Aywain Plant

Ajwain is an herb which has plenty of health benefits. It is also know as Bishop Weed.  It is very good for stomach respiratory problems.  It gives symptomatic relief for common cold, headache and migraine, chronic bronchitis and asthma. It is also very effective in curing cough, for nasal congestion and flu.  My husband uses 1 to 3 leaves a day for his phlegm.  Now he is much better.  Google the name and you can see lots and lots of articles about this plant.

Treatment of Tactile Impairment in Young Children with Autism: Results with Qigong Massage

Louisa Silva, MD, MPH, Mark Schalock, BSc
 
Abstract

Background: Following the inclusion of sensory abnormalities in the diagnostic criteria for autism, evidence has emerged showing that tactile abnormalities in young children with autism are severe, universally present, and directly related to delay of early self-regulation milestones required for social development. Parent touch is the most effective means of stimulating early self-regulation, yet parents of children with autism avoid touch because their children respond abnormally to it. This suggests that tactile abnormalities pose a barrier to parent touch in autism, and that treatment of tactile abnormalities may improve developmental outcomes. We have developed a qigong massage treatment for tactile abnormalities in young children with autism. Here we evaluate whether tactile abnormalities decrease following treatment, and whether treatment results in improved selfregulatory outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our qigong massage database for treatment effect on tactile abnormalities, self-regulatory delay, and parenting stress. Five-month interval data were available for 129 children with autism aged 3–6 years. Of these 129, 97 received treatment and 32 were in the wait-list control condition. There were no differences between treatment and control groups by age, gender, or severity of tactile impairment.

Results: Treatment resulted in significant decreases of tactile impairment, self-regulatory delay, and parenting stress (p < .001 on all paired t-tests); mean decreases were 25.5%, 24.5%, and 35.8%, respectively. Results were significant compared to controls [F(3,122) = 11.27, p < .001]. In the pretreatment data, tactile impairment was directly related to self-regulatory delay; post-treatment, both variables decreased proportionally.

Conclusion: Results demonstrate that tactile impairment in young children with autism is treatable with a qigong massage protocol. The direct relationship between tactile impairment and self-regulatory delay pretreatment, and the proportional decrease of both following treatment, suggest that tactile impairment is a cause of self-regulatory delay, and that qigong massage is a promising avenue to improve developmental outcomes in autism.

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Effect of Facial Massage on Static Balance in Individuals with Temporomandibular Disorder – a Pilot Study

Yasmin El Hage, PT, MSc, Fabiano Politti, PT, PhD, Carolina Marciela Herpich, PT, MSc, Dowglas Fernando Magalhães de Souza, DMd, MSc, Cid André Fidelis de Paula Gomes, PT, MSc, Cesar Ferreira Amorim, EEc,PhD, Tabajara de Oliveira Gonzalez, PT, PhD, Daniela Aparecida Biasotto-Gonzalez, PT, PhD
 
Abstract

Introduction: The influence of the neuromuscular system on the cervical region and mastication is directly associated with mandibular movements and neck posture. Normal occlusal homeostasis depends on complex sensory feedback mechanisms of the periodontal ligament, temporomandibular joint and other structures of the stomatognathic system. This feedback serves as a regulatory mechanism that helps determine the force and nature of muscle contractions. Alterations in the muscles of mastication, neck muscles, and occlusal characteristics constitute causal factors of imbalances in the postural muscle chains, leading to alterations in the center of pressure (CoP) of the feet. Thus, therapies that seek occlusal reestablishment, such as muscle relaxation techniques, may lead to a restructuring of the global equilibrium of the neuromuscular system and an improvement in body posture.

Purpose: The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the immediate effect of facial massage on the CoP in the anteroposterior (CoPAP) and mediolateral (CoPML) directions in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Methods: Twenty individuals with a diagnosis of TMD based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were submitted to a facial massage technique. CoPAP and CoPML were evaluated using a force plate. Evaluations were performed under two visual conditions (eyes open and eyes closed) prior to resting in dorsal decubitus (baseline), after 10 minutes of rest (premassage) and after the administration of the massage technique (postmassage).

Results: No significant differences were found regarding CoPAP velocity with eyes open or the following aspects under either visual condition (eyes open or closed): CoPML velocity, RMS of CoPAP, RMS of CoPML, and sway area. The only significant difference was found for mean CoPAP velocity with eyes closed.

Conclusions: While the results of the present study demonstrate the reliability of the reproduction of the data, facial massage had no immediate influence on postural control in individuals with TMD.

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Task-Dependent Postural Control Throughout the Lifespan

Haddad, Jeffrey M.; Rietdyk, Shirley; Claxton, Laura J.; Huber, Jessica E.

Abstract

Routine activities performed while standing and walking require the ability to appropriately and continuously modulate postural movements as a function of a concurrent task. Changes in task-dependent postural control contribute to the emergence, maturation, and decline of complex motor skills and stability throughout the lifespan.

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Origin and Development of Muscle Cramps

Minetto, Marco Alessandro; Holobar, Aleš; Botter, Alberto; Farina, Dario

Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews:

January 2013 - Volume 41 - Issue 1 - p 3–10

doi: 10.1097/JES.0b013e3182724817

Abstract

Cramps are sudden, involuntary, painful muscle contractions. Their pathophysiology remains poorly understood. One hypothesis is that cramps result from changes in motor neuron excitability (central origin). Another hypothesis is that they result from spontaneous discharges of the motor nerves (peripheral origin). The central origin hypothesis has been supported by recent experimental findings, whose implications for understanding cramp contractions are discussed. 

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ACUPUNCTURE IN PREGNANCY AND LABOUR THE EVIDENCE FOR EFFECTIVENESS

Written by Sarah Budd
Edited and produced by the Acupuncture Research Resource Centre
Published by the British Acupuncture Council

SUMMARY
This paper presents a summary of the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of pregnancy- related conditions and other uses in obstetrics . The majority of the articles reviewed relate to induction or preparation for labour (11 studies) and analgesia in labour (16). Others cover various conditions of pregnancy such as backache or breech presentation. There is a wide variability in the type of acupuncture and methodological design making it difficult to compare studies and develop overall conclusions. Nevertheless the available sources provide some evidence that acupuncture is an effective treatment for these conditions.


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Mobility Decline in Old Age

Rantakokko, Merja; Mänty, Minna; Rantanen, Taina

Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews:

January 2013 - Volume 41 - Issue 1 - p 19–25

doi: 10.1097/JES.0b013e3182556f1e

 

Abstract

Mobility is important for community independence. With increasing age, underlying pathologies, genetic vulnerabilities, physiological and sensory impairments, and environmental barriers increase the risk for mobility decline. Understanding how mobility declines is paramount to finding ways to promote mobility in old age.

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