Health

The Role of Medical Spas in Promoting Wellness

A medical spa, also known as a med spa, is a combination of a medical clinic and a day spa that provides a range of services to improve the physical appearance and overall health of individuals. The concept of wellness encompasses a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Medical spas play a significant role in promoting wellness by offering services that improve one’s appearance and health.

Medical Spas and Wellness

Medical spas offer a variety of services that can contribute to one’s overall wellness. These services include aesthetic treatments, weight loss management, stress relief, and relaxation. Medical spas have medical professionals such as dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and nurses who supervise the treatments to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Medical spas play a significant role in promoting wellness. They offer a range of services that address different aspects of wellness, including physical, emotional, and mental health. Medical spas combine traditional spa treatments with medical treatments to provide a comprehensive approach to wellness.

Medical Spa Services for Wellness

Medical spas offer a variety of services that can promote wellness. Here are some of the services that medical spas commonly offer:

1. Skin Care and Aesthetic Treatments

Medical spas offer a range of treatments to improve the appearance of the skin, such as facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing. These treatments can help reduce wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. They can also improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.

2. Weight Loss Management

Medical spas offer weight loss programs that can help individuals achieve their weight loss goals. These programs may include a combination of diet, exercise, and medical treatments such as liposuction, CoolSculpting, and body contouring.

3. Stress Relief and Relaxation

Medical spas offer a variety of treatments that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Types of Treatments Offered at Medical Spas

Medical spas offer a range of treatments that are designed to promote wellness, rejuvenation, and beauty. Some of the most common treatments offered at medical spas include:

• Facial treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing
• Body treatments such as cellulite reduction, body wraps, and contouring
• Injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers
• Medical-grade skin care products
• Massage therapy
• Holistic treatments such as acupuncture and aromatherapy

Many medical spas also offer packages that combine multiple treatments for a comprehensive approach to wellness.

The Benefits of Medical Spa Treatments

Medical spa treatments offer numerous benefits that can help promote overall health and well-being. Some of the key benefits include:

• Improved skin tone and texture
• Reduced signs of aging
• Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Reduced stress and tension
• Pain relief from chronic conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Improved sleep
• Boosted immune system
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem

It is important to note that medical spa treatments should not replace traditional medical care, but rather can be used as a complement to it.

Medical spas play an important role in promoting wellness by offering a range of treatments that can improve both physical and mental health. By understanding the different types of treatments available and the benefits they offer, individuals can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

History and Origins of Pemmican: An Ancient Survival Food

Pemmican is a unique food that has been used by Indigenous peoples of North America for centuries. It is made from a combination of dried meat, usually buffalo or other game, and rendered fat. This mixture was then dried and formed into small cakes or balls that could be stored for long periods of time. Pemmican was a valuable food source for Indigenous peoples during times of scarcity and was also used as a trading commodity with European fur traders. 

Today, pemmican remains a popular food among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Its high nutrient content and long shelf life make it an ideal food for those who spend extended periods of time in remote areas. In this article, we will explore the history and origins of pemmican, its importance to Indigenous peoples, and its enduring legacy in modern times. 

The Indigenous Roots of Pemmican

Pemmican has been a staple food of Indigenous peoples of North America for centuries. The exact origins of pemmican are not known, but it is believed to have been developed by Indigenous peoples living on the Great Plains of North America. The Plains tribes were nomadic and relied on buffalo for their survival. Pemmican was a vital food source that allowed them to store meat for long periods of time and carry it with them on their journeys. 

The word “pemmican” comes from the Cree word “pimikan,” which means “fat.” The Cree were one of the many Indigenous tribes that used pemmican as a survival food. They would hunt buffalo and other game, dry the meat, and then mix it with rendered fat. The mixture was then shaped into small cakes or balls and stored for later use. Pemmican was also used in ceremonies and was considered a sacred food among many Indigenous tribes. 

How Pemmican Was Made

The process of making pemmican was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. First, the meat was cut into thin strips and dried over a fire or in the sun. The dried meat was then pounded into a powder using a stone or wooden pestle. The fat was rendered by melting it over a low heat and then straining out any impurities. The powdered meat was then mixed with the rendered fat and any additional ingredients, such as berries or nuts. 

