Posts Tagged ‘holistic therapy’

Tai-Chi & Drug Addiction

The Beachcomber Rehabilitation Center offers alternative support by using the ancient practices of Tai-Chi in order to assist our patients in establishing added release of stress caused by addiction recovery.

When an individual is engaged in drug addiction or alcohol abuse, their natural abilities to manage stress and tension are compromised. The longer the terms of addiction and abuse, the greater the impairment to these coping mechanisms. Once an individual stops using drugs or alcohol, their internal systems and chemistry remain out of balance and in turmoil as they try to reset without the sudden spikes of chemicals from which they have grown accustomed.

Originating as a Martial Art; Tai chi is a type of low-impact, weight-bearing, and relaxing exercise. Practiced in a variety of styles, Tai-Chi involves slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and meditation. This meditation is sometimes called “moving meditation.”
Tai-Chi does much more for recovering addicts than basic exercise or meditation alone. This ancient health practice combine classical conditioning with visualization, breathing, and meditation to create a powerful complementary therapy for most maladies, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex and gambling. Large, clinical studies on the health benefits of tai chi are ongoing, but many who practice tai chi report heightened feelings of well-being along with a variety of other health benefits.

For example, research studies have shown that extensive drug use clogs the body with toxic debris which otherwise can lodge in the tissues for years. Tai-Chi’s active stimulation of the lymph system speeds up the physical recovery process, helping to remove impurities from the bloodstream. These impure toxins are some of the causes for natural unrest within the person, so by accelerating the release of these toxins through added alternative addiction treatment methods, individuals are provided a better chance to focus on recovery.

The benefits of practicing Tai-Chi include: Improved strength, conditioning, coordination, and flexibility, reduced pain and stiffness, better balance and enhanced sleep and greater awareness, calmness, and overall sense of well being.

We invite you to visit with us at The Beachcomber in Delray Beach, Florida. Or, please telephone for information about our program and free consultations.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points located near or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter biochemical and physiological conditions in order to achieve the desired effect.

Acupuncture points are points that have been designated to have electrical sensitivity. Inserting needles at these points stimulates sensory receptors and stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamus and pituitary glands located at the base of the brain. The hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killing hormones.

History of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is over 5,000 years old and was not just practiced in China. The Egyptians talked about vessels that resembled the 12 meridians n 1550 B.C. South African Bantu tribesman scratched parts of their bodies in an effort to cure disease. The Arabs cauterized their ears with hot metal probes. The Eskimos used sharp stones for Acupuncture and Brazilian cannibals shot tiny arrows with blow pipes to diseased parts of their bodies to cure disease.

The first use of acupuncture to treat addiction started in the 1970’s. The interesting thing is that it was an accidental discovery. Dr. Wen a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong was researching the effects of acupuncture on treating post surgical pain and instead found that applying electrical stimulation to the lung point in the ear helped to relieve withdrawal symptoms.

Acupuncture & the Addict

For the addict acupuncture releases endorphins or the body’s natural pain relievers. The release of endorphins has shown to have the affect of temporarily relieving withdrawal symptoms.

At The Beachcomber the Holistic Approach applies to our total environment. Most important, it flourishes as time passes and experiences of body, mind and spirit bring awareness. Our goal is to treat the whole being to thoroughly help you beat your drug or alcohol addiction and help to eliminate the possibility of relapse.

Do you have a drug or alcohol problem and need help? We invite you to visit with us at The Beachcomber in Delray Beach, Florida. Or, please call us toll free at (877) 270-6226 for information about our program and free consultations.

About Light Sound Neurotherapy
AVE (Audio-Visual Entrainment) or light and sound neurotherapy is a non-drug therapy for reducing the symptoms of anxiety, stress and pain. This novel technique employs flashing lights and pulsing tones at specific brain wave frequencies, which enhance brain activity, increase cerebral blood flow and calm the mind.
Clinical studies show that Light and Sound therapy Stimulation promotes significant reduction in stress and excessive tension while increasing, stress release, relaxation, personal realization and cognitive awareness, resulting in improved recovery ability. Light and Sound Stimulation also aids in reducing the frequency of headache and Migraines, insomnia, and occurrences of anxiety and depression that commonly occur with withdrawal.
The rate of the flickering light causes the brain waves to match any set frequency to a more appropriate rate, such as beta, alpha, or theta, depending on the desired results. At certain frequencies, this flickering can produce a reduction of anxiety and induce deep mental and physical relaxation which can in turn help with addiction recovery.
This treatment’s focus is to increase stimulation and the release of certain known neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, nor-epinephrine, and endorphins. Endorphins, which are amino acids secreted in the brain, has a pain-relieving effect like that of morphine and lowers pain intensity. Typically when drug use occurs it’s these same endorphins and dopamine which fuel the brain’s stimuli and cause addiction.
Studies show that endorphin release reduces depression and aids emotional stability, giving one a calmer, more restful approach to life. Since endorphin release is present in addiction it is only logical that it be used in recovery treatment along with other available alternative treatments.
Research evaluating the effects produced by Light and Sound Stimulation has indicated:

• Increased deep mental and physical.
• Recovery of long- and short-term memory
• Increased IQ performance
• Increased ability to focus and concentrate
• Decreased fatigue an stress
• Improved self-confidence & self worth
• Improved decision making and problem solving