What Is the Health Freedom Movement?

The Health Freedom Movement is not a formal institution or organization, but rather a coming together of individuals and organizations in a kind of loose coalition whose aim is to present people with the freedom to make different choice in terms of the medical treatment that they opt for.

The Health Freedom Movement is seen as a spontaneous reaction against the pharmaceutical industry as well as medical regulators and their perceived hegemony over the health care system.
Objective of the Health Freedom Movement
The National Health Freedom Action website has the catchy phrase Promoting Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness which pretty much encapsulates the ideology of this movement;
which doesn’t seek to exclude conventional medicine but rather shows a preference for alternative and natural therapies.
The objective of this movement is to make available for people, the access to food supplements, vitamins, herbal preparations, minerals and so on that will help to prevent disease from occurring.
The focus should be on prevention of disease rather than a subsequent allaying of symptoms. However the way that the current health care system is poised, people are permitted to become sick and then expensive medical solutions are offered. It is this basic problem that the movement seeks to redress.
There is the argument made by proponents of the health freedom movement that the powerful pharmaceutical lobby has a vested interest in preventing people’s access to better health through nutrition.
It is alleged that many studies that examine the effect of nutrition therapy are so designed that they are bound to fail so that claims made by natural therapists are diminished and do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.
The objective of the movement is to let people have better access to more accurate information about nutritional and preventive therapies.
Activities of the Health Freedom Movement
The movement seeks to improve people’s access to organic food, herbal and nutritional supplements and to reduce the hold that the pharmaceutical industry has over health care, strangulating other options.
Also there is the attempt to remove what amounts of censorship by the government as regards natural healing methods and modalities so that people can make more informed choices.

One of the other of the objectives that the Health Freedom Movement works towards is to let individuals achieve greater privacy and control over the information relating to their health. Proponents of the movement are opposed to the sharing of genetic information about a patient without their consent.
There is also an attempt to curb the mindless and indiscriminate vaccination of children without attempting to weigh possible negative consequences of the vaccine against the possible benefits.
The aim is to make people aware of potential risks and to increase the safety of vaccines as well as all other pharmaceutical formulations.
Some Health freedom movement campaigners also agitate for the legalization of substances such as marijuana. Though this is controversial, it is argued that marijuana does have therapeutic properties and its use should be legalized in the way that it has been in certain European nations.
The campaign for legalization of marijuana states that resources used to prosecute and incarcerate users of this substance can be put to better use to catch more serious criminals.

What Is Animal Assisted Therapy and Its Applications?

We all probably know that having a pet is actually good for health and those who are around animals are less likely to suffer from loneliness and depression and animal assisted therapies are now a growing trend among those who wish to eschew drugs in favor of natural healing.

Animal assisted therapy has its roots in the remarkable ability of a Yorkshire Terrier called Smoky and his contribution to the healing of soldiers during World War II. Smoky was roped in to cheer up the convalescing Corporal William Wynne and the dog did a power of good to other wounded soldiers as well. Smoky continued his work as a therapy dog for the next 12 years.
In the 1970’s an American nurse called Elaine Smith noted the positive impacts that dogs could have on ailing individuals and she proceeded to initiate a dog training program which would help patients by having dogs visit medical institutions.
Later the work of individuals such as Nancy Stanley and others brought animal assisted therapy to the fore and brought within its ambit, other animal such as cats, dolphins, rabbits, therapy birds and even llamas (it has been seen that children may walk twice as far when accompanied by docile and friendly llamas and they are very effective when they form part of therapy for disabled children).
Animal assisted therapy has various different applications; physical, emotional, motivational and educational:
Animal assisted therapy can help on the physical level by helping people improve fine motor skills, wheelchair skills and enhance coordination and balance. There is also some evidence to show that animal therapy can help to lower blood pressure, depression and risk of heart disease and stroke
Animal assisted therapy may also help improve social skills by improving people’s recreational or leisure skills, improving verbal interactions within a group and so on. as anxiety and feelings of loneliness can be reduced with the help of an animal, so can there be an enhancement in self esteem and trust issues
Animal assisted therapy can also have educational impact by helping increase vocabulary and knowledge of concepts

