Tag: healing

  • Shamanism – An Alternative to Modern Medicine?

    Shamanism – An Alternative to Modern Medicine?

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    The internet, television, and other news sources are sounding the alarm announcing new protocols for the treatment of diseases. These diseases range from Alzheimer, cancer, diabetes, MS, to Parkinson’s. Within this shout-out is near condemnation of pharmaceuticals and praise for other approaches. The intent here is not to list these approaches or to specifically discuss all of them. One among the many does require attention.

    There is a proliferation of shamanic healers and practitioners within the United States. Dozens of organizations offering advice, membership, seminars, and certification abound. A bulging gold mine lights up the horizon of possible candidates for healing.

    At this point, it is helpful to define shamanism. There is no need to trace the etymological history of the word. Shamanism is not a cult nor is it a religion even though there is an abundance of evidence that suggests a belief in a divine power circumnavigating the universe. Shamanism is an ancient form of healing. A shaman, despite some attempt to label them as a priest, is simply a healer, that is, one who knows remedies for certain physical issues.

    One of several significant markers that distinguish a shaman from a doctor is the recognition that illness may not be just physical, but emotion based. Treating the whole patient is a 40,000 year old approach that is catching on in the 21st Century. Another difference between a shaman and a modern physician is the division of reality into three realms: upper, middle, and lower. And that leads to a third difference: A shaman uses spirit guides as he or she treats a client.

    The shaman has a wide knowledge of herbs; whereas, the modern doctor has a depth in what drugs to use. The shaman is nature based and the physician is most likely man-made chemically based. There is a sound movement to make more “drugs” natural based which from some quarters is praise worthy.

    A fundamental issue arises from a cleverly clothed advertisement or testimonials praising the marvelous wonder of shamanic healing. Whenever a practitioner proposes a “cure” be very cautious. If you have a pain in your side a shaman may not know that it is appendicitis, indigestion, blocked bowel, or cancer. Accepting shamanic healing as an alternative to modern medicine is a grave mistake. And no pun is intended.

    Alternative leaves a bad taste. It implies that there is a better way and that may not be the case. Supportive and interrogative medicine suggests treatment along with current medical practices.

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    Source by Norman W. Wilson, Ph.D

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  • The 99 Divine Healing Names

    The 99 Divine Healing Names

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    Allah

    The words Allah and God mean the essence of all things. There is nothing separate and everything is inclusive. In the Qur’an it asks Muslims to call upon Allah by his “most beautiful names. “

    You don’t have to be Muslim for these words to have an effect on your life. I have found the words really powerful because they are not a language that I have learned, and so they bypass my conscious mind.

    There are more than 99 Names but these are the main ones that are invoked.

    At the essence of the One (this is the same as when people say we are all One in Spirit) there is no differentiation between the words, but we may use these Qualities and their different meanings to clear the veils (blocks) back to the One.

    Sound Healing

    Each of the Divine names can be called upon, whether it be in one’s mind or heart; chanted or silent. They work on so many levels; the level of the ego, the layers of the Heart, the Soul and the Secret, all affecting the physical body.

    Aside from the spiritual meaning of each name, there is also a sound component. A well-known sound is Om in Buddhism, the 99 names are similar. They are Arabic and Arabic is considered a sacred language. If you break down the name Al-lah, each sound has a vibration and an effect.

    You can break it down even further, each consonant and each vowel works at a different vibrational level.

    Negative Associations of Allah

    Unfortunately because of the extremists in Islam there is a negative perception of the word Allah. So if you get past the fact Allah is not a bearded man in the sky judging you, you can start to have a relationship with the Name of the One, and feel the effects of this word in your mind, body, heart, soul and spirit.

    Some of the 99 Names are:

    • Ar- Rahman meaning compassion and mercy
    • Al-Fattah meaning to open and success
    • Al-Basir meaning to see
    • Al-Malik meaning sovereignty
    • and more

    There are western books and apps out there where you can learn more about the 99 names and the many characteristics and qualities that each names has and works with.

    You can use them to deal with a multitude of issues, ie: depression, anxiety, anger, needing help with a health issue, needing to manifest something and much more.