The mixture was then shaped into small cakes or balls and allowed to cool. Pemmican was a dense, high-calorie food that could be eaten on its own or mixed with other ingredients to make stews or soups. It was also an ideal food for travel, as it could be easily carried and stored for long periods of time without spoiling. 

Pemmican’s Role in the Fur Trade

Pemmican played a crucial role in the fur trade between Indigenous peoples and European traders. The fur trade began in the late 17th century and continued until the mid-19th century. European traders would exchange goods, such as guns, blankets, and metal tools, for furs with Indigenous peoples. Pemmican was also used as a trading commodity, as it could be transported long distances without spoiling. 

The fur trade brought significant changes to Indigenous societies, including the introduction of new technologies and diseases, and the displacement of Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands. Despite this, pemmican remained an important food source for Indigenous peoples and continued to be used for survival and trade. 

Pemmican and the Canadian Westward Expansion

Pemmican played a critical role in the westward expansion of Canada during the 19th century. The Canadian government encouraged settlers to move westward, and pemmican was a vital food source for those who made the journey. Pemmican was also used by the North West Mounted Police, who were responsible for maintaining law and order in the Canadian West. 

The demand for pemmican was so great that the Canadian government imposed restrictions on the buffalo hunt, which caused tension between Indigenous peoples and the government. The restrictions led to the North West Rebellion of 1885, which was a significant event in Canadian history. Despite these challenges, pemmican remained an important food source for Indigenous peoples and continued to be used for survival and trade. 

Pemmican’s Nutrition and Shelf Life

Pemmican is a highly nutritious food that is rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It is also high in calories and was an ideal food for Indigenous peoples who needed energy for hunting and traveling. Pemmican also has a long shelf life and can be stored for months or even years without spoiling. 

The high nutrient content and long shelf life of pemmican make it an ideal food for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Modern-day pemmican is often made with leaner cuts of meat, such as beef or venison, and can include additional ingredients, such as fruit or spices. 

Modern-Day Pemmican and Its Varieties

Today, pemmican remains a popular food among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Modern-day pemmican is often made with leaner cuts of meat, such as beef or venison, and can include additional ingredients, such as fruit or spices. Some companies even produce vegan versions of pemmican, made from plant-based ingredients. 

Pemmican is a convenient and nutritious food that is ideal for those who spend extended periods of time in remote areas. It is also a popular snack for those who follow a low-carb or paleo diet. 

The Enduring Legacy of Pemmican

Pemmican has a rich history and an enduring legacy that continues to this day. It is a unique food that has played a critical role in the survival and trade of Indigenous peoples of North America. Today, pemmican remains a popular food among outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists, and its high nutrient content and long shelf life make it an ideal food for those who spend extended periods of time in remote areas. The story of pemmican is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Indigenous peoples and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Source: Best Pemmican (Steadfast Provisions)

Acupuncture and Pain Relief: Clinical Trials and Biological Basis

Acupuncture is a popular invasive pain relief application. Acupuncturists insert specialized needles under the patient’s skin (in proximity to the site of pain) and either electrically or manually stimulate the needles. The popularity of acupuncture soared in the US in 1971, when a member of Nixon’s press corps reported the effectiveness of the Oriental system of pain relief using fine needles. Since then, a plethora of clinical trails were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in pain relief. In the US, the National Institutes of Health recognizes acupuncture as complementary and alternative medicine.

Acupuncture Pain Relief Clinical Trials

The effectiveness of acupuncture as a pain reliever is a subject of debate. There are acupuncture enthusiasts and opponents, and the verdict on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a painkiller depends on their own interpretation. Clinical trails both persuade and dissuade patients on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a pain relief therapy. In clinical trials, in order to establish whether an agent is effective or not, appropriate controls are essential. The results of clinical trails that fail to include appropriate controls are quite misleading. Experts dispute whether the controls used in all acupuncture clinical trials are scientifically valid or not.

There is something called “placebo effect” in clinical trials, which means the beneficial effects observed in a study is not specifically attributable to the agent of interest (in this case, acupuncture). Nonspecific effect is a misleading factor in clinical trials. Proponents of acupuncture usually ignore nonspecific effects and opponents make it a point to underline them. In recent years, in order to reduce the placebo effect, non-penetrating sham-acupuncture devices were developed to use as placebo in acupuncture clinical trials. Most clinical trials using these devices as controls fail to establish an overwhelming effect of acupuncture on pain. However, those who look for a simple and nontoxic means of pain relief would go for a test session.

Biological Basis of Acupuncture Pain Relief

Apart from clinical trials, biological studies looking at the molecular level are also in progress to address how acupuncture relieves pain. Research shows that upon activation by acupuncture needles, the central nervous system releases various signaling molecules such as opioid peptides, glutamate, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and cholecystokinin octapeptide. Among these, the opioid peptides act as key pain modulators of acupuncture.

The quality and quantity of opioid peptides release depends on the frequency of electric impulse exerted on acupuncture needles. For example, at a frequency of 2Hz enkephalin, beta-endorphin and endomorphin are released. At higher frequency of 100Hz dynorphin is released. A combination of two frequencies simultaneously releases all four opioid peptides enabling maximum therapeutic effect of acupuncture pain relief.

Acupuncture Pain Relief and Adenosine

A recent study on mice reports, adenosine, a neuromodulator known to reduce pain, does the trick for acupuncture. The researchers inserted acupuncture needles near the “Zusanli point” in mice, and rotated the needles every five minutes for 30 minutes, and analyzed local release of adenosine.

The authors report in the Nature Neuroscience journal that acupuncture pressure increases the level of adenosine 24-fold. They also report that synthetic drugs that act like adenosine (agonists), faithfully mimic the effects of acupuncture. These experiments were conducted in mice. It needs to be seen how significant this phenomenon is in humans. If further studies reproduce these results and verify that acupuncture pressure releases adenosine, and modulates pain in humans, then new avenues will open for acupuncture therapy.

Acupuncture and Acupressure: How Effective are these two Aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

From its beginnings in China several thousand years ago traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has spread around the world. Although Chinese herbal remedies are becoming popular in the West, the branch of TCM that most people are familiar with is acupuncture and its needle-less counterpart, acupressure.

There are basically two models for explaining and practicing acupuncture and acupressure. The traditional model proposes that by placing needles in appropriate points on the body (or applying pressure), energy flow throughout the body can be regulated. Acupuncture points have been likened to lock gates controlling the flow of water through canals (the canals being the meridians – hypothetical channels through which the energy flows). Since disease is seen as the result of a blockage of or an imbalance in energy, then regulating or re-balancing the energy should improve the patient’s condition.

Western theories of acupuncture and acupressure are based on current understanding of physiology and empirical evidence. One theory suggests that stimulation of acupoints results in the production of endorphins in the brain. These are the body’s own pain killers and relaxants (they act in a similar way to morphine). It has also been found that stimulation of acupoints encourages muscle relaxation and the production of anti-inflammatory compounds in tissue local to the acupoint.

What is Acupuncture (and Acupressure) Useful for?

There have been claims that acupuncture can cure almost any ailment. Needless to say this isn’t true. However there is growing evidence for its effectiveness in a number of conditions. Some of these have been subject to scrutiny by the Cochrane Collaboration. This is an international non – profit making organization that examines scientific studies in attempt to determine the most effective healthcare treatments.

Back Pain

In a review of thirty five randomized controlled trials on low back pain by AD Furlan et al (1999) for Cochrane, the authors found that acupuncture and dry-needling (inserting needles into trigger points), were more effective than no treatment. Both were also found to be useful in combination with other therapies.

Nausea and Vomiting

Another review for Cochrane looked at the effects of acupressure in early pregnancy nausea and vomiting. The authors found that acupressure wrist bands may well be helpful in providing relief. A separate study of twenty six trials found that wrist acupuncture was effective in relieving post – operative nausea and vomiting.

Hypertension

A German study by F. Flachskamp reported in heartwire ( June 2007) found that acupuncture had some effect in mild to moderate hypertension. However another study for the Stop Hypertension by Acupuncture Research Program by E A Macklin in 2007, suggested that acupuncture was no more effective than sham acupuncture. Clearly more research is needed.

Acupuncture and acupressure are said to be effective for numerous painful conditions and some whose main symptom is not pain such as irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and some skin problems. The big problem is that although there are many studies on acupuncture, there are too few well conducted trials with many conditions to say conclusively whether it works or not. The anecdotal evidence is interesting, and given that acupuncture is safe and has very few side-effects, there are likely to be many more studies looking at the efficacy of this branch of TCM.

This article is intended for information only. If you have any health concerns you should consult the appropriate professional.