreading of diseases. Because they’re immune, they cannot be a carrier of the infection, thus halting the spread of the disease to those who aren’t immune. Vaccinated individuals primarily serve as a shield around those who aren’t vaccinated.

Letting your children get their vaccinations helps other children as well as your whole family.

Summary

In this article, we’ve given you five reasons why you should get your kids vaccinated. Vaccines protect them from illnesses that could seriously harm them. Scientists have proven that they are safe for children, a good investment that saves you time and money in the future, a safeguard for the health of future generations, and protection for other children and people around your kids.

There is indeed much more to regret in not getting your family vaccinated. Everybody deserves a chance at a long and bright future. Vaccinations are here to give our kids extra safety just for that.

AI And Robotics – The Future Of Insurance Is Here And Now

Source: cdni.rt.com

 

Many people fear how robotics and AI (artificial intelligence) will steal their jobs and their lives in the future.  We may not notice it, but many robots are already being employed in some companies, insurance included, to do human jobs.  With this continuing trend, US economy is said to decrease employment and drop wages.  This is why AI and robotics are considered a threat to the future of humanity.  But why don’t we consider the benefits first before drawing some conclusion?

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Importance of Insurance On Womanhood

As a girl transitions into womanhood, many changes happen in her body at a fast pace.   These changes make her feel awkward and unsure of herself.   She feels conscious because new body hair starts to grow, her body shape is changing, and the monthly menstrual period has come.   This signals the start of her journey with a gynecologist.   

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