All there is to Know about Alternative Therapies for Labor

Women have been having babies every since humans have roamed the earth. However, with the centuries of medicine and technology improving it has become very common for women to seek pain management for labor through drug therapy. Although epidurals are an excellent way for women to go through labor with as little pain as possible, there are still women who wish to experience the whole labor and not be frozen from the lower back down. This is why many women research, learn about, and obtain alternative therapies for labor.

Child birth can be a very special and overwhelming occasion and many women wish to experience it to the fullest extent. For those women, there are plenty of alternative therapies for labor available. Women should have a child birth plan that their physician and or mid-wife have agreed to. This way any alternative therapies for labor can be pre-arranged and accessible when the big day comes.

One of the most common alternative therapies for labor is of course Lamaze. Lamaze is a breathing routine that is usually practiced in classes prior to the day of birth. It is typically a class taken not only by the expectant mother, but also by a partner known as a coach. Breathing properly allows for relaxation as well as a different place to focus during painful contractions. An ancient technique that has been catching on in the United States is most definitely acupuncture. It has been proven that by placing needles in specific places in the body that then triggers endorphins in the brain that block the pain signals. However, in order for this to be a useful tool for labor, the woman obviously has to be okay with needles and it will also need to be pre-arranged so that the certified acupuncturist can be there when they are needed. There is also a similar technique called acupressure or shiatsu. This works basically the same way but instead of needles there is finger or thumb pressure in specific locations. Another one of the very common alternative therapies for labor is hydrotherapy. Most often women will sit or lay down in a Jacuzzi tub.

This is a combination of both heat and massage. However, the tubs are typically designed in a specific way to prevent water from being forced in the vagina. The great thing about using hydrotherapy is that tubs are found in most hospitals and birthing centers and having the baby actually in the water is supposed to be one of the most soothing methods of natural child birth. Each woman must decide on a birthing plan that is best suited for her, but alternative therapies for labor are great options.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is part of the Ayuvedic tradition of holistic medicine. These ancient remedies created in India provide simple solutions to numerous maladies both physical and psychological.

How does oil pulling work?

There are a few theories on the way that oil pulling works. Some say that the movement massages and stimulates the sublingual muscles to excrete toxins stored up in the body. Others report that the production of saliva is the catalyst for the draw out of bodily toxins.

How do I oil pull?

The procedure is quite straightforward; take 1 tablespoon of oil into the mouth on an empty stomach. Swish the oil in your mouth much as you would mouthwash being careful not to swallow the oil. If you swallow a minuet amount this is fine.

Pull the oil through your teeth as well as chomping and moving your jaws in a biting motion. The oil will change in consistency from thick and yellow to thin and foamy. This is due to the fact that your saliva is mixing with the oil bringing with it toxins being excreted sublingually through the tongue.

Swirl and pull the oil through your teeth for 15-20 minutes. At the end of the session spit the pulled oil into the sink or toilet. If you discard the oil in the sink be sure to clean the sink with an antibacterial wipe or soap.

Rinse your mouth with water 2 to 3 times and then brush your teeth as normal. You will notice that after a few weeks of this your tongue will become pinker and healthier looking. Your teeth will be whiter and your breath will improve.

Some say that tilting your head back while oil pulling will ensure that oil is getting all the way to the back of the molars. This is an advanced technique and not recommended for those just beginning. Remember to slowly swish and pull the oil in your mouth, this is not a race and you will not get any more benefit from rushing things.

It is recommended that you wait an additional 10 minutes before you have breakfast. You may practice oil pulling 3 to 4 times a day if desired making sure to do so on an empty stomach each time.

Are there any precautions to take while oil pulling?

The main precaution involved in oil pulling is to practice it on an empty stomach. You run the risk of vomiting if you oil pull after eating. The best time to oil pull is in the morning, after you brush your teeth, but before breakfast.

Being careful not to swallow the oil after pulling is another precaution. After the oil is pulled through it will contain toxins extracted from the body. If you do happen to swallow the oil it will be passed through the system.

The type of oil is also something to keep in mind. Sunflower and sesame seed are the recommended oils to use. Cold press oils are the highly desirable, refined oils are required.

Make sure to clean the sink with antibacterial soap after each session. The toxins pulled into the oil are concentrated and this precaution will keep from getting anyone sick who happens to use the sink after you.

If symptoms worsen discontinue oil pulling for a week or two and then resume the practice. Some people have very sensitive systems and because of individual physiology may not be able to oil pull. If you notice that symptoms are not subsiding then discontinue permanently.

How can oil pulling help?

Oil pulling has been purported to effectively treat gingivitis and whiten teeth. Skin conditions such as eczema, and acne have been reported to improve after sustained use. Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and even diminished migraines have been attributed to the practice of oil pulling.

The Benefits of Articles on Alternative Medicine

Anyone who would like to learn more about the discipline of one of the most controversial yet effective types of health care would do well to seek out articles on alternative medicine. The Internet is brimming with such articles, and they can easily be found by doing a search with a comprehensive search engine such as Google.

The study of articles on alternative medicine can serve to increase your knowledge on this fascinating, multi-faceted subject. If you are interested in improving your health or that of a loved one, you cannot have too much knowledge. The old saying “Knowledge is power” is especially true in this case. As you learn, you will gain the power to take your family health matters into your own hands.

Once you have pinpointed which disease or condition you wish to find out more about, you can break down your studies into categories. For example, let’s say you want to find out if there is a way to control pain using alternative medicine instead of pharmaceutical drugs. Articles on acupressure, joint pain, acupuncture, natural remedies for chronic pain, tension headache, back pain, osteoarthritis, the stress and pain connection, or natural pain control could all contain facts that could help you to form an opinion as to what your best options would be.

There are so many aspects to this fascinating subject that one would do well to study articles on alternative medicine in depth, one at a time for better retention of the knowledge you will gain. The information in the articles you have sought out will more than likely surprised you with its thoroughness. You should read articles that look at the subject from more than one point of view so as to better clarify in your own mind how you wish to proceed.

Naturally, not everyone who takes the time to write articles on alternative medicine is going to have the same viewpoint as you do. As such, you should read the articles intelligently and possibly with a “grain of salt” as well. Who knows what the author of the articles you read had on his or her agenda?

Your best bet is to gather facts relating to you subject while you are reading articles on   alternative medicine. Take detailed notes; make an outline. Approach your research as seriously as if you were writing a college thesis. Once you have your facts in hand, compare which ones seemed to turn up the most. It’s possible that the most popular facts are also the most true.

You are on a mission – a mission to unearth information on a very important subject – your health. Articles on alternative health really can be your ammunition in the war against sickness.