Acupuncture: The use of acupuncture in the treatment of acne has not been scientifically evaluated but there have been reports that two acupuncture procedures have reduced the symptoms of acne: auricular acupuncture (acupuncture applied to the ear) and electro-acupuncture (acupuncture using a mild electrical current).

Herbal medicine: Some herbs are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and, for that reason, they may be helpful in the treatment of acne (as well as other skin conditions):

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and flaxseed oil

Tea Tree Oil

The herbs that help reduce acne inflammation do so by reducing the amount of the P.acnes bacteria produced by the body as a reaction to clogged pores. Tea Tree oil has been favorably compared to benzoyl peroxide in the reduction of P.acnes and is said to have fewer side effects (stinging, itchiness and dry skin).

Homeopathic remedies: Homeopathic professionals evaluate the individual (their physical, emotional and intellectual makeup) before prescribing a treatment and then tailor the treatment to the individual. While homeopathy has not had the benefit of many scientific studies, professional homeopaths have found that certain homeopathic treatments reduce certain symptoms of acne:

Belladonna works best for people who are experiencing “hot” areas on their face or those who have pus-filled acne blemishes.

Calendula is used to treat pus-filled blemishes or blisters.

Hepar sulphur is useful for pus-filled blemishes that are painful.

Kali bromatum is used for deep acne blemishes, especially those on the forehead.

Silicea is used for deep, pus-filled acne blemishes.

Mind and body medicine: Mind and body approaches to the problem of acne are primarily through the practices of biofeedback, cognitive imagery and hypnotherapy.

Biofeedback and Cognitive Imagery: Biofeedback and cognitive imagery are relaxation therapies used because emotional stress can have an aggravating effect on acne. Biofeedback techniques train the individual to control some internal processes such as heart rate and muscle tension. Cognitive imagery (also called guided imagery) involves the use of mental pictures to relax and evoke helpful physical and emotional conditions. Together, when used properly by a person who has mastered the techniques, these methods have been shown to lessen the severity of acne breakouts.

Hypnosis: Hypnosis works pretty much the same way that biofeedback and cognitive imagery work, by relaxing the patient. The obvious difference is, of course, in the case of hypnosis, a professional practitioner is controlling the process.

Ayurveda: Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine originated in India. Ayurveda focuses primarily on diet and lifestyle. Each person, as we all know, is unique and Ayurveda treatments recognize this by tailoring recommendations to the individual.

The practitioner of Ayurveda observes the individual and applies knowledge he or she has learned through ancient texts that document the ‘energetic forces’ (called Tridoshas) that influence everything in nature — including, of course, humans. Ayurvedistic remedies tend to be herbal; for example, the one Ayurvedic preparation that has proven best for acne relief, a preparation called “Sunder Vati” is an herbal remedy that consists of Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Holarrhena antidysenterica and Embelia ribes.

Kampo: Kampo is a Japanese version of traditional, ancient Chinese medicine. A Kampo treatment for acne, the treatment called: Keigai-rengyo-to (TJ-50), has proven effective in some cases. TJ-50 consists of seventeen herbs that have combined anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Among there herbs are: Skullcap root (Scutellaria lateriflora), Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Mint (Mentha arvensis), Angelica root (Angelica archangelica), Peony root (Paeonia lactiflora).

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements: It has been pretty well proven that, at least as a general proposition, diet has no effect on acne but there are certain foods that effect certain people in certain ways. There are many reports from individual acne sufferers that certain drinks or foods (it seems that nuts are particularly suspect) make their acne worse. All that can be said about this is pay attention to what you eat and how it affects you over the next few days.

Related posts:

1. Using Acupuncture Medicine for Acne
2. Homeopathic Acne Treatment Is Slow But Highly Effective
3. Acne Alternative Medicine

Biofeedback involves teaching the body to control involuntary responses, such as blood pressure, brain activity, heart rate, and muscle tension.  Through these techniques, a person can treat both physical and mental health problems.  Biofeedback can also help prevent health problems and provide the practitioner with overall improved health and a greater sense of well-being.  Through the use of biofeedback, a person can potentially eliminate the need to use medication.  Similarly, biofeedback can help treat illnesses that have been unresponsive to medication.

A person can be trained in biofeedback with the help of a therapist specially trained in the field.  Generally, a session for training in biofeedback takes 30 to 60 minutes.  During one of these sessions, the therapist places electrical sensors on different parts of the body in order to monitor the way the body responds to stress.  These responses, such as muscle contractions, will trigger a response with the equipment being used for monitoring, such as a beeping sound.  In this way, the person being trained in biofeedback can begin to make associations between the body’s responses with the way the body is functioning.

During a therapy session, the person being trained in biofeedback attempts to adjust his body’s responses.  The person receives continual feedback from the equipment being used.  If the body continues to react in an adverse fashion, the beeping number of beeping sounds might increase.  This means the problem is getting worse.  If the beeping decreases, the problem is getting better.  In this way, the person learns what activities help reduce the problem and what activities aggravate it.

After understanding how the body reacts negatively, you can learn about biofeedback and how you can make the body have positive changes. Biofeedback will enable you to teach your self how to relax specific muscles.  Eventually, the person learns how to make these changes without the assistance of a therapist.

There are many different types of machine used to help in the biofeedback process.  An Electromyogram (EMG) uses sensors or electrodes to measure tension in muscles.  This is especially helpful in learning how to control grinding of teeth and to relax muscles, particularly in the head, back, and neck.  It can also help with illnesses that become worse in stressful situations, such as ulcers and asthma.  By using an EMG, the person learns to recognize these feelings early and is then able to control the feelings of tension immediately.

Using sensors to monitor temperature can also be helpful. Often, body temperatures drop when under stress.  Therefore, a low temperature indicates a need to begin performing relaxation techniques.  This type of biofeedback is especially helpful for people with Reynard’s disease or who suffer from migraines.

Other sensors can be used to measure sweat glad activity.  This is called Galvanic Skin response training.  Excessive perspiration can be a sign of anxiety.  Understanding this form of biofeedback and how the body reacts can help control anxiety, as well as phobias and stuttering.

An Electroencephalogram (EEG) can also be used in biofeedback training.  The EEG is capable of monitoring brain waves.  These brain waves are connected to a variety of mental states, including relaxation, wakefulness, and calmness.

A qualified biofeedback therapist can be found by contacting the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA).  The BCIA can provide names of certified therapists in specific areas of the United States. 

Biofeedback has also been used to help treat stroke victims who have lost movement in their muscles.  In addition, psychologists use biofeedback to help east anxious clients and many specialists use biofeedback to help patients learn to deal with pain.  Cardiac arrhythmias, high and low blood pressure, epilepsy, and digestive system disorders have also been successfully treated with biofeedback.

Biofeedback has been repeatedly shown to work, though most patients can’t really explain how it works for them or what exactly they are doing to control certain involuntary body functions.  But, this is in-line with what biofeedback is truly all about, being able to understand one’s own body in a unique way no one else can.

 

Related posts:

1. Of Sound Mind and Body: Does Music Therapy Work?
2. You Are What You Eat: Nutrition Basics for the Clueless
3. Common, Effective Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure