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According to Chinese Medicine, our human body has over 360 acupuncture points, with more than 60 found on each sole of the feet. The sole is also known as the “second heart” as it affects blood circulation. It is the place for the accumulation and excretion of toxins in human body.
The best area to put ShuLitm is at the sole of the feet. This is because the sole is the reflective area for our organs and is the place where most accu-points are closely grouped together. This is also the area where most toxins in the body find their resting place. When the ShuLitm is placed in areas other than the soles, be sure to apply at the pressure point of the affected area.
Detoxification is the process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins in the body.
Detoxification, the attempt to cleanse the body's internal systems and organs by natural means, is one of the oldest cleansing processes known to man. Historically, it was achieved simply by fasting, or deliberately abstaining from taking in food for a certain period of time.
Why is Detoxification Important?
In modern times, with the growing concern over environmental contaminants of all types, detoxification is advocated by some as a necessary means of staying healthy. Naturopaths believe that most illnesses are taken care of by the body's natural elimination processes. They are the most vigorous supporters of detoxification because they believe that the primary cause of disease is the accumulation of wastes not eliminated from the body.
Effects of Toxins in the Body
Those who believe that the body's systems are unable to cope with daily poisonous assaults argue that toxins accumulate in the body faster than they can be eliminated, and are therefore the primary cause of disease. They also believe that toxic accumulation alters the body's metabolism and causes enzyme dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and even damaged immune systems. All of these contribute to the human's physiological and psychological decline.
Symptoms of Toxicity
Because the body's natural cleansing systems are no longer up to the task, proponents of detoxification say everyone should detoxify at some point. Their argument is backed by listing various symptoms of toxicity which include headache, fatigue, congestion, backaches, aching or swollen joints, digestive problems, allergy symptoms, and sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, and synthetics. Others list constipation, hemorrhoids, mood changes, ulcers, psoriasis, and acne as common symptoms that the body has reached toxic levels requiring attention.
Common Benefits of Detoxification
The common benefit of using any of the many detoxification therapies available, is that they all put the body, and especially its digestive tract, on vacation. In other words, by cleansing the body of built-up poisons and not adding more to the mix, stress on the immune system is reduced, thereby promoting healing, a clearer mind and general good health. Advocates of detoxification therapies report increased vitality, reduced blood pressure and blood fats, and improved body assimilation of vitamins and minerals.
Toxins and the Body
A toxin is basically anything that causes an irritation in the body or has a harmful effect on it. There is little doubt that our world in the 21st century is an increasingly toxic place. Many private and governmental health organizations are highly concerned with the unhealthy effects of pesticides, industrial chemicals, food additives, and heavy metals. In addition to these environmental threats, many people have adopted a lifestyle that adds further to their toxic intake by ingesting legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco) and sometimes the use of illegal drugs (cocaine and marijuana).
Naturopaths and other alternative medicine practitioners fear an epidemic that they call bioaccumulation, or a buildup and trapping of toxic substances in the body. These substances weaken the organs of elimination, as well as the immune system that can gradually erode human health. Practitioners of naturopathy and of traditional medicine agree that the body has its own natural processes for eliminating and neutralizing toxins via perspiration, urination, exhalation, and bowel movements. However, they disagree on the question of whether the body's elimination systems are capable of handling the nature and amount of toxins in today's world.
Types of Detoxification Therapy
There are several types of therapies available for detoxification, and some are more intrusive or less natural than others. It is highly recommended that professional advice from qualified and experienced practitioners be obtained when selecting a particular program. The major detoxification therapy categories are: fasting, specific diets, vitamin therapy, colon therapy, chelation therapy, and hyperthermia.Detoxification therapies run the gamut from self-directed fasting to intravenously-administered synthetic drugs, and none should be undertaken without medical supervision. Although there is limited research data available to prove that detoxification therapies work, proponents report lower blood pressure, reduction in blood fat levels, and better vitamin and mineral absorption as benefits. While there is no doubt that processed food contains additives and preservatives, that drinking water is far from pure, and that air is contaminated, more scientific studies need to be performed to prove that a particular therapy can purify the body of these toxins.
Fasting
This is certainly the least expensive and easiest therapy to attempt, but it should always be preceded by a visit to a qualified health professional or nutritionist. Fasting is generally done for a limited, specific number of days. All fasting regimens permit water to be consumed, for it is essential to prevent dehydration. Others allow juice as well, although purists consider this to be food. The main rationale for fasting is that since far fewer toxins are taken in, the body is able to rid itself of those already present.
Diets
Proponents say that a strong immune system founded on a plant-based diet is the best defense against environmental toxins. As opposed to fasting, detoxification or detox diets as they are more commonly known, can be undertaken for extended periods of time. Although there are many different types of detox diets, most are based on eating organic rather than processed foods, minimizing meats and maximizing fruits and vegetables, and drinking filtered water. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners also hold that certain foods, like radishes, turnips, soybeans, swiss chard, and vinegar, can actually counteract or neutralize toxins.
Vitamin Therapy
The use of antioxidants is generally recommended as an ongoing, daily regimen in people's lives, especially if they are in a compromised, or particularly unhealthy environment. Some feel that certain vitamins, such as C and E, are antioxidant nutrients capable of neutralizing certain toxins called free radicals. A free radical is a particular type of atom or group of atoms that can damage cells and impair a person's immunity system. While our bodies contain natural enzymes that work against these free radicals, some argue that vitamins C and E as well as the beta-carotene in vitamin A function as free-radical scavengers, thus neutralizing the toxins that harm our immune systems.
Colon Therapy
Colonics or cleansing the large intestine with purified water, herbs, or other cleansing agents, is sometimes combined with fasting to flush out toxins from the body. A step beyond a simple enema, this procedure is performed by a trained therapist who introduces from 5-25 gal (19-941 l) of water, or other cleansing agents, directly into the rectum using a tube and nozzle. This technique is supposed to remove toxic stool that remains in the folds of the intestine. If performed improperly or too frequently, it can be dangerous.
Chelation Therapy
The most common type of chelation therapy involves the use of a chemical agent that is recognized as being able to effectively treat heavy-metal poisoning (like lead or mercury). The synthetic drug ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is administered intravenously or orally and binds to heavy metals in the blood. The toxic metals are then flushed out naturally through the kidneys. Doctors also use natural chelating agents like zinc, garlic, vitamin C, and amino acids like cysteine. Oral chelation, while less expensive and more convenient, has been reported to work considerably slower than the intravenous method. Chelation therapy has also been used to treat artherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. It has been theorized that chelation removes calcium which is part of the plaque that coats arteries. While some patients have reported remarkable results with this treatment, no reliable scientific data exists to support their statements. Research is also needed to confirm reports of success with treating heart and cancer patients with chelation therapy.
Hyperthermia
Also known as heat stress detoxification, this technique essentially uses a sauna or a steam bath to sweat out toxic chemicals from fat cells. The various detoxification therapies all claim to be able to eliminate chemicals and pollutants from the body's systems, to alleviate the symptoms of this toxicity, and to help the patient return to good health.
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