What is Anxiety?

The body is a complex organism that contains many chemicals and hormones. When under stress or in a state of fear, the body will produce chemical reactions that result in a spurt of adrenaline or ignite a fight or flight signal. This is normal and necessary to keep us safe and provide the sometimes necessary pressure to meet and achieve goals and strenuous tasks.

In the case of anxiety disorders, the mind/body reaction to fear or pressure reaches a state of constant fear, often irrational and reoccurring. When anxiety reaches the point of causing one to be unable to deal with normal everyday stressors or social situations, it can be classified as a disorder and become quite debilitating.

Who Suffers from Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a disorder that affects individuals indiscriminately. Everyone from corporate executives to stay at home mothers are susceptible to anxiety. Children are also not exempt from experiencing the symptoms of this disorder.

Everyone experiences stress points in their life and many factors affect their ability to deal with stress effectively. Current health, emotional state and life responsibilities are just a few of the factors that determine how someone may respond to anxiety. A person who is overworked and has little emotional support may be more likely to suffer from anxiety disorder than one who is comfortable in their career and has an extensive and reliable support system.

Common Types of Anxiety

Anxiety presents itself in many forms, but the most common forms as defined by the National Institute for Mental Health are:

• General Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Read on for an explanation of each disorder, common methods of diagnosis, common treatments, as well as alternative treatments.

General Anxiety Disorder

Individuals with general anxiety can be classified as chronically worrisome. They often overreact to stress or slight trauma and become extremely agitated by events that others would find perfectly normal. Often individuals suffering from general anxiety have a fear of mixing in society or being in any type of unfamiliar setting. They may also experience physical symptoms as well as loss of sleep.

Diagnosing General Anxiety Disorder

A diagnosis of General Anxiety Disorder is made after careful consultation with a mental health professional. The therapist will look to see that the patient illustrates the inability to manage daily life and find appropriate coping mechanisms. Before making a diagnosis, the health practitioner will ensure that the patient is not just dealing with enormous stress, but also becomes extremely worried about perceived problems that cannot be substantiated. This is a hallmark of General Anxiety Disorder.

Below is the official diagnosis criterion of the American Psychiatric Association. A diagnosis is made if a patient has experienced excessive fear or worry, which he is unable to control, accompanied at a minimum of three of the symptoms below for at least six months.

• Feeling restless, keyed up, or on edge
• Feeling tired frequently
• Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Causes of General Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety is a complicated illness in which there are many possible causes. While genetic testing has shown that it is possible to inherit a gene that may make you more susceptible to experiencing anxiety, there are other factors as well. Research has indicated that the inability of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to function properly may be a contributing factor. Specifically, blockage of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is believed to be a contributing factor in the heightened sense of worry experienced by anxiety sufferers.

Another prominent cause is to possess a nervous system that is less flexible to changes in your environment or brain in relation to worry or fear. The nervous system alerts the body in times of danger, prompting the fight or flight response. However, when the danger has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system releases signals that help the body calm down and return to its normal biological and mental state.

In individuals suffering from generalized anxiety, the parasympathetic nervous response is impaired, leaving them in a heightened state of anxiety, even after the danger has passed. Over a prolonged period of time, this can cause serious mental health issues, as the individual is unable to adequately distinguish between danger and safety.

Treating General Anxiety Disorder

Traditional treatment for general anxiety varies and is dependant on the severity of an individual’s symptoms. The most common forms of treatment are:

• Having ongoing consultations with a mental health professional can alleviate General Anxiety Disorder. A patient may be able to work out the reasons for their anxiety without resorting to medication by working with a skilled therapist. A therapist knowledgeable in anxiety disorders can provide an objective assessment of your fears. They can also provide solutions to aid the patient in recognizing and combating unwarranted anxiety, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), relaxation training, and facing the issues head on.

• Anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications are commonly given to anxiety sufferers. Their function is to calm the brain and bring about a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. It is best if medication is administered in conjunction to therapies such as CBT and other coping therapies. It is interesting to note that research has found that non pharmaceutical therapies, such as CBT had more of an impact on anxiety over the long term than combining medicine and stress reducing therapies, or than with anti-anxiety medication alone.

Alternative Health Therapies

Holistic therapies for general anxiety are built upon the premise that the mind and body are intrinsically interwoven. What affects one part of the body negatively will have a trickle down affect to other areas of the body as well. By the same theory, isolating and treating the root cause of anxiety will aid in the restoration of wellbeing for the entire body.

Holistic practitioners believe that while general anxiety can be caused by traumatic life experiences and neurotransmitter obstructions, nutritional and mineral deficiencies, as well as hormonal imbalances often play a prominent role. Recommended nutritional therapies include:

• Magnesium
• Kava root
• Rodiola Herb
• St. John’s Wort
• Vitamin B
• Following a hypoglycemic diet
• Eliminating foods to which you may have an allergy

Other Alternative Anxiety Treatments

Holistic health practitioners will also evaluate a patients overall health and look for hormonal imbalances, lack of amino acids and essential fatty acids, as well as sleep irregularities. Also, CBT, exercise and other forms of stress management will be introduced. The focus of an alternative health provider will be to bring the entire body back into harmony, thus eliminating the symptoms of General Anxiety Disorder.

Another alternative treatment is the “Linden Method”, developed by former anxiety sufferer, Charles Linden. He is of the opinion that anxiety is caused by a switch in the brain becoming stuck in panic mode. He, along with a team of professors and psychotherapist work together in the Linden Center to help other anxiety suffers through a series of simple exercises. See more on the Linden Method in the video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD, as it is commonly referred to, is an anxiety disorder which is comprised of two specific components, mental and physical:

Obsessive Disorder- In the mental component of OCD, the individual suffers from repeated thoughts, beliefs or visuals that have a disturbing affect on their mental state. These are unwanted thoughts and may even be repulsive or cause intense fear. However, even though the individual may sense the things they obsess over are irrational, they are powerless to stop.

Compulsive Disorder- In an effort to cope with the continued obsessions that plague them, an individual will employ certain actions, sometimes superficial and often repetitive. There is an irrational belief that continued repetition of a perceived soothing action will keep the obsessions at bay. The problem lies in the fact that the compulsive actions rarely reduce the frequency or severity of obsessions. The sufferer simply becomes trapped in a cycle of obsessive/compulsive behavior.