A person’s levels of motivation in terms of interpersonal and professional relationships and group activities can also improve.
A recently conducted study at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ., found that animal assisted therapy reduced patient anxiety when they were to undergo MRI procedures. Researchers found that time spent with dogs could help reduce anxiety as effectively as pharmacologic anxiolysis (anti-anxiety medication)

Natural Remedies for Constipation

Constipation is defined as slow, irregular or infrequent bowel movements. It is a common problem in our modern society which subsists mainly on a diet of denatured, refined, processed and deep-fat fried foods.
Your doctor may recommend conventional treatments such as fiber supplements and over-the-counter laxatives. However, many natural remedies for constipation are considered safe, and are just as effective.

Constipation Diet
Improving your diet is your first line of defense when it comes to digestive problems. Most gastrointestinal disorders are caused by poor dietary habits. Begin by avoiding processed foods such as chips, cookies, cakes, candy or other confectioneries.
Refined flours tend to “gum” up in the digestive tract and are difficult to pass. Instead, consume mostly whole grains such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice. Whole grains are not only rich in nutrients, but also high in fiber.
Fiber provides bulk in the intestine and generally helps move waste along in the system.
In addition to whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables are also high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. The US Department of Agriculture recommends that adults consume at least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ to 3 cups of fresh vegetables each day.
Unfortunately, this is much less than the average American consumes.
One cup of fruit is roughly equal to the amount found in a medium sized apple, or a handful of grapes or berries.

Likewise, a serving of vegetables would amount to one cup of broccoli, a large handful of carrots and a small garden salad. Other high fiber foods that are good to include in the diet are legumes or dried beans, nuts and seeds.
Water in Constipation
Water is essential to all life functions. Our blood is 50 percent water. It helps transport nutrients throughout the body. It is necessary to maintain body temperature. It is also used in excretion and elimination.
If you do not drink enough water each day, you will become dehydrated, your organs will not be able to function properly, and, of course, you may develop poor digestion and elimination. Without enough water in the diet, over time, these problems can become chronic.
Experts recommend that adults consume at least 8 cups of water per day. However, if you are constipated, you may want to consume a little extra water to help rehydrate the body and flush out the digestive and excretory systems.

A good rule of thumb to remember is to take in about half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a 160 pound man would need about 80 ounces of water. Make sure you know how much water you need.

Herbs for Constipation
Herbs are a time-honored approach to treating many health-related conditions. Some herbs are naturally cleansing and can help purge the digestive system.Cascara sagrada, which means “sacred bark”, is an herbal remedy used specifically for constipation.
It gently stimulates the digestive system, and is even considered safe for long term use.
Slippery elm is another gentle herb that is soothing to the digestive tract. It is emollient, meaning it soothes mucous membranes. Herbalists use slippery elm to treat colitis and constipation in children.
Avoid cathartic herbs such as senna, buckthorn and rhubard. While they do provide immediate relief, they have harsh side effects such as gas, cramping and possibly excessive weight loss.
And, like over-the-counter laxatives, herbal cathartics may become habit forming, and over time can actually worsen the symptoms.
Another herb which is somewhat controversial, but is nonetheless effective in treating occasional constipation is aloe vera juice. It is generally considered safe if taken for short periods of time. Check with your healthcare provider before trying herbal remedies, especially if you are currently taking any prescription medication.

Considerations
If your constipation continues for more than a few weeks, or does not respond to natural treatments, you may have a more serious medical condition.
Check with your healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist. Stress can also contribute to sluggish digestion. Consider ways to manage your stress, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises or hypnosis. Remember to always check with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Natural therapies such as yoga or herbal supplements are meant to complement, and not replace traditional medical care.
References
1. USDA – Food Groups (http://www.mypyramid.gov)
2. Mayo Clinic – Water, How Much Should You Drink Every Day? (http://www.mayoclinic.com)
3. Clayton College of Natural Health – Herb Reference Guide (http://www.ccnh.edu)
4. Ray Sahelian, MD – Weight Loss Herbs (http://www.raysahelian.com)


Natural Remedies for Constipation