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Please click here to see how fellow Hyperhidrosis Sufferers have stopped their Excessive Sweating Acupuncture is an important component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, practised since 1,200 BC. It was even documented in the classic medical text, “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” (Nei Jing), over 2,000 years ago.
In western medicine, doctors monitor blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages travelling through the nervous system, acupuncturists assess the flow and distribution of “vital energy” (qi) within pathways, known as “meridians” and “channels”. Acupuncturists insert needles into specific points along the meridians, in order to influence the balance and flow of vital energy. This is a highly skilled practice, as there are over 1,000 acupuncture points across the body. Even though you may be visiting the acupuncturist with the specific complaint of excessive sweating, they will normally ask you to complete a detailed health questionnaire, as they understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to health problems. After all, the root cause of hyperhidrosis is not the same across all sufferers of this embarrassing problem. Therefore, their diagnosis would result in them inserting needles in different acupuncture points from one hyperhidrosis sufferer to another. The questionnaire is likely to contain questions regarding diet, appetite, temperature etc, along with questions regarding what exacerbates your excessive sweating. During the initial consultation, the acupuncturist will note face colour, tongue colour and coating and three pulse points on the wrist. It is important to note that not all people suffering from hyperhidrosis would be treated alike in order to reduce perspiration. It is because of this personal, individual approach, as opposed to one drug fits all, that it is very important to find a qualified practitioner of a high calibre. Both acupuncture points within the areas of excessive sweating and points away from these areas may be used with different point combinations to address a particular person’s condition and general constitution. Acupuncture attempts to regulate excessive sweating by correcting any vital energy imbalances in the body and to harmonise the mind and body so that emotional disturbances do not aggravate the condition further.
Homeopathy The father of medicine, Hippocrates, is thought to have discovered the principal of “like cures like” around 100 BC. Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), made “like cures like” the foundation of his new medicine, which was to become Homeopathy. The term Homeopathy, comes from the Greek, meaning “similar suffering”. This “similar suffering” or “like cures like” theory is always used in Homeopathic experiments, called provings. For example, in Hahnemann’s day, Belladonna was studied and it was found to produce symptoms of agitation, flushing of the face, throbbing pains, enlargement of the pupils, aversion to light and sore throat. These physicians noted that this symptom picture closely resembled that of Scarlet Fever. Scarlet Fever was epidemic at the time, and the Homeopathic Belladonna preparation was proved to cure many cases of it. With over 3,000 homeopathic remedies available, Homeopathy is a natural system of medicine which uses specially prepared remedies to stimulate the inner, natural defences of the human organism. Homeopathic remedies are made from three sourcs:- Minerals, such as Phosphorous, Gold and Sulphur Vegetable Substances, including Pulsatilla, Staphysagria and Chamomilla Animal substances such as Tarentula and Lachesis (venom of the bushmaster snake). Even though you may be visiting the Homeopath with the specific complaint of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), they will normally ask you to complete a detailed health questionnaire, as they understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to health problems. After all, the root cause of hyperhidrosis is not the same across all sufferers of this embarrassing problem. Therefore, their diagnosis would result in them prescribing different remedies and different potencies from one hyperhidrosis sufferer to another. The questionnaire is likely to contain questions regarding, diet, appetite, emotions, sleep, temperature, along with questions regarding what exacerbates your excessive sweating. It is important to note that not all people suffering from hyperhidrosis would be treated alike in order to reduce sweating. It is because of this personal, individual approach, as opposed to one drug fits all, that it is very important to find a qualified Homeopath of a high calibre. Chinese Herbalism The earliest written records of Chinese Herbalism date from 2,000 BC. Chinese Herbalists believe that health problems are triggered by internal imbalances which may result in outward signs, or conditions such as excessive sweating. Chinese Herbalism is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine which uses the following within its foundations: Yin and Yang The Five Elements Energetics and Flavours Qi and Blood The Eight Principles When visiting a Chinese Herbalist for the first time, you will be asked many questions. As a Hyperhidrosis sufferer, it will be of no surprise to be asked about the colour and scent of bodily secretions. Many other questions however, may seem perplexing, as you will probably think they can not possibly be related to your condition of Hyperhidrosis. This is because detailed questioning and careful diagnosis are key to the success of any medical philosophy which takes a holistic approach. Tongue and pulse diagnosis are helpful to Chinese Herbalists. But it is essential that you are as honest and open as possible with your responses, even though topics of a very personal nature may be covered. Chinese Herbalism can be effective at treating skin conditions such as Hyperhidrosis, Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne and Keratosis. It is important to note that not all people suffering from hyperhidrosis would be treated alike in order to reduce sweating. It is because of this personal, individual approach, as opposed to one drug fits all, that it is very important to find a qualified Chinese Herbalist of a high calibre. Herbalism Practised for thousands of years, Herbalism is the oldest form of medicine. Some believe that even Neanderthal man used medicinal plants of the type still used by Western Herbalists today. Whilst it is widely believed that sage can alleviate excessive sweating problems, a qualified herbalist has more ammunition in their medicine chest. Herbalists take a holistic approach to medicine, taking detailed notes during the first consultation, usually taking an hour. Once the route cause of your Hyperhidrosis has been diagnosed, the herbalist may prescribe herbs in various forms such as teas, liquid tinctures, capsules, creams and rubbing oils. Each person is different, and depending on the severity and history of your hyperhidrosis, it may take some time for the sweating to diminish. The herbalist will generally need to see you, four weeks after the initial consultation, allowing time for the herbs to take effect. Don’t expect a “sticking plaster”, quick fix cure, herbalism generally works slowly on longstanding hyperhidrosis. As your hyperhidrosis changes; severity, regularity, differing times, odour etc, the herbalist will probably need to change the mix or concentration of prescribed herbs. It is important to note that not all people suffering from hyperhidrosis would be treated alike in order to reduce sweating. It is because of this personal, individual approach, as opposed to one drug fits all, that it is very important to find a qualified Western Herbalist of a high calibre. Hypnotherapy Whilst the Austrian physician, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734 - 1815) is credited with being the founder of modern hypnotherapy, it is believed that hypnosis has been used by many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians. Although the route cause of your hyperhidrosis may not be anxiety, many hypnotherapists believe that the worry of excessive sweating, exacerbates the problem. Because of this, they use hypnotism to work directly on the worry of excessive sweating, in order to help you “program” yourself to be cool, calm and collected. For hyperhidrosis sufferers who have experienced success with hypnotism, the results have generally come quite quickly – even within 3 separate hour long sessions. If you decide to treat hyperhidrosis in this way, find a qualified hypnotherapist, preferably one who has successfully treated hyperhidrosis sufferers. Reflexology Working from the inside, reflexology uses therapeutic pressure, on the feet and hands in order to treat all glands, organs and parts of the body. To the layman, it may sound absurd, that by working on pressure points within the feet, sweat glands in your armpits may become less productive. With over 125,000 sweat glands and 7,000 nerve endings in each foot, could there be something in this ? Well, reflexology was practised by the ancient Chinese 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians 4,000 years ago, and many other cultures since, so history also tells us that there may be something in this. Most people visit a reflexologist for improvement in their general wellbeing, as opposed to a specific complaint like hyperhidrosis. However, with the main goal of reflexology being stress reduction, then hyperhidrosis sufferers may benefit too. |
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Always consult a qualified doctor or health practitioner if you have health concerns or are currently under medical supervision.The contents of this site are for information only and are not intended to assist readers in identifying symptoms and conditions they may be experiencing. This site is not intended to be a substitute for taking proper medical advice and should not be relied upon in this way. The author and publisher cannot accept responsibility for illness arising out of the failure to seek medical advice from a doctor.