Common Obsessions/Compulsions

Obsessions vary, but some of the most frequently observed are:

Germophobia, or obsessing over cleanliness. Individuals have a heightened feeling that they are being overrun by germs or and that everything will potentially make them ill. The associated compulsion is often obsessive hand washing, cleaning, and not allowing any foreign objects into their environment.

Chronic doubts or worrying. Examples of this include doubts about whether appliances are left on, tasks were completed or doubting other’s feelings towards you. The associated compulsive behaviors include repeatedly checking faucets, electronics, bank accounts and the actions of others. Also common is repeatedly seeking assurance and validation from teachers and loved ones.

Aggressive Impulses.-This obsession centers on frequent thoughts of doing harm to oneself or others. Examples include thoughts or visions of harming children, spouses or yourself. Obviously this type of obsession is very traumatizing for the individual and they take drastic compulsive measures to try to eliminate it. These measures include voluntary solitary confinement or not allowing themselves to be around children, even their own. Another compulsion is to routinely remove or hide objects that might be used to harm someone.

Fear of Deprivation. -Individuals suffering from this form of OCD may have an irrational fear of loss of wealth. The fear of someday going without is extremely vivid and even conjures up images of homelessness and starvation. Sufferers feel as if every penny or bit of food, or other commodity may be their last. They do not feel secure in future provisions at all.

As a result of this obsession, the individual becomes a hoarder. They may save everything they can, even things that should rightfully be thrown away. They are also hesitant to spend money, as it may be their last and may even dig through refuse for things they think that they can save for future use. Hoarders often have extremely cluttered houses, because they compulsively collect and save items for “a rainy day”

Often, the compulsive behavior is very stressful to the individual, but not more so that the underlying obsessions. The thought pattern is that by continuing the compulsive behavior, one can stave off the obsessive impulses and thoughts that plague them.

Causes of OCD

There are thought to be a number of factors in developing OCD. Individuals may be genetically predisposed to this disorder. Although a specific gene has not been isolated, evidence suggests that children of an OCD parent are at slightly higher risk for developing the disorder themselves.

Studies have also indicated that the inhibition of the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a role in developing OCD. When serotonin levels were artificially increased, OCD symptoms subsided.

While still a subject of research, the level of brain activity is indicative of OCD. Preliminary research shows a marked difference in the brain activity of individuals with OCD, vs. those without. Specifically, differences were noted in the orbital cortex and the basal ganglia.

OCD Treatments

Normal anxiety medication has not been shown to be widely effective on OCD. This reinforces the fact that it is an altogether different form of anxiety. Interestingly enough, drugs manufactured to treat depression and of which the core component is serotonin have proven successful.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has proven successful in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of OCD. With an emphasis on behavior, the individual is reconditioned to respond differently to feelings that previously caused compulsions. This often involves repeated exposure to the distressing thought or item with the aim and minimizing its ability to cause fear. Serotonin boosting medication is often paired with CBT or other behavioral therapies.

Supplementation of Inositol, a b vitamin was also found to be affective in reducing the symptoms of OCD, according to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Also, reduction of caffeine and other stimulants are recommended, as well as adding spirulina and flaxseed to ones diet.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is characterized as a pattern of unpredictable episodes of intense fear, panic or anxiety. Often unexpected by those who suffer from them, panic attacks can be extremely debilitating.

Not just a mental state, a panic attack affects the body as well. Common symptoms at the onset of an attack include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Dizziness
• Feeling as is you are suffocating
• Heart palpitations
• Gastrointestinal distress
• The sensation of losing control
• Feeling disconnected from reality
• Fear of reoccurring attacks
• Sweatiness
• Tingling or numbness in extremities
• Feeling as if you are having a heart attack

In order to be classified as a panic attack, you must experience at least four of the above symptoms. Additionally, the intensity of the attack must reach a peak and then begin to subside within ten minutes.

Panic Attacks vs. Panic Disorder

Most people suffer from a bout of panic at least once or twice in their lives. However, this does not mean you suffer from panic disorder. Many individuals have had an isolated panic attack in response to a stressful or traumatic situation. However it resolves itself naturally and is not ongoing and debilitating.

On the other hand, approximately six million adults nationwide suffer from Panic Disorder. There are a larger number of women who suffer from Panic Disorder than men, with a ratio of 2:1. The disorder is characterized by repeated high levels of anxiety and terror in specific situations. Sometimes the trigger for an attack cannot be anticipated. However, some patients are very aware of their triggers, for instance being in an elevator or looking down a flight of stairs.

The individual suffering from Panic Disorder becomes controlled by the anxiety. If they fear crossing the street, they may refrain from leaving the immediate area in which they live or not go outside unless accompanied by someone else. Depending on the reason for the panic attacks, an individual’s life can be severely impacted and their ability to work and socialize restricted.

Agoraphobia

In some cases, Panic Disorder can lead to developing Agoraphobia. Often thought of as a “fear of open spaces”, individuals who suffer from agoraphobia usually have the opposite fear. They are acutely claustrophobic and have a fear of enclosed spaces or of places where they cannot easily leave in the event of a panic attack.

Individuals with agoraphobia are often reluctant to go to places like shopping malls, movie theaters, or other crowded venues. Some are even afraid to be in a car alone and thus they do not drive. Many agoraphobics are extremely afraid that they may pass out or even die if they are unable to escape such an area during an attack. Understandably, this places many restrictions on their activities and it is estimated that a third of individuals who suffer from Panic Disorder become housebound.

Note that not all individuals with Panic Disorder will develop agoraphobia, however a significant number do. If you suffer from regular panic attacks, your health care professional will likely evaluate you for agoraphobia as well.

Causes of Panic Attacks

The cause of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia is still under research, however a few variables have been identified.

Researchers performed PET scans, which detect the level of brain activity, on individuals with and without Panic Disorder. The results showed a marked different in the level of brain activity between the two groups, specifically in the region known as the hippocampus. Scientists have not yet been able to establish exactly why there is a difference and more research is needed.

Neurotransmitters, which transport brain signals, play a large role in panic attacks. There are three that apply specifically: serotonin, cholecystokinin and norepinephrine. While each neurotransmitter plays a role in anxiety levels, norepinephrine has been identified as the most prominent influencer in Panic Disorder. Medications that block norepinephrine have been found to be effective in reducing Panic Disorder.

Overreacting to and misinterpreting symptoms that develop from stress and anxiety are also a means to induce a panic attack. Often, an individual may experience an accelerated heartbeat or shakiness from anxiety and mistake it for a heart attack. As a result, they are thrown into a panic and fear that they will die before help comes. Many normal anxiety symptoms are over exaggerated and misinterpreted by individuals with Panic Disorder, essentially causing them to induce their own panic attacks.

Life changes are another cause of panic attacks. As we go through life cycles, we often experience stressful situations, such as divorce, work related problems or the death of a loved one. The inability to cope with these events can cause anxiety, which can accelerate into full blown panic attacks. Having a good support network to help you weather storms in your life can help to reduce the risk of developing anxiety and Panic Disorder.

Treating Panic Attacks

If you feel that you are suffering from panic attacks, the first step is to consult your primary care physician. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a mental health professional in the event that it is needed.

Once you begin seeing a mental health professional, they may employ a number of techniques to help you confront and eliminate your panic attacks. Some of the more common forms of treatment are:

Cognitive Therapy – This therapy focuses on teaching an individual to objectively and realistically examine the symptoms they are experiencing. This allows them to see the symptoms for what they are-normal symptoms of anxiety, instead of symptoms of a bigger problem such as a heart attack or a stroke. Once they embrace this understanding, they can then work on calming the reason for the anxiety and thus reduce their symptoms.

Introceptive Exposure – This is a therapy that seeks to recreate sensations or feelings that lead to panic in an effort to confront and control them. Many people may experience dizziness when looking down from a tall height or an accelerated heartbeat in relation to another fear. With introceptive exposure, the individual exposes themselves to the situation repeatedly and should eventually see that the dire outcome the anticipated does not occur. Once the patient sees this, the feeling or emotion should lose its ability to cause fear and panic.

Vivo Exposure- This means intentionally exposing oneself to the exact situation that usually brings about panic attacks. If a person fears crowds, they will walk assisted through a mall or other high density area a few times a week. Hopefully by doing so and suffering no adverse affects, the individual realizes that their fear is unfounded.

Modulated Breathing- If an individual experiences symptoms of dizziness, heart racing and breathlessness during panic attacks, their therapist will likely work with them on learning how to slow down and regulate their breathing. When in a panic, the breath becomes quick and shallow. This sends less oxygen to the brain, which results in less cognitive ability and awareness. This further increases the severity of the anxiety symptoms. By learning to control your breathing and return to a normal pattern, rationale and calm can be restored quickly by the person experiencing a panic attack. This is a useful technique for dealing with all forms of stress and anxiety.

Antianxiety and Antidepressant Medication- In addition to the above therapies, many clinicians will also prescribe either an anti-anxiety medication or an anti-depressant depending on your symptoms. However, beware of simply taking medication without learning ways to deal with and minimize your symptoms. This is the key to long term success. Once a patient exhibits the ability to deal better with anxiety and reduce the frequency of panic attacks, their doctor will most likely gradually reduce the amount of medication prescribed with the hopes of eventually weaning the patient completely.

Alternative Treatment for Panic Disorder

Aromatherapy- Some essential oils, such as lavender have a calming affect on the body. Placing a handkerchief to your nose that contains a few drops of lavender oil is said to help alleviate a panic attack. Scents such as chamomile and vanilla are also calming, while patchouli is a mood enhancer and helps remove anxiety.

Yoga- This is recommended because of the focus on deep, rhythmic breathing and inner focus, which should help one to regulate anxiety and maintain a measure of calm and inner harmony.

Body Work –Methods such as massage and Reiki are also recommended as a way to balance the body’s energy. Eastern holistic medicine sees most physical or psychological ailments as the body’s life force (chi) being out of alignment.

Hypnotherapy- In a state of hypnosis, a therapist can lead the patient to explore the fears that are leading to panic attacks. They can also offer hypnotic suggestion that can reprogram the patient’s feeling about, and reaction to the fearful object, thought or place.

Vitamin Supplements- Some vitamins and minerals are known to improve the brain’s ability to handle stressful situations. Conversely, a shortage of nutrients can increase the likelihood of anxiety. Recommended supplements include:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B Complex, in addition to Vitamin B 6
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Vitamin E
• Zinc

Holistic practitioners also believe that hormone imbalance can lead to feelings of anxiety and even panic attacks. To counter this problem, taking naturally occurring hormone replacement therapy can rebalance your hormones and reduce or eliminate the symptoms of anxiety.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Commonly referred to as PTSD and attributed to war veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect people in many walks of life and become a long lasting condition. There are several criteria for being diagnosed with PTSD. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the patient must exhibit the following:

Symptoms of PTSD

1. The patient has experienced or witnessed a bona fide trauma in which they feared for their life experienced serious injury or feared for their physical well being. Also covered under PTSD is a traumatic event they witnessed carried out on someone else. This must be a physical threat and emotional abuse or trauma, while harmful, does not qualify.
2. The patient has responded to the trauma with the emotion of fear or horror and they felt hopeless to help themselves or the person in danger. This is a very debilitating feeling and a central theme in PTSD.
3. The patient must exhibit a pattern of re-experiencing the trauma in the form of dreams or nightmares, flashbacks, disturbing memories, becoming fearful or upset when reminded of the trauma in any way or becoming physically paralyzed from feeling the physical sensations of the trauma as if it were happening again.
4. The patient must also show a pattern of avoidance. This means that they do not like to be reminded of the trauma and avoid anything that could bring it to the fore again. Also, the individual has difficulty remembering details of the event and may have purposely or unintentionally pushed them out of his conscious mind.
5. The patient is extra alert in a way that they were not before the trauma. For example, they may be unable to sleep more than an hour at a time because of a need to stand guard or check locks. They may also be jumpy and the simplest noises startle them.

To be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an individual must experience these symptoms for at least one month and they have to have significantly impacted their life (i.e. work or ability to be social).

Traumatic Events that Can Prompt PTSD

• Being the victim of a violent crime, such as a rape, assault, mugging, etc.
• Sexual abuse, especially ongoing
• War or combat experience
• Being involved in, or witnessing a severe accident
• Experiencing kidnapping or torture
• Being a prisoner of war
• Terrorist Attack
• Being diagnosed with a life threatening illness

Treating PTSD

There are many modes of treatment available to PTSD sufferers. With a skilled therapist and a rigorous treatment plan, it is possible to overcome this disorder.

Psychological Treatment
It is recommended by authorities in the field of PTSD treatment to implement a multi-pronged psychological treatment plan. The treatment plan should include the following:

Exposure Therapy
The guiding principle of this therapy is that when we are exposed to something often enough, it changes from being a fear or an annoyance, to just being part of the background noise. With a traumatic, exposing yourself to the event either by confronting it or mentally reliving it repeatedly under the guidance of a therapist can be quite healing.

Oftentimes something may be quite frightening, but when you talk it over with a trusted advisor or therapist, it looses some of the sting. Even if it is still very traumatic, you are able to walk through the events in a safe manner guided by someone who knows when to advise you to press on towards a breakthrough and when continuing may be detrimental.

Anxiety Management

These are a group of techniques that are beneficial for treating many forms of anxiety. The goal is for the patient to clearly recognize an oncoming bout of anxiety and take decisive, positive measures to minimize the severity, or eliminate the attack altogether. These techniques include:

Breathing techniques which allow the patient to take control at the onset of an attack. By employing deep, slow breathing, you can slow down the accelerated pulse, dizziness and chest pain often associated with an anxiety attack.

Positive affirmations or self talk helps the patient to reinforce that they can take control of the situation. They repeat phrases that indicate strength and perseverance, which combats the feeling of fear and hopelessness that often comes with anxiety.

Relaxation techniques are important to treating PTSD. When we are scared, we tense up and the flight or fight mechanism kicks in. However, as PTSD is in relation to an event that already occurred, there is no need for this mechanism and if it occurs repeatedly, it is very draining on the body and psyche. Learning how to relax the body at the onset of an attack or flashback can do much to turn the situation from a fearful one to simply reviewing a memory.

Assertiveness training addresses the feeling of being a victim that many trauma survivors live with. They feel as if they were powerless to communicate their wishes or stave off the traumatic event. Learning to express their thoughts and needs in an honest and non-confrontational manner, the patient is empowered and feels a measure of control over their life.

Alternative Treatment for PTSD

In addition to the psychological therapies listed above, holistic practitioners recommend lavender and lemon balms to help sooth the brain, as well as St. John’s Wort which helps eliminate depression.

Also, Dr. Edward Tick founded “Soldiers Heart”, an organization which helps veterans reenter society and reduce the symptoms of PTSD. His approach was developed after studying warrior traditions around the world and in ancient societies. Each culture he observed had rituals, such as ritual cleansing, storytelling and atonement and reconciliation with former enemy combatants and civilians. Through these means, warriors were able to minimize the baggage of war and live normal lives. More information on Dr. Tick’s methods can be found in the video below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)

While many people may feel shy or nervous at the thought of giving a presentation of meeting their prospective in-laws, social anxiety is an altogether ailment. Social Phobia affects approximately 15 million Americans and usually manifests in the late teens to early 20s.

 

Types of Social Phobia

There are three clinical classifications for social phobia, as follows:

Performance Based Social Anxiety Disorder- An individual who suffers from this form only encounters problems when they are called on to perform in front of others. This can
include delivering a presentation or being called on to answer a question in class.

Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder- The most prevalent form of social anxiety, individuals experience anxiety in a number of social settings. They may find it hard to meet and keep friends and equally as terrifying to speak in front of a group. Most of the research that has been conducted to date has been on this form of social anxiety.

Avoidant Personality Disorder- An individual with this form suffers from chronic social anxiety and avoids fearful situations and most people at all cost. Left untreated, these individuals are often unable to maintain friendships, hold down a job or maintain a romantic relationship.

Symptoms of Social Phobia

To be diagnosed with Social Phobia, the American Psychiatric Association has developed the following criteria:

• The individual experiences persistent fear in the same public situation(s), or when they are called on to perform some task.
• The individual experiences terror or extreme anxiety when presented with the situation
• The individual understands that the fear is irrational in relation to the situation
• The stress of the situation brings the individual to alter their daily life or avoid being in certain situations
• The patient will be checked to ensure the symptoms are not caused by anther illness or condition.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

Brain Activity- Scientists are just beginning to study this phenomenon and as yet the research around brain activity has been inconclusive. A few studies that employed PET brain imaging showed increased brain activity in the amygdale- the portion that responds to threats and fear, as well as decreased activity in the cortical region, which is responsible for interpreting things as they happen. With additional research, hopefully scientists will isolate what causes these reactions.

Neurotransmitters- In studying the mechanisms that send messages to nerve endings in the body, the research is again inconclusive. Some studies have shown a decrease of dopamine- a neurotransmitter that is found in high quantities in more social people. The studies point to lower levels of serotonin in individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder, as well.

Heredity- There is some evidence that social anxiety can be passed down through families. However, some researchers believe that rather than being a matter of genetics, it is more a learned behavior. For example, if you grew up with a mother who was a shut-in because she feared going out, then that fear may pass to you as well.

Treating Social Phobia

Therapies for reducing and eliminating Social Phobia fall into the class of medications or behavioral therapies. Medication has been documented to successfully treat 70% of social anxiety sufferers. However, most health care providers will employ a combination approach of medication and behavioral therapy. This way, the patient learns practical coping mechanisms and may eventually have their medication reduced or stopped altogether.

Social Anxiety Medication

Medication used to treat Social Phobia falls into five different categories:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)- Usually the first medication of choice, SSRIs increase the amount of the neurotransmitter Serotonin, which helps to relieve anxiety and improve the mood. Common SSRI medications include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)- Prescribed for treating Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder, this medication also increases serotonin levels, but has the additional benefit of modulating depression regulating neropinphrine levels as well. Common SNRIs include Pristiq, Cymbalta and Effexor.

Benzodiazepines (BDZs)- This classification of medication works faster than other forms to decrease the symptoms of anxiety, but it can also cause dependency. This should be weighed carefully before beginning this therapy. BDZs also do not positively affect depression, so if you suffer from depression as well as anxiety, they may not be the best choice. Popular BDZs include Klonopin and Valium.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)- Once the most popular therapy to fight social anxiety, widespread use of MAOs has been largely discontinued. The medication has produced dangerous side affects and thus its use is not recommended. However, some practitioners will still prescribe them if all other therapies have failed.

Beta-blockers- This class of medications is effective from those who suffer from performance anxiety (public speaking, etc). Beta-blockers work to calm the nervous system and minimize symptoms such as tremors, sweating and heart palpitations. The leading Beta-blocker prescribed by physicians is Inderal.

