http://www.ei-resource.org/ 2197-502 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/epsom-salts-(magnesium-sulfate)/ I stomped across Epsom salts by chance. I usually use regular salt and was curious to see the difference. It helped me relieve symptoms of a foot injury that I'm struggling with. It doesn't wrinkle the skin and it has a calming effect( I soak my feet at night and sleep better and wake up more rested). I would definitely recommend Epsom salts instead of regular bath salts. I use two handfuls of salt in a sink of hot water. I found the recommended ratio to be 1% salt. ]]> Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:35:56 +0000 2974-484 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/sauna-therapy/ I decided to invest in a portable FIR sauna to use at home after reading various books by Sherry Rogers and other authors on chemical sensitivity and the toxic burden we all carry in our bodies. Many of the books recommended FIR saunas as a means to detoxify from these toxins so despite my reservations about the cost I decided to take the plunge in the summer of '07 as I was getting nowhere with treatments I was trying for MCS at the time. During the first few sessions I experienced quite severe detox reactions and felt very sick for a day or two afterwards. Although very unpleasant I took this as a sign I was onto something so persevered! I used the sauna for shorter periods to begin with and slowly built up the time I spent using it while also undertaking detox diets, increasing my water intake and taking various supplements to support detoxification. I was soon no longer experiencing the detox reactions and within a month was seeing improvements in my energy levels and most noticeably in my thinking. It was as if I had begun to emerge from the fog that was clouding my thinking! I was less forgetful, concentrating was far less effort and I was able to focus on tasks for more than 10 minutes for the first time in years! Within another couple of months I noticed I was no longer reacting as strongly to chemicals which had previously had me heading right for my bed if I was exposed to them. Three years on I am still using the sauna a couple of times every week and although not completely cured I am a whole lot better than I was and can live a much more normal life. I now leave my house and am able to visit with people without wearing a filter mask! If you can afford it I highly recommend anyone struggling with EI get themselves a FIR sauna but be sure to start off slowly and build up. I hope you guys experience the benefits I have. Take care. ]]> Sun, 30 May 2010 21:57:01 +0000 3589-483 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/qi-gong/ I have been doing giqong since the early 1990s and as a 60-something I can attest to its remarkable benefits for health and vitality. I loved the energising effects of the exercises from the first class I attended and more and more benefits have become apparent as time has gone by. I look around at friends and others of a similar age to myself and am so grateful I was introduced to qigong as I am in great health both physically and mentally and have as much energy as I did 20 years ago. Although I have adopted a generally healthy lifestyle there is no doubt in my mind that qigong has played a large part in the health I enjoy. While attending classes and groups I have also seen what qigong can do for those unfortunates who are battling various illnesses, including those discussed on this site (I actually came across this site while researching chemical sensitivities for a friend). Having spotted this page I had to share my experiences. I encourage all to give qigong a try. It is easy to learn and the exercises can usually be performed even by those whose movement is restricted. What do you have to lose! ]]> Sun, 30 May 2010 21:34:09 +0000 3589-481 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/qi-gong/ Great description of qi gong and thank you for providing this site! I am 56 and developed fibromyalgia in my mid 40s which cost me my career and also caused major problems in my personal life. I went through so many doctors , drugs and other conventional treatments I lost count but none offered any real help. In desperation I went to a qi gong class as a friend of mine (very new agey!) had suggested. To my amazement and great joy not only was I able to do the simple exercises without pain but I felt energized and generally a whole lot better. I have attended the class for 2 years now and practice qi gong at home twice daily and the benefits have been nothing short of miraculous - less pain, more energy, better mood and motivation and what I can only describe as a spiritual awakening that has allowed me to rediscover myself and given me new direction in life. After a career in finance I am now working with a children's charity part-time and feel more fullfilled than I ever did before fibromyalgia despite living on a fraction of my previous income. Put simply qi gong has not only improved my fibromyalgia symptoms hugely but has also changed my life for the better in a way I never imagined possible. I know this might sound a bit out there to some peopleso all I can say is give it a chance and see for yourselves! Peace, health and happiness to all. ]]> Thu, 20 May 2010 22:22:06 +0000 3589-480 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/qi-gong/ I was first introduced to the oriental practices of qi/chi manipulation that include qi gong, t'ai chi and various martial arts many years ago after being taken to a group session by a family friend. I was feeling truly dreadful at the time and not leaving the house much at all but I remember leaving the session feeling strangely uplifted and energised. At the time I didn't appreciate the potential long term benefits for health and well-being of what I had been introduced to but went on to be introduced to a form of meditation that suits me perfectly and have reaped similar benefits from this over the past 7 years. It seems some higher power really wants me to have these spiritual practices in my life! Recently having read more about the benefits of gi gong I decided it was time I made it part of my daily routine so I purchased a couple of books on the subject. I then began learning a form of gi gong known as Pal Dan Gum from the book 'Qi Gong For Beginners' by Stanley D. Wilson, Ph.D. Incidentally this is a great book with clear instructions and photos that makes learning the movements that make up Pal Gum Gum very easy. After only a week I was doing the gi qong routine from memory and feeling great. From the first few attempts I already felt similarly uplifted and energised as I had all those years ago. Over the past 3 months I have been practicing the routine daily and these beneficial feelings have only grown. After completing the sequence of movements I feel full of energy and much brighter in mood which helps motivate me and make me more productive as well as generally making me feel better and reducing my ever-present symptoms of fatigue, low mood, difficulty concentrating and focusing etc. I feel, just as with meditation, the benefits will only grow as I continue to practice qi gong regularly. Given how easy it was to learn this form of gi gong and how quickly I felt the benefits, along with the fact it only takes 15-20 minutes per day, I would recommend qi gong to all EI sufferers. The movements are very simple as it is their combination with deep breathing that improves the flow of qi so even those with pain and some degree of immobility can still benefit. ]]> Tue, 11 May 2010 21:00:14 +0000 2197-228 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/epsom-salts-(magnesium-sulfate)/ I've used epsom salts as part of my treatment regime for a couple of years now and wouldn't be without them. Having suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) for going on 18 years now I have been aware of the importance of magnesium and its reported calming qualities for a long time. I had never experienced these however until trying epsom salts. I had had blood tests showing low red cell magnesium levels and tried oral supplements in various forms as well as injections without noticing any improvement. Epsom salts however rapidly produce a very profound calming effect which lasts for much of the day. My anxiety and stress levels decrease, my muscles relax and my mood brightens. I have taken tranquilizer drugs such as diazepam (Valium) on occasion and have to say that the effect I get from the epsom salts is comparable to the drug (while being much safer). As research shows sulfate is well absorbed through the skin from epsom salts as well as magnesium. It's harder to tell if I have benefitted from this or not however. It is true that my chemical sensitivities have remained minimal during the period I have used epsom salts which could certainly be in part due to the extra sulfate but I have also been using other treatments. Sulfate is very important for the detoxification of chemical pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and petrochemical based products such as perfume. I use foot baths as I don't have a bath in my flat/apartment. I dissolve around 100g of epsom salts in a plastic bowl that would otherwise be used to wash dishes. This is probably more epsom salts than needed based on Dr. Waring's research mentioned above but it dissolves well and hasn't caused any side-effects. I have read elsewhere that people have had skin irritation when too much has been added to the water but I haven't experienced this. The salts can leave a rim around the bowl/bath though but can be washed off easily enough. I'm in the UK and have found it quite hard to buy epsom salts in the shops/pharmacies so I now buy online which works out much cheaper anyway. Various websites sell 10kg buckets (which I buy) for around 20 Pounds including delivery. These buckets last me around 5-6 months doing foot baths every other day so are very good value. Oral supplements which I have found ineffective would cost many times more over the same period. I would recommend epsom salt baths or footbaths to anyone suffering from environmental illnesses, particularly those suffering badly with mood disorders and chemical sensitivities. They are effective, safe and cheap. ]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:34:35 +0000 1314-61 http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-reviews-%11-other/complementary%10alternative-therapies/reflexology/ I am lucky in that my mum is a reflexologist so I have had easy access to treatment over the years. I have to admit I was initially very sceptical and didn't expect any benefit. I soon changed my mind however, after only a single hour long treatment. The sense of relaxation I experienced was really profound. As a result of suffering from CFS I have problems with stress, depression and sleep. During reflexology treatment all of these are improved. My body and mind both feel more relaxed and free from stress than they do at any other time. To be honest it is really a struggle to stay awake during a reflexology session! My mum tells me that this is common with all of her clients. In support of the theory that reflexologists can locate problem areas in the body by feeling tension and sore areas in the feet, I have to say that certain areas of my feet do feel very sore when pressure is applied. I have not injured my feet in these areas and do not notice pain or soreness there at any other time so perhaps there is something in it. After having a reflexology treatment I find I can sleep more soundly for a few days. Unfortunately I have had no long-term benefits from the treatments. I haven't had any sustained increase in energy or improvement in mood. However, during the treatment and for a few days after the benefits are unmistakable. I would certainly recommend reflexology to anyone suffering from stress, depression, insomnia, nervous exhaustion etc. If you can afford to visit a reflexologist every week then the benefits may well be maintained. It is worth a trial just to experience the deep level of relaxation that can be achieved. ]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:22:14 +0000