wellness Archives - The Franklin Shopper

Meditation is often trumped as a means to reducing stress and restoring healthy function in the body. While meditation might once have been considered a New Age treatment, in recent years it has developed into a mainstream practice supported by both traditional and alternative medical providers.

The Mayo Clinic says that anyone can practice meditation. A cost-effective treatment that does not require any special equipment or location, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and originally was developed to help people understand the mystical or spiritual forces of life. Although meditation for some may still have religious or spiritual connotations, in a medical sense it is typically used for relaxation and stress reduction.

Various studies show that meditation can be associated with improvement of a variety of issues. Researchers describe meditation-based changes as ones that actually change the brain. Changes in the circuitry of the brain may affect the way a person responds to specific situations. The following are a few ways to put mindful meditation to use.

· Strengthen cognitive function: Dr. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says meditation can help thicken the prefrontal cortex of the brain, helping to reverse the pattern of cognitive function decline as one ages.

· Protect against heart disease: There is some indication that meditation can reduce concentrations of the marker C-reactive protein, which is associated with the development of heart disease.

· Stimulate the immune system: A study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that mindfulness meditation increases electrical activity in the areas of the prefrontal cortex that serve a
s the command center for the immune system. When these areas are stimulated, the immune system works more effectively.

· Reduce blood pressure: The stress-boosting properties of meditation can help reduce hypertension. Researchers at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine attribute this to the increase of nitric oxide during meditation. Nitric oxide gas can expand blood vessels and open up blood channels.

Some experts also say that meditation can decrease metabolism and improve breathing. Meditation may be a mind-body way to beat some of the conditions that affect people during daily life. Meditation is not difficult to learn, but it something that requires practice to master.

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Early spring is often marked by wind and rain that precedes the more welcoming warmth synonymous with late spring and summer.

Rainy, damp conditions may be great for homeowners looking to revitalize their lawns and gardens, but such conditions can wreak havoc on achy joints, especially for those who experience arthritis. Although there is no concrete proof to link aching joints and muscles with damp weather, rheumatologists are often asked why achy joints and muscles tend to ache that much more in damp weather.

Dropping barometric pressure, which occurs when rain is on the horizon, may cause tissues to swell. Swelling tissues in already inflamed joints can add to pain, especially if these tissues push into nerves and muscles in the area. According to a survey published in the journal Pain, two-thirds of people living with chronic joint pain believe there is a link between their pain and weather changes. Changes in humidity and temperature also may play a role, affecting pressure all over the body. Joint pain may not be the only effect, as some people get headaches as well.

While spring may be a painful time of year for sufferers of joint pain, there are steps such men and women can take to alleviate some of those aches. When rainy or cooler temperatures loom, try these ideas.

· See your doctor. If your pain is growing more severe, consult with your doctor, who may be able to develop a plan that helps you deal with the changing seasons more comfortably. Doctors may suggest chiropractic manipulation, or physical therapy or prescribe pain medications.

· Keep the body warm. Cold limbs and joints may be more prone to stiffness and pain. Dress in layers and use heating pads to combat chilly temperatures.

· Exercise painful joints. Rely on low-impact exercises, such as walking or swimming, to loosen up stiffness in the body. Loosening up and stretching before any intense workouts is recommended.

Rainy weather may be in the forecast, and that can mean increased pain for those with achy joints. Working with a medical professional can help take the “ouch” out of seasonal changes.

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Health Benefits of Meditation

Treating Weather-Related Joint Pain

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