Archive for the ‘Cognitive Therapy’ Category

Child Behavior -Is ADHD Behavior Therapy The Answer ?

January 9th, 2010

How on earth can you deal with defiant kids ? No pill exists for that ! It is now a well established fact in the medical profession that ADHD treatment should be a comprehensive one which will include a good dose of behavioral modification alongside with medication, diet, exercise and school support. In spite of taking medication, child behavior will not change at all in the long term. It may well get worse. There may be some improvements in symptoms such as restlessness, fidgeting and better focus and improved concentration but these are only skin deep. In the long term, the medication will not cure ADHD and if child behavior is left unchecked, it is unlikely that the child will outgrow ADHD and he will have a handicap for the rest of his life.

Going back to the defiant kids, there may also be other symptoms which could well be that of a co-morbid disorder like ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder). Symptoms will include an incredible amount of anger, outbursts and a generally aggressive attitude to both parents and siblings.

It is in cases like this that ADHD behaviour therapy comes to the rescue. If parents are prepared to make the required effort, it can well turn a disastrous situation around. Studies have shown that child behavior can be positively influenced by these methods. Similar success has been found with older citizens suffering from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston got similar results when they tried cognitive behaviour therapy among the patients who had problems taking anxiety medication because of the side effects.

Talking of medication for ADHD it has been shown that about 20% of children have great difficulty in adjusting to these medicines because of the considerable side effects and grow less than normal kids. Stunted growth is not the only problem either as there are risks for heart health and psychotic episodes are linked to some of the other medications like Strattera. If parents choose an ADHD homeopathic remedy they can side step many of these problems and spend considerably less. They are just as effective in improving child behavior as pharmacological solutions .

There are now quite a few researchers advocating ADHD behavior therapy before medication and they are saying that this should be the first option rather than the last in trying to resolve problems with child behavior The drugs companies obviously do not agree and will try to discredit ADHD behavior therapy instead of spending money to research the long term effects of the psychostimulants they have poured down children’s throats while earning enormous amounts of money.

Fibromyalgia Relief With Magnetic Wave Therapy

January 8th, 2010

A study regarding acupoints and magnetic wave therapy and Fibromyalgia was performed by the Mayo Clinic in the United States and presented at a pain conference held in Sydney, Australia. Great promise is shown when it comes to this non-invasive, ancient form of therapy. Anxiety, pain, and chronic fatigue are just some of the symptoms experienced by many fibromyalgia patients and shown to be effectively alleviated by stimulation of acupoints, or the points at which the body’s meridians contact the skin. While acupuncture is not seen as a cure for fibromyalgia, it can greatly enhance the patient’s quality of life over the long term, particularly with continued treatments.

This seems to be a viable alternative to the medications usually prescribed to counteract pain and depression.

About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than the definition of an ailment. It has no known cause but is characterised by a set of symptoms that are common and chronic. It may be related to arthritis but is not a true arthritic disease of the joints, which involves joint or tissue inflammation. Instead, fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition which impairs the tissues and joints and causes pain. There are a variety of symptoms those diagnosed with fibromyalgia suffer from.

These include cognitive difficulties; disturbance of sleep; headaches; irritable bowel syndrome; stiffness, numbness, and tingling of the limbs; restless leg syndrome; and sensitivity to temperature and light. It is usually women who suffer from fibromyalgia, but this does not preclude it from affecting men and children; race or ethnic background is not an indicator of a person’s likelihood of contracting the syndrome.

How Magnetic Wave Acupuncture Helps with Pain

Acupuncture, which can be accomplished via magnetic waves, electrical impulse, massage, or other methods that do not utilise needles, can alleviate many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia without the side effects of prescription medications. The procedure is non-invasive and the positive effects are nearly immediate. Muscle manipulation is usually not tolerable by anyone suffering from fibromyalgia so acupuncture provides a way to treat the symptoms without causing further pain and discomfort.

Stimulation of acupoints has a positive effect on stress and anxiety because it can release melatonin, the body’s natural chemical for relaxation. This can help a patient sleep better. Because chronic fatigue often leads to depression, getting sufficient rest aids the patient’s mood tremendously. Magnetic acupressure also stimulates circulation, which can provide the sufferer with increased energy and vitality.

Yet another benefit of acupuncture is the release of endorphins, which block feelings of pain. All of these benefits were supported by the Mayo Clinic study. Many alternative therapists already knew how acupuncture could positively affect patients suffering from pain, anxiety, and sleeplessness but the fact that highly respected members of the medical community confirmed their beliefs has brought a new level of acknowledgement to the practice.