Behavioral Therapies for Social Anxiety Disorder

Behavior therapy can be extremely effective to reducing or even eliminating social anxiety over the long term. However, it is not a quick fix. To be successful, the patient must commit considerable time and effort into confronting the subject of their anxiety head on. In the case that the actual situation that prompts anxiety cannot be replicated, the patient will be guided through reenacting the scenario in their imagination.

A qualified therapist will guide the patient through continuously exposing themselves to the object of their fright, confronting it and reconditioning their response. While it may not work for every patient, behavioral therapy offers the best chance of long term success. Often, this therapy is initially paired with medication, which the patient is weaned off of once they learn to recondition their response to the object of fear. Approximately half of the patients that embark on behavior therapy experience a significant reduction in their anxiety.

Click here to view the embedded video.

References:

National Institute of Mental Health, Anxiety Disorders, retrieved from: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

St. Joseph’s University, General Anxiety Disorder, retrieved from: http://anxiety.stjoes.ca/generalA.htm

St. Joseph’s University, Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, retrieved from: http://anxiety.stjoes.ca/obsessive.htm

The Podell Medical Practice, Alternative Treatments for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress-Related Disorders: Dr. Podell’s Perspective on Brain, Mind, and Mood, retrieved from:http://www.drpodell.org/alternative_treatments_for_depression.shtml

Safe Harbor, International Guide to the World of Alternative Mental Health, Retrieved from: http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/ocd.htm

American Journal of Psychiatry, 1996 [153(9):1219-21]

UCLA Anxiety Disorders Research Center, Anxiety Disorders, retrieved from: http://anxiety.psych.ucla.edu/anxdis.php#ocd

Holistic Online.com, Panic Disorders- Alternative and Integrative Therapies, retrieved from:

http://www.holistic-online.com/remedies/anxiety/anx_panic_alternative_therapies.htm

St. Joseph’s University, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, retrieved from:http://anxiety.stjoes.ca/posttrauma.htm

Madison Institute of Medicine, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, retrieved from: http://ptsd.factsforhealth.org/whatevents.html

Madison Institute of Medicine, Anxiety, retrieved from: http://ptsd.factsforhealth.org/anxiety.html#3

Madison Institute of Medicine, Social Anxiety, retrieved from: http://socialanxiety.factsforhealth.org/what/

What is Addiction Therapy?

Addiction therapy is treatment for individuals who have become dependent on substance or activity. It is provided by a wide range of people such as clergymen, counselors, physicians, social workers and psychotherapists.  Programs are designed to not only help with the physical, but psychological, emotional and mental withdrawal of the addiction.  Treatment for various addictions varies and can include medication, forms of talk therapy and include education about lifestyle changes to avoid relapse.

Who needs Addiction Therapy?

Persons, who are physically or mentally addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex and many other activities may require addiction therapy to help them recover.  There are many different types of addiction but some signs and symptoms are the same in all of them.

Signs noted in almost all addictions include but are not limited to:

• Difficulty in controlling the addictive behavior
• Withdrawal when the substance or activity is withheld, they may experience unpleasant symptoms or behavior changes
• A development of tolerance to the substance or behavior, more of the addiction is required to satisfy their need
• Placing occupation and social relationships in jeopardy to achieve the “fix”
• Spending excessive amounts of  time in planning, engaging in or recovering from the addictive activity

Signs noted in some but not all addictions include but are not limited to:

• Mood Swings
• Increased or decreased sleep
• Changes in energy levels
• Weight fluctuations
• Size in pupil changes
• Secretiveness, lying, unexplained outings
• Stealing, financial difficulties

Benefits of Addiction Therapy

Recovering from an addiction of any kind is not an easy task.  By getting help and support from family, friends and professionals trained and equipped to help you overcome your addiction you have a much better chance of succeeding.  Learning coping strategies to help deal with the issues that led you toward addiction or trigger addictive behaviors can help continue your recovery.  Most addiction therapy programs have other people who have been down the same road as you are traveling who can offer insight and truly understand what you are going through.  Sponsors can be there to help you through a weak time.  Recovering from addiction is very difficult and knowing there is someone else on your side to offer solutions and help you through can make the difference between success and failure.

Auricular Acupuncture History

Dr Paul Nogier developed his theory of auricular acupuncture in the 1950s, based on the technique of a French healer who treated sciatica (pains in the lower back and leg) through cauterisation of parts of the ear. After investigation, Nogier came to believe that there was a correlation between locations on the ear and different parts of the human body. He used techniques based on the ancient Chinese practise of acupuncture, but along with needling, he used massaging, cauterising or electrically stimulating different regions of the ear. Aside from being a treatment for pain, auricular acupuncture has also been used with other therapies to treat substance abuse.

Auricular Acupuncture Description

There are more than 200 acupuncture points on the outside of the ear that a auricular acupuncturist must be familiar with in order to treat pain. Each point is believed to correspond to a different area of the body’s central nervous system: all the head acupuncture points are believed to be found on the earlobe, the major organs in the conch, and the lower limbs at the top of the ear. These areas are determined based on their Vascular Autonomic Signal (VAS), which refers to the amplitude of the pulse when certain points of the ear are stimulated. The VAS is used mostly in diagnosis. In stimulating these different areas with either a needle, laser, massage, or electrically, Chinese medicine believes that you Chi (life energy) flows more freely, however Western medicine postulates that this stimulation releases certain chemicals into the brain that create a feeling of well being.

Drug Addiction Treatment with Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture has been used for the treatment of cocaine addiction, to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Needles are inserted into five different points on the ear, each corresponding to a specific organ or for a particular purpose that is believed to reduce or stop dependence on cocaine. They are not only believed to give relief from cravings, but also help repair the physiological damage caused by long term drug abuse. These points are:
The sympathetic point – facilitates the body’s release of endorphins, and relaxes internal organs;
The Shenmen point – reduces stress and helps the patient to sleep;
The lung point – helps with breathing and circulation in the detoxification process;
The kidney point – helps digestion and relieves kidney damage;
The liver point – helps the body to keep working smoothly, repairs liver impairment, and is believed to help maintain steady emotions.

Other Auricular Acupuncture Treatments

Auricular acupuncture is believed to be effective in treating a range of ailments, from emotional to physical, to respiratory. It is thought to relieve insomnia, depression, anxiety and pre-menstrual tension. The physical problems it is credited with aiding are back pain, arthritis, headaches, hernias, shingles, tennis elbow, obesity, migraines, hay fever, colitis, sciatica, tendinitis, indigestion, and sinus problems. Success rates for auriculotherapeutic treatment of these disorders are believed to be as high as 95%.