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    Source by Kate Strong

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  • Awe Inspiring Reports of Reiki Healing Severe Nerve Damage

    Awe Inspiring Reports of Reiki Healing Severe Nerve Damage

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    As part of the Medical Reiki Master Community, I’m repeatedly amazed by the healing power of Reiki. This group continuously shares amazing outcomes of the healing capabilities of Reiki in multitudes of medical cases. There are even cases that are oftentimes documented medical issues where the patient is not given a lot of hope from their doctor for a complete recovery. I’ve been given permission by a fellow Certified Medical Reiki Master, Jody Wolfe, to share her own success story along with the success story of her client, which is very near and dear to her heart.

    This is Jody’s recap of her own personal Reiki success story:

    “I got involved working with a hand therapist because she watched me heal my own hand with Reiki, to her astonishment. I shattered my radius at the wrist in a compound fracture from a fall. My ulnar nerve was so badly damaged that I was told by more than one hand surgeon that I was unlikely to ever regain use of my right hand. The muscles in that hand became atrophied. I did Reiki every day, never giving up on its power to heal. My ulnar nerve spontaneously recovered overnight, and I went from completely unable to use my hand one day to full function the next morning. All my therapist had to do was help me rebuild strength and endurance. She understood that what happened was medically impossible and has been a champion for Reiki ever since. Like you, I remember every day the gift of recovery Reiki has given me. How can we not want to bring this gift to others? Reiki on, sister!”

    With such an incredible nerve damage recovery of her own, Jody is blessed to now have a certified hand therapist in her corner. She is able to share her gift of Reiki with others’ with a similar personal story.

    This is what Jody shared about her clients healing with Reiki:

    “I volunteer in a beautiful integrative working relationship with a certified hand therapist. Last week I started working with a long-time client of the clinic with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome. She was completely paralyzed, and after 2 years of hard work in both physical and occupational therapy, she has made minimal progress, with her hands being almost useless to her. While her nerves recently began showing some small initial signs of healing, she still had very far to go. After one short Medical Reiki treatment, her occupational therapy session, normally agonizing, was pain-free, and she spontaneously regained significant range of motion and functionality in her hands. She was able to perform every task the therapist gave her to test her new abilities. The client cried with joy, and the therapist was speechless, even though she was already a believer in Reiki. The occupational therapist did a periodic evaluation with her this week, and she did amazing – completing tasks in record time that she didn’t think she would ever be able to do again. Additionally, with Reiki, her pain during OT treatments has dropped from off the charts (with pain meds) to barely noticeable (with no pain meds). Oh, the wonders Reiki can do for patients! We are so blessed to be part of this important work.”

    Like so many others, I am so very grateful every day for the gift of Reiki healing in my own life after thyroid cancer, so I will continue to share the incredible power of Reiki. Today, I am healthy and whole and feel blessed to be able to share the gift of Reiki healing with others. We all deserve to have the gift and grace of Reiki, so please share this with anyone who can be helped by the medical marvels of Reiki Healing.

    A special thanks goes out to Jody Wolfe for allowing me to share two very personal and awe inspiring cases of Reiki Healing!

    Be well! Love and light to you!

    Nicole

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    Source by Nicole Lawler

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  • Even Though Your Wounds Are Not Your Fault, Your Healing Is Still Your Responsibility

    Even Though Your Wounds Are Not Your Fault, Your Healing Is Still Your Responsibility

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    Pain is inevitable throughout life although to carry it unnecessarily fuels suffering. Even though our wounds are not our fault, our healing remains within our control. You’re no doubt reading this since you identified with the title, perhaps your own wounds or someone close to you has been hurt? Healing is a difficult and yet liberating journey of self-discovery. Forgiveness teaches us self-resiliency and self-reliance. It awakens us to a greater love and peace that resides within us.