For anyone diagnosed with fibromyalgia, acupuncture can present a viable, complementary treatment to help them lead a more normal and functional life. With a magnetic wave device, the procedure can even be performed at home, making it both simple and cost-effective. Talk to your physician about adding acupoint therapy to your fibromyalgia therapy options. Ref: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2006-rst/3495.html

Friendship Hand in Hand with Massage Therapy in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park Bring Good Health

January 7th, 2010

“Connecting with friends is good medicine.” This is the title of an article by Teresa Caldwell Board in the Summer 2009 online issue of Massage Envy Magazine. Board cites studies that link having strong social support networks to physical health and mental health. Massage Envy adds that massage therapy can be used to strengthen ties of friendship. Indeed, friends can help each other achieve and maintain good health by going to regular massage therapy sessions together in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park.Board cites the program director of the National Institute of Whole Health, Dr. Georgianna Donadio, Ph.D., as saying, “Human beings have a very strong need to belong. Strong social networks give you a sense of purpose and belonging that has a profound effect on your well-being.”Dr. Donadio added, “Feeling that you have friends who care about you, and people whose lives you contribute to, is a real stress-killer. Any time you reduce stress, you have less disease.” Several studies have confirmed Dr. Donadio’s statement, showing a strong link between stress and lowered immunity to disease. The Health Psychology Journal documents a 2005 study that showed how the flu vaccine was less effective in protecting first year college students who were isolated socially and were feeling lonely. The Genome Biology journal documents a 2007 study which showed that the genes of people who are chronically lonely undergo changes with respect to immunity. Such studies form part of the basis of researchers’ conclusions that link the feeling of isolation with higher risks of getting cancer, heart disease and viral infections.Conversely, studies have shown that people who are involved with a wide sphere of positive social relationships and are strongly integrated with a social support network develop a healthier immune system that leads to better mental and physical health. They have been shown to have longer lives with more likelihood of surviving heart attacks, less risks of having recurrence upon surviving cancer, less incidence of upper respiratory illness, less incidence of depression and anxiety, and less severe deterioration of cognitive abilities with age.Board refers to women’s self-care coach, Corrie Woods, author of The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living, in emphasizing the importance of finding time to establish and maintain real friendships. Woods says, “I challenge people to ask themselves, ‘What price am I paying when I feel disconnected from my support system?” She gives the following advice, too: “Learn how to say no to things in your current schedule so you can make time for friends.”Friendships and relationships should now be prioritized no matter how busy one’s schedule is. In fact, it looks like the busier one is, the greater the need for social relationships to dissipate stress and ensure one’s general well being. For those who do not have such connections, Woods recommends finding ways to reach out and meet like-minded people in order to make new friends. She mentions focusing on one’s interests when choosing a class to enroll in, a club to join or a cause to volunteer for.For those who have an existing network of friends, nurturing such friendships should become an integral part of life. Schedules can be coordinated and synchronized so that certain activities can be done together. This can range from tasks to recreation and relaxation. Fun activities can be enjoyed together, like going to the movies or a play, or engaging in a sport everyone likes. The latter can extend to other health and fitness activities, as well. Scheduling a massage session together in a massage clinic is another great bonding activity. Friends can schedule massage therapy sessions together even if they opt for different massage modalities such as Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy in professional massage clinics in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park.

Pet Therapy for the Elderly

January 7th, 2010

Linda’s mother had been receiving in-home care in NJ for several years. While the care was excellent, her mother just did not seem like her old self. Then one day, Linda, a 45-year-old mother, brought a puppy home for her own mother. It was then that she and her family learned firsthand the affect a pet can have on the health and outlook of a senior. Linda’s mother became more active: grooming, feeding, and playing with the new puppy rather than spending most of her time sleeping or watching television. Although she may not realize it, Linda’s mother is benefiting from animal-assisted therapy, which is commonly called pet therapy. Animals can be used to help offset emotional and sometimes even physical problems to improve the quality of life for seniors; a group that commonly experiences loss of mobility, loneliness, and depression. With a small bit of careful planning, the pet-senior relationship can be happy and beneficial for all concerned.Occasionally, as seniors age, they become more withdrawn and solitary, losing the desire and ability to develop new relationships. Pets offer much-needed companionship and can increase the quantity and quality of social interactions among their owners. Seniors who own pets have more frequent conversations. Rather than dwell in the past, senior pet owners tend to focus on current interests and activities, which can provide common ground with new acquaintances and increase the opportunity to form new bonds.Loneliness and depression can be traumatic for seniors. It changes the production of hormones, function of body systems, can contribute to the start or severity of diseases, and prolongs the amount of time the body takes to heal. Senior adults are a lonely age group for several reasons, including the loss of friends and spouse, or retirement. Many senior citizens end up in long-term care facilities that restrict personal belongings, including pets. Residents in their facilities also have to deal with the separation from loved ones. Loneliness in these facilities tends to be a common problem, which animal-assisted therapy can help decrease.Banks and Banks did a study with three long-term care facilities in Mississippi. Forty-five residents with no cognitive impairments, psychiatric disorders, allergies to animals, with a minimum of a sixth grade education and who could read and write in English were divided into three groups: 15 with no pet therapy, 15 with one 30-minuet session of pet therapy a week, and 15 with three 30-minuet sessions a week. It was found that the therapy reduced loneliness, though there was no difference between the second and third groups. This research showed that pet therapy can effectively reduce loneliness and therefore depression in older adults.

Asperger Syndrome Therapy – Is There Real Cure For It?

January 6th, 2010

Asperger Syndrome Therapy

If you understand of a child who is having a greater degree of language impairment as opposed to other children or has fallen communication skills and moreover exhibits a restrictive pattern of thought and behavior, he may have Asperger’s syndrome. This condition is a great deal more or tinier similar to that of classic autism. Asperger Syndrome Therapy

The number one adjustment between autism and Asperger’s syndrome is that the child experiencing according to Asperger’s syndrome retains his early jargon skills. The peculiar symptom of Asperger’s syndrome is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other.

The child suffering from Asperger’s syndrome wants to know all about this one topic. Sometimes their speech patterns and vocabulary may resemble that of a little professor. Other Asperger’s symptoms include the inability to interact successfully with peers, clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements, repetitive routines or rituals, socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior, and last, but not least, problems with non-verbal communication.

Asperger’s syndrome sufferers find difficulty mingling with the general public. Even if they converse with others, they exhibit inappropriate and eccentric behavior. The Asperger’s syndrome patient may always want to talk about his singular interest. Developmental delays in motor skills such as catching a ball, climbing outdoor play equipment or pedaling a bike may also appear in the child with Asperger’s syndrome. Children with Asperger’s syndrome often show a stilted or bouncy walk, which appears awkward. Asperger Syndrome Therapy

The therapy for the Asperger’s syndrome mainly concentrates on three-core symptoms: physical clumsiness, obsessive or repetitive routines, and poor communication skills. It is unfortunate that there is no single treatment for the children suffering from the entire three-core symptoms.

But professionals do agree that the syndrome can be cured when the intervention is carried out at the earliest possible time. The treatment package of Asperger’s syndrome for children involves medication for co-existing conditions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social skills training. Asperger Syndrome Therapy

The Asperger’s syndrome treatment mainly helps to build on the child’s interests, teaches the task as a series of simple steps and offers a predictable schedule. Don’t let your love ones suffer anymore! Lead them out through Asperger Syndrome Therapy program now!

Gestalt therapy techniques

January 5th, 2010

This humanistic approach, developed by Fritz Perls, grew rapidly in the United States in the 1960s. Although Perls’ methodology became more and more direct, the aim from the first was that clients should learn from their own experience to acknowledge previously denied feelings and aspects of their personalities.

Well-known Gestalt techniques include increasing the awareness of “body language” and of negative internal “messages”; emphasizing the client’s self-awareness by making him or her speak continually in the present tense and in the first person; concentrating on a part of a client’s personality, perhaps even on just one emotion, and addressing it (or asking the client to address it) as if it were sitting by itself in the client’s chair; the creation by the therapist of episodes and diversions that vividly demonstrate a point rather than explaining in words.

Such techniques are widely borrowed by other therapeutic disciplines to support their own practices. Gestalt therapy

is an existential and experiential psychotherapy that focuses on the individual’s experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship

, the environmental and social contexts in which these things take place, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of the overall situation. It emphasizes personal responsibility. Gestalt therapy was co-founded by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman in the 1940s–1950s.

Gestalt therapy rose from its beginnings in the middle of the 20th century to rapid and widespread popularity during the decade of the 1960s and early 1970s. During the 70s and 80s Gestalt therapy training centers spread globally, but they were, for the most part, not aligned with formal academic settings.

Gestalt therapy rose from its beginnings in the middle of the 20th century to rapid and widespread popularity during the decade of the 1960s and early 1970s. During the 70s and 80s Gestalt therapy training centers spread globally, but they were, for the most part, not aligned with formal academic settings. As the cognitive revolution eclipsed Gestalt therapy in psychology, many came to believe Gestalt was an anachronism. In the hands of Gestalt practitioners, Gestalt therapy became an applied discipline in the fields of psychotherapy, organizational development, social action, and eventually coaching. Gestalt therapy focuses more on process (what is happening) than content (what is being discussed). The emphasis is on what is being done, thought and felt at the moment rather than on what was, might be, could be, or should be. Gestalt therapy focuses more on process (what is happening) than content (what is being discussed). The emphasis is on what is being done, thought and felt at the moment rather than on what was, might be, could be, or should be.

Physical Therapy For Returning Soldiers

January 1st, 2010

Thousands of soldiers are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with moderate to severe physical injuries. Such injuries include head tram, loss of limbs, and debilitating injuries to such areas as the arms and legs. Medical providers are utilizing a number of treatments to help these brave men and woman return to civilian life.
Service dogs are helping to counteract the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by providing dogs to help calm and relax a soldier suffering from PTSD. The dogs sense a soldier’s anxiety helps calm the soldier through the use of touch. The dogs are a loving distraction from stress. The dogs have two years of special training to help people with cognitive disorders and physical disabilities.
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) is the central point of helping soldiers recovering from traumatic injury. The Walter Reed Health Care System (WRHCS) consists of ten facilities in three states. Physical therapy services include rehabilitation treatments in areas as neurorehab, orthopedics, and amputees. The service is divided into five major sections: inpatient, orthopedic inpatient, outpatient, amputee, and aquatic therapy.
For physical injuries medical providers deliver various methods of treatment such as ultrasound, heat, ice and massage therapy, as well as a carefully designed exercise program. They also employ such treatment techniques as bands, medicine balls, stretches and exercise bikes to help e purpose is to strengthening and condition weak, sore, and injured muscles and joints. Often physical therapy has been more productive than surgery.
The physical therapist will also perform different tests to diagnose the patient’s condition. After completing the assessment, a treatment plan is discussed and therapy begins. Pain management is a key component of physical therapy.
Other physical therapy treatments include postural training and ergonomic training. Also called Human engineering, the applied science of ergonomics is focused on designing and arranging objects that patients use regularly so that patients and objects can interact adeptly and safely. For instance, work arrangements to accommodate the patient could consist of providing a more comfortable chair, sitting closer to a work desk, lowering the computer keyboard, arranging items to be at easy reach. This is often done for soldiers with back pain. Techniques and modifications are implemented to fit the patient’s specific medical condition.
Exercises are an essential part of physical therapy treatment. This can include swimming, using a treadmill, stretching techniques, breathing techniques, lifting weights. These exercises are not only for clinic use, but also for home exercise. As well, therapeutic techniques are designed to help soldiers learn how to function with artificial limbs.
The trauma of war can be emotionally debilitating. For returning injured soldiers, physical therapy includes mental health therapy. This can include providing coping strategies on how to deal with a loss of a limb, overcoming the feeling of helplessness, overcoming the feeling of isolation and depression, and showing the soldier that life can still be productive and meaningful.
Soldiers deserve the best medical treatment for their service. Because there are so many soldiers returning from war seriously injured, it is important that heath care providers are there to help them return to civilian life.

Tinnitus Laser Therapy – Treatments For Pulsating Tinnitus

December 31st, 2009

Tinnitus Laser Therapy

Pulsating, pulsatile, vascular or objective tinnitus only refers to one thing – the ringing sound on your ear. This may be caused by a large number of conditions causing the ears, veins or arteries. Tinnitus Laser Therapy

These are chronic inflammation or infection, Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD), center ear fluids, vascular tumors, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula and venous hum. There are also various treatments and steps you could take to address such type of tinnitus. Firstly, discussion of the causes is important so you could better understand whatever may cause the tinnitus you are experiencing.

Chronic inflammation is the infection in the middle ear. This is accompanied by the heightened blood flow to an inflamed ear tissue. The ETD is when you experience pain if you ‘pop’ your ears during a flight or driving in high-elevation areas. Next is the cause from middle ear fluids. Normally, the middle ear is filled with air. Due to infection in other ear areas, the fluid may go to the middle ear and then cause the tinnitus, pressure sensation and hearing loss. For those who are pregnant or anemic or have thyroid problems, the venous hum may be experienced.

There is an increased blood flow through the jugular vein. This vein is responsible for the blood carried from the brain to the heart, also passing through the middle ear. When there is turbulent blood flow, a “hum” is caused. Serious causes include the vascular tumors mentioned. These are not cancerous but may lead to forceful blood supply in the ear resulting to pulsating tinnitus. The AVMs occur in the cranial cavity close to the auditory nerve. This may be caused by trauma or abnormal development in the womb. The carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula is an abnormal large artery-large venous “lake” connection inside the cranial cavity. This is usually caused by a severe head trauma. Tinnitus Laser Therapy

Treatments for pulsating tinnitus are also varied according to its cause. The usual treatment may be through intake of medications. Antibiotics, decongestants, nasal steroid, ear sprays and drops are a few of the common medications. Surgical treatments are doled out to patients who have severe tinnitus as caused by other diseases or disorders.

Low-light laser therapy is one surgical treatment for light-based tinnitus. The fistula condition resulting to pulsating tinnitus may be the only serious disorder that could be treated with non-surgical procedure. This only requires interventional service of a radiologist. Electrical stimulation could also be applied to the nerves, head or auditory cortex through electrode implantation.

Other important non-surgical treatments for pulsating tinnitus are through natural remedies. These could be through early correction, therapies, meditation, biofeedback and herbal medicines. Perhaps the most notable therapy would be through cognitive behavioral therapy. This one is recommended for psychologically induced tinnitus. The tinnitus retraining therapy is through a combination of counseling and external sound therapy. Tinnitus Laser Therapy

The combination aims reduction of tinnitus symptoms. Patients who indulge in this therapy are aided in how to deal with the tinnitus. Sometimes, the patients are minimally exposed to external sounds like white noise or music with low pitch or in low decibels. The external sounds actually help veil the tinnitus. Suffering from Tinnitus and Ringing in Ear? Get your life back forever by checking out Tinnitus Laser Therapy now.

Autism Treatment – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Autism

December 30th, 2009

I wanted to quickly cover the topic of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is also known as HBOT. Many children find hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be very effective for a couple of reasons. Through testing it has been found that it can be common for many children to lack blood flow to certain parts of the brain. Often times this lack of blood flow is to the temporal lobes which are on the side of the head and can really impact things like speech. Often times it is inflammation that can cause a lack of blood flow. We understand that neuro inflammation and immune mediated inflammation can inhibit blood flow, causing problems in speech.The oxygen carrying capabilities and metabolic functioning of the brain are helped by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. And we have also seen a reduction in inflammation, particularly neuro inflammation as a result of using hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used for many, many years for treatment of a variety of health conditions. Its primary role had been the for the treatment of burns and other skin conditions.Conditions that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is now being used to treat include autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, it is showing promise for diabetes, and even heart disease. Children with Autism who use hyperbaric oxygen therapy seen to show improvements in the following areas: cognitive functioning, speech development, oxygen carrying ability, metabolism support, as well as decrease in inflammation and the chemical mediators that encourage inflammation.There is still much to learn about hyperbaric oxygen therapy. You can find hyperbaric oxygen therapy in both a clinic setting as well as you can bring hyperbaric oxygen therapy into your own home through rental chambers.  You can read the biomedical protocols on hyperbaric oxygen therapy as well as watch my video series on it. I believe that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be very beneficial to consider as a part of a biomedical treatment approach for your child.

Tinnitus Therapy Retraining – Important Things You Should Know About Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

December 30th, 2009

Tinnitus Therapy Retraining

Medicinal cures for tinnitus can only be taken so far. While the vast majority of those of us can be cured there is a miniscule large amount of of purchasers where such does not frequently work as of there is nothing incorrect surrounded by them physically. Tinnitus Therapy Retraining

However, it has been proven that the trouble can occur in examples where the precise is or has suffered from what i read in prolonged periods of trepidation or anxiety. There is however a tinnitus retraining therapy such a aims to treat the root make of the problem. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy is also known as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

CBT is a treatment that aims to analyze the patients reactions to situations to try and identify the root cause of the problem. It is used outside of treating tinnitus as it is a behavioural adjustment program so will also work for a lot of other problems and conditions too. Tinnitus Therapy Retraining

Identifying the root cause can be quite simple sometimes. In cases of stress, the most common cause of this is the patients line or work or job. However, anxiety can take a lot more investigation and thus a lot longer to start on a readjustment program. The entire duration of the therapy can last up to 6 months.

Once it has been identified, the patient is given an action plan and helped to address the root cause with the doctor they are working with. By changing the negative reaction to the cause, it changes the mental signals that are associated with it and in most cases will prevent the problem from arising again. Tinnitus Therapy Retraining

If you have exhausted all other avenues of treatment to cure the ringing in your ears then you might want to consider giving the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy a go. It has helped to cure many people just like you and you have nothing to lose from doing so. Suffering from Tinnitus and Ringing in Ear? Get your life back forever by checking out Tinnitus Therapy Retraining now.