Autogenic Training Description

The autogenic training therapy was first developed by Johannes Schultz, who was German psychiatrist, and aimed to create a system whereby the organs could be controlled to prevent certain physiological reactions to stress. In theory, autogenic training allows the practitioner to be fully relaxed at any time they wish, however it has been credited with doing far more than this. In calming the mind, autogenic therapy is believed to be effective in treating depression and other emotional or psychological illnesses, as well as decreasing nervousness and boosting confidence, improving physical health and also mental focus. Practitioners are told to sit comfortably and focus on different areas of their body. As they focus on different limbs and organs, the practitioner repeats positive affirmations related to enjoying good health.

As autogenic training does not require any special clothing or equipment, it is quite simple to do, and for this reason has become quite popular in the Western world Ð particularly among business people and others with high stress careers. It is not a form of meditation guided by a spiritual goal, and is therefore fairly widely accepted.

Autogenic Training Benefits

Autogenic training is aimed at balancing the parasympathetic (resting) and the sympathetic (fight or flight response) branches of the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for slowing the heart-rate, aiding digestive functions, lowering blood pressure, and improving the immune system. By encouraging natural processes of healing, autogenic training is believed to help with mental health problems as well as general physical well being. It aims to take methods from various forms of meditation and reduce them to a functional everyday mental workout. In addition to reducing stress, autogenic training is credited with reducing symptoms of asthma, constipation and diarrhoea, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, headaches, poor circulation, hyperventilation, thyroid problems and irregular heartbeats.

Autogenic Training Examples

When practitioners begin autogenic exercises, they are instructed by a trainer, but are encouraged to practise the methods anywhere in everyday life. Meditation is encouraged to be based around colours, objects and notions such as love, but really it becomes personal preference based around what the practitioner deems most relaxing.

The first stage of the exercises is a series of six that are carried out three or four times a week. These sessions begin with simple meditation, where the subject is encouraged not to think in words but rather merely abstractly look inward and make picture correspond with certain physical sensations. Thus, when the subject thinks something is happening to their body, they also begin to feel it, for example: their shoulders feeling heavy. Eventually, this practise is expanded upon, and more exercises are added, which increase in complexity. The final four exercises focus on gaining a command of the rate of the subject’s heartbeat, breathing, inner organs and the mind. These are the most difficult to master, however are believed to be most influential in physical health. In order to come out of the state of relaxation intended to be induced by autogenic therapy, the practitioner counts backward from ten, with each number making them more and more aware of their surroundings.

Aurotherapy Description

Aurotherapy has been used throughout history to treat arthritis and rheumatic-related illness, however its efficacy is a subject of much debate. It is believed that gold attaches itself to certain proteins (albumin). Once absorbed into the cell, it is then purported to kill particular cells in order to affect the inflammation and erosion of joints. It does not necessarily act as a cure, but is rather believed to merely relieve symptoms of joint disease. Gold salts are occasionally used to treat children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, however there are now conventional ministrations that are more popular and scientifically approved. Treatment involving gold salts requires frequent visits to the doctor, and can prove to be quite expensive. In the United States of America, sodium aurothiomalate and Aurothioglucose (sold under the names Myochrysine and Solgonal respectively) are the only drugs left in circulation that are based on aurotherapeutic methodology and include the gold salt ingredient.

Aurotherapy and Arthritis

The accumulation of gold salts in the body over time is believed to treat the symptoms of arthritis. They reduce inflammation of the joints and slow the general development of rheumatism. Often, the patient receives injections of gold for the first 22 weeks, and then less and less if the treatment is working. Gold salts can also be taken orally, however this has been found to be less effective, and it can be up to six months before the patient may notice any change in their condition. In recent times, aurotherapy have become a less popular treatment as other medication has become available.

Aurotherapy Treatment

Aurotherapy treatment can be administered orally or by intramuscular injection. The injections are prepared by treating gold bromide (a chemical compound found in sea salt) with thioglucose solution (a sugar-based product) and sulphur dioxide. It is liquefied and then recrystallised with water and methanol (a simple alcohol). They are administered to the patient weekly for around three to five months, until significant changes occur, and then treatment becomes less frequent. Auranofin is the oral capsule form of gold salts and is marketed under the name Ridaura. Myochrysine (sodium aurothiomalate) and Solganal (aurothioglucose) are administered by injection. Proteins in the blood need to be checked regularly through urine tests (which indicate kidney damage) and blood samples throughout this treatment.

Aurotherapy Toxicity

Quite serious side effects can develop from aurotherapy. Gold compounds take up to two months to reach a steady state and have a long life in the body: only 70% is excreted in ten days. Patients with a history of bowel disease, skin rashes or bone marrow depression should seek medical advice before treatment, as they are at increased risk of developing adverse side effects through the use of gold salts. Common side effects of orally administered gold salts include decreased appetite, nausea, hair loss and diarrhoea, along with skin, blood, kidney or lung complications. Common side effects of gold salt injections include skin rash or mouth sores, and in some cases kidney problems. It has also been known to induce obesity.

Aromatic Medicine History

The people of Ancient Egypt were widely renowned for their use of aromatics. They celebrated fragrances in all areas of life. After bathing they would anoint themselves with aromatic oils to protect their skin from the drying sun. At festivals, the women of Ancient Egypt would wear perfumed wax cones upon their heads. These cones would gradually melt, coating the women’s bodies in fragrance. Aromatic medicine was a part of Ancient Egyptian ritual, they burned incense made from aromatic wood in honor of their gods. Fragrances such as Frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon and cederwood were all involved in the protocols of mummification, the preparation of dignitaries for the afterlife.

The word “aromatherapy” was first used by French chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé. In the 1920s he extensively researched the healing properties of essential oils following an accident in his laboratory. When Gattefossé set his arm on fire, he doused the flames in the nearest cold liquid, which happened to be lavender oil. To his surprise, he found that his wound healed remarkably quickly, and with no scarring. Later, Jean Valnet, a student of Gattefossé, continued his teacher’s work by using essential oils to treat wounded soldiers during World War 2.

Aromatic Medicine Treatment Today

Today, the use of aromatic medicine is most prevalent in France. In France the antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties of essential oils are emphasised over the more spiritual modes of aromatherapy seen in other countries. In English speaking countries such as the UK, USA and Australia, aromatherapy is decidedly more “feel-good”, with essential oils being used more to treat general stress, or as mood improvers, rather than to treat specific conditions.

Methods for applying Aromatic medicine vary between country. Low-level methods such as incense burning, or direct inhalation, tend to be the extent of aromatic medicine in central Europe. In the UK and other English speaking countries, the use of essential oils in massage, baths and skin care is also common. It is in France that the use of aromatic medicine is most extensive, with application through oral, rectal or vaginal means common.

Essential Oils

What is referred to by the term “essential oil” is oil that carries the distinctive scent of a particular plant. The more common essential oils are captured by distillation. Steam is made to pass over raw plant matter, causing the aromatic compounds in the plant matter to vaporise. These vapours are directed to a special coil where they condense and are then collected. In some cases, particularly with citrus based oils, the plant matter is crushed and pressed so that the oils may be extracted directly. A third method of producing essential oils is through chemical extraction. In this method, the plant matter is treated with a series of solvents until a concentrated essential oil is produced.

Uses of Different Oils

Bergamot is a popular essential oil used in aromatic medicine. It is purported to affect mood by sharpening concentration and lessening depression. It is also said to relieve headaches and migraines. Black pepper is used to increase circulation and to treat muscular soreness. Eucalyptus oil is a common treatment for clearing the sinuses for cold and flu sufferers. For more information on various aromatic medical treatments, grab a copy of Learn the Power of Aromatherapy.

Astrology is the study of how celestial bodies influence life on Earth. The motions of the Sun, the Moon and the planets are all taken into consideration in order to understand how the physical events on Earth play out. Early astrologers watched the skies to make predictions about agriculture: when to plant crops, when to harvest and so on. It soon became obvious to them that there were links between human experience and astrological events. Thus, even from the very beginnings of astrology, it was used to assist in medicine; to understand the workings of the human body and to determine which treatments would be most effective for the injured and the unwell.

Astrology History

Hippocrates, the Ancient Greek physician who is regarded today as the father of modern medicine and who is the originator of the Hippocratic oath which all medical doctors must pledge, was a great proponent and practitioner of astrology. According to Hippocrates, a physician without knowledge of astrology should “call himself a fool rather than a physician.” Hippocrates lived in the years 460-377 BC, but medical astrology is much more ancient than that, dating back to the Babylonian priests of 2000 BC.

Although medical astrology is not as respected today as it was during ancient times, it may be regarded as an essential part of the western medical tradition. It is analogous to the mystical elements of traditional Chinese medicine.

Astrology Description

The main purpose of medical astrology is to judge by the position of the cosmic bodies the nature of illnesses that are in effect. For instance, a medical astrologer will make determinations about the severity of a particular disease, the duration of the disease, the probable resolution of the disease and the methods that should be employed to treat the disease.

A medical astrology will construct the patient’s birth chart and compare it to the current position of the zodiac and the planets. He or she will also make use of horary astrology, where the chart is based on the time that the patient has fallen ill. Horary charts are often refered to has decumbiture charts; the word decumbiture meaning “lying in”.

In astrology, the sky is devided into 12 equal parts, each corresponding to a zodiac sign. These signs are, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Astrological Influences

Each of the signs of the zodiac are associated with parts of the body. Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, relates to the head, face and brain. Pisces, the last sign, is associated with the feet and toes. The intervening signs thus move down through all the parts of the body. Taurus relates to the throat, neck and thyroid gland. Cancer, chest, breasts and stomach. Leo, the heart, spine and upper back. Virgo relates to the digestive system, intestines and spleen. Libra, the kidneys, skin and lower back. Scorpio the reproductive system, bowels. Saggitarius, hips, thighs and liver. Capricorn, knees, joints, skeleton. Aquarius, the ankles calves and circulatory system.

A medical astrologer may determine that a person with many planets in the sign of Leo is likely to suffer from heart problems. Another person, with a large number of planets in the sign of Libra, may be likely to suffer from pain in the lower back.

Attractor Field Therapy Description

Contrary to mainstream belief, Dr. Hawkins states that genetic science can provide little assistance to our understanding of health. For example, genetics, cannot explain cellular differentiation. Every cell has the same genetic information, yet how one cell becomes brain tissue, and the other a part of the toe, is still a mystery to geneticists. Dr. Hawkins found the answer to this question and many others in the energy patterns that form the basis for all living things. Embracing Rupert Sheldrake’s concept of “M-fields”, Dr. Hawkins claims that these energy forces affect not only our physical being but our mental state and context.

Meridian energy altering formulae, such as Attractor Field Therapy, have developed as a result of Dr. Hawkins’ studies. They work by eliminating the symptoms of the particular mental or physical disorder through the elimination of the energy fields that are its cause.

Attractor Field Therapy Background

Attractor Field Therapy, and other “Meridian Therapies”, have their background in acupuncture, a therapy generally considered to have developed in China and Tibet.

As Chinese culture was introduced to the West, the art of acupuncture spread into Europe; these therapeutic forms mingled with Western ideas and new concepts developed. From the early 1970s, Detroit Chiropractor, George Goodheart, made discoveries that led to the development of the Art of Applied Kinesiology. As the 1970s progressed, his work was used as the basis for a new subject that John Diamond, a psychiatrist, successfully developed: Behavioural Kinesiology. This new subject, in turn, also served as a foundation for Energy Therapy, which more recently has been developed into “Meridian Therapies” such as Attractor Field Therapy.

Related Therapies

Many of the new “Meridian Therapies” sprang from Thought Field Therapy (TFT), developed by Dr Roger Callahan in the early 1980s, a psychologist who had been studying Chinese medicine extensively. One of his early successes was the treatment of a client suffering from acute water phobia; from then on the study progressed into an effective and complex therapy.

TFT involves the tapping of acupoints in a particular pattern, known as an algorithm. Relevant acupoints are tapped in a specific order depending on the diagnosis. To assess progress, the Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUDs) rating is assessed before and during the treatment.

Attractor Field Therapy Treatment

Attractor Field Therapy treatments work by interrupting the energy flow through the acupuncture Meridians. The treatment does not involve needles, and the process is painless. Although self-treatment is possible, it is recommended that two people take part; one to read the instructions, and the other to carry them out. Since the treatments are precisely formulated, they must be performed accurately. It is especially important to follow the timings prescribed on the instructions carefully.

Attractor Field Therapy Summary

Attractor Field Therapy treatments performed on a person with a physical illness, rather than a pain disorder, take time to effectively eliminate the disorder. For example, fingernails that are infected with fungus will need to grow out, and mental disorders will also take a whileto resolve after the formula is completed. Since the body changes gradually after it has been affected by a disorder, the same pattern applies to a body that has been cured of a disorder; although the illness may be eliminated, the time it takes for the body to recover to its normal state will be gradual.

The Asyra is an Electro-Dermal Screening Device designed by G-Tech. It is designed to non-invasively screen a patient for energetic imbalances. Energetic imbalances identified by the Asyra may indicate physiological imbalances or the presence of toxins. It is thought that EDS devices such as the Asyra can bridge the gaps in conventional Western Medicine diagnosis, and provide a clearer picture of not only the illnesses in the body, but also the treatments that will be likely to resolve them.

Asyra Device Background

Asyra testing differs from other Electro-Dermal Screening Devices in that it does not specifically involve the acupuncture meridians. Instead, the device tests frequencies, thousands of preprogrammed energy frequencies that each correspond to different physiological conditions. G-Tech founders, Mark and Joe Galloway, have drawn on decades of experience working with Electro-Dermal Screening Devices, to create the Asyra device; it is the pinnacle of their achievements in this field.

Asyra Device Filtering

What makes the Asyra device special is its unique filtering technology. If the system identifies a disturbance in the body, it will then cycle through an extensive list of homoeopathic treatments, sending a unique energy frequency into the body for each one. The machine judges by the body’s response to these energy frequencies and determines which treatment will be most effective for the individual. This system is designed to remove opportunity for ‘human error’; instead of relying on a trained practitioner to decide upon the treatment, the body itself choses its therapy. It is important to understand that the filter list is processed from top to bottom, a process that occurs very quickly. With other systems, the operator of the device may need to manually cycle through the frequencies to be tested. This is time consuming, and may result in the wrong treatment being selected due to operator bias.

Asyra Device Tests

The current model of the Asyra device is capable of processing the following tests: Comprehensive Energetic Analysis (includes 5000 items), Immune Susceptibility (2000 items), Miasma Influence, Cranial Suture Evaluation, Circulatory Support, Circulatory Disturbance, Detox Support, Emotional Stress (Bach Flowers), Hormonal Support, Hormonal Profile, Immune System Support, Metabolic Support, Metabolic Imbalances, Musculoskeletal Support, Musculoskeletal Imbalance, Neurological Support, Neurotransmitter Profile and Nutritional Maintenance.

Asyra Device Drops

Another key feature of the Asyra device is that it can transmit therapeutic frequencies into a homoeopathic solution. The patient then places a drop of the solution onto his or her tongue twice daily. Through the ingestion of the solution, the energy frequencies enter the body and are distributed throughout the energetic nervous system. This bring positive results for the patient’s wellbeing. According with the ideas of homoeopathy, it is not the physical substance that brings healing, but, rather, the energy frequencies that those substances emit.

With conventional medicine, each drug is reckoned to only transmit one frequency at a time. Thus people will take many drugs at the same time in order to treat their illnesses. Since the Asyra device works with Energy Medicine, it can imprint a combination of frequencies on to a single substance. Thus the patient is able to receive the effects of all the homoeopathic substances that he or she requires by administering only one substance.

The patient takes the drops two times per day. The correct procedure is to ensure that nothing else is placed in the mouth neither five minutes before, nor five minutes after, the drops. The suggested dosage is six drops for an average sized person and four drops for a child. It is suggested that varying from the recommended dosage is unlikely to have a negative effect. Side effects are unusual with such treatments, but it is suggested that a patient may feel slightly unwell upon commencing treatment. This is due to the release of toxins from the body.

Judith Aston

Judith Aston, creator of Aston Patterning, graduated from U.C.L.A with a B.A. and M.F.A. in education and dance. During the 1960s she worked at Long Beach City College developing education programs for athletes, dancers and actors. A special interest of Aston’s was the interaction between body consciousness and psychological health.

In 1968, Aston was involved in a serious car accident and sought the help of Dr. Ida Rolf for rehabilitation. Subsequently, Aston herself became trained in Rolf’s Structural Integration techniques, known as Rolfing. During the 1970s Aston became a teacher of Rolfing, combining it with her own knowledge of movement and dance.

Aston later became disillusioned with the Rolf school of thought. She disagreed with models that favoured segmental alignment and placing constraints on posture. Drawing on her years of experience, she developed what she calls the Aston Paradigm. This is a new model of bio-mechanics and movement education. Aston continues to teach and write about Aston Patterning today.

Aston Patterning Description

There are four aspects to Aston Patterning: movement education, bodywork, ergonomics and fitness training.

The movement education aspect relates to neuro-kinetics and muscle memory. Individuals are assisted in developing easier and less stressful ways of moving their bodies in their day-to-day lives.

Bodywork goes together with the movement education so that changes in movement may be properly maintained. The bodywork is both deep-tissue and superficial, making use of precise, three-dimensional strokes.

Ergonomically, patients are taught to understand the environmental factors that may affect their body structure and usage. The Aston-Line offers a variety of products that promote ergonomic seating .

Aston Fitness training promotes stretching and loosening of the body and can be considered as self-massage.

Who Can Benefit Aston Patterning

Aston-Patterning can be of assistance to a wide variety of people. Sports people may find that, by developing more efficient body structure and movement, they can reduce their risk of injury and increase stamina. Aged individuals who suffer from stooping, slowness or lack of balance may find that they can neutralise many of the negative aspects of getting older. Office-workers may be able to minimise the consequences of repetitive body movements so that they feel less fatigued by work and less prone to injury or sickness. Driving a car is a common cause of physical strain, Aston-Patterning may help people to understand how this happens and how to prevent it.

Aston Patterning Treatment

Treatment begins with a careful examination of the patient in their normal range of body movement. Muscle tightness and skeletal formation are examined. The patient is questioned about their physical condition and asked to describe any pains or discomfort. Based on these investigations, the practitioner will develop a long-term program for muscle re-education.

Aston Patterning Official Products

The Aston-Line offers many different products that help promote natural alignment in the human body. The basic premise is that the environment should be adapted to the human body, not the other way around. Specially designed cushions are available that reduce positional tension. These include the Gel Seat, a unique triangular shaped cushion filled with semi-firm gel. It is thin so that it may be used in a variety of setting with minimal affect to sitting height.

There are a number of Aston Patterning books are available, including, “Moving Beyond Posture”, a book filled with exercises designed to assist in the improvement of posture.