    It is why I am drawn to the words of the spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle who wrote on his Instagram account recently: “If you cannot accept what is outside, then accept what is inside. If you cannot accept the external condition, accept the internal condition. This means: Do not resist the pain. Allow it to be there. Surrender to the grief, despair, fear, loneliness, or whatever form the suffering takes. Witness it without labelling it mentally. Embrace it. Then see how the miracle of surrender transmutes deep suffering into deep peace. This is your crucifixion. Let it become your resurrection and ascension.” Tolle reminds us not to resist our pain but surrender to it in order to transform our suffering. I realise this advice goes against what people want to hear. I equate it to running towards a lion instead of fleeing for your life. Nevertheless, by facing our fears we allow pain to move through us and realise pain is not who we really are; it is an emotional state we have held on to and kept alive.

    Beyond our pain lies an ever expansive love which at its essence is our true nature. Even though our wounds may not be our fault, our healing remains our responsibility. To heal means to accept what happened to us and discover our true selves through the healing process. Let me be very clear: acceptance does not mean we like what took place. It simply means to acknowledge the events and work towards healing ourselves of the pain associated with it. People might say: “I wish the event never occurred because I wouldn’t have to deal with the anguish, let alone the long road to recovery.” Whilst that may be true, if we believe everything happens for a reason, what if our pain is there to teach us self-compassion and forgiveness? Perhaps the lesson is not so much about the transgression that took place but how we love and nurture ourselves when we are wounded. How do you feel about this? I know it may be difficult to accept especially if your wounds are fresh. Let it sit for a while and try to see your situation through the lens of love and healing.

    Dr. Mario Martinez, a clinical neuropsychologist, writes in The Mindbody Code: How To Change The Beliefs That Limit Your Health, Longevity, And Success that “When you’re wounded, especially by significant people in your life, your empowerment is challenged, and your worthiness is called into question. The vulnerability your loss of empowerment creates within you allows the wound to damage your worthiness.” To reclaim our empowerment and worthiness once more, we must cross the threshold of pain and let go of our hurt and anguish. It’s essential you understand, I am not inviting you to forget, but to forgive yourself for being caught up what took place. Through the healing process, we restore any sense of shame, guilt and anger we inherited as a result of our wounds. Dr. Martinez further explains, instead of trying to forgive the perpetrator or minimise the events of the past, we should focus on re-establishing our sense of self which is more important: “Rather than forgiving the perpetrator or minimizing the intensity of the misdeed, you recover the empowerment and self-worthiness you thought had been taken from you.”

    What are your thoughts by now? Are you willing to take ownership of the past in the way you process it? There is rarely ever a right way to heal our wounds. Though, it requires courage to appreciate that our emotional wounds are not permanent and exist to awaken us to the loving presence within us. This presence can never be taken away or deprived through physical or nonphysical acts because at its essence, this is the foundation of who we are. As a result, we lean into this oneness of love, knowing like a net which supports a trapeze artist should they fall, we will be guided through our healing journey. Our priority is to nurture ourselves foremost through the eyes of kindness and compassion however painful our wounds may be. After all, the love within us is far greater than our wounds because it is the greatest purifier and healer there is.

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    Source by Tony Fahkry

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  • The Metaphors Within You Are Here to Heal You

    The Metaphors Within You Are Here to Heal You

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    Metaphors have always been there, reaching out to guide me – even when didn't notice, or when I tried to push them away. And, now, when I open to their call, I begin to see them everywhere. In every challenge, every pain, every place of beauty. They're here for us each day, in every moment.

    The poetry of life, waiting for us to embrace its eternal, loving guidance.

    It was one day, many years ago, when I realized the power of what was inside me, begging to be seen. It was a hot day in August, and as I listened to the cicadas sizzling in the trees, it dropped, right smack into my consciousness. A neat little package of metaphors, it was the answer to the questions I had been asking for over 15 years. Finally, I knew, without a doubt, why I had gotten sick, over and over again.

    My heart, my body, my spirited inner child, were all in it together, creating the poetry that would guide me back to health. Urging me to open my heart. Showing me where I had shut down. Painting the picture I needed to see to finally wake up from my pain.

    It turned out, that each symptom, each autoimmune illness, each heart surgery, were all pieces of the same puzzle. When I saw them all together, they revealed the divine map I needed to heal from the trauma I had experienced many years earlier, when I lost my sister to suicide.

    In my work with clients, metaphors appear everywhere. They show up as a restriction, or pain in the throat, for a client who's afraid to speak her truth. Or as a tight heaviness in the shoulders, for someone who feels as though she carries the world on her shoulders. Sensitive digestion, is often a sign of deep sensitivity, and an inability to digest all the worries of the world.

    Though these metaphors can sometimes seem obvious, it's usually not that simple.

    Layers of meaning abound, and for each one of us, they are uniquely personal. It's where we go next after that first glimpse of the metaphor. What lies underneath? What guidance do we need to follow? What pain is asking to be loved and released?

    Both EFT Tapping and Matrix Reimprinting are the perfect tools to help my clients uncover hidden metaphors within their pain. As we gently unwrap the layers, pain is released, and messages are discovered. Wisdom emerges, leading to even deeper healing.

    The way I see it, it all comes back to a call for love. The metaphors within us, the metaphors all around us, are beckoning us to love ourselves more. To forgive, to let go, and to open up to the love that's all around us. Simply, and profoundly, they are love poems, ready and waiting to be read.

    In Love and Courage,

    Marian

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    Source by Marian Buck Murray

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  • How to Cure Acne – 4 Secrets to Get Rid of Acne Naturally

    How to Cure Acne – 4 Secrets to Get Rid of Acne Naturally

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    I break down the top foods you should be eating and supplements you should be taking to get rid of acne. I also cover the best face washes to use for clean, healthy skin and what foods you MUST get out of your diet immediately if you want to get rid of your acne.

    Causes of Acne:

    – One of the leading causes of acne today is the buildup of bad bacteria, yeast, and candida in the gut and digestive tract.

    – Taking antibiotic drugs and birth control pills, drinking chlorinated and fluorinated water, and consuming excess sugar can increase the growth of bad bacteria, yeast, and candida within the body.

    Secret 1 to Get Rid of Acne Naturally:

    1. Remove: Sugar, which feeds yeast and candida. Also, reduce fruit intake.

    Replace with: Stevia, a calorie-free, sugar-free, all-natural sweetener.

    Raw Honey, a healthy, natural sweetener.

    Consume berries in moderation.

    2. Remove: Grains, especially gluten, which causes inflammation of the intestinal tract.

    Healing the gut will clear the skin.

    Replace with: Gluten-free grains, such as coconut flour and almond flour.

    3. Remove: Hydrogenated oils, which increase the amount of oils in the sebaceous glands of the skin.

    Replace with: Healthy fats, such as coconut oil.

    Secret 2 to Get Rid of Acne Naturally:

    1. High-Fiber Foods

    – Fiber helps to reduce bad bacteria and increase good bacteria (probiotics) in the gut

    – The best sources of fiber are:

    a. Sprouted Nuts and Seeds (flaxseed, chia seeds, almonds)

    b. Vegetables

    2. High-Quality Protein

    – Protein helps to balance blood sugar levels to rid acne.

    – The best sources of high-quality protein are:

    a. Organic Chicken and Turkey

    b. Grass-Fed Beef

    c. Wild-Caught Fish

    d. Organic Eggs

    e. Sprouted Brown Rice Protein

    3. Healthy Fats

    – Coconut oil is the best oil to get rid of acne.

    – Coconut oil contains antimicrobial properties to kill off bad bacteria and fight off acne.

    A great way to include healthy fiber, protein, and fat into your diet is by consuming a superfood shake for breakfast that includes:

    – coconut milk

    – sprouted flax or chia seeds

    – organic protein powder

    Secret 3 to Get Rid of Acne Naturally:

    1. Probiotics:

    – Probiotics kill off bad bacteria in the gut and help boost the immune system.

    – 80% of the immune system is located in the gut.

    – Consume probiotic-rich foods, such as:

    a. Cultured Vegetables

    b. Kefir

    c. Yogurt

    d. Amasi

    – Look for 50 billion IU’s daily in a probiotic supplement.

    2. Zinc:

    – Zinc helps to repair the gut lining and naturally boost the immune system.

    – Taking 50 mg of zinc per day is very effective in fighting acne.

    3. Antioxidants:

    – Elderberry is the most effective antioxidant for reversing acne.

    – Try adding 1 tbsp. elderberry syrup or extract in your superfoods smoothie.

    Candida Cleanse:

    – Remove all sugar and grains from diet and consume foods high in probiotics and fiber.

    Secret 4 to Get Rid of Acne Naturally:

    – Use an organic, tea tree oil face wash.

    – Tea tree oil is a natural essential oil that kills bad bacteria and moisturizes the skin.

    Above are the 4 secrets in order for you to cure acne.

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    Source by Huyen Truong

    Views: 0

  • Love Is Not

    Love Is Not

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    Valentine’s week is focused on multiple ways of showing others that one cares for or is in love with them. Hearts, flowers, candy and trinkets are given as symbols of devotion but not all are done with the right motives or with healthy commitment.

    We all think that we know what love is but then act in ways that do not match our words. Here are some of things to consider:

    Love is not:

    1. Giving someone everything that they want because by doing so you believe they will change for good. Frequently clients have told me that they felt giving money to wayward teens would encourage them to come home. Not! People usually do what they want and cannot be bribed or coerced into doing what others want.
    2. Ignoring issues and crossing fingers that they will resolve themselves. Not talking means not dealing with things and past behaviors are usually a predictor of future behaviours. Wishing and hoping isn’t the same as resolving.
    3. Accepting abusive behaviors. We teach people how to treat us. If you have been abused and you accept a hurried insincere apology you will likely become caught in a cycle of abuse followed by apology followed by abuse.
    4. Time served. Just because you have been in relationship with someone for a period of time doesn’t mean that you are healthy, safe or secure.
    5. Keeping secrets. The underlying foundation of trouble is built with dishonesty and hidden actions. If you need to keep something secret that means that deep down you already know that you are up to “no good”.
    6. Blaming others rather than facing your own failings. Most people do not want to look in a mirror that shows their own flaws. Instead they point the finger and distract the conversation by focusing on another person.
    7. Demanding information about private matters. When adult children want to know details about the will of their aging parents, they can present as entitled and inappropriate. An attitude of “what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine too” can destroy relationships!
    8. Vengeance for past hurts or failures. Hurting others is not a good response for those who have been hurt. Focus on healing instead of on trying to get even.
    9. Enabling. There is a show on television that shows individuals who weigh over 600 pounds. Those who purchase the food for the one who becomes immobile or bed-ridden end up having to care for the obese person. When you enable someone, both of you pay a price for this.
    10. Playing games with emotions. Sweet talk, false promises and cheating can be very hurtful. Stop it!

    When it comes to being a Valentine it is important not just to think about the other person. Instead examine when and how you show your love. Are your words and actions healthy or are you in an acting role that considers only your own selfish needs and wants?

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    Source by Linda Hancock

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  • Raw Red Penis? 6 Tips for Healing

    Raw Red Penis? 6 Tips for Healing

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    Although a man may enjoy the process by which he gets a raw, red penis – for example, by engaging in hours of blissful sex, often with the penis be handled in a rough but thoroughly delightful manner – he may afterwards wish he had exercised a little restraint. As penis health issues go, a raw, red penis is uncomfortable and inconvenient, but it is something that a little well-planned healing can take care of with (hopefully) no lasting damage.

    So for the man who smiles beatifically at the thought of the devilish activities that have rendered his penis sore and tender to the touch, the following tips for healing that red penis may prove beneficial.

    Healing tips

    – Give it a rest. First and foremost, a man who has gained a red penis from overuse and rough handling needs to man up and give the poor fellow a bit of a rest. Granted, this can be hard to do. With thoughts in his mind about the sexual gymnastics he so recently enjoyed still fresh in his mind, many a man is tempted to jump right back in the saddle – whether that saddle involves another companion or simply his own hand. But no matter how tempted he may be, the dude will be better off if he exercises a little self-control and lets the healing process complete. Otherwise, he'll end up in even worse shape.

    – Avoid temptation. With that said, it behooves a man to not invite temptation. While giving his penis a rest, he should also avoid triggers – favorite porn videos, conversations with a titillating co-worker, etc. – likely to cause his penis to pop up and beg for some attention.

    – Choose clothing carefully. Sure, a guy may enjoy advertising his best qualities by wearing tight pants and perhaps going commando. But that's not going to help the worn-out penis. A little looseness in the cut of the trousers keeps the manhood from rubbing up against cloth – and wearing soft cotton underwear is going to soothe it more than the feel of rough wool or too-smooth polyester.

    – Run free at home. Of course, at home and in private (or with the understanding of a roommate), it can be helpful to let the penis air out totally. Hanging out naked (or at least pants-less and underwear-less) helps speed up the healing process.

    – Cool it. Depending on how raw and sore it is, many a red penis responds well to a little cold compress. Sure, he'll shrink and withdraw from it at first – but the coolness can be especially soothing and can encourage him to settle down as well.

    – Watch the chemicals. When the penis is in a sore and raw state, it is even more susceptible to irritants. For that reason, be careful to avoid any cleansers or soaps that might irritate it. Mild soaps are good, and nothing that includes any fragrances should be used. The same goes for laundry detergents; the fewer harsh ingredients it contains, the better the penis will feel.

    Healing a raw, red penis can take some time and effort. Things can go better and more smoothly if a guy makes a practice of applying a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) regularly. For best results, look for a crème that can properly and thoroughly moisturize the poor penis. A crème with both a high end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E) is urged. In addition, penis skin will be more resilient if a crème with a potent antioxidant is used, such as alpha lipoic acid. This will enable the skin to better fight excess free radicals, which otherwise can cause oxidative damage.

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    Source by John Dugan

    Views: 0

  • Wisdom For Living-Consider The Poor

    Wisdom For Living-Consider The Poor

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    Do you consider the poor? Is giving to the poor part of your budget? This is an important wisdom for living. It is a wisdom key which many believing Christians are neglecting to their own detriment. This post expounds on considering the poor as wisdom for living.

    Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed – Psalm 41:1-3 (NKJV).

    The poor are important to God. While He waits for them to learn and overcome poverty, He also would want them to be well taken care of, because He cares for them. God will not come down in person to help the poor; He will need human beings to reach out to them. So, God is ready to bless anyone who will offer himself or herself as a channel of blessing to the poor.

    Whoever considers the poor does so on behalf of the Almighty God and lends to Him, and He will repay back. Imagine when God is repaying back what He will give! You give with your little hand and God repays with His big hand! Awesome investment! Give to the poor and you will never know lack in your life.

    Giving is living. Making giving your lifestyle is to live a purposeful life; putting smiles on the faces of many people and giving them a reason to live on is what life is all about. Among many other blessings that come your way, joy unspeakable and peace of mind become your portion. This cannot be quantified. Also, you tend to keep living even when you are gone.

    In Psalm 41:1-3, the Lord stated the things He was going to do for whoever considers the poor.

    These include:

    • Deliverance in time of trouble.
    • Preservation and long life.
    • Blessings, which includes financial blessing.
    • Protection from enemies.
    • Healing and health

    All the above will be yours if you will consider the poor as a lifestyle.

    As a believing Christian, giving to the poor whatever you can: money, time, energy, food and clothing, expresses the love of Christ to them and will endear Christ to them, convicting them to surrender totally to Him. Indeed, it is a perfect way to win souls for Christ.

    Truly, considering the poor is wisdom for living. It gives you the reason to live and continuously changes your level to higher places. It gives you what money can never purchase for you; it gets the living God to be for you, your defense, provider and keeper.

    Job was a man who considered the poor and every ear that heard him blessed him and every eye that saw him approved of him. These were because he delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper. He was eye to the blind, feet to the lame and father to the poor; and God blessed him greatly and preserved all that belonged to him (Job 29:11-16, Job 1:10). This can also be your story.

    In conclusion, are you in a state that needs to be changed or do you desire to change your level to a higher one? Consider the poor around you, reach out to them and the Lord will reach out to you too. Let God use you to bless the poor and He will cause men to bless you too.

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    Source by Ngozi Nwoke

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  • Chiropractor Vs. Osteopath Vs. Orthopedic Doctor – Who Should I See?

    Chiropractor Vs. Osteopath Vs. Orthopedic Doctor – Who Should I See?

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    There are many medical fields that deal with body pain, and many patients often ask if they should visit a chiropractor, an osteopath or an orthopedist. While these professions seem related to each other, they are actually different health practices, each with their own specific specialties.

    Chiropractors, osteopaths and orthopedic doctors specialize in different things, thus the best health provider for you will depend greatly on your condition or injury. Before making a decision, it is important to understand what chiropractors, osteopaths and orthopedists do and what makes them different from each other so you can easily choose the right health care professional.

    Chiropractors

    Chiropractors are individuals who treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal system. They are also called D.C.s or Doctors of Chiropractic. D.C.s deal with pains and discomfort relating to the bones, muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves. Most of them treat pain conditions in close proximity to the spine. However, they also specialize in musculoskeletal pain on the various extremities of the body.

    The profession is well established in the United States and is the third largest health profession field after medicine and dentistry.

    What Do Chiropractors Do? The chiropractic approach is non-pharmacological in nature. Professionals make use of their hands or various instruments to manipulate joints, muscles, ligaments and other affected area. Most treatment plans involve several sessions of manipulation.

    Aside from manual adjustment and manipulation, they may also provide counseling to their patients. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication, but may usually recommend nutritional supplements or give suggestions on exercise and positive eating habits.

    Chiropractor Training. To practice the profession, an individual needs a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Achieving this requires 4 years of post-graduate education after obtaining an associate’s degree. They will also need at least 500 hours of hands on experience and training for manipulations and adjustments.

    Osteopaths

    An osteopath or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) is a medical professional who puts emphasis on the body’s self-healing ability. Osteopaths advocate a care approach that focuses on the “whole person.” They believe that physical problems and abnormalities affect the whole body. To help facilitate the healing process of the body, they make use of manipulative and manual therapy.

    What Do Osteopaths Do? Like chiropractors, osteopaths also follow a natural approach to healing. They use a technique called osteopathic manipulative treatment or OMT. This technique allow them to use their hands to diagnose and treat injuries and painful conditions on the joins, ligaments and muscles.

    D.O.s usually employ gentle forms of manipulation such as stretching and application of mild pressure on the affected areas. What makes the practice different from chiropractic is the fact that osteopaths can write prescriptions and do surgical procedures.

    Osteopath Training. Obtaining a D.O. degree also requires 4 years of post graduate study after finishing a 4-year undergraduate degree.The degree requires students to go through at least a year of internship and rotations in hospitals. They can practice, prescribe medication and perform surgeries anywhere in the United States.

    Orthopedics

    Orthopedists are surgeons that specialize in the musculoskeletal system. While they are surgeons in nature, they do not necessarily use surgery every time. They also employ nonsurgical means to treat muscle and trauma and injuries, degenerative diseases, tumors, infections and congenital disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The labels orthopedists and orthopedic surgeons are often used interchangeably and mean the same thing.

    What Do Orthopedists Do?Orthopedic surgeons diagnose and treat various musculoskeletal problems. They diagnose conditions through physical exams, X-rays and other laboratory tests. Majority of the conditions are usually treated with non-surgical procedures like physical therapy, exercises or even pain management methods. In severe cases of pain disorders, orthopedists perform surgical treatments like joint replacement, soft tissue repair and arthroscopy.

    In cases that do not require surgical procedure, orthopedists may recommend patients to see physical therapists or osteopaths for therapy or manipulation. Because orthopedic surgeons are Medical Doctors (M.D.s) by profession, they can write prescriptions for their patients.

    Orthopedic Training. Orthopedic surgeons are required to complete a four year undergraduate degree and four years of medical school. Medical school graduates then have to undergo a five-year residency training to specialize in surgery. The five-year training consists of one year for general surgery and four years for orthopedic surgery.

    Who Should I See?

    Finding the right health care provider can be confusing for first time patients. Who you choose to see will greatly depend on your condition and the kind of approach you prefer. An osteopath is a good choice if you want holistic treatment. If you have acute back pain or pain caused by injury or trauma, a visit to a chiropractor may be a good idea. An orthopedic surgeon, on the other hand, may be recommended for extreme cases of pain or those caused by other underlying physical conditions.

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    Source by Dr. John Holland